Shadow had gotten close to home on the third day, but called it off to stay safe. He would make it three and a half days. He had checked the stars the night before and pinned down where his farm would be.

He had set a quick pace, but was not pushing it yet. It would be nicer to cruise in. He was flying low compared to the other days and scanning the ground. He saw the familiar red coat and white mane of Dream catcher and banked to intersect.

She was in a parsnip field that was not in their immediate community and looked to be helping somepony. Shadow cruised in. It was frowned upon to land in a field as you couldn’t always tell where the crop was and risked harming it. Shadow picked up where it would be safe and lightly touched down near them.

“Dream!” Shadow called.

She whipped her head around in shock.

“SHADOW!” She exclaimed. “Kind of busy. I was back out to check in on White Oats, and found him in the field, hurt, again.”

Shadow chuckled.

“Rear leg swelling,” Shadow said looking at White Oats. “Bind it off and ice. Half on, half off for the rest of the day and stay off it for the next week.”

“When did you learn this?” She asked shocked.

“Basic Training taught us some first aid. And I may have had to personally use it a few times.” Shadow was laughing by the end. Dream Catcher just shook her head.

“To important matters,” She addressed White Oats. “Getting you back in the house and staying off that leg this time.”

She was firm, but kind.

“Let me help,” Shadow said. “I can carry him back easily. I still can’t pull, but I can carry and I can’t be moved.”

They got him up onto Shadow’s back and it was an easy flight back. Shadow left Dream Catcher to finish up and he continued on. It was no more than an hour when he cruised in to the front of his house. He wasn’t sure if they had seen him when he flew overhead, even as low as he was.

Shadow took a minute to shake out of the long flight before heading to the house. His dad was not joking when it came to Dream Catcher's healing garden. She needed to prune it back a bit and tidy up.

Shadow never got to knock as the door was opened in front of him. It was Lance who immediately brought Shadow in for a bone crunching hug.

“What? How?” Lance asked releasing Shadow.

“Leave,” Shadow smiled. “I only get a few days here because of travel time, but I got leave since my training is done. Finally done.”

Rain Jubilee danced around Lance and embraced Shadow. She kissed him on the cheek.

“It is so good to see you,” She panted.

“I already saw Dream on the way in. She knows,” Shadow said before he forgot. “It is really good to get back home for a few days.”

“I should go invite Black,” Lance said. “Get everypony here for dinner. You have time dear, right?”

Rain Jubilee playfully pushed Lance. “I can whip something up. Don’t forget Spice. I wish we could get Blossom and Cherry Tart.”

“For dinner tonight?” Shadow asked to clarify.

“Yes. Why?” Rain asked.

“Because I can get there in less than an hour,” Shadow said. “Leaving them plenty of time to get here before dinner.”

“Then go!” Lance said shoeing Shadow off the porch. “I will get the others.”

Shadow dashed to the center of the street and launched straight up, opened his wings and dipped to start the flight and was off. He knew he heard his parents making some comments. It didn’t take Shadow an hour to get to there. He did a fly over to find where they were in the orchard.

Shadow dropped straight down surprising them.

“SHADOW!” They exclaimed and stormed him.

“First off,” Shadow said quieting them. “Dinner back at the farm. It didn’t even take me an hour to fly here.”

“Right,” Cherry Tart said as they both rushed back to the house to grab what they needed, leaving him standing there alone.

Shadow shrugged and took off, lazily skimming the road on his quick flight back. He had to put the breaks on as somepony was near the road and Shadow didn’t want an unexpected collision. They never would have seen him coming.

“Hey there stranger,” Maple Tree called. “No, I know your face and mane! Shadow Flare!”

“Hello Maple Tree Sir,” Shadow said landing and trotting over to shake his hoof.

“Look at you,” He said taking another look. “I know you haven’t grown, but you look taller.”

“Thank you Sir,” Shadow smiled.

“You are no longer a colt, call me Maple Tree. Drop the Sir,” He smiled.

“Alright Maple Tree. Thank you.”

“Is this some new uniform?” Maple Tree asked.

“No, it is a flight suit,” Shadow explained. “It is worn for high speed flying or under certain armor rather than a regular uniform. You are used to the dress uniforms you see at the tax days. I have my own dress uniforms, they just are not the best to zip across the sky in. I only have flight suits because of my job. I fly well and am in a unit that focuses on aerial combat.”

“Wow,” Was all Maple Tree could say.

“And you were ranked fourth in your class?” He asked when he recovered.

“Yes, I was,” Shadow smiled. “Just went in, did my best. I work the hardest I could like I was taught. I am going places. I will be back when I end my service. I still have a bit over four years, if I do not add more time.”

“Wonderful,” Maple Tree laughed. “But I should let you go. I am guessing you were making a quick stop at your sister's?”

“Yep,” Shadow nodded. “I can make it fast enough that they could make it for a family dinner. We never had a reason to test speed here. That is one thing I do not miss. Most tests were pointless. But getting to let loose… I have been told I might be able to make it as a Wonderbolt. Speed is the question. I am at that mark where it could go either way.”

“Are you going to try?”

“Maybe?” Shadow replied. “Its a tough one. It depends on how I like where I am. If I do, I will stay. I am on the top when it comes to soldiers. I have some good things I could do and unique opportunities.”

“Get going,” Maple Tree waved Shadow on.

Shadow launched straight up for fun and sped off.

When he got home, he unloaded his things in his room. Spice’s room had been converted to the nursery. She was close enough that they would almost never need to spend the night. Shadow changed out of the flight suit and tossed it aside. He tossed the others into that pile so that all the ones he had worn flying here would get washed.

He put on his dress uniform, slipped the heritage book into it like he always did, and came out of the room. He stayed on the balcony, looking over as they turned the living room into a large dinning hall. Black was already there with the whole family, and they had some dishes. Spice Cake came in, followed by Rift and his family with even more.

If he headed down right now, he would just end up in the way, so he watched. It was good to be home. Early Blossom and Cherry Tart had to wait by the door. Dream Catcher got stuck in the now empty dinning room. She just took off her saddlebags there and slid them against the wall, out of the way. They even used the couch for seating.

As soon as the table system was set up they noticed Shadow watching.

“You look so handsome!” Rain Jubilee exclaimed. “Come down so we can see the uniform better.”

Shadow smiled and walked down.

“The Enclave has its rules on clothing,” Shadow explained. “I am so used to them it feels wrong without them. It is nothing special.”

“But you are my Son, so it is,” She smiled.

“A lot of new things on it,” Early Blossom added. “Tell us what they mean!”

Shadow sighed and rolled his eyes. “No.”

“Why not?” Dream Catcher asked. “It’s just us. You do not have to worry about pride.”

Shadow took a few deep breaths. “They mean little. And I chewed out that Lieutenant about his, badly.”

“Ah,” Black exclaimed. “You have your Father's tempter. Being quick to temper is bad. To be slow to anger and then come down hard is tough, but has its respect, so long as ponies know it happens very rarely.”

“Systematically destroying him?” Shadow asked ashamed.

Black just silently nodded.

“It isn’t fun,” Lance added. “I know you were there for that meeting. I know you have not seen me actually angry since then. To defend others is important. It was a personal, and more important, a just reason to come down hard on him.”

Shadow gave a sad chuckles. “I felt bad for him being so stupid, after.”

“Good,” Lance nodded. “You didn’t lose yourself through it all.”

“How did that go?” Shadow asked shifting topics. “You got there fast.”

“A major boost from the wind,” Black answered. “A good thing since they had completely lost a row when we got there.”

Shadow just shook his head at the pain of hearing another farm taking a blow like that. He had forgotten it was Cardinal Spitfires family’s farm.

“Your row was well secured,” Black stated. “You learned well from Cherry Tart. You learned well from working the fields.”

Shadow smiled. “Thanks.”

“The work was hard,” Lance began. “Fire learned a lot and was leading the work by the end. We actually were removing the downed row when they came. We had not even started the real work. It left a long trench connecting all of the downed tree’s whole for better planting, but it was not irrigation. The whole community was there. We were able to do the apple orchard and then an oat farm.”

“They worked long and hard to save their farms. But it was more than worth it. They rediscovered community, duty, and do not fear doing there job anymore. Judge Gavel wrote up a whole document for them about farming, what that entailed for digging and such.”

“They are a wonderful family,” Rain Jubilee added. “We had to split sleeping arrangements, but they were amazing. They all were. I got them started on personal herb gardens. They didn’t think to do them. It is always nice to have your own and they take up no space.”

“That was one thing I discovered different early on,” Shadow added. “No herb and spice gardens. I am glad those got started.”

“Uniform,” Early Blossom said annoyed.

Shadow looked at his ribbon bar.

“Under protest,” Shadow sighed before beginning. “They are organized from least prestigious to most. I just got them handed to me with little ceremony. This is heavy weapons training. Few go to that training school. Few need a minigun strapped to their side.”

They had no idea what a minigun was so Shadow gave them a quick run down.

“This is for completing basic,” Shadow continued. “It is a participation award meaning I am defending the Pegasus Race. The center strip is the reason why it is more important than the heavy weapons training. It means that I was in the top barrack. Without the stripe, there is no lower prestige ribbon.”

“The most prestigious I have is this one, which means in Basic, I ranked in the top ten. I have a ribbon device, the 4, on it meaning I placed 4^th in my class. First through Fifth have their number, the others are just the ribbon. That is it. I have only been in about a year. No time to do anything for awards.”

“What about above the ribbons?” Cherry Tart coaxed. “I know that was not on your uniform when you graduated.”

“Ah, yes. The training device, typically in a gold color. Different schools that you do after Basic have their own. You can wear that school’s device no matter what unit you are in, but there are some that are more prestigious than others. Medical is a cross, infantry is crossed rifles, mechanic a crossed wrench and hammer, Cloudships are a ship’s wheel, and I forget what the engineers are.”

“And yours?” Cherry Tart pressed.

“The others are all equal. The two left are highly prestigious. The Wonderbolt’s and their winged bolt is achievable by the very, very few and then these are the Silver Wings. It means I have passed Aerial Combat School. Few can make that. You have to be not just a top notch flier, but one of the best. And they have limited openings. Reconnaissance or Scout does not have a school, but often they had their Silver Wings.”

“That is it for the uniform,” Shadow said finalizing it. “Can we eat now?”

There was no straight answer as Rain Jubilee began to organize the final things and they all took a seat. Shadow was in the center, Dream Catcher on one side, Early Blossom on the other. The conversations had no theme, but they often would be drawn to ask Shadow something about training or the Enclave.

With dinner over and a relaxed lull came over the table, Shadow spoke up.

“Dad, Black. One my way in, I found out that the eastern side of our district is getting ice moving up into their fields. Took a chunk out of an irrigation plow.”

“Ice?” Black asked looking at Lance.

“It was a big chunk out of the tip,” Shadow stated. “Removed it and left the sides to slice the clouds since it was irreparable.”

“I will go into town,” Black said to Lance, cutting Shadow out of the conversation. They both were very concerned.

“What is it?” Shadow asked leaning forward.

Lance sighed before answering. “Before you were born, while your mom was carrying you, Black and I took an emergency trip south to help with a disease wiping out carrot crops. Whole farms left without. The culprit, ice that had come up from the clouds.”

Black took over, impatient with concern. “It wasn’t just crops. Ponies got sick and quite a few died. I do not know the numbers, but I know it happened.”

“I’ll go,” Shadow said taking charge. “I need to hit the bank and if they are having the same problem, then the Enclave needs to know. I hate it, but they are the ones who can figure it out and stop it. They have science teams for a reason. Sky Breaker can make sure they do not push the farms too hard, or are overbearing. A mediator.”

Lance and Black looked at each other for a while. Everypony was waiting for one of them to respond.

“Do it,” Black finally said.

“I can make it to there on my way back, briefly, and make sure it is going right,” Shadow added. “I am a Command Sergeant Major, the one over Reconnaissance. I can put Colonels in their place. Can and having the confidence to are two very different things.”

“If it is bad, they may need to leave their farms,” Lance said stoically to hide the fear and pain. “Better than death.”

A farmer out here abandoning their farm because they could not take care of it was their greatest fear and embarrassment, meaning shame for life. Many would risk their lives rather than leave. The Enclave would be forced to evacuate them against their will.

“Shadow, do you have an idea?” Rain Jubilee asked.

“Well,” Shadow began, trying to not divulge sensitive information. “We do not know what is going on below weather wise. It could be a new development. Since it happened before, they probably are linked in some way. And those carrot farms are way too south to be facing something off the mountains.”

“That is part of what they need the Scout and Recon teams to do. Scoping out places that need further study. I assume they will send down science teams, as soon as a safe expedition can be launched. We have our plan, but we only know the upcoming mission. When I get back from leave, the preparation for that mission begins.”

“So all of that, it is speculation based on logic,” Shadow finished. “I just know how to add things up and put together an assumption.”

“If it comes to it, leave it to our generation,” Buck declared. “You have had enough flying off to distant farms.”

Black sighed. “I hate getting old, but it is your time.”

“Slowing down and getting old are two different things,” Buck replied. “You know that. Both of you do. Just wait until your grandfoals come, they will zap your energy and make sure you enjoy the passing of time.”

“I hate it when he is right,” Lance told Black.

They all chuckled and conversations continued as normal while dessert was served. Shadow brought out his Basic Training picture book and showed them plenty of pictures. The night ended soon after since whole families had to head back.

Early Blossom and Cherry Tart were spending the night. Early Blossom's room was still set up with her filly bed. They would be leaving right after breakfast.

Shadow spent a while looking out of his window. There were only a few clouds in the sky, giving him a good view of the stars. They were quiet, not speaking to him. At least rest found him easily enough.

Shadow was the last one up. He put his uniform on and headed to the kitchen Everypony was still in there, including Early Blossom and Cherry Tart. Rain Jubilee had her special apron on and the towel was prominently displayed on the wall.

“There you are,” Rain Jubilee said. She quickly had a plate in front of Shadow. “We didn’t get time to speak about your stay overall and your plans.”

“I have a long flight back,” Shadow started. “Being so far out here, it was tricky to get the time. I can spend four more days in the area. I was thinking two more here, and then the last two with Early Blossom and Cherry Tart. I would stop back here in the morning before I left.”

“That sounds good,” Lance affirmed.

“I am going to head into town now,” Shadow said as he finished.

“That was fast,” Cherry Tart said looking at his clean plate.

“We didn’t have the luxury of eating like normal,” Shadow shrugged. “Besides, the sooner I leave, the sooner I get back. Need anything in town?”

“We are all set,” Lance replied. “But thanks.”

Shadow took off and was in El Nino in no time. It was still too early for Sky Breaker to have his office open, but it didn’t matter since the door had a note that he was in Cherry Town. It sent him to Crepuscule family's restaurant.

They were not even close to being open yet, but Shadow could see they were inside. He knocked on the door. He knocked again and that was when they heard him.

“Can I help your Sir?” He asked. “I assume you are looking for Sergeant Sky Breaker.”

“Yes Sir,” Shadow said. “His door directed me here. I am aware you are not open yet, but I have urgent business.”

“Shadow?” Crepuscule said coming to the door.

“Crepuscule,” Shadow nodded. “It is so good to see you.”

“Come on it,” She said getting him inside. “You look amazing in that uniform. Is that more stripes than Sergeant?”

Shadow rolled his eyes. “Long, annoying, and classified sh…”

Shadow blushed at almost saying ‘shit.’ The stigma against language was huge.

“You don’t need to finish that,” Crepuscule giggled. “Sky makes that mistake at times. Follow me upstairs to a private phone and out of the way of the prep work.”

“Thank you,” Shadow replied. “That would be a big help.”

“You were not sent here for Sky,” She commented.

“No, I am on leave,” Shadow admitted. “But a matter has been brought to my attention on the eastern side that he needs to be made aware of.”

“I will let you talk and be downstairs,” She said leaving.

Shadow dialed and Sky picked up right away.

“This is Sergeant Sky Breaker. How may I help you?”

“Sky, its Shadow.”

“I do not like that tone, trouble?”

“Yeah. I am on leave, home. At Crepuscule’s making this call. I heard about problems on the eastern boarder. Ice coming up from the clouds. Black and Lance, they saw it once before. Shortly before I was born. It wiped out whole farm crops, made plenty sick and the caused deaths.”

“We need to warn them and you need to call backup,” Shadow continued. “I know its the farms. Our homes. Communities. They have science teams they can deploy. If it is happening again…”

“Where are you deployed?” Sky asked.

“Recon team,” Shadow said. “Why?”

“You have better connections, don’t you?” Sky asked.

“Maybe?” Shadow replied. “Why?”

“I am just a sergeant and a recruiter. That is why.”

“All my contacts are… unreachable? I guess Colonel Nova.”

“What about your superiors?”

“You said connections,” Shadow stated. “I guess he probably will have.”

“Forget your rank, you might be just out of training, you made 4^th in your training and top barracks. Low rank or not, you had to have made waves with that alone, along with getting a recon slot.”

“Yeah, about that rank,” Shadow hesitated. “My Major went a little over the top. As in Command Sergeant Major of Reconnaissance over the top.”

“That is over the top,” Sky replied shocked.

Shadow moved on to business. “What matters is making sure that the Enclave doesn’t overpower the farmers, yet makes sure this disaster is averted. We are the ones who have to figure that out.”

“Easy,” Sky Breaker responded. “I will head there, you get me backup and let them know I am in charge for cultural reasons.”

“I need a private line,” Shadow stated. “I can’t call from here.”

“Crepuscule has a spare key to my office,” Sky said.

“Thank you,” Shadow replied. “Backup will come.”

“If I hear nothing in ten days, I will come back to Cherry Town.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Shadow replied.

Shadow hung up and headed downstairs. He got the key and trotted back to the officer. Shadow locked the door behind him and then dialed the phone.

“Hello?”

“Major Win…”

“HOW DID YOU GET THIS NUMBER!”

“It was easy to memorize,” Shadow replied calmly.

“Why are you calling on an unsecured line?”

“Relax,” Shadow replied. “I am in a recruiting office. The local recruiter has to cover two towns, so it is just me in the office. Behind a locked a door. This is secure.”

“Why are you calling?” Major Winters Breath asked annoyed.

“We have a situation in the district,” Shadow hesitated. “And the Enclave is needed, but can’t mess anything up with the community.”

“Speed it up,” He said getting impatient.

Shadow gave him a quick run down. The Major gave Shadow a number to call, but didn’t tell him who it was for. Shadow dialed it and nervously waited as it rang several times.

It finally was answered. “General Celsius here.”

“Hello, this is Command Sergeant Major of Reconnaissance Shadow Flare.”

“Ah, yes. I heard about you. What can I do for you Command Sergeant Major?”

“That is a head scratcher. You know me, and Major Winters Breath told me to call you with the predicament, but I do not know who you are or what you do General.”

The General chuckled. “I am General over the science division in the Enclave. You have one of my top scientists with you, Sergeant Major Nor’easter. He also is my nephew.”

“His shooting needs work,” Shadow chuckled without thinking.

The General laughed with Shadow. “Besides him needing to go back to Basic for shooting, what is your issue?”

Shadow caught him up.

“I can not stress how much this operation can not disrupt their lives. You could easily kill the relationship, with the whole district. Or make it.”

“General Red River spoke on his research and you,” General Celsius stated. “I thought he was exaggerating about your fragile relationship with the Enclave.”

“It isn’t fragile,” Shadow shot back. “Loyal, dutiful citizens...”

“Yes,” He cut Shadow off. “Forgive me. Can you handle two science squads and two light trooper units?”

“I… have… to be back to deploy in nine days. Like deploy deploy. But! Sergeant Sky Breaker, he is from my community and is the district’s recruiter. He just departed from Cherry Town to the area to begin working in the community as a mediator. He can handle them more than fine and those numbers sound good. Any more, and they will crowd the community.”

“That will work,” The General said. “If he is even a quarter of what I have heard about you, then he is certainly capable.”

“I will be able to swing by in six to eight days,” Shadow added. “At least for a bit.”

“I shall deploy troops immediately, but quietly,” General Celsius.

“Thank you Sir,” Shadow replied. “I know we can figure this out and keep ponies safe, happy and continuing to produce as much food as possible. Enjoying doing their duty. Even if that means the forced evacuation.”

“I didn’t expect to hear forced evacuations from you,” He said shocked.

“Well, if things are handled right to start, it will go well enough if things turned out that bad. They won’t have to be forced forced.”

“Very true words Command Sergeant Major.”

“Thank you Sir. Sergeant Sky Breaker will be unavailable until you get a team to him. Or a runner. Is there anything you have questions about or further business?”

“Go back to your leave Sir. Enjoy it before you deploy. Thank you for keeping your duty above leave.”

They hung up, Shadow left the spare key with Crepuscule, stopped at the bank and then headed back home. Shadow saw Black in the fields so he dipped down and gave a quick report. He found it most agreeable. So did Lance when Shadow got home and found him still in the kitchen with Rain Jubilee.

“Shadow, I hope you do not mind, but Maple Tree came by and asked if we could have a community meeting tomorrow night with you.”

“Of course,” Shadow smiled. “That sounds like a great idea. I know my letter was difficult to taken in with my simple writing skills.”

Lance had a fun smile on his face, like he used to have when setting up the obstacle courses. “He expressed interest in seeing some of your flying skills.”

“I can easily do a fun demonstration,” Shadow said grinning back.

Shadow took a sip of water. “Where did Dream end up going?”

“I forget which farm off to our east has a sick foal,” Lance replied.

“I know you dad,” Shadow said looking at him. “You might be slowing down, but you don’t sit here in the kitchen on a day like today.”

“Buck and Lunar have it,” Lance waved it off.

“So, the uniform puts me above work?” Shadow pressed.

“Well, I won’t stop you,” Lance shrugged. “We have that damn wheat popping up in the west field again.”

“That I can help with,” Shadow said getting up. “Once I change. I need my flight suits washed, but not my dress uniform.”

“They are already in the wash,” Rain Jubilee smiled. “What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t check for laundry after flying as long as you did?”

They laughed and split.

“It is a little warm for a cloak,” Lunar laughed when Shadow came out.

Shadow laughed looking at himself. “Tell that to the Enclave. Super strict clothing policy. When I got my own room…” Shadow had to stop himself from laughing so hard. “My own room felt weird, and I couldn't sleep from the silence and lack of the presence of at least somepony else.”

Shadow gave content sigh. “But cloak or not, I am here to help. I am back on the farm. I have been wanting to do real work for so long now.”

Shadow grinned. “Lets get to it.”

They worked hard for the rest of the morning and into lunch.

“Is that rosemary?” Shadow asked as they entered the kitchen.

“Yes,” Rain Jubilee smiled. “Fresh from the garden. But what is that look?”

“Oh,” Shadow shook his head. “Sorry. The water purification tablets for irradiated water doesn’t taste… good. Rosemary helps. Some. But they do not provides us with that. It is a little known secret.”

“I will get you all the rosemary I can and dry it for you,” She smiled. “And some seeds so that wherever you go, you can plant your own and always have some handy.”

“Thanks,” Shadow smiled. “It will be very, very much appreciated.”

The wheat infestation was an infestation. They had to leave whole clumps around turnips so they did not end up removing both. Shadow slept the best had had since leaving home. Ignoring those two nights with Cardinal Spitfire.

The next day came and went the same until the time for the community meeting. Dream Catcher had gotten back in time for it, Cherry Tart and Early Blossom were able to join as well. Shadow was in his dress uniform, which meant that when it came time to perform, he would not be able to zip at high speeds. Those high speeds would require more area, which he didn’t have either.

Shadow launched straight up, came out of it into a drop where he opened up right above their heads. Up into a climb where he spun as he climbed. Shadow focused on sharp movements. Solo flying was difficult to show off after their training. There was nopony to match, mirror or counter each movement. Still, he wowed them all.

Shadow casually cruised towards them. He pulled up and went above their head, only to drop down behind them in through the open doors of the meeting house. He didn’t miss a beat as he landed into a walk.

“I can’t believe they teach you that.”

“They don’t” Shadow replied as they filed in behind him. “I learned all of that in a pair, and then even better, a squad of six. Taking it down to single is, easy.”

Shadow laughed. “Sorry, I went to Aerial Combat School where I learned all that. I am one of the best fliers in the Enclave. My strength is long distance flight. My body to wing ratio is perfect for flying.”

“But what you saw, I can do all that five times faster with the same precision if not better. I just didn’t have the room. That launch was taught to me by a Wonderbolt during special training, in between all of the other schools.”

They were all impressed. Shadow was at the front as if he was leading the meeting and the talks soon turned to the differences between them and the Enclave. Getting his voice there only helped him explain things better. Shadow also shared a lot of stories from his time in basic to illustrate differences.

“I still hate cities,” Shadow said before launching into some stuff like the Cloudsdale Monument and then the Weather Factory. “But outside of those few things, I felt like I had no voice in the city.”

“That would explain the demonstrations,” Cherry Tart stated, speaking for the first time in the meeting.

The room got quiet. Early Blossom blushed as heads stole glances.

“Somepony say it,” Shadow ordered. “Kill any rumors now.”

“Is She carrying a foal?” Shadow missed who asked.

“Yes,” Cherry Tart replied standing up. “It was actually a simple medical procedure done using a donor in Las Pegasus. Their idea of giving birth is very foreign and impersonal. I am glad I am back here for that.”

“Its done,” Shadow stated. “Their farm can go on, passing on it’s legacy through their generations.”

“But it isn’t Early Blossom’s and Cherry Tart’s together,” Maple Tree said trying to understand. It was just confusion, nothing against them.

“They will be raising it,” Shadow shot back. “It isn’t much different than adoption. But in this case, it is Cherry Tart’s blood being passed down. And together, they will be raising it like their own. The foal will never see any difference unless you force it to see it. And then that would be splitting hairs and cruel.”

“What do you know about this?” Maple Tree asked Shadow. “You know a lot.”

“Their stop at my graduation was planned into the trip,” Shadow shrugged. “I lived with them. I will be retiring to their farm. I have my own permanent room there. It wasn’t subtle them visiting my graduation, so yeah I knew a lot of it from their visit.”

Nopony had a responds to Shadow's blunt honesty. At this point, he felt giving them everything except the identity of the donor was the only option. Early Blossom couldn’t see any of them, her face was in her hooves in shame.

“Come on,” Shadow pressed. “Have they not proved their commitment not just to each other, but to this community? What else is needed? You would not question any other married couple, would you? Even if they had to seek out science to carry a foal you would not!”

Early Blossom had wet cheeks, but she looked up and smiled at Shadow.

“And I would know,” Shadow said pulling their attention back to him. “I am Filly Fooler after all.”

They all laughed. It was even better seeing Shadow in person and him using it on himself. He had put the ‘Filly Fooler’ name tag on. It smoothed things over and ended the meeting on a solid, funny note.

Any chatting happened before the meetings. It was too late to stay and chat. Some of the farms had a few hour flight. Cherry Tart and Early Blossom didn’t bolt out, but they didn’t linger. Nopony could say they ran out of the meeting.

Shadow didn’t head into the house when they got back home. He stayed on the porch watching the stars. He lost track of time when Lance joined him.

“Can’t sleep?” Lance asked joining him.

“A lot on my mind, but the stars are keeping their wisdom from me, again,” Shadow sighed.

“What should we start with?” Lance asked quietly.

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Let’s start with tonight’s meeting. You were the donor, weren’t you?”

Shadow sat there in shock for a minute at the bluntness of the question.

“Yes,” Shadow breathed. “I won’t lie. It is your right to know. But is it that obvious?”

“No, it isn’t,” Lance reassured him. “To family, and probably Black’s, yes. But nopony else knows you three well enough. What they saw tonight was a respected member of the community dispelling a rumor and helping them make sense of… it.”

Lance sighed. “It is foreign. And I sent them off to do it, just not knowing they would want you as the donor. After they came back, things kind of started to add up slowly. A good choice. For all of you. A still confused grandfather, but loving and looking forward to my daughter’s foal. I may never wrap my head around it all, but I will give all the love in my heart to the foal. I just never could ask them face to face. Somehow you are easier.”

Shadow chuckled. “I slammed into a wall at high speeds in Aerial Combat School because I was having trouble wrapping my head around it. A few weeks after I went. Oh yeah, timing of it all.”

“The General over training happened to run into us as we were making the request, along with some other things that don’t matter,” Shadow explained. “He had learned enough to realize the importance of a farm, especially a Homestead, passing on it’s legacy. I was escorted on an emergency leave, by my heavy weapons instructor, Marble Falls. She is a Wonderbolt. I learned a lot and was pushed hard. Both were great gifts.”

Lance just nodded his head and they sat there for a while longer.

Shadow eventually sighed and spoke his mind. “I can’t get rid of the idea that I was given leave only to come home for my last time. Because I won’t be coming home. And it’s not like there will be a body to bring back either. They sentence...”

“Stop,” Lance cut Shadow off. “Yes, they did in case it is. But you and I both know that you weathered training not only just fine, but exceptionally. All of it. You are there for a reason. You are hardy and will come back.”

Lance smiled at Shadow in the moonlight. “You may not be as big as us, but you could take a bullet and walk away without a problem. It is in your body, in your bones and in your raising. You keep your foundation and you will come back. That is the truth.”

Shadow smiled back before hanging his head.

“She is going to kill me,” He said as he pulled out the Homestead book to hand to Lance. Lance didn’t open in.

“If the Enclave knew, they very well might pull me from the mission. All of us are stallions, single and with a sibling to pass on the family line. A mare can reproduce with anypony, a stallion is more expendable. They might drag her away from where she is going as well. Later, when they can know, they will allow us to be at the same base.”

“It…” Shadow hesitated. “We knew each other long enough. It happened fast, but it was so that we would always be bound to come back to. More than just our word.”

Lance gave the book back to Shadow with a smile. He hadn’t opened it.

“Enough said Son. I am happy for both of you. Whoever she is, she is a very lucky pony. Introduce me to her when you two can make it back. All that matters is that you got it off your chest. Somepony in the family knows. And I will keep your secret safe, even from your mother. Unless she specifically asks. You know the honesty rule.”

“You can keep it secret unless you are directly asked,” Shadow smiled. “And then you must answer honestly.”

“I am very proud of you,” Lance said getting up. “I am very happy for you. I know you two have had no real time together, but make her the cornerstone to your foundation and you will come back. If you both decided to give it all to serve the other, for the good of the farm, you will learn to love each other deeper than most married couples do.”

“Or in this case, for the good of your duty. Love her greater than you love yourself, care for her greater than you care for yourself, and you will learn to truly love her. Love is not conditional. It is not an emotion. Emotions come and go. Love is a choice. I know you both made that choice. Time away so early on is tough, but you don’t choose soft things. I know she has a tough hide, with a soft heart. Like you. You two can make it, and will make it.”

Shadow sat outside a while longer before heading inside to get some sleep. He was up with the others and soon headed off to spend time with the girls. They were doing stuff around the house when he arrived.

“Dad asked, didn’t he?” Early Blossom asked right away.

“Yes,” Shadow replied. “It was in private, but an outright question. He had already guessed.”

Early Blossom breathed a sigh of relief. “It is his right to know. Now the family can secretly know, and it will not be awkward, or at least feel so awkward.”

“He commented that he had no idea how to ask you face to face,” Shadow added. “Even though he sent you off to have the procedure done, he could not ask. He didn’t start guessing until after you came back. He had no idea before you left. You did it well. And he is very proud and happy. Confused, but looking forward to his daughter’s first foal and giving it all the love he can.”

Early Blossom hugged Shadow tightly in thanks for the news and everything else.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Cherry Tart said leading him up the stairs. “We moved your room. Before, it was just casually done. Now you are at the end, where you can privately recede to with whoever you finally bring home.”

“Thanks,” Shadow chuckled. “It was a good, thoughtful move. We never planned that far ahead, and your master bedroom is in the corner, you adding in this hall; well I stopped at your home on the way here. I see why you built such a big house.”

Early Blossom was annoyed. Shadow had made it there before she had.

“Go drag her into your bedroom for a lesson,” Shadow told Early Blossom as he stepped into his room to settle in for the next two days. He close the door behind him.

Shadow was in the kitchen looking at what to prepare for lunch when they came in.

“We only talked,” Early Blossom said coldly.

“Yeah,” Cherry Tart agreed. “You learned a lot of things in Basic we don’t like.”

“Yeah,” Shadow sighed. “You can’t make it through there without losing pieces of yourself. My group of friends, Golden Dawn had stories of her exploits, which we she enjoyed telling another filly fooler. Deke loved to push things at Cardinal Spitfire and I, the innocent ones. And you can not avoid the drill sergeants teaching you some things through their language.

“Damn it Shadow!” Early Blossom exclaimed. “It is impossible to even pretend to be mad at you.”

Cherry Tart was slumped against the kitchen table laughing. Early Blossom joined her laughter and Shadow just shook his head. He was lost.

“You killed our entire planned argument,” Cherry Tart finally was able to explain. “We were going to go for the teasing leave the house angle, but you just killed that.”

Shadow smiled at them and they all sat down.

“They were really that open?” Early Blossom asked intrigued.

“The idea that we don’t brag among friends made it worse,” Shadow chuckled. “The idea that I had no real idea of any specifics, was a really big cloud they wanted to pop. They had no idea what to do with not even thinking about doing it, let alone not sneaking around to do anything. By the middle of basic, it was old news. Clouds busted, old news.”

“What have you brought into this house?” Early Blossom asked Cherry Tart.

“Hey! It might have been my idea, but there was no way to predict all of this,” She poked back.

Cherry Tart smiled at Shadow. “Foal or not, its not the same without you. This is your home as much as it is ours.”

“On that note,” Shadow said. “I may never get to answer you when you need it.”

Shadow slid a sealed envelope across the table to Cherry Tart.

“What am I missing?” Early Blossom asked confused.

“Something that I meant to keep private,” Cherry Tart growled. “Shadow doesn’t seem to get discretion.”

“Now or never,” Shadow sighed. “Sadly. Business before pleasure?”

“Will one of you tell me what is going on?” Early Blossom asked frustrated.

Cherry Tart hung her head. “When I sent Shadow the letter confirming I was pregnant, I also added a request. I wanted him to look out for potential donors for you.”

Early Blossom raised an eyebrow at Shadow.

“Just taking care of my sister,” Shadow smiled. “It might be my last time.”

Early Blossom snatched the envelope away and ripped it open. “A Deke and an Olive Pit. With their ID numbers. What kind of name is Deke?”

Shadow gave a quick nod. “I have not met anypony else of higher caliber that those two. Even after all they pushed on me. I have not asked either. Deke would say yes without thinking. He is a solid stallion who takes our bond of friendship seriously, as well as duty to the Pegasus Race. Olive Pit might need some persuading, but both would do it for me.”

“Thank you,” Early Blossom said with tears, shocking them both. “You are really, truly looking out for me.”

Cherry Tart brought Early Blossom in for a hug.

“Since we are on business,” Early Blossom began.

Cherry Tart had to pick up the rest. “This is officially West Cherry Homestead, but each of the original Cherry Homesteads has a farm name as well. You are apart of this so we wanted to get your opinion.”

Shadow nodded, encouraging her to continue.

“We want it put on record as West Cherry Homestead: Filly Fooler Farm. Your nickname and its prestige as the official story.”

“Official?” Shadow asked with his eyebrow raised.

Cherry Tart was the expert so she responded. “This will always be founded by two filly foolers, and we don’t want that to leave the records, but your nickname makes for the three of us all being able to be called filly foolers. And it makes for a really amazing record of your feats, past, present and future. Something legendary for a Homestead to be founded upon.”

“I am in,” Shadow smiled. “I am all in.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 32 - Ice Estimated time remaining: 12 Hours, 31 Minutes