The sun began to shine bright in the sky as Maretime Bay’s animals began to start barking and yipping energetically to greet the morning. Hearing this, the optimistic and vibrant Sunny Starscout immediately rose from her bed looking completely refreshed. The mare’s aura-composed wings and horn rose far and wide as she flew from her bed to the doorframe. Briefly grabbing a mane band and wrapping up her signature ponytail, the horn and wings flickered unexpectedly. The mare gave one last look out the window while looking through doors of her brand new roommates. She saw Izzy sleeping notably with her face at the foot of the bed rather than the back, talking in her sleep seemingly about Ice Cream. She then walked past Zipp and Pippo’s rooms, Zipp was snoring in a cartoonishly loud manner and Pipp was covering her face with a pillow trying not to be awakened by the sun. Sunny snickered seeing this and quietly walked by letting her friends sleep. The final room in the hall was that of Hitch, which notably had the lights on, being the only one of the friends to be awake at this hour, though the stallion clearly looked exhausted.
The stallion cartoonishly yawned and rubbed his eye while looking for something. “Ohh… Hey Sunny…” The stallion yawned once again before breathing deep, “Seriously how can you be awake this early without needing any coffee?” Hitch asked while looking inside each of his drawers of his dresser.
Sunny chuckled at seeing her tired friend stumble around still being half asleep. “Hitch… Your badge is hung up on the wall right there, where you hang it up every night before bed.” She said as she used her horn to grab the badge and attempted to bring it to Hitch… Before her horn and wings immediately faded away and the badge fell out of the air and fell right on Hitch’s face.
“Ouch… I would have preferred a coffee to wake me up.” Hitch said sarcastically as he rubbed where the badge hit and latched it in place. “Have you still not figured out how to make your magic from fading away?”
Sunny looked a bit embarrassed and tried to make the badge incident seem comical, “Sorry… I don’t know how Izzy does it, she makes it look so easy.” Sunny said as she looked over and saw the wings, and presumably the horn already went back in, “I just can’t seem to get a hang of my magic yet. You have no idea what it’s like to have magic and not know how to use it.” Sunny said, looking embarrassed.
Hitch chuckled a bit, as much as he hated to admit it, seeing Sunny struggle with magic did help him feel more secure about him not having any. “Movies where ponies get super powers make it look so easy.” Hitch said as the badge officially latched in place. “It’s only been a few weeks, and didn’t you say that Twilight princess spent her whole life learning how to perfect magic?”
Sunny sighed as she admitted her struggle at handling magic, “It’s not just that, everypony wants me to guide them with magic but I don’t want to teach that while everypony is still fighting. I want to help ponies get along with or without magic. I’m still seeing different ponies fighting and it’s scary.” Sunny said showing a more vulnerable side as opposed to her more usual optimism.
Hitch stretched one last time before making his way to the door, “I know what you mean, but it’s still an adjustment period for lots of ponies. Everything’s changing, and a lot of ponies don’t understand that change is a good thing. Some ponies are just afraid of change. But if anypony can make the change, I know it’s you.” He said playfully nudging her shoulder while heading out the door, “I’m off to work, make sure Izzy doesn’t eat that Ice Cream that I have saving in the freezer.” Hitch said in a both playful and serious tone as he walked off.
Sunny smiled and gave Hitch an assured nod, “I’ll do my best, though I’m not sure if helping ponies and saving your Ice Cream will be easier.” She said chuckling.
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A few hours had passed and in the afternoon, Sunny and Izzy were alone in the palace folding laundry with their horn; Izzy was a natural at getting the shirts while Sunny kept dropping them on the floor. Izzy laughed at how the clothes kept getting wrinkled in the process, “If you keep dropping them like that we’ll need to wash them again!” She said playfully while she neatly placed her stack on the couch. “Are you sure you’re practicing?” She asked while briefly walking into the kitchen.
Sunny rolled her eyes and attempted to fold the shirt naturally with her hooves while she was alone. “You know I’m practicing as much as I can, but I have other stuff on my mind…” Sunny said before seeing Izzy come back in (holding a pint of ice cream…), and this made Sunny nervously try and put the shirt back in a magical aura.
Izzy saw Sunny struggle to hide the fact that she was using the traditional way to fold the shirt, “Oh yeah, you definitely did that with magic…!” She teased playfully and booped Sunny’s muzzle.
“Alright you caught me… By the way you know that Ice Cream was for…” Sunny tried to say, but before she could finish, there was a notable knock on the front door, cutting her off.
“I’ll get it!!!” Izzy said as she ran to the front door and answered it, looking down seeing a red earth filly with a green mane wearing what looked like a typical Girl Scout uniform, and a green earth colt with a red mane wearing a typical Cub Scout uniform, “Hello…?” Izzy asked, not recognizing the foals attire so she looked confused.
“Hello there! My name is Bow and this is my brother Arron! We’re with Ranger Scout troop 119 and were wondering if you were interested in buying some delicious Snackie Cakes!!!” The filly said excitedly.
“We have Red Velvet, Chocolate Mint, Cookies N Creme, and Golden Spongecake!” The colt said holding up one of each box of the assorted Snackie Cakes.
“Ooooohhhhhhhhhhh!!! That all sounds good! I don’t have any money though… Sunny get your purse!!!” Izzy exclaimed excitedly, “Snackie Cakes and Ice Cream! Best combo!!!!”
Sunny was a bit confused by this but she grabbed her bag and met Izzy at the door, and when she did, she gasped at seeing the two foals, “Wow! Are you two Ranger Scouts selling cookies!?” She asked excitedly while the foals nodded before Arron looked shocked at seeing Sunny.
The colt widened his eyes and smiled widely at the purple maned pony. “Wow… Sunny Starscout!!! I heard about you!!! You’re a magical alicorn!!! You’re my hero!!!” Aaron said excitedly before giving a cartoonish salute to the mare.
Sunny smiled humbly before looking excited at the colt’s excitement, “Awe that’s so sweet! I’ve never been anypony’s hero before!” She said playfully booping Arron on the muzzle. “You know I was a Ranger Scout when I was a filly with my friends! I learned a lot and made so many friends and…!” Sunny said excitedly before she looked at the two foals and an idea hit her, “Hey, are you guys looking for more members?”
Aaron simply stood in awe from Sunny’s affectionate greeting before giving a cartoonishly stern and respectful Salute, and his sister answered for him, “Oh definitely! We’ve been having trouble getting foals to join for a long time.” Bow said as Arron then looked normal again while casually nodding along.
Sunny smiled and saluted back, “Tell you what, put me down for one of everything, and give me your card, I have a great idea for you guys.” Sunny said as she gave the foals the money for the Snackie Cakes and Izzy took all the boxes. Bow gave Sunny their troop’s information and Sunny smiled and gave the two an excited smile, “Thank you so much!!! I’ll see you two again soon, good luck selling the Snackie Cakes!” She said as she saluted the two who saluted back before walking off to sell to more ponies.
“We just met Alicorn Sunny Starscout!!! That was so cool!!!” Aaron yelled out excitedly as his sister softly and playfully snickered at how he was fanboying out.
“So what was that exactly? Are those foals in a cult or something? They saluted to you A LOT.” Izzy asked as she started eating the Snackie Cakes inside the palace, “Oh… Wow, these are good!”
Sunny chuckled at Izzy’s ignorance to what the foals were doing, “Haha no, they’re in a Scout troop. It’s this big group of foals who gather together and learn to work together and learn great skills to survive and have fun together! I was one and so was Hitch, even Sprout was a Ranger Scout! And this is exactly what we need to help ponies get along! If we can get unicorns and pegasi join that troop that will help more of the ponies get along!!! I’m gonna call the Scoutmaster right now!!!” Sunny said while taking out her phone.
“Scoutmaster? Are you SURE it’s not a cult?” Izzy asked innocently ignorantly.
Sunny chuckled and started making the call, “I swear. By the way… You owe Hitch a new pint of Ice Cream…” Sunny said as Izzy made a sudden ‘oops’ face.
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The next day, Sunny and Pipp were seen at the park preparing to set up a small area for one of Pipp’s signature videos for her channel, but this time Sunny had a special idea in mind, “Alrighty you’re the expert on these videos, should we do a camping themed video out in the grass or by the trees? I want this to be the perfect video.” Sunny asked Pipp, as she was the expert on framing and setting for videos.
Pipp looked back and forth and pondered for a moment, tapping her hoof on her muzzle before making up her mind. “Oh definitely the trees, the lighting this time of day reflects right through the leaves definitely makes your eyes sparkle.” Pipp responded as she handed her makeup bag to help her look video ready. “So who are we meeting again? You said it was for like a Scout thing right? I think I’ve heard of that, but nopony in Zephyr Heights has joined that stuff sense like a really long time ago.”
Sunny took out a special mane barrette and clipped it to her bangs. “Yeah it’s something where foals learn how to be good mature ponies and learn to work together. If I can get your subscribers to see it and join this troop, it will help the foals stop being afraid of each other.” Sunny said optimistically, checking the time to see when the Scoutmaster was arriving, “He should be here anytime soon, I sent him an email about doing this video and he said he’d be here around 2 pm.”
“You actually sent an email? Why not a DM or anything?” Pipp tried to ask before the two heard a loud whistle that cut off their conversation.
“TEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNN HUUUUUUTTTTTTT!!!” A loud gruff and country voice yelled, and in the distance those two foals from the day before were seen walking up with a larger pony who is dressed like a typical Boy Scoutmaster uniform, with a sash having all his badges bronzed. This pony also sported a beard and had a very visible Hatchet Axe stuck onto a harness on his belt. The larger pony then snickered when he saw the mares get caught off guard by his over the top arrival. “ Hehe that never gets old. Howdy there missies, I think this video thing is a great idea.” He said saluting at the two mares. “We’ve been struggling to keep membership up for years, letting Unicorns and Pegasi join was a great idea!” He said extending a hoof for Sunny to shake.
The mare smiled and took his hoof and accepted the shake, “Well I’m glad you think it’s a good idea, what was your name again Mister…?” Sunny asked, trying to get a better clue on who this pony was.
The scoutmaster snickered. “You don’t see the resemblance? It’s Axel! Axel Melon!” He said as he smirked and took out his signature Axe to show off.
Sunny was a bit confused as to why he introduced himself like that, especially with the axe, but then she put her hoof on it, “Oh my goodness, Axel! It’s been like… I don’t know how many years! Pipp this is Axel Melon, he was in the same troop Hitch and I were in as foals!” Sunny said excitedly while introducing her old friend to her new friend.
Pipp smiled and let her wings out, “Oh well it’s nice to meet you, I’m Princess Pipp Petals! I’m sure you’re subscribed to my channel right?” Pipp asked as she made a faintly conceited face, but Axel simply gave a face of confusion as he never saw any of her videos.
However, Bow widened her eyes and dropped her jaw at the sight of Pipp, “OOOHHHHHH MY GOODNESS!!! You’re Pipp Petals!!! I subscribed to you last month and I’ve watched all your videos at least three times!!!” The filly yelled in excitement, Aaron smirked seeing her fangirl out the same way he did the day before.
“Awe, it’s always nice to meet a fan! You foals want a selfie before we film the video? You’ll get your first hearts and hoofs up!” Pipp asked as Bow nodded and grabbed Pipp’s hoof and cartoonishly dragged her to one of the trees for a selfie, Aaron chuckled and followed.
Axel snickered seeing them go off like that, “Ah Bow and Arron, they’re the best foals I could ever have.” Axel said in a soft and caring tone of voice, “Remember how I always said when I grow up I was gonna adopt, welp I’m a pony of my word!” Axel said proudly to Sunny.
“They’re your foals? That’s adorable! And you’re their Scoutmaster too? Looks like you kept yourself busy.” Sunny said as she looked over at the foals who were taking pictures with Pipp, “Are you still on that farm outside of town? Or do you live out in the woods full time?” Sunny asked jokingly towards the camping pony.
“That’s not until Bow and Arron grow up,” Axel said jokingly playing along, “Still growing my watermelon yes.” Axel said as he looked at Sunny and her aura of wings and horn, “Looks like I ain’t gotta tell what you’ve been up to! My son read all about what you did with those crystals and that long trip you made with your friends.” Axel said as he took out his phone from his fanny pack. The phone was notably an old Flip Phone and didn’t look like it had internet.
Sunny chuckled at seeing Axel’s old cell phone and responded, “Yeah, Hitch came with us and he’s actually the Sheriff of Maretime Bay now and he does a great job at protecting the city.” Sunny said filling Axel in on their other friends.
“Really now? Good for him! He and I need to meet up when I get the chance.” Axel said with a bit of a soft tone in his voice, “What about Sprout? You still hang out with him too?” Axel asked, seemingly oblivious of the role Sprout took in the city army.
Sunny looked a bit nervous when Axel asked about the red pony, and she stammered a bit while trying to think of a response. “Oh uh Sprout… Well he became the deputy for Hitch but uh… Well he’s uh… He’s taking a sabbatical, yeah! So he won’t be around for a while!” Sunny managed to lie, she didn’t want Axel to know about how far his former friend had fallen.
Axel looked a bit surprised at first, but he seemed to believe Sunny’s story, “Huh, yeah Sprout takes me as the pony who would want a long break like that.” He said shrugging his shoulders casually and looked at Sunny’s wings, “You know, the unicorns and pegasi are probably gonna need a pony who understands them. Maybe you’d like to be a den mother for the troop?” Axel offered to his childhood friend honorably.
“Really…? Me but…” Sunny initially seemed reluctant to take the offer to be a leader in the troop, especially because she herself wasn’t trained with magic or flight yet. However she saw Pipp walk back with Bow and Arron and the two foals looked so adorable and sweet, she couldn’t say no at being a role model for them, “You know what, sure why not? It’ll be just like the old times! I’ll even see if Hitch wants in too!”
“Great! I’ll get the uniforms ready!” Axel said as he saluted at Sunny and she saluted back.
At that moment, Pipp returned and pulled out her phone, “Oh I heard that, that will make this video way easier!!!” She said as she started recording herself right where she was standing, making sure Bow and Arron were at a distance. “Hey pretty ponies!!! It’s me Pipp Petals here, but today I have a special announcement for all the young foals here. To help me explain, here’s my BFF Sunny Starscout and her buddy Axel Melon!!!” Pipp said as she turned the camera to Sunny and Axel.
“Oh uh okay… Starting now…!” Sunny cleared her throat, “Hey everypony, I’m here with an old friend of mine to tell you guys about Ranger Scout troop 119! Earth Pony, Unicorn, and Pegasis foals, are you guys needing to learn to get along? Do you want to learn to make new friends? Do you want to learn some extreme skills with teamwork!? Please come to Maretime Bay’s community center this Friday!” Sunny exclaimed excitedly.
“We can teach camping, taming wild animals, arts and crafts, and even some extreme skills like this…!” Axel then said as he took his Axe and cartoonishly threw it at a tree and it got stuck in it. “All this and more, and the chance to make some of the greatest friends of your life! Here with the Ranger Scouts!!! Look at how my foals over there love it!” Axel aid pointing towards his kids and Pipp turned the camera to them, Aaron gave a cartoonishly stern salute and Bow looked incredibly shocked to be in a Pipp Petals video.
“You hear that ponies? If you want your foals to learn team work with new ponies, join the troop! That’s all I wanted to say, thanks for watching and remember to Like and Subscribe!!! Bye!” Pipp then stopped recording and put her phone away. “Alright that was awesome!!! How about we celebrate with some frozen lemonade, my treat!” Pipp offered as she and Sunny lead the way to the ice cream cart, Bow notably followed Pipp with a wide smile and Arron followed Sunny with that same smile.
Axel looked over at the two mares and his kids, initially he looked excited about the chance to grow his troop, but as he saw his kids looking at the two mares with pure adoration, the excited look on his face slowly started to shift to a bit of a sad and confused expression for a moment… But then the stallion shook his head and returned to smiling, giving an awkward chuckle and started following the four as well.