It had been quiet in Equestria recently… which surprised them, ever since Opaline took drastic measures to take over Warnerstock on the Mane 5 and Misty’s last adventure. However, she was able to be defeated by the power of the ponies’ cutie marks, and after bidding goodbye to their Warnerstock friends, who they now considered as one of their family, they left for Equestria, where everything seemed to be normal.

Ever since then, the group included Misty in everything they did, whether it be going to Mane Melody, getting smoothies, sleepovers, everything. Misty truly was sorry for her actions, and it showed-- she was becoming more and more confident and compassionate every day. But… she couldn’t help but wonder what Opaline was up to.

While the ponies didn’t tell Maretime Bay about their death-defying encounter with Opaline, or the danger that might be coming to Equestria in the future, it was better if they didn't know... at least for a little while. Hitch had told the public that the alicorn in the smoke a few weeks ago was just a prank, and he punished the colts who set it up... and even though that was a lie, ponies seemed to believe it. But it was driving Pipp crazy not to tell the Pippsqueaks about their encounter with Opaline… she wanted to protect them. Especially three little fillies who became near and dear to her heart-- Peach Fizz, Seashell and Glory.

Peach Fizz was a quiet little unicorn filly with endless enthusiasm, often sticking close to her best friends. During one of her one on one sessions with the Pippsqueaks, she learned that Peach Fizz was pretty much friendless in Bridlewood before magic returned-- she was so shy, she didn’t know how to make friends. But now that she had Glory and Seashell, she felt a little more confident than before.

Glory was an adventure-seeking little pegasus filly from Zephyr Heights, who made every day a new adventure for her best friends. Sometimes, Glory could get a little carried away, but she always meant well, and she had her best friends to help her through anything.

And finally, there was Seashell, a confident little earth pony from Maretime Bay, who never thought her best friends would be a pegasus and a unicorn. And said by Pipp herself, with their unique personalities, that’s what made their friendship so strong, and they embodied friendship between pony kinds so well.

Of course, Pipp did her usual livestreams and made sure the Pippsqueaks were included in everything else she did…

But how long could she keep up not letting the Pippsqueaks know about Equestria’s new rising threat?

XXXXXXXXXXX

“Come on, girls!” Seashell said to her friends. “We’re gonna be late to Mane Melody and spend the day with Pipp!”

“We’re trying, Seashell!” Peach Fizz panted tiredly as she raced behind the purple earth pony. “But you’re running so fast, Glory and I can’t keep up with you!”

The three fillies had recently won a contest that detailed that they would spend an entire day with Princess Pipp Petals doing whatever she did on a daily basis, and the three were beyond ecstatic. They finally reached Mane Melody, allowing them to finally stop and catch their breath. “Thank goodness,” Glory sighed. “My wings were getting tired.”

“Can I knock on the door? Can I? Can I?” Peach Fizz asked. “Sure, Peach Fizz. Go right ahead!” Seashell moved out of the way, and Peach Fizz knocked on the salon door with her hoof. And after a second or two, Pipp opened the door and smiled upon seeing it was them. “Hey, Pippsqueaks!” she greeted enthusiastically. “Come on in! We were just setting up snacks!”

The fillies let out an excited squeal before they trotted inside. The entire salon was decorated with ‘WELCOME PIPPSQUEAKS’ on a giant banner, balloons in all different shades of colors, streamers, cookies and a blender so Sunny can mix up their favorite smoothies. “Wow… Pipp, this is beautiful!” Glory exclaimed. “Thank you, Glory! But it was really Izzy and Misty who designed it,” Pipp told her. “Our real unicycling masters.”

“Heh heh… guilty as charged!” Izzy giggled while Misty waved to the three fillies. “So, what do you girls wanna do first?” Sunny asked. “Try out a smoothie? Play a game? Sing a song?”

“Actually, Sunny, I have a great idea,” Pipp gave her a wink. “Pippsqueaks, I think this moment of arrival calls for a…”

“Pony… dance… PARTY!!!” Peach Fizz, Glory and Seashell said all at once. “Ooh, that’s right!” Pipp clapped her hooves and moved over to a speaker. “So let’s get ready to jam, ponies!”

She pressed a button on the speaker, and one of the songs she created, “All You Need Is Your Beat” began to blast through the salon, prompting everypony (Zipp a bit reluctant) to get up and dance to their hearts’ content. Seashell, Peach Fizz and Glory’s giggles were among the happiest, and Pipp’s heart swelled up with happiness seeing her Pippsqueaks happy.

But the moment wouldn’t last for long.

For just a few moments after the song ended, during their giggling fit, Pipp, Izzy, Sunny, Zipp and Hitch’s cutie marks began to glow brightly. “Oh man,” Hitch scratched his head. “Looks like we need to head back to the Brighthouse-- the Unity Crystals are calling us.”

“Awwwww…” Peach Fizz’s ears pinned. “Does that mean we’re gonna have to cancel the party?”

“I’m sorry, girls,” Sunny said gently. “I wish we could take you with us, but-- oh my pony… look, guys!”

Everyone turned to see a bewildering sight-- the fillies’ cutie marks were glowing too! “That’s weird… what could it mean?” Misty asked. “I don’t know,” Zipp said. “Usually, it’s been just us. I guess the Unity Crystals want them to come along too.”

“The Unity Crystals? The ones that gave us magic? Why are they calling us exactly?” Seashell asked. This prompted the ponies to look at each other, then at Pipp, who sighed. “Okay, girls… I’ll explain everything on the way.”

XXXXXXXXX

“So the Unity Crystals have been calling you for missions in other worlds where friendship and unity really need you?” asked Seashell once Pipp explained everything… well… except for the Opaline part. “Yeah!” Glory said. “At least… that’s what I heard.”

“That’s the story all right,” Hitch said as he carried Sparky on his back up to the top floor of the Brighthouse. “We never know where they’re gonna send us either.”

“So… how long will we be gone for?” Peach Fizz asked worriedly. “Oh, not too long, I bet,” Izzy reassured. “The Unity Crystals slow down time in Equestria, so not too much time has passed when we usually leave. I’m sure they’ll have us back to Equestria soon.”

Soon they arrived at the top of the Brighthouse, and the fillies oohed and awwed at the sight of the Unity Crystals. “They’re so pretty!” Peach Fizz said with sparkling eyes. “And them being split apart is what caused us to lose magic in the first place,” Zipp said. “So we have to be careful.”

“Brace yourselves, everypony!” Sunny said. “I think the crystals are about to send us off!”

It was true, the Unity Crystals were now glowing with the same white light that filled the room, and teleported the group off to their next adventure… wherever it may be.

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