I grumble to myself when I hear the bedroom door slowly creak open. I sigh and pull the the blankets closer to myself in an attempt to stay asleep. I think I hear a voice, but I ignore it and grip the blankets. It's sleep time. The sun has only been up for an hour... or two? Either way, warm bed is better than the cold head.

"Mom?" Eenope. I'm asleep. "Mom?"

"Sleep." I groan as I hide my head under the pillow. Sadly, I'm awake now, but that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun. I can't help but smile when I hear Tempestive climb up on the bed from behind and walk over to me. He sets two hooves on my shoulders and gives a few pushes, rocking me slightly.

"C'mon Mom, it's time to get up." He tells me, shaking me more.

"Mmmm, I'll wake up if you give me a kiss on the cheek." I tell him, tossing my pillow off and back at him. He goes wide eyed and backs off a bit, looking around for an answer.

"Uh... you can go back to sleep... I'll just get breakfast ready then... go back to sleep."

"Jerk." I say playfully, bolting forward and planting a quick peck on his cheek. He reels back and yelps, rubbing his cheek furiously.

"Gross Moooom! Save that for Dad!" He yells back, trying to rub my “germs” away. I chuckle at him and pry myself from bed to get ready for the day. As I leave, he begins to pretend that some sort of terrible infectious disease has taken over him, causing him to convulse on my bed.

"Uh-huh. When your resurrection is over with, head downstairs and I'll have breakfast ready in a bit, okay?" I ask, rolling my eyes as I head to the bathroom.

"Okay." He tells me, pausing his convulsions to say so before returning to his seizures. I chuckle at him again before closing the door behind myself. I don't know how or why, but he has somehow picked up the idea that all mare are filled with some terrible, infectious diseases. So now he hates female contact. I'd like to say it's just a phase and he'll get over it quickly, but with this going on now for three weeks... Well, if I go by his cow pony phase, he has another week or so before he drops it. And he better, I want my hugs!

After getting through all of my morning routines I head down stairs and get breakfast for the two of us ready, finding him at the table going his homework. I get my ingredients and start mixing them together while walking up behind him. I take a quick look at his work and try to figure out what it is... but come to the conclusion that his hoof writing is terrible. I wasn't the best at math, but this Terridisian stuff is beyond me completely.

"Honestly Tempestive, you need to work on your penmanship some more."

"What? It's legible." He defends, making me roll my eyes.

"I've seen chickens with better writing than that." I tell him, smirking at his frown.

"Ms. Cluckingham doesn't count as a chicken!"

"And why's that?"

"Because she's Fluttershy's chicken! Any pet of hers doesn't count!" I chuckle a bit and bring my mix to the stove, setting a pan on top and turning on the fire.

"Of course, why didn't I think of that." I say sarcastically. "How're you doing on your homework?"

"I'm almost done. I only have this last problem left before I finish." He tells me as he gets back to writing down his problem. "

"Do you need help?" I ask, hoping he says no. I feel bad that I can't help him with this stuff, but that's what happens when certain someponies decide to homeschool their children to teach then advanced mathematics. What the hay is trigonometry anyway!?

"Nah, I've got it." He tells me confidently. I let out a breath of relief and pour my mix onto the pan as the back door opens. I glance back to see Shadow walking in with her school uniform and full saddle bag.

"Morning Shadow, breakfast?" I call out to her.

"Morning Mama Luna, little bro, thanks but I need to get going to meet up with the others." She tells me, levitating an apple from the bowl on the table. "If Mom comes asking for me can you tell her I'll be at Scoot’s for a project. I already told her, but she tends to forget stuff."

"I'll pass the message, have a good day at school." I tell her as she hurries out the front door.

"Mom, why does she wear a uniform when most ponies wear next to nothing?" Tempestive asks.

"Because she's in high school." I tell him shortly.

"Oh... is that why I wear a vest?" He asks.

"... well-"

"Because, it that was the case, then why don't I only wear one when I go outside? I mean, wouldn't it make more sense to wear it during lessons?" He questions further. In reality, we make him wear it to hide his wings, but we haven't exactly gotten to that yet.

"Well... how are other ponies going to know you go to school? Without your vest, they'd think you were just some dumb pony with terrible hoof writing. And you are not dumb, now are you?" I ask, smiling back to him.

"Dad says ponies with bad hoof writing are geniuses." He defends, pointing his pencil at me.

"Your father also has terrible hoof writing. I, on the other hoof, have excellent hoof writing." I say proudly, standing a bit straighter.

"... but you can't even do geometry-"

"Mathematics alone do not make up one's intelligence!" I say quickly, trying to defend myself. Luckily for me, he drops it and gets back to his work. I swear, I should really start going to some of those lessons... eventually. When I have time that is. ...yeeeeeah.

"Aaaaannnd done! Where's your phone?" He asks happily.

"It's in my dresser, top left." I tell him, focusing more on the food. He scurries out of the room and up the stairs as quickly as possible. When I finish the food I turn around and blink at his empty seat. I look over to the living room and see him land at the bottom of the stairs, my phone in his mouth. "Tempestive! What have I told you about gliding down the stairs!?"

"Um... be careful?" He asks cutely with a mouthful of phone.

"Don't do it. If somepony comes in while you're doing that you could really get hurt." I scold him as he walks back to his seat.

"Sorry Mom." He says after setting my phone on his chair. He climbs up and brings it onto the table before going through for the camera.

"Why didn't you just levitate it down?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"Hmm? Oh... I dunno. I just grabbed it and left." He tells me. I mull it over and nod to him. I've definitely noticed some human things about him. He tends to do things by hoof before resorting to magic. He probably picked it up from Miles, but it seems more natural to him. I mean, I use magic for everything and tend to call on it first. I shake my head and set it in front of him.

"Eat, then send your homework to Dad." I tell him, setting my plate by my seat. I cut a wedge of the pancake off and begin eating, but slow down when I see him staring at his plate. "Honey? Everything okay?"

"Why aren't you eating that much?" He asks quietly. I let out a slow breath and set my fork down. I was hoping he wouldn't ask, but it was going to eventually happen.

"Well, because I'm not that hungry." I tell him.

"But, you're a lot bigger than me." He says quickly. "Don't bigger ponies need more to eat than smaller ponies?"

"Easy there, bud. You don't call a mare big, you call them... healthy." His blank stare tells me that that's never going to happen. "And secondly, I'm done growing. I'm as healthy as I'm going to get. You, on the other hoof, are still growing every day. You need the nutrients to grow up big and strong."

"Like Dad?" He asks hopefully.

"Like Dad." I tell him with a smile.

"Cool, I thought it was because of all the food deficits from aiding the Griffin Kingdom." He tells me before digging in, making me pause for a second.

"Well... that doesn't help." I add quietly, looking down at my single pancake. "Eat up, we need to go to town to buy groceries."

"Kay." He tells me before stuffing his mouth full with food.

"And normal bites."

Once we finish breakfast I gather my bags and wait by the door for Tempestive to get ready. He tries to leave without putting his vest on, but waiting at the door sends him back up to his room to put it on. I don't like forcing him to wear it, but we have to. He's not ready for the stigmas that come with being an alicorn. Not yet at least.

Despite having to wear his green vest, he still enjoys the walk to the market, if only because we have to go through the park. He runs all over the path, climbs over large rocks, and trips a few times, all in good fun... for him at least. I try to let him have a little freedom, but can't help but worry every time he climbs up something or face plants. Once we make it to the edge of town I tell him to stick closer to me.

The few market vendors left hold large lines in front of their stalls and ration out their goods to eager ponies. Sadly, we have to wait to get in line. First stop, town hall. We walk in to find a short line in front of the receptionist. She's passing out receipts for rations to the ponies in line. I let out a small sigh and take my place in line. It's been a radical change in lifestyle when we started doing this, but I don't mind that much. Times are tough, and eating less so others can eat as well is okay with me. Maybe not with Celestia, but I can get by. As long as Tempestive eats first, I'm okay with whatever I can get.

"Luna." The receptionist greets when we finally make it to the front as she gives me two receipts.

"Hello Mrs. Neighlin. What's Celestia trying this time?" I ask as I look them over.

"She's getting pretty close, eighty pounds this time."

"Honestly Tia, eighty?" I shake my head and burn the receipt. "A pony only needs twenty for a week, so that's what we'll be... Sarah."

"Fine, here's the real one." She groans as she takes back the receipt for sixty and hands me the proper receipt. "Are you sure-"

"Yes. We will only ever take what we need. I'm sure there are plenty of others that would appreciate that sentiment. Have a good day, Sarah." I tell her before turning and leaving.

"Are you mad at Mrs. Neighlin?" Tempestive asks me as we head down Main street back towards the market.

"Of course not, why would you think that?"

"You kind of stormed out on her. Usually that only happens after somepony gets mad at somepony else." He tells me.

"And where did you learn that?"

"Spike."

"Of course. Well, no Tempestive. I am not mad at Mrs. Neighlin. I only left like that to... drive her my point." I inform him, getting a confused look from him.

"So why do you have to drive home the point that we don't need more than others? What makes us special?" He asks. Here we go again. Another round of me working my words to make sure he doesn't learn that he's a prince.

"Well, before you were born, your father and I did a lot of good deeds for Ponyville-"

"Like fighting back those Diamond Dogs?" He asks eagerly.

"Yes, like that. And because of events like that, some of the ponies here feel that we have earned the right to be treated differently-"

"Like Aunty Celly?"

"Well... sort of. Aunty Celly gets special treatment because of her job at the castle-"

"As an adviser."

"Right. We, on the other hoof, are not providing those services and therefore don't feel like we've earned the special treatment. We did the right thing because it's right. Nothing more, nothing less. Understand?"

"... but... Dad is providing a service to the world right now, being a Spartan and all. Shouldn't that provide extra treatment?" He asks when we get in line for some greens.

"Well, sort of. He's still a soldier, so he does those services willingly-"

"But so does Aunty Celly." Tempestive points out.

"Yes, but Celestia was asked to perform these services, that she does willingly. Miles decided to be a soldier on his own accord." Technically, this isn't a lie. We were asked to lead after turning Discord to stone, so technically it's not a lie.

"When's Dad coming home?"

"... soon, I hope." We make it to the front of the line and present the vendor our receipt. She marks off her sale and gives us a bag of goods, that we pay for. After her line we go through several more long lines before finally ending at the Apples stall.

"Howdy there Luna! Tempestive." Applejack greets happily.

"Hello Applejack. How's little Apple Slice today?" I ask as I look down to her little three year old colt. He’s in a little playpen behind the stall with a plaid blanket underneath it. He's currently playing with some toys with a large green backpack laying beside him.

"He's good, fussy, but good." She tells me, giving a loving glance back to her colt. "Y'all here for your rations?"

"Yes, here's what we're getting." I give her the slip and wait for her to fill my order.

"So... is Rampant home?" Tempestive asks tentatively as Applejack begins to put our apples into a bag.

"Sorry sugar, he's at summer school until one, and then he has chores and homework ta do." Applejack informs him.

"I could-"

"No, you can't." I cut him off. "You're still in trouble from the last time we let you 'help' him with his homework."

"What did I do wrong?"

"You did his homework for him. He's suppose to do it with your guidance-"

"He got the idea-"

"You then nearly ripped the roof off of the barn-"

"It was structurally unsound-"

"By trying to catapult a cow into space-"

"Ms. Betsy said she believed she could hit terminal velocity and was ready for launch! Besides, why was there a catapult in there anyway!?"

"And then you tried to blame it all on the girls-"

"It was their idea anyway, we just... improved it. Besides, there's never anypony to play with at home." I pause and try to think of a way to rebut that, but it's true.

"Well, that doesn't stop you from being in trouble. You did what you did and will have to face the consequences." He frowns at this, but doesn't argue with me any further.

"Um... here yer apples." Applejack says nervously, offering us our apples. I sigh and take them, putting them away while leading Tempestive home. I pause when Applejack walks up and nudges my side. "Now, ah'm not tryin ta say anything, but if ya feel like easin up on the little guy, Rampant will be free around five, five thirty."

"Of course, thank you Applejack." I say with a nod and a warm smile, receiving one in return.

"Alright everypony, five orders left before we close up." She yells out to the large line, getting a collective sigh of disapproval from them. I think about what she said before walking after Tempestive towards home.

...........................................................................................................................................................

I jump a bit when the bell for break rings. I quickly pack up my notes and rush out the door, heading for my locker as quickly as possible. Scootaloo follows me out of the class and flies beside me as I weave through the hall. Students in uniforms fill the pathway as they go about their business, getting from class to class.

"Have I mentioned I hate World History." Scootaloo groans from beside me, tilting her head so her scruffy hair falls out of her face.

"It's not that bad." I try, coming to a stop at my locker. "Besides, how could it be that bad if you're asleep half the time?"

"Trust me, boring naps are still boring." She groans as she leans on the lockers beside mine. "At least we're on break now. Two more hours before Flight Practice, aw yeah."

"Two more hours and I'll be watching my little brother." I tell her, making her laugh. "Are you free after school?"

"Nah, I have practice until three." She tells me, glancing at her flight suit she has on under her uniform.

"What about Applebloom?"

"Nope. She has that Future Farmers of Equestria thing going on. Some sort of contest or something out in Appleloosa."

"Darn. And Sweetie has that talent show rehearsal for her group. Oh well, I guess I'll just head home after school then-"

"You, my friend, need to join a club or something." Scootaloo informs me bluntly, poking my chest for emphasis.

"No, I don't." I retort, shutting my locker for emphasis. "I've gotten this far without joining one, and I don't plan on breaking my streak."

"Shadow, your whole antisocial thing is really starting to worry all of us."

"How so?"

"Well... okay, don't take this the wrong way, but how many friends do you have? Outside of me and the others." She asks me seriously.

"Well... there's-"

"And adults don't count."

"Why wouldn't they count!?"

"Shadow, how many friends do you have that are your age?" She asks flatly. I try to think of an answer, but take too long for her. "See, that's my point. I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but it wouldn't kill you to make at least one other friend. I dunno, why don't you try joining Sweetie’s drama thing?"

"Are you kidding me? Standing in front of a crowd while trying to remember stuff with all of those eyes staring at me! I'd have a heart attack!"

"Okay, why not check out the F.F.E. thing then?"

"I don't know anything about plants or farm animals! Plus I don't like the way it smells there."

"Yeah, me neither. Well, my point is that you need to come out of your shell a little more. It's our senior year, Shadow. After this... well, who knows what happens after this-"

"Technically it's the year before our senior year-"

"Shadow-"

"Alright, alright. I'll... I'll look into it, okay." I tell her, getting a smile.

"Cool. Oh! And, by the way, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom are going to have this talk with you as well-"

"What!? Why!?"

"To make sure you actually do it. Remember back in sophomore year when we tried to get you to try out for track?"

"Those shorts... way too short." I say distantly, thinking back on it.

"Well... maybe. Either way, this year is the year we break you out of your shell." She says confidently, stomping her hoof down. "Got it?"

"Yes ma'am!" I say quickly, getting a laugh from her. "So... we still have like ten minutes for break, what's up?"

"You remember how I told you Rumble joined the Flight team in the beginning of the summer?" She asks in a hushed voice.

"I remember you drooling about it, why?"

"He did his first flight today, well, first flight in front of the girls team at least. Ho-ly crap! That colt is fast!" She tells me excitedly. "And, want to hear something even better?"

"... sure." In all honesty, I don't care in the slightest. Rumble is one of those jocks with their head stuck in the clouds who gets along with everypony and has that room filling laugh that you can't not like-

"He apparently was checking out the CMC yesterday at lunch."

"WHAT!?" I nearly choke when I hear that. Rumble? Looking? At us?

"Yeah, I overheard him talking with Pipsqueak by the locker room. Something about 'those cute CMC fillies '. So guess who he's talking about?" She asks while nudging me a bit.

"... you?"

"I'm taken and he knows that. He was freaking talking to Pipsqueak for crying out loud! Sweetie has her nerd, so who does that leave?"

"... Applebloom?" I know the answer, but kind of hope it's not-

"Applebloom... really? Rumble's into mares and all, but even he knows not to mess with her-"

"My Dad is a futuristic warrior that can change species and kills ponies for a living! How am I-"

"First off, no pony connects that your dad is the same person when in the different forms. Secondly, Big Mac is a futuristic soldier too. And he's here more often then Miles is. And lastly... C'mon, Rumble's hot-"

"Ew! Ew ew ew ew ew EW! No! I'm not thinking about that! I'm not thinking about that! Stop telling me this stuff, I don't want to hear it!" I yell as I cover my ears.

"You have to admit he's hot-"

"Of course I know he's hot! Everypony knows he's hot! Even my mothers know he's hot! But I can't... I can't-"

"Can't what?" Scootaloo asks, chuckling a bit.

"Rumble is known to... do things, with mares-"

"I hear he's pretty good at it-"

"And, I don't know if I'm ready for that yet... or ever." I tell her, blushing a bit. I try to hide my face as a couple of ponies walk by within earshot of our conversation.

"If you don't want to, you don't have to. If he doesn't understand that, then we'll teach it to him." She assures me, punching her hooves together.

I shrug my shoulders and think about the possibilities that could occur. We could just go on a date, nothing serious. We eat some food... whatever you eat on dates. Pasta probably. He'd try to kiss me at the end... or would he? What if he wanted more then a kiss though? How do you say no? Just a no? What if he keeps asking after that? What if no isn't enough?! I don't think Rumble would be a rapist... or would he?

"Okay, you're hyperventilating. Let's get you a nice paper bag to breath into, okay?" She comforts me with a shoulder rub. I nod to her, unable to answer with words, and follow after her. Why did she have to tell me this? I just want to get through my senior year and be done with High School. Is that too much to ask?

Better not ask that question, knowing my families record with stuff like that.

From this point on, the story will continue on with the normal pacing of time. The time skips from the previous chapters were for setting, mostly. The character are now six years older from their first meeting.

Also, no. It is not Foalcon. Keep in mind that I have the age in consent for ponies being thirteen. The CMC are thirteen or older. There will never be foalcon in this story.

To help with the age difference, here's a picture to visualize the CMC. Please note, I have their cutie marks planned out. So the ones in the picture may not be the ones they end up with.

And lastly, the adventure part of the story will be taking a vacation for a bit. Most of third arc will be slice of life, though there will be glimpses of violence.

Brony on!