//------------------------------// // Chapter 17 // Story: MLP A New Generation 2: The Last of The Alicorns // by TwiShine45 //------------------------------// Izzy led Hitch down a long hallway towards an unknown future. Yes, he knew of where he was going, but what he’d find once there both frightened and intrigued him. The way Izzy had spoken of the library was both reverent and somewhat bizarre. It was like being in the room had changed her life forever, in ways that were apparent only to her. The unicorn’s gaze had shifted back and forth as she spoke of the library, and Hitch was concerned that she might have been mentally affected by the contents of said room. He nervously followed her bouncing tail down the hallway, wondering if he, too, would be affected. It would either be that or all of the tomes hidden within would contain some type of power that might help them on their journey. “Hey, Izz?” He asked, strolling up beside her. “Yeah?” “What’s in this library, exactly?” She looked at him and smiled. “You’ll find out when we get there.” Hitch rolled his eyes, but nodded and smiled back. The two quietly made their way down the hall until they reached a certain door. Izzy stopped and quietly prodded the portal open with her magic. Once inside, the two looked around in wonder. Even Izzy, though she’d already been in here before, was awestruck by just how extensive it was. Shelf after shelf contained knowledge in the form of the written word, pushing their existence deeper into the pair of ponies. Quickly, they maneuvered over to one of the shelves and began digging into what it had to offer. Hitch was surprised at just how many books there were. Every subject known to pony kind was represented. Magic, methodology, cooking, cleaning, sports, history, science…even one or two romance titles. It was the most extensive collection of tomes he’d ever seen. His eyes wandered this way and that, darting from title to title, eager to explore them all. Ever since he was a colt, he’d always taken solace in the literary world. Life made way more sense when viewed through the lens of a book. He’d studied profusely in the subjects of history and science, but now knew that everything he’d ever read had been a lie. These topics were subjugated to a long history of apparent brainwashing on the part of some unknown entity. Now, he wanted to make it right. He felt that it was his mission to make it right, and his friends shared the same goal. One day, he promised himself, each book in this library will be made public. Everypony must know the truth of what Equestria actually is! I know that, as a whole, it’s a lot better than it used to be…but something tells me that there’s still work to be done. Perhaps…even the work of bringing justice to some great enemy. “Hitch!” Izzy suddenly called, interrupting his thoughts. “Yeah?” “Come over here! I’ve found something incredible!” Hitch quickly galloped over to where his unicorn friend stood. He pulled to a stop beside her, mouth agape as he followed her pointing foreleg. Right in front of them was a massive shelf, holding a lot of the same book. The reason for their surprise was that these were no ordinary books: they were friendship journals. Quickly, both ponies took out a copy for each member of their group. This way, they could all have their own and be able to read about the fantastic adventures of Twilight and her friends. There were some reservations presented about taking the journals, but Izzy made the point that libraries exist to rent books. All they’d have to do was ask Crystal if they could borrow them for a while. “I guess you’re right,” Hitch said, “besides, what are friendship journals for but to be read?” “Exactly!” Izzy squeaked happily. “Now, come on, let’s get back to the others!” It took a while, but soon enough, everypony gathered back in the main area. The fire was still roaring and the remnants of their spaghetti dinner languished on the table. They’d each been too excited about the prospects of the castle to bother cleaning. So, after everyone was there, Crystal enlisted some help and they got the job done with no real delays. Once this was completed, Crystal sat everyone around the fire and told them her story. Scarlet Wing’s vicious ambitions and cruelty were shocking. Many in the group found themselves shedding tears at the bloodthirsty outfit. Some turned to rage and quivered in their horseshoes, desperate to exact vengeance upon Scarlet Wing. “…truth be told, I don’t know where you’ll find them,” Crystal finished, “but what I do know is the power of your friendship.” “The power of our friendship?” Zipp asked with a wary eye to her “ex-sibling.” “Yes, Zipp,” Crystal said. “In fact, I haven’t seen a bond so tightly woven since Twilight and her friends. In fact, you each remind me of one individual member of her group. Sunny, you’re Twilight. Zipp, you’re Rainbow Dash. Pipp, you’re my mother, Rarity. Izzy, you’re just like Pinkie Pie. Hitch, you’re Applejack…and finally, you, Meadow. You’re just like Fluttershy.” “So…do you think our friendship is…somehow…meant to be?” Sunny asked. “I believe all friendships are meant to be,” Crystal said. “That’s what makes the idea so exciting! To think that one pony out there is meant to be your friend for life. No matter the differences, no matter the similarities. They are simply placed in Equestria for one purpose: to become your friend and share your life with you. Other ponies might fade or even betray you, but your true friends never will, simply because they are fulfilling a mission greater than any in all of Equestria: simply being there for you.” “Wow…that was lovely!” Meadow chirped. “Why, thank you, Meadow,” Crystal said, “it’s been a philosophy of mine for my entire life.” “By the way,” Izzy spoke up, “speaking of friendship, we did some exploring and found these!” She produced the journals and everypony gasped. Crystal’s face lit up when she saw them, as for her, it was the culmination of a lifelong journey. She wanted so very much for somepony to find the journals and put them to good use. They’d been sitting in her library for over a millennia, just waiting for somepony to read them. Sure, she’d read them all a million times over, but she knew that their purpose lay elsewhere. So, she kept them in pristine condition, waiting for the day when their power would be used once again. Her smile grew as she approached Izzy and grasped her in a hug. “Well done, Izzy!” She said. “Whaddaya mean?” Izzy asked, bewildered. “You’ve found the truest treasure this castle could ever bestow! These journals were given to me by Princess Twilight herself before she died. She wanted me to pass them on, but we had no idea of the strife that lay ahead for Equestria. Now, they’ll be in good hooves! I’m so very proud to be able to give these all to you! Now, go rest…for you have a long journey ahead of you.”