Back at the manor, Pressure Point was telekinetically tying a sterile rag around Teddy's muzzle, and cleaning up his eye. Once he was finished tending to his injuries, Sunset Shimmer decided to ask her guest some questions.
"Teddy, what did Gilda do to you?" asked Sunset Shimmer.
"Oh, it's nothing, really." said Teddy. "I mean, she's beaten me worse than this."
"What, are you serious?!" Sunset gasped. "And you never told anypony about this?"
"Well, I didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble with the gryphons." said Teddy. "Gilda's the daughter of the patriarch of one of the local clans."
"Yeah, but you still shouldn't let her treat you like garbage so much." said Sunset. "For goodness' sake, I know what it's like to bully people! If nobody does anything about your situation, then the tormenting won't stop!"
"I just want to live a normal, healthy life without having to bring law enforcement into the mix." said Teddy, frustrated.
"Well, you won't find it here with Gilda around." said Sunset Shimmer.
"You know, you're right about that." said Teddy. "I've been thinking about moving out of Vanhoover, anyway."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I was thinking maybe moving to somewhere more exciting, like Canterlot or Manehatten."
"But, Teddy, Vanhoover's your home!" said Sunset.
"And I think I've spent too much time cooped up here." said Teddy. "Sure Vanhoover's a nice place with nice ponies, but really, it's kind of dull for those that spend their days in town. There's nothing really for somepony like me to do except drink cider or get harassed by Gilda. I just wish that I were somewhere where I could make a living doing something exciting. Vanhoover's kinda out of the way."
Sunset could sympathize with that. She likened Teddy's sentiments with the time she spent in Canterbury. While it seemed like a pleasant and peaceful place to live in hindsight, it was boring compared to Equestria. Its only saving graces (at least to her) were the technology, the fact that she had opposable thumbs in that world (though she didn't need to have them in Equestria)...and Craw. Sunset frowned as she thought about him again. And cringed as she thought about King Craw, who was currently doing Celestia-knows-what in Celestia-knows-where.
"So, you wanna move?" asked Sunset.
"Sure, if it'll get Gilda and all the other wannabe thugs off my back." said Teddy.
"Well, you could come with us to Canterlot." said Sunset.
"Are you sure about that?" asked Teddy.
"Sure." nodded Sunset. "I'm sure that my brother could get you a spot in the Canterlot Royal Guard, so that you could learn to protect yourself...plus anypony else that needs it."
"I...I don't know." stammered Teddy. "I'm more of a talker than a fighter. And that guard duty stuff seems like it'll be too stressful for me."
Then Sunset Shimmer remembered how she had learned various martial arts and hand-to-hand combat techniques during her time in the human world; she didn't really put much focus into it since she crossed back over to Equestria, since she could use magic again.
"Well, I could train you to defend yourself." said Sunset.
"You mean it?" asked Teddy. "No fooling?"
"No fooling."
Later the next day, Sunset Shimmer and her friends were all at the train station (apart from Lightning Dust and the two Shadowbolts under her command, whom had been sent ahead to Canterlot to prepare for their arrival) and ready to get back home.
"So, are you two sure that you don't want to come with us?" Radiant Dawn asked Nose Nip and Frosty. "You two would be great recruits for the Night Guard. I'll even put a good word in to the captain!"
"Nah, guard duty really isn't our thing." said Nose Nip. "And I don't like being too far from home, at least not if it can be helped."
"And we consider ourselves freelancers, anyhow." said Frosty. "But if you need any help in the near future, we'll be glad to lend a hoof."
"Hello, my little ponies!" said the voice of Scarlet Blaze, who arrived at the station. "I thought I'd come to the station to see everypony off."
Sunset Shimmer, Radiant Dawn, and their friends turned to see Scarlet, whose mane was now long, unbraided, and curly. Sunset and Radiant approached their mother, and proceeded to hug her. Sunset hugged Scarlet's front legs, while Radiant put one of his own around Scarlet's neck.
"Kids, it's okay!" said Scarlet. "I know, I'm going to miss you both, too."
Sunset and Radiant let go of their mother, and backed away a little.
"So, what are you going to do now, mom?" asked Sunset.
"Well, I think that I'll take a look around town." said Scarlet.
"To get caught up on stuff you missed the past fifteen years?" asked Trixie.
"And to find out what happened to my husband." said Scarlet. "Maybe somepony around here knows something about it."
"And we'll be glad to help you find him." said Nose Nip.
"For a price, of course." added Frosty.
Then everypony laughed.
"Wait a minute." Frosty suddenly said. "Where the heck is Teddy?"
He started looking around.
"He's already finding a seat for us on the train." said Sunset. "I'm going to be taking him with us to Canterlot, so that he can find himself a decent job."
"Well, he still owes us money." said Frosty.
"I'm sure he does." said Sunset. "Well, I'll be seeing you guys later. Don't let anything happen to my mom, okay?"
"We promise."
Sunset proceeded to hug Frosty as though he were her favorite uncle.
"Thank you." she said softly.
"Ow, jeez!" said Frosty, shaking himself away. "What is it with the mares around here, always wanting to cuddle and nuzzle against me?"
"Sorry." said Sunset, sheepishly letting go of Frosty. "So I guess I'll see you later!"
"And be safe, Sunset." said Nose Nip. "Frosty here doesn't like it when potential customers get themselves in perilous situations!"
"Well, I'll keep that in mind." said Sunset. "By the way, could you try keeping Gilda under control in our absence?"
"Well, since I was able to knock a few Changelings' blocks off in that cave, I don't think one single gryphon will be much of a problem." said Nose Nip.
"Good, I'd hate to deal with her again." said Trixie. "Well, I think it's time for us to get going now."
"Right." nodded Sunset Shimmer. "Bye, everyone!"
"Bye, Sunset!" said Frosty.
"Be a good girl, Sunset!" said Scarlet. "And you be good too, Radiant!"
"We will, mom!" said Radiant.
"Oh, and I almost forgot." said Scarlet, who levitated several jars out of her purse into their travelling bags. "This is from the Syrup Family. Apparently, they heard about our exploits in the Changeling lair, and wanted to give some of their latest product to each of us. It's a new type of marmalade they've been brewing."
"Thanks, mom!" said Radiant. "I love the food they make, and I bet the marmalade will make it even better!"
Later, everyone was gathered in the lunch car of the train to eat peanut butter and marmalade sandwiches. While they ate, Sunset Shimmer, Radiant Dawn, Trixie, Pressure Point, and Teddy were all talking about what they would be doing once they went back to Canterlot.
"I'd like to see the look on Lord Umbriel's face when he finds out King Craw wrecked his lair." chuckled Trixie. "With some help from the bunch of us! I tell you, when I get back to Canterlot, I'm going to work more on my magic skills. What about you guys?"
"I bet Princess Luna's got a new session--or five--in store for me once we get back there." said Sunset Shimmer.
"And I bet Captain Shield will want me to file a whole lot of paperwork, too." said Radiant.
"And I bet my hospital will be overfilled with patients by now." said Pressure Point. "I'll have to work very hard to make up for lost time."
"And if I'm going to be moving away from Vanhoover, I'd better find somewhere that I can live." said Teddy. "And I'm gonna need a job."
"You're sure you don't wanna be a guard, though?" asked Radiant.
"Yep."
"You could be my assistant for my magic shows." offered Trixie.
"Nah, I get stage fright." said Teddy. "Plus, I'm not that good an actor."
"You could help me around the hospital." said Pressure.
"Um, no thanks?" declined Teddy, nervously. "I get very squeamish when it comes to hospitals."
"So what did you do for a living when you still lived in Vanhoover?" asked Sunset.
"Well, I am something of a musician." said Teddy. "I play the keyboard."
"A musician, huh?" asked Sunset. "My first boyfriend was a musician. He played a guitar."
"First? Who was your second?" asked Teddy.
"A soldier." said Sunset, dreamily.
"Oh-kay." Teddy said, weirded out by Sunset's expression.
"Sunny?" asked Radiant.
"Yeah?" asked Sunset.
"I was wondering, since we won't be back in Canterlot for a few hours...what the heck did you say to Gilda in Vanhoover?"
"Well, I basically told her to leave us alone." said Sunset. "And when that failed, I started making some very scathing comments like I the kind I used from my bullying days, even using some curse words that my boyfriend taught me to say in French."
"And based on Gilda's reaction, I'd say you have quite a way with words, little sis." said Radiant.
"I sure do." said Sunset. "It was part of how I was able to rule Canterlot High School with an iron fist. It even saved my life before I came back to Equestria."
"How?" asked Radiant, curiously.
"Well, I was able to persuade my boyfriend to--" Sunset paused. "Actually, I'd rather not get into it. At least, not until we get back to Canterlot. I don't really know if I can trust you guys with the information...yet."
Reluctantly, Radiant nodded.
"Okay, if you say so, Sunny." Radiant then yawned. "Well, I'm going to take a nap. Tell me when we get there, okay?"
"Yep. Me, too." seconded Teddy.
"A nap sure would sound good, wouldn't it?" Sunset agreed. "I'll be in my compartment."
"By the way, Sunset?" asked Pressure Point.
"What is it, Pressure?" asked Sunset.
"I hope you don't mind, and don't take this personally, but..." Pressure took a deep breath. "I hope I never go adventuring with you again."
"Okay." said Sunset, casually.
"This whole thing was a one-time deal." said Pressure. "I was doing a favor for you and your brother. Though I can't say I didn't have a good time at all. It was actually kinda nice to see your hometown. If it seemed like I was complaining at all before, it's because, well, I'm just not an outdoors kind of pony. I'm at my happiest when I'm indoors, checking on my patients."
"No pressure, Pressure." said Sunset, smiling. "I totally understand you."
"Thank you." Pressure nodded in relief. "On that note, I'd like to say that I see what kind of stuff you and your friends have to deal with. I sympathize with you and your brother completely now."
"Well, that's great." said Sunset. "See you in Canterlot, doctor."
"Same for you...Miss Shimmer." said Pressure, As Sunset passed into the next car.