I let out a little sigh as I flip the page of my newspaper and continue reading the article on the increased sightings of flying machine in Equestria, all while rubbing my large stomach with a hoof. It's been a little over seven months now, and the baby will be coming any minute. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous, but I'm sure everything will turn out okay. That's what Miles tells me at least. Speaking of which, where is he? Every morning for the past two weeks I've woken up to an empty bed. When he walks in, usually around the middle of the day, he just tells me he's working on something and leaves it at that. Very reassuring.

With a final sigh I set down my paper and work on standing, having a bit of difficulty due to my increased size. When I'm finally out of the chair I waddle my way to the living room and pick up the letter I had received from Celestia. She just wants me to come visit Canterlot real quick for tea before she comes to Ponyville. She was staying here with us, waiting for me to go into labor, but had to go back for some royal business. I grab a quill and parchment and began to write my response, telling her that traveling this close to my due date wouldn't be wise-

THUD

"Gah! Miles!" I yell as I look over my letter. With the giant line going through what I've written I sigh and crumple it up. I look up to see a green blur run in and up the stairs. I raise an eyebrow to his antics and decide to get him back down. "OH! I think I feel a contraction-"

KER-THUD

"WHAT!?" Miles yells as he picks himself off the ground and comes running to my side. "Contractions! It's time! I'll GO GET THE-"

"False alarm." I say with a gentle smile. "But, if it's not too much trouble, could you take a seat with me? I want to talk to you about somethings." His eye twitches a bit before he sighs in defeat and takes his seat. I move beside him and take my time sitting down. Little one, the sooner you get out the better.

"What's up?" He asks nervously when I finally get comfy.

"I don't know, you seem to keep disappearing every morning without a word." I say, getting him to look away from me. "Miles, what are you doing in that little shed of yours?"

"I'm just working on something-"

"I know that much, but what are you working on?" He looks away from me, so I rest a hoof on his to get his attention back. "Miles, the baby will be coming any minute now. Don't shut me out like this. What's going on? Talk to me, please." I beg him, tightening my grip on his hoof. He grips me back and thinks deeply about what I said.

"... Luna, I need you to trust me on this one. I will tell you that I've been... monitoring things, and I'm unsure about what I'm seeing. I don't want to worry you for nothing, especially now. I'm sorry, but I don't want to say anything more than that." I sigh in irritation, getting a kiss on the cheek from him. "Sorry."

"Yeah, you're lucky you're worth the annoyance." I tell him, receiving a smile in return.

"Really now? What else am I worth to you?" He asks as he moves in and kisses me quickly on the lips, making me smile.

"Mmm... I'm not sure." I tease as we press our noses together. "Maybe some breakfast *kiss*, a story like you do every night *kiss*, and maybe a dinner for the three of us, maybe." I say, making him chuckle a bit.

"Well, I can do two of those things, unless we get breakfast for lunch." He tells me with another kiss.

"Well then, shall we go then?" I ask as I start getting up, receiving some help from Miles. he agrees and runs to gather our bags. Mostly stuff we have in case it happens when we're out. He offers to wheel me out, but I refuse. I can walk just fine, just a bit slower than before.

"Celestia wants me to visit Canterlot." I tell him as we head out of the house and start walking through the park together. "I've yet to tell her that I can't make it, but I'll do it when we get back." Miles seems to pause for a moment before continuing on with me.

"Why can't you make it?" He asks.

"I think the little one would strongly disagree with it." I deadpan while rubbing my side against his lightly, getting a smirk from him.

"The train ride wouldn't be that bad, would it?"

"Miles Eremita-"

"I'm just saying! A trip up, spend a few hours there, come right back down. No harm, no foul." He says defensively, backing away from me a bit. I roll my eyes and continue on. Whatever he's been 'monitoring', it must be big. This time two weeks ago he wouldn't even let me open my own doors... ever. Now it's apparently it's okay to take a two hour train ride to Canterlot to visit Celestia.

"Well... if I do leave, I'm not leaving without seeing Fluttershy's and Big Mac's foal first." I tell him, getting an uneasy look from Miles.

"Luna, you know they-"

"I know, and I don't care. I have enough medical knowledge to keep us sanitary to be around him-"

"Since when?" He asks skeptically.

"Since you knocked me up, leaving me with even more spare time to read up on various subjects of my choosing. Most of which being foal related." He opens his mouth to say something, but shuts it quickly. Good, he's learned not to fight my pregnant knowledge.

"Well... lets get something to eat first, then break into peoples houses." He says, making me chuckle a bit.

The weather outside isn't bad today. The sun is out and warms the landscape while a cool breeze blows from the Everfree,keeping the temperature a bit on the chilly side. Ponyville is active with its daily blissful business. Ponies selling their goods while others visit friends, children playing and laughing. Everything seems to be calm in the small town.

As we walk through Main street, different ponies wave or greet us, to which we return the gestures. Everypony here has accepted us into their community completely. Every now and again a visitor will gawk at the two of us, but they never make anything about it. Probably because of the lax nature of the rest of the townsfolk.

We make it to one of my favorite cafes and head inside, finding an empty table quickly. The waitress takes our order and brings our drinks quickly. Strawberry lemonade....oh yeah.

"Spike!" Miles calls out when the young dragon walks in.

"Morning master!" Spike greets back as he walks over to our table. I still find it odd that he wears clothing like Miles does when he's human, but the brown jacket and black pants do fit him well.

"Want to join us for lunch?" I ask him, getting him to smile and take a seat at our table. "How's the library?"

"It's good. Quiet, but good." He says with a shrug. "It's going to take some getting used to being there without Twilight and Storm, but I'll manage."

"Well let me or anypony else know if ever you need anything. I'm just down the street don't be shy." I tell him with a warm smile.

"Thanks, I'll be sure to keep that in mind." He says as the waiter comes back to take his order.

"So, how was it being an actual dragon?" Miles asks, to which I smack his arm.

"He is a real dragon!" I defend.

"No I'm not." Spike laughs. "I spent two months living with dragons in the southern badlands and it's painfully obvious that I'll never fit in with them. I've grown up with ponies, know human magic, and love baking. I'm as far away from a dragon as you can get."

"Except for the whole breathing fire, swimming in lava, scaly, flying thing." I point out, getting him to shrug a bit.

"Yeah, minus those things, I'm your average Ponyville citizen-"

"Nnope." Miles cuts off. "You're also Terradisian, remember?"

"Oh... yeah. Didn't you guys take over Ponyville recently?" He asks to clarify.

"Kind of. Ponyville is now under joint jurisdiction. The ponies here can choose to become Terradisian, but don't have to. We'll keep an eye on the town, but Terradisians get priority for rights. Not to mention, only citizens can go and speak at meetings." Miles explains as the waitress comes back with our food. We begin eating, enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the cafe.

"So, are we going to Fluttershy's after this?" I ask, getting Miles and Spike to pause and look at me.

"Oh... you weren't kidding." Miles mutters.

"Luna, you know they aren't okay with ponies coming over-"

"I know every spell to keep myself cleansed and the foal healthy. There is no reason for me not to be able to see the foal now." I say confidently.

"Except that they don't want you to see it." Spike mutters before Miles stomps on him foot. "What!? It's true!" He defends as Miles glares at him.

"Well, they have yet to say this to my face. So, until that happens, we're going to her cottage after this. Right Miles?" I ask him nicely. (pregnant translation = you're doomed if you don't)

"... right."

"So, let's hurry up and finish eating so we can go already." They share an uneasy look as I begin to eat with gusto. I want to see that baby, so they'll have to say no to my face to stop me.

With our food finished and the bill paid, we bid Spike farewell and begin the little trek to Fluttershy's home. Miles seems a little nervous about doing so, but I'm sure everything will turn out alright. I mean, if they don't let me in, nothing happens. If they let me in, I get to see the baby. And even if it becomes ill from that, I know how to take care of that, and I am taking precautions to prevent that. I don't see how any ill fortune could possibly occur.

When we finally make it to her home I charge my horn and cast the spell over the two of us. Miles nods to me before going to the door and knocking. A few moments later, Angel bunny opens the door and looks up at Miles, nodding in approval.

"Um... is Fluttershy in?" Miles asks.

Angel shakes his head no.

"Oh... where is she?"

He points towards Sweet Apple Acres.

"Oh. Then, who takes care of the animals here then?"

He crosses his paws and glares up at Miles.

"Ah. Well then... you have a fun day doing that then." Angel taps a paw to his chest before pointing back to Miles. Mile mimics the motion, albeit much slower and completely confused, and Angel shuts the door. "I have the approval of a small, fluffy, white, bunny."

"Stop gloating." I tease him, chuckling at his discomfort. "He pointed to Sweet Apple Acres. I guess the Apples would have their kin born and raised on their land. Well, my hooves ache, my back is sore, and I'm starting to feel bloated, but I am not going home until I see that foal. Let's go."

"Maybe we should take a break-"

"I'm already walking." I sing back to him as I waddle down the path. I hear him groan a bit before following after me. I giggle at the look on his face but continue on anyway.

Once we get to the farm we step up to the front door and knock. We hear some running around as well as some hushed voices, but the door remains shut. Miles tries again, only to get them to quiet down further. I roll my eyes and take a turn to knock on the door.

"Hello? It's Luna, is anypony home?" I call out. After another moment of silence Miles steps to the side and looks through the window.

"Applejack... you don't fit under the couch." He calls out. I hear a swear and some thudding around. Moments later, Applejack cracks open the door and smiles nervously at me.

"Oh... uh, howdy there Luna, Miles. What..... uh, what brings y'all around these parts?" She asks nervously with a fake smile.

"I just thought we'd stop by, say hello. It feels like I haven't seen the Apples in quite some time." I say with an innocent smile, batting my eyes a bit. "Do you mind if we come in? I'd hate to impose but my hooves are just killing me." I add as I raise a hoof, leaning to the left to show my large stomach.

"Well... uh... the thing is... a-a-ah think... um..." she fumbles with her words as I stare innocently at her, batting my eyes and smiling warmly. Shadows lessons appear to have been paying off.

"Are you seriously going to tell the pregnant lady to leave AJ?" Miles asks bluntly, coming to my side and glaring down at her. She begins to sweat a bit as she backs away from the door.

"U-u-uh, well, sure, ah guess. Come on in then." I smile a bit more genuinely as I push the door open and step inside. The Apple house seems the same as usual. Warm and welcoming, with a hint of apples. I walk in and take a seat on the couch in the living room, sighing in relief from the weight leaving my hooves.

"Thank you Applejack." I thank her as Miles joins me. "So, where are the others? Out working I imagine." I ask her, trying to get a conversation going.

"Y-yeah. We all take turns....watch’n the house! That is.... um... eeyup, that's mah story an ah'm stickin to it." She says as she begins to get flustered.

"You take turns watching the house?" Miles asks. "Okay, why?"

"Why.... why.... uh...." Applejack tries to think of an answer, but freezes up when the sound of a foal crying fills the house. It was short lived however, when Fluttershy began to sing. "Uh... you didn't hear that?"

"May I?" I ask as I motion towards the stairs. Applejack drops her facade and nods to me, frowning slightly. I look to Miles with an excited smile before getting up and making my way to the source of the sound. A feat easier said, than done. When I finally make it to the door, I pause to listen in on her singing.

"Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now, quiet now, it's time to go to bed. There there little Rampant, everything's okay." She coo's. I glance back to Miles and smile warmly to him, receiving a smile in return. Soon it'll be my turn to sing the lullabies and tuck the little sweethearts away.

"Fluttershy? It's Luna and Miles, may we come in?" I ask quietly through the door.

"Come in." She replies quickly. I hesitate for a moment as I try to wrap my mind around her response. Something isn't right here. I open the door and push it open slowly, revealing the bedroom and it's occupants. Fluttershy is laying on the bed with the little red colt laying before her. A small horn breaks through his soft yellow mane while his bright green eyes stare up at Fluttershy, who is nuzzling the foals wings.

...

...

...

...

...

"What the fuck?" Miles blurts out, getting kicked by me, then Applejack.

"Well? Are you going to come in and meet Rampant Growth or would another time be better?" Fluttershy asks worriedly as we stand there, staring. I break out of my trance and step inside, coming to the side of the bed to inspect the foal. "Look Rampant Growth, Luna came all the way to say hi." Fluttershy tells the foal as she picks him up and lays him to face me. He looks up to me and smiles a bit before giggling and rolling over, kicking his hooves up playfully.

"I-I don't get it. He's an alicorn." I say as I look up to Fluttershy, who only shrugs.

"It's why we've been tryin ta keep a lid on him ever since he was born." Applejack says when she enters the room as well. "We were worried that some folks would... be a bit uppity, with a new alicorn an all. I mean, look at Twi' and her filly."

"But that doesn't make sense. Look at Cadence and Shining. They have a unicorn, how could Big Mac and Fluttershy; an earth pony and pegasi, have an alicorn?" Miles asks.

"Well... I don't know." Fluttershy says as she brings the colt back into her embrace. "That doesn't really matter to me though. All I care about is his health and happiness. It's why I agreed to Big Macs and Applejacks little plan to stay hidden. My guess is that it's what CeeGee meant by great power-"

"Wait, what?" Miles asks, making Fluttershy freeze up for a moment. "What happened between you and the Crystal Guardian?" She looks around nervously for a moment, avoiding Miles's eyes, before Applejack sighs.

"Just... just show him." She tells her.

"Some him what?" I ask nervously. Fluttershy looks to Applejack but calms down enough to lay the colt back down.

"Okay, promise me you won't freak out. I don't want him getting scared." Fluttershy asks us, to which we agree to. She reaches into the nearby dresser and pulls out a small gem, roughly the size of a pen. She lays it beside him and begins to tickle at his side while blowing raspberries on his squishy cheeks. The effects are almost instantaneous.

The colt begins to laugh. It's adorable to watch, a mother and her colt bonding, but it quickly starts to become worrying. When he hits the height of his giggles, he begins to sparkle; much like that of the Crystal ponies. But the oddest part, the gem begins to glow as well. The more he laughs, the more it shines and vibrates. When Fluttershy stops her affectionate assault, the gem falls still. Easily a third larger than it was before.

"Well... I wonder how he got the name." Miles jokes.

"Oh, Twilight helped." Fluttershy tells him. I was wondering who helped them with that.

"Really?" Miles deadpans.

"But that doesn't answer the question though." I point out. "If that's from CeeGee, is being an alicorn from him as well? What exactly did he do to you?" Fluttershy frowns a bit as she strokes the colts back, helping him calm down from his giggle fit.

"He said: 'For your life, you must return to me what is mine. Do so; and my favor I will grant to your one.' I've thought about that for a long time time. He wanted his heart back, which we gave to him. I assume his 'favor' is that crystal growing ability and being an alicorn, but I'm not sure-"

"No, there's no way it could be both." Miles states as he stares at the colt. "Fluttershy, are you willing to come with me to Topaz Falls? I'd like to run a scan on him real quick. I think I know what's going on, but I'd like to check."

"Oh, I don't know. I mean, the doctors said I should keep the traveling to a minimum. And I don't think he'd like being surrounded by all the needles and scalpels and stethoscopes-"

"I promise, it'll be nothing like that. He won't even know anything is happening when we do this. We can be there in an hour, I just... really need to check this out completely." He says worriedly.

"Miles... what's going through your head?" I ask nervously.

"Well... how exactly did I become an alicorn?" He asks, shocking everyone in the room.

"M-miles, ya can't be serious." Applejack stammers as we all stare at him. "She wasn't hit by the beam-"

"No, but she was in proximity of it. So were Luna and Twilight. There's only one way to know for sure, and that's if we go to Topaz for a DNA analysis."

"A... what?" Fluttershy asks as she picks her foal up and holds him closely.

"It's just a test to see if I'm the father. It won't hurt him, I promise, but... I really think we should do this." The room falls quiet again as we take in what Miles said. His theory would explain Twilight's and Storm's foal and Rampant here, but... no. Just... no. It can't be. It just... can't.

"Ah'll go get Big Mac." Applejack says before leaving the room.

"Can you help me pack a bag? I need to wrap Rampant up before we head out." Fluttershy asks distantly.

"I'll help you with that. Miles-"

"On it." He says before leaving the room quickly. I look back to Fluttershy and watch her for a moment as she takes a white blanket and begins to wrap it around the colt. With practiced ease she wraps his little legs in but manages to keep his wings out.

"Fluttershy, are you going to be okay?" I ask her as I rub her back. She pauses for a moment before going to the closet and puts on a baby saddle. "Fluttershy?"

"I... I'm going to be fine. I know no matter what we'll love him, but... Big Mac and me have tried so many times before. I don't think we could try again. After coming so close... I don't know-"

"Hey." I mutter as I pull her in for a hug. "It's going to be okay. Miles is probably just... over reacting. I'm sure it's nothing." I try to reassure her, rubbing her back a bit more forcefully.

"I hope so." She mutters, breaking my hug to put Rampant Growth in the saddle. Me too.

Alrighty folks, this is it. Tomorrow at 5:00 PM (10/16/13 (California Time)) I will be closing the Spartan Blog. From there I will be going through the remaining entries and selecting the final cut. If you want to try to get one in at the last second, now is the time to do it.

Also, the 1000 favorites blog will be closing soon as well. Head on over there to cast your votes before the polls close.

And lastly, the Q/A blog will be coming up soon. Go to that blog to ask the characters any questions you wish to know.

Brony on!