//------------------------------// // Chapter Ten – Confidence Boosting // Story: Marking the Generations – Part Three // by Glimbursts //------------------------------// High on the castle rooftop, Pipp fluttered around continuously as Ponies hurried to-and-fro all around her. “Yes, the speakers there. The amps there. And where’s my lucky microphone?!” she instructed. “Pipp! We don’t have time for this,” Zipp exclaimed as she tried to avoid being hit by stagehands. “We so do have time,” Pipp scowled as she landed in front of her sister. “Do you know what my element is?” Zipp blinked with confusion as she looked back at her sister. “I…erm…” “Exactly,” Pipp responded. “I can’t remember when my cutie mark last glowed as bright as it is now.” Zipp frowned as she angled herself to look at Pipp’s flank. Sure enough, her cutie mark was glowing brightly. “Everypony out there is scared Zipp,” Pipp replied earnestly. “I’m confident that this will help them.” “How will singing a song help everypony?” Zipp asked. “By giving them confidence,” Sunny responded as she walked up. “Pipp inspires the confidence in others and the messages she sends also give hope.” Zipp gasped as she saw Sunny’s cutie mark was also glowing. All be it with less intensity that Pipp’s was. “Misty did say one of the flowers wasn’t glowing like the other,” Zipp remembered. “Because nopony has any confidence now,” Sunny explained. “It’s not just everypony out there,” Pipp added waving a hoof towards the city. “We need to have confidence in them too, that they’ll help us when we need it. How can they do that if they’re all scared.” “I’m sorry Pipp,” Zipp sighed. “You need your moment to shine, and I didn’t see that this was it.” They all gasped as the large screens and lights throughout the city suddenly flickered into life. “Looks like it’s almost time,” Pipp smiled. “Come on everypony, let’s make this happpppeeeeen!” It was a short time later that the image of Dazzle Feather finally reappeared on the huge screens throughout Zephyr Heights. She gave an awkward smile as she sat behind the news anchor desk and shuffled some papers. “Apologies for that interruption in our normal broadcasting,” Dazzle smiled. “Whilst I’m sure everypony is desperate for information on the extraordinary events that have taken place. We have an extra special live report from the castle. Don’t we Skye?” The image cut from Dazzle in the studio to Skye. “That we do Dazzle,” Skye replied as he stood on the roof of the Castle. “We’ve got a special impromptu performance by non-other than our very own Princess Pipp Petals. She’s just walking out onto stage now, let’s see what she has to say.” Pipp gave a small smile as she walked towards the microphone stand, her lucky microphone fixed to the top. She stood before it and looked out over Zephyr Heights. A city she could feel was still scared and worried, as now grey smoke still rose from some of the buildings. “I know the events of today has everypony scared and worried,” she started. “However, allowing those feelings in is exactly what those responsible want to happen. They wanted to drive fear and uncertainty into us to drive us apart. However, we need to ensure it has the opposite effect. The attacker was driven off by the combined efforts of a Unicorn and Earth Pony.” “Technically an alicorn,” Sunny whispered to Hitch from behind stage. “Therefore, we all should have confidence that our friends in Maretime Bay and Bridlewood are here for us,” Pipp continued. “Just the same as they have confidence that their friends here in Zephyr Heights are here for them. We’re united in friendship, and united we are stronger.” She stopped and smiled into the drone camera, looking into it as though she were looking at everypony who was watching. “I’ve been working on a new song,” she smiled. “I’m certain you’ll all know when to sing it next.” She nodded to the DJ Pony behind her who started the backing track. The intro was short, and she soon began singing, swaying slightly in one spot rather than dancing with any great amount of choreography. Hey, ponies, listen to me You gotta hear what I'm sayin' You've got the sparkle deep inside You've got a talent worth displayin' We just need a little hope We just need a little unity We just need to find the ma-agic That's inside of everypony “What’s that effect on her vocals?” Sunny frowned. “Autotune?” Zipp blinked. “Or maybe an echo? I didn’t think she used those.” “Doesn’t seem to be affecting her cutie mark,” Hitch responded. “Look at it glow.” Sometimes it feels a little hopeless But things aren't always what they seem Can you feel it? The energy? Yeah, the power is growing Don't look now, things will get better So hold my hoof 'cause we're growin' together We've got the strength to take on whatever 'Cause we've got the magic, we've got the magic in us 'Cause we've got the magic, we've got the magic in us Pipp’s cutie mark was glowing brighter and brighter now, much to her sister’s surprise. “I…I nearly stopped this,” Zipp gasped. “I thought it was a waste of time.” “Hey, don’t second question yourself,” Starlight responded. “You didn’t know what she was doing it for. Once she’d had chance to explain you changed your mind.” So everypony everywhere Now is the time to raise your voices You know it's time to show your courage, yeah And nopony's gonna stop us, no 'Cause there is hope when we're together And it grows stronger when we sing So raise our voices in unison Raise our voices in harmony, yeah Don't look now, things are getting better So hold my hoof 'cause we're growin' together We've got the strength to take on whatever 'Cause we've got the magic, we've got the magic Just take another look, things are getting better We're growin' stronger, growin' together We'll always have each other forever 'Cause we've got the magic, we've got the magic in us Yeah, we've got the magic, we've got the magic in us Despite her rooftop location, as the song finished Pipp’s ear twitched as she heard the cheers from the ponies far below. She looked out over Zephyr Heights again and spotted some of the windows in the buildings had been opened. She smiled as she could just see hoofs waving from them. Slowly, Pegasi appeared, flying up to the limits of the castle grounds. “Thank you everypony,” Pipp grinned. She turned away just as the stage director hurried over. Placing a hoof between their mouth and the cameras and microphones, they whispered something to Pipp who smiled and nodded. The stage director hurried away as Pipp turned back. She grinned as she stepped towards the microphone again. “Okay everypony, I hear you all,” she smiled. “I know everything is going to be okay.” Zipp couldn’t help groaning as another song started. “This one, again? Really?” Shoop, shoop (aha, hey!) Shoop, shoop Shoop, shoop (hey!) Shoop, shoop I know you're feeling like there's something wrong But don't you worry, I have just the song for you… Sometime later, it was slowly getting dark as they walked out into the rooftop garden. Queen Haven stood behind the group, flanked by both Zoom and Thunder. “I’m sure the escort isn’t necessary,” Queen Haven commented. “Just part of the Security Protocols you enacted Your Majesty,” Zoom responded. “Ah,” Queen Haven sighed. “Carry on then.” Meanwhile, Zipp looked at Misty with confusion. “I thought you said one looked dormant?” she asked. “They both look the same to me.” Misty grinned widely. “That’s because it’s changed,” she giggled. “Pipp’s performance worked.” "And that must have been what we were missing," Sunny smiled. "Thank You, Pipp." “That’s no problem, but how does this work again?” Pipp asked with a little trepidation. “When does your cutie mark glow?” Sunny asked. “When I’m confident or inspire confidence in others,” Pipp answered. “Like my performance this afternoon.” The blinking green flash in one of the flower buds changed to a continual green glow. Pipp couldn’t help but flash a smirk at her sister. “Okay, okay sis,” Zipp chuckled. “I didn’t have to do it last minute though. Mine glows when I’m brave, like when I rescued Sunset by flying millimetres from the top of the sea.” “You did what?” Queen Haven gasped. The second flower bud now changed to the same continuous green glow. Sunny couldn’t help gulping as she started to feel drawn towards the flowers. Pipp and Zipp had already taken on vacant expressions as they both stared at them. However, Sunny closed her eyes and looked away, trying desperately to not be drawn in. “I think they’re waiting for you,” Starlight advised. “You know what happened last time,” Sunny gasped. “I don’t want to be thrown from the rooftop.” “You have wings, don’t you?” Starlight smiled. “Don’t think we haven’t noticed you’ve not dropped your powers since Bridlewood.” Sunny sighed as she opened her eyes. She looked at Starlight with a worried expression as she began to give into the draw of the flowers. Her expression became as vacant as Pipp’s and Zipp’s as the three of them started to walk forward. Sunny in the middle with the sisters on either side. “W…What’s happening?” Queen Haven gasped. “It’s okay,” Misty soothed. “They’ll be a little dizzy after but they’re just getting their elements like me and Izzy.” Misty pointed to her necklace with a hoof. However, Queen Haven looked far from reassured. “You don’t remember the ethereal voices, do you?” Hitch asked Misty. “The what voice now?” Misty frowned. “Yeah, didn’t think so. Don’t be alarmed Queen Haven,” Hitch advised. “I assure you, despite what it will seem, they’ll be completely fine.” Sunny grunted as she banged into the invisible barrier like she had in Bridlewood. It prevented her moving forwards despite how strongly she felt drawn to the flowers. She tried moving her hoofs and once again found them rooted to the spot. Her wings were folded so she decided to open them in case she was thrown away again. However, she gasped as she suddenly found them stuck to her sides. It felt like an invisible band had been placed around them. “Okay, I don’t like where this is going,” she admitted. “You’ll be fine,” Starlight reassured. Sunny said nothing more as she watched Pipp and Zipp reach the flower buds. There was a flash as both simultaneously opened, the large multi-coloured petals of each flower flopping open together. Both Pipp and Zipp stared into the grey orbs that were revealed. As before, one had Pipp’s cutie mark, the other Zipp’s. Together, they both started to lift a hoof and extend them towards the orbs. Queen Haven gulped as she watched. She wanted to tell her daughters to stop, to come to her and away from the strange flowers. However, she also trusted them and knew they wouldn’t be doing what they were doing if it wasn’t the right thing. Pipp and Zipp both touched their orb at the same time. There was an intense flash from each orb as they disappeared and were replaced by a necklace around the necks of each of the sisters. As with Izzy and Misty, the necklaces were golden in colour with inscriptions that intertwined around the bands. They both had a charm in the centre which resembled the cutie mark of the sister wearing it. Pipp and Zipp’s eyes had also turned completely white, they both turned towards each other and looked directly at Sunny, who was looking extremely apprehensive. “I am Pipp Petals,” Pipp said in the ethereal voice. “I represent the Element of Confidence.” “I am Zipp Storm,” Zipp said in a similar ethereal voice. “I represent the Element of Bravery.” Sunny felt more and more anxious as Pipp and Zipp looked directly at her. It felt like an age before they finally continued to speak in unison. “Sunny Starscout,” they said. “You think you know what you must do to save your friend, you are incorrect. Have a think.” There was a final pair of flashes from both Pipp and Zipp and they both fell to the ground. Meanwhile, Sunny gasped as she felt herself being thrust skywards. She tried to open her wings but found they were still held tightly to her sides and cried out with surprise. It felt like there were rockets attached to the bottom of her hoofs as she moved them around. She quickly realised she had some rudimentary control of her trajectory but didn’t quite know what to do with it. As she burst through the top of the clouds she gasped as she saw the sky. It was lit up with a fiery orange glow as the sun made its way over the horizon. Finally, she felt like she wasn’t gaining altitude anymore, however she still couldn’t open her wings. She was so high up that the air was thin which made it hard to breathe normally. However, the sight of the sky was inspiring. “Have. A. Think,” she panted. She thought back to when she was battling Midnight Shimmer. She’d wanted so badly to rescue Sunset. However, as she replayed the battle in her mind she realised her opponent had held back. Also, she'd been afraid. Afraid of hurting Sunset. Her eyes widened in realisation, Starlight had already given her the answer. “T…The. Elements,” she panted. “We. Need. To. Use. Them. To. To.” She stopped as she started to feel lightheaded. However, her left ear twitched as she felt something near it. “Good,” an ethereal voice whispered. The rocket feeling suddenly disappeared and Sunny squeaked as she began to fall. She tried her wings again, but they were still stubbornly stuck. The clouds rocketed up from beneath her and she burst into them. Then, finally, her wings opened, and she was able to slow her descent. Back in front of the Together Tree, Pipp and Zipp were being helped to their hoofs. Queen Haven was looking extremely shocked. “Are you sure you’re both okay?” she fretted. “We’re fine,” Zipp insisted. “Just a little dizzy,” Pipp added. “But it was like you were being controlled,” Queen Haven responded. “They were,” Starlight replied. “However, it’s a benevolent force that’s responsible.” “But Sunny?” Queen Haven gasped as she looked to the sky. “Is okay,” Hitch chortled as he pointed upwards. Sunny laughed and whooped with joy as she came spiralling down. However, as she tried to land she was going far too fast. As her hoofs touched the grass she skidded. She cried out in surprise and left four trenches behind her as she careened into the flower border at the edge of the lawn. Flowers and leaves were thrust everywhere as she stopped with a thud. “I think she needs more landing practice,” Zipp commented as others rushed to Sunny’s aid. "I'm okay," Sunny groaned.