The old zebra stops rocking in his chair on the porch of his long-time home. He slowly closes the book and tells the foals and calf at his hooves, “Ok, storytime is done, time for bed now youngsters,” as they are slowly moving to get up, he smiles and kiddingly tells them, “Ok, now get going youngsters. If you are not quick enough Silver Spite and his chitters will get ya!”

They all squeal in mock terror as they run inside his cabin. From inside he hears his daughter-in-law Ginger saying, “ok you little terrors, settle down and help me get the blankets and pillows ready for everyone.”

Slowly his son comes out and sits on the porch next to him. “How are you doing, Father?” he asks.

The old zebra takes a deep breath and smiles at his son, then he looks across the farmyard, past the big house, and at the small graveyard there. He sighs and tells him, “Feeling my age Xochitl, feeling my age.”

Xochitl nods his head. “You miss them, don’t you?”

“Yes, my son. All of them, your mother, Sutures, Sumac, who gave us this home, Magpie, and Archer. But especially the Colonel. She was my first real friend.”

Xochitl twists his head to the side slightly and thoughtfully asks, “Father, did you love her?”

Xavier laughs slightly, “Perhaps, but I would never have hurt your mother that way. I loved her too much to even consider another mare.”

Xochitl smiles and tells him, “Yes, I do understand father. We are only equine after all.” He pauses and says, “Xailynn should be home tomorrow father.”

He nods his head, “That is good. I was hoping to see her again soon. Any news on how she is doing?”

“No, not really. The letter just told us when she would be back in Manesville. It seems her junket to Hoofington went rather well.”

“That is good to hear. Your sister is very smart when it comes to dealing with those down there.”

Xochitl grins, “Well it doesn’t hurt that the Repair Ponies are still known down there, that and that Choo Choo considers her family. That keeps some of the rougher ones in line.”

Xavier tilts his head and asks, “Is that all? That Choo Choo considers her family?”

“Well, that and a couple of very accurate, long-range shots a few years back. But father, that is a story for another time.”

He nods his head and twists his ears slightly, “Yes, I guess it is, but someday son, I really want to hear about what you and the others have been up to for so long.”

Xochitl nods his head, “Perhaps father, but I will say it has been nothing like the Valley.”

“No, nothing could have been like the Valley. Even the charge of the 2^nd regiment at Coltlumbia as bloody as it was, only lasted for half a day, not a siege and done over and over.”

“They say that until shortly after the day of Sunshine and Rainbows that Hoofington was always horrifying. Having been there, I can believe it.” Xochitl tells his father.

“Who are those that you call they? My son.”

“Father, those who live there as well as I remember Ginger's mother Nugget talking about it when she did not think we could hear.”

Xavier nods his head, then he looks into the distance across the road and he sees her once again. He looks back at his son, “Xochitl, why don’t you go back inside, I will join you in a bit but I want to visit your mother first. Tonight, I am missing her.”

Xochitl smiles sadly and nods his head, “Of course father, I will see you inside, would you like me to have some tea ready?”

Xavier laughs lightly, “No, not tonight, maybe a shot of Old Overmare though.”

As Xochitl goes inside he slowly walks down the stairs and crosses the road to her. He sees her standing by the grave of his old friend the Colonel. The white mare with a black mane and tail wearing her cloak so most of her face is covered.

As he approaches behind her she says, “It is good to see you, my old friend.”

His voice sounding more like it did when he first saw her, he answers, “It is good to see you too. I am sorry to interrupt you, but I have seen you many times of late and I wanted to see if you were, ok?”

She laughs sadly, “A mortal, much less a zebra, asking me if I am, ok? A very strange thing for one of my kind is it not?”

“Perhaps, but perhaps not, depending on my family line. But you did not answer me.”

This time she sighs, “No, no I am not. You were wise my friend when you said never make a deal with a spirit. I made one and it cost me what time I could have spent with my first friend.”

Xavier is now curious. His ears twist to the side and one comes forward while the other is to the side. He asks, “You made a deal with a spirit? Why?”

She audibly sighs, then she answers, “To save the one she loved most and her foal.”

Xavier moves his head back somewhat in surprise. Then he looks at her and asks, “Sutures and Moon Lily?”

She simply nods her head in reply. Then she quietly says, “I fear I have made a great error though, for part of the bargain required I give some of my life force to the foal to save her life. I sorrow for her as I know not how long she will live, and because part of me is in her, she is my daughter as well as that of the family.”

“Is that why she is so powerful?”

“Perhaps, I know not for sure. As far as I know, it was never done before.”

“Then, as one friend to another, and one parent to another, please, be there for her when she needs you.” The old Xavier says.

She nods her head, then she pats the ground next to her and the grave, “Please, come lay next to me and join me. I have learned to miss having others with me.”

He does as she requests. As the night gets late and the moon is high overhead she tells him, “Now, to bed my friend, until next time.” Then she lightly kisses him on his cheek.

He returns the favor and tells her, “Until next time my friend. I look forward to your next visit.”

“And so do I,” she tells him. Then as he slowly walks back across the road, he feels the pain in his joints begin to subside. One of the benefits of having her visit he muses to himself. As he falls asleep he dreams of all those years ago when he first met her during the expedition and feared her. Then he remembers how once back she came to him on those rough nights when he could not sleep and kept him company during his silent night watches that none of the others realized he stood. Oh, to be young again and relive those times he thinks to himself as he falls into a restful sleep.

“Look, I don’t care who you think you are, you are not moving her grave.” The old mule tells the young military officer in front of him.

“I am sorry, but it is not my decision. The NCR wants to build a memorial to some of the founding officers of the NCR. They only want to move her body over to the cemetery by the old stable.”

The mule looks at the officer, “I may be old you young buck, but I will still tear you a new one if you put one shovel to the dirt there. She was my mother. When she died, she was not in combat like her husband Badger. She was at home with her family and died in her sleep with my other mother Sutures. So, no. How about I dig up your mother, huh?”

Exasperated, the officer says, “Sir, I am just following orders.”

“How about you go get your superior officer son, I’ll wait. I have plenty of time.”

“Sir, I don’t know who you think you are, but you are not going to change my orders.”

The old mule begins his mulish laughter. Soon from out of the smaller house on the farm comes a zebra mare about several years older than him. Once she gets close enough, she asks him, “Dear, did you finally let him know who you are?”

As he tries to stop laughing, he finally spits out, “Not yet dearest, He told me I could not change his orders.”

The zebra mare does not laugh, instead, she just shakes her head. Then she asks the young officer, “They didn’t tell you who her family is, did they?”

The officer looks upset, “No ma’am, but that doesn’t mean anything. If he is not in my chain of command, what he wants means little. I have my orders.”

She shakes her head and looks at her husband. “Dear, I tried. Just don’t crush him too hard. I need to go back inside to finish working on the proposal that I am going to put forth next week before the assembly.”

When he hears this, the officer’s ears twitch a little bit. In the back of his mind, he knows that this should be a warning, but he doesn’t know why. Finally, in an irritated voice he asks, “So just who do you think you are to talk to an officer of the NCR like this.”

This time Coffee Cake becomes immediately serious. His ears start to go back and he almost growls, “I am Brigadier General Coffee Cake you young welp. And even if I was not the Commanding officer of the Manesville Brigade you should never have talked to anyone like you have me.” He pauses to briefly let his words sink in. “DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, Lieutenant?”

The officer has gone pale. His ears are no longer up at all, they hang limply at the side of his head. In his mind, he realizes he may have just destroyed what he hoped would be a very promising career. Meekly he answers back, “Yes Sir.”

“Now, I want to talk to dumb SOB who gave you that order. Get them here now.”

Almost quivering now, the Lieutenant replies, “Yes sir,” then he spins on his hind hooves and gallops off, leaving the troops he brought with him behind.

Coffee, then leans on the fence and calls out, “First Sergeant, now why didn’t you warn that still wet behind the ears pup about who I was?”

The First Sergeant steps up to him, “Sir, no offense but he is a snot-nosed kid still. I am not even sure how he got his bars already.”

Coffee laughs, "I understand, but if he has an education then they started to accelerate some of them. My big brother used to tell me about how they did that during the great war.”

The 1^st Sergeant looks at him funny, “Sir, how could you have had a big brother who fought in the great war?”

Coffee laughs lightly to himself. “Oh, He was one of the caretakers at Site Paddock. I and my twin sister were under their care until the mare that little SOB wanted to dig up volunteered to carry us, give birth to us, and then raised us.”

The 1^st Sergeant shakes his head slightly, “You know sir, that never made the history books about her.”

Coffee nods his head, “I am not surprised, things like that usually don’t. She and Johnny both taught me that. Part of why I had to buck for rank so hard. I wanted to be one of the few of my kind who made it this far.”

The 1^st Sergeant looks at the grave across the street and smiles. “Sir, from what I have heard through family lore, she would have been proud of you for that.”

Coffee feels a tear begin to form in his eye that he wipes away. “Thank you for saying that 1^st Sergeant, I sure hope she would be. She gave up a lot to have me and my sis. Even the chance to get her star.”

The noncom just shakes his head. Then he asks, “Sir, I have read some of the old reports in the archives, what was she like as a pony?”

Now the old jack smiles broadly and tells him, “She was a wonderful caring mother, she loved and was loved by her family.” Then he notices some of the other troopers have moved closer to listen. He smiles and tells them, “While I was not born until after she retired, I still remember her and my other parents talking about their times in service. The stories that I remember most are the ones I think that made her the mare she became. It all started with some crazed unicorn stallion named Silver Spite who was one of Red Eye’s officers…”

He is just finishing telling them what he heard the older members of his family say about the Siege of Serenity Valley when the young lieutenant and his captain approach.

Coffee then looks at the younger troopers and the non-coms and tells them, “Thank you all for listening to an old Jack ramble on about history.”

They nod and fall back to a respectful distance as the officers get close. The captain approaches and salutes. Then he says, “Yes General, what can I do for you that my Lieutenant couldn’t?”

Coffee tilts his head and asks, “Captain who gave the orders to move my mother's body to the NCR cemetery in Manesville?”

The captain looks surprised, “Your Mother sir?”

“Yes Captain, Colonel Mollygirl carried me and my sister for 11 months in her body and then raised me. She is my mother. SO, who gave the order?”

The captain looks disturbed slightly and replies, “Sir, I don’t know, but I had assumed you knew. Also, sir, I had not realized she was your mother. Or I would have questioned the order.”

"I am sure you would captain. I will be back at my Headquarters tomorrow morning; I expect you to bring me a copy of the orders. Let your battalion commander know where you are going and that it is under my direct orders,” he pauses. “Oh, and bring this young pup with you. I think he needs a lesson as well.”

The captain gulps and nods his head, “Yes sir. What time?”

Coffee then tells him a time and dismisses them. Once back in the house his wife smiles at him from her seat at the Kitchen table. She then asks, “So Coffee what was going on this time?”

He shakes his head, “Just some group decided ma should be buried with her troopers again instead of her family. I know she loved her troopers and all, but honestly love, she was retired for almost as long as she was in service. If she fell with them in the field, she would have wanted to have been buried with them, but when she passed, she wanted to be with her family. She should stay there.”

Xailynn smiles at her husband, “I agree, maybe our family can make a donation to help build a statue or something for her there. My suggestion would be to build it in Memorial Park across the street near the War Loss Wall.”

He nods his head, “Maybe you are right dear, I will see if that will satisfy their desire to move her.”

“That sounds good dear, now how about we both take a break and enjoy some tea?”

He laughs gently, “Ok, sounds good. But afterward, I still have some reports to look over. Oh, and tonight Granny Choo and Moon Lily are due back into town. I was going to see about us having dinner with them.”

She smiles and tells them, “Sounds good dear, now please get the honey down while I finish heating the water.”

As she enters the old historical site, she smiles to herself at the memories she has from it. She pays her entry fee like anyone else. The feel here is different for her here than when she visits Coltlumbia at least. Whenever she goes there, she still feels sorrow, and she feels very anxious as she remembers that day.

When she visits there, she still performs a flyover of the cemetery and she sings Days Gone By. Just like they all did on the day they buried so many from home including Papa Badger and Aunt Pages. The last time she was there she was joined by George. As they finished a couple of young pegasi flew up to meet them and one of them asked what they were doing and why. She remembers telling him about that day and how startled he was to find out she was there that day and was about his age when she fought there.

Then her mind comes back to the present. She almost laughs at the displays that they have set up. She looks at the old officers’ quarters area and remembers that those ones were actually the senior enlisted ones. The old officers’ quarters are no longer standing it seems. A shame, she would have liked to have seen the tiny room that she shared with two of her sisters and two of her mothers. Like that building, they are all gone now, but she still remembers them.

She notices that the armory where Epona told her Tater earned his cutie mark is locked and the sign outside it states how only those who were members of the NCR Army were allowed in there and only on official business, which causes her to laugh lightly. She then thinks back to how much time that her big sister and Tater had spent there.

Finally, we came to the old headquarters bunker. As the guide in his uniform with his horn sticking through his wide brim hat talks about the history of the base she simply nods until he comes to the battle of Harness. “It is here that the commanding officer controlled the trooper of the NCR forces. They say the battle went on and on for several days. Some stories even tell of the commander breastfeeding her foal while the battle raged. I only bring this up to point out how different myths can be from real history. Myself as well as the park service both consider this to be a fabricated story to try and increase the reputation of a little-known officer. After this attack is when Colonel Milo from Harness took over the forces and drove them to victory. As you can see by the size of the bloodstains on the floor by the map table, there is no way she could have survived that attack.”

Without thinking or meaning to, I clear my throat. The guide looks at me and asks, “Excuse me, ma’am, do you have a question?”

I smile at him and I tell him, “No, no question, but you have so much of what happened that day wrong.”

He smiles at Moon Lily and then the rest and says, “I assure you, I do not have it wrong. I had to extensively study the history of Hackamore, Harness, and the battle to get my position. The Historical Park Service and its sites study all documents and histories to make sure that we only pass on what the truth is.”

Again, I smile and I tell him, “You studied it. I lived it. I remember mama Mollygirl leading the fighting on that day. I also remember feeding from her that day too. I remember her near-death and how I killed that zebra after he hurt my sister Millie.”

He tilts his head and tells me, “Ma’am, that is impossible, there were no alicorns here on that day. The dragon that helped them did not even arrive until later in the day.”

Again, I shake my head. Then reply, “I was born a unicorn filly so yes, I was here that day. I know the spell to allow me to share my memories of events, if you would like I will touch my horn to yours and share it with you.”

He seems skeptical then he looks at the few others in the tour group and asks, “Will it take long?”

I shake my head, “No, unlike a memory orb your mind will process it much faster.”

He nods his head and still skeptical says, “Sure why not.”

I approach him and I touch my horn to his and begin the spell. I transfer my memories of being in the office with Epona, Tater, and Mills, with the radio chatter in the background as well as the sounds of combat. Then I let him see Mills and me sneaking out of the office and feeding off of Mama Mollygirl during the battle. I let him see Auntie Windy arrive in the bunker with George in the background outside. Finally, I let him see Mills find the zebra assassin in our bunker and how they attacked us. And to my shame, I let him see me take the first life I ever had to.

When we are done only a half-hour has passed, but it seems I slipped and allowed the spell to slip over to the other two unicorns who are also in the tour group. Those I have shared my memory with are stunned. The tour guide finally begins to come around. His eyes open wide and he shakes his head as if trying to clear it. Finally, he says, “I, I am sorry. I thought we knew the truth.” He pauses, shakes his head one more time, and then tells the non-unicorn members of the tour group about what he has seen.

As we walk out toward the gate of the site, he stops me and asks, “Ma’am, could we share this memory with those in charge of it here? I think it would allow me to tell the factual history, not what they think is true.”

This time I have to think about it. I sit down and briefly consider it. Finally, I tell him hesitantly, “Yes, I guess so. I will be in this region for about another month visiting family. I do tend to return every couple of years to keep in touch and to welcome the new arrivals.”

“Thank you, Ma’am, and for what it is worth, I am sorry you had to experience that in the first place.”

I sigh then tell him, “It is ok. I am just glad that such times are so rare now that others can now question them. And also, thank you for making sure that they are still all remembered. Of those in the bunker that day, I am the last one left alive, it is good to know that while they may not be remembered, their efforts are.”

They sit off to the side of the park watching a group of young foals, calves, and griffon play. They can hear the joy in their laughter. Behind the youngsters is a statue of a scarred mare standing on her hind legs with a saber held in her pastern.

Beside her, she hears Choo Choo laugh lightly as she tilts her head and says, “You know Moon Lily, I remember when she actually did stand like that. It was at the Valley. One of her worst memories, and yet they immortalized her for it.”

“I know, who would have ever expected it. But at least once they carved this statue they stopped trying to move her body.” She sits silently for a moment. Then she looks at Choo Choo and her mother the Mareigan on the other side of her. “You know, Coffee never did forgive the NCR leaders for not wanting to leave her be. White Cloud was her home as well as his.”

As they continue to talk about her and her family, they see the shadow of a dragon coming across the ground towards them. Moon looks up and she sees George beginning to land so she can join them.

She gives a slight wave and George returns it. Then she settles on the ground next to them. George smiles and asks, “So, is that them Moon?”

She nods her head, “Yes, yes, it is Choo. It took me a while, but I found them.”

The Mareigan nods her head, “It is good to know that they are back. I have missed them, particularly her. But then again, they will not know us.” She says and then lets out a sigh.

George is sitting there next to them and Moon sees her wring her front talons together as if nervous. Moon smiles slightly and asks, “Ok George, what is it?”

They all three notice her showing her embarrassment as she blushes. Then she asks, “Moon, do you think you could look for Tempered for me next? I have so missed him ever since he died fighting the Radworym invasion.”

Moon puts her hoof on her old friend and tells her, “I have been looking for him already, hopefully, I can. If I do, I will let you know, just like I did this time.”

George lets out a low sigh, “Ok Moon, I appreciate it. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, George.”

“So how did you know they would be here today?” Choo Choo asks.

Moon Lily smiles and answers, “Because they play here almost every day.”

Mareigan nods her head, “I have seen them, but I did not realize who they were. A pity, but it is nice to know.”

Then George asks quietly, “Ok, so who is who?”

Moon smiles knowingly, “Honestly that is the funny part. The young heifer is my birth mother. The unicorn colt, well he was papa Archer.”

When she pauses, Choo Choo asks, “So which one is Mollygirl?”

Moon patiently looks at her great-grandmother and tells her, “The young light blue pegasus filly. It is funny but the pegasus colt next to her is Xavier. Oh, and the young bull, well she was Buttermilk.”

“Such beautiful souls, hopefully, they may find peace in this lifetime,” Mareigan tells them.

Moon nods her head to look at her and tells her, “I hope the same thing. Nothing to cause them nightmares. Maybe enough excitement to get the blood flowing and that is enough.”

“I am surprised that Xavier was so close to her,” George says.

Moon smiles sadly, “I am not. When I was performing the blessing for him, Ginger, Xochitl and I heard him talking to both Mama Mollygirl and Persimmon. He seemed to relax as he did so and soon, he closed his eyes and passed.”

As they are talking the youngsters seem to have drifted over to them. The young pegasus mare cautiously approaches them. She then says, “Hi, I am Bluebird, what’s your names?”

From the side, the young pegasus colt says in an exasperated voice, “Bluebird you are gonna get us in trouble for talking to strangers.”

She turns to him and sticks out her tongue at him. Then returns her attention to the four adults before her. “Sorry about my brother. He just worries a lot.”

Moon smiles and tells her, “I am Moon Lily and these are my friends, George, Choo Choo, and Mareigan.”

“Pleased to meet ya.” Responds Bluebird as she comes close enough to shake hooves with them. Then she says, “I never got to meet a real dragon before. Do you like flying too?”

George smiles at her and tells her, “I love flying. At one time I had an earth pony friend who used to fly on my back. We really enjoyed that together.”

The young mare’s eyes go wide. “Wow, that is really something. I never imagined an earthpony flying.”

George smiles and tells her, “Yes, she really was something.”

Bluebird then asks, “What did she look like?”

George smiles and points at the statue, “Well like her, but she was not white like a stone. She had a red coat, and a yellow mane and tail with a black streak through them.”

The colt and the other youngsters by now are close enough to overhear this. The colt then asks, “Was she a brave soldier?”

George replies, “Oh yes, she was. She didn’t realize it, but she was brave though.”

The unicorn colt then asks, “But if she was a brave soldier I guess she did not have any foals then.”

Moon Lily smiles and tells him, “Oh, she had foals, plus many others she adopted.”

The young cow then asks, “Was she a good mother?”

This time with a smile on her face and a tear in her eye she answers, “Yes, she was one of the best mothers I could have had. I loved her and still miss her.”

The young pegasus colt asks, “Can you tell us about her?”

Moon then sits down and begins to tell them about Mollygirl and her friends. They are all intrigued by the stories and listen intently. Beside her Moon’s friend simply smile and listen to the stories. Finally, they hear a voice calling out “Bluebird, Tempest, dinner is ready, time to come eat.”

The young filly then tells them, “We have to go. It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you again sometime.”

Moon smiles back at her and tells her, “Same here young mare, same here. Have a good night.”

The four friends then watch as the youngsters all split up and go their different ways so they can get home for their dinners. They give each other a brief hug, tell each other they will see each other soon, and with a brief sigh, they too go their separate ways as the sun slowly begins to set on the horizon.

Dear DJ Pon3,

It has been a long and eventful trail that I have followed throughout my life. I have lost many friends and loved ones over the years, but I still have a core group of friends. Together we realized what all we have gained and that we still have each other. We also saw a group of friends who are just at the beginning of their journey and we wish them well, and at the same time, we say goodbye to our old friends and loved ones. If you could, please play The Last Goodbye for us.

Thank you,

Moon Lily

It has been a long journey and for those who have made it with me, thank you. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it. As I sit here I contemplate all that has happened since I started it, both in the story and real life. I have tried to show Mollygirl's life in the wastelands and how even those of us who are not what most would consider special can have a great impact on others.

I am already developing my next story, which will be a spin-off I call the Repair Ponies. And yes, some of the characters we got to know in Borderlands will be in it. However, I will not be publishing it for a couple of months. The artwork for the cover page has already been done by Laura SIkes though.

A question I put out to you my readers is, should I continue to use the dedication songs at the end of the Chapters in the Repair Ponies, or just leave them here. Please let me know your thoughts on this either in a comment or in a pm.

As a side note, the final dedication song is not just for the characters in the story, but also for you, my readers.

For those who would like to listen to this final dedication, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXEPi7cnJ08