05x04 - Father of the Bridlewood

[bunniefuu]

[gurgling]

[bright music]

[humming]

Oh, I can't believe it...
My daughter, Misty, has returned!

Hoo! Well, back then,
I used to call you Misty-Wisty,

but we can retire
that nickname if you like.

Oh! Um...
I'd like that very much.

-For now at least.
-Okay, Misty-Wisty! I mean... Misty.

Ah, there's so much to catch up on...
Oh, uh... I gotta go get something.

[laughing]
How wonderful is this!

Oh, I wish I didn't have to fly off
so soon to attend to some royal duties!

I'm so happy for you both!

Nothing beats having a daughter.

-Except maybe having two.
-[laughing]

Well, I must be off! Ta-ta!

Remember when we went to the circus

and you thought this was
the funniest thing ever?

Huh?
[chuckling]

Oh, and you loved this painting
from the Unicorn Art Museum!

I must say, you had incredibly advanced
artistic taste for such a young filly!

Oh, um... Those memories are
a little fuzzy for me, Alphabittle.

Hey! No more Alphabittle here.
From now on, call me "Dad".

Okay, Dad! Oh, you meant
just Misty. Got it!

Sorry, I don't remember... um... Dad.

We just need to jog your memory, kid.

I know! Let's have the most
incredible father-daughter day.

Then I guarantee
it'll all come flooding back.

-What do you say?
-I would love that!

Wow... first my Cutie Mark, and now this.

I'm so over-the-luna-moon to be reunited!

-Adorbs.
-So cute!

[gasping]

[moaning]
I am just feeling so many emotions!

-[exclaiming]
-[laughing]

♪ Hey you've gotta let it glow ♪

♪ You've gotta let it shine ♪

♪ Oh let's make our mark together ♪

♪ Just riding on forever ♪

♪ Just keeps on getting better
better better ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Everypony everywhere ♪

♪ You can feel it in the air ♪

♪ Find your spark
and just glow and shine ♪

♪ Make a mark
that you can share ♪

♪ Hoof to heart
you know we care ♪

♪ Oh ponies come on ♪

♪ Let's all unite ♪♪

Where to begin with re-connecting
and re-membering?

You were always better at coming up
with games and fun things to do...

-I was?
-Yeah!

That's the whole reason I play
games in the Crystal Tearoom!

Because of you.

-[all exclaiming]
-So thoughtful!

I can't take it!

I don't remember that... or the
last time I even played a game!

Unless you count
"The Evil Plotting Game"

where you have to strategize and take over
the whole world and all of ponykind?

Opaline does love that on

-Um...
-Hmm...

Wait. That's not a real game... is it?

We know you've been through a lot, Misty.

There's still so much to unpack.

[chuckling]
Seriously!

I got another twenty of these
Misty memory boxes.

I mean, more mentally and emotionally,
but yeah, those too!

Speaking of,
mind giving me a hoof, daughter?

[Misty] Oh. Anytime dad-a-bittle...
Heh, I mean, Alpha-dad!

Uh. Sorry, still getting used to it!

-Did you hear what Misty just said?
-Yes! Dad-a-bittle? Ha! Too funny!

No, no, not that.
About Opaline taking over all ponykind!

Maybe this game they played
can give us clues to her plan?!

Then we get ahead of her! What are we
really doing to protect Equestria?

-I have to ask Misty right now.
-Zipp, you are a brilliant detective.

But you should "detect" that this
isn't the time to interrogate Misty!

-Sure it is!
-I mean, your tactics with Misty lately

have been a little "extreme".

Pssh, what are you talking about?

[gurgling]

-So about Opaline...
-Ah!

-About that Opaline...
-Ah!

-[screaming]
-[Zipp] Hey Misty!

Tell me about Opaline right now!

I guess I have come on a bit strong.

Right now, she just needs our support.

When she's ready, she'll tell us
everything we need to know.

Maybe we can do some more
digging on our own?

Great idea, pals!

We Unicorns always say,
"the past is the key to the present."

It's very important to understand
the history of somepony,

for everypony's choices
echo in time... time... time...

-Echo in time?
-Yes, time.

And I know just the pony
you need to talk to.

Follow me!

Oh! Gather some grass and watch your
hooves for stinky weeds along the way!

It's in season!

Ooh ooh! And you! Oh!
And you're coming with me.

How wonderful to take a stroll
with you down memory lane today!

-You used to love this place.
-I did? What's it called?

Memory Lane!
Oh! And look there.

We carved this together!
With the tree's permission, of course.

I've passed it every day
since you've gone missing.

Oh, I can't wait to start
full-time dad-ing again!

I have never seen
this grumpy guy act so happy.

-Not even with Queen Haven!
-I've never seen Misty this happy either!

Maybe we should let them
reconnect in peace?

[Pipp] I can't understand
why we should...

-[clears throat]
-What? She'll want this later!

It's adorable!
And I guess a little invasive. Fine!

We're gonna head out so you can have
some quality family time together!

And privacy!

But don't ask why I brought that up.

We're just a phone call away
if you need us!

Did you hear that? Family time.
Just the two of us.

Like it used to be!
[exclaiming]

[laughing]

Welcome back to your home, kid!

I want to make everything

-as comfortable as possible for you.
-[gasping]

[gasping]

Oh, wait!
Wait till you see the best part!

-Ta-da!
-Wow... is this...

-[Alphabittle] Your old fillyhood room!
-[gasping]

Left exactly as the day
you went missing...

...but with more dust bunnicorns
now I guess.

I'll just call up Dusty, the cleanup pony,
and hire her to help out.

I promise, it will be
in mint condition soon.

Do you still like mint?
Anyway, now that you're settled,

let's get to the fun stuff!

I've been waiting for this
moment my whole life!

Who-hooo!
[chuckling]

He has no idea who I am now!

But I have to go along with it.

I want this to be
the best day ever for him.

Okay, Misty, you've mastered
the fake smile, so use it.

And go! Heh... Ow, ow... It hurts.

This here is my daughter, Misty!
Remember her?

Say hello to my little filly!

Hey! This is my long-lost child!
Give her a hoof!

Alphabit... I mean, Dad.

Could we maybe, uh, tone it down?

I'm not sure I love
all this attention on me.

Oh! Uh, of course!
I'm so sorry.

You used to love when I pranced
around and did this.

I'll dial back on the shouting.
But not on the pride!

Oh! I've got something
really exciting in store.

What is it? Maybe a trip
to the unicorn library?

I've never been
to one of those before. Or is it...

[gulping]
We're... at a playground?

Exactly! We have so many
fond memories together here.

You used to love the seesaw.

-[creaking]
-Wee...

[Alphabittle] And going down the slide.

Wee... Oh...

[Alphabittle] And spinning
on the filly-go-round!

How about you give it another
ol' spin, with the ol' stallion?

-Please?
-Heh... Of course.

Um... do you mind if I borrow this?

Aren't you a little old to be using this?

Heh. Yeah, but... wait...
Aren't we the same age?

Oh what about it?

Listen, after being filly-napped
and brainwashed for years,

I am feeling so many feelings right now
and I just really need this, okay?!

Feelings...
[sniffling]

I understand those well.

May the turnstile of emotions
guide you from eternal darkness to light.

Sure, okay.

Ready!

Wee!
[retching]

Wee!
[retching]

Alright, that's enough!

Hmm. You used to have
a stronger stomach.

Maybe that's enough
playgrounding for today?

I'm fine! Hah. Totally fine.

That was super fun. Yay!

Why don't we try something else?

Yes! I'd love that.

I'm between cave-exploration
or extreme tree-climbing.

Or, maybe we can get back into
fire-swallowing again.

[knocking on door]

Uh... Izzy. Where are we?

Shh! Shh! Also, hold these
wild grass woven gift basket-baskets.

[knocking on door]

Well, lookie who we have here. Dizzy!

Oh, it's Izzy, Elder Flower.

This is Sunny and Zipp!
Sunny and Zipp, meet Elder Flower!

The most elderly-est pony in town,
so much so that it's even in her name.

We're so honored to meet you Elder...

[gasping]
That's not the Bridlewood-Elder way!

Pass her your baskets.

Wild grass woven gift basket-baskets?!

How very thoughtful.
And respectful!

Elder Flower is the storyteller
in Bridlewood!

She has tales that have been
passed down through generations

and generations of little ponies!

Like, all of the past is in her mind.
Can you belizzle that?!

This reminds me of the tale
when the raccoon bit the snake.

Oh! That is such a good one!

I know that some of her stories
might not make sense right away,

but I promise she'll help you understand
more about Equestria's history.

These pals of mine could
really use your help!

Would you be willing to spin some yarns?

I will on one condition.

I wanna visit the big city!

Zephyr Heights?

That's the one!
Could you take me?

We'd love to be your chaperones!

Oh, wee, yippy!

Oh and then I gotta get packing.

Do they still wear poodle skirts there?

[soft jazz music]

The injured cat says, meow-ow.

Ow.

Me-ow-ow.

[light applause]

No doubt this will bring back memories.

A specialty special-tea tasting
at my Crystal Tearoom!

Now, let's see if I remember...

[melodic clinking]

[grunting]

[alarm ringing]

[melody playing]

[mechanical creaking]

Phew! It still works.

[gulping]

[gulping]

Mmm, yummy.

I knew it!
You still love "Misty's Mys-tea-ry".

I named it after you

-and haven't let anypony drink it since.
-[coughing]

But I can't remember for the life of me
what's in it! Gone already? Wow!

Looks like you need another cup.

I'm all tea'd out, Alpha... Uh... Dad.

Any chance there's something else,
anything else, on that list of yours?

In fact, there is!

Ow-owl, says the injured owl!

Oh! Owl...

[light applause]

Slam poetry! Your favorite!

Remember when you won
the youth slam with your performance

of "Reflections of a Glowpaz Crystal?"

No. I do not.
That actually sounds awful...

Awfully cute? I know! It was! Here.

[Misty] Wait, I...

Uh... Um... Uh...

Uh...

You sure did enjoy that Mare Stream ride,
huh, Elder Flower?

Oh I did!

It was just like the time
I went hoof gliding!

So, now that we're finally here, we have
some questions for you about the...

[gasping]
Can it be?

Shopping on Mane Avenue!

What a wonder to finally see
such an iconic place.

Look!

Did you know that style was
in fashion when I was a filly?

[laughing]
Incredible to see its return!

Right... So I was wondering
about this ancient evil Alicorn Opaline.

Hmm.
[gasping]

What? You know something?!

I cannot believe that Pegasus.

They're wearing a vintage
"Carousel Boutique" hat.

Do you know how hard those are to find?
And look! This music shop...

Sunny, this is going absolutely nowhere.

Trying to keep her focused
is one thing, but these stories?

They're complete nonsense!

Yeah, they're a little...
[chuckling]

But remember what Izzy said?

Let's see what she has to say.

Which sure seems to be a lot.

Hmm. If we get her to the old hangar,

maybe she'll be inspired to spill
some of the Opaline-beans?

Good idea!
That could help jog her memory.

Uh, speaking of jogging... Wait up!

[Zipp] Uh, slow down!

-Uh...
-[microphone feedback ringing]

Hu-huh. Rad.

Such a dedicated choice.

Uh...

I'm sorry!
I can't do this anymore!

-[audience] Huh?
-[door bell chiming]

[applause]

That was... brilliant!

I am overwhelmed with emotion.

What... what was it about?

It was a commentary
on the loss of identity.

Imbued with undertones of fear

about a newfound, fragile
father-daughter relationship.

[clears throat]
You, uh... got all that?

I see.

She also could have been saying
something about um-brellas.

Yeah, that too.

[crying]

I thought you might be in here.

What happened?
You love performing.

No, I don't!

At least, not anymore.

I hate the spotlight.

I hated the playground!

I'm sorry, but... this whole day
has been a struggle.

You didn't like any of the things we did?

No, I didn't.

The truth is... I don't actually
know what I like!

Or even who I am...

I haven't really had
the chance to figure it out yet.

Wow, Onyx and Dapple were right.

I just want you to feel at home.

But I don't feel at home.

I barely know this place.
I barely know myself!

And you barely know me.

So much time has passed,
so much has happened.

Whatever filly you used to love
isn't here anymore.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

I didn't realize...
I was just trying to show I cared.

But I understand.

You want to be alone.

[door closing]

No! I don't want
to be alone anymore.

That's all I've ever been and ever felt.

And now, I have you.

I somehow have you.

My dad!

[epic music]

Oh... my Misty-Wisty!

You're right.
I've been holding on to the past.

Onto the pain of losing you,
which made me hard-headed.

You just ask anypony in town
how grumpy I've been all these moons...

Let's start over. My name is Alphabittle,
and I am your father.

Though I know nothing about you,
someday when you're ready,

I want to hear all about your life and
experiences and who you are now.

It's a pleasure to re-meet.

I'm Misty. Tea for short.

Tea?
[laughing]

-I like that.
-I do too.

I just made it up!

Hey, there's still a little bit
of the father-daughter day left.

What would you like to do?

This way, Elder Flower!
We want to show you something.

Show me something? Well then,
let me put on these new glasses.

I went with the Classic design.
Super hip!

Speaking of hips, I gotta stretch.

Wow, she is spry. And chatty.

Once, I attended a super fancy
sparkly wedding,

but all the ponies kept changing shapes
and I almost threw out my hip! Ha!

If we're hoping to learn something,
this has to be the place for it.

[gasping]
Now, let's see... My-oh-my.

This hangar is beautiful.

It reminds me of when
all these lands were united.

Finally... Here we go!

A long time ago, there was
a magical bat named Dawn.

She was surrounded by other bats like her,

but one of the bats refused
to get along with the others.

This bat wanted to fly around,
and eat all the fruit for herself.

So Dawn spoke to a spider,
who wove a beautiful web

to keep the mean greedy bat away.

In the end, Dawn was able
to protect their nest,

yet the greedy bat continues
to this day to try to break the web.

Which is why some bats eat fruit
and some bats eat insects.

That's it!

-That... was a beautiful tale.
-Yes.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

[sighing]
It really was beautiful.

-But it held no clues.
-Hey, we tried!

At least Elder Flower
has had a nice time here.

She seems happy.

And really, doing something
like this for her?

That's a win in my book.

Thank you so much for giving me
the trip of a lifetime, fillies!

-We're so glad we could.
-You deserve it.

It's truly one to remember.

Especially since I got to see
that new Together Tree!

So lovely!

Sorry... What?

Uh, Yes! The Together Tree.
Over there.

Just like our beautiful
Wishing Tree in Bridlewood.

[Zipp] What's a Together Tree?

[Elder Flower] These trees
are very powerful.

Created only when ponies
come together through true friendship.

Together Trees communicate and connect
magically to each other,

through their roots underground.

They are our great protectors.
And we, in turn, must protect them.

[both] Whoa!

Elder Flower, thank you so much
for teaching us that.

All in a day's work existing with
the knowledge of my unicorn ancestors!

Especially Great Great Great
Great Auntie Moondancer.

She sure is a lot.

Quit your yapping, I hear ya!

Oh, I know I said I was
a patient stallion,

but I cannot wait to see
what you've got up your sleeve.

Okay, open your eyes!

Tea?!

Hmm, tea.
[exclaiming]

Not just any tea. A new blend,
designed and crafted by me. Try it!

Ah! Delicious.

At first, it has a bitterness.

But then, it softened into a warm,
comforting cup.

My tea-metaphor for you.

Aw... It's like poetry!

I am so grateful to get this
second second-chance with you.

You're home!

Honestly, I still don't really
feel at "home" here.

I'm not sure why.

I know just what to do.

Just need to make
a little phone call.

Ta-da-da! Get it? Da-da?

-[chuckling]
-Huh?

The Crystal Brighthouse?

-[squeaking]
-[gasping]

Hey! Sorry we don't have
everything unpacked yet.

You have some heavy stuff.
[grunting]

What's in this?

[gurgling]

Sparky, put those down!
You'll stub a claw.

[sighing]

What is all this?

I reached out to your pals
about living here.

They'd love for you to stay,
if that's what you want.

Really?!

[laughing]
I do!

I just made the bed! Heh, whatever!

You don't have to live
with me in Bridlewood.

You don't have to do anything
you don't want to.

You're a grown pony, now.
Not my baby filly.

And that's okay.

[sighing]
Just promise you'll call me every week.

Also, I filled the fridge downstairs
with healthy meals.

Oh, and you were so good at making
that tea, I left you a giant box

full of dried herbs and flowers so you can
make your own blends at home!

Um... fun!

I'm going to miss you so much!

I'm going to miss you too, Dad.

Still got it.

[all exclaiming]

We want in too!

[dramatic music]

North Wind!
How I've missed you!

You know, there's a story about
when the North Wind went up

against the South Wind in a big dance-off
that turned into a tornado.

Hmm? Dance-off?
Sounds like some story!

Is there some deep,
hidden message to decode in this one?

There's always messages in the wind, dear.

If you fly directly into it
on a Thursday, you'll see what I mean.

[laughing]

-You're back!
-Hey, pals!

We missed you!

Yay, Misty's here!

Hi, Alphabittle!
You'll never believe what we learned.

Elder Flower, would you like
to do the honors?

It all starts with a magical bat.

I... think she means the other one.

Oh! Uh, the Together Trees.

Well... They're all magically connected...

[bright music]

[♪♪]