//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 // Story: MLP A New Generation 3: The Rise of Armored Hoof // by TwiShine45 //------------------------------// Quarter couldn’t wait to catch up with the young mare that had caught his eye. So, he waited patiently. After his speech was concluded, Sunny got up and declared that Armored Hoof would be her honored guests at her coronation. She was so thrilled that somepony was around from the days when Twilight and her friends galloped through the hills and vales of the land. Her heart filled with joy to have these new compatriots in her life, and she quickly asked if they would honor her special occasion with their music. Quarter and the rest of the band agreed with vigorous nods. “It’s about darn time somepony took the throne of Canterlot!” Mane Halen exclaimed. “It’s been vacant for nearly 1,300 years!” “I know,” Sunny responded, “and I must say that I’m a little nervous about filling Princess Twilight’s place there.” “You’ll be fine, Sunny!” Pipp chirped. “Besides, you’ve got all of us backing you.” “Thanks, Pipp,” Sunny said with a smile. “Still, though, with the impending threat of an attack by Meadow and Scarlet Wing…” “It is a time of trouble, that’s for sure,” said the band’s drummer, Skins Mare. “I mean, we had to deal with Lord Tirek and Cozy Glow and even Princess Luna’s evil alter ego, Nightmare Moon. But, this? This is something that’s completely different…simply because the threat comes from somewhere so close to us all.” Sunny nodded. “Yes, it’s…unnerving, at least. But, we must be prepared for any eventuality. My coronation is less than two moons away, and plans are already being laid for it. If word should get to Meadow that I’m becoming the ruler of all Equestria at that time, she wouldn’t hesitate to attack the event. That, coupled with the threat to Maretime, is…well, it’s almost more than I can bear.” Suddenly, she felt a kind hoof on her shoulder. She turned up to see Hitch smiling down at her. Love radiated through his gaze and he gently bent down to kiss her cheek. Warmth flooded through her entire being, and she was silently thankful to have such an amazing special somepony right there with her. She responded to Hitch’s gesture by slowly raising her own hoof and placing it on his. The two lovers stayed deadlocked in each other for a few moments, simply enjoying each other’s company in such a strenuous time. But Hitch wasn’t the only one who cared for Sunny. The entire room stood and came to surround her with their friendship and hope. She felt hooves on her shoulders and fur pressing in all around her. It was like they were reading her very thoughts, pushing her further and further along her path. The journey was something that she feared, though she knew it had to be taken. Thankfully, she had made all of these incredible friendships. Her heart filled with joy once more as she looked around at all of her friends, both old and new. These are the protectors of Equestria, she thought. Come what may, we will stand. Like the solid walls of a sturdy fortress, we will stand. Maretime Bay…and, indeed, all of Equestria shall never fall to Meadow Bloom. The memory of Luster Dawn’s evil regime shall be relegated to history books, and foals will be taught to learn from her mistakes. Let them come…let blood flow…for we shall not surrender. After the gathering dispersed, Quarter ran to catch up with the pretty white pegasus. He still had no idea of her name, nor of what drew him to her in such a way. Perhaps it was her sleekness, or the interesting coloration of her wings. Maybe it was her amazing blue eyes or her incredibly individualistic mane style. Her voice had been like a song in his ear, sweet and melodious. There was a definite kindness in her gaze that mesmerized him, yet there was also a sense of fierceness and loyalty to her friends and to the skies above. It reminded him of his old friend Rainbow Dash. “Excuse me!” He called. “Hm?” Zipp asked as she turned around. “Oh, hi, Quarter! What’s up?” “Sorry,” Quarter said breathlessly, “but I just had to catch up with you. If you don’t mind my asking, what’s your name?” “Zipp,” the ex-princess responded, “Zipp Storm.” “Hm…Zipp,” Quarter mused. “You know, that seems like a good name for you.” “Well…my real name is Zephyrina.” “Zephyrina?” Quarter asked. “Yeah, Zephyrina,” Zipp said, blushing deeply. “See…I used to be princess of Zephyr Heights…until I abdicated my title and moved here with my sister, Pipp.” “The pink pegasus in the room, I’m assuming?” Quarter asked. “Yep, that’s her,” Zipp said, “and she’s really nice…though, she can be full of herself at times. I guess that just comes from being a pony pop star.” “Oh, a pop star, eh?” “Yeah, she’s really popular. Her music is considered to be the official soundtrack to all pegasi everywhere. It’s a hasty generalization based on inconclusive evidence and auditory preferences, but it’s stuck…for some reason.” The two shared a laugh over this. It had been quite some time since Quarter had laughed so deeply. He managed to catch another glance at the beautiful blue eyes that had first peaked his interest. They were like deep seas, drowning him in each of their various ways. He didn’t want anyone to save him, though. He liked being buried in their depths, reflective of the oceans that he used to swim in with his friends back when Equestria was whole and Canterlot thrived. “You know…you remind me of…well, of times gone by,” he said. “I do?” Zipp asked. “Yes, Zipp, you do,” Quarter responded. “There used to be such fun times between the band and all of our friends. I remember when we used to swim in Luna Bay, soar through the skies up to Cloudsdale, and-“ “-wait, wait, wait…did you say Cloudsdale?” Zipp asked. “Ah, yes. The city in the sky. The only place in all of Equestria exclusive to Pegasi. Now, it wasn’t because they were prejudiced, mind you, it was simply due to their important work in the weather factory.” “The weather factory?” Quarter smiled. “Yes, Zipp, the weather factory. Ah, it was a grand place.” “…Well…I’ve got time. Care to share?” “Zipp, I can tell you all you’d like to know about Cloudsdale and the weather factory. But, not tonight. It’s getting late and our band has to begin rehearsing again in the morning. Would you care to join me for dinner tomorrow?” “Yeah…I think I would,” Zipp said with a sparkle in her eye.