//------------------------------// // Chapter Sixteen – Visions and Trees // Story: Marking the Generations – Part Four // by Glimbursts //------------------------------// Over the next few days, despite Phyllis and Cobalt starting to make the repairs to the Brighthouse, things finally seemed to quieten down. However, as the ground floor quickly turned into a building site. Many spent as much time as possible away from the Brighthouse or on the upper floors. Zipp was very pleased with the calmness, she spent a lot of time studying books that they had gotten from Kendi and from Opaline's about the Crystal Empire. She was fixated on learning as much as she could about Princess Flurry Heart but so far all she had found were fleeting mentions. The books either detailed the history before Flurry Heart’s birth or not long after it. She didn't even know what her cutie mark looked like. However, she was also starting to make plans for an expedition to the Crystal Empire. She soon realised it wouldn’t be as easy as just hopping on the Marestream and flying north. From her investigations, it sounded like there were huge natural obstacles they would need to overcome. Therefore, she needed more time to plan. Meanwhile, Misty continued with her water fight training with whoever she could. As a result, her ability to use shields was improving at a considerable rate. Although, she was still getting very wet in the process. Sunny meanwhile reopened her smoothie cart. She was as good to her word in putting posts on social media. Much to the delight of many, she included new recipes using the berries and fruits that she had obtained from the Night Market. Additionally, she experimented with growing her own versions with her Earth Pony Magic and was overjoyed with the results. Even if she couldn’t seem to create the ‘Zap Apples’ used in the jam. Pipp was busy too, she returned to Mane Melody which had suddenly become more popular than ever. She was run off her hoofs along with Jazz and Rocky as they tried to cater for everypony. Even so, they had a huge waiting list. Izzy meanwhile was happily Unicycling as many broken items as she could from the Brighthouse. She made regular trips to and from her home in Bridlewood given she had more space to work there. Hitch of course had his Sheriff duties to attend to and was happy that he could finally get back into a more regular routine. Starlight however found her lack of mobility was an issue. It was difficult for her to get through the building site downstairs, despite the eagerness of the construction ponies to help her. She also didn’t want to keep teleporting due to the stress it put on her leg. Therefore, she spent much of her time on the balcony of the Crystal Chamber. Others would come to see her though and she enjoyed their company immensely. When alone, she spent most of her time going through the items from Opaline’s. Unlocking the chest Misty had found in the bedroom turned out to be a challenge she had yet to overcome. Sunset meanwhile couldn’t stop thinking about something. Therefore, she kept herself busy, spending as much time with the others as possible. Hoping that it would take her mind off of it. However, it wasn’t long until she realised that just wasn’t working. She needed to talk to somepony about it. Sunset made her way up the lift to the Crystal Chamber, giving Sunny a knowing smile as she met her at the top. “Been getting some teleporting practice then?” Sunset smiled. “Yeah,” Sunny grinned. “Still not there yet but I need to go and find Zipp. She wants me for something.” “Well, you’ll be glad to hear Misty isn’t outside. You won’t be dragged into throwing water at her,” Sunset winked. “Oh, I don’t mind doing that, I enjoy it,” Sunny giggled. “See you later.” They said their goodbyes as Sunny entered the lift before descending. Turning, Sunset smiled as she headed towards Starlight who was sitting on the balcony. “I hope you’re happy to have some more company?” “Always happy to have your company,” Starlight grinned as she fiddled with her cast. “You need to stop doing that you know,” Sunset commented as she sat down. “It’s so itchy though,” Starlight groaned. “How long’s left?” “Two days, I think,” Sunset replied as she picked up a book from one of the nearby piles. Flicking through she came to the relevant page. “Yep, two days until the enchanted cast comes off,” she said. “Then you need to exercise it to return to full movement.” Starlight let out a big sigh and looked down dejectedly. “It would have taken far longer with a normal cast,” Sunset frowned. “I thought you wanted it off?” “I did, until I realised that means it’s nearly time to return home,” Starlight sighed. “I think I’m going to miss Sunny, Misty and the others.” “Me too,” Sunset admitted. “I...I wanted to talk to you about something. If that’s okay?” “Of course it is,” Starlight replied with a confused expression. “I’d like to think we’ve become good friends throughout this adventure together.” “Yeah, we have,” Sunset smiled warmly. “Sorry, it’s just…. I’m kind of worried about how it makes me sound.” “Well, I’m sure it can’t be worse than some of the things I got told when I was councillor at the school,” Starlight smiled. “Don’t worry, whatever it is, I won’t judge you. You can tell me anything.” Sunset gave a grateful smile before looking out over the bay thoughtfully. “So, at the party, we had just gotten to the VIP area. I sort of, well, froze.” “I remember that actually,” Starlight responded reassuringly. “It looked like you saw something that took you by surprise.” “Sort of, it wasn’t something I actually saw though,” Sunset explained. “It was…” She trailed off, frowning as she thought of the right way to describe it. “It was an image,” she said at last. “An image that only appeared in my mind.” “What? Like a vision?” Starlight blinked. “Possibly,” Sunset breathed. “Well, what was it?” Starlight coaxed. “Can you describe it?” “I don’t need to describe it,” Sunset revealed. “You’ve seen it.” “I have?” Starlight frowned with confusion. “Sunny, inside the prison sphere,” Sunset sighed. “W...wait, that’s why you got so angry,” Starlight gasped. Sunset nodded, “I knew it was going to happen but couldn’t prevent it. I just don’t understand why I saw the image in the first place.” Starlight took a deep breath, her brow furrowed in thought. “This isn’t the first time you’ve seen things in your mind though is it,” she answered. “You read, err, people’s minds all the time. That’s your power back home.” “But that tells me their memories or what they’re thinking,” Sunset argued. “This was an image of the future that just randomly appeared. When that dust cleared, and Sunny was looking back at us stuck in that sphere. It was exactly the same as the image, every detail.” “You sure?” Starlight frowned. “I mean, memories can be vague at times.” “No, this was more visceral than just remembering the image,” Sunset sighed as she shook her head. “It was exactly the same.” Starlight sighed thoughtfully, “Have you ever cast any spells to look at the future?” “I haven’t. But then I’ve no idea what Nightmare me was doing with my body,” Sunset said unsurely before she smirked deviously. “Don’t worry, I was a wayward student, but I wasn’t stupid. I knew not to go playing around with time spells.” Starlight couldn’t help giving Sunset a deadpan look before she turned and looked thoughtfully out to sea. As though she were searching for inspiration. “One thing has crossed my mind,” Sunset admitted. “But it feels too farfetched.” “Oh, go on?” Starlight coaxed. “There are no farfetched theories until you can dismiss them.” “I…I can’t help wondering if I now have some sort of hybrid of Harmony and Unity magic,” Sunset explained. “Opaline didn’t take my magic, I used it all up on my escape attempts. Yet, when everypony was given back their cutie marks, my magic was restored.” Starlight frowned in thought. “This future image,” she said at last. “It’s only happened once hasn’t it.” “No,” Sunset groaned as she closed her eyes. “No?” Starlight questioned. “I saw another image yesterday evening,” Sunset answered as she opened her eyes. “Sunny again, this time stuck in a tree.” “Stuck in a tree,” Starlight frowned. “Any idea which one?” “Not sure,” Sunset admitted. “It’s looking up at her and there’s no other landmarks other than the tree itself.” “And it’s not like you go around staring up at trees,” Starlight smiled. “Well, for all we know, it won’t come true.” “Starlight, Sunset,” a familiar voice called. They both looked out from the balcony as Pipp flew into view. “It’s Sunny,” she gasped. “She’s in trouble and needs everypony’s help.” Sunset couldn’t help shooting Starlight a knowing look before turning to Pipp, “Let me guess…” A short time later, Sunset and Starlight were standing at the foot of a tree along with Pipp, Zipp, Hitch, and Sparky. They were all looking upwards, surrounded by many ponies who were doing the same. All were staring up at Sunny who was trapped within the tree’s branches. She was resting awkwardly, supported by multiple branches. Sunny panted as she tried to keep herself calm. Every time she tried to move, there were ominous creaking and groaning sounds from the branches. She glanced around the dense web of branches that was all around her. Clearly, there wasn't enough space to use her wings. Even if they hadn't already disappeared given the stress of the situation. “So, is this?” Starlight whispered to Sunset. “Yep,” Sunset whispered back. “Down to the exact detail.” “So, Zipp. How’d this happen again?” Hitch asked. “Well, I was trying to give Sunny some flight training,” Zipp replied. “She kind of lost control and ended up in there.” “Err, could we explain later maybe?” Sunny asked. “Kind of feel a bit uncomfortable up here. Lots of creaking happening.” She squeaked as a branch under one of her hind hoofs began to snap. She tried to reduce the pressure on it by lifting the offending leg. However, that made others under her body begin to protest. “Could she teleport?” Pipp asked. “She’d likely be upside-down but that wouldn’t matter, would it?” “See the thing there is she could end up bringing the tree with her,” Starlight grimaced. “Teleporting when you’re touching something often means it comes too,” Sunset explained. “It’s possible, but only with experience.” “Especially when she’s got so many points of contact with the tree,” Starlight added. “Given she can’t even make things appear the correct way up. I’d say we’d end up with an upside-down Sunny in an upside-down tree.” “Well, could either of you teleport her from here?” Hitch asked. “Not really,” Starlight frowned. “I don’t see a clear shot through all those branches.” “We could levitate her,” Sunset suggested. “I would say that’s the way forward,” Starlight agreed. “I don’t see a clear path though.” Sunset squinted up at the tree again, as though she were planning something. “Okay, we’re going to need to do a bit of pruning,” she said at last. “Also, Pipp, Zipp, you’re both going to need to help.” “H...how?” Pipp gasped. “By putting your wings to work,” Sunset responded. “Hitch, we’ll need some rope too.” “Okay, let me just widen the cordon here,” Hitch gasped. “Make sure everypony is back at a safe distance.” “Back, back please,” Sparky squeaked as he started walking around. Waving his little arms as he ushered the crowd of ponies back from the tree. A short time later, Starlight grunted with annoyance from the other side of the cordon. “I’m sorry Starlight,” Hitch sighed. “You’re not exactly the most agile right now.” “Yeah, and don’t I know it,” Starlight grunted. “Looks like this is the Sunset Shimmer show.” Upon hearing that, a few of the gathered ponies began talking excitedly and taking photos. Sunset was standing on the ground whilst Sparky had climbed his way up into the tree. He had already tied a rope around Sunny’s barrel. The other end of which was tied to Zipp as she hovered above. Sparky was now tying another rope around a large branch. The other end already having been tied to Pipp who was also hovering above the tree. “Make sure that’s nice and tight, Sparky,” Sunset advised. “Kay,” Sparky squeaked. “Remind me what to do again?” Pipp asked worriedly. “I’m worried what this rope will do to my coat.” “When Sparky’s clear, I’m going to cut that branch away,” Sunset advised. “You’re going to stop it falling too far before I can grab it with my levitation. We can’t risk the rope slipping out of your grasp Pipp.” “But isn’t that holding me up?” Sunny fretted. “There are plenty of others and Zipp is there to hold you,” Sunset advised. “We need that one out of the way first. Then, we’ve got to prune a few of the smaller ones.” “Once there’s enough space, Sunset will bring you down,” Zipp added. “O...Okay,” Sunny replied unsurely. Meanwhile, Sparky had been climbing back towards the tree trunk. He scrambled around to the opposite side before raising a claw. “KAY!” he shouted. “Get ready, Pipp,” Sunset advised. With a nod from Pipp, Sunset aimed carefully and fired a beam at the branch. It cut through effortlessly and the branch fell away. Pipp gasped as she suddenly took the weight. However, she quickly steadied herself and even helped as Sunset grabbed it and lowered it to the ground. Slowly, more branches were dealt with. Eventually, there was enough space to finally free Sunny herself. Pipp’s rope had now been tied around Sunny’s barrel for extra safety. His tasks completed; Sparky was slowly climbing down whilst Sunset kept an eye on him. “Okay, I’m really not comfortable right now,” Sunny gasped as she felt the remaining branches wobble. “What’s next again?” “We’ve got you Sunny,” Zipp advised. “You’ll be fine.” “If you do start to fall, Zipp and Pipp are your safety net,” Sunset reassured. “Once Sparky’s down, I’m going to lift you down nice and gently. Okay?” “O...okay,” Sunny replied unsurely. Meanwhile, Hitch and Starlight watched as Sparky neared the bottom of the tree. “I’m glad to see Zipp and Pipp with the ropes,” Hitch smiled. “I think they’re there for Sunny’s sake, to be honest,” Starlight smiled. “Sunset will easily be able to bring her down safely.” “No, the safest way would have been a ladder,” Hitch frowned. “I still can’t believe the Fireponies said they couldn’t help. I’ll be having words about ensuring they can rescue wayward Pegasi from trees.” “Actually, I wonder if that Earth Pony plant magic of yours would have helped,” Starlight pondered. “You know, I’m not sure,” Hitch frowned. “I’d need to test it and see.” As Sparky ran clear, Pipp and Zipp nodded to each other. Sunny gasped as she felt the ropes going taught. Then, Sunset’s horn glowed as she grabbed Sunny in her levitation. “Woah,” Sunny gasped again as she started to float out into the clear space that had been created. “Stop kicking your legs,” Sunset advised. “It’s okay Sunny, I’ve got you.” “R…Really hard to not kick when it feels like you’re floating,” Sunny gasped. “Well, you kind of are,” Pipp chuckled. “Not helping,” Sunny snapped as she willed herself to stop kicking her legs. Despite Sunny’s kicking, Sunset carefully guided her though the clear path they’d created. Then, gently, she brought Sunny down to the ground. As her hoofs touched the ground, Sunny collapsed, hugging it gratefully. In the background, a cheer went up from the gathered ponies now it was clear Sunny was safe. “Oh, thank you,” she gasped. “Thank you everypony. That was an experience I don’t want to repeat. I think I’ll have a bit of time keeping my hoofs on solid ground for a while Zipp.” “No problem,” Zipp smiled as she landed. “Just don’t give it too long. Often the best thing after a setback is to jump back in.” “I’ll keep that in mind Zipp,” Sunny smiled. “Thank you, Sunset, you really knew how to take charge there.” “I’m just glad you’re okay,” Sunset smiled. “I’m sure Misty would have been perfectly capable of playing my part if she’d been here.” “Oh yeah, has anypony seen Misty and Izzy?” Pipp asked. “They haven’t even seen the messages I sent.” “They went to Bridlewood,” Zipp replied. “Iz said something about an extra special important meeting. You don’t need to be a detective to know they’ve gone to see Alphabittle.” “Well, I think some thank-you smoothies are in order,” Sunny giggled. “Oh, and you need to try the jam I got from the Night Market. It’s brilliant, come on.” With that, Sunny gratefully led her friends towards her smoothie cart.