With this pic, I’m clearly blowing whatever clandestine quality the eventual Apple Bloom x Diamond Tiara relationship might have thus far maintained. Fortunately, I haven’t exactly been quiet about my fondness for that ship, so you can’t be surprised! The long story of how field scientist Bloom ended up taking responsibility for (and ultimately bonding with) a wayward, badly scarred and vicious-as-fuck Hippocampus pup is a story for another day. How that pup, Arpeggio Dapple (Bloom named her, obviously) became the unlikely stepsister of Diamond Tiara’s pre-Bloom mistake—sorry, heir—is a tad more cohesive.

Poor little Royal Pain is unfairly named. He’s likely the gentlest and most sweet-natured kid you’ll ever meet…unfortunately, his lack of killer instinct is a great disappointment to his grandparents, who can’t see the cuddly lad amounting to anything in the company. But if it’s killer instinct you want, the foundling of DT’s farm-spawned paramour is about as brutal as they come. Furthermore, for reasons not completely understood by the hoofed folk around her, Arpeggio has bonded vehemently to little Royal, developing an intense loyalty to him that money can’t buy. Grandpa Rich sees golden bits whenever he sets eyes on the duo…with fierce Arpeggio’s species-wrought ability to adapt and learn just about anything, and Royal’s ability to look like a frickin’ pony, the company’s future could yet be in the best hands imaginable.

But wait, there’s more! As a bonus, I’ve done a little sketch of all the next-gen kids who have made their DA debut so far (there will be more, of course). Featured:

Sweet Pepper, the adoptive pegasus daughter of Babs and Twist. Serious wing power, unusual speckled coat, close relationship wiiiith…

Bee, the shy firstborn of Sweetie Belle and Silver Spoon. Teeny tiny flightless wings, gigantic crush on her Manehattanite pal.

Luca, offspring of Scootaloo and Truffle. Splendid legacy, even more splendid fro. Best buddy to little Royal Pain.

Finally, the afore-mentioned Rich boy and his carnivorous piebald sister. There you go!