Chapter 8: The Parent Map

It was a peaceful day in the Crystal Empire, and ponies were going about their daily lives.

A mail pony is doing his daily run of delivering mail, and as he gave a pony her letter. She kindly offered him a carrot. He soon leaves as he eats the carrot, but then stops at a familiar house. He looks at a letter as it was for Sunburst.

He sighs and rolls his eyes, but carries on with his job. He gets to the doorstep and knocks on the door. But no one came, he then pounds on the door to make sure if anypony's home. Then a commotion was heard inside as if something fell down.

Then, the door finally opened when unexpectedly a book was held in front of him.

The mail pony lowered the book and cleared his throat.

"Morning, Sunburst." The mail pony said with an irritated look on his face.

"What?" Sunburst said and then peels his eyes off the book. "Oh! Hi!" Sunburst holds the book behind as the mail pony hands him his letter. "You know, no matter how many times I read it, Houyhnhnm's Guide to Magical Arcana never gets boring."

"If you say so." Mail Pony said bluntly and then brought his letter out. "I've got another letter for you. From Sire's Hollow."

Sunburst had his attention back to his book. But still grab his letter.

"Mm-hmm. Sure thing." Sunburst said, not even without a care as he continued to read.

He then walks back inside, and the mail pony held his hoof out expected a carrot. But the door closed and he groans as he leaves.

Inside, Sunburst places his letter in a huge pile of letters that have never been opened. And walks back to his desk, and then a shimmering sound was heard and a glow appear under his cape.

It took a few seconds for Sunburst to notice.

"What's this?" Sunburst asked. He then looked around and had a thought. "Could I be experiencing the cerebration transmogrification effect described in chapter 17?"

He then flips through a few pages, but then slips off his chair. Sunburst lifts his cape off his head and notices his cutie mark glowing.

"Oh. My cutie mark is glowing." Sunburst said casually. It took a second for Sunburst to realize that and he became excited with a huge smile. "My cutie mark is glowing! I know what this means! WHY AM I YELLING?!"

*Main theme*

Sometime later, after a train ride to Ponyville. Sunburst met with Twilight, Spike and Chase at the Castle of Friendship.

"Princess Twilight, Master Chase, what an honor this is!" Said Sunburst. "I-I mean, it is, right? I'm called for a friendship mission?"

"You sure are. And it must be a special one." Said Twilight. "Nopony outside of Ponyville has ever been called before."

"That's quite a surprise, honey." Said Chase with a smile.

"If you need some pointers, let me know." Spike said, leaning to Sunburst, who began writing down some notes. "I've been on my fair share of missions."

Chase and Twilight just had an unamused look on their faces.

"You've been on one, Spike." Twilight reminded him.

"And that's my fair share." Spike replied back smugly as Sunburst crossed out the notes bluntly.

"To be a goof?" Chase asked bluntly, making Spike flinch and glare at him indignantly.

The four soon entered the throne room and found Starlight who had also been called. But she doesn't seem happy about something.

"Starlight!" Sunburst said, surprised and happy to see her. "You mean we've both been called? This is great!"

"Yeah... Great..." Starlight said depressed.

"Aren't you excited? You and me on a mission together!" Sunburst said with confidence in his voice.

Starlight just groaned, making Sunburst realize of how not enthusiastic his friend was.

"I'm... sorry. Are you not excited to go on a mission with me?" Sunburst asked with a concerned look.

"No." Starlight said as Sunburst was sad, making her realize her mistake. "Uh, no! I mean, yes. Heh. Totally excited about us going together. Just... not so excited about where."

Sunburst looks where they have been called.

"Sire's Hollow?' Sunburst said.

"Yep. Home." Starlight replied back with an unenthusiastic tone.

"Oh. Great." Sunburst said in a deflated tone.

The two seem upset.

Chase and Twilight turned to each other as they shrugged their shoulders when Spike patted Twilight before he approached the two unicorns.

"You know, I can go if two don't want to. I am kind of an expert." Spike said arrogantly with a smile.

The four just groaned in annoyance.

It was then Chase slapped the back of Spike's head, making the baby dragon yelp in pain.

"Would you stop bragging already?!" Chase asked annoyingly as Spike glared back at him. "Spike, you never learn anything, do?"

"Okay, okay. I'll stop rubbing it in. I was just kidding around." Spike remarked annoyingly.

Chase just shook his head with an unamused look on his face.

(Scene changes)

Later, Starlight and Sunburst were on the train to Sire's Hollow. Chase decided to join them.

"So, is there... something you guys want to share?" Chase asked.

Starlight sighed.

"It's not that I don't want to go home. It's just that whenever I do. my dad treats me like a filly. Like nothing's changed since I was a foal." Starlight explained to the alicorn master.

"Huh." Sunburst said, uneasily.

"I know. I'm a horrible daughter." Starlight said as she buries her face on the cushion of the seat she and Chase shared together.

"N-No, no! My mom actually does kind of the same thing." Sunburst explained with a sheepish smile.

Starlight perks her head up.

"Really?" Starlight asked in surprise.

"How so?" Chase asked curiously.

"I don't even have to go home. She sends me letters constantly asking about my plans for the future." Sunburst answers and he then imitates her. ""You're a grown-up pony, Sunburst! You need a plan!"" He then sighs. "I haven't been home in a while either."

"Huh? Guess you guys had a bit of a tough childhood?" Said Chase.

"Hmph. We'll just have to explain to our parents that we're on an important friendship mission so they can't bother us." Starlight said firmly.

"Do you really think that will work?" Sunburst asked.

"Nope!"

Then suddenly, the train came to a stop as it arrived at Sire's Hollow station. The train soon leaves as Starlight, Sunburst and Chase head towards the town.

"The great thing about home is it always stays just how you le..." Sunburst was about to finish when his sentence was cut short as he bumped into a gate. The gate itself seems to be high.

"Where did that come from?" Starlight confused.

"Has that always been there?" Chase asked.

Sunburst opened the gate and an automated voice was heard.

"Welcome to Sire's Hollow's!" The automated voice said.

"Well, that's new." Chase said with a surprised yet disturbed look as they soon entered inside.

"Essence?" A sleek pony, named Ever Essence, asked as a perfume bottle was shoved into Sunburst's face.

"Essence of what?" Sunburst said.

"You tell me." Said Ever Essence.

She then sprayed the perfume right at Sunburst's face. It even got in Chase's face and caused them both to cough.

"Hey! Watch where you aim, that!" Chase shouted, rubbing his eyes from the perfume, and then let out a violent sneeze.

"Sorry, Master Chase." The sleek pony apologized meekly.

"What is it?" Starlight asked.

"Uh... chocolate maybe?" Sunburst cleaning his glasses.

"Not chocolate maybe." Said the sleek pony. "Chocolate definitely! And all of the benefits with none of the drawbacks."

She then trots back to her table.

"Didn't this used to be a fruit stand?" Sunburst asked.

"I don't know what it used to be." Ever Essence answered. "The Sire's Hollow Development Committee determined what it is."

"The what, now?" Said Chase.

"The Sire's Hollow Development what?" Sunburst confused. "Where do ponies buy fruit?"

"You can get a fruit smoothie two doors down." The sleek pony answered.

The three then left as Sunburst and Starlight noticed all of the shops looked strange.

"All the shops are different." Sunburst looking around. "Everything's changed!"

"Did a lot happen last time you were here?" Chase asked Starlight with a curious look.

Starlight then noticed something.

"Not everything, Chase. That's the same as it ever was." Starlight said as she gestured to something off screen

The three then walked over to the other side of the town, to a bookstore. Sunburst was about to open the door, but was opened and a unicorn and earth pony came out.

"Sorry. Our bookstore's been declared a site of historical significance by the Sire's Hollow Preservation Society." Said the unicorn mare named Raspberry Latter.

"You'll have to experience the books from here." Said the earth pony, named Minty Mocha, and then a safety rail was place in front of them. "That's why windows are see-through."

They then walked inside and closed the door.

"What?!" Sunburst shocked.

"Well, that was… rude." Chase commented in annoyance. "Not to mention stupid. Who came up with that idea?"

"That's a good question, Chase." Starlight said. "What is happening around here?"

"I'll explain it to you, sugarplum!" Said a voice.

There was a elderly purple stallion with aqua green hair, bronze colored eyes, cutie mark of a flame. And wearing a red vest. It was Starlight's father, Firelight.

"You are just as cutesy-wutesy as ever!" Firelight said as he went up and held Starlight by the face.

"Dad!" Starlight said annoyingly, breaking free of his grip and rubbed her cheeks. "Quit it! What is going on?"

"Oh, just a father wanting to preserve our town's rich history for his little pumpky-wumpkin!" Firelight explained as he chuckled.

"Dad, you promised no "pumpky- wumpkin"'s in public!" Starlight said in annoyance yet embarrassingly.

Sunburst stifled a laugh and Chase managed to keep himself from laughing as well.

"Sorry, chipmunk cheeks." Firelight whispered as he appeared behind her and constantly poked her face, which Starlight swat it away bitterly.

"Don't. You're preserving the whole town?" Starlight said. "That's crazy!"

"That's exactly what I told him!" Said a voice.

They looked and saw Sunburst's mother, Stellar Flare. Emerald green colored eyes, reddish hair, a necklace and tie.

"I said, "Firelight, you're crazy!" Said Stellar and patted her mane proudly.

"Who's that?" Chase asked curiously.

"Mom?" Said Sunburst.

"Our village needs the same thing you do, Sunburst - a clear plan for the future." Stellar said and tried to cut Sunburst's beard. But luckily Sunburst saved it. "That's why I started the Sire's Hollow Development Committee. And I've got plans for this little town. Big plans!"

She then brought a list, a very long list and then walks off. Then Firelight plants his right hoof on the list stopping her.

"Listen here, Stellar Flare! I'm not gonna let you turn our historical heritage into Las Pegasus!" Firelight said annoyingly and angrily.

Stellar then rolls up her list.

"And I'm not gonna let you turn it into a museum!" Stellar snapped angrily.

Then the two started growling and looked like they're about to fight when Chase came in as he pushed them aside, making them gasp in surprise.

"You two, stop it!" Chase said sternly.

"Oh! Uh, Master Chase Young!" Stellar Flare said in surprise and excitedly. "What a nice surprise!" She then glared at Firelight as he did the same. "Perhaps you can tell Firelight to change his mind about his idea about his Preservation Society."

"My idea? Why not tell her to stop thinking through her idea?" Firelight remarked annoyingly.

Chase looked at the two and stepped back from them to join Sunburst and Starlight.

"W-Wait. Are you two fighting over this?" Starlight asked.

"Like having a friendship problem?" Said Sunburst.

"Oh, there's no problem." Said Stellar firmly and walked away.

"Because there is no friendship!" Firelight said, doing the same.

"Well, the good news is we know why we're here." Said Sunburst.

"Yup." Chase said with a deep sigh as Starlight blew her mane a bit with a tired yet annoyed expression.

The three watch as the two unicorns walk away.

"Maybe we should've sent Spike after all." Sunburst sighed as he turned to his two friends.

"Or, we could've just brought him here with us." Chase said out loud in annoyance before he turned to Starlight. "Well, Starlight. Looks like we're gonna have to bring them back here to explain."

Starlight sighed.

"Okay, Chase." Starlight said reluctantly as she0used her magic to bring her dad and Stellar back over to them.

"Sunburst and I were called here to do a job, and it looks like you two are it." Starlight explained.

"You mean your success depends on us?" Stellar said, a bit shocked.

"Uh..." Sunburst rubbing his head.

"And you have to hang out with us the whole time you're here?!" Firelight said, excited.

"Um..." Starlight is a little uneasy.

But Firelight and Stellar then looked away from each other bitterly.

"Well, I'll hear what you have to say." Stellar coming to agreement. "But every plan I've made for this town is perfectly reasonable."

"Good luck convincing me my preservation efforts don't make sense." Said Firelight.

Chase, Starlight, and Sunburst sighed knowing this is gonna be a long day.

(Scene changes)

Shortly later, Starlight, Sunburst and Chase met Stellar at the front gate.

Stellar opens it.

"Welcome to Sire's Hollow!" The automatic voice said.

The three glance at each other as Starlight and Sunburst smiled uneasily while Chase looked unamused by this.

(Scene changes)

Later, they were back at the bookstore.

"So we can't hold the books?" Starlight asked.

Raspberry Latter laughed at that.

"No!" Raspberry Latter replied back snootily.

"Can you hold the books?" Sunburst asked.

"No." Minty Mocha simply answered.

"So nopony can read the books?" Said Starlight.

"Isn't she adorable?" Firelight said as he chuckled nervously a bit.

Sunburst tilted his head a bit in confusion while stroking his beard as Chase and Starlight rolled their eyes amusingly.

(Scene changes)

Another short time later, they were back at the gate. Only this time, Starlight and Sunburst entered.

"Welcome to Sire's Hollow!" The female automatic voice said again.

Stellar just smiled while Sunburst and Starlight looked a little annoyed.

(Scene changes)

Later, they were back with Ever Essence.

"You can call them... mm... "smells". But I can them essence!" Said Ever Essence pony.

Ever Essence sprayed perfume, which again was sprayed into Sunburst and Chase's faces as they both coughed.

Starlight then smells them.

"Fruity." Starlight said with a dry tone and

"I just hope that I don't go nose blind from this." Chase said, trying to get his vision back.

"Too bad there's nowhere to get actual fruit." Sunburst commented.

"In the future, all ponies will drink their fruit!" Stellar said as she appeared with three smoothie cups.

She then shoves them into their mouths, but after one slurp. It tasted really bad, and Chase just spat out an entire mouthful.

"Ugh! It tasted worse!" Chase said, spitting out the rest of it in disgust.

(Scene changes)

Later, they met back with Firelight at a baker shop and a loaf of bread lands on the counter, with a hard thud.

The baker, named Cracked Wheat was an Earth Pony stallion who was wearing a pale green buttoned up shirt, a red apron, his fur coat was a light green color, his mane and tail were a shade of darker green color including his mustache, and his eyes were dark green. His cutie mark was that of a milk, a mixing bowl, and eggs.

"One hundred percent ancient pony grains!" Cracked Wheat said as he gestures to a photo frame with a group of ponies with damaged or missing teeth. "Just like the town founders ate! Hope you like crust!"

Sunburst tapped on the bread and then it fell through the counter.

The three turned to Firelight.

"Yeah, I think it's more rock than bread." Said Chase with a death glare.

Firelight just fixes his vest with a nervous smile.

(Scene changes)

Later, they were at the gate again as Sunburst just kept opening and closing the gate while three had annoyed looks on their faces to prove it's an annoyance.

"Welcome to Sire's Hollow!"

The automatic voice went on 5 times. Stellar just stood still with an over the smile, but soon she started to lose it

"Okay, it's annoying. I get it." Stellar admitted and gave up.

(Scene changes)

They soon met back with Firelight.

"Maybe my preservation efforts were a little over the top." Firelight admitted.

Then a cart broke behind when the baker was pushing some around.

"You think." Said Chase sarcastically.

"And I might have been trying to turn the town into a shopping mall." Stellar admitted.

"Well, whatever direction the town takes from now on, how about we work together on it?" Firelight said.

"Deal!" Stellar shaking his hoof. "Sunburst, you should move closer to Ponyville. After this success, I'm sure the Princess and Prince of Friendship will want to send you on more missions." She brushed her son's mane.

"That's not really how it works." Sunburst fixing his mane. "Oh, look at the time!" He then begins to leave and pushes Starlight and Chase as if wanting to get out of the village. "We should get going now that we solved the friendship problem, right, Starlight and Chase?"

"Yeah... The thing is, I don't think we did solve it." Said Starlight. "When we solve a friendship problem, our cutie marks are supposed to glow."

"And something tells me it's more than just what you guys really think that seeing them having a fight would be the friendship problem. It's gotta be something more than that." Chase said with a curious look.

"Aw, don't be disappointed, puddin'. Your papa will work this out for ya." Firelight said as he winked at Starlight.

"Heh. My papa wasn't called by the map in Twilight's castle. I was." Starlight said from the fake smile before she became annoyed.

Meanwhile, Sunburst tries to sneak away. And right where he was home free, Stellar stops him.

"How are you gonna explain this to the princess?" Stellar said. "What's your plan if she fires you from friendship quests?"

"Mom! She doesn't-! It-It's not-!" Sunburst spluttered frustratingly.

"Use your words, Sunburst." Stellar said with a smile, not seeing the problem.

Sunburst then groans angrily almost as if he couldn't take it. Chase saw this and didn't like where this was going for his friends as he could tell by the frustrated looks.

"I guess you two weren't the problem we were sent to solve after all." Said Starlight.

"So now you don't even know why you're here?" Stellar asked. "Ah! We have to figure this out before we run out of time!"

"Mom, there isn't a time limit." Sunburst sighed.

"So you're here for an extra long visit?" Firelight laughed. "You can stay in your old room, punkie wunk! It's just like you left it!"

Chase pictures Starlight's old room as it is what you expect from a dark shadowed kind of girl.

"Oh, that just doesn't seem right." Chase said with a blunt look as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

Starlight just winced and zips away from her father as she drags both Chase and Sunburst away to chat with them.

"We need to find this friendship problem now!" Starlight whispered to her friends as Sunburst nodded nervously.

"Yeah. We better make this quick." Chase said with a determined look to stop Stellar and Firelight from driving his two friends crazy.

"Now, I know you have your little job to do, but Stellar and I know the town a lot better than you two." Firelight said humbly and calmly as he and Stellar approached the three.

Stellar Flare nodded in agreement.

"That's right! Neither of you have been home in ages. You're gonna need our help to succeed!" Stellar said.

Starlight and Sunburst hummed in uncertain yet thoughtfully.

"I guess that makes sense..." Starlight said reluctantly.

Firelight and Stellar Flare laughed happily and heartily, making Starlight and Sunburst annoyed about the idea. Chase just felt very unamused by this as well.

"I already have some ideas!" Stellar Flare exclaimed happily while revealing the long scroll.

Firelight nodded happily while revealing his long scroll,

"Me, too!" Firelight added before the two ran off screen together.

"I think I liked it better when they were fighting." Sunburst said in annoyance.

"Well, while you guys are taking with your parents, I'm gonna take a walk around here." Chase said as he walked away to check out the village.

"Good luck with that." Starlight replied back with an unamused look.

(Scene changes)

Starlight returned to her old home, with her father. Inside the library, Firelight was using the chalk to write down on the chalkboard about Sire's Hollow and its history as well.

"Okay! Now that I've explained how Sire's Hollow was founded, we can start to explore all the possible friendship problems that might have developed over time." Firelight explained, smiling.

Starlight shook her head in frustration as she tossed her notepad and her quill.

"I appreciate the history lesson, Dad, but I need to find the problem now. In the present." Starlight said in annoyance.

"Aw, now, hon-bun. How are you gonna do that without all the backstory, huh?" Firelight asked sincerely yet playfully, making Starlight annoyed. He smiled a bit as he brought and wrapped an old baby blanket around her head, "Oh! Of course! I know how hard it is for you to sit still and focus, soooo... would it help you pay attention to hold on to your bwankie?"

Starlight was annoyed by her father's treatment towards her. Added to the worst, Firelight brought the glass of milk and two cookies before her. This angered her to groan in frustration.

(Scene changes)

As for Sunburst, he was following Stellar Flare as she believed that she might 'help' him to solve the Friendship Problem. He doubted it very much due to her has no idea of what and how 'Solving Friendship Problem' works.

"Now, you've had a little setback." Stellar Flare said calmly and humbly, "But don't worry. I know exactly what you need to do."

"Make a plan?" Sunburst asked in annoyance.

Stellar Flare smirked proudly while showing up her long scroll.

"Already got one! Step one – interview the suspects. Step two – use your talents to solve the issue. Step three – get the Princess and Prince of Friendship to send you on more missions!" Stellar answered.

"Mom! It does not work like that!" Sunburst protested in annoyance.

Just as Sunburst and his mother arrived at the market stall; they found Ever Essence, Raspberry Latte and Minty Mocha. Stellar Flare moved and nudged her head a bit, pointing at her son. Though they're confused and uncertain, she cleared her throat out loud while pointed at her son. They got alerted before nodded understandingly.

"Thank goodness you are here!" Ever Essence acted poorly to complain and glare at both ponies, "These two ponies refuse to use my essences."

"Maybe because we don't like to cover our natural scent!" Raspberry Latte answered poorly while raising her armpit to Ever Essence, who responded to cover her muzzle.

Stellar Flare was annoyed and irritably to glare at three ponies, making them annoyed and frustrated to play along.

"And she refuses to buy our books." Minty Mocha poorly acted back.

"Surely this is a friendship problem." Ever Essence, Raspberry Latte and Minty Mocha poorly acted and responded.

Stellar Flare smiled uneasily at her son. Sunburst groaned in annoyance as he scolded her,

"Ugh! It needs to be a real friendship problem! You can't just make one up!" Sunburst shouted in irritation and anger.

Sunburst turned and walked away from his mother. Stellar Flare was annoyed to turn and glare at three ponies,

"This is what happens when we don't rehearse! Ugh!" Stellar snapped angrily before she walked away as well.

(Scene changes)

Sometime later, Chase was having a look around when suddenly he was pulled behind a fountain and found Starlight hiding.

"What's wrong, Starlight?" Chase asked and Starlight signaled him to be quiet.

"Starlight? Sweetie?" Firelight's voice called. "I found a really old town bylaw that nopony agrees on. Apparently, we're not supposed to prance or canter after dinnertime. Could that be the problem? Silly-filly?"

Starlight glance over to look, and see he leaving.

"Whew!" Starlight said in relief as she wipes away some sweat.

"let me guess, father issues." Chase guessed.

"Don't... get me started, Chase." Starlight begged the alicorn masster.

Then Sunburst appeared hiding as well.

"What are you doing?" Starlight asked as he turns to the two.

"Hiding from my mother." Sunburst sighed. "She started making up friendship problems for me to solve."

Starlight scoffed.

"My dad won't even let me talk to anypony in case they're "strangers". I'm a grown mare!" Starlight said angrily after she air quotes the second part.

"We're never going to find the friendship problem with them around. Let alone solve it." Sunburst said in dismay.

"At this rate, it'll be dark by the time we figure it out." Said Chase. "And I promise Nyx to spend some time together."

"Maybe you two should start looking for it on your own?" Cracked Wheat offered who was listening to them and tried eating a loaf of bread.

"Uh, aren't you gonna have... Nevermind." Said Chase with a blunt look since he couldn't finish his sentence.

(Scene changes)

Later, they were at corner of a bookstore as they have gathered the Cracked Wheat, Ever Essence, Raspberry Latte and Minty Mocha.

"Okay! So we wanted to talk to all of you, you know, in private." Starlight whispered.

"Just to see if there were issues any of you had with your friends." Sunburst whispered as well.

"Got it." Said Ever Essence. "Just one question. Why are we whispering?"

"They're avoiding their parents." Said Cracked Wheat replied back.

They soon got the idea.

"No. Not avoiding. Just... taking a break." Said Sunburst.

"Yeah. We needed to focus." Said Starlight. "B-But we're definitely not avoiding them."

"So you're whispering with all of us in the darkest corner of the shop where nopony can possibly see because you're not avoiding them?" Said Raspberry Latte.

"Mm-hmm." Starlight and Sunburst nodded.

"Not the best private conversation I had." Said Chase before he turned his attention to Starlight and Sunburst. "Listen, guys. I know this is hard to believe, but do you really think there's more going on here than meets the eyes?"

"Chase, we don't know for sure what the Friendship problem really is. More to the point, I just want to go back to Ponyville." Starlight said before she sighed in agitation.

"Me too. Uh, but they definitely can't hear us in here, right?" Sunburst glancing outside.

"No way!" Said the baker. "This is the antiquities section. Nopony ever comes back here."

"There you are!" Said a voice.

They looked up and saw Firelight reshelving some books.

"But what are you doing in here?" Firelight asked and then gasped and leaped down. "Is the friendship problem in my favorite section of the bookstore?"

He then brought some books down, and the two just groaned as Starlight dropped her head on the table.

Chase noticed the irritated looks on his two friends as he sensed there was more going on than what they think.

"Hmmm." Chase said with a thoughtful look.

(Scene changes)

Soon, they left the shop.

"...And then, I thought the best way to look for a friendship problem in the present..." Said Firelight going through a book.

"Dad!" Starlight said, getting impatient.

"...was to look back in our town history even farther!" He finished.

Starlight then groans angrily looking like she get take it anymore.

"Oh, I think she's gonna lose it." Chase said to himself quietly.

"Sunburst!" Stellar's voice called and then appeared. "Oh. finally! Now, I know you don't want me to make up a problem, but what if I start one?"

"That's not how this-!" Sunburst was about to finish, but didn't had the chance.

"I mean, nopony ever became a success by following all the rules, right?" Stellar stopping him.

Sunburst nickered angrily, sounding a bit like an angry terrier dog. Chase could tell that this is something that he definitely didn't want to be a part of.

"How are things on your end?" Stellar asking Firelight.

"Couldn't be better!" He answered. "New leads and such!"

"Guys...?" Starlight said as she was about to lose it.

"We really are providing excellent assistance, aren't we?" Said Stellar.

"Guys...?" Sunburst said, losing as well.

"I know it." Chase said as he can tell this isn't going to end well and decides to back away.

"I dare say our children should be grateful for our help." Said Firelight.

"Three… two… one…" Chase mouthed with his horn lit and aura hand replacing his left hoof as he counted down from three. By the time he hit one, it happened.

"GUYS!" Starlight said, now over the edge.

"WE DON'T WANT YOUR HELP!" She and Sunburst shouted.

The two parents were shocked by this as they just looked at their angry children while Chase stayed out of it.

"I'm sorry. You want our help?" Stellar looking hurt.

Firelight chuckled trying not to look hurt.

"That's... That's ridiculous! What reason could you possibly have for that?" Firelight said as if trying to hide how heartbroken he was of hearing it.

"Because you're driving us CRAZY!" Starlight yelled.

The two parents were shocked before they became angry.

"Oh, really?" Stellar asked, upset and looked over to her son. "And just how am I driving you crazy?"

Sunburst finally lost it.

"BY always coming up with plans! I don't need a plan! I mean, maybe I do, but it'll be mine, not yours!" Sunburst said, bringing out scrolls and tears apart one of them before he turns his back away with a bitter look.

Stellar was heartbroken.

"Well... I'm sorry for trying to help!" Stellar remarked with a cracked voice before she ran off crying.

Then Starlight approaches her dad.

"And you're not any better! I'm not a filly! I'm a grown pony with a job to do, and I'll do it on my own!" Starlight said sternly, having enough of her father treating her like a filly.

Firelight, unlike Stellar, was able to keep it together. But probably breaking on the inside.

"Well. I'll let you get to it then." Firelight said calmly yet sadly as he then trots away.

Chase walked over to his two friends with a concern look on his face.

"Well, that could've gone better." Chase said to his friends.

"Great. Now we have to smooth things over with our parents on top of finding and solving a friendship problem." Starlight said, now guilty.

Then Sunburst had a crazy idea.

"It's almost like our relationship with our parents is the friendship problem." Sunburst said before he realized something as he turned to Chase. "You don't think that might have been it. Do you, Chase?"

"Yeah, Chase. You don't think that's it, do you?" Starlight asked Chase as he stared back at them with a blank expression.

"Yeah. About that..." Chase said as he looked away with an uneasy look.

Then a throat was heard clearing as they turned to see Cracked Wheat, Ever Essence, Raspberry Latte and Minty Mocha standing behind the trio.

"That's what all of us think." Said Cracked Wheat.

Starlight then groans and drops flat to the ground.

"Why couldn't we have been sent to stop a war or something?!" Starlight asked as she covers her face regrettably.

Chase then thought of something as he looks down at the ground with a look of thought before he sighed and turns back to his friends.

"You know, guys, I actually had a similar problem like this, once." Chase said honestly, gaining the two unicorns' attention.

"Really?" Sunburst asked.

"I was only a teen, and surprisingly my parents sorta treated me like I was a colt, still." Said Chase.

"What happened?" Starlight asked, sitting up.

"A fight accidentally started between us, I said something hurtful to them. And later, I felt guilty and apologized to him. Even they did. And Dad said that sometimes it's just hard for a parent to accept that their oldest son is grown up." Chase said with a smile.

Starlight and Sunburst then felt uneasy.

"The point is, guys, I think maybe your parents are just worried about you growing up so fast and don't want that to happen." Chase said gently. "Because you live far apart from them and they barely see you both. I may be far apart from Mom and Dad in Canterlot, but I still visit them when I need it. And right now, I think this is something you both have to do to communicate with your folks."

"We know that now, Chase." Starlight said as she walked up to him. "But how are we gonna clean this mess up?"

Chase smirked.

"Don't worry about it. I got the perfect plan to help you guys solve this in no time. Care to listen?" Chase asked with a grin as Starlight and Sunburst looked at each other before they nodded in reply.

"And how are we gonna do that?" Starlight asked with a hopeful smile.

"Relax. Just do what I say and everything will be fine." Chase responded back with a confident smile.

(Scene changes)

Back at Starlight's Old Home; Firelight, hurt and sad, was wiping off his theories from the chalkboard, with his daughter's old blanket. Starlight has returned and found her father in the library. She was accompanied by Chase.

"Dad?" Starlight said uneasily.

"Hello, Ms. Glimmer." Firelight said in a slight upset tone. "How is your friendship problem search going with Master Chase? I only ask as an interested observer, since I know you are an adult who's capable of doing things without help from anypony else."

He then tears up as Chase puts a hoof on Starlight's shoulder with a gentle smile and nod, making her nod back in reply. She turns back to her father.

"Actually... I think Sunburst and I figured out what it is with a little help from Chase Young." Starlight said with a smile, gaining her father's attention.

Firelight turns around and faces his daughter.

"So Stellar and I weren't really helpful after all." Firelight said sadly as Chase and Starlight walked up to him with smiles.

"Well, we haven't actually solved it." Starlight disagreed. She looked at her father sincerely. She pleaded, "And I don't think we can. Not without you."

Firelight was surprised by Starlight's gesture and asking. He couldn't help but smile warmly that his daughter has finally asked him to help her problem.

Chase smiled at the sight warmly.

(Scene changes)

Stellar Flare was at the Perfume Stall. While writing down on her notepad, she then tested one of the perfumes on herself. She yelped before coughed in disgust over the scent she had smelled.

"Pungent. Ugh." Stellar Flare coughed. She then found Sunburst approaching her. She asked dryly and sadly, "Oh. Did you come by to be driven crazy by more of your mother's plans?"

"No, I came to apologize." He said.

Stellar then turns back to him.

"Well, it's going to take more than an apology to make up for telling me you don't want my help finding your friendship problem." Stellar said in the same dry yet sad tone.

"Oh, I'm not sorry for that. Starlight and I already figured out what the problem is." Sunburst said with a smile.

Stellar looked offended.

"This is a terrible apology." Stellar said as she used her magic to bring a clipboard over to her and used a pencil to write down a few complaints on the perfume.

"Well, if you come with me and help fix it, I'll give you a better one." Said Sunburst.

Stellar Flare was touched and relieved that Sunburst had finally asked for her help. And hopefully, she doesn't want to mess it up again.

(Scene changes)

Soon they all met up.

"Usually, Twilight, Chase, or one of our other friends gets called to a place with a friendship problem to fix." Said Starlight.

"But Starlight and I realized we came here to fix a friendship problem we already had." Sunburst said.

Starlight approaches her dad.

"I'm sorry I've been avoiding coming home, Dad. But you can't keep treating me like a foal." Starlight said with a firm look.

"I'm sorry, sugarbun." Firelight apologized humbly but stopped to realize his mistake as he found Starlight was annoyed. He sighed in an embarrassed tone, "I just know how hard things were for you when you left home. And of course, I was even more worried when Emperor Zhao came to you and lied about having you join his Quinkan army. I guess I wanted you to feel safe, like... when you were young."

"Dad, I know I've made some mistakes, and I'll probably make a bunch more. But I learn from them. I think that's what growing up is." Starlight said calmly with a smile.

Chase smiled at the sight as he saw how the four ponies were getting closer to one another step by step and Sunburst went up to his mother.

"I'm sorry I never told you how much your plans bothered me, and I know you just want me to succeed. But I need to do that on my own." Sunburst said sincerely.

"I remember how lost you were when you flunked out of magic school." Said Stellar as she looked at her son with a sad smile. "I thought as long as you had a plan, you'd never feel that way again."

"You don't have to worry, Mom. I need to find my own way. And I definitely don't feel lost anymore." Sunburst said humbly and calmly as he hugged his mother.

Then their cutie marks started glowing and they hugged as everypony was watching it.

"That's so beautiful!" Cracked Wheat cried while hugging a loaf of bread.

Chase walked up to Starlight and Sunburst as they broke away the hug from their respective parents while turning to the alicorn stallion.

"Well, guys, congratulations on your friendship mission." Chase said with a smile.

"It's all thanks to you, Chase." Starlight said with a grateful smile as she and Sunburst hugged Chase, who hugged them back in reply.

(Scene changes)

Soon they made their way to the train station.

"The glowing cutie mark is such a symbol of accomplishment." Said Stellar. "I don't suppose there's a way for you to get it to glow all the time."

Sunburst chuckled a bit. "Pretty sure it doesn't work that way."

"Not unless we solved a friendship problem every few seconds, and I kinda hope this one will be it for a while." Said Starlight.

"You know, it seems to me your map is saying we're not just your parents." Said Firelight. "Heh. We're your friends, too."

"I guess so." Starlight said with a modest smile.

"So if I promise to treat you less like a little filly and more like a friend, will you visit more?" Firelight asked his daughter warmly.

"Absolutely. Mmm." Starlight replied back warmly and the two hugged.

"And if you start to drive me crazy again, I'll tell you instead of never coming home." Said Sunburst to his mom.

"That's lovely of you to say, dear. But you know, I can always visit you." Stellar said.

That made Chase, Sunburst, and Starlight flinch in surprise.

"Stellar, you're a genius!" Firelight said, liking the idea. "How do you feel about a road trip?"

"I might have a few plans for that." Stellar brought some lists.

Starlight and Sunburst chuckled nervously.

"Guys, hold on a minute." Chase said, gaining Stellar and Firelight's attention. "You just helped out your children. I think you've already spent enough time with them for one day."

Stellar and Firelight looked at each other before they smiled nervously at Chase.

"Right, um, maybe we should save it for another time." Firelight requested embarrassingly.

"I'm up for another time." Stellar added as Starlight and Sunburst smiled toward Chase as he smiled back at them.

Soon the train came to a complete stop as the doors opened. Chase, Starlight, and Sunburst walked inside as the doors closed so the three sat comfortably on their seats.

Sunburst and Starlight waved goodbye to their parents as they waved back. The two unicorns turned to Chase with smiles on their faces.

"Thanks for coming with us, Chase. I guess we really needed your words of wisdom after all." Starlight said to Chase gratefully as he turned to his friends with a warm smile.

"Anytime, Starlight. Anytime." Chase said as the three shared a chuckle with each other while enjoying the ride back to Ponyville.