//------------------------------// // Parade // Story: Unicorn Attack! // by milesprower06 //------------------------------// "Look, there they are! Hi Zipp, hi Pipp!" Sunny said, as she sat with Hitch and Izzy on the couch in the former's living room, as they watched the live footage of the farewell parade for their two friends up in Zephyr Heights. The signal tower was still under construction on the roof of CanterLogic, but they were far enough along to get a television signal of the pegasus city. The three of them shared a bowl of popcorn that they passed around, and Sprout seemed content to sit by himself in the recliner next to them, with his own popcorn bowl, and a glass of fruit punch with a straw. Sunny could tell just by Zipp's expression that she was considerably less than enthused about taking part in this parade. "Are those pegasi... Crying?" Hitch asked, after the shot had cut to a trio of younger pegasi waving and screaming as the royal float passed them. "I know exactly how Pipp and Zipp feel right now. I remember it like it was yesterday," Izzy reminisced. "Uh, Izzy, that was yesterday," Sunny replied. "Was it? Ooh look, the Queeeeen!" Izzy squeed, pulling the attention of the other two on the couch back to the TV. "It seems like just yesterday that my daughters were adorable little fillies, and look at them now... All grown up... And leaving me..." Haven addressed the crowd, appearing to get choked up, but quickly composed herself. "And to celebrate their new adventure together, I now present..." Haven said, turning to where a pair of guards were getting ready to unveil a large object currently concealed under a white cloth tarp. They pulled, and it was a large marble statue of the royal sisters. Sprout had to try increasingly hard not to laugh as the camera feed showed multiple pegasi closing in on the statues, all taking pictures with their phones, and he finally burst out in laughter as they started colliding with one another. The balloons that had been tied in various arches soon became separated, and began to float up into the sky, interrupting the flight paths of several other pegasi who had been watching from above. One dove so fast that he collided with the large balloon of Queen Haven, before nearly colliding with the real thing, who had to quickly duck to avoid being hit. Another pegasus got tangled up in the balloon of Princess Pipp, which then broke free and began to float higher in the sky, taking the tangled pony with it, shrieking. "Wow... These pegasi can really put on a show," Sprout said, wheezing as he started to catch his breath. "I'll find it funnier when I hear that nopony got hurt," Sunny said, almost wincing at the footage. Luckily, moments later, after Zipp's balloon sprung a leak and flew off, bringing an end to the royal family's perfect manes, everyone broke into fits of laughter, Haven included. The chuckles in the living room were brought to a pause with a knock at the door. Hitch passed the nearly empty popcorn bowl to Sunny as he got up and walked over to the front door to answer it. He opened it, and was greeted by the stout figure of Toots. "Afternoon, Sheriff. Is Sunny here?" The acting CEO of Canterlogic asked. Hitch nodded. "She is. Is that what I think it is?" Hitch asked, pointing to the sealed packet in his right hoof. "It is. We were able to bump up the timetable," Toots answered. "Oh... Well, I can give it to her," Hitch told him, reaching forward, but Toots drew his hoof back, keeping it out of reach. "Sorry, Sheriff. This goes directly from me to Sunny's hooves. Magistrate's orders. I'm sure you understand," Toots told him. Hitch let out a quiet breath, and just as he turned to call Sunny, there she stood, having gotten up from the couch to investigate hearing her name twice. "Somepony call my name? Afternoon, Toots. What can I do for you?" She asked. When Toots saw Hitch's expression, he began to put the pieces together. "I'm assuming that Sheriff Hitch here hasn't broken the news to you yet, then," Toots told her. The way Hitch averted his gaze all but confirmed his suspicions. "Told me what? Hitch?" Sunny asked. She began to worry slightly when she turned and saw the look of uncertainty on her friend's face. "Excuse me for not wanting to bombard her with all the bad news in one day, Toots," Hitch answered. "Well, it is what it is. Here you go, Sunny. CanterLogic is officially defunct, and the building is legally yours now," Toots said, offering the packet of papers to her. "What?" Sunny asked, her eyes widening in shock. "The Sheriff's speech last week was noble and all, but there's no way we're keeping the factory in the black after what Ms. Cloverleaf pulled," Toots explained. Still in a state of absolute disbelief, Sunny stepped forward onto the doorstep and pushed past Toots, breaking into a gallop as soon as she did so, heading east towards Canterlogic. "Sunny!" Hitch called, and he was ignored as Sunny continued galloping down the street. He turned to Toots, his annoyance all too apparent on his face. "You know, you could have given me some warning, Toots." "I did give you warning, Sheriff. Plenty warning. I figured the faster we shut down, the more of what remains of our surplus can go towards keeping our former employees fed. I wasn't expecting you to take more than three days to break the news to her. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have the building's new owner to console, not to mention get the deed into her possession." With that, Toots gave Hitch a curt nod, before trotting off in the direction Sunny had headed off in. By this time, Sprout and Izzy had gotten up and come to the door, finding Hitch the only one there. Sprout stepped up. "Hitch, what's going on?"