The 4^th Regiment arrives first along with the Brigade Headquarters and Supply troops. The trains then run in reverse back towards Manesville. As I watch them leave, I see the Brigade General look amused and he tells me, “Side Track suggested we leapfrog supplies so we did not have to run all the way back. Right now, the Second Regiment is just north of Canterlot Mountain at a temporary supply depot. The trains should be back with them in two days.”

“I guess that makes sense sir. I just would have wanted to run them straight through.”

“I thought the same way, but the 2^nd regiment is resting while they wait. They will not be so tired from the ride once they arrive. Also, we send five train groups through so that we do not need a telegraph to clear the lines between them.”

That does make sense. “Sir, will the trains be advancing with us?”

I see him shrug his wings, “As best they can. But don’t rely on them, Colonel.”

“I won't, sir, but it is somewhat reassuring to know we will have supplies brought up as far as possible to us.”

After they are out of sight he tells me, “Let’s go to your headquarters, it will be a while before mine is set up. I have some plans I want to go over with you.”

“Of course, General. Once we get there would you like some coffee or tea?”

I see him think briefly and he answers, “Tea. I have become rather fond of it in the last couple of years. You wouldn’t happen to have any milk for it would you?”

“Only some canned milk. Sorry, none of our cattle troopers are producing anymore.”

I see him smile, “Yes, I do understand. We certainly do not need any mothers with foals or calves out here.”

When he says this, I blush some, and I can tell he sees it. “Ok, so what don’t I know yet?” he asks.

“Well, to tell the truth…” I begin to say and am interrupted as the flying foursome trot into the room.

“Good afternoon, General, Colonel,” Moon says as the others follow her past as she looks for the Sergeant Major.

I turn back to him and see him sitting there with his head slightly cocked and a raised eyebrow.

I simply shrug, “Choo left them with our night recon specialist shortly before we got here.”

I see him slowly shake his head and laugh lightly. “Well, at least she had enough sense to do that. Now, what are you doing with them?”

“I was going to try and send them back with the River Squadron. After all the Commodore is family. However, I soon realized they would be liable to take off on their own again, so I made them couriers for my HQ. The last couple of weeks they have been getting schooling from one of the old-timers who taught before the last day.”

“Interesting. Most youngsters would be terrified around a ghoul.”

“Well sir, he has the advantage of having lived in Cloudsdale and sometimes he tells them stories about the old days, besides my daughter has always felt comfortable around them.”

“Cloudsdale huh? So, I take it he is a pegasus. If so, what is his take on the Enclave?”

I nod my head then I tell him, “Sir, he knows the truth about the Enclave. They all do. They know they are done if the Enclave wins, that is why they are willing to throw in with us. But sir, they are worried about if we pull out and leave them on their own. Frankly, if we do not win, I am afraid for them too.”

“Understandable. I worry about that too. But the politicians say they will support them.”

I nod my head and tell him, “Well here’s to hoping.”

Right after this, I see my clerk come in with tea for myself and the General. I sigh some as I really do miss Paper Work. However, Spit Shine is not too bad either, even if a bit formal at times.

As he pours the tea for us, he smiles and tells me, “Ma’am there are some civilian Volunteers you may want to meet with after your meeting with the General.”

I smile and tell him, “Thank you, set it up if you would.”

I look back to the General who is sipping his tea, “Sir, anything special about these civies that I should know?”

He nods his head. “Yeah, most of them are from back home. They are affiliating themselves with the Followers and are here in support roles such as medical and moral building.”

I smile at this, “That sounds really good sir. I know that should help once the fighting begins in earnest again.”

He nods his head, “Now tell me again, how did you sneak the Rainbow Dash onto an Enclave Raptor?”

I smile at him and I tell him, “One of my unicorns cast an appearance-changing spell, so it looked like one of the ones we destroyed the night before. After that, it was all bluff and bluster. My pilot Long Haul really deserves an accommodation for that. He kept calm and handled it perfectly.”

He nods and I see him ruffle his feathers a bit. “Excellent. I think we can do that. Besides, I may have some more work for him to do soon.”

I nod my head and watch as he looks around and seeing my staff is not near, he begins to tell me some of his ideas. As we chat, we try to troubleshoot some of the ideas. It is then that I see that Sirocco has come in.

He looks at Threat Vector and asks him, “Sir, have you told her yet?”

I watch as he shakes his head and rustles his feathers. Then he tells him, “No, not yet. I was going to but we began to discuss upcoming operations.”

“I can understand that, but sir, she does need to know.”

He turns to me and I can tell he is not fully comfortable. I feel myself raise an eyebrow and my ears start to slide back alongside my head as I see his reactions. “General, sir, what are you not telling me?”

I see Sirocco cock his head also with a raised eyebrow. “Sir, you want I should tell her?”

“No Colonel, I will. Thank you for offering though.” He pauses and then says, “Colonel, it seems that amongst the volunteers are your wife Sutures and your daughter Millie. I had not seen a list of volunteers until the trains were already on their way, otherwise, I would have left them behind.”

“Damn it!” I exclaim without thinking. “Sir, I wanted them safe.”

“Mollygirl, I know that, but your wife seems to have learned from your daughters. As I said, we were gone before I knew she was with us. However, she will be behind the lines working. Not at the front.”

This time I sigh and I tell him, “Sir, you’re a flyer, you know this. We are fighting pegasi. This is all the front.”

“Mollygirl, I really am sorry. But I will do my best to make sure they stay safe.”

“Besides Mollygirl, if you get shot this time, at least she will be here to mend you up again,” Sirocco says with a grin.

I sit there shaking my head and tell them, “At least tell me they did not bring the Enfields.”

This time Sirocco cringes, “Well, only one. Mille brought Sugar Glider.”

I face hoof, “Sirroco, she is only a year old. At least the older two were combat experienced.”

“Mollygirl, after what happened a while back, they all are now.”

I take a sip of my tea. Then I look at him, “Yeah, your right. At least tell me they brought their weapons.”

This time I hear the General laugh. Then he says, “Mollygirl, they are your family, of course, they did. I am just glad Raven couldn’t sneak on. I have heard about her.”

I cringe when he says this as I remember the barn and how she was in Hoofington, and on the train. Suddenly I am surprised she is not here also. Finally, I just say, “Ok, let us finish this up sir so I can go see my wife and daughters.”

He grins. “Sounds good Colonel.”

After the meeting, Spit Shine approaches me, “Ma’am, the civilians I mentioned earlier are right outside waiting. Should I bring them in?”

I really want to see Sutures and Millie, but I need to do this too. Hopefully, hopefully they will be with them.

As the civilians are led in, I am pleasantly surprised to see Doctor Tourniquet again. I happen to see a few others I know behind them and while I have not seen my family yet, I notice a young red enfield with a white chest and black ear tips sneaking in. I smile and say, “Come here Sugar Glider, here girl," and I see the surprise on the faces of the others except for Doc Tourniquet who laughs out loud.

He then says to me, “Colonel, it is so good to see you again.”

As I scratch the enfiled under her chin I stop and then reach out a hoof to shake his. “Doc, it is really good to see you too. But I do have to talk to you about Sutures and Millie.”

He looks at me and grimaces, “Mollygirl, I had no idea they were even on the train until we were halfway to the river. By then, well, by then it was too late. First time I ever heard of a parent running away from home though.”

This gets me to laugh lightly. “Ok, so where are she and Millie now?”

“Oh, they are outside talking to your couriers. It seems the Sergeant Major found out they were here and had the couriers go to retrieve them.”

As we are talking, I notice I have absent-mindedly been giving little Sugar Flyer scratches between her wings. I realize it when I feel her arch her back against my hoof and let out a slight whimper of pleasure.

I grin at this and tell him, “Doc it has been great seeing you again. I will be back in a bit; Come on Sugar let's go find the fillies.” She yips and I watch as she trots in front of me towards the door.

Once she is outside, I see her take flight and begin to circle over my wife, our daughters, and their friends.

As I get closer, I hear Millie ask, “But why can’t you camp with us?”

This is answered by Moon as she says, “Because we are the Colonel's couriers. Our duty is here at the headquarters. When we are off duty we can visit though.”

I then hear Millie asks, “But sissy, I miss you. I miss all of you.”

Then I hear Slip Stream say, “We miss you too Mills. Even if you had wings, we still would have to stay here. It's our job. We said we would do it, so now we have to uphold our word.”

Then I hear Sutures say, “They are right Millie, and if you don’t believe me, just ask your mother.”

I hear her huff out her breath when she hears that. Then she says, “But Mama Sutures. I just want to be with the other fillies.”

I look at my daughter and slowly shake my head. Her back is to me and I can tell she does not see me yet.

Sutures is so engrossed in talking to her that she has not noticed me either. “Dear, remember, you volunteered to work in the hospital with me. That is your job for now.”

“But Mama Sutures…” she says.

Then I speak, “Millie, she is right. If you came out here as a volunteer, then you have to fulfill your obligations. Just like your sister and your friends. But during your downtime, you all can still visit each other. Just like myself and the other soldiers do.”

Millie spins around then and hugs me. I give her a hug back and kiss her on her forelock. As we are doing this Sutures looks first at the ground and then at me. Then she says, “Hi love. I hope you are not too mad at us for coming.”

“No, I am not mad. I am worried. It is not safe out here and you both know it. I wanted you both to be safe at home. Besides, I am sure Sumac needs help on the farm still.”

Sutures nods her head, “She has some. We took on a squad of troops to help with the fields on their rotations from the 1^st Regiment. She had to as Xavier has been deployed too.”

I nod my head in understanding. “I figured as much, which unit is he with?”

She smiles. “Oh, he is with the Scout Company for the 4^th Regiment. He is their 1^st Sergeant.”

Now my grin breaks out into a real smile. “Good for him. He deserves it.”

Sutures then says, “He was offered to be one of their Lieutenants, but he turned it down. He said he was a better NCO than he ever would be as an officer.”

“That sounds like him alright.”

Then Millie says, “Yeah, besides he says he can’t wait till the war is done so he can get back home again.”

I wrap a hoof around her and tell her, “Neither can I dear, neither can I.”

Finally, my wife comes over to me and kisses me. I have missed her so much. After we break our kiss, I hear from below us, Millie say, “So mom, where is Momma Laura Lee?”

I smile and tell her, “She is over with her battalion. I will see her for a bit later tonight when I meet with my officers.”

I see her eyes go wide, “You mean even you don’t get to see everyone when you want?”

I shake my head, “No Mills. I have my duties too and I have to perform them, even when it hurts.”

It is three days later. After the Second Regiment has fully arrived that we begin to move again. My regiment is in the vanguard as we advance toward Coltlumbia. As we cross the plains of the wastelands we come across several more, small communities of ghouls. I find it interesting how they change from being hostile towards us to being polite if not friendly upon seeing so many ghouls in our ranks.

It is in one of these villages that we have stopped for the night that I am approached by one of them. He quietly gets my attention and asks, “Ma’am, no offense, but how come y’all seem so different in how you treat us ghouls compared to most?”

I take the time to stop and I tell him, “Honestly, In the Manesville region we have had to work together the last ten years to survive. We have come to realize that inside, no matter what, they are still equine like the rest of us. But to be honest, before that, as a whole even we were not the most accepting of ghouls.”

When I say that, I see him smile, “Thank you for explaining that. I truly appreciate your honesty about the relationship having changed only a short time ago.”

“Your welcome sir.” I tell him.

Then he asks, “Ma’am, Can I ask how you can still be a breather and yet walk on both sides of the vale?”

I sigh, and I tell him, “Honestly I am not sure. I know I died just over ten years ago. I too was turned away from Elysium.”

He looks around one more time and sees that nopony else is paying attention, “Ma’am, one more question if I may?”

While I need to go, I figure I still have time so I talk to him, “Sure, what is it?”

“Ma’am the Princess who is with you, where did she come from and how can she also walk both sides of the vale?”

I smile, “Sir, she is no princess. If you ask her, she will tell you she is just a citizen. But she died before birth and somehow came back and was born alive.”

“Colonel, how could she become an Alicorn? Was she born this way?”

I smile, “No, she was not born an Alicorn, but I was there when she ascended?”

He tilts his head slightly and asks in a confused manner “Ascended?”

“Yes sir, she ascended,” I reply. Then I tell him what that means and how.

When I am done, he looks at me with wonder. Then he asks, “You mean, that somewhere out there, the Princesses are still alive?”

I nod my head, “Yes, but remember, they are not our Princesses. They are them but from a different universe. Things seem to have taken a different turn for them.”

“Interesting. I never imagined that before.” He pauses and then tells me, “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Type Set. I run the local newspaper.” He is looking at me to see my reaction. Finally, he asks, “Ma’am, would it be ok if I print some of what you told me?”

“I guess, sure why not. But if you would like, why not talk to my daughter herself?”

“Your, your daughter? You mean you are her mother?”

I smile, “Well, one of her mothers. Her fathers are here too. We all have helped raise her. But her biological mother and father are both with us too.”

“Are, are they alicorns also?”

I shake my head no, “No, her biological mother is a unicorn and her father an earth pony.”

He is almost speechless. Finally, he shakes his head, “Wow, if you don’t mind, I would like to speak to her and them as well.”

I nod my head and I motion a hoof to her and she flies over, lands, and salutes me, “Yes Colonel?”

“Trooper, this gentlestallion would like to interview you for his paper. If you would like, please do so.”

I see Moon Lily nod her head as she says to me, “I would be glad to ma.” She then turns to him and says, “Good evening Sir. How can I help you?”

He smiles and I hear a hoarse laugh, “Well you are certainly polite young mare. My name is Type Set and I would like to know more about you, and with your permission as well as your parents, I would like to print your answers to my questions in my paper.”

I see the surprise on her face. She then asks, “Sir, why would you want to write about me?”

He is surprised in return and says, “Well Princess, you are the first Alicorn that was not artificially made that I have heard of since the war.”

I see my daughter hold up a hoof, “First sir, I am not a Princess. I am an alicorn as are Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Twilight Sparkle. We agreed that as there are no longer any princesses in our Universe then perhaps it was for the best.”

I watch as his jaw drops. Then he asks, “You met the Princesses, but how.” Before she can answer, he asks, “Who is Princess Cadence and when did the Ministry Mare become one?”

She grins and tells him, “Sir, there is more than one universe. I was transported out of ours and met them. As for Cadence and Twilight, they did not ascend in ours.”

I see him shake his head as he tries to wrap his mind around this concept itself. Finally, he begins to ask her more simple questions, working his way to more difficult ones. I sit to the side silently just listening. I see his eyes go wide as she tells him about not only how she got her cutie mark, but her ascension.

When they are finished, she stands up and shakes his hoof while looking him in the eyes. Then she says, “It has been a pleasure to meet you, Mister Type Set. Thank you for listening to me.”

I see he again has been surprised and while he has no tears, I see his face looks like he is crying. Then he tells her, “You may not call yourself one, but you are a princess to me young mare. Thank you.”

The next morning as we are getting ready to leave, Sutures visits my HQ. As she enters, she asks, “Did you see the paper that the town newspaper wrote?”

“Oh, Hi love, no, I have not. Is it any good?”

She smiles, “Well, the local ghouls are looking at Moon differently today. They keep wanting to stop her and thank her for helping the others to cross over. She also keeps telling them not to call her a princess.”

I nod my head. “I can understand that. She also did tell Type Set she was not a Princess though.”

I see her laugh. “It is a good thing Archer stopped calling her his little princess a few years back I guess.”

I laugh lightly, “Yeah, but that was because of Raven’s having been born.”

She nods her head, “Yeah, that is probably true.”

As we are talking I see the General approaching. Once he is close enough, he tells me, “Colonel, that was excellent thinking with that interview of your family’s daughter.”

I am slightly surprised and tell him, “Thank you, Sir. Do you think it really helped?”

He nods his head as he tells me, “Colonel, we have already had several of the locals volunteer to be scouts for us. They even began to inquire about the NCR Rangers.”

“Now that is something I had not even imagined occurring,” I tell him.

“Well, it has and every bit helps right now. Some of these ghouls have lived in this region since before the Final Day. The intelligence we can get from them is invaluable.”

I nod my head, then I ask, “For this area that is true, but what about once we get closer to Coltlumbia?”

I see him grimace slightly. Then he tells me, “We will see. Hopefully, the word will get out to other communities also.”

The mountain tops begin to come into sight first. It is funny I get excited when I first see them. Then I look at the map and realize just how far away they really are. The plains have made them look even larger than what they truly are.

As we set up camp for the coming night, we have our first run-in with the Enclave since the brigade has come back together. It is just a skirmish between scouts but it signals that our quiet times are done. I am in my HQ and listening to the radio as I hear, Draftee, this is Dodger4, do we have armored scouts flying in our zone of control?

I then hear, That is a negative for all Draftees. I will check with the Dashites and Timber Wolves.

The 4^th regiments radio operators quickly ask, Pack Leader and RD Leader, This is Draftee Command, do you have any power-armored scouts out in our sector?

I quickly look at Band Width and shake my head no. He replies, Draftee Command, this is Wolfpack command, that is a negative on our part.

This is followed shortly by the 2^nd regiments command replying, That is a negative on our part also. Do you require assistance Draftee command?

Suddenly this is interrupted by, Draftee command we are being fired on by hostiles, request you scramble the ready reserve. I repeat, request, The broadcast is interrupted by the sound of sizzling Magical Energy Weapon beams over the radio band. This is followed shortly by This is Dodger 4 I am hit; my squad is still making a stand but we are outnumbered. For Celestia's sake send help.

I nod my head, as Band Width replies We are scrambling our troops, I call out to my command staff, “Scramble our reserve fliers NOW! They are to aid the 4^th Regiments scouts.”

I see a flurry of activity as our troopers begin to move. I look out the window on my command tent and I see my batpony scouts fully kitted out taking off. I am just in time to catch my couriers getting ready to run out when I tell them, “You four, stay here for now.”

“Yes Ma’am,” they reply but I can see the disappointment on their faces.

Soon we are able to track the air battle by the reports of the various call signals over the radio.

Draftee 4 this is Draftee 1, we are inbound.

Draftee 1, watch your six, you have more hostiles high.

Rodger that, draftee one flight break now! Ok, reform on the move.

That’s it, got one,

Good job, now do it again and without jamming the frequency.

Here they come 2 o’clock high!

Draftee 6 break left now

Delta Wolf 4 there they are 4 O’clock low, about 1000 meters.

Roger Delta Wolf 4 pup, let’s roll pack.

Ok all Draftee’s here comes the pack let’s go!

Luna’s sake look at that furball of a dogfight…

Shut up and keep looking

This is Puff leader we are rolling in! I suddenly hear George call over the radio.

Wow look at them scatter, I never seen that before. All Draftee elements, form on Puff leader.

All Delta Wolf Elements form on Puff and Draftee Elements.

Suddenly I hear something that makes my blood run cold. All Manesville elements, Raptor 12 o’clock high.

Then I hear, This is Puff Leader, Tally HO!

The battle goes on for another hour. Finally, I hear, This is Draftee 1, Raptor is heavily damaged. Look at her burn. All Draftee elements return to base.

Finally, I hear, this is Discord One. All elements return to your stations. I repeat, return to stations.

At this point, I step outside and I see that the sun is beginning to set behind the mountains. In the sky, I can see what I suppose is George in the distance. Behind them, in the sky, I can see a burning object slowly moving back towards Coltlumbia and the clouds in between them and us.

I watch as my fliers return. I also see that several dust-off sky wagons take off and head to the area under where the fighting was. Each wagon being escorted by one or two fliers.

From the regimental surgeon's tents, I see Dharma and Tek come out. I see them shake hoofs and watch as Tek flags down a dust-off wagon and heads to the front.

Soon the dust-offs begin to return and I watch as the wounded are placed outside of the surgeon’s tent or carried inside as quickly as possible. While there are not too many, I still see some that appear to be dead. As I watch a nurse checks them. The ones who it is too late for Dharma approaches and performs the same simple ritual that my daughter Moon does with those who have passed. Once he is done, he closes their eyes and covers their faces the best he can.

It is late in the night, Moon Lily and I are already asleep when Sutures and Mille come into my tent. I groggily lookup and asks, “Oh, hi love, you ready to get some sleep?”

In the dim light, I see her tiredly shake her head as she struggles to remove the coat she is wearing. She seems to notice it is being held in place by her saddlebags and I hear her grunt as she drops the bags and climbs in bed with me. “Sorry for waking you dear. We just finished up; this bunch will be taken back by wagon to the railhead.”

As she is speaking, I see Millie climb onto her and Moon’s bunk. She doesn’t even bother to remove her coat and saddlebags. Within minutes she is deep asleep. Soon Sutures had climbed into bed next to me. She laughs lightly and asks, “Does it strike you funny as it does me, that we spend more time with the others birth daughter than our own?”

I wrap my forehoof around her and gently kiss her on her forelock before I answer. Then I tell her, “Not really love. To me all our kids are mine, and Millie is yours as much as mine. Goodness, even when I could not be there for her when I was deployed you were. I think she really admires you too.”

I feel her move her head back slightly in the dark as she asks, “Why do you say that?”

I gently bop her on the muzzle with my hoof and I answer, “Because she is hoping to get a medical cutie mark, you are the one medic in our entire family, and she wants your approval and to be like you.”

“But dear, I thought she already knew I loved her.”

“She does, and she wants to make sure that you know she loves you by following in your hoofsteps if she can. Sort of like how Bucky did with Badger.”

I feel her smile against my foreleg, “Yeah he did, didn’t he?” she says in a voice that tells me she is almost asleep.

I nod my head and kiss her lightly again and I tell her, “Get some sleep love. Tomorrow will be another long day.”

She barely nods her head and I hear her begin to snore. I finally close my eyes and thank Sweet Cream for this and the day we have had. Then I fully close my eyes and go back to sleep.

Two days later we can see how the slope of the land is gradually becoming more noticeable as we begin to leave the plains. To the northeast and later east of our trek we find the remains of the once-great forests. In some areas, we can see the land is trying to heal itself. Not always with success, it seems though. To the northeast is also Splendid Valley. I am visiting with Sirocco in his headquarters when Both Quick Frost and Blue Star ask his chief of staff to talk to him.

Sirocco tells him, “Yes, please go ahead and bring them in.”

Once they are in front of use, I see them both go to the position of attention and I hear Quick Frost ask, “Sir, as we are so close to Splendid Valley and Maripony, we were wondering if we could have one of the brigade chaplains perform the blessing for our sisters and mother who did not survive the blast there.”

I see he is stunned when she asks this. He soon replies, “I guess so, I just had not thought of it.”

Then Quick Frost notices me there and asks, “Colonel Mollygirl, would you mind if Moon Lily were to accompany us there? She is like a niece to us, and we would like her to perform the blessing as well.”

I nod my head, “I can understand that Trooper. However, you need to remember that she is not able to handle magical radiation the way you two are. If Sutures says she can go, I will allow it, however, keep that in mind. I do not want my daughter hurt.”

“Understood Colonel. We do not want to see her hurt either. But we also know what she has done for the ghouls and we wish her to do the same for us.”

I look at Sirocco and I tell him, “Well if Sutures says yes, then we can leave your chaplain here and just have Moon Lily perform the blessing for them.”

I see him nod his head, “Permission granted. Please make it quick as you can. I am afraid we will need you as soon as possible again.”

They both salute. Quick Frost replying, “Yes Sir, thank you, Colonel.” Then they both about-face and leave as soon as possible.

Shortly afterward I return to my camp and find Sutures waiting there for me with a frustrated expression on her face. Once I am close enough, she asks, "Mollygirl, did you give Quick Frost and Blue Star permission to take my daughter?”

I shake my head and tell her, “No, I told them she could go if you gave her permission to. But to be honest, perhaps it is best if she does. I know they would feel much better.”

I hear her sigh as she looks to the northwest. “Mollygirl, do you think it is safe for her to go with them?”

“Honestly, yes,” I tell her. Then I continue, “She is a niece to them. She is family; therefore, they will protect her. They do realize that she can still be hurt, but I think this means a lot to them also. Besides, it keeps her out of combat for a few more days at least.”

“OH, ok, but you know the other fillies will want to go with them.” She tells me.

“Yeah, I thought of that. Perhaps that would be a good thing. Well except Mills not being able to go too.”

“Well, she has been pretty busy at the hospital. She has started writing letters for those who can’t in her off time. You know those troopers really do appreciate that, and she has come to realize it when one of them called her their little princess.”

I nod my head, “I can believe it dear. I know how much they appreciated you when we were back in Hackamore all those years ago.”

When I say this, I see her smile. Then she says, “Oh, I saw both Badger and Archer today. Both said to give you, their love. They will stop by as soon as they can.”

Shortly after this, I call my couriers to me and I tell them about this mission to escort Quick Frost and Blue Star.

Moon Lily looks at me and asks, “Colonel, this is not to just get us out of the way, is it?”

I shake my head and tell her, “No, they requested you to perform the blessing for those who died there.”

I see Moon nod her head, “In that case ma, I would be glad to do it for them and Granny Choo. I know she has mentioned off hoof to me about her worries for those who died, ever since Hoofington.”

The other three with her all nod their heads. Then I tell them, “Besides you should only be gone for a couple of days.

Soon after the two sisters arrive. Once they do so I tell them, “The other three are going to be going with you also.”

Quick Frost begins to raise a hoof and then Slip Stream tells her, “As Choo Choo Found out, where one of us goes, we all go. So sorry Ma’am.”

I hear her sigh, but I almost laugh when I hear Blue Star say under her breath, “Oh no, they have been reading Fancy Flew.”

They all four look at her and smile, and Moon Says, “Yes we have Auntie Blue.”

I see her smile as she shakes her head. Then she looks at Quick frost and tells her, “I know you never read them, so you would not understand. But this is important to them. I am alright with all of them coming.”

I see Quick Frost look up and hear her mutter something. Then she says, “Ok, grab your kits and let’s go fillies.”

Soon after they are flying to the northwest with me and Sutures watching them go until they are out of sight.

My wife then looks at me and asks, “Do you think they will be ok?”

I nod my head, but then ask, “Do you mean the fillies or Quick Frost and Blue Star?”

She laughs lightly, taps my shoulder with a hoof, and says, “You know who I mean.”

I nod my head again, “Yeah, I am sure they will be. Goddesses, those four have already had some real adventures that is for certain.”

Three days later we are engaged in heavy combat at the first mountain pass we have to make it through to get to Coltlumbia. Earlier in the day Sutures had approached me that she was worried that they were gone so long already. I tried to reassure her as best I could. Then we had our first air raid.

The battle has been going on for several hours already. The 3^rd Regiment is positioned right before the gap. The Fourth is off to our northeast some, while the 2^nd Regiment is to our southwest.

As we are fighting our way up the approach to the gap, I hear over the radio, “This is the grand battery command, all artillery batteries are to form on my PipBuck Tag, now.”

I watch as my artillery guns limber up and all begin rolling away. Damn him, I need those guns. I think to myself as I watch my troopers above crawling and climbing from position to position.

I look back down below and I begin to see all of the guns forming a grand battery. They are almost hub to hub. I also see the limbers parked behind them ready to provide them more ready ammo.

Once they are all formed, I hear every artillery piece in the brigade begin to fire at the same time. Soon the positions above us are being pounded by shells. After about 20 minutes of this heavy shelling, the firing stops. Then I hear the whistles and I watch as my ponies and cattle swarm up out of their positions and charge towards the top.

As they are approaching the top it seems like we will carry the day. Then I see a Raptor appear in the sky. Dear Sweet Cream, why, why now?

I watch the battery first all shift fire onto the raptor, then I see all of my fliers begin to take off to engage it, including George. Unfortunately, I also see many of the pegasi that were defending the pass take off also.

Soon the raptor shifts its fire at the grand battery and I watch as some of the guns are hit. The gunners begin to quickly harness up and begin to disperse the guns. I hear Archer over the radio giving the commands to the artillery batteries. Telling them where to deploy, then he tells them, No more than three rounds, and then the guns shift again.

As the fight continues, we finally take the gap, but the Raptor has begun to fly towards our rear and begins to take our supply train and rear echelon forces under fire.

I watch as George flies at it from underneath and breaths fire at it several times to no avail. Then I see her jerk some and I can tell she has been hit. I watch as she slowly flies away taking her escort with her.

As this is going on I am watching the aerial battle from the ground fully unfold. Both sides taking it fully to the other. I see many areas where the sky battle has become hoof to hoof and talon. Then I watch as some of the second regiment's troopers land skywagons onto the Raptor. I see the normally ground-bound troopers running across it and planting charges on several of the topside weapons mounts as well as at several other points on it, including right behind the bridge windows.

Those that are doing this are taking a punishing amount of fire, but are being fully supported. I watch as one of the wagons begins to fly away and is shot out of the air, spinning all the way to the ground so far below. The others seem to be trapped. I am trying to decide what to do when I hear over the radio, “Draftee HQ this is Dodger 8 yellow, we are inbound. We have friends with us.”

I nod my head, glad to hear that they are coming in, but afraid that the youngsters will try to fly into the fight. Then I look to the northwest and I see in the distance, five wings of alicorns following Quick Frost and Blue Star who have formed a wing with Moon Lily at the point and followed by another wing of smaller fillies.

My mouth hangs open as I watch half of them disappear and then reappear on the top of the airship. Suddenly I watch as they use their magic to shield the other ponies from our brigade and I see them all leap into the air and watch as MEWs and bullets bounce off their shields. Suddenly there is an explosion on the bridge of the airship. I can hear its alarms sounding in the distance. Then I watch as it slews first sideways and then looks like it will crash into the mountain. But it recovers just in time not to. I am stunned as I watch it limp away. As it departs those Enclave troopers who can take off to follow it. Those who can’t begin to surrender. Then I look up in time to see four of my troopers plant the NCR flag on the northern peak of the gap, and raise it high in the air.

Part of me wants to cheer. But mostly I just want to sit down as the exhaustion from the battle sets in and I feel nothing but relief that we survived it.

Soon after I receive a message on my PipBuck from the General for a commanding officers' call. I shake my head and turn to Windy, “XO, the regiment is yours until I return. Please try to get the casualties for me while I am gone.”

“Of course, Ma’am. Be careful out there, you never know about stragglers.”

I smile and tell her, “Very true, look at the stragglers we seem to have picked up. I am really looking forward to hearing that story.”

She smiles back, “Yeah, I know, same here. Goddesses, what have Frost Glitter and Snow Song gotten themselves into now?

I smile and shake my head on my way out the door. But I have to ask the same about Moon on this one.

Dear DJ Pon3,

As we have come across the plains to the mountains, we have met others who are our elders and who have taught us much. We continue on with the good fight. Today the Enclave tried to stop us. But instead, we stood side by side in the fight bringing together an alliance to fight them and to help us win the day. For those of us who stood here today, please play Wolf Totem.

Thank you

Slip Stream, Trooper, 3^rd Manesville Regiment, the Wolf Pack,

I would like to thank Kkat and the other authors who have laid the foundation for the world of FoE. It has allowed me to create the world of FoE: Borderlands, and hopefully allowed you the reader to enjoy it also.

This chapter's dedication song is a bit different from most. I recommend reading the subtitles. The words that they are singing seemed to be most appropriate for this chapter. I will admit to also enjoying the sound of it as well.

For those who would like to view this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM8dCGIm6yc