//------------------------------//
// Episode 4: SMILE is go 
// Story: Sparkling Harmony EQG: Agents of SMILE: Young Love 
// by Captain_Cosmos 
//------------------------------//

Sparkle Residence
Outskirts of Canterlot City
October 5th, 2022
1645hrs

“Are you sure this isn’t too much?” Twilight asked as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a dark purple dress with light blue trims and a Star pattern lining the bottom. She also wore grey high socks and light blue heels.

Night-Mare shook her head. “It’s your first date Twi. Gotta look your best.” She told her.

“Nighty, we’re just going to the mall’s food court. Not a fancy restaurant.” Twilight deadpanned.

“Location doesn’t really matter Twily.” Cadence said. “Remember the old adage, dress to impress.” She said.

Twilight was about to roll her eyes, before she heard a car’s engine getting louder. She glanced out her window and saw a familiar, sleek, black car with blue and pink stripes pull up and parallel park in front of the house. She beamed. “She’s here!” She squealed in delight as she grabbed her handbag and raced out of the room.

“Wait! Twily!” Cadence called out.

“You’re supposed to let her come to you!” Night-Mare called out.

Twilight didn’t seem to listen as she swiftly descended the stairs and went for the front door, before her brother, Shining Armor, stepped in front of her to block her path. “Whoa there Twily. Bit impatient are we?” He asked.

Twilight stopped to avoid crashing into Shining. “I’m excited, what can I say?” She asked as she maneuvered around Shining and grabbed the handle.

“Usually you’re supposed to wait for her to come to you.” Shining told his little sister.

Twilight laughed. “And risk you hounding her and embarrassing me? Maybe if/when we get to the meet the family stage.” She responded. “For now, I’ll be back by curfew!” She said before she opened the door and stepped out, closing the door behind her.

Shining watched as his little sister disappeared and couldn’t help but smile and shake his head. “It’s almost like she thinks we TRY to embarrass her.” He commented.

“Well I can see why having a police officer for a brother can be a bit nerve wracking in this case.” Cadence commented as she and Night-Mare came downstairs.

Night-Mare shook her head. “She can try all she wants. Sooner or later she HAS to bring Sparkler over.” She commented. “It’s basically a—“ She started before being cut off by her phone ringing. She glanced at the screen and frowned. “Oh, work call, gotta take this.” She said. Before Shining and Cadence could question it, Night-Mare rushed up the stairs and locked herself in her bedroom, before answering the call. “Go.”

“When is it right to turn the frown upside down?”

“It’s always the right time to SMILE.” Night-Mare responded. “To what do I owe the pleasure Director Derrick?”

“Did Medley spend any time at your residence at all?” Derrick asked.

“She picked up Twilight for a date. Why?” Night-Mare asked.

“I’ve been trying to reach her but I can’t—wait did you say date?” Derrick asked.

“Yeah. Sparkler and Twilight are going on a date this evening.” Night-Mare said.

“Where?”

“Airwave’s Airwave in Canterlot mall.”

“We have reason to believe FOWL is on the move near the mall. And their movements suggest an attack of some kind.” Derrick said.

Night-Mare blinked, her mind racing. “You don’t think they’re after SPARKLER do you?” She asked.

“There are currently three agents in the mall right now, and four of the spectacular Seven are at the mall. Two likely targets for FOWL.” Derrick explained. “We’ve been trying to warn Medley but she’s not responding.” He said.

“If I had to guess.” Night-Mare said as she got her coat and put it on. “I’d say her AI companion is blocking all calls from SMILE so Sparkler can have a peaceful night with Twilight.” She said.

“Ugh. Of course he is.” Derrick replied. “Not that she hasn’t earned a night to herself but FOWL is very likely to not care.”

“You said there were three agents at the mall already right?” Night-Mare asked.

“Yeah. Agents Lyra, Bonbon, and Autumn.” Derrick responded.

“I’ll give them a call, and I’m on my way myself.” She said as she activated a holographic projection of herself in her room and started playing a recording of her voice. So Shining and Cadence wouldn’t question anything.

“Good. If you think you can deter FOWL without involving Sparkler then do it.” Derrick said.

“SMILE is go.” Night-Mare responded as she snuck out of the room through a window, got her bike, and started pedaling.

In the meanwhile, Sparkler stood in front of her car as she saw Twilight come out of her house. “I’ll be back by curfew!” She heard before Twilight closed the door and made her way to her. Sparkler could see that Twilight was wearing a fancier dress than what she normally wore. And by golly did she look stunning in it.

Twilight approached and smiled. “Hey there Sparkler.” She said. “How’s it going?” She asked.

“It’s uh…it’s going good.” Sparkler responded. “Nice outfit.” She commented.

Twilight blushed at the compliment and smiled sheepishly. “Is it too much? I know we’re just going to the mall and this is probably too much but my sister said location didn’t matter.” She explained.

“No, no. Y-you look good in that dress. It suits you.” Sparkler responded, blushing.

“Thanks. I like your outfit too. Sparkly jacket and Bow. Kinda fits with the name Sparkling Medley.” Twilight said.

“Rarity made them for me.” Sparkler explained. “Glad you like it.” She said.

“I do. So. Shall we get going? We should probably get out of here before my brother decides to pull you over.” Twilight said with a nervous chuckle.

Sparkler giggled as she opened the passenger door to her car. “Your chariot awaits you m’lady.” She said.

“Ooh. How chivalrous.” Twilight commented with a giggle of her own as she climbed into the passenger seat. Sparkler closed the door and proceeded to climb into the driver’s seat from the other side.

“Off we go.” Sparkler said as she pressed the ignition and put the car in gear.

The moment the car started, something happened that spooked Sparkler and shocked Twilight. “Hello there Sparkler. Shall I play some music for this journey?” Asked Flappy.

Twilight didn’t notice Sparkler’s slight panic as she stared at the dash in amazement. “Whoa. Talking car.” She observed.

“Uh…yeah it’s my…” Sparkler tried to come up with an explanation. I thought I told him to be quiet?! She thought.

“I am Sparkler’s homemade FM Lengthy Audio Player Presence.” Flappy said. “Flappy for short.”

At that, Sparkler eased up again. “Yeah. Flappy’s the radio upgrade I made. Heheheh.” She said. Nice save Flappy but we are definitely talking later. She thought.

Twilight smiled widely. “Amazing! You made an artificial intelligence and put it into a homemade radio?!” She asked excitedly.

“Oh that’s just my primary function.” Flappy said. “I can also connect to other car systems, such as the lights and steering and such. Thanks to this unit, the Sparkmobile is a true smart car.” He explained.

And now Sparkler was blushing. Thank god I know my way around computers. So I can make it believable that I actually did make Flappy on my own. She thought. While Twilight chuckled. “The Sparkmobile?” She asked Sparkler.

“Yeah. Rainbow dubbed it the Sparkmobile due to it being basically the best car anyone at CHS has…not sure about that reasoning but the name stuck so…yeah.” Sparkler explained, blushing.

“I like it. It suits a smart car like this.” Twilight replied.

Sparkler smiled sheepishly as she kept her eyes on the road. “I will admit it’s kinda growing on me.” She said. “Ahem, so uh. We can put on some music if you want. Feel free to browse the playlists I have.” She offered as Flappy called up a list of playlists.

Twilight looked through the list, and couldn’t help but chuckle. “I see you like a lot of Sci-Fi and other works of fiction.” She commented.

“Yeah.” Sparkler responded. “I—“

“Wait!” Twilight cut Sparkler off as she spied something. “You have the entire Daring Do soundtrack collection?!” She asked.

Sparkler glanced at the dashboard screen and saw that Twilight found her derring do music. “Yeah. Daring Do’s kinda one of my top fandoms.” She said.

“No way! Me too!” Twilight squealed in excitement as she tapped a playlist, tapped a random song, and the music started. “How much of the series have you read and watched?” She asked.

“All the books and all the movies.” Sparkler responded.

“Sweet!” Twilight said. “Don’t tell Rainbow, but I’ve kinda gotten a little tired of talking with just her about Daring Do. And I haven’t been able to find anyone else at school who likes it as much as me and her.” She revealed.

Sparkler chuckled. “My lips are sealed.” She said, no longer nervous. Thank god we can move away from the car. She thought.





Canterlot Mall
Canterlot City
October 5th, 2022
1700hrs

Autumn stepped into the ladies room in Airwave’s Airwave, she received an alert from Bella through her earpiece that Night-Mare was calling. Once she confirmed that she was alone in the bathroom and that no one would be able to hear her, she answered the call. “Go.” She said.

““When is it right to turn the frown upside down?”

“It’s always the right time to SMILE.” Autumn responded. “What’s the problem?”

“I got Lyra and Bon Bon on here in a group call. Girls. We got a problem named FOWL.” Night-Mare said.

“FOWL?” Autumn asked.

“What’s going on Night-Mare?” Bon Bon asked.

“SMILE received intel that FOWL could be plotting an attack at the mall. And given their recent interest in magic. They either plan to nab one of the Spectacular Seven, or maybe even Sparkler.” Night-Mare explained.

“What?!” Autumn asked.

“But…Sparkler’s on her way right now…does she know about the impending attack?” Lyra asked.

“Her AI companion is blocking all SMILE calls tonight, so she has no clue.” Night-Mare responded.

“Not surprising.” Bon Bon said. “She probably wants a peaceful night.”

“FOWL won’t care.” Lyra said.

“Precisely. I’m on my way now, Autumn, it would probably be best to warn Sparkler, but I think we can handle this without her.” Night-Mare explained.

“That would be ideal.” Lyra said. “She’s earned a night to herself.”

“Exactly.” Night-Mare responded. “Keep sharp girls. SMILE is go.”

Autumn nodded as the signal was cut. She pocketed her phone and took a deep breath. “God help us all.” She commented as she walked out of the bathroom.

To be continued…