I remain locked in position as my inebriated brain tries to comprehend the information; my eyes staring at Luna as she stands before me nervously. My vision gradually blurs as my focus shift slowly to the side, my head zoning out as I find myself at a complete loss for words. She's pregnant? She just said she's pregnant. How the fuck is this possible? It can't be true... It can't be.

"John, don't just stand there," Luna states as she looks at me with worry evident on her face. "Say something. Anything."

My vision returns as I suddenly jolt my head back to focus on Luna. Blinking slowly, I run my hand over my face. "H-how far along are you?"

"Just over two months-"

"-Two months!?" I exclaim as I look at Luna wide-eyed. In my head, I try to backtrack to remember what occurred two months ago in order to try and figure out when this could have happened. After a few moments, I finally recall that we spent the night together two months ago whilst I was a pony. "From when I was a pony?"

"Obviously," Luna states as she rolls her eyes. "I know that you're drunk, but you didn't think that you could get me pregnant while you're in your usual form, did you?"

"Well, obviously not," I retort as I stumble slightly to the side. "But, you used a contraceptive spell. Shouldn't it have worked?"

Luna lowers her gaze slightly as she looks to the side, "The spell was only intended to last a few hours. It would have lasted through the night, but... when we had sex in the morning-"

"-The spell had lost its effect." Luna nods, confirming my suspicions. Stepping towards the window, I lean forward and press my hand against the glass. "But, I thought you had to be in heat?"

I can hear Luna slowly dragging her hoof across the floor, "That's right. But heat doesn't just start in the blink of an eye. Sometimes it can take a few days before one is even aware that they're that the cycle has begun... as it was the case with me." I slowly turn my head to face Luna as she looks at me. "The signs that a pony is in heat can take a few days to develop. I was in heat when we spent the morning together."

"Well, that wraps everything up in a pretty little bow." I state sarcastically as I drag my hands across my face. Sighing out loud, I take a few breaths before slumping back against the wall. "Who else knows?"

"Just two," Luna responds as she moves towards the bed and sits down. "Princess Cadence and my personal physician. I haven't dared to tell my sister about this. There's no telling what her reaction will be. Cadence, as per usual, is supportive and my physician has found it best not to delve too much into how this occurred, but she is sworn to secrecy as a royal physician."

"I'm guessing Cadence was a bit more thrilled with this news. She seems like the kind of pony who'd absolutely adore this kind of thing." As I look to Luna, I can quickly see her lip beginning to quiver and her eyes begin to tear up. Pushing myself away from the wall, I move over to her side and sit on the bed, my arms wrapping lightly around her. "What's wrong?"

Lifting her forehoof, Luna lightly runs it over her eyes as she takes a deep breath, "N-nothing, it's just hormones. I was told to expect mood swings." Trying to clear her throat, Luna begins to cry softly as she rests her head on my shoulder. Trying to comfort her, I begin to idly run my hand through her mane as she presses against me. Inhaling deeply, Luna speaks quietly as her muzzle presses into my shirt, "What are we going to do? Nopony even knows that we're together, now I'll have to explain how I'm pregnant."

Sighing, I hold Luna close as I tilt my head to look down at her. "Luna, we've talked in the past about making our relationship known... now is the time to do it." Luna releases another sob as she pulls her head back from my shoulder to look up at me. "I don't care much for scandals, but if news got out that you were pregnant outside of a relationship... you'll have a big one."

Luna slowly nods her head, "Y-you're right. We need to make our relationship known. We can't delay this any longer. That'll at least buy us a few months."

I cock a brow in confusion, "A few months? What do you mean?"

"I don't know how it works with humans, but pregnancy with ponies lasts eleven months, John. We won't often be visibly pregnant until at least five or six months."

"Yeah... that's longer than humans. So, we've got a few months before it becomes noticeable to everyone, giving us time to get the news out that we're together." Sighing, I pull my hand back and rest it on Luna's forehoof. "How are we going to make it public."

Luna sniffles softly as she wipes her eyes clear, "Let me worry about that. You've still got important preparations to make."

The two of us sit in silence, my fingers idly running back and forth over Luna's forehoof. "Luna?"

"Yeah?" She responds as her eyes once again drift to mine.

"Are we... ready to be parents?"

Luna releases a single chuckle as she shakes her head, "I should hope that after being over two-thousand years old that I'd be ready to have a foal. If I'm not ready now, then I doubt I'll ever be ready." Luna lifts her hoof and rests it on my thigh, "What about you? Are you ready?"

I keep my eyes locked on Luna for a few seconds until I finally lower my gaze, "I-I don't know, Luna. I always imagined that I'd be a little older before having a kid, possibly even settled down in a position where I'm not likely to be deployed or face serious danger." Noticing Luna's expression dropping, I raise my hand and rest my palm on her cheek. "But we're in this together. I'll do everything I can to be a good father to our child. We can do this, Luna."

"It won't be easy," Luna states as she smiles softly at my reassurance. "But, I'm already expected to run a country and you're an officer in the army. We already handle difficult and stressful roles. Surely we can handle this," Luna lowers her head as she looks towards her belly, "Right?"

"I honestly have no experience with kids, Luna. I was a godfather, but I was only asked to be one before deploying on my last tour." Lifting my hand, I lightly brush it against Luna's cheek as I softly press my lips against hers. The two of us remain locked in position with a passionate kiss, my fingers running over her cheek as it begins to drag along the side of her neck. "I love you, Luna. I have never felt this comfortable with anyone else. We'll be able to raise this child, together."

Luna's smile only grows larger as she returns the gesture, nuzzling her nose gently against my neck. "I love you too, John."

I continue to caress Luna's cheek as I hold her close to me. "I'm not gonna lie, but I am really scared of being a father. Despite that, there is nobody else I'd rather start a family with." Luna tilts her head upwards, her eyes watching me as I speak. "We have something... which I've never felt with anyone else. I feel like I can be my true self around you, that you're not going to judge me based on the mistakes I've made."

"We've all made mistakes," Luna replies as she slowly closes her eyes. "Despite my past sins, you've ignored it all and have seen me as my true self. Most ponies still feel as though I am the being from the past, that I'll never change. I don't care what any of them think, not anymore; all that matters is you." Luna gives a nervous chuckle as she begins to run her head against my chest. "They're going to learn about us whether they like it or not... and I don't care if they disapprove. So long as I've got you, that's all that matters."

Butterflies begin to run through my gut as I watch Luna, the previous statement running through my head. I find myself feeling more comfortable with Luna than I have anyone else, an overwhelming sense of joy yet nervousness at the prospect of being a father. As Luna begins to drift off into a peaceful slumber, I keep a hold of her as I slowly lean back against the bed.

I spend hours lying in position as Luna uses me as a pillow, my mind preventing me from sleeping as I think about what will happen in the future. Luna and I will be having a child together, the creation of a family. I don't see myself being with anyone other than her. Could it be that perhaps... she's the one? The individual whom I will spend the rest of my life with? We're already starting a family together by having this child. Things will work out with us, and I will stick with her through the worse that this world can throw at us.

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Monday 23rd June 2014

06:46

Camp Birmingham, Mess Hall

Slumping forward over the table, I idly push my food back and forth with my fork. I haven't slept well over the last two nights. Every time I started to drift off I'd find my mind running back to the news Luna delivered to me. Despite reassuring Luna that we would be able to handle having a child, I was, in reality, shitting myself at the thought of being a dad. Despite being scared at the prospect of being a dad, I was also thrilled that I was going to be able to start my own family and potentially settle down.

I keep thinking that this must be some sort of dream, some figment of my imagination. Yet reality keeps slapping me in the face, making me realise that I will soon have a level of responsibility I've never experienced before. The news that Luna and I are in a relationship will paint a giant target on my back, the news that I've gotten her pregnant will be the final straw for many nobles.

Luna decided that she'd make our relationship known at the Gala, leaving herself to deal with any fallout while I was away on deployment, as she put it. That would also leave her to deal with handling the news of her pregnancy while I'm away. She said that she'd be able to handle the issue, despite myself trying to insist that I help her or at least be with her when news finally gets out.

"What's eating you?" Lifting my head, I return to our world as I find Sunny beginning to sit across the table from me. "You look like you've hardly slept," Sunny states as my hearing begins to pick up the idle chatter of NCO's. "Night terrors?"

Dropping my fork, I reach forward for my mug of coffee. "You could say that. I've... been given some news."

This seems to catch her interest as Sunny's ears perk up. "News? What news?"

"Well," Looking around to make sure that nobody else is listening, I lean closer to Sunny. "Luna and I plan on making our relationship public."

A supporting smile quickly spreads over Sunny's muzzle, "Oh, that's great news. At least then you won't have to sneak around. You shouldn't have to worry what others think, so long as the both of you are happy together, that's the important thing."

"Yeah... yeah," I respond with a lack of enthusiasm as I drain my coffee.

Sunny cocks her head, "You don't sound too happy. What's wrong."

Sighing, I drag my hand over my mouth, obstructing my voice as I speak. "Don't tell anyone this... but Luna is... pregnant."

Sunny stares blankly at me, "I'm sorry. It sounded like you said that Princess Luna is pregnant." My eyes slowly lift to meet Sunny's, her widening in shock as she sees my head slowly nod. "WHAT!" Sunny yells, causing me to lunge forward and clasping my hand over her mouth to silence her. The rest of the room has fallen silent as every NCO looks in our direction before slowly peeling their focus away as Sunny and I stare at them in response.

"What did I just say?" I growl at Sunny through clamped teeth. Releasing a heavy sigh, I pull my hand away as I slump back in my seat.

Sunny remains frozen in position, a state of shock showing on her face. "How is it even possible?"

"I may have had sex with her while I was a pony."

"While she was in heat?" Sunny hisses as she tries to stay quiet. I give a slow nod in response as I push my food away. "And you didn't think to use a condom?" Rolling her head to the side, she lets out a disapproving sigh that you'd expect to hear from your mother when you do something incredibly stupid. "You’re a bucking idiot."

"Thanks, mom." Adjusting my breastplate, I start to stand up. "It wasn't planned, okay. But now she and I have got to do all we can."

Getting out of her seat, Sunny walks off ahead towards the exit of the mess hall as the other NCO's begin to leave the remnants of their breakfast to move outside. "Then you've got a lot to think about. It's a lot of responsibility to be a father."

"Yeah, I figured." Stopping by the doors, I wait for the rest of the NCO's to leave. Turning my head to the side, I begin to examine myself and the new uniform which was designed for my specialist Platoon. Our old black uniform has been replaced with a new camouflage scheme, styled similarly to the MTP I first arrived in. Two large pockets rest on the outside of my legs with a new pair of light brown boots covering my feet.

The same uniform has been designed for everyone who will join my Platoon, with specialised boots designed to cover and protect their hind hooves, along with the prototype adaptive armour plate. The rest of the Equestrian Army are being issued olive drab uniforms, various other uniforms in tan and white have also been created and left in storage in order to be issued for desert and arctic conditions. When we go to the badland, every soldier other than my Platoon will be issued tan uniforms for the environment. Since we are to act as special forces, it only makes sense for us to have a unique uniform in order to be identified by other soldiers.

With everyone out of the mess hall, I follow the crowd of NCO's as they make their way to the bases main parade square. They begin to spread out on the outskirts of all the new transfers into the unit, a group of around seven-hundred soldiers, they will be deployed alongside the existing Company in order to allow two Battalions of five-hundred soldiers to be deployed.

Making my way to the front of the crowd, I begin to ascend a set of stairs which lead onto a temporary stage where Swift and other senior officers are waiting. Stepping alongside the Brigadier, one of the Colonel's brings the entire parade to attention. With the unison of hooves stamping into the ground, Swift steps towards a podium as my eyes drift to the side, spotting my team as they stand on the sidelines in their newly distinctive combat uniform.

"You are all here for a singular purpose, to serve in the newly re-formed Equestrian Army," Swift says aloud into the podium microphone that stands before him. "The Army was disbanded following Princess Luna's banishment, and with her return, she has seen the need to reform this body of the military. You are all veterans of the Guard, but everything you will learn with us shall be completely different than the duties which were expected of you in the past."

"You are no longer public servants, working to uphold the laws of the land and helping every citizen which comes to you with a problem. You are soldiers. You will follow orders, serve on the frontlines of combat and lay your life to defend those who stand alongside you. We are the first Regiment to be formed, making us the first soldiers to be deployed. You have already been assigned to your Companies and Battalions. You will all be instructed by Ranger veterans to get you to the standard that we require."

Pausing briefly, he gestures for me to step alongside him at the podium. "We are trained based upon the regime Captain John Davies has developed, and it has already shown its effectiveness during the attack here, in Ponyville, and tracking down the Children of the Motherland. Those of you who are assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion, Alpha Company, will be working alongside the independent Platoon, now known as the Special Operation Group. They are the elite of the Rangers, yet require more soldiers to join their group."

Turning his head to me, Swift gives a nod giving me the podium as he steps to the side. "Those of you who join my Platoon will receive more advanced training than the rest. We are the best of the best, and I expect you all to pull your weight. Joining this unit will put you in specialised operations, putting us in the heart of battles. I have already selected those of you who have peeked my interest, who I think will have the potential of being special forces."

Reaching into my pocket, I draw out a list of numerous names. Each pony from the list was selected based on specialist training, service record and military decorations, in order to ensure I had an effective team which I could count on for support. "When I call out your name, fall out and head straight to the SOG accommodations. You will find your kit waiting for you on your allocated beds. You'll have five minutes to change uniforms and make sure your sleeping area is squared away."

"Sergeant Deka." Upon calling out her name, I can see the figure of one pony coming to attention before marching to the side and making their way towards the accommodation block. "Corporal Aurora. Corporal Aerial Ace. Lance Corporal Harts Fire. Lance Corporal Sonar Vigilance. Private Amethyst Spark. Private Bronze Lorgnette. Private Gaea Shield. Private Night Striker. Private Shadow Diver. Private Sunstreaker. Private Vladislav. Private Von Wahrenhoof."

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Entering the single-storey accommodation block, I hear Chaser calling all the new members of the team to attention. As they stamp their hooves down, I slowly walk through the main double doors and into the main sleeping quarters the unit will use while we are on the base. Everyone is given their own space, complete with a fairly uncomfortable looking single bed, steel foot locker and a large gun-metal grey steel locker for storing equipment.

"Listen up! I'm only going to give you all this information once. I am not going to repeat myself. If any of you make me repeat myself or waste a single second of my valuable time, you're going to have the shittest experience of your lives." I begin to slowly pace down the room as I flick my head from side to side, examining the new soldiers. "With all of you new soldiers arriving, I've had to make a few changes to the existing unit structure."

Spinning on the spot, I look back to my original team who are all positioned near the main door. "Chaser, Brigadier Swift has kept Captain Hussar within Alpha Company, so I need a new second in command. As per the Brigadier's orders, you are now Staff Sergeant and will remain in charge of Bravo Section."

"Yes, sir!" Chaser responds out loud as he gives a crisp nod of his head.

Stepping up to Deka, I lower my gaze as her expression remains locked forward. "That means I'll be needing a new Sergeant, one who will command Charlie Section. Think you're up to the task?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" Deka responds almost instantly.

Stepping towards the centre of the room, I begin to look over everybody as they remain at attention. "This is a small unit, consisting of three Sections. Bravo Section will consist of only flying units, making them our fast attack and aerial support in operations. Alpha and Charlie will have a mixture with to purpose of primarily acting as foot soldiers, attacking the enemy head on and engaging in specialist roles."

I look back to my original team. "Alpha Section is under my direct command at all times. Those under my command are Aerial Ace as my 2IC, Bronze Lorgnette, Colbalt, Crimson, Silver, Slicer, Starry and Sunny." With new recruits and old veterans mixing together, I had to shuffle the existing squads in order to get those with specialist training split between the Sections.

"Bravo Section is Under the command of Chaser. Night Star is 2IC. The rest of the Section are Gaea Shield, Georg, Harts Fire, Janine, Shadow Diver, and Sure Strike." I pivot on the spot to look at Deka, "That leaves you in charge of Charlie Section. Aurora will be your 2IC. Those under your command are Amethyst Spark, Matrix, Night Striker, Sonar Vigilance, Sunstreaker, Vladislav and Von Wahrenhoof."

With everyone assigned to their Sections, I begin to move across the new recruits. The first is Aerial Ace. She is a grey Pegasus mare with a short and wavy copper coloured mane, one section of her mane rests in front of her left ear and hangs along the side of her face, nearly covering her golden eye. A small patch rests on the collar of her combat shirt, allowing anyone to identify the wearer's cutie mark for identification purposes. Her mark consisting of a red bullseye.

Advancing along the line, I begin to scrutinise the next candidate. Amethyst Spark is a light pink Unicorn mare with a flowing mane of navy blue and violet purple, a set of emerald green eyes staring directly ahead of her. Her cutie mark seems to be that of an amethyst gem with beams of light reflecting from the stone. Moving past her, I quickly look over Aurora, remembering her medical skills when she had to treat the burn on my shoulder after my little skirmish with Starlight.

Continuing along the conveyor belt is the next mare in question Bronze Lorgnette. The Pegasus seems to have a coat with a mixture of cream and sand, giving it an impression of pale brown. As I look over her, I notice her tan eyes occasionally flicking up at me nervously as I carry out my inspection. It takes me to realise that her cutie mark is a set of viewing glasses you'd expect to find a posh snob using at the opera, a bronze lorgnette, matching her name.

Moving straight past Deka, I'm forced to raise my vision slightly as I come across the large frame of grey Pegasus. The Stallion, Gaea Shield, has a long and pale mane resting on his head which I'd expect to see on a female rather than a male. His uniform seems to cling tightly to his large frame, highlighting the cutie mark stitching on the collar. His mark is that of a white shield, a red-eye resting on the centre with a hammer positioned behind the shield. It also has the addition of a set of bug-like wings, a few holes marking the surface of the out of place marking.

Once again, I come across another male Pegasus as I stop in front of Harts Fire. His frame makes him taller than most, yet not as physically strong as many of the other stallions that I've encountered. His coat is a navy blue with a cropped black mane with blue highlights running through it. His cutie mark is that of a red heart which is partially engulfed in flames. His wings seem to involuntarily twitch as I begin to step away from him.

Breaking away from the theme of Pegasi, I approach a dark blue Unicorn. Night Striker has a brown tail and mane with eyes which contain a mixture of green and brown. His physique seems to be fairly average, likely giving him a mixture of strength and agility on the battlefield. His cutie mark consists of steel shield which is intersected with two broadswords.

Moving on, I come across the units new medic and former Wonderbolt Reserve, Shadow Diver. His coat is an incredibly dark grey, giving it the impression of being black. His pale blue eyes act as a total opposite of his dark coat, a midnight blue mane hangs low over the front of his face, partially obstructing the top of his field of vision. Having worked as a Wonderbolt Reserve and hospital nurse, he will likely prove useful as a frontline combat medic.

I finally come to the new Thestral of the unit, Sonar Vigilance. His leathery bat wings have a mild shade of blue and purple, standing out against his light grey coat. His yellow eyes stare directly ahead, like Arcturus staring down his prey before getting his dinner. His tall yet athletic build give off the impression of him being a strong flier. As I begin to walk away, my eyes drift over the cutie mark emblem, seeing three silver crescents pointed towards his ears.

Coming across another Unicorn stallion, Sunstreaker, my eyes first drift to the representation of his cutie mark, a bow-shaped similar to that of a heart with an arrow resting on it. Does that make him cupid or something? His Silver eyes briefly flick to mine before quickly returning to his front. His bright golden coat stands out significantly with the long rose red mane that rests on the top of his head.

Stopping in front of Vladislav, I can't help but picture a Russian human as his name runs through my mind. The tan coloured Pegasus has a bland appearance compared to the rest, a basic black mane rests on his head with a standard set of brown eyes scanning the area directly in front of him. A cutie mark representation of a cloud with rain droplets falling rests on his uniform.

Last but not least I come across Von Wahrenhoof, the pony that sounds like a German aristocrat. The bronze coloured pony has a ruffled mane of gun-metal grey, a set of x-crossed naval cannons acting as his cutie mark. He had previously served as a naval gunner and engineer before transferring, apparently, he was also quite gifted when it came to tinkering with weaponry to make it more effective.

Having looked over all of the new recruits, I idly pace toward the doorway. "You all will be living through hell for the next two weeks. You will face gruelling physical exercies, be strained psychologically, and tested to your very limit. Most of this training will be new to you, something that none of you will have experienced before, that will give you the edge in combat. We will be prepared for every physical scenario to defeat any threat we face. None of you are failing this training. If you fail these tests, you will get no second chance, you'll be straight out of those gates on your asses."

Turning my body to the side, I step away from the door to clear the exit. "Now, get your kit on! Full armour and weapons! The first task is a twenty-mile tab through the Everfree forest! Move!" As I bark the order, everyone frantically digs through their lockers and retrieves their own personal breastplates and leg protectors. Rapidly fitting the armour, they all finally slap on their helmets and rush out of the door. Once the last one is out, I step through the doorway and seal the gap behind me.

Two weeks of babysitting all of these recruits... then, I'll be changing from caring for adults and moving onto a baby of my own.

Author's Notes:

Thanks to everyone who submitted their OC's for the story.
This Chapter dragged on a bit as it introduced the new characters who will appear through the story. The training has already been covered in previous chapters so there is no sense in repeating it again.

Thanks for reading.