“Huh. I didn’t know there were so many things you could get a degree for.” Melody commented to her sibling.
“Well, I mean mom has a bachelors in music production so it kinda makes sense.” Sprinkle responded.
“Ya know. This makes me want to ask about Mom’s time at college.” Light mused. “Maybe we should ask tomorrow morning when we have our daily video chat.”
“Or Sprinkle Pedal and I can talk.” Mystic responded. “We have all the details.
“You do?” Crystal asked.
“We have access to all of Mom’s memories. Hive mind.” Pedal responded.
“Oh, then what was Mom’s first day of college like?” Trail asked.
Sprinkle, Pedal, and Mystic chuckled. “Well, it all started when Mom left home…”
“You have everything right?” Aurora asked.
“Yes mom. I do.” Sparkler responded.
“Are you sure?” Thundercracker asked.
“I’m sure.” Sparkler responded.
“Squawk! And she has my bird cage. Squawk!” Flappy said.
Aurora and Thundercracker nodded. “Alright, well, send us a letter when you get there.” Aurora told Sparkler.
“I will mom.” She said as she hugged her parents. “Gonna miss you guys.”
“We’ll miss you too Sparkler. See you when we come visit in a couple weeks.” Thundercracker said.
Sparkler nodded. “Yeah. See ya in a few weeks.” She said.
With final goodbyes, Sparkler and Flappy took off in the sky, flying through the sky towards Saddle Arabia University. Aurora held it together for five seconds before bursting into tears. “She grew up too fast.” She sobbed.
Thundercracker pulled Aurora into a hug. “We always knew this day would come.” He said. “I just hope Flappy can help her keep her emotions in check.” He added.
“Wait a minute, this was four years after the great Date Disaster wasn’t it.” Lumber said.
“Yep. And it was still fresh in everypoy’s minds.” Pedal said.
“And if you recall, that’s what got Flappy certified to be Sparkler’s support animal.” Mystic said.
“Ya know, Before that trial, I had wondered what that certificate hanging on the wall of Sparkling Harmony Records was for.” Melody commented.
“So what happened when mom got to college?” Lightning asked.
“Well, the first thing she did was go incognito…”
At Saddle Arabia University, students were converging on the dorm building, moving in for the school year. Everypony was so focused on their stuff and moving it that they didn’t notice a parrot fly and land behind a rock.
Flappy glanced out from behind the rock, before smiling. “Squawk! Clear. Squawk!” He said.
Next to him, hiding behind the rock, Sparkler rematerialized, lowering the invisibility spell she had cast on herself. “Alright. Now remember Flappy, if anypony asks, I’m a Unicorn Sweater lover.” She told him.
“Squawk! You sure about this Sparkler? Squawk!” Flappy asked. “Squawk! New school, new ponies, it could very well be different here. Squawk!”
“I Can’t go through that again Flappy. I just can’t.” Sparkler responded as she lit her horn, and a sweater appeared over her wings, hiding them from view.
Flappy sighed. “Squawk! If you say so pal. Squawk!” He said as he took position on Sparkler’s back.
Sparkler took a deep breath, and stepped out from behind the rock, and walked toward the building. Despite her knowing they couldn’t possibly know she had wings, she still could not shake the feeling that any minute now, she was going to be pelted.
“Squawk! Sparkler, calm down. Remember, all new students. Squawk!” Flappy whispered into her ear.
Sparkler nodded and took deep breaths to calm herself down…Before a thought came to her. Wait…He would have graduated too…Oh crud what if HE’S here!
Suffice to say, it was a miracle that Sparkler managed to make it all the way to reception, get her dorm assignment, and actually get to her dorm without breaking down in fear. Although the Nanosecond she was in her actual room, in the suite that she was going to share with two other mares, She lit her horn, cast a soundproofing bubble over the entire room, and once she was certain nopony would hear her, she dived under the bed, lit her horn and grabbed the blanket she packed in her duffle bag, and covered herself with it, shaking violently and holding back tears.
Flappy, who had noticed Sparkler on the verge of panic but couldn’t be sure, landed on the ground in front of her. “Squawk! Whoa. Sparkler. Are you ok? Squawk!” He asked.
“Y-you don’t think HE’S here…d-do you?” Sparkler asked shakily.
That was all Flappy needed to know to deduce what happened. Sparkler managed to think back to the colt that betrayed her during her freshman year of High School, and came to the very real possibility that he was a student at SAU too. As per his duties as her emotional support animal, Flappy wiggled himself under the blanket and cleared his throat. Beginning to sing their special song.
You always got a friend, always got a friend
Always got a friend in me
I always got a friend, always got a friend
Always got a friend in you too
You always got a friend, always got a friend
Always got a friend in me
Always got a friend, always got a friend
That's the way it's gonna be
Me and you (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
So glad I've got a guy like you
Me and you (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Always got each other's back we do
'Cause everything's a little bit better
When you and I stick together
Stuck on you (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Me and you
Me and you (me and you)
(Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh) always got a friend, always got a friend
(Oh, yeah) always got a friend in me (me and you)
I always got a friend, always got a friend
Always got a friend in you too
'Cause everything's a little bit better (yeah)
When you and I stick together
Stuck on you (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
Me and you
You
Just as he thought, Sparkler eventually started singing along, calming down by the end of the song. After the song, Sparkler took a deep breath. “Ok.” She said as she got out from under the blanket. “I’m good.” She said.
“Squawk! Good. Squawk!” Flappy said. “Squawk! IF he is here, just ignore him. Squawk!” He told her.
“Might not be able to.” Sparkler responded. “If he’s a music major, we could have the same schedule.” She said.
“Squawk! Let’s not jump to conclusions. Squawk!” Flappy said.
Sparkler was about to respond, before she and Flappy heard a knock on the door. Followed by a mare’s voice. “Hello…Sparkling Medley? It’s your two new roommates. If you’re here, we’re having lunch in the kitchen. In case you’d like to join.” The voice said.
Sparkler and Flappy glanced at each other. Flappy nodded. “Squawk! You’re going to be living with these ponies for the next year. Gotta at least spend SOME time with them. Squawk!” He said.
Sparkler gulped, before nodding. “You’re coming too.” She said as she got out from under the bed.
“And that’s when mom met her roommates. A pegasus named Cozy Glow and an Earth Pony named Autumn Leaves…Huh, I wonder if Mom ever noticed they both have Mommy Twi’s mane and tail style.” Sprinkle commented.
“Did mom ever make friends with them?” Crystal asked.
“No.” Pedal responded. “They did co-exist together but they never reached friendship. Not that Cozy and Leaves didn’t try. If I didn’t know any better I’d say they were related to Pinkie.” She said.
Melody sighed. “Those darn idiots. They nearly get mom killed because of that prank and she’s STILL healing from being in their midst for 13 years. Seriously, I would REALLY like to know what they had against her.” She commented.
“Well, least they’re all in jail now. As they should be.” Sky said.
“Yeah.” Light said. “I wonder where Cozy and Leaves are now. I bet they would love the new Sparkler.” She said.
“Yeah. Wouldn’t that be nice.” Pedal said, all the Medley kids chuckling.
To be continued…