//------------------------------// // Chapter 27 // Story: MLP A New Generation 2: The Last of The Alicorns // by TwiShine45 //------------------------------// There were times in Sunny’s life where she’d been annoyed. There were times when she’d been angry. There were even times when she’d been considerably ticked off. However, nothing could have prepared her for the beast that grasped her being the moment Meadow’s wicked flint touched Izzy’s heart. She watched in shock, horror, and rage as Izzy began convulsing, her kind eyes darting this way and that, begging for help. None was to be had, though, as her body gave way to death’s rapid embrace. Her mouth filled with blood and she collapsed onto the dirt, never to smile again. Memories of their friendship crashed over Sunny’s mind. Tears brimmed at her eyes, but she couldn’t cry. Her sadness was too deep. Calling her reaction soul crushing would be doing it a disservice. Though she counted all her friends as adopted siblings of sorts, Izzy had been somepony special. She had been Sunny’s first true friend, aside from Hitch. It was through her that the misplacement of magic had been discovered. She’d been the catalyst for their first adventure. Not only that, but Sunny had often felt that Izzy and her had been drawn together by the whims of fate…that, and the wind that had blown a lantern into Bridlewood once. She had so looked forward to making new memories with Izzy. Flashes of the future began combining with the past. She had planned on asking her to be mare of honor at she and Hitch’s wedding. She wanted to watch as Izzy made friends and fell in love herself. But more than that, she just wanted their friendship to grow ever closer as the years went by. One slash of a dagger, and all of that had been permanently laid to rest. Sunny couldn’t believe the amount of vitriol that careened through her system. She had never felt anger like this before. Much to her surprise, it actually felt…good. A certain power made its presence known deep in her heart. But it wasn’t a power like Luster had. This sought…no…demanded the benevolence of her entire being. It was a power that looked out for the good of those around her over herself. She suddenly felt as if she had control over the very sun and moon. However, it was also a power that understood death and the horror that happens when a friendship is torn apart by such an event. Her mind was infused with this new feeling. It was as beautiful as daytime, but as sharp and cold as the darkest caves of night. It was as warm as the sun, yet carried all its fire and fury. There was an element of chill to it as well, bringing forth the beauty, mystery, and iciness of the moon. In an instant, she began rising above the cave floor. Her eyes shone and her mane and tail began perpetually flowing. A massive ball of magic began flowing over her body. Within its confines, she felt very safe, yet was also aware of the massive danger Scarlet Wing presented. She looked around, and found that she was sitting in some kind of cabin deep in the woods. A part of her knew that this was a vision, yet another part thought that, in some past time, this could have been extremely real. The cabin was sturdy and four chairs were set forth before her. Each one held a different pony, and she recognized them all as the four princesses of old. “Y…Your Majesties,” she said, bowing and suddenly realizing that her bonds had been loosed. “Princess Sunny,” Princess Celestia said, “welcome.” “P…princess?” Sunny gulped. “Indeed,” Princess Luna said. “Your untiring efforts to preserve friendship and harmony in our land have certainly presented you worthy of this position.” “B…I…how are we talking?” Sunny asked, eyes wide. “A…are you-“ “-ghosts?” Princess Cadance finished. “No, my dear, we are not. We are figments of the magic of harmony, a remnant of the very Tree that birthed the original Elements. It is this magic that truly governs Equestria. For so long, it was squelched by the evils of Scarlet Wing and the Distrust Dust. But you and your friends brought it back.” “We did?” Sunny asked, and then stood back in awe as Princess Twilight arose and trotted over. “Yes, young one, you did,” Twilight said with harps in her voice and fire in her mane. “Now, my most precious Luster Dawn, who turned her back on both it and everything I taught her, seeks to destroy it. It is up to you to stop her. Harness the power of your friendship and your new position as princess.” “Harness?” “Indeed, dear,” Celestia said, rising up to stand with Twilight. “Though we are all gone, you are a member of our shared bloodline. Friendship and harmony pulse through your veins. The magic has watched you, seen your dutiful actions, and has given you these Alicorn gifts. Use them wisely, as you watch over Equestria.” “You mean…?” “Yes, we do,” Luna said, joining the duo already standing there. “You, Princess Sunny Starscout, are the ruler of Equestria and our successor. The land has been without friendship for far too long.” “Amiability must be your goal here, Sunny,” Cadance said, becoming the fourth to join them. “You are on our pantheon now.” “You shall raise the sun…” Celestia said. “…and the moon…” Luna added. “You shall bring love…” Cadance quipped. “…and friendship…” Twilight said, before adding: “all four elements of a true Equestrian Princess are bound within you. Take care to use them wisely, and never for your own gain. We bequeath our land upon you, our dear Sunny. Rule it with care, justice, love, joy, confidence, fury, and hope. These are your responsibilities now. Return to your friends, Sunny Starscout…for they, and the throne room of Canterlot, await you.” Twilight bent forward and touched her horn to Sunny’s, causing a huge explosion of magic that destroyed the vision, putting Sunny right back in that horrible cavern. But this time, her horn and wings felt way more real than they ever had. She knew of the great responsibility she’d been given, and the burden was crushing. However, she looked down and saw her friends standing there…and then the dead body of Izzy Moonbow. This caused all of her Princess elements to rush through her, and she began to glow as she pronounced judgment upon Luster. “LUSTER DAWN,” Sunny said in a voice that echoed through the ages, conjuring the four she’d been in vision with, “WE HATH JUDGED THEE IN THE HIGHEST COURTS OF EQUESTRIA! THOU HAST COMMITTED EGREGIOUS CRIMES AGAINST ALL OF PONYKIND. BECAUSE OF YOUR HATRED, EQUESTRIA WAS PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS FOR OVER 2,000 YEARS. YOU HATH CAUSED THE RIFT, AND NOW THOU SHALT PAY FOR IT!”