“Alright Twilight,  I’ve spoken with my crew, and we’ve come to a decision.” Logan spoke calmly. Behind him, children from infants to 4 years of age who had once been human, were now fillies and colts of the three various pony types. The slightly older children who hadn’t fully changed, were halfway through. Some had horns protruding from their heads, others had wings of various colors twitching and protruding from their backs. The remainder had neither.

“And?” she inquired.

“We’ve decided to align ourselves with you. However, due to no actual experience-”

Feeling insulted, Twilight barked indignantly. “I’ve taken on Tirek alone! And I put up enough of a challenge for him!”

“That was a Stalemate and you had the advantage of extra alicorn magic. I shan’t deny that yes, your powerful. But you’re a royal, and a civilian. Have you ever drawn blood in anger beyond today?”

“He’s got a point princess. I saw those spells you fired. They were all stun spells. Just enough to incapacitate without doing damage.” a white unicorn added.

“And you are?” Logan smirked.

“Name’s Vinyl Scratch. AKA DJ Pon3. Ponyville’s best DJ.” she replied happily.

“You know better spells?” Twilight growled irritably.

“I got infra sound spells, sonar, amplification, and the like. If I focused hard enough I can turn a bad ponies insides to jelly with just my voice.”

“Hmm. Would ya look at that. Not only do you get a militia, but an all new asset just falls into your lap. Look, we need a mind. And a brilliant one. I’ve spoken with the other three princesses. Celestia has agreed to be our diplomat, Cadence, the motivator. And Luna, the commander. But we need your mind. A strategist. You know this area better than us. Where is it most important? Who would make good spies? My people don’t have long.”

“Hell, I’m gonna grow either a horn or a pair of wings any day now! Anyway, I wont demand an answer. Take your time. I know this is a tough choice.” The militia soldier said quietly, patting Twi on the shoulder. “In the mean time, why don’t ya go chill with your friends. You’ll need them as much as they’ll need you. Especially now. Vinyl Scratch, with me. I want to talk with you.”

“Right-o capy-tan!” she said  with a mock salute.

In the impromptu medical tent, 4 friends sat around a currently unconscious but bandaged Sweetie Belle.

“Is she gonna be okay?” Applebloom asked quietly.

“She’ll be fine. She was banged up pretty badly but she’ll be fine.” a dark haired human assured.

“Mind me asking what your Callsign was back in your world?” Scootaloo chided curiously.

“Razor.” she answered.

“I see why…”

Aside the bed, the young dragon had cried himself to sleep. In his claw, was one of Sweetie Belle’s front hooves. From the tent entrance, another white unicorn had watched. Not just her younger sister getting patched up(even though she got nauseated and left momentarily after her medical help had begun), but of the young dragon now sleeping, face down on the medical cot. Ghost’s rifle, ‘Fallout’ laying on the floor at his feet.

Elsewhere, Twilight was thinking about that she had been asked. ‘Can I do that? I know I should. For Equestria… but… this means other ponies will die… there has to be another way…’

“Thinking about what’s going on sweetie?” a familiar voice asked.

Looking up, startled, she found her mother, obviously looking concerned. “Huh? Oh. Yeah… I don’t know what I should do mom…”

Taking a spot next to her daughter, Velvet sat, and placed a hoof over her daughter’s shoulder. “Your friend Logan did say you didn’t have to make a decision immediately. He suggested you take your time. But that’s not all that’s on your mind, is it?” she winked trying to lighten the mood.

“Yeah… that’s not all…” she sighed, hanging her head.

With a nuzzle and a pat on her back, Velvet calmly asked “Well? What else is it dear? You know for a fact you can tell me anything, and I’ll do my best to help.”

“It’s not as important as what’s going on out there…” Twilight said gesturing to her burning home town with a wing.

“Hon, I’m your mother. If something is troubling you, I want to know. Now please… tell me what’s troubling my brilliant little filly.” Velvet insisted. “I know what’s going on out there. But I want to know what’s going on here.” she said playfully and gently bopping Twilight on the back of her head.

“Okay, okay!” the lavender princess said as she rubbed the back of her head. With a sigh, she continued. “Somepony’s crushing on me… one of my friends… and-”

“You don’t know if you feel the same way?” Velvet asked, finishing her daughter’s explanation, receiving a nod in return. “So, who’s the lucky pony?”

“Pony? Your not gonna ask if it’s a stallion or mare?” Twilight asked, her ears shooting straight up in surprise.

“Sweetie, you’re my daughter. I don’t care if your straight, gay or bisexual. As long as your happy, then I say go for it.” Her mother said, pulling her close with a hoof. “So tell me, this friend of yours, the one crushing on you. Are they a stallion or mare?”

“Mare…”

“Aww. That’s sweet. I always did adore seeing two mare’s in love. Ponyfeathers, my first date was with a mare.” Velvet reminisced with a smile. “So, which mare is it? I’ll bet it’s that dress maker Rarity. If not, I’d guess… Fluttershy?”

Hanging her head, the young princess sighed. “Rainbow Dash”

“Oh? The brash athlete trying to be a Wonderbolt?”

“Mhm”

Velvet then tapped a hoof to her chin.

“Mom?” Twilight asked.

“Yes hon?”

“You’re a Canterlot Noble. How are you… you know…?” Twilight asked, blushing.

“How am I okay with you possibly being gay?” Velvet chided, tipping her head to the side.

“Yeah. Arnt the Noble’s supposed to be all… anti-gay and all that?”

Velvet hung her head, hoping she’d never have to tell this story to her children of all ponies. “Hon, I wasn’t always a Noble. I was actually just an amateur writer, trying to make it big. I would’ve been happy to just sell 1 book. Eventually mom and dad stopped supporting me. I had to do something for money, but nopony would hire me.” she explained. “You want to know what I chose to do?”

Twilight was at a loss as to where this story was going. “No, I don’t.”

“I became a call mare.” she said, hanging her head. The memories of that semi-shameful part of her life came flooding back. “I wasn’t proud of it, but it got me the bits I needed to survive. After a while I grew a reputation. Still have it too… if you ask the right ponies. Mare or Stallion, I pleased both. I still do enjoy the feel of both. Then came that night… I was called to a hotel room to ‘entertain’ a bachelor party. I’ll spare you the details-”

“Thanks” Twilight said, blushing immensely, unsure how to react to learning this about her mother.

“Anyway, I didn’t, shall we say, ’play’ with them, but it turns out your father paid for my services. Hehe… he got my service on the house. After that night, I couldn’t get your father out of my mind. I got called to another room the next night, and there he was. He wanted to get to know me. So instead of… ’playing’ we went out to dinner, learned what we could about each other. After that… your brother was born 11 months to the day. And I still don’t regret a bit of it.”

Twilight was gob smacked. Her ‘commoner’ mother had met her ‘Noble’ father at a bachelor party, went on one date, fell for each other, and got pregnant… typically such actions would disown Nobles. Ruining their lives. “Surely the other Nobles would have heard about this and gone after dad like it was the Changeling hunts all over again. How did he escape that?”

“Funny story that. One of my clients one night afterwards was a lovely Unicorn mare… Sunny Days I think her name was. Afterwards she noticed I had something on my mind, with the exact same look you had not 3 minutes ago. She managed to get it out of me that I was pregnant, and in love. She told me she had connections with Princess Celestia and promised me his reputation and life wouldn’t be ruined, and that she could pull a few strings to get me noticed as an author, and out of the Call Mare business” she explained.

Twilight however, was now shocked(well, more so now). “Uh… mom? What if I told you I knew that mare named Sunny Days?”

“Oh? Does she live in Ponyville with you? Oh I hope she has a family now.” she said wishfully.

“Uh, no… mom, When Sunny Days appears… Its actually because Princess Celestia wants to go out and interact with the populace without them making a scene.” Twilight explained. However… Twilight Velvet’s mind had gone into lockdown, focusing on just two words.

“Sunny Days… was… actually… P-P-P-Princess C-C-C-Celestia!?” she quietly screamed.

“Yes… you got ‘banged’ by Princess Celestia, and she kept you two from being run out of Canterlot by a mob of pitchfork and torch wielding Nobles.” Twilight said, still flushed red. “does… does dad feel the same way? As you I mean.”

“Yes. He’s open minded about that too.” Velvet assured. “So don’t be surprised or offended if he decides to ‘play a game’ with you. Pretending to be anti gay.”

“I’ll try to keep that in mind mom.”

“That’s my girl. So I guess you want advice as to what to do about how you feel?”

“Yes please.” her lavender filly asked excitedly.

“Well… how do you feel when she stopped by the library to read with you?”

“I… when we lay down to read together, I usually feel like I have bugs in my stomach. I typically found peppermint tea worked best in making that feeling go away.” the younger Twilight explained.

“You love her.” her mother said with absolute certainty.

“I what?! How can you tell?!”

“Twilight, hon. I felt the same thing when I first laid eyes on your father. Tartarus I bet right now your hoping she’s okay, given what’s going on.”

Sure enough, her mother was spot on. While yes they were there for all her friends, they were strongest for Rainbow.

“What should I do mom? I… I feel lost” the young alicorn confessed.

“Well, you could let her confess… ask her out, or you could buck each other and see what happens… but I wouldn’t suggest that last bit.” the grey unicorn smiled.

With a squeak and a blush turning her cheeks crimson “MOM!”

“Want a pointer?” she winked.

Looking left and right, her blush still growing, she nods.

_____________________________

“RAINBOW!” a pink and orange mare called.

“MOM!” she called back. Both pegasi flew at each other, colliding in mid air, and hugging and nuzzling. “Are you okay mom?”

“I’m fine sweetie. I’m more worried about you. Where were you? Did you ask that filly out yet?” she rambled.

Blushing at that last question, she diverted to answering the other questions. “I’m fine mom. And no… I haven’t told her how I feel. There’s more important stuff going on.”

“Yeah, what is going on?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, mom. I was just out camping with my friends when I heard what was going on.” Rainbow explained as they landed.

“ALL RIGHT EVERYONE!” Logan hollered from a nearby tree. “I know your all scared about what’s going on out there. And if I’m at all honest, I don’t know either. All I can say is its time to get our bearings, and rest. Stick close to family and friends. You’ll need them now more than ever.” he finished, hopping out of the branch.

“Who was that?” Rainbow’s mother Firefly asked curiously. “One of your friends I take it?”

“Yeah… he’s cool.” Rainbow said. “So… what were you doing in Ponyville?”

Firefly flew up and landed in a branch, overlooking a small clearing, closely followed by Rainbow.

“It was my last stop on my trip around Equestria. Thought I’d pay my daughter a visit and talk to her about this crush she’s been having.” Firefly explained with a giddy expression.

“Must we mom?” Rainbow began to complain.

With a giggle, Firefly nodded. “I’m afraid so sweetie. So… speak your mind. You‘ve already told me it‘s a mare, and no I’m not going to judge you, smart, gorgeous, and so on.”

Rainbow hung her head. Her windswept mane fell over her eyes,  her ears and wings began to droop. “Fine.” she started. Her head craned around, carefully searching. Turning 185 degrees to her right, she points with a wing.

Squinting, Firefly saw two identical mares,(in looks, not color) talking with each other. “The grey mare? Unicorn?” she asked.

Rainbow’s ears shot up instantly. ‘What the…? Wait… who is that ma- oh my goddess that’s Twilight’s MOM!’ her thoughts screamed. “No! mom, I was pointing to the purple alicorn she was talking to!” she quietly shouted.

“Alic- oh my sweet Celestia your crushing on Princess Twilight! I NEVER would have seen that coming…” Firefly muttered. Her face went through various emotions, from shock, awe, then happiness.

Dash hung her head, her ears and wings drooped. “I know… I don’t have a chance with her.”

“I never said-” Her mother began, before Dash interrupted.

“She’s a princess mom! A PRINCESS! She’s a daughter of Canterlot Nobles, student of Princess Celestia, and I’m just a Wonderbolt rookie… and Captain of Ponyville’s weather team… I’m not cool enough for her…” She quietly barked as a (Not) tear rolled down her face, prompting her mother to wrap her front hooves and wings around Rainbow.

“Look at me Dash. Look me right in the eyes.” She demanded, still holding Rainbow close. The commanding, but gentle tone grabbed Rainbow’s attention and did as was told. “Is she your friend?” Firefly asked, receiving a nod. “Do you feel happier around her? In your head, and heart?” another nod. “Then, when your next alone with her, tell her everything. How long you’ve felt this way, everything. Okay?”

Rainbow, now dumbstruck and tear soaked, nodded. Elsewhere, The apple family had just received the worst news.

“I’m so sorry you guys… I- I did what I could…” a yellow coated Pegasus said.

“N-no… you did your best Raindrops… and… that’s all you could’ve done… thanks for telling us…” Mumbled the deep voice of Big Macintosh.

“A-Ah cant believe… Granny…” Applejack mumbled quietly as she held a crying Applebloom in her grip. The youngest Apple balled her eyes out, not caring who saw her.

“Was it quick?” Applejack asked carefully.

“Yes. She told me to tell you that she’ll miss you, but not to worry about her. Gave me this to pass on to you.” Raindrops answered as she pulled an envelope out of her saddlebags. “I’m sorry… but.. I have to go.”

“Okay Raindrops. Be careful.” Applejack sniffled, tears staining her face, her sister wiping away tears and snot on her fur.

Opening the envelope, Applejacks eyes widened.

____________________

“Any sightings on the Unicorn Blueblood described?” Courier asked in a flat tone.

“Yes sir.” A changeling drone hissed. “She was spotted in Ponyville along with other mares, and a strange upright creature. Where they went we don’t know.”

“Anything else?”

“No sir.”

With a sigh, Courier dismissed the drone. “Such incompetence… Chrysalis?”

“Yes?” the changeling queen asked.

“How were the other attacks? Baltimare? Fillydelphia? Manehattan? Stalliongrad? Crystal Empire?” he asked, a wicked smile growing on his lips.

“The attack on Stalliongrad has reached a stalemate. The winter there has set in sooner than normal. Fillydelphia, Baltimare, and Manehattan however are under our occupation. The Crystal Empire… they repelled us. Some of the smaller villages however… like Ponyville, have all been taken, but at major cost. Half of the villages have been burned, with collateral damage on both sides. I fear those smaller villages may be quite the problem in the future.” she concluded.

“They will be…” he said as he eyed the map from Canterlot castle’s war room.

“And that Blueblood. Why did you put that arrogant plothole in charge rather than I, or yourself?” she asked, annoyance and venom in her voice from the current situation.

“All in due time my Queen. All in due time…”