//------------------------------// // Chapter One – Confrontation // Story: Marking the Generations – Part Two // by Glimbursts //------------------------------// It was a determined Phyllis Cloverleaf who stomped her way up the dirt drive toward the Brighthouse. Her eyes did not waver from the front doors as they slowly got larger and larger. If the stallion she sort wasn’t at the Sheriff's Office, he’d surely be here. Arriving at the large double doors at last, Phyllis at least remembered her manners and rapped loudly on the door with a hoof. Nostrils flaring, she tried to keep some composure as she waited. Finally, the door opened, however, it wasn’t any of the ponies she was expecting who appeared. “Oh, hello Phyllis,” Figgy smiled. “I’m sorry, Sunny and her friends aren’t back yet. Can I help you?” “Help me?” Phyllis echoed. “You can help me by telling me where Sheriff Hitch is? Our town is overrun with Pegasus Guards. I need to speak with him immediately.” “He’s with the others. Last I heard they were leaving Zephyr Heights.” Figgy replied. “After what’s happened, I’m sure they’ll be here as soon as they can.” “After what’s happened? What do you mean after what’s happened?” Phillis questioned. “I saw them on the coverage of the Cutie Blossom Bash. Sunny and Izzy were with the two Princesses watching from their balcony. What else has happened?” “I…I don’t know. All I know is they are on their way back,” Figgy reiterated uncomfortably. “I’m sorry there’s nothing more I can help you with.” “Very well,” Phyllis sighed. “Please let Sheriff Hitch know I want to speak to him. I’ll leave you in peace, goodbye.” “Goodbye,” Figgy replied as she closed the door. However, as Phyllis turned to leave, she stopped as she saw the Marestream flying towards the Brighthouse. She could hardly believe her luck as it came into land. Onboard the Marestream, Zipp turned to look at the others with a wry smile. “Looks like we have a welcoming party.” “What could she want?” Izzy asked. “I have an idea,” Hitch sighed and turned towards the door as the Marestream landed. As soon as the door opened, Phyllis started forward and met Hitch as he exited. “Sheriff Hitch where have you been?” she demanded. “The town is overrun with Pegasi Guards we never asked for. They’ve started patrolling as though they own the place.” “The Guards have arrived because there is a threat to the safety and security of all Equestria,” Hitch replied matter of factly. “Queen Haven will be making an address later today,” Sunny added as she appeared from the doorway. Phyllis looked between the pair of them with a mixture of surprise and annoyance. “I closed CanterLogic because I was assured that there was no threat to our safety,” she responded. “This doesn’t mean that the Pegasi should be the ones to now look after the affairs of all Equestria.” “But we all chose,” Sunny said naively. “We chose that Queen Haven would be the ruler of all Equestria.” “Not everypony chose that Sunny,” Phyllis sighed. “Many chose differently and didn’t get what they wanted. It would have been far better if we’d had a three-way council, then everypony would have had a say.” “Phyllis, I understand your concerns, but rest assured I gave my blessing as Sheriff for the detachment of Guards to come,” Hitch replied. “We’ve seen this threat up close, and I want the ponies of Maretime Bay to feel safe and secure.” “If that is the case, Hitch, why are they dealing with issues that are clearly your jurisdiction?” Phyllis replied crossly. “Most likely because I haven’t touched hoof with their sergeant yet,” Hitch admitted. “I’ve only just got back. It’ll be my next point of call. Most likely they’re doing what they think is best until then.” “See that you do Hitch,” Phyllis replied. “Maybe you should be here doing your job instead of galivanting around with your friends. You still haven’t removed that dangerous magic flower from the centre of town.” “I’m confident that the flower isn’t a threat Phyllis,” Hitch replied. “Oh, are you sure of that?” Phyllis frowned. “I seem to remember it creating a forcefield that was threatening to swallow the whole town. I ought to reopen CanterLogic so we can develop ways to defend ourselves from these magical attacks that clearly must have the Unicorns stumped.” “Enough!” Sunny shouted suddenly. She stepped between Hitch and Phyllis, with an almighty scowl on her face. Suddenly, her alicorn powers activated, her wings opening wide giving her a powerful appearance which caused Phyllis to take a step back in shock. “You gave us permission to turn CanterLogic into a space for the community because it was costing you so much just sitting empty,” Sunny barked. “The useless rubbish you produced at CanterLogic wouldn’t stop Opaline. She’s too powerful! Hitch hasn’t been here because he’s been helping me and the others. We’ll protect Equestria together and stop her. The flower in town is clearly connected to me as the crystal has my cutie mark etched in it. If it were a threat, I’d deal with it. Leave it to me!” After finishing her angry tirade, Sunny stood panting. Looking down at Phyllis who stood in shock. “You know Sunny,” Phyllis said softly. “You’ve always talked of friendship between all of Ponykind but look at you now. You’re not a beacon of friendship. You’re exactly what’s wrong with magic.” Sunny’s eyes widened in realisation. High above them, the prisbeam blinked. As it did so, Sunny’s alicorn powers disappeared. She took a step back as her ears drooped in shock at herself. “Clearly, there are always going to be those who think they’re stronger,” Phyllis continued. “Those who think they are above the rest of us. How do those of us with little power defend ourselves?” “By relying on those with power that they trust,” Sunset said stepping forward. “It’s true that hostilities in my time can be linked back to magic in some way. However, the ponies in my time knew there were ponies who would protect them. They relied on the Princesses, relied on Twilight and her friends. Sunny and her friends are the same. Together they will protect Equestria from such powerful threats.” “And you’re here to help them do that?” Phyllis frowned. “That was why Starlight and I were sent here by Princess Twilight,” Sunset replied. “If you cannot trust us, trust Princess Twilight.” “I agreed the Guards should be sent because seeing them patrolling the streets will give many comfort,” Hitch added. “The wellbeing of everypony in Maretime Bay is mine and Queen Haven’s first priority. Hoof to heart.” “Well, I hope you all live up to what you are saying,” Phyllis sighed. “I look forward to the Queen’s address.” With that, Phyllis turned and headed back down towards the town. Sunny stood unblinking as she watched Phyllis’s retreating form get smaller and smaller. She felt numb, not quite believing how she’d reacted. “Sunny?” Izzy said with concern. “Are you okay?” Sunny shook her head suddenly and looked at Izzy, her eyes starting to well with tears. “I…I don’t know,” she replied before hurrying towards the door. “Sunny wait,” Izzy called and made to follow. “Let her go,” Sunset advised holding up a hoof to stop her. “But she needs us,” Hitch protested. "Reacting like that wasn't like her at all. I've never seen her so angry." “I know but I get the feeling she needs a little space right now,” Sunset responded. "She needs to work through things herself. We just need to be there for her when she wants us to be." “Yeah, just like the town needs me,” Hitch sighed. “I had a feeling Phyllis would get ruffled by the Guards. I just need to thank Grandmare Figgy and see Sparky. Then I’ll go do my job.” “We’ll take care of everything here, Sheriff,” Zipp replied reassuringly. Sunset nodded in agreement as Hitch gave them a grateful smile before heading for the door. “Right, I’m going to make a start on putting the Together Tree research in with what I have already,” Zipp smiled. “I can’t wait to see it all come together.” “Sounds good, meanwhile. Izzy, Misty,” Sunset sighed. “We really need to start working on the cures for Starlight and Sparky.” “Sure, okay,” Misty smiled. “Coming Izzy?” “Yeah, I’ll be right there,” Izzy sighed as she looked up to the top of the Brighthouse, just able to see Sunny’s nose sticking out from the rail. She sighed again before following the others inside.