Silence fell among the ponies gathered at the table. The bulky and imposing draft pony with bright red fur sitting at the end cleared his throat. He answered Lightning,

"It's been several moons since we last saw her. Lives out in Everfree, only stopped by now and then to chat and trade. The name was Cobalt, she had gorgeous blue feathers."

Lightning looked up in surprise from her bowl of steamed rice and veggies. She stepped down from her chair and said she'd be right back.

Upstairs in her room, she opened a dresser drawer and retrieved one great blue feather from a stack of three. She returned to the table carrying it in her mouth.

"Like this?" she asked, to which Big Mac nodded.

Lightning then asked, "About how often does she stop by?"

"Well, nope," was Big Mac's reply.

Applejack filled in for him, "We haven't seen her round here since last harvest season."

Lightning thought of her struggle with the creatures of the forest nearby. "I hope she's okay," she said.

Big Mac sheepishly answered, "She... didn't seem none too happy with us."

Applejack said, "Now we didn't mean no offense. Just told her the facts as they stand. It's hardly our fault if she took it personally."

This statement presented a schism for Lightning Ridge. She did want to press for more information about the griffon, perhaps find a way to meet and thank her. On the other hoof, this seemed an uncomfortable subject for these farm ponies who had welcomed Lightning into their home.

She decided to ask, "I really don't mean to pry, but, what exactly did you tell her?"

The answer came from Applejack, "Sugarcube, you have to understand griffons are dangerous. Now, we don't hold anything against Cobalt. For Celestia's sake, if she rescued you that's even more respect due to her."

"Alright," said Lightning as she returned to her dinner.

"The thing about griffons is, even if some of them are nice, they, uh," Applejack lowered her voice to a whisper, "they eat other critters."

Lightning knew this, but she was willing to tolerate this difference. "What does it matter if they eat feral creatures? Maybe they can't eat plants," she said.

"But do ya reckon they make that distinction? What if we're no different than a deer to them?"

"So you were, afraid of Cobalt?"

"Not at all, Lightnin'. Just cautious. See now, griffons ain't all bad, and they're free to settle in Equestria. They just have to wear this magic collar doohickey. Keeps track of their location, I think the royal guard has a magic map to keep track of stuff in the kingdom."

"I'm guessing Cobalt didn't like hearing that."

"Ah Tartarus no. Started spouting off about us judgmental ponies. Sounds like she came here to settle down all peacefully like, and didn't get much of a warm welcome."

Lightning finished her bowl of rice, and put her ears down. "That's awful. I'd really like to go console her, but you said she lives in Everfree?"

"Yup."

"Um, would you and Big Mac mind going with me to find her? I'm not comfortable walking into that place. Too many... memories. It's just too much."

Big Mac interrupted with a loud "Nope", and Applejack gave a worried look at Apple Bloom.

Big Mac spoke, "You should damn well know how dangerous that place is, Lightning. We've got a farm and a family here to worry about. Ain't going back in there unless Equestria depends on it."

"Okay," said Lightning in a calm and defeated voice, "That's fair. Suppose I'll keep helping out here and see if she stops by again."

Lightning helped the Apples with the dishes and house cleaning. Big Mac returned to plowing the garden patch as Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Lightning lounged on the back porch in the sunset.

When Big Mac took a break, almost done with his work, Lightning asked if she could try dragging the plow a bit. The harness, made for Big Mac, hung loosely off her, but she managed to get the rest of the garden plowed.

This proved a mistake. She pulled something in her flank from the exertion, and decided to call it a night. As she limped indoors, Granny Smith noticed her gait and offered a good home remedy.

Granny got up from the sewing machine where she had been making a lacy something, and led Lightning outdoors. She filled a tub here with hot water from a tank which was painted black and heated by the sun. Epsom salts were added, along with some kind of alchemical potion.

It wasn't lost on Lightning that, in spite of her xenophobia, Granny Smith did still trade with 'that crazy zebra'. The water had to cool down a bit before Lightning settled in. The pain in her flank eased almost immediately, and it barely hurt at all when she settled into bed for the night. The other minor bruises and scratches from farm chores had healed up nicely, as well.

As she eased into the fluffy blankets, and fell asleep in this quiet, rustic home where the only noise was the distant tick of the clock downstairs, Lightning found a somber place of peace and gratitude. It wasn't quite happiness--she wasn't ready for that yet--but it was a place of calm and serenity.

The days blended into lunar cycles. The moons blended into seasons. Long, exhausting days became more bearable as Lightning became used to more walking and physical work. The simple, honest, down-to-earth ethos of the Apple family was as pleasant and comforting as a favorite sweater. Before Lightning knew it, winter had fallen.

Thick layers of cloud had been produced and set in place overhead. Snow blanketed the ground.

Lightning found a feeling of immense satisfaction sitting by a roaring fire with a mug of hot cider after the ordeal of harvest season. So many trees to buck, and she was nowhere near as strong as Applejack, Big Mac, or the other family members who stopped by to help with the job of gathering the apples.

She had heavy carts to pull through muddy, rutted fields. There were various other sapient and feral animals who resided on the farm and who all needed tending to for the upcoming cold weather.

After all of that intense work, and with the added hassle of nearly everyone in Ponyville lining up for cider season, even Big Mac was tired. Lightning felt sore all over and exhausted to her bones.

However, it was all honest work, and now they took a well-earned rest. The spicy scent of cinnamon wafted up from her mug as Lightning sipped her cider. A rough wool saddle-blanket was draped over her as she lie on her side near the fireplace, stoking the logs occasionally with a poker.

Sadly, the griffon who saved her had failed to make any appearance. Everfree would be even further dangerous in winter. Without control over the weather, snow could fall in deep drifts and obscure hazards and monsters.

Lightning wondered how Cobalt was getting on with the snow, and if griffons were hardy to the cold. Perhaps the zebra who also apparently took residence in the woods had hot drinks or a potion for the weather.

While Lightning understood the Apples' concerns, she also found it unfortunate that such kind and generous ponies would harbor distrust of outsiders. True, any carnivore was a creature to be careful around, and yet... why couldn't ponies get along with a sapient species that happens to eat meat? Was it really just and proper to regard any griffon, dragon, or such as a monster?

Despite their differences, they got along well and Lightning learned a great deal about farm life. She also found herself in fantastic physical shape.

In the spring, Lightning Ridge took part in a tradition called the "winter round-up", where they all worked to alter the season itself. This was a disaster, until Twilight managed to get everyone organized. Even though this only took place in the immediate vicinity of Ponyville, and other areas were allowed to clear out naturally with the pegasi modifying the weather, it was still a great deal of work.

After this event, Lightning took her leave of the Apple family. She had gained a solid understanding of farm life, some good new friends, and a nice straw hat as a parting gift.

Her course was set and she determined to go into farming. Not apples though, far too much work for one pony. If she was to go into this by herself, she would find a small crop she could tend to by herself.

Hay and grains seemed a good choice. From here, it was a matter of asking around about where established grain fields were. Taking over an existing one would be easiest for starting out.

This led Lightning to the town library and Twilight, who was more than happy to research for her. She also made certain to ask Fluttershy. Within a fortnight, she gathered that the Macintosh Foothills were the main hay and grains spot in Equestria. There were other, more distant hay fields, but this location had the added perk of being not too far from Everfree. Just in case she could ever figure out how to meet the griffon.

She traveled to Dodge Junction along with Fluttershy and Applejack. This was the closest town to the hay farms, if it could be called a town. They all gave an uncertain look at this archaic and dusty settlement.

The ponies who called this place home were mostly ancient, as well. They were friendly enough, though.

The visiting trio walked into the saloon. It was hazy with tobacco smoke from pipes. The floor was a patchwork of replacement scrap wood, with a light dusting of sawdust. The furniture was mismatched and occupied by gruff, ragged farmers and miners.

They each took a seat at the bar, where a surprisingly younger bartender served drinks.

Lightning asked the unicorn bartender what brought him to this town. He replied,

"It's peaceful out here. I have a little cabin of my own. Big change from the rowdy bars and clubs of Las Pegasus."

"What can you tell me about Dodge Junction? Thinking of moving here," said Lightning.

"Honestly? Not much. I just moved here after hearing they needed a bartender. I'd ask the locals."

A couple other, older ponies sat nearby at the bar. They weren't especially talkative. To Lightning's right was a sturdy farmer pony, who was drinking a glass of dark beer. He had brown fur, and a platinum mane and tail.

Lightning said, "Afternoon, sir. Have you lived here for a while?"

He glanced over from his beer, a stern expression on his face, "Eh, me? Reckon I was born and raised here. What brings y'all this far out in the boondocks?"

"Well, I'm looking at going into farming. Thinking I'll buy a hay field."

The farmer finished his beer and ordered another one. Lightning paid for it. The farmer continued,

"If you're looking for farm work, I might just have an offer for you. The name's Barley. Barley Haycart. I've been breaking my back trying to run the farm on my own, and take care of the young'uns."

"My name is Lightning Ridge. That's a lot of work for one pony!"

"I manage," said Barley, "just one day at a time. Y'know?"

Lightning nodded. That was exactly what she had been doing.

"These yer friends here?" asked Barley.

"Oh yes, this is Applejack. She has an orchard in Ponyville. And this is Fluttershy, she's the town gardener."

The two said hello to Barley.

"You have any experience in farm work, miss Lightning?"

"Yes, both of my friends here have taught me a great deal."

"If I may ask, what makes you want the change? Didn't like your work before?"

Lightning hesitated. She leaned in so she could say quietly, "Barley, is there a place we can talk in private?"

Barley nodded, grabbed his beer mug with both hooves, and leaned back to drain the glass. Applejack seemed impressed. Fluttershy wasn't.

They all followed him outside and out of town. This didn't take very long at all, it was only one narrow dirt street.

Further into the desert and up a hill, they found a canyon which had a firepit, empty cart, and a tent. Barley explained, "Home is about a day's travel with the cart. Back when my wife was with me, we could do it in half that time."

"Oh, what happened?" asked Lightning.

"She left," answered Barley bluntly, "What did you need to tell me?"

"Alright," said Lightning, "Applejack, could you help me get my satchel off?"

Applejack helped with the clasp, and Lightning twisted back to unbuckle her cloak. Barley gave a shocked but sympathetic look at her missing wing. He spoke,

"You can't fly no more. That's a hard thing. So you wanna find a new way in life?"

"Yes," Lightning answered weakly.

"Aight. If you wanna come out to the farm, I'll be leaving in the morning."

Lightning decided to go for it. Applejack and Fluttershy had to get back to Ponyville, but not without quietly warning Lightning to be cautious in case this strange pony was a danger.

"I can damn well handle myself, girls. Now get on back to Ponyville, I'll be sure to visit. Okay?" said Lightning in response to them.

Barley had help from Lightning pulling the cart over the rugged hills on the way back home. Most of the weight was from jugs of water to offset the desert heat.

The scenery changed from desert to rocky hills with more plants. As they neared the distant mountains, the foothills became more rugged and more fertile. Spring-fed lakes and streams allowed small trees and shrubbery to become more common. Soon, they came to a valley in the hills.

The air was cooler here, as they overlooked the grand quilt of farms below. Sparkling blue thread ran through this farmland quilt. A dangerous path descended through hardy mountain pine, winding along ridges on the hilltop.

With just enough space for the cart, Lightning and Barley made slow and careful progress. Their hooves slipped on the loose gravel. Ruts and roots in the path jostled the cart around. As they neared ground level and as the sun neared setting, the route become easier. The gravel and rocks were replaced by loamy forest soil, and the sky opened up around them as they stepped out into the plains.

Here, the trees only formed sparse copses. Night fell, and lanterns were lit and hung on the cart.

After several hours of trotting along the country lane, past the occasional island of light from farm houses, they at length arrived at a gate which had "Haycart Farm" painted over it.

The two exhausted ponies unhitched from the cart, stretched, and walked towards a small but sturdy home. A deep quiet enshrouded them. The only sounds were crickets and the mild rustle of wind through the trees.

Inside the house, Lightning was introduced to Barley's children. There were two older colts, and a baby filly.

Barley was so tired he could hardly speak, but he said, "This here is Hayseed, Iron, and Violet."

The kids had gotten a meal ready. It wasn't much, and it wasn't delicious, but it was a filling dish of grits and oats from their stores.

At first, Lightning was unsettled by the abject poverty and the disparity in quality of life. These earth ponies barely scraped by, while everyone in Ponyville damn well depended on them for their daily grains. She decided to grit her teeth, dig her hooves in, and help this family.

Over the moons and seasons, she assisted the boys with running the farm, planting and plowing, handling household chores, and watching the baby. She helped Barley haul the cart to town, and by handling the weight together, they were able to make it out and back in a day.

She found that Barley was a very flawed pony who drank entirely too much, and became unbearable when he was drunk. But she understood. He felt betrayed from his wife leaving him in search of fortune and fame.

In spite of his shortcomings, Barley was an honest and fine father. He instilled work ethic in his sons, and offered strict, firm parenting to keep them out of trouble. Lightning could accept this. She was in no way perfect either, and besides, Barley was very considerate about her lost wing and lost flight.

It came to pass that they married each other, and had two sons. The first, Piney Haycart, was an earth pony. The second born was a pegasus.

As the pegasus grew and gained the ability to fly, with instruction from his mother's past experience, he became more and more distant from farm life. Barley noticed his son gazing out at the clouds and ignoring his chores.

Eventually, the pegasus and his siblings came of age. Iron Haycart left to found a farm of his own, which was well and good to Barley. He would continue the family legacy.

Hayseed Haycart, the middle sibling, had gone into mining. He did well for himself, and became the new manager. He stopped by often to help his folks with the farm, and he kept a fervent hope that some kind of restoration could be brought to Dodge Junction.

Piney elected to stay on the farm and help his parents run it, which made four ponies to take care of the farm. Violet had grown old enough to help with house and some farm chores by now, but she suffered from an unknown ailment. Weak and frail, she could not assist with any heavy work.

Barley's pegasus son just would not listen to reason, however. Only three able-bodied, sturdy ponies to run a farm like this! They clearly needed the pegasus to stay put and help here. His desire to chase after the wind infuriated Barley, who grew more and more neglectful and angry at Haul-Ass.

The time came when his pegasus son was of age to be a full-grown stallion. His mother and he departed for town. Barley cussed him out, and then begged him to stay. It was a futile effort.

His son had scathing words before leaving, "I'm not an earth pony, dad. I'd stay if you could only accept that. You're the one who went and named me Haul-Ass. I'm changing that to Skyblazer, I will gather a fortune, and then I'll give you some money for this stupid farm."

On board the train to Canterlot, Lightning Ridge finished telling the story of how she had lost her wing and come to settle on the farm. She shrugged her cloak back on as her son nodded and looked out the window, pensive.

Lightning took another drink of water from her canteen. She concluded her exposition with, "Please, Skyblazer. Don't go down the same path I did. I love you, and I don't want you to go through what I have, what I've seen. Nopony should have to."

Skyblazer Haycart took a long moment in silent thought before answering. When he spoke, it was in a calm but resolute tone,

"I'm not a farmer, mom. It's just not me, and dad hates me. I'll be careful, okay? I can fly away from danger if I need to," He had an idea, and perked his ears up before saying, "Hey mom? What if I found that griffon you told me about, Cobalt."

"No! Stay away from Everfree, you don't know how dangerous it is!"

"But I do know! I've read all about it! And I'm not going there to get in a fight with any monsters, I can fly up to the clouds if I need to. You know I'm a damn good flyer."

Lightning gave him a defeated, unhappy look. She dug into her satchel and retrieved a faded, worn-out book. It was held together by a leather buckle across it, and not much else.

"This is my notebook from my monster hunting days, before I joined the Wonderbolts," she said, "Take it, and for the love of Celestia and Luna be careful. You know the world has changed so much, there's no telling what might happen."

While Lightning had embraced years of quiet farm life, her visits to Ponyville had been to increasingly haggard friends. The kinds of events they had described were unthinkable. Absolute chaos enshrouding Ponyville from a being that could alter reality itself. Encounters with dangerous magicians mad with power.

The Ponyville library itself had been destroyed when a being managed to escape from Tartarus, and wreak havoc. Lightning had glimpsed the intense battle between Twilight and Tirek when they teleported past her farm. It was only a blur of magic and mayhem as they used rapid teleporting to dodge attacks.

Lightning made a trip to Ponyville soon as she could after that to make sure everything was alright. It wasn't. In spite of their best efforts, Twilight and her friends had not been able to protect everyone. With their ancient magic, they had sent the monster back to its dimensional prison, but at a loss. Ponyville was almost leveled and debris was everywhere.

There was a fantastic, awe-inspiring crystal castle in the place where the library once was. Lightning found Twilight here, consulting an enigmatic map on a crystal table. For the first time in all the years she had known her, Twilight was drinking.

All of these events had been discussed with her family. Skyblazer was well aware that the world had suddenly changed, and was no longer peaceful. He wanted to find out why.

When the train came to a screeching halt at the ostentatious Canterlot station, Skyblazer and his mother stepped out and stared in awe at the building around them. In sharp contrast to Dodge Junction, they departed into a crowded building full of ponies, some of whom sold wares or played instruments for bits. A grand crystal chandelier hung from the arched ceiling, and stained-glass windows let in colorful light.

They stepped out into the sunlight on a cobblestone street of Canterlot. They walked together towards the royal castle, to find the governing ponies who could affect a formal change of name.

Skyblazer had been thinking about his mother's crazy life. He made his resolution: he would find Cobalt and he would see to it that she met his mother on the farm. His dad most certainly wouldn't want a griffon on the property, especially not an unregistered one. His dad could be damnned.

Cobalt deserved to know that she was appreciated and respected by at least two ponies: his mother, and himself. And he wanted to see if she was up for adventure and exploring the world, finding treasure, getting in trouble.

Skyblazer opened his wings in the mountain air which rippled through his feathers. His mother kept her cloak on to conceal her one wing. Maybe it was a crazy choice, but adventure was calling his name and he was ready and willing to answer.