//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: MLP A New Generation 2: The Last of The Alicorns // by TwiShine45 //------------------------------// The next day, Sunny and her friends stood on a train platform awaiting their steam powered carriage. It would take them all around Equestria on their quest to discover more about the world and about Sunny’s past. But, make no mistake about it, each of the journeying ponies had their own reasons for going. Their main one was to support their friend, but they also had side inspiration. Hitch wanted to see new places and, perhaps, learn about how pegasi and unicorns kept law and order. Zipp was very eager to discover new species of plants and animals, owing to her love of science. Izzy was curious about how the world outside Maretime Bay had changed since magic had reemerged. Finally, there was Pipp who, despite all her reservations, was just as interested in finding out new discoveries as her friends were. She was simply concerned that they would all die in the process. Either way, they were ready, and soon enough their coach chugged into the station. There was no humongous throng to see them off. This, oddly enough, comforted the travelers as they boarded their vessel. All that was there was Phyllis, and new Maretime Bay residents Alpha Bittle and his special somepony, the former queen Haven. The two co-ran a shop in town specializing in both games and electronics. However, there was one common thread between these three ponies: their pride in the departing party. Phyllis was excited to get to witness the continued birth of this new era of friendship. That, and she was desperate for answers regarding her dead husband. Alpha was excited to see the young unicorn Izzy making so much headway in the world and Haven was thrilled for her daughters, Zipp and Pipp. “The well wishes of everypony in town go with you,” Phyllis said as Sunny and her friends boarded, “you have to know that.” “Of course,” Sunny responded, though internally she knew of one pony who would not be wishing her well. “You’re thinking of Sprout, aren’t you?” Phyllis asked, seemingly reading Sunny’s thoughts. “Yes, I am,” Sunny said sadly, “I wish he’d go with us. If he could just see what truly happened, then-“ She was stopped by a polite raise of Phyllis’s hoof. “I’m afraid my son is stuck in his ways. Ever since he was a colt, he’s been extremely resistant to change. When Branch and I would have to make a snap switch of our plans, he’d pitch a fit. He hated it when we moved out of our old house and into a new one, despite the fact that we never left Maretime. He even hated it when we’d change the channel on our TV!” “Wow…that is a problem,” Sunny said. “Problem would be an understatement, my dear,” Phyllis responded, “but this is much bigger than a simple television channel or even swapping homes. Sunny, this is the very future of Equestria we’re talking about! If ponies can’t get along now or are resistant to the new way of thinking, then how do we have a future?” Sunny took a moment to ponder that question. As much as she wanted everypony to get along, she also knew that equines weren’t perfect. The orderly and friendly way that she wanted Equestria to be run simply didn’t fit everypony. There were still ponies clinging to the past, desperate to show their hatred in any way possible. However, these ponies were few and far between, and there were daily redactions of old ways of thinking. In other words, certain equines would come forward, apologize, and begin making friends among different pony kinds. Sunny loved it when these things happened, yet her heart also yearned for the redemption of those who still retained their racist ways. “I’m afraid…that we’ll have to build a future without some ponies,” Sunny said with a broken voice. “What do you mean?” Phyllis asked. “Certainly, all ponies can be made to see the truth…can’t they?” “I wish with all my heart that this were the case,” Sunny responded. “But…I just…don’t see it. There are ponies who will always cling to whatever they’ve known without thinking that there might be a better way. It’s something I’ve dealt with my entire life.” “…and…I suppose…my company didn’t help matters much,” Phyllis said, ears drooping. “Hey,” Sunny said, offering a hoof to the reformed mare, “it’s okay. You’ve left that way behind and are now traversing the paths of friendship. Things are different now. Why…without Canter Logic’s help, there’s no way me and my friends could have undertaken this journey. We’re gonna do our best to make Maretime proud and come home with some kind of answer!” “I know you will,” Phyllis said, smiling, “because I’ve seen you do it before. I don’t know what it is…but…it’s…real. It’s more real than anything I’ve ever felt before, and it’s something I want to share with my friends, both old and new. You know…I used to wonder what friendship could be…until you all shared its magic with me.” “That would make a catchy lyric!” Sunny said, laughing. “Yeah, it would!” Phyllis responded, eyes sparkling. “But, anyway, no matter what, we’re all behind you.” “Thanks, Phyllis,” Sunny said with a smile as she boarded the train. Once she was on board, everypony stuck a hoof out a window and waved farewell to the three former enemies. However, Phyllis had thoughts running through her mind, even as she waved back. Thoughts of fear and doubt. She knew she should have faith in her young friends, but she just didn’t know how they’d survive this. Even with all the latest in Canter Logic technology, their odds for return were slim. Her silence spoke volumes to Haven and Alpha, who quietly bade her farewell before returning to their shop. She sat there on the train platform alone, silently staring across the tracks and into the field on the other side. Flowers blossomed in the meadow while the trees on the field’s perimeter reached their trunks for the sky’s embrace. “Please…come home soon,” Phyllis silently said as tears formed. “Maretime Bay would be lost without you five. Don’t get yourselves killed out there…okay?”