The boat rental office was a modest looking place.There were light green walls with fine yellow sander wood going half way up them and pictures of ships at sea hanging from new looking nails hammered tightly in with a small space for the painting’s wires. Two separate rooms with both of these features were the layout of the building with a sofa in the lobby and a old looking desk that had holes in it inside the main office as the smell of saltwater stained shells lingered in the air. It was a perfect former sailor’s place of business.

“Aye,” said Wave as the group looked at the interior. “It’s not much to look at but every piece of it was taken from the remains of the Wolfbane,” he said rubbing the wooden section of the walls. “This here was part of the poop deck.”

“Pffft,” said Vinyl. “Poop.”

“Why is it called a poopy deck Mister Crash?” said Pinkie with her hoof raised.

“Well you see las-”

“Ahem,” coughed Cloud. “I don’t think this is the time for a naval lesson sir, if you could please recount what happened.”

“Hold your carriage lad,” chuckled Wave. “We got all the time in the world.”

“Sir please,” said Daring jumping into the conversation. “We need to find the pony who got foalnapped.”

“He’s my unkie.” pleaded Pinkie with Pinkie eyes.

“Aww, there, there miss,” said Wave patting Pinkie. “If it means so much to ye let old Wave tell ye what he know,” he said starting his tale. “It all began when I was wiping me poop deck.”

“Pfft,” said Vinyl again.

“May ye sink to the depths of the sea of sorrow!” I shouted into me toilet while flushing it. After washing my hooves I heard the front door’s bell ring. “A customer!” I said coming into the store to see a stallion-”

“Did this stallion have a scar on his muzzle?” said Cloud.

“And a chestnut colored coat?” said Midnight.

“And a Trottingham accent?” said Daring.

“Yes I believe he did, now stop yer interrupting!”

“Hello laddy,” I said to him.

“Yeah, hi yourself mate,” the stallion said in a thick Trottingham accent. “So you rent out boats, right?”

“Last time I check this fine establishment rents boats out aye,” I said using my eloquent  vocablistics. “So what kind are ye looking for? I got rowboats, paddleboats-”

“Got any very fast boats?” the stallion said interrupting me. “Preferably one with a storage space,” he said looking at a bunch of me maps.

“Aye, I got just the thing,” I said  pointing out the window towards a old molasses shipping boat with the scratched off name of “Syrup” on it’s stern.

“It fast?” said the stallion looking at the boat.

“Aye.”

“Fast enough to get me here in less than two days?” the stallion said pointing at me map of Equestria, specifically at the city of Manehattan.

“Aye, might I ask why you need to get to Manehattan as fast as a swordfish?”

“Lets just say I got a little present for someone,” the stallion said with a smirk before throwing a bag of bits onto the counter. “This enough for the boat and this?” he said holding a map of the river system.

The golden glow of the bits shined on me face life a thousand suns it did. “Aye,” I said with a smile. “That’ll do, just get the boys to fuel it up for you.”

So after that the stallion said farewell and took the boat down stream.

“And that is what happened,” said Wave taking a swig of his drank.

“Thank you for telling us Wave,” said Octavia with a smile.

“Aye, drink?”

“No thank you.”

“Hmmm, I see,” said Cloud rubbing his chin. “We all ready asked the dock handlers if they heard anything else from the stallion but all they said was that he swore to make them work faster.”

“But now we got them,” said Blossom looking at the map Stale had took notice of. “If they’re heading towards Manehattan they will have make their way to the port. Hmm, was the boat electric or magic powered?”

“Magic,” said Wave.

“Then they’re probably gonna have to refuel at a stop soon."

“But by the time we send a contact to any of the boat stops they will most likely be gone,” said Cloud. “I think a better idea would to catch them at the Manehattan docks here,” he said pointing towards the river that jetted out to Manehatten bay.

“With all due respect Cloud that is stupid,” said Midnight while Cloud growled. “You do things your way we’ll do things our way.”

“Now lets calm down,” said Twilight seeing another spat about to happen. “Maybe we should-”

“I’m gonna need some of your men to head towards Manehattan, mine don’t fly well at night,” said Cloud.

“What?!” said Midnight turning around. “Not on your life.”

“Oh yeah?” snorted Cloud.

“Yeah,” said Midnight pawing at the ground aggressively.

“Wait!” shouted Twilight catching both of their attentions. “Here is what's going to happen, Cloud you will send out your pegasi to go to the docks on the way, if they head out now they can make it before nightfall.”

“But Princess-” said Cloud before a glare from Twilight shut him up.

“And you Midnight will send your pegasi to Manehattan's police to warn them.”

“But-” said Midnight before she too received a nasty look. “Fine.”

“Now both of you please work together, dismissed!” Twilight said as the two guards bowed and went through the doorway both of them struggling to go out first till they went out at the same time and parted ways grumbling.

“Uhhh,” groaned Twilight collapsing on the sofa.

“Drink?” said Wave offering her the bottle.

“No thank you,” she said, polity pushing the cup away.

“More for me than,” Wave said jugging down the liquor.

“Twilight is unkie Humble gonna be alright?” said Pinkie who had remained quiet this whole time. “What if the meanies who foalnapped him hurt him!?”

“They better not,” muttered Daring. “So what’s the plan?”

“What do you mean darling?” said Rarity confused. “The plan is to wait for the guards to get Humble.”

“What!?” shouted Rainbow Dash speaking up. “Did you see those two?! They can barely stand each other much less solve a foalnapping!”

“They did seem mad at each other,” said Fluttershy.

“Yeah what’s up their plot hole?” said Vinyl sitting down on the couch.

“Maybe Twilight knows,” said Rarity.

“Now girls you know I can’t discuss national secrets,” said Twilight.

“A national secret?” said Rarity with her eyes lighting up. “Do tell!”

“Come on Twilight, what’s the worst that could happen?” said Pinkie giddy to hear a secret. “But lets make it a Pinkie promise!”

“Well I suppose if its a Pinkie promise,” said Twilight. “Ok.”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” said all the girls.

“I don’t know,” said Daring despite knowing the promise.

“Come on silly,” said Pinkie.

“Well let me try then, cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” said Daring doing it perfectly.

“Wow I haven’t seen anypony do it like that!” said Pinkie. “At least not for a long time!”

“Huh?” said Wave. “I moved here three months ago and haven’t been in town much.”

“That’s alright,” said Pinkie. “Just do what we did!”

“Um, okay? Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye,” said Wave seeing Pinkie gasp. “What’s wrong?”

“Why would you ever want to die and stick a needle in your eye?!” said Fluttershy horrified.

“Now girls it’s just a different version-” But before Twilight could finish Pinkie bounced right up to Wave with a frown.

“Say it right,” Pinkie growled.

“Ok, ok! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. There happy now?” said Wave nervous of what Pinkie would do next.

“Yep!” said Pinkie returning to her cheerful demeanor. “So Twilight tell us the secret!”

“Ok,” said Twilight taking a deep breathe. “Well you know how my brother was the captain of the guard?”

“Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash as the others nodded.

“Well as you all know there are three sections of the protective pony platoons,”

“Well duh,” said Rainbow Dash nervously. “Everypony knows that.”

“Yeah we know that thing!” said Vinyl.

“Well then as you know they are divided as such; the Equestrian guard that is made up mainly of soldiers, the solar guard which protects Celestia, and the lunar guard which was formed when Princess Luna came back to protect her.”

“What’s the difference between them?” said Rainbow Dash.

“Well the regular guard was considered by most as a step towards the solar guard which they thought was more important due to the abilities the guards receive-”

“Abilities?” said Rarity. “What ever do you mean?”

“Well when the guard was formed after Nightmare Moon Celestia made a special unit called the Equestrian protectors that were given special abilities such as increased speed, strength, senses, etc. Eventually they were nicknamed the solar guard and the name stuck. As for the lunar guard they are descended from a group of pegasi who held Luna in high esteem, in return for their admiration she blessed them with special abilities like the solar guard would have. However, when Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon her magical connection to them caused them to gain bat like features. After Nightmare Moon was banished ponies feared and hated the bat ponies despite Celestia asking ponies to forgive them and to not blame them. But after one to many insult the bat ponies left Equestria for the frozen mountains to the north only to come back when Princess Luna sought them out and made them her personal guards. Not all bat ponies are guards but the majority of them are trained to be,” said Twilight finishing her explanation of the origin of the guards.

“But that still doesn’t explain why those two are so punchy punchy,” said Vinyl swiping her hooves.

“Well the solar guard and the standard royal guard’s first lieutenants were always candidates for the captain of the guard, the leader of the entire protective pony platoon. My brother was the first standard guard in a long time to become captain,” said Twilight with a hint of pride. “But since he and Princess Cadance are now the rulers of the Crystal Empire he had to abdicate, now both the solar and lunar guard outweigh the standard guards and both of them are trying to compete with each other for the position that can only be gained by approval of the Equestrian defence council.”

“There’s a council?” said Rainbow Dash. “Don’t we have princesses for this sorta of thing?”

“Well technically Celestia could choose the next leader but she doesn’t want ponies to assume she would always choose the solar guard so she leaves it to the council, in fact I believe Spitfire is on it since the Wonderbolts are important to Equestria’s defence,” said Twilight. “And that’s why Cloud Skipper  and Midnight Blossom dislike each other.”

“And it’s also the reason  why we have to take matters into our own hooves!” said Daring sternly. “They are too bogged down in their rivalry to work together.”

“But Yearling they will get there first anyway,” said Twilight. “It just seems better to-”

“Princess!” shouted Night from outside. “We have a problem!”

Rushing outside the group saw all around the docks drunken bat guards and solar guards sprawled across the area with a few throwing up.

“No!” said Wave rushing to an empty crate filled with bottles in the middle of the vomiting sentries. “They drinked all me rum!”

“Still confident in them?” said Daring to Twilight who was biting her lip.

Meanwhile on the road to Apple Acres,

“What am I gonna do with that filly?” signed Applejack as she past the gate and saw Big Mac working on a loose wheel barrow wheel. “Big Mac?”

“Eyeup?” he said not looking up.

“Apple Bloom in her room?”

“Eyeup.”

“Be right back,” Applejack said trotting up the steps to the farmhouse before the scent of cologne hit her. Galloping inside she saw Filthy and Granny Smith talking to each other. “Rich?”

“And then I said, oh! Miss Applejack didn’t see you there,” said Filthy getting up.

“Howdy Applejack,” said Granny Smith. “Filthy here, was just telling me about his vacation to Prance.”

“I didn’t know you went to Prance,” said Applejack shaking Filthy’s hoof.

“I must tell you of it sometime, but on to why I’m here. You know how I told you my princess said some rather hostile things to Miss Dinky?”

“Eeyup.”

“Well I should let you know that Diamond may have said some things about Dinky’s father, umm, being absent,” said Filthy rubbing his neck. “I’m going to go apologize to Miss Derpy after this, but I thought you should know since this might have provoked Apple Bloom. Now while I still strongly disapprove of your sister attacking my daughter, I feel that this should be brought to your attention seeing as it is my fault.”

“How is it your fault?”

“Well I might’ve talked to my wife about, umm, Dinky’s lack of a father and how I thought it was rather unconventional,” said Filthy sweating a bit. “And Diamond may have overheard.”

“Well I thank ya’ll for coming to tell me this Filthy,” said Applejack. “I gotta talk to Apple Bloom now,” she said heading upstairs as Filthy and Granny Smith continued to talk. Trotting down the hallway towards Apple Bloom’s room, Applejack took a deep breath before knocking on the door and heading inside.

“Bloom?” said Applejack poking her head in. “We gotta...what are ya’ll doing?”  she said as she looked at Apple Bloom mixing a bunch of chemicals in beakers and tubes from the potion set Zecora got her.

Looking back Apple Bloom yelped before throwing a blanket over the set.

“Umm, nothin?” Apple Bloom started whistling.

“I see,” said Applejack narrowing her eyes. “And what is this?” she said grabbing a piece of paper behind Apple Bloom.

“Hey give that back!” said Apple Bloom, reaching to no avail as Applejack saw what was on the sheet.

A crudely drawn picture of a filly wearing a tiara and what appeared to be a water balloon pointed at the filly with a recipe for a stink bomb the kit came with taped next to it was what the paper showed.

“Nothin huh?” said Applejack heading towards Apple Bloom’s bed. “Come sit by me.”

Apple Bloom sulked over to the bed and climbed atop of it.

“I didn’t hurt nopony,” Apple Bloom said looking down.

“Apple Bloom, you know I hate lying,” groaned Applejack. “Now listen, Filthy Rich told me all about what Diamond Tiara did to Dinky and your friends.”

“You do!?” said Apple Bloom hopeful.

“But I’m still disappointed in ya’ll for getting into a scrape.”

“What?!” said Apple Bloom jumping up. “But she made fun of Dinky’s mom and for not having a daddy!”

“I know.”

“And you're just gonna let that happen?!”

“I wasn’t there and Filthy already said he would punish Diamond, now stop yelling!”

“I can yell if I want too!”

“Not in this house young filly!” replied Applejack as Apple Bloom muttered something. “What?”

“I said yer not my mom!”

“Darn tootin I’m not, but I am your sister!”

“A true sister would understand what I did!” said Apple Bloom standing on the bed.

“I do, but I don’t support what ya’ll still did!”

“So what are you going to do about it?” said Apple Bloom.

“I’m grounding you for a few days, that means no crusading and no potion making,” said Applejack to a shocked Apple Bloom.

“Well-well, I’m going to my room!” said Apple Bloom going out of her room. “You never take my side!”

“Apple Bloom.”

“Don’t say a word,” said Apple Bloom coming back inside and flopping muzzle first onto the pillow.

“Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom?” But Apple Bloom only responded in silence. “For Celestia’s sake Apple Bloom, you act so immature sometimes!” said Applejack storming out of the room and heading downstairs to find Big Mac  wearing an apron with the words, “Nopes the word” stitched into it making dinner while Granny slept on her rocking chair. “Did Filthy head over to Derpy’s house?” she asked Big Mac.

“Eyeup.”

“I just don’t know what to do with that filly!” said Applejack taking a bite out of a apple. “She just frustrates me so much sometimes!”

“Eyeup,” said Big Mac checking the texture on an apple pie.

“Hmmm, I wonder how Derpy is gonna react,” said Applejack taking another bite out of the apple. “I’m gonna head to Sugarcube Corner to see if the girls are there,” said Applejack heading out. “I need to vent.”

“Eyeup.”

Back at Derpy’s house,

“It makes no sense,” said Zecora as she watched television with Derpy and Carrot Top as the sunset. “How can he be so dense?”

“They’re comedic relief,” said Carrot Top as the door bell ringed.

“I wonder who that could be,” said Derpy flying over to the door and opening it to the sight of Filthy. “Mr. Rich? What are you doing here?”

“Well I thought you’d have expected me,” said Filthy. “What with my daughter making fun of you and Dinky and with nopony stopping her-”

“What!?” said Derpy. “What do you mean nopony stopped her!?”

“Well,” said Filthy slightly terrified as he saw Derpy’s eyes starting to glow red. “She made fun of, umm, Dinky not having a father-”

“And!?” said Derpy with smoke coming out of her ears.

“And then Apple Bloom hit her,” squeaked Filthy suddenly causing Derpy to calm down.

“Oh dear is Diamond all right?” said Derpy concerned about the fi.

“Umm, yes she’s fine,” said Filthy confused. “Weren’t you just angry with her?”

“A little bit but I’m mostly angry at the fact nopony stopped her,” said Derpy. “My muffin already told me what happened and said she forgives Diamond,” said Derpy with a hint of pride in her daughter's forgiveness. “But she told me somepony stopped them.”

“Well that must have been Apple Bloom,” said Filthy wiping away his beads of sweat. “Listen I have to apologize to you, I may have talked with my wife about how I found the idea of Dinky not having a present father weird and Diamond must have heard. I am deeply ashamed of this but I assure you I’ve grounded my daughter for a week and will give you a basket of the best muffins in Canterlot.”

“Thank you, but don’t be too hard on her ok? Anyway, thank you Filthy for coming by, would you like somthing to eat?” said Derpy opening the door wider.

“Oh no, I’m having dinner at home tonight, but I appreciate your offer” chuckled Filthy. “Well I should get going-”

“Wait!” said Derpy halting Filthy. “Do you know anything about what happened to the doctor?”

“Princess Twilight is investigating with some guards, I believe I saw her heading towards Sugarcube Cor-”

“Carrot and Zecora!” shouted Derpy. “I’m going to go get a muffin, make sure Dinky stays safe!” she said shooting out of the doorway.

“-Ner,” said Filthy as he watched Derpy fly towards the baking shop. “Well that went better than expected.”

Back at the rental boat place,

“All me liqueur!” sobbed a tear stricken Wave into Octavia’s coat as she patted him on the back. “All of it gone!”

“What happened?” said Twilight as she went around some vomit. “How did they all get intoxicated?”

“We found them like this your majesty,” said Cloud as Bloo brought one of her own who was the least tanked.

“Private Locket, explain to the princess what happened!” barked Night as Locket swayed side to side.

“Welllll,” Locket slurred. “Me and the boys were with those sun bastards-”

“Language!” scolded Night like a mother to a foal.

“What did he say?” said Fluttershy and Pinkie while Rarity covered their ears.

“Nothing for you two to hear,” said Rarity with a hmph.

“-Alrighty, anyway those fools started boasting about how they could drink better than us when we found the suspects drinks,” said Locket leaning on Pinkie.

“You smell like Mrs. Cake after she and Mr. Cake have their grown up night,” said Pinkie with  smile.

“And you smell like bubblegum. Anywho, one thing lead to another and next thing I know I’m making out with a beautiful mare,” Locket said pointing at a small ship model with the mast being a seapony mare. “Or was it a rabbit?”

“Please tell me your soldiers can still fly,” said Twilight desperately.

“Afraid not las,” said Wave wiping away some snot. “I make me crate drinks extra strong for when I got nothing to do for the weekend. They’re gonna be like that for three days top!”

“Could we use that magic table in your castle Twilight?” said Rarity. “Won’t that help us locate them at least?”

“I thought about it but when I used it there was no sign of them,” signed Twilight. “We have to think of a another plan.”

“Tomorrow is when the next train is heading that way,” said Cloud looking at a train schedule.

“Cloud and I can send our men tomorrow, by the time we get there they should only buzzed,” said Night.

“Now wait a second!” said Daring interrupting them. “I think it’s only fair that since I knew something like this was gonna happen that I should come along!”

“Me too!” said Pinkie. “I’m gonna save my unkie!”

“I wanna come too!” said Rainbow Dash.

“Now girls,” said Twilight. “Maybe we should-”

“Darling if you’re worried about us I think we’ve known each other long enough to know we can handle ourselves,” said Rarity. “I’m coming too.”

“Well if everypony else is doing it,” said Fluttershy. “I’ll come too.”

“Girls are you sure about this?” said Twilight as the group nodded. “Well ok then. Cloud and Midnight I need you two to get things ready, we got an uncle to save.”

“At once your majesty!” said both guards saluting. “Come on men!” they said as their drunk off their plots soldiers swayed with them down the road like penguins.

“Well then I think we all should head home,” Twilight said as Luna’s moon rose. But a small rumble emitting from everypony’s bellies except Wave halted their journey home. “Umm, anypony up for Sugarcube Corner?” said Twilight blushing as all the other blushing mares nodded. “Okay lets get going. Thanks again Wave Crasher,” said Twilight with a bow as Octavia gave a quick nuzzle to Wave before joining the rest of them.

“Keep Octavia safe for me!” shouted Wave before realizing something. “Wait, the government's going to pay for me liqueur right?”

Meanwhile on the Syrup,

Humble had tried countless times to pick the lock with the feather but each time carried the same result.

“It’s too big,” groaned Humble after giving the feather a last try only to throw it to the ground in anger. “What am I gonna do? Whoah!” said Humble falling forward as the boat stop all of a sudden, looking out of the porthole Humble saw that it had turned to night and the boat was currently docked on a small shore. “Wonder what they’re doing,” he said before hearing voices from above.

“So remind me again why we’re putting makeup on?” said Lemon as Stale combed his mane over his eyepatch. “And why are we docked here?”

“Duh, Filthy said that if somebody snitched on us we’re gonna have find a way to move around without being caught,” said Stale finishing the bandage and dying both their hairs orange while getting out his mirror. “And the reason we’re docked here away from the docks is so nobody sees our little friend,” he said putting brown makeup onto his scar making it disappear. “Now come on, I’m starving,” Stale said as he and Lemon leaped off the boat into the wet sand. “Oh here take these,” he said grabbing some coats from the rails. “To hide our cutie marks.”

“Let me just check on the captive,” said Lemon looking into the hull’s porthole where Humble was leaning against a wall while biting the muzzle and holding the rope tightly to make it seem he was still captive. “Alright lets go,” he said as they walked down the unmarked path to a fueling station and a plain looking diner marked with a wooden sign naming the place “Shallow Shores.” As the stallions went in the warm eating establishment they saw a rack of newspapers with the front pages particularly catching their attention.

“Crisis in the kingdom of friendship again,” said Lemon reading the Manehatten times and taking it while Stale got a seat. “Wow, the news is fast these days, this only happened like eight hours ago.”

“What does it say?” said Stale taking a seat at a booth in the corner. “Anything about us?”

“Well you were right to use makeup, look,” said Lemon showing Stale the print.

“A disaster at Bargain Baryard today,” said Stale reading the paper. “As a series of explosions caused the crowd gathering to see famous author of the Daring Do series, A.K. Yearling went wrong with panic and stampeding injuring dozens of fans. A citizen named Doctor Time Turner was severely injured at the start of the chaos.” Eyewitness statement was what Stale read next. “I heard a loud pop and the next thing I heard this guy shouting out in pain,” said bystander Noodle Bowl. Mister Turner’s exact medical condition is unknown at this point due to doctors and nurses refusing to speak to us. An eyewitness who is anonymous has described the suspects of the chaos as two stallions with one being a one eyed yellow unicorn with a target shaped cutie mark and the other a chestnut coated earth pony with a scar on his muzzle with a thick Trottingham accent along with a bat shaped cutie mark. If anypony knows anything about these two dangerous criminals who have foalnapped notable author Humble Pie, writer of Ice Barrels and The adventures of Con Colt, and uncle to the element of laughter Pinkamena Diane Pie, please contact the local authorities,” said Stale finishing the paper. “Huh.”

“Guess you were right to put makeup on,” said Lemon as a mule waitress appeared.

“What’ll it be sugars?” said the waitress in a slight western Manehattan accent.

“I’ll just have a hayburger and water,” said Lemon giving her his menu.

“And for me, I’ll have a cup of coffee with three creams and a Hayburger as well with a side of fries,” said Stale giving his menu as well.

“Sounds good,” said the waitress writing down their order before going behind the counter again.

“So?” said Lemon as Stale played around with a ketchup bottle.

“So what?” replied Stale.

“Well how are we gonna get rid of the package if the spearheads are looking for us?” said Lemon starting to freak out.

“Relax,” said Stale. “We go to the bosses coordinates and get paid.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it,” said Stale as the waitress brought the water and coffee.

Back on the road to Sugarcube Corner the girls were passing Sweetie Drops with Lyra and Bonbon cuddling outside on the bench.

“Awww,” signed Bonbon as she looked at the glittering stars. “I love this time of night.”

“Me too,” said Lyra.

“But not as much as I love you,” Bonbon said nuzzling Lyra. “Oh hiya girls.”

“Hello Lyra and Bonbon,” said Twilight while the others waved. “Yearling this is Lyra and her wife Bonbon, they own this candy shop.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Yearling as Bonbon gasped.

“Yearling? As in A.K. Yearling!? Can I have your autograph!?” said Bonbon getting a sheet of paper and pen out.

“Oh boy,” groaned Daring as Applejack trotted towards them,

“Howdy ya’ll, evening Lyra and Bonbon,” said Applejack as Lyra and Bonbon said hi back. “What ya doin?”

“Oh just spending time with my harp,” said Bonbon giving Lyra a peck on the cheek causing her to blush.

“Awww, that’s nice,” said Applejack at the couples show of affection before turning to the rest  of the group. “And how goes the search for Humble?”

“Humble?” said Bonbon her ears perking up. “Did something happen to him?”

“You mean you don’t know?” said Daring astonished that anypony couldn’t have heard the news.

“We we’re busy doing something else all day, if you catch my drift,” snickered Lyra while Bonbon face hooved.

“Oh, like going for a hike?” said Pinkie as the other girls except Fluttershy and Vinyl (who high hooved Lyra) blushed.

“Oh, a nature hike?” said Fluttershy. “Did you go to the Everfree forest?”

“Nah, last time we did it there I got poison joke in my-”

“Anway!” said Bonbon blushing profoundly. “What happened to Humble?”

“Oh, he got foalnapped,” said Rainbow Dash.

“What!?” said Lyra and Bonbon astonished. “How did that happen?”

“Some bad ponies took unkie Humble and might’ve hurt the doctor!” said Pinkie with a sniffle. “But don’t worry we’re gonna head to Manehattan and save him!”

“Ya are?” said Applejack confused. “Why didn’t any of ya’ll come and tell me?”

“Well we thought what with Apple Bloom-” said Twilight before Applejack groaned.

“I’m not in the mood to talk about that filly,” groaned Applejack.

“Don’t tell me you got into a fight,” said Fluttershy worried.

“Afraid so sugarcube, I know what Filthy’s daughter did was wrong and cruel but that doesn’t give ya the right to go hitting somepony,” said Applejack. “Even if it was about Dinky having no father.”

“What!?” said Rainbow Dash, Vinyl, and Lyra. “I thought Time Turner was her dad!”

“Why would you think that?” said Bonbon.

“They always seemed close,” said Lrya with a shrug.

“That poor filly,” said Daring with an angry glare. “How could that Diamond filly say such a thing!?”

“Well,” said Applejack rubbing her neck. “Ol’Filthy may have said a thing or two-”

“Where is he!?” growled Daring. “I don’t care how much he’s paying me! Teaching stuff like that to a foal, I’ll strangle him!”

“Don’t!” said a voice from above.

“Huh?” said Daring as she saw Derpy hovering above them. “Who are you?”

“Yearling this is Derpy,” said Twilight as Derpy descended onto the ground. “Dinky’s mother.”

“Well don’t you worry ma’am,” said Daring with a salute. “I’ll knock some sense into that stallion!”

“Yeah, hit him where Celestia don’t shine!” said Rainbow Dash earning a glare from Twilight. “What?”

“No!” said Derpy causing the others to jump back. “I mean, please don’t hurt Filthy Rich or his daughter. My little muffin and I forgave them already.”

“Muffin?” said Daring. “What does a pastry have to do with this?”

“I mean my daughter Dinky, please don’t hurt anypony Miss Yearling,” said Derpy with wide eyes.

After staring at her for a few seconds Daring signed in defeat.

“Alright I won’t hurt them,” said Daring. “But I think we should get going now, it was nice meeting you Bonbon and Lyra.”

“See ya guys!” said Lyra heading inside.

“Tell Dinky I said hi and to come by if she ever wants a treat,” said Bonbon with a smile before heading in and closing the door.

“Well we better get going,” said Rarity as the group resumed walking to Sugarcube Corner with the addition of Derpy.

“So Derpy what are you doing out here?” said Rainbow Dash.

“Oh I forgot! Twilight have you and the guards found anything about the ponies who hurt the doctor?” said Derpy hopeful on anymore information.

“Yes and no. We don’t know why the injured the doctor, but we believe it was a ploy to foalnapp Humble-”

“Wait who’s Humble?” said Derpy confused.

“My unkie Humble Pie silly,” said Pinkie.

“Wait, Humble Pie!? As in the writer of Ice Barrels and The adventures of Con Colt?” said a awestruck Derpy. “I love his books! So he got foalnapped? I’m so sorry Pinkie,” said Derpy nuzzling Pinkie.

“It’s alright, Twilight is taking us to Manehatten to find the meanies who did this!”

“Yeah, we’re gonna teach them a lesson Ponyville style!” said Rainbow Dash with a smirk.

“Can I come!? I want to give those stallions who hurt my friend and traumatized my muffin a lesson in mail fu,” said Derpy snorting hot air.

“But Derpy didn’t you just say you forgave Filthy and Diamond for hurting Dinky too?” said Fluttershy,

“True, but Diamond was a foal and got punished by her father and Filthy came to apologize, these two are different!”

“Derpy, you can’t come,” said Twilight to Derpy’s confusion.

“Why not!?”

“Because Dinky needs you,” said Twilight putting a hoof on Derpy’s shoulder. “She needs her mother.”

A few moments passed before Derpy spoke up.

“Ehhh, you’re right,” said Derpy with sigh. “I’m just gonna head home...after getting a muffin!” she said flying straight towards Sugarcube Corner.

Meanwhile inside the pastry shop,

“Bawaw wubba(the dread council shall commence!),” bellowed Poundcake to his fellow council members; Pumpkin, Gummy, the new one Slit, and of course councilor One Eye, a teddy bear with a eye missing.

“Gwi (you all know why we are here today),” said Pumpkin to the reptilian and stuffed members.

“...........,” said One Eye.

“Blib(objection overruled. The fact that another one of our councilors is another alligator is no concern to us),” said Poundcake to a disgruntled One Eye.

“........,”

“Lem (no there is no nepotism or racism being done here-).”

“......,”

“Seb (yes I am aware that I and council member duchess Chatku are siblings but-).”

“.......,”

“Poopy (no your a poopyhead)!”

As this debate went on Carrot  and Cup Cake were currently finishing their clean up job from the morning’s breakfast.

“There!” said Carrot scrubbing off the last charred egg bit. “Finally done.”

“About time,” said Cup Cake wiping a bead of sweat as she put away the last of the dishes. “I wonder where the girls are.”

A second later they heard the bell ring.

“Oh that must be them,” said Carrot as he and Cup Cake went out to the main room to see the Derpy at the counter.

“Hi Mrs. Cake,” said Derpy getting her bits out.

“Oh hello Derpy,” said Carrot. “The usual?”

“Yep!”

“So Derpy are Dinky and the doctor alright?” said Cup Cake concerned.

“My muffin’s at home sleeping but the doctor is having surgery,” said Derpy as Carrot came back with her muffin.

“Well I’m sure everything will be alright dear,” said Cup Cake with a smile.

“I hope so, thank you for the muffin bye!” said Derpy leaving as the others came in. “Bye guys.”

“See ya Derpy,” said Rainbow Dash as the other girls waved good bye.

“So did you girls find Humble?” said Cup Cake wanting to know how the search went. “Here have some muffins.”

“Oh it’s just the worst,” said Rarity taking the muffin along with the others. “Humble has been foalnapped!”

“What!?” said Carrot and Cup Cake with dropped jaws. “How did he get foalnapped!?”

“Two stallions, a one eyed yellow unicorn along with a chestnut coloured stallion with a scar on his muzzle and a Trottingham accent foalnapped Humble and hurt the doctor,” explained Octavia to the nodding heads of the married couple.  “And they’re taking him to Manehatten.”

“Oh that’s terrible!” said Cup Cake trotting over to Pinkie and nuzzling her. “Are you alright sweetie?”

“A teeny bit,” sniffled Pinkie nuzzling Cup Cake back. “But don’t worry, we’re heading to Manehatten tomorrow and finding him!”

“Don’t worry Pinkie,” said Rainbow Dash. “We’ll find those idiots who took your uncle!”

“Well,” said Rarity covering her mouth before yawning. “I think it’s time we to bed if we want to be ready for tomorrow. Goodnight everypony,’ she said trotting off while the rest said their byes as well.

“Thanks again for bringing my little sis home Carrot,” said Applejack as she left the store leaving Daring, Pinkie and the Cakes alone.

“If I may ask Miss Yearling, where are you staying tonight?” said Cup Cake.

“Well I was planning on leaving today after the convention but since I’m staying I’m just gonna find a hotel-”

“Oh, we can’t let you do that,” said Cup Cake. “Carrot how about we let Miss Yearling stay in Humble’s room?”

“I wouldn’t want to be a burden-”

“Oh, you wouldn’t be a burden,” chuckled Carrot. “We insist.”

“But-”

“Sleepover!” said Pinkie throwing confetti in the air.

“I still don’t know,” said Daring rubbing her neck.

“Please,” begged Pinkie and the Cakes.

“Well...ok.”

“Whoo- But before Pinkie could say hoo Twilight interrupted them.

“Oh Pinkie,” she said coming back inside. “I almost forgot, the guards found this,” she said taking out the bronze compass Humble had dropped. “Some ponies said they saw Humble chasing after it when it fell out of his pocket.”

“Where did you get this!?” said Daring, swooping in and taking the compass.

“That’s unkie Humble’s compass,” said Pinkie.

“Well I better get going if I wanna be well rested for tomorrow, bye everypony,” said Twilight leaving the store as everypony but Daring said their farewells.

“He kept it,” thought Daring in her mind. “Why would he keep-”

“Daring can I have my unkie’s compass back?” said Pinkie with shining eyes. “I wanna keep it safe.”

“Huh? Oh, oh sure,” said Daring  reluctantly giving the compass over to Pinkie.

“Is something wrong dear?” said Cup Cake with a tilt of the head. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“It’s nothing!” said Daring realizing she yelled. “Sorry, I mean, umm, where is Humble’s room?”

“Upstair and the third door on the left,” said Carrot.

“Ok, night!” said Daring shooting upstairs to Humble’s room.

“Hmmm,” said Pinkie pondering. “Something’s fishy and it’s not just the fishy muffins,” said Pinkie heading upstairs. “Night everypony!”

“Night Pinkie,” said Carrot and Cup Cake as Pinkie went to her room.

“Oh I forgot to compliment Daring on her new outfit,” said Cup Cake.

Meanwhile in Humble’s room,

“It just doesn’t make any sense!” said Daring as she took off Rarity’s outfit. “Why was he here of all days, why was he foalnapped, and why does he still have the compass! Arggh!” she groaned jumping onto the bed before hitting something. “Ouch! What the heck is this?” Daring said pulling out Humble’s journal from under the covers. “Humble’s journal? Hmmm, no I shouldn’t look at it,” she said putting it on top of a shelf. “But then again it might help!” Daring said taking it off the shelf.

Hovering over to the wall she turned off the lights and got under the covers with a near bye flashlight.

“All right let’s see what we got,” Daring said opening to a random page.

“Today I moved in to the condo in Manehatten with Coil-”

“So he lives in Manehatten with Coil now huh?” said Daring before continuing to read.

“-But even the new towering heights of the city are a small filling for the pain I feel. I still think of her.”

“Her?” said Daring reading more closely.

“The smell of her mane with it’s streaks of silver still fresh in my mind, her sweet voice as it threatened those who mocked her, her-” Daring would have continued reading but the words stopped there with only a small dry circle of water embedded in the pages was all that was left.

“Humble,” said Daring closing the book before lying onto the pillow and looking out towards Luna’s brightly glowing moon. “Why did you have to get foalnapped.” she said closing her eyes.

Next Chapter: A sisterly job Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 40 Minutes