//------------------------------// // Doubts // Story: Unicorn Attack! // by milesprower06 //------------------------------// The group of five ponies didn't get too much farther after the moon dipped behind the mountain upon which Zephyr Heights rested, which further darkened the twisting canyons and made traversing them dangerous. Sunny took what remaining kindling she had in her pack to make a flickering campfire, they set up a small campsite, and got a light dinner cooking as well. As a show of good faith for their new traveling companions, who had brought nothing with them in their hasty exit from the city, Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch offered their tents and sleeping bags to the royal sisters. Pipp happily accepted, but Zipp took some prodding. "Zipp, it's not too much, seeing as the two of you didn't really have any time to prepare for a trip like this, but we're happy to have you along, so we want you to be as comfortable as possible," Sunny reasoned, as she rotated her haycake over the small campfire. It wouldn't last long, so they had to warm what food they could quickly, until they descended into the prairies and hills tomorrow morning to find more kindling. "Fine, fine. If you insist," Zipp said. "I do appreciate the gesture, it's just that I don't like being treated like I'm better than anypony else. Because as you've found out today, we're not." "Well Zipp, it's not because you're royalty. It's because you're a friend," Sunny replied. Zipp gave her a smile. "Well, since you put it that way, I accept, for tonight," the white pegasus answered. "So, are we absolutely sure these crystals are going to work? Like, just put them together and, bam? Magic back? Problem solved?" Pipp asked. "That's certainly what I gathered from the stained glass windows in the abandoned airship station," Zipp told her younger sibling. Pipp didn't want to immediately challenge Zipp's hypothesis and seem like a wet blanket, but she also didn't want to head into the unknown on nothing more than blind optimism. "And what if they don't...? I mean, giving everypony, ourselves included, their magic back would be amazing, don't get me wrong. But I just want to prepare mentally, and maybe practically, if it doesn't end up working out that way." Nopony knew what to say in reply to Pipp at first, as the flames crackled in an otherwise silent night. "I'm all for optimism," Sunny began, pausing to take a bite of her dinner. "But Pipp is right. If things don't work... I don't want things to go back to the way they were. I've honestly been wondering... Where it all went wrong. With the three tribes, I mean. Maretime Bay's population is so frightened of possible invasions that the town's primary industry is built around protecting against that sort of thing, and just from spending time with all of you, I know that it's just all hogwash. From everything my dad discovered, the tribes used to live together in harmony, and it is indeed possible. I mean, just look at the five of us. We're getting along, and we've barely known each other for a few days, or a few hours, in the case of you two," the earth mare said, nodding to the two pegasi. "I know we could make it work if we all do our part, hoof to heart." Sunny placed her right hoof on her chest after she finished her haycake. Afterward, she wiped the plate clean with the rag she had packed, and put it away in the left flap of her saddlebag. "I mean, let's all hope for the best, but what do we do if it doesn't turn out that way? How can we not go our separate ways? It doesn't sound like any of our tribes would accept all of us unless things change," Zipp asked. "Maybe it's best to focus on what we've got to do in Bridlewood for now," Hitch suggested, turning to Izzy. "How long of a hike is it to get there, anyways?" "Oh, I'd say another day, maybe just a little bit more. Unicorns are wary of outsiders, so we'll have to find a way to blend in. Don't worry, I'm working on it. And... I'm with Sunny. Whether this works or not... I don't want this adventure, or these new friendships, to end. But Hitch is right. One step at a time. Sooner we get some rest, the sooner we can set out in the morning!" Izzy smiled at each of the ponies sitting around the campfire, and got nods and smiles in return. "Sunny, I noticed the blankets you've got as part of your kit," Hitch started. "It might be a little cramped, but you girls shouldn't have to sleep outside in the cold, because this fire isn't going to last all night. Give me the spare blankets, and you and Izzy can take my tent. I'll be fine with the blankets outside. My coat has always been a little on the thicker side." Sunny nodded eagerly at the idea. "Thanks, Hitch," Sunny said, before pulling out the spare blanket that was tightly rolled on top of her saddlebag, and handed it to Hitch. "Alright, we've got to get an early start in the morning. Let's all get some sleep. Good night, friends."