My Little Pony: A New Generation: After the Rainbow Fades

Sunny raced out to her town of Maretime Bay. If it wasn't for her rush, she would've stopped and admired. Her hard work from yesterday had paid off. Unicorns and Pegasi could now be seen in the previously earth pony-only town. Food shops were being revised to include pegasi and unicorn treats, and talk of upgrading clothing shops to include hats or dresses with holes for horns and wings was talked about. It was all happening so quickly. Of course, it wasn't without problems as some earth ponies had paranoia of Pegasi flowing overhead and swooping off with them. Some were still paranoid of unicorns blasting them with a magic laser or impaling them with their sharp tip. Social fears don't disappear overnight. Sunny knew this but at least they were many steps closer to that dream she and her dad shared. The dream that was ancient Equestria...
She was about to walk past a library until her eyes caught sight of somepony inside. She opened the doors and entered.

"Now, Suger cube, we talked about this: you need to do something to make up for the mess you made yesterday." Phyllis Cloverleaf said to her son.

"But mommy, do I really have to read to a much of foals? And such a ridiculous story, nonetheless?"

"Now son remember that Hitch let you off easy; being his friend and all. You're lucky he didn't lock you up."

"Fine." Sprout pouted and approached a sitting group of foals.

"Hey, Mrs. Cloverleaf!" Sunny approached.

"Ah, Sunny! The heroine of ponykind!" Sunny chuckled.

"What is that title?"

"A fitting one of course. I know we haven't always had the...best relationship, but you showed me I was wrong and I..." Phyllis let her head down as if it seemed she was struggling to say something.

"Are you okay, Mrs. Clover leaf?"

"It's just that...I'm really sorry for what I said to you and your father."

Sunny's ears dropped in sadness. "You may still be around for me to apologize but...old Argyle..."

Sunny placed her hoof on the older mare's shoulder. "It's okay, if he was still around, he would accept your apology. He always told me that no matter what you said to him, he never hated you or the other ponies of Maretime Bay; just hoped they would come around."

"Well...we have or at least trying to." Phyllis smiled a bit. "Speaking of which...she turned to look somewhere. Sunny filled her gaze to see her son, Sprout. The red earth pony was reading a book to a group of fillies and colts seated on a rug on the floor.

"Burnferno was a legendary dragon hero who..." His voice read with obvious disinterest.

"I had him do a couple of community service jobs; reading to the foals at the library, cleaning litter, that sort of thing. As for me, I'm currently trying to get the payments for the repair of your home."

"Well, it's good that he's doing something to make up for what happened." Sunny looked at him for a few seconds. Before approaching him.

"Alright, class: lunch break!" An older Mare that seemed to be a teacher said to the young ponies who excitedly ran off. Sprout put the book down and sat back while closing his eyes.

"Hey, Sprout." He sat up upon hearing Sunny's voice and then sulked down to look at the ground.

"Oh...hey...S-Sunny..." He said, quietly.

"How are you doing?" She smiled.

"As well as I can be..." He sighed.

"Listen, Sprout...I'm sorry you have to do all this..."

"No, I'm sorry. I was the one who ran amok with that machine yesterday and destroyed your home."

"It's alright..." Sunny looked down at the ground and rubbed her hoof.

"You're really forgiving." Said, Sprout.

"There's no use in lingering with anger when a peaceful solution can be found."

"Whoa, where'd you get that from?" Sprout was amazed at the wisdom.

"I...I don't know...I feel like I heard it somewhere before, but I can't remember where..."

"Huh..."

"So anyway," Sunny tried to change the topic. "What's gonna happen with your job as deputy?"

"Hitch and my mom said that I'm fired temporarily until I can redeem myself."

"I'm sure you will soon. Because no matter what you did, you were always my friend." She placed a hoof on his shoulder. Sprout gave a small smile but it was clear it would take some time before he would be happy again. Sunny left the stallion to himself as she approached Phyllis again. "By the way, Mrs. Cloverleaf, what are you going to do with the Canterlogic facility?"

"I honestly don't know..."

"Well, I'm sure you'll find a use for it eventually."

"Hopefully so." She looked down at a watch around her hoof. "Ooh, I have to go, see you around Sunny!" She left. Sunny waved at her until she left as well.

The young mare walked to the sheriff's station to share the strange crystal she found. She arrived and saw Hitch sitting at his desk while eating the breakfast she packed for him. "Sunny? I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

"Yeah, funny story. After you left, I found something and I want to show it."

"Alright but be quick, I have to head out soon." As Sunny reached into her by to pull the crystal out, her ears perked up when she heard a trotting sound on the stone streets outside. It was loud and quick as if somepony was running. She only had time to look at the front doors before she was tackled to the floor by something. Hitch stood up and jumped over to defend his friend in response. To both of the earth pony's surprises, it was Izzy. The excitable unicorn hugged her friend and then hugged Hitch.

"Sunny! Hitch!" She squealed.

"Izzy!" Both earth ponies exclaimed but with Hitch being a bit muffled.

"It's been forever since we saw each other!"

"Forever? We saw each other yesterday." Said, Hitch.

"And that was like 24 hours, that's so long!"

Both earth ponies laughed. "Oh, Izzy." They said in unison.

"I never really has friends before and now I do! There's so much I want to do! Like, have a picnic or a tea party with that set that I made, oh! And I always wanted to throw a party somewhere with confetti and streamers, and party horns! And-"

"Okay, we'll have time for all of that now that we don't have to travel across Equestria to unite everpony." Said, Hitch.

"Speaking of friends, are Zipp and Pipp coming?" Sunny asked with Hitch appearing to perk up upon hearing Pipp's name.

"I don't know. We don't have a way to communicate with each other. Pipp was saying on the way yesterday that she could buy us those cell phones that she loves so much."

"That'd be great!' Smiled Sunny.

"So what do we do now?" Asked Izzy.

"Well, I could go for a bagel and some tea at the cafe."

"Ooh! I'd love that! What about you Hitch?"

"Sorry, fillies, I'd love two but duty never sleeps so I have to head out now. But I'll be seeing you around town and maybe it'll pass my time until our pegsi friends get here."

"Alright then, Hitch."

"Wait didn't you say you wanted to show me something?"

"Uhh, I think I'll wait until we're all together."

"Well, if you say so."
And with that, the stallion headed out the doors and onto the street.

Later...

Both mares sat at a cafe table; sipping tea and eating bagels or in Izzy's case, donuts.
"So, Izzy, how has the magic been to you?"

"Oh, it's been great! I can levitate stuff now and I can unicycle when faster and better than before!"

"Can you blast a magic laser?'

" I don't think so, I mean, I never tried."

"We've only reached the tip of magic potential. Some of my dad's old books say so many incredible things ponies did with magic back then. Like a unicorn named Twilight used a spell that made everyone go crazy or another unicorn who traveled through time or another unicorn with a broken horn who could make fireworks, and-" she stopped when she noticed Izzy giggling at a donut that was around her horn. Sunny laughed at her friend's innocence. Their attention was brought to the sky where they noticed the silhouettes of two very familiar pegsi flying towards them. One of them was considerably smoother and faster than the other.

"Zipp, Pipp!" They exclaimed as both pegsi sisters landed and embraced their friends.

"It's so good to see you gals again." Said Zipp.

"Heh, you all keep saying it like it's been forever since we saw each other." Laughed Sunny.

"Well, it's such a big change to go from fearing earth ponies and unicorns to suddenly befriending them."

"You got a point there."

"Oh, this calls for a selfie!" Pipp pulled the other close to her as she snapped a picture with her phone. Zipp groaned in annoyance but forced a smile, nonetheless. "Aw, we all look great!" She sang slightly.

"Speaking of which, did you get us some cell phones?" Asked Izzy.

"Oh, yeah!" She reached into a pink saddlebag that she carried and pulled out 3 phones. She handed Sunny one with an orange case with lavender highlights, her cutie mark on the back, and some purple stars. She then handed Izzy one that was purple and blue highlights and her cutie mark alongside some weird gadgets on it.

"Aw, they look great!" Complement Sunny."

"Yeah!...but how do we use them?" Asked Izzy.

"Oh, you two will have plenty to learn." Said Pipp.

"And you'll be hearing a lot especially from her." Said, Zipp sarcastically.

The third phone in Pipp's hoof was amber colored with aquamarine highlights and a sheriff cutie mark with some small cute animals symboled on it. "Where's Hitch?" She asked.

"He's off on duty, he'll be back soon."

"That later just became a now." A familiar voice caught their attention. Hitch stood smugly just a little distance away.

"Hitch!" Pipp ran up to him and hugged him.

"Woah, okay, what's all the excitement about?"

"Oh, it's just that I really wanted to see you again!"

"Heh, me too, Pipp." Both ponies stared at each other for a few seconds until they were interrupted by Zipp clearing her throat.

"Good day, sheriff."

"Morning, Zipp!" Hitch greeted back.

"Well, sis, aren't you gonna give him his gift?"

"My what?"

"Oh, right!" She handed the phone to him.

"Oh, wow, you actually got us these?"

"Yeah..." Pipp giggled as she stared at him, shyly.

"Hey love birds, get over here!" Zipp called them over. Pipp gave her a death glare as a bright pink blush tainted her cheeks.

"So, now that you're all here, I can you this/" she pulled out the dark crystal from her bag.

"Ooh, a crystal!" Izzy exclaimed but her happiness was cut short when she saw its look. "Ooh..it looks creepy..."

"Woah, it looks rad!" Zipp inspected it. "Where'd you get it?"

"It was right outside Hitch's house. I just went outside and there it was."

"Really? I didn't see anything."

"Well, It's the truth."

"It says something." Said Zipp as she turned it around. "To find the morse you seek, travel forth to the Frozen North."

"What's morse?" Asked Izzy.

"It means signal."

"Frozen North?" Zipp raised an eyebrow and Pipp simply snapped a picture.

"Check it out, Pipsqueaks, my new friend, Sunny Starscout just found this creepy-looking crystal with a written message. Could it be a relic from Equestria's ancient history and what does it mean?" She talked to her phone.

Zipp rolled her eyes and looked back at Sunny. "As I was saying: what is the " Frozen North.'?"

"Oh, yeah!" Sunny reached again into the bag and pulled out the large book she read earlier.

"History of the Crystal Empire?" Hitch read the title.

"It's so cool! It tells the tale of a huge empire made out of crystals."

"Whoa, who could have guessed an empire called the Crystal Empire would be made out of crystals?" Izzy joked.

"Anyways, it tells all about its history like its creation, its rulers, the time an evil unicorn king took over it,"

"Wait what?" Asked Hitch.

"Yeah, it's crazy! But it says that it was located at the Frozen North, near the Crystal Mountains."

"Crystal Mountains? I think I heard that before..." Zipp rubbed her chin with her hoof.

"Where?"

"I...don't know..."

"I think I remember hearing it, too." Added Pipp. "But it felt like a blur from so long ago."

"Maybe we should ask mom?" Suggested Zipp.

——————————————————————————————————————

The 5 ponies arrived at Zephyr Heights; the pegasus city, though perhaps it shouldn't be called that anymore as earth ponies and pegsi now began visiting as well. Lots of activity was in the air; both figuratively and literally. Important figures from the 3 tribes debated about the new laws and regulations about integrating the 3 tribes, and talk of creating magic and flight schools was also a common subject. Sunny, Hitch, and Izzy all gasped as they and awed at the city. They didn't get to enjoy it much the first time they came here because they were being escorted by two guards, but now they were free to admire it all they wanted. ''So I snuck Into a costume store and stole myself a pair of fake wings and a mustache and that's how I snuck into Zephyr Heights.'' Hitch finished explaining his tale.

''So you stole?'' Zipp raised an eyebrow.

''I wouldn't call it stealing. I just took something that didn't belong to me and I never returned it.''

''But that is stealing.''

"I guess you could call it that even though it's inaccurate." He said as Pipp giggled.

"Well, whatever it is, I don't think you wanna let the other pegsi hear about it. It wouldn't make a good impression on us." Said, Sunny.

"Wait, where'd Izzy go?" Said Hitch as he was facing Sunny.

"She's right-" Sunny turns to look to her left only to notice that her unicorn friend was not there. "Oh no..."

The group of two earth ponies and two pegsi ran around the city looking for Izzy. They screamed her name and asked other ponies if they'd seen a purple unicorn with a blue mane and a very excitable personality. Then they arrived at a candy store. "Yeah, I saw that very elated unicorn. If it wasn't for her size, I would have mistaken her for a foal." The cashier, a pegasus mare finally gave them a lead.

"Did you see where she went?" Asked Sunny.

"Well after I talked that rascal down from clearing an entire wall of candy, she took her a smaller amount, paid, and ran down to a party store.

"Where's that at?"

"Just across the way." She pointed out the window at a colorful building decorated with bright colors, balloons, pinatas, and glitter.

"Alright, thank you." Sunny thanked the mare as they ran out towards the part store. Once inside, the cashier told them that Izzy had bought a large amount of glitter and ran off down the street. The group ran down said street until they noticed a group of ones huddled around something. They approached. With the presence of Princesses Zipp and Pipp, the crowd cleared slightly for them and they saw what they were looking at. Izzy was on a small stage with a microphone in her hoof and a mane and tail covered in glitter. She spoke into the microphone. "Okay, so did you know that not everything that glitters is gold? For example, glitter." The ground chuckled slightly. "Okay, how about this: a little filly makes a card for their mom with glitter and glue but the mom says: " sorry, but I prefer my cards glue-ten free." This finally caused the crowd to burst out. Sunny approached her.

"Izzy, you've gotten yourself in a big mess." She noted the glitter on her.

"Well, I guess you could call me a glitter-corn." The crowd laughed again. Sunny noticed that whenever the crowd laughed at Izzy's jokes, Izzy's cutie mark glowed...

"Well this is fun and all, Izzy, but we have to leave."

"Aww, alright." She looked at the crowd. "Sorry folks but the show is over!" The ponies in the crowd signed and groaned in disappointment, especially the foals. "But I'll come back soon!" Their spirits were lifted slightly as Sunny dragged her away from the stage.

"What was that all about?" Asked Hitch.

"I always wanted to tell my jokes to their ponies but the unicorns at Bridlewood were always so grumpy, but now ponies actually laugh!"

"Well, it's nice that you make ponies laugh, but we have to leave."

"Alright then!"

The group departed. They were getting closer and closer to the castle. Sunny's mind wandered at the image of Izzy's cutie mark glowing. Cutie marks were always very confusing for her. Even though there was no magic, on the day she got her's it flashed on her flank and appeared there. It definitely seemed like magic. She theorized and thought long about it and came to the conclusion that cutie marks are a remnant of ponies' magic that never left them. That made her think: was all magic truly gone? Whatever the answer to that question she asked long ago, it didn't answer this question.

"Hey, Izzy?"

"Yeah?"

"What was that deal with your cutie mark?"

"Whaddaya mean?" She asked as she started at said mark.

"When those ponies were laughing at your jokes, it was glowing."

"Glowing? I didn't see anything about that and I'm a very observant pony." Sunny's eyes furrowed at this. She was brought back to reality by Izzy and Hitch's reactions to the castle. She shook her head and paid attention to what was going on. The group of five ponies walked through the castle. Again, Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch didn't get to enjoy the scenery their first time here but now they were constantly gazing and admiring the beauty of it. Pipp and Zipp of course didn't give any sort of reaction seeing as how this was their home and they knew it like the back of their hooves. They entered the throne room and we were surprised to see a familiar unicorn.

"Aplhabittle?!" Exclaimed Izzy.

"Hey, if it isn't the Gifters of Magic!" The large unicorn stallion announced as the group came in.

"What's with all these titles?" Sunny laughed.

"Hey, you guys became a legend literally overnight. You bettered all our lives!'

"Though I'm afraid 'bettered' isn't the only word we can use to describe us." Said Queen Haven who stood across Alphabittle.

"Why mom? I thought you liked us being united and with magic back?" Said Zipp as she approached her mom.

"Oh, I do! It's just the deal with establishing International laws and creating a bilateral between us. You young ones probably don't think about that sort of thing but as the one ruling a kingdom, I do. Though I suppose not many ponies would realize I rule when I don't have a crown." She reached to touch the top of her now crown-less head.

"Yeah...sorry about that, your majesty," Sunny said embarrassed as her ears drooped.

"Oh, it's alright, dear. The accomplishments you made because of it more than make up for it. Besides, I'm getting a new one."

"Yeah, so even though you stole my crystal and ruined my perfect win streak, it was for a better cause."

"Oh, well, thank you both! Oh and by the way, how have the unicorns been?"

"Much better now with magic." Alphabittle smiled. Now they don't look so sad anymore and they're more willing to challenge me, even though they still lose."

"...Oh, well that's nice. Have you been using your magic?"

"Oh, yeah, especially me. I use to hear how unicorns use to be able to teleport and now I want to try that. Though I'm not having much luck currently."

"I'm sure you'll get there. With enough practice, you can accomplish almost anything."

"That's true. Even we pegsi are still struggling with flying but as time goes on, we'll soon be the masters of the skies!" Said Zipp.

"That's even the case with smaller things like my singing. When I first started out, I sounded pretty terrible, but now I'm a sensation!" Chuckled Pipp.

"Even for my unicycling!"

"Eh, I'm never had to improve on anything. I've always been this great." Hitch smirked but then he saw all the other ponies in the room giving him the 'really?' look. "Alright. I've had to improve this body of mine and keep the peace along with other things."

"Well, anyway..." Queen Haven turned back to her daughters. "Why did you come back here?"

"Oh, well Sunny wanted to know about this." Said Zipp and on cue, Sunny pulled out the crystal. Both Haven's and Alphabittle's eyes widened in shock and then narrowed in curiosity and confusion.

"Is that a crystal?" Asked the queen.

"Not like any crystal I've ever seen and believe me, I've seen plenty." Said Alphabittle.

"Yes, but not just that." Sunny turns the crystal around to present them with the side that had the message carved into it. Both adult ponies came closer to get a better look. They both had looks of confusion but Haven's face took on a look of realization.

'Frozen North?" Haven muttered as she looked at the ground awkwardly. "Zipp, Pipp?"

"Yeah, mom?"

"I...I think it's time I told you girls about...about...your father..."