The rain had become more of a light drizzle along the vast plains. The ground was still quite wet and muddy, but the early morning sun managed to stream through several breaks in the light-gray clouds. While not the ideal time for a sparring practice, that did not stop Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, both out of their Scouting Legion cloaks and their Elements of Harmony, from doing so.

Sitting on the edge of one of the supply carts was Eren Jaeger, Jean Kirschtein, Conny Springer, and Sasha Braus, each of them wearing their cloaks, but not their Elements. Placed on the cart next to Eren was a brown Stetson hat.

Mikasa threw a roundhouse kick to Armin, who confidently blocked the blow with both forearms. Armin made a jab towards Mikasa’s face, but she managed to dodge it. Further inside the gathering of parked carts and resting soldiers was Hanji Zoe and Levi, who managed to catch some of Armin and Mikasa’s fight.

“So much for not getting dirty upon returning,” Levi grumbled.

“Can you really blame them?” asked Hanji. “Our year-long mission is finally ending today, and spirits are high.”

“Then they should wait and celebrate upon our return to HQ like good, little soldiers.”

“I wonder what’s going to happen! Do you think that we might be getting a visit from our old friends from Equestria? I’m sure that would make the soldiers happy.”

“Probably…”

Hanji looked upon his stoic face, seeing a very subtle hint of longing. Before Hanji could continue prying, Petra Ral ran to them. With the wind picking up her cloak, the left sleeve of her jacket was revealed to be cut off just above the elbow, revealing the stub where the rest of her arm used to be.

“Captain Levi,” reported Petra. “Commander Erwin has said we are ready to move out.”

“Thank you, Petra,” spoke Levi. “Go and get on your horse.”

“Yes, sir!” she responded, giving him the Military salute.

Petra, as instructed, ran back where she came. Levi turned from Hanji and walked out to where Petra ran.

“Make something useful of yourself and break up that fight,” Levi instructed.

“Yeah,” Hanji responded, hiding her disdain for his insult, “right.”

Hanji walked off towards Armin and Mikasa’s fight, quickening her pace as the soldier behind her began saddling up. She managed to watched as Mikasa hurled a punch towards Armin, who twisted and juked away from the punch. What shocked Hanji was how Armin managed to grab a hold of Mikasa’s arm, continue his twist, and bend forwards, sending Mikasa over his shoulder and to the ground.

Mikasa grunted as her back hit the ground, only for Armin to pin her arm down and hold her neck down with his free forearm. Eren, Jean, Conny, and Sasha applauded, surprised by Armin’s ability to defeat the usually-fierce Mikasa. The sound of Hanji’s louder clapping brought the attention to her.

“Break it up, guys,” she ordered. “Commander Erwin has ordered us to continue on back home. Move it!”

Frightened by her authority, Conny, Sasha, and Eren ran off the cart and back to their horses nearby. While Hanji helped Armin back up, Jean grabbed hold of Mikasa’s arm and pulled her up to her feet.

“Great job, by the way,” Hanji whispered in Armin’s ear.

As Hanji walked from the three young soldiers and back to the horses at the front of the line, Jean and Mikasa followed her and walked by the blushing Armin, who was delivered a rub on the head and a shoulder pat from Jean and Mikasa, respectively. Seemingly brought out of his trance, Armin ran off to follow Mikasa and Jean.
________________________________________________________________________________________

The rain had finally stopped, and the gray clouds were giving way to the blue sky and bright sun. The Scouting Legion headquarters was finally in view and fast approaching, and with the arrival of the Scouting Legion there, would complete their year-long mission and allow them a long-deserved holiday.

Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Conny, and Sasha rode together, each of them wearing their Elements of Harmony, which consisted of two golden wing-shaped sheaths with their enchanted gem-bladed arming swords inside, the golden hilts and handles sticking out from the slots. Mikasa head was also adorned with the Stetson, shielding her eyes from the sun’s rays. With their long rest and relaxation nigh, Eren and his friends could only imagine how they’d be spending their time.

*BANG*

Lightning struck inside the courtyard of the castle, frightening everyone at first, but upon realizing the lack of rain or the slow dissipation of the clouds, many of the soldiers knew that it could only mean one thing. Eren, his smile widening, squeezed the reins of his horse in excitement.

“You don’t think…” Conny muttered.

“It has to be them!” Sasha concluded. “Our friends from Equestria have come to greet us!”

Armin, Mikasa, and Jean gasped happily, gladdened by the prospect of being in their friends’ company once again. Up ahead of the group, the stone-faced Erwin Smith, only able to grab on to his horse’s reins with his left hand, gave out a smile as well.

The soldiers and their horses and carts began to pour into the entrance, wanting to see who had come. Erwin, Hanji, and Levi, who were the first of the group, turned towards the courtyard and stables to see Princess Luna standing there, her dark-blue coat and dark, starry mane and tail radiating in the sun’s streaming rays.

“Princess Luna!” shouted Hanji, dismounting her horse mid trot and jogging up to her.

Luna watched as many of the other soldiers came out from behind the castle wall’s corner, seeing her standing there as well. Luna looked slightly off put by their wet and, in some cases, dirty clothes, especially upon seeing Mikasa and Armin as they walked up with Eren, Jean, Conny, and Sasha.

“Dear me,” she said, “you all look soaked to the bone. Here…”

Luna began to charge her horn as the last of the soldiers began to gather inside the courtyard. Appearing before her was a wide, rectangle shaped screen made from her aura, looking to be about seven feet tall. The screen began to slide towards the humans, making them a tad wary at what was happening. The screen passed through the humans, making them each shield their faces, only for them to feel a layer of heat pass over them as the screen came through them. Erwin and Levi seemed completely complacent with the spell, trusting Luna completely.

Once the screen had passed through each of the humans, it shrunk into its center until it vanished completely. The humans checked their bodies, wondering what had happened. It didn’t take long; each of the soldiers’ clothes and bodies were dry and spotless. Many of them gasped and murmured, amazed by the reminder of Luna’s abilities.

“Now,” chuckled Luna, “I think we can resume our formalities.”

“Princess Luna,” Erwin spoke, stepping forwards and bowing to her, “for what do we owe the pleasure of your acquaintance today?”

“Erwin,” she giggled again, “you don’t need to bow to me. If anything, I should be bowing to you.”

“My apologies, Luna, but my question still remains: for what reason do you come here?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve watched you and your soldiers go off on your mission to the outer lands. You’ve braved harsh conditions and long bouts of unrest on your journey. I wish to congratulate you all on a job well done.”

The soldiers were eager as well, knowing that they would be released momentarily for rest.

“I humbly thank you for that,” Erwin responded, “but I’d be hard-pressed if this was the only reason you came here.”

“And you are correct,” Luna responded. “For my other reason for coming, I will need to speak with a select few of you in private. Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Jean Kirschtein, Conny Springer, Sasha Braus, Hanji Zoe, Levi, Petra Ral, and you, Erwin.”

“If you may give me one moment.”

“Of course.”

Erwin turned back to his soldiers, ready to hear him out.

“To those whose names weren’t called,” Erwin called, “you are hereby temporarily relieved of services to the Scouting Legion, and are granted a six-month leave before your return in the winter. But before your leave, offer your hearts,” he declared, giving his soldiers a salute, “as a sign for your devotion and promise of return!”

“Yes, sir!” the soldiers shouted in unison, giving him a salute back.

“Soldiers, at ease.”

With their duties officially ended, the soldiers all left for the stables to put their horses away, energetically talking with their friends about their plans for their time off. However, each of the soldiers whose names were called stayed, awaiting further clarification from Luna.

“Now, Erwin,” wondered Luna, “do you know of someplace private we could speak?”
________________________________________________________________________________________

Inside Erwin’s office, Erwin sat at his desk while Luna stood right before it, the others standing around the back half of the room, out of their cloaks, Maneuver Gears, and in case of Eren and his friends, their Elements of Harmony.

“So what is it that you wish to discuss, Luna?” asked Erwin.

“I assure you that it is nothing that should arouse concern,” spoke Luna. “In fact, I wish to liven up your long vacation.”

“Oh?” Levi replied. “And how might you do that?”

“You see, on our world, there is what we call the Summer Sun Celebration. It is a ceremony that commemorates the first day of the summer solstice, where Princess Celestia herself raises the sun before her subjects.”

While each of the soldiers, including Erwin and Levi, albeit mildly, were surprised about this fact, Hanji nearly swooned from the news.

“Wow,” she gasped, “I’ve read so much about her being able to raise the sun. That truly must be quite the sight!”

“Indeed it is, which is why Celestia has personally invited you to Equestria be her guests of honor at this year’s celebration.”

While Levi and Erwin remained stoic, the others’ eyes and mouths went wide in shock over the prestigious honor. Hanji, overcome with delight, finally fainted upon the floor, making Eren nervous.

“Squad Leader Hanji!” he called.

Eren managed to bend down and pick Hanji up under her armpits, where she groggily awoke and stood back to her feet.

“I didn’t expect such a violent reaction,” Luna said, feeling awkward, “but yes, Celestia has requested that each of you come to Canterlot where the Celebration will be held.”

“So,” confirmed Eren, “we’ll be going to Equestria?”

“That is correct.”

“Well, will Rainbow Dash be there?”

“Or Fluttershy?” Jean piped in.

“And Rarity too!” exclaimed Sasha.

Luna chuckled, gladdened by their enthusiastic wishes to reunite with their friends.

“That is one other thing I forgot to mention,” said Luna. “Your arrival to Equestria will not be in Canterlot, but rather in your friends’ hometown of Ponyville.”

“Ponyville?” asked Eren and his friends.

“That’s right. The actual ceremony is not for another three days, and I thought you owed it to yourselves to spend some time with the friends you made from Equestria.”

“But…” Jean mentioned.

“But what?”

“It’s just that… my family lives in Trost, and I haven’t seen them since we began our mission a year ago.

“Me too!” Sasha said. “I want to see how my father and village are doing since we won the war.”

“I completely understand,” assured Luna, “and that is why I have prepared written letters to each of your families explaining your absence and that you will be back within a week.”

“You say that the festival is three days away, right?” asked Petra. “Couldn’t we make a quick stop to see our families and then come to Equestria?”

“You see, Petra,” Luna said, sounding a bit unsure about herself, “my sister and I had made preparations for you coming today and surprising your friends upon your arrival.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked Jean.

“You see, Celestia had called Twilight and her friends to Canterlot for some… ‘important business’ yesterday, and they should be leaving back for Ponyville within an hour or so. I have already told the rest of Ponyville about your arrival and they are expecting you.

“If you do not come today, the ponies’ hopes will have been raised for nothing and Twilight and the others will know of your coming. I’m sorry for putting this on you at short notice, it’s just that Celestia and I wanted this reunion to be special for you and your friends. I assure you that you’ll be back home to see your families, but please consider this invitation now.”

The humans looked at each other awkwardly, knowing there was an elephant in the room that needed to be discussed.

“Well,” Eren said, “Mikasa, Armin, and I have lost our families, and our friends here are all we have anymore.”

“The same with me,” Conny said. “After I lost my village, these friends, and Pinkie Pie, are the only family left for me.”

Sasha and Jean both looked torn now. Along with making their Equestrian friends happy, they now had Eren and the others’ feelings to concern themselves with. As they continued to think, they soon could only think of being welcomed to Equestria into the warm, fuzzy arms of their pony friends and partners.

“Alright,” Sasha relented, “I’ll go!”

“So shall I,” answered Jean.

“Count me in as well!” Petra exclaimed, grabbing hold of Levi’s hand.

“Sorry,” Levi answered, brushing Petra’s hand off of his. “I cannot come.”

“Huh?” each of the soldiers, especially Petra, responded.

“We have just returned from our mission, and the soldiers are probably set to take off for their hometowns. That would leave only Erwin to manage the entire Scouting Legion affairs while we’re gone. I elect to stay on Earth and assist Erwin.”

“Request denied,” Erwin spoke.

Levi looked genuinely shocked at Erwin’s refusal for his help.

“Sir?” questioned Levi.

“Levi,” reasoned Erwin, “you are a fine soldier, and you have made yourself an invaluable addition to the corps. You have fought valiantly by my side for nearly as long as I’ve been a commander. You and Petra deserve some tranquility together after all that has befallen us.”

“Sir, I–”

“Levi,” Erwin spoke, his brow furrowing, “you will accept Luna’s invitation to Equestria. That is an order.”

Levi, knowing his hand was tied, relinquished his face of mild contempt and back into stoic acceptance.

“Aye, sir,” he muttered.

“And what of you, Hanji?” asked Luna. “Shall you be coming, or staying?”

“Are you joking?” Hanji exclaimed. “The wildlife, the landscape, the culture! Only a madman would refuse such an offer!”

Levi glowered at Hanji.

“Of course I’m coming,” confirmed Hanji.

“Of course,” Erwin spoke, getting Luna to turn towards him. “Levi did make a valid point.”

“Erwin?” wondered Luna.

“As commander of the Scouting Legion, I must stay behind to manage our responsibilities, including reporting our finds from the last quarter of our mission. I’m certain there will be time for me to visit Equestria as well, but right now is not a good time. My sincerest apologies.”

“No need for an apology. You’re a highly commendable man, Erwin, and I respect your decision.”

Levi subtlety rolled his eyes away from Erwin and Luna.

“So,” Luna asked, “I have the word of you nine that you’ll be coming?”

With confirming nods, Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Conny, Sasha, Hanji, Levi, and Petra, gave their answer. Luna bowed her head and closed her eyes.

“This is wonderful,” Luna said. “You truly will make your friends and the rest of Equestria very happy with your presence. However, if this surprise is to work, you will need to change into some more casual attire and pack your belongings for your stay immediately.

“Furthermore, Celestia wished that you bring your uniforms and your Maneuver Gears, as she wishes for you to be in full uniform for the Summer Sun Celebration ceremony. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Eren answered for everyone.

“Very good. Please, do change and pack. We will depart in an hour’s time.”

With gracious bows, everyone, minus Erwin, left the office and to their rooms to gather their things. Erwin glanced to Luna as she watched them leave.

“Did Celestia expect me to accompany them?” asked Erwin.

“She mentioned that she did not expect you to leave today,” Luna answered, “but she still hopes with all her heart that you can attend the ceremony in three days’ time.”

Erwin let out a gentle smile, happy that Celestia still cared for him so.

“I’ll see what I can do,” asked Erwin, “but tell Celestia that I make no promises.”

“That is all I ask,” Luna cooed.

With that, Luna bowed her neck to Erwin and exited the room, leaving him alone inside his office.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Eren began to stuff his poorly folded uniform and harness inside a large drawstring backpack. His Element of Harmony sat in a specially fitted case on his bed, still open and needing to be closed. Eren was dressed in his mustard-yellow tunic with brown pants and boots, his tunic tied at the waist.

As he gathered more clothes from his drawer, he uncovered a pair of books, the sight of which made him gasp. Pulling them out, he examined both of the covers: Daring Do and the Chasm of Chaos, and the other was Daring Do and the Marble Atlas. Eren looked at the titular pegasus at the front of the cover, smiling at how much it reminded him of Rainbow Dash.
________________________________________________________________________________________

“You won’t get away with this, Ahuizotl!” the blue pegasus Rainbow Dash mimicked as she lied down on her back on the bed beside Eren. “You say that time and time again,” she said, now sporting a cheesy Spanish accent, making Eren laugh, “and each time, you are right… but not today!”

“Shh,” Eren hissed and chuckled, “you’re going to wake everyone!”

Rainbow Dash and Eren both laughed together, unable to hold back their enjoyment of the book and Rainbow Dash’s retelling.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Armin passed by Eren’s room, catching him staring at his two books. Armin knocked on the jamb of his door, bringing Eren out of his nostalgic trance. Eren turned to see his good friend standing outside the room, wearing a white shirt underneath a light-grey sleeveless tunic and darker-grey pants.

“Armin?” wondered Eren. “What are you doing?”

“You really missed her,” Armin responded, stepping inside, “didn’t you.”

“Yeah… She stuck by me through the thick and thin, always risking her life to save me or someone else. And what about you? Don’t you miss Twilight?”

Armin smiled, remembering her warmly.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Armin and the lavender alicorn Twilight Sparkle lied upon their stomachs on a bed, the former in his white pajamas, reading a map featuring the 57th Expedition’s scouting formation.

“…and so when Erwin shoots his signal,” Twilight explained, “the formation will move with him as a result; no one gets lost.”

“Wow,” Armin cooed, “Erwin really is intelligent.”

“I still can’t believe it! Our first mission together.”

“Yeah,” said Armin, stroking Twilight’s mane. “Together…”

Twilight giggled, comforted by Armin’s company as they resumed reading the map.
________________________________________________________________________________________

“Of course I do. Just to think, though,” Armin said, sitting at the edge of Eren’s bed, “we’ll finally get to see them again.”

“Yeah.”

“And just think of what we’ll get to see in Equestria that we couldn’t see on our mission!”

“Huh?”

“Don’t you remember during the invasion of Trost? Cities made of clouds, a castle on a cliff. We’ll finally get to see those things.”

Eren, feeling his vigor returning, tossed his two books inside his backpack and stood to his feet.

“Awesome!” he shouted. “Equestria, here we come!”

Eren continued to haphazardly stuff his clothes into his sack, surprising Armin.

“Come on, Armin!” called Eren, turning to his old friend. “Let’s finish packing! There’s not a moment to lose!”

“Uh, Eren,” mentioned Armin nervously, “I still think the others are packing…”

Eren didn’t seem to care, jamming his clothes inside as his bag got stuffed.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Mikasa closed the case for her Element of Harmony on her bed and clicked it shut. Wearing a white blouse underneath a red sweater-jacket along with a grey shin-length skirt, along with her old, red scarf around her neck, she also took a look at the Stetson that sat in between her case and a sack stuffed with clothes.

Picking it up by the front of the rim, Mikasa carefully examined it, seeing every bit of stitching and loose end in the fabric, as well as the strands of her hair that were stuck inside of it. Mikasa couldn’t help but smirk over the fact that her old friend from another world was the last owner of this very hat.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Mikasa and the orange earth pony Applejack swung to the branch of a tree inside the forests outside the Scouting Legion headquarters. Mikasa easily made it to the branch first, promptly leaping off to the next one while Applejack managed to land on the same branch and hop off after her.

Mikasa and Applejack were both in their Scouting Legion attire, while the brown Stetson was sitting atop Applejack’s head rather than Mikasa’s. As Mikasa flew through the forest determinably, Applejack was not far behind, giggling as they soared.

“I’m right b’hind ya’, partner!” Applejack called out.

Mikasa looked back to her determined partner with equal intensity. The pony had quite the spirit on her, and she was proving to be a worthy match on the Maneuver Gear. Mikasa knew that Applejack would be an invaluable partner once she mastered it.

“Not for long,” Mikasa called back.

Mikasa hurdled over a pair of large branches flawlessly, looking back to see how her partner would do. Applejack managed to clear the first branch, but tripped over the second branch.

“Whoaoaoaoa!” yelled Applejack as she fell towards the ground.

Applejack’s wire on the tree of the first branch caught her above the ground, making her swing to and fro from the wire. Mikasa landed on the branch of another tree further down, watching her swing and spin on her wire. Mikasa looked rather stern at Applejack’s mistake. However, Applejack’s fun laughter as Applejack’s swinging settled down brought a slight smile to Mikasa’s face.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Mikasa found herself smiling at her fond memories of her partner and friend. Slowly placing the hat on her head, she turned back and sat on the bed next to her Element of Harmony case and sack of clothes. She knew that everyone was still busy packing, but she could still hardly wait to see Applejack once again.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Jean lied down on his bed, his Element of Harmony, his uniform, and spare clothes packed away at the foot of the bed. While in a white-collared shirt underneath a desaturated-brown vest and khaki pants, he came close to taking a nap, his eyes half-open and his body completely lax. His boy rested on the right side of the bed, his left arm spread out and wrapped around an invisible space on the left side.
________________________________________________________________________________________

It was dark and rainy outside, and the only light coming from one candle on the bedside table. While Jean slept soundly on the right side of the bed, the yellow-pegasus Fluttershy lied curled up in Jean’s left arm, shaking timidly from the loud pitter and patter of the rain on the window.

*BANG*

Lightning struck outside, the loud noise making Fluttershy jump out of her spot and squeak loudly in fear. As she landed back down, her body slid into Jean’s, hugging his body tight as she wept under his arm. Jean, while shocked by Fluttershy’s reaction, nonetheless found her trembling disheartening.

Jean gently stroked her back and left side just above the wing. Jean could feel as Fluttershy’s trembling decreased with his comfort, but the trembling he couldn’t quell forbade him from returning to sleep.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Jean smiled contently in his state of half sleep, imagining the moment he’d be able to feel her soft coat in his arms once again.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Conny and Sasha folded the last of their uniforms and placed them into their drawstring backpacks. Conny wore his green tunic with grey pants while Sasha wore a white collared shirt with a light-brown vest and a long, light-brown skirt. As Conny and Sasha began to fold their other spare clothes into their bags, Sasha turned to Conny.

“What are you going to do once you find Pinkie Pie?” she asked.

“I’m not sure,” Conny said with a shrug. “In all honesty, I’m hoping to get one of her parties again.”

“Oh yeah!”

“That was a lot of fun.”

“And lots of good food.”

Both Conny and Sasha froze in their packing and remembered the party of Pinkie Pie’s that she threw for them.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Inside the spacious storage room in the Scouting Legion Headquarters, many of Eren and Twilight’s friends surrounded Conny, the pink pony Pinkie Pie, Sasha, and the white unicorn Rarity, the humans gathered on both sides of a large wooden tub filled with water bobbing full of apples. The others cheered as Sasha and Conny dunked their heads in the tub, sloshing them about.

Within a few seconds, Sasha had a bright red apple clamped in her teeth, leading the others to cheer. Sasha ran towards Rarity slapped the bottom of her outstretched hoof. As Rarity ran to the bucket, Conny managed to pull an apple from the tub with his own mouth.

Running off to Pinkie Pie and tagging her hoof, Conny watched as Pinkie Pie ran to the tub, already behind to Rarity, who continued picking about for apples. It was all for naught, though, as Pinkie Pie dipped her head into the tub and pulled out an apple on the fly.

The others, Conny loudest of all, cheered Pinkie’s diligence as he ran to Pinkie and gave her a celebratory hug. Rarity pulled her own head out of the bucket, her face and the front of her mane wet. Rarity shook as much water as she could from her face, but it was Sasha who walked to her side with a dry towel for her.

Sasha knelt down and gently dried the rest of Rarity’s face with the towel. Thankful for her deed, Rarity nuzzled her head into Sasha’s breast, allowing Sasha to wrap her arm around Rarity’s side in a hug.
________________________________________________________________________________________

“Good times,” Conny said with a smirk.

“Rarity and I will have to stop at that bakery that Pinkie Pie works at,” mentioned Sasha. “I really want to have more of those small cakes she had there.”

“Yeah, right…”

Sasha and Conny, realizing their conversation was quickly going nowhere, decided to resume the packing of her clothes.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Hanji, along with her Maneuver Gear case, and a bag for her uniform and other clothes, had another case filled with papers, pens, binoculars, and a compass that she vigorously packed upon her bed. Wearing a long, jade-green skirt and a black, sleeveless blouse, she squealed with excitement as she began the completion of her packing.

“This is going to be great!” Hanji exclaimed. “Just one last thing.

Hanji walked back to her dresser and grabbed an aged, black notebook. With a gentle toss, it landed inside the case, although it caused the pens and papers to get knocked all about the case.

“Mmmh,” Hanji groaned as she walked back to her case, resorting the mess she created.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Levi, dressed in a black jacket and pants, and a white shirt and cravat, gently folded his uniform and gingerly laid them inside his bag. Petra sat on the front edge of the bed, her Maneuver Gear, uniform, and clothes packed, herself wearing a pink blouse with the left sleeve ending above the elbow and a light gold-colored skirt. As Levi packed the last of his clothes inside his bag, he drew it closed, lying it upon his own Maneuver Gear case.

“Do you need help carrying your things?” he asked.

“I’ll be fine,” Petra answered. “As long as I hang by bag over my right shoulder and hold my case with my right hand…”

“Are you sure? That all seems pretty heavy.”

“Levi,” she responded, standing up and walking towards him, “I appreciate your support, but I want to manage. I managed in the final days of the War on Titans, and I managed another year afterwards. I won’t let some luggage get the better of me.”

Levi couldn’t help but be impressed by Petra’s determination. She was a strong and reliable woman, and Levi knew as much. With a smirk, he grabbed his backpack and swung it over and onto his shoulder.

“Suit yourself,” Levi said.

Levi then grabbed his case and began to exit the room with his luggage. Petra smiled as he left. While he could never eloquently express it, Petra knew Levi cared deeply for her. She looked down, hoping that this trip to Equestria could mean something special for the two of them.

“Hey,” Levi called from the hallway. “Are you coming, or do you really need my help?”

Petra shot up, feeling embarrassed over her idle daydreaming. Grabbing the strap of her backpack and slinging it over her right shoulder, she then grabbed her case with her right hand, quickly strolling out of the room with a noticeable blush on her face.
________________________________________________________________________________________

Luna lied down in the courtyard, which was already barren with the soldiers having left for their hometowns. Surrounding Luna were Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Conny, Sasha, and Hanji, sitting or standing with their luggage by their side. Their ears perked up to the sound of the door opening, turning to see both Levi and Petra exiting from the dining room and walking towards Luna and the others.

Seeing as everyone was accounted for, Luna stood to her hooves, looking to the last two additions to the party. Levi and Petra stood in between Eren and Hanji, setting their bags down beside them as Luna checked to ensure that everyone was present.

“So everyone has come,” Luna said. “And each of you are sure that you have brought all that you need?”

“Yes, ma’am,” each of the soldiers responded.

“Just to make sure you are aware,” Luna said, “there should be no reason for the ponies to be frightened of you. Annie Leonhardt is a respected member of the Royal Guard, and they know of her quite well.”

That’s right, Eren thought as Luna continued talking, Annie’s still up there. I wonder how she’s doing…

“Now, my honored guests,” spoke Luna, “are you ready?”

“Yes, ma’am!” the humans all responded.

“Then I shall send the signal for us to be sent.”

Luna charged her horn, producing a bright white light that made the others shield their eyes. Luna soon stopped, knowing that it was enough.

“You might feel a slight pull…” warned Luna.

The area around Luna and the humans began to grow white, and a whirlwind began to pick up. The others closed their eyes as the light became too bright for them to see. However, the smiles on their faces, minus Levi’s were evident, nervous but eager to reunite with their old friends. With a loud boom, the pillar of light that had formed around Luna and the humans raised into the sky at an alarming rate, and with that, all traces of them and their belongings were gone.

From his office window, Erwin pulled back his drapes and gave a smiling nod, silently wishing his soldiers the best. With nothing left to see, Erwin stepped away from the window and allowed the drapes to conceal his window once again.