It was early morning, Hitch groaned as he put the phone receiver down. Ponies were already calling the station asking for updates on the Opaline situation much like they had long into the previous night. His eyes closed and his head started to nod forwards as he began to fall asleep at his desk. Suddenly, the door opened, and a yellow Pegasus with a red mane and tail entered. She was wearing a set of Guard’s armour that clearly signified her rank as a sergeant.
“Gah,” Hitch cried at the sound. “I’m awake, I’m awake.”
“You okay Sheriff Hitch, sir?” the Pegasus asked.
“Oh, Sargent Skywalk,” Hitch sighed. “Good morning, you’re here early. I’m fine, just a little overwhelmed with the number of calls that are coming in.”
“That’s why I’m here, thought you could do with an extra set of hoofs,” Skywalk smiled. “You know my squad and I are only here to help you.”
“I know, I know,” Hitch yawned. “But I’ll never hear the end of it if I let you do too much.”
“Speaking of, there is something I need to brief you on,” Sargent Skywalk replied with a sigh.
However, she said no more as suddenly there was a banging on the door before it opened to reveal Phyllis. “Sheriff Hitch!” she demanded as she walked in. “I need to speak with Sheriff Hitch!”
“Right here Phyllis,” Hitch replied trying to suppress another yawn. “What can I do for you?”
“Harrumph, at least you’re here when you are needed this time,” Phyllis frowned. “What are you doing about the pandemic of graffiti that’s infesting the town?”
“The what of where now?” Hitch frowned.
“That was what I was about to brief you on Sheriff,” Skywalk interjected. “Evening patrols found a new Fanksy mural, the biggest yet.”
“They are not ‘murals’,” Phyllis growled. “They are blots on our town’s buildings and should be removed immediately.”
“Unfortunately for you Phyllis that’s not something you can decide,” Hitch replied.
“Then what are you doing to stop them from appearing?” Phyllis demanded.
“Not a lot when I’m on my own,” Hitch replied matter of factly. “I can’t watch the entire town all day and all night and as you’ve pointed out it’s not Sargent Skywalk’s jurisdiction.”
“Point well-made and taken,” Phyllis growled with annoyance before her expression softened considerably. “I’m sorry Hitch, I’m still getting used to not being in charge of Canterlogic. It pains me that I couldn’t save the company and must now rely on others.”
Hitch let out a deep sigh. “I know Phyllis, just trust we’re all doing our best okay? Now, where’s this mural Skywalk?”
“This way Sheriff,” Skywalk indicated as she held the door open.
The three headed down the main street until they reached the bridge where there was already a crowd of ponies present. Hitch walked past them and under the bridge before looking up at the mural he found on the underside.
It depicted two Pegasi in flight, carrying out a synchronised manoeuvre. Trails were being left behind them, showing each had come from the opposite side of the bridge to where they were now. Hitch gasped as he turned around, it almost felt like he was flying with them.
“Okay, Phyllis, this is not a mess. This is art,” he said.
“Like you said,” Phyllis sighed. “It’s not up to me and it’s not up to you either. Like the rest, it will be up to the council.”
“Indeed,” Sargent Skywalk replied. “And in the meantime, we’ll need to control the crowds coming to view it before they block the street.”
Hitch looked back in dismay to see more and more ponies were arriving. With a sign of resignation, he stepped forward, preparing himself for a day of crowd control.
“Sheriff, if I may,” Skywalk said holding up a hoof. “You’re far too qualified for crowd control duty. Let my Guards handle it so you can focus on more important tasks.”
“You know, you’re right Sargent,” Hitch replied. “I will take you up on that offer, please see to it that the crowds here are controlled. I want you to ensure that the street remains open to passing traffic. In the meantime, I can make the preparations to put the facts behind this and the others before the council. There you go Phyllis, that is called task delegation.”
“If it helps Ms Cloverleaf, the Equestria Guard have already started a recruitment drive for both Earth Ponies and Unicorns,” Skywalk explained. “Whilst it will take time, I’m hoping for the day that all pony kinds are well represented within our ranks and welcome it.”
Phyllis said nothing more in response, after taking one last look at the mural she trotted away. Skywalk sighed and looked back at Hitch.
“Good try,” Hitch sighed. “However, I think it will take more than that to get through to her.”
Meanwhile, Sunny was in the kitchen making everypony pancakes for breakfast. She’d just passed a plateful to a grateful Pipp when Zipp came skidding in from upstairs.
“Aaaah!” Pipp cried as she almost dropped her plate. “Zipppp, don’t do that!”
“Sorry, sorry,” Zipp gasped. “You’ve both got to see this.”
Zipp opened one of her wings and pulled out a book she’d been carrying. She set it down on the counter with a thump. Excitedly she opened it and flicked through the pages until she found the page she’d bookmarked. Gasping with excitement, she turned the book so both Sunny and Pipp could read it.
Sunny scanned the page and blinked with surprise. “Together Flowers?”
“But you were researching trees?” Pipp added. “What have flowers got to do with them?”
“Together Flowers come from Together Trees,” Zipp smiled.
She turned the book back so she could read the pages again.
“Together Flowers grow from the roots of Together Trees,” Zipp explained. “They only grow once all ponies are connected in Unity and grant great power to those in need. The flower in Maretime Bay must be a Together Flower.”
Sunny tensed up as she felt the knotted feeling inside her tighten. “But we’re not connected in Unity,” she sighed. “You saw the argument I had with Phyllis. There are so many ponies out there like her who’ll be upset at what’s happening. Feeling that their voices haven’t been heard.”
“So, we do our best to ensure they feel like they’ve been heard,” Pipp grinned. “Then we prove to them that they have no reason to be upset.”
“Don’t you see Sunny,” Zipp blinked. “The flowers grant great power, like the Elements of Unity.”
Pipp’s eyes widened with wonder. “Yas, that’s got to be it! Way to go, sis,” she exclaimed. “So how do we make them grow?”
“Wait, we’re missing something,” Sunny replied. “We need a Together Tree in Bridlewood.”
“Oh of course,” Zipp replied. “The trees have no idea all pony kind is connected because their roots aren’t fully connected.”
“So, let’s go grow one,” Pipp grinned. “Gather everypony and we’ll head there today.”
“I don’t think it’s quite that simple,” Sunny sighed and shook her head. “We didn’t just grow the trees. They grew because of our friendship and connection. I’m sorry, I don’t feel very connected right now.”
A look of realisation appeared on Zipp’s face but before she could say anything more Misty suddenly appeared.
“I think we’re in trouble,” Misty gasped looking very distressed.
“What? Are we under attack?” Pipp gasped.
“No, no. Not trouble like that,” Misty replied holding up her hoofs for emphasis. “At least I don’t think so.”
“What’s wrong Misty?” Sunny asked with concern having noticed Misty’s messy mane and tired-looking eyes.
“I’ve been having bad dreams the last few nights,” Misty admitted. “But last night, it felt so real. It felt like there was imminent danger.”
“Danger?” another voice said.
They all turned to find Starlight had now joined them.
“Misty’s been having bad dreams,” Zipp explained.
“Dreams can be very powerful, that’s why Princess Luna always used to watch over the dream realm,” Starlight replied with concern. “Has it been the same dream, Misty?”
“It’s been mostly the same yeah,” Misty admitted.
“So, it could be a vision or a memory,” Starlight explained.
“A memory,” Zipp gasped as she whipped out her phone. “Describe it, Misty. Don’t leave out any details you remember. They could be crucial.”
“Why?” Sunny frowned. “Why could they be crucial?”
“She could be remembering how she came to be with Opaline,” Zipp replied. “Especially if there’s danger involved.”
“Okay, okay. Give me a sec,” Misty replied as she closed her eyes. “I…I was little, running through a forest. I was… chasing a bunnycorn but lost it as I rounded a corner…”
“A forest?” Pipp blinked. “Maybe like Bridlewood?”
“Sssh,” Zipp hissed.
“As I looked for the bunnycorn I started getting lost in this blue mist that came from nowhere,” Misty continued. “I remember a big tree which had a door in its trunk. I heard something behind me and when I turned there was a shadowy figure in the mist.”
“Go on,” Zipp coaxed. “What was it?”
“I don’t know,” Misty sighed as she opened her eyes. “That’s it, that’s all I can remember.”
“It’s a vision of the past then,” Starlight replied. “If only Luna were here, she’d be able to decipher it.”
“Losing my way in the mist, that’s been the same the last few nights,” Misty explained. “But the figure, that was new. The feeling of fear and danger it gave me, it was so real.”
Before they could discuss anymore, the door to the Brighthouse suddenly burst open to reveal a panic-stricken Seashell. “Help!” she cried. “Sheriff Hitch, help! We can’t find them!”
“Seashell,” Pipp gasped as she hurried over. “Hitch isn’t here, who can’t you find?”
“Peach Fizz and Glory,” Seashell gasped as tears trickled down her face. “They’re both missing, and we can’t find them…”
To be continued.