//------------------------------//
// Chapter Three – Brighthouse Defence 
// Story: Marking the Generations – Part Four 
// by Glimbursts 
//------------------------------//

On the balcony of the Brighthouse, there was a flash as a sofa appeared. Sat on it were two battered-looking ponies and a small dragon.

“Owowowow,” Starlight groaned as she held her leg. “I never realised teleporting could be so painful.”

“You sure we’re not like the princesses?” Sunset grunted.

“The princesses wouldn’t be preparing a final defence,” Starlight winked before she frowned. “Wait, actually maybe they would if they were able, like we are.”

“We’re exactly like the princesses then,” Sunset smirked. “We’re battered and bruised but still trying to help. Even though we’re basically waiting for others to save the day now.”

“How would you know that?” Starlight frowned. “You’ve been in the human world for all the world-ending events.”

“Oh, I’ve heard all the stories,” Sunset replied casually as she waved a hoof.

Sunset had been watching Sparky as he turned the pages of the book that was before her. Suddenly, he arrived at the one she wanted. “Stop, Sparky,” she said. “This is the one we need.”

“Good, now Sunset drink,” Sparky squeaked as he offered the flask towards Sunset again.

“Steady on Sparky,” Sunset chuckled. “If I keep drinking, I’ll end up needing the loo!”

“It’s making you feel better though, isn’t it?” Starlight smiled. “Now, what are those instructions?”


Meanwhile, the others had finally made it to the Together Tree, having battled back as many of the vines as they could.

“I…Is that it?” Pipp groaned as she sat down.

“I’m not sure,” Izzy gasped as she looked around.

“I h…hope it is,” Misty panted as she flumped onto the ground.

“I think that’s it,” Sunny replied as she looked around. “At least it is here in Maretime Bay, but what about Bridlewood or Zephyr Heights?”

Pipp produced her phone and proceeded to start checking her feeds. After a few moments, she let out a large groan and slumped forwards, looking at the ground.

“Not good then?” Misty asked as she lifted herself from the floor.

“No,” Pipp sighed as she looked up. “The Dragons are doing their best from the look of it but there’s still a lot of those vines to clear back.”

“Then we’ll go and help,” Spike Junior responded. “Dragons, split into two groups. One to Zephyr Heights to help Blaize, the other to Bridlewood with me to help Tumble’s group.”

“What about us Sunny?” Hitch asked.

Sunny blinked with surprise as all eyes looked towards her. “M…Me?” she gasped. “Hitch you’re the Sheriff.”

“And you’re the Alicorn,” Zipp smirked. “Sorry couldn’t resist. Seriously though, we’ll follow you anywhere Sunny so please just say the word.”

Sunny gulped but looked at the reassuring faces of her friends before smiling. However, whatever thought she had was suddenly made irrelevant as they spotted a purple streak in the air. “Oh no,” Sunny gasped.

“Opaline?” Misty cried. “H…how?” 

“The cutie mark energy,” Zipp gasped. “She’s used it to escape.”

“Well, that’s made up your minds,” Spike Junior said as he started taking off. “Leave helping Bridlewood and Zephyr Heights to us. You deal with her.”

“We will,” Sunny smiled. “We’ve everything we need right here. Thank you again.”

Spike Junior nodded as he and the other Dragons flew off. Some headed to Zephyr Heights and others joined Spike Junior as he flew towards Bridlewood. 

“Opaline’s headed to the Brighthouse,” Hitch informed as he looked out to sea.

“Then let’s get there as fast as possible,” Sunny replied. “Ugh, if only I’d had more time to practice Teleporting.”

Misty squeaked as multiple sets of eyes suddenly turned towards her. “Don’t look at me! I could maybe get half of us there but that won’t be enough.”

“Then hoof and wing it is,” Zipp responded. 

“Yeah, we need to stick together,” Sunny agreed. “Once we’re there we use the elements.”

Pipp groaned as she pulled herself onto her hoofs. “Okay, let’s go before she beats us to the crystals or something else happens.”

With a nod, they all started galloping and flying back towards the Brighthouse.


Meanwhile, Starlight blinked with confusion and disbelief as she realised what the spell that she had just cast was. “I can’t believe he’ll actually let us publish this,” she muttered.

“It worked though, didn’t it?” Sunset responded as she took another swig from the flask of revitalisation drink. 

“Yes, it did,” Starlight frowned. “Almost like Twilight expected us to use this to shore up her barrier spell.”

“Hey, time travel remember,” Sunset smirked.

“What happened to being careful?” Starlight grinned.

They were abruptly interrupted by Sparky who’d begun frantically jumping up and down and pointing towards the sky. “Opaline, Opaline,” he squeaked.


Opaline growled as she spotted the sofa and those sitting on it. Her attention was drawn to Sunset specifically. Her being there confirmed it, Nightmare Shimmer had been defeated.

As she neared the Brighthouse, she suddenly started to feel a familiar crackling of energy. Frowning, she came to a stop and hovered, studying the two ponies that sat before her.

Sunset and Starlight watched Opaline carefully. They could see the purple aura that was being emitted from her, and her wings were leaving fiery trails each time they flapped. It was clear to them that she was more powerful than before.

“Oh, I’m surprised to see you’re here,” Starlight smirked. “I didn’t think you liked being outside.”

Sunset held a hoof to her mouth to suppress a laugh. Opaline’s eyes narrowed as she scowled at Starlight. “From what I can see, you’re in no position to make smart comments. Have trouble, did you?”

“Not really,” Starlight smiled sweetly. “Your herald isn’t here anymore.”

“I can see that,” Opaline scowled towards Sunset.

“I said we’d make it back to our time,” Sunset frowned.

“Which doesn’t mean I lose,” Opaline growled. 

“Doesn’t mean you win either,” Sunset chuckled. 

“Enough smart comments, you were much better off as my herald,” Opaline snarled. “Now you’ll both burn.”

Opaline’s horn flared, then after a moment to build energy, she fired a ball of fiery magic towards the Brighthouse. There was a flash as Twilight’s cutie mark appeared, a ripple of energy emanating out from where the ball impacted a green dome which was now visible.

Opaline smirked. “I knew it, there is another protection barrier here. No matter, I’ll break it like I did the last one.”

“Give it your best shot,” Starlight shouted confidently.

Opaline growled as she charged up another blast, this time a stream of fiery magic shot forth from her horn. It impacted the dome with a flash, Twilight’s cutie mark appearing as before. Opaline growled and poured more energy into the beam, intensifying its power.

Starlight studied the dome carefully. Just as cracks slowly started to appear, she lit her horn up and aimed upwards. She let a blast of magic rocket skywards and it impacted the inside of the dome. A ripple of green energy emanated outwards, and any cracks were immediately repaired. After the ripple impacted the ground the dome flashed, its strength restored.

Opaline cried out in annoyance as she stopped her beam. She hovered, snarling at Starlight.

“Don’t snarl at me,” Starlight grinned. “This was Sunset’s idea.”

“Thank Shining Armour, it’s his spell,” Sunset smirked. ““You won’t be getting anywhere near the crystals.”

“Not whilst we’re here,” Starlight added. “Then when they get here, Sunny and her friends will defeat you together.”

Opaline roared as she began bombarding the dome. Flying around and around as she battered it from all angles. Twilight’s cutie mark reappeared each time the dome was hit.

Every so often, Starlight shot her own beam upwards at the underside of the dome. Each time she did so, it’s strength and resistance were restored. 


Eventually, Opaline stopped. Hovering in the air she panted for breath, snarling, and growling with anger and hatred.

“Did anyone ever tell you how annoying you are, Glimmer?” she growled.

“Maybe a certain changeling queen,” Starlight smirked. “ I can’t take all the credit here though. There are three of us sitting here.”

Opaline snarled as she watched Sunset studying the spell book with Sparky’s help. Her eyes narrowed as her nostrils flared, panting as she racked her brain for what to do. However, she was shaken from her thoughts when she suddenly heard a voice.

“Opaline!” Sunny shouted as she flew straight at Opaline from below.

Opaline snarled with surprise as she was suddenly hit by Sunny’s shield. Blindsided, she began to plummet towards the ground. However, her horn flared and there was a burst of purple fire as she teleported. 

She reappeared on the path toward Maretime Bay, facing towards the Brighthouse. She growled as she looked up at the group of ponies now standing in her path.

Sunny landed in the middle of her group of friends as they stood in a semicircle. Pipp and Zipp were on either side of her, their wings flared and determined looks on their faces. Next to them were Misty and Izzy. Whilst Izzy had a look of concentration, there was a look of apprehension on Misty’s face. However, Hitch stood alongside her supportively.

“Look, the cavalry is here,” Sunset commented.

“Not a moment too soon,” Starlight smiled. “Almost as if we planned it!”


To be continued…