Stan looked at a Detective and nodded, pointing to his vehicle.


Days after learning about the Grand Galloping Gala, Stan and the others started preparing for it. However, Applejack had other things on her mind. It was almost time for her family's harvest time known as "Applebuck Season." Her brother, Big Macintosh, had hurt himself after the barn fell on top of him and hurt his side. So, she now has to do both her half of the orchard and his half.

"This is gonna take me forever." Applejack said. Just then, several apples fell from their trees and into buckets placed under them.

'What in tarnation? A stampede now?!' Applejack thought.

"Oh, no." She said. She then went to where she knew they'd pass.

Applebuck Season

As the stampede grew closer, Stan had set up a trap for it that would prevent them from getting into the town. Applejack was within the stampede, hoping to stop them from reaching the trap.

"Plan B is set," Stan said, speaking through a radio, "hope it doesn't come to that, though! Good luck, AJ!" As Applejack went through the stampede, her dog Winona was running along side. She then led them to a clearing before they hit the trap. Stan went to them and had a serious look on his face.

"Why in Sam Hill were you chargin' towards Ponyville like that?" Applejack asked.

"We saw a snake," a cow said, "and it gave us all a fright."

"Next time," Stan said, "try to steer clear of Ponyville. Try going towards a wasteland or the Everfree Forest."

"Understood." Another cow said. They then went home unharmed and unscathed. Stan and Applejack went back to town, careful not to disturb anyone. As they walked in, they saw the whole town smiling.

"Stampede must have woken them up." Stan said.

"Guess so." Applejack said. Twilight smiled and nodded.

"We were up anyways," Twilight said, "so there's no problem."

"I see," Stan said, "but we're still doing our workouts."

"Already done!" Spike said.

"I helped them." Sunset said.

"Okay," Stan said, "but what about the stretches?"

"Done!" Pinkie said.

"Recovery?" Stan asked?

"I took care of that." Fluttershy said.

"Everything else?!" Stan asked.

"Way ahead of you." Nightmare Moon said.

"I'll just shut up then." Stan said.

"Calm down, Stan." Rainbow Dash said. Applejack smiled and started to walk away.

"Well," Stan said, "the least we can do is help Applejack with her harvest since her brother can't." Applejack froze in her tracks.

"How did you know?" She asked.

"Your brother." Stan said. Applejack sighed.

'Damn it, Big Mac.' She thought.

"Come on, guys." Stan said. They all then went to Sweet Apple Acres and helped Applejack. After a few hours, they finished and had gone to where their new HQ was. Stan went to his office and saw someone sitting outside it. The pony stood up and smiled.

"Director," she said, "it's nice to meet you. I'm your secretary, Trace."

"Nice to meet you," Stan said, "but I don't need a secretary."

"It's policy," Trace said, "you have several meetings already." Stan gave a look.

"Excuse me?" He asked.

"You have the Royal Guard Captain at five," Trace said, looking at a file, "the EBI's new Director at seven, the Mayor of Ponyville at eight, and a Detective Absolute Justice at nine."

"What department?" Stan asked, going into the office.

"According to the file," Trace said, looking up, "Manehattan Police, 12th Precinct." Stan stopped and looked at Trace.

"Any reason?" He asked.

"It concerns an agent." Trace said. Stan gave a look.

"Give me that Detective's number," Stan said, leaving, "and find me his location."

"Director," Trace said, "where are you-"

"I'm gonna see how fast I can find that Detective before you can!" Stan said.

"You need a detail!" Trace said.

"I'm not like other Directors," Stan said, "if someone wants to get me, I'll make them fight for it. I won't sit on my ass!" Stan then left the building and went to the parking lot, going to his vehicle, only to find agents there.

"Director," one of them said, "we're the detail assigned to you."

"I don't need one." Stan said.

"You could get attacked." Another said.

"I'm at a bigger risk if I have someone drive for me," Stan said, "and this car doesn't scream 'important government official' when I drive it. If someone else drives it, they're liable to put me at risk of getting abducted. Do you see what I'm saying?" The agents moved out of the way and Stan got in.

"We'll be right behind you." An agent said.

"No," Stan said, "you won't. I don't let others do grunt work for me." Stan then turned the car on and left, headed towards Manehattan. When he got there, he saw a pony with a golden badge as a cutie mark.

'Gotta be him.' Stan thought. He then pulled into a space and parked. He then got out and approached the stallion.

"Detective Absolute Justice." Stan said. The stallion stopped and looked behind him.

"Yes," he said, "can I help you?" Stan showed his badge and ID.

"Director Stan McGarrett," Stan said, "Five-0." The Detective looked shocked and saw two other agents approach him. Stan recognized one of them.

'Really.' Stan thought.

"You should have your detail, Director." Trace said.

"I don't need a damn detail! I won't let damn politics define my position! I'm a Director of an armed federal agency," Stan said, "not some political ass-kisser! Plus, you're too slow! I found the guy before you did!"

"This should be done in private!" Trace said.

"If someone has a damn problem with one of my agents," Stan said, "they take it up with me! Not you, not a detail, not the press, not even the Princesses! They take it up with ME! If you have a problem with that, then work for the EBI! I don't need agents who listen to politics, I need agents who can do their job in whatever circumstances there are!"

"I don't have a problem with an agent," the Detective said, pulling out a picture, "I want to reconnect with one." Stan looked at the picture and was shocked.

"That's Twilight Sparkle." Stan said.

"I was friends with her a long time ago," the Detective said, "and I want to rekindle that friendship." Stan looked at the Detective and nodded, pointing to his vehicle.

"Get in." Stan said.


Absolute Justice and Twilight smile and clink two glasses together.


Stan walked into the building with Absolute Justice in tow. They let him through and saw that he had a knack for police work.

"I heard that you got the EBI." Justice said.

"The old EBI," Stan said, "the ones that were compliant with a dirty fed."

"That really took Equestria for a loop." Justice said.

"No kidding," Stan said, pouring coffee, "and that's only half of it. Coffee?"

"No thanks," Justice said, "I'm good."

"So," Stan said, "how long have you known Twilight?"

"We grew up together until I was made a cop at a young age." Justice said.

"You were both students at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted and Talented Unicorns," Stan said, "must've been pricey on the parents."

"My parents abandoned me in the Everfree Forest," Justice said, "and I was found by the Royal Guard. Princess Celestia took me in, raised me as her own. When I met Twilight, we became friends in seconds. That's when I started to develop other types of feelings for her."

"Did you tell her?" Stan asked.

"Didn't have a chance," Justice said, "I was made a cop and they sent me overseas to study and train. I earned my cutie mark from protecting Princess Celestia and Twilight. That's when I discovered my calling."

"You decided to become a cop." Stan said, putting it together.

"I wanted to tell her before I left how I felt," Justice said, "but her father kept me from doing so. Had his son expedite my paperwork and had me shipped off." That got Stan's attention.

"Could you prove it?" He asked.

"Didn't have a chance," Justice said, "I had started my training. All this time she was working for you."

"Listen," Stan said, "she was still in Canterlot when I first got here. Why get in touch with her now?"

"Because now her father and brother can't say anything or persuade her to see things their way," Justice said, "and it's a good chance to tell her how I feel." Stan thought about it and got an idea.

"How would you be able to prove that Twilight's father and brother expedited your process?" Stan asked. Justice held up a file and handed it to Stan, who took it and opened it.

"Their phone records." Justice said. Stan looked at Justice and nodded.

"Let's talk to them." Stan said. The two then left, only to be stopped by Trace.

"You still have other meetings." She said. Stan gave a look that said "Don't try and stop me." and Trace backed off. The two then went to Canterlot and went to Twilight's parents house. Stan knocked on the door and a mare opened.

"Can I help you?" She asked. Stan and Justice showed their badges and credentials.

"Director Stan McGarrett," Stan said, "Five-0. This is Detective Absolute Justice, Manehattan Police. Is your husband home, ma'am?"

"Nightlight," the mare said, "two guys are here to talk to you!" After a few moments, a stallion walked up and looked at them.

"Can I help the two of you?" He asked.

"Why don't you step outside?" Justice said. Nightlight stepped outside and closed the door.

"What's this about?" He asked.

"Did you have anything to do with expediting Detective Justice's paperwork for his training when he was younger?" Stan asked.

"That's pre-" Nightlight said.

"Preposterous? Believe me," Justice said, interrupting, "I know preposterous. I don't care if you have a son in the Royal Guard, you kept me from getting even closer to your daughter." Nightlight then recognized him and started looking pale.

"You're THAT colt?" He asked.

"Yeah," Justice said, "and it's only a matter of time before I get enough evidence to get you on Conspiracy to an Attempted Murder."

"You have to believe me," Nightlight said, "I didn't want to do it. I was just thinking of Twilight."

"So you admit it?" Stan asked.

"Yes," Nightlight said, "I admit I got the paperwork expedited. However, I was just trying to protect Twilight from what you were getting into."

"You mean you wanted to protect her from the job." Justice said.

"No," Nightlight said, "that's not what I mean!"

"Dad," Captain Armor said, "what's going on?" Justice turned around and Shining went pale.

"Remember me?" He asked.

"It came back to haunt us, Shining." Nightlight said.

"Damn right it did." Stan said.

"I promise you," Shining said, "we thought it was best for Twilight."

"Wonder what she'll have to say about it." Stan said.

"What do you mean?" Nightlight asked.

"All of us are going for a ride." Stan said. They all then went to the library in Ponyville and Stan knocked. Spike opened the door and Stan nodded. Spike stood to the side and they all entered. Justice entered last, so he could surprise her."

"Hey guys," Twilight said, smiling, "what's up?"

"I found someone who wants to talk to you." Stan said.

"Who is it?" Twilight asked.

"An old friend." Justice said. Twilight looked shocked and Justice entered. Twilight covered her mouth and shed a tear.

"Justice," Twilight said, "is that really you?"

"Yup," Justice said, "it's really me." Twilight ran to him and hugged him, tears coming out of her eyes.

"I thought I'd never see you again." She said.

"I know." Justice said. Twilight broke the hug and wiped her tears.

"Where have you been?" She asked.

"Everywhere," Justice said, "and I'm not exaggerating. I've been to Griffonstone, YayYakistan, Saddle Arabia, Prance, the Dragon Kingdom, you name it. It all started the day I left."

"Why didn't you stay in touch?" Twilight asked. Justice got serious.

"Because I was sent undercover," he said, "and I had all this nonsense to deal with if I did want to contact you."

"Why did you leave early?" Twilight asked. Nightlight and Shining tensed up. Twilight felt it and looked at them.

"They expedited his paperwork," Stan said, "to keep him from you."

"What?" Twilight asked.

"We're sorry, Twilight." Nightlight said.

"We were trying to protect you." Shining said.

"Protect me?! You sent one of my foalhood friends away because you wanted to protect me?! That's bullshit and you know it!" Twilight said.

"Don't use that tone of voice with us, Twilight!" Nightlight said.

"You shut your damn mouth! Far as I'm concerned," Justice said, "you two tried having me killed by having me sent on an undercover assignment when I wasn't even on the job yet!"

"I didn't want you breaking my daughter's heart!" Nightlight said.

"Why would I break her heart when I love her?!" Justice asked. The whole room got quiet.

"W-what?" Twilight asked.

"That's what I was going to tell you, Twilight. I was going to tell you I loved you," Justice said, "but these two intervened."

"You were too young." Nightlight said.

"I still knew what love was," Justice said, "and I found that in Twilight. What you did was just petty." Justice then stormed out, only to be chased by Twilight. Shining tried to stop her, but Stan gave a look and he stopped.

"You've got some 'splaining to do to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna." Stan said. Twilight finally caught up with Justice, thankful for the exercises Stan taught her, and tried to stop him.

"Justice wait!" Twilight said. He then stopped and looked at her.

"What is it?" He asked.

"There's something I want to give you." Twilight said.

"What?" Justice asked.

"This." Twilight said. She then kissed Justice on his lips and wrapped her arms around him. Justice was shocked at first, but eventually gave in and put his hands around her waist. They broke the kiss and Twilight smiled.

"How long?" Justice asked.

"Since we first met," Twilight said, "but I didn't want to say anything about it to you until I knew you would get the courage to find me again. I love you, too, Justice. I always have." Justice smiled and had an idea.

"How about we go somewhere nice?" Justice asked.

"You mean," Twilight said, "like a date?"

"Yup." Justice said. Twilight smiled and nodded.

"I know the perfect place." She said. The two then went to a nice restaurant that had just opened in town and went to a table for just them.

"Garson!" Justice said. A waiter went to them.

"What can I get you?" He asked.

"The nicest wine you have," Justice said, "and your best glasses." The waiter nodded and left.

"That might be expensive." Twilight said.

"For you," Justice said, "it's worth it." Twilight smiled and the waiter came back, setting a bottle of wine and two glasses down. Justice poured the drinks and gave one to Twilight.

"Thank you." Twilight said. Justice held his glass up and Twilight did the same.

"To good friends." Justice said. Twilight smiled and nodded.

"To good friends." She said. Absolute Justice and Twilight smile and clink their glasses together.