Chapter 50 Finally Home

By Trooper

“There is no mile as long as the final one that leads back home.”

― Katherine Marsh, Jepp, Who Defied the Stars

The march home takes us a little over two days. On the second night we are camped for our last time as an organized expeditionary force. I have to laugh to myself as after the first couple of hours only the fliers for the 2^nd regiment could match our normal pace. On the second day, they camped several kilometers behind us. We may look worn and ragged, but we are in true fighting shape now.

Our final night's campsite is 15 kilometers north of Prairie Garden. As we passed through, we looked at what was left of the village. I am relieved when Xavier calls back and tells me that the bodies are no longer there, but fairly recent graves have been discovered. At least we do not need to bury them too, especially after this much time.

I am sitting around the campfire enjoying a cup of tea when Fancy comes over to talk. I smile when I see her, “Hey Fancy, how are you doing tonight?” I ask.

“Evening Mollygirl, just wanted to stop by and chat a bit,” she tells me.

“So, what’s on your mind tonight Fancy?”

“Mollygirl, I am worried about my people once we get to the Co-op, I saw several start to cry when we went through Prairie Garden. Seeing their old homes hurt a lot of them. They have become a community and many don’t want to lose that again.”

I think briefly before I respond with, “Well, normally we try to integrate refugees into the communities we have, but perhaps we can propose to the board of directors that we found a new community. I know there are some large areas that have farms that have not been recovered yet. Or after the normal year of obligated service in the fields, you could all find an area and do that. But yeah, I can understand how you feel about that.”

Then she tells me something that surprises me some, “Maybe, but I think they are like me, they are also afraid of starting over again. Right now, we have our scavengers, we have our restaurants, our saloons, our blacksmith and armorer, and now even a teacher. Mollygirl, I am the defacto Mayor Mare for our community. I don’t want to see my people split up if they don’t want to start all over again.”

I smile sadly both to her, and myself. “A little secret here Fancy; I am just as scared as they are. I am having to restart my whole family again. I have to get to know my spouses again. I pray that Sutures is ok, Heck, even the mare who helped raise me has had our relationship change completely,” I think to myself and do not realize I say it out loud, “Stupid son of a mule to blame for that one.”

I realize I said it out loud when I hear Fancy laugh lightly then she smiles and puts a hoof on my shoulder, “Mollygirl, I understand how you feel about that situation, but I can not tell you what to do in it.”

“You know Fancy when we left, I was still trying to be a simple mare. I wanted to have my career, sure. But more then anything else, I wanted to be loved and have a family. In the last year, my world has been turned upside down entirely. Frankly, Fancy, I am nervous as all Tartarus about what will happen tomorrow.”

She looks around, “Where’s Archer? Dear, he is a good one. Badger is nice and all, but Archer is one to ride the river with. I have not met your Magpie yet, but I do know Sutures and she will not let that leg keep her down either. So, you have two ponies who love you. Mollygirl, I am lucky to have finally found one. And both of us had to lose our homes to find each other.”

I smile at that, “Fancy, while I am very sorry you both lost your homes, can I say that I really am glad that you two have found each other. That and that I am very happy and proud to call you my friend.”

She sticks out her hoof and I shake it as she tells me, “And I, you, Mollygirl. This is another thing I will miss, our nightly conversations. Life is changing Mollygirl, for all of us.”

I look up at the night sky and in the faint light of the moon, I see the silhouettes of an alicorn and a Dragon flying over us. I smile again as I watch those two friends enjoy themselves together, then I tell her, “You know Fancy, just because the expedition ends, and we will not see each other all the time does not mean friendships end. Maybe some of these changes will be for the better.” I tell her.

We finish our tea together and I give her a hug, “Have a good night Fancy and thanks for stopping by. Remember, no matter where I call home, you are always welcome my friend.”

“Goodnight Mollygirl, sleep well and I will see you in the morning, my friend. Oh, I almost forgot, Stir Fry, is making doughnuts, bread, and hot coffee for in the morning for everyone. She said to make sure I let you know. Well, I better get back to Sirocco,” she says and heads off into the night.

I sit back down by the fire and am petting Woofers when I start to sing without realizing it. Soon I am joined by the members of my headquarters staff and then some others as we finish singing Red is the Rose.

Sunset then begins with his accented voice to sing the Minstrel Colt, and again we join in. Soon a bottle appears and it is passed to me. I have tears in my eyes from all the emotions I am feeling at this time. When I am hoofed the bottle, I raise it high and tell them, “To the CEF, you have made an old mare proud and you will always be my Troopers.” I take a sip and pass it on. Then I go back to drinking my tea.

We continue on like this for some time then the troopers and civilians who have migrated through start to drift off to settle in for the night. Finally, I make one last round of the camp for the night. I talk to each of the guards for a bit then decide to turn in for the night. As I head back to my bedroll, I hope to see her again, but I don’t, not even a crow. Part of me misses her already, but she did promise that if I needed her, she would be there.

I get to my bedroll and find Ginger already there with Woofers and Tweeters. As I lay there trying to fall asleep my mind begins to race through all that has happened. Eventually, I drift off to sleep holding my daughter and feeling my foal inside me.

Morning comes and I am shaken awake by Paper Work. He is holding a hot cup of tea for me. I smile and take joy in this last parting of our morning routine. “Thank you so much Paper Work, you really don’t know how much this means to me.”

He smiles back at me, “Ma’am, it has been my pleasure. But thank you for appreciating it.”

Ginger is already up and her gear is packed. I see she is eating some bacon on bread. When she notices me looking, she just says, “What, I know we are not going to get much of it anymore.”

It’s not what she says, so much as the way she says it that gets me to laugh. I notice Paper Work is laughing too, as he tells her, “Your welcome Ginger. I am just glad to see you enjoy it so much.”

I then get up and eat my breakfast too. After which I store my bedroll. I clean myself up and hold my last solo officers' call. “Good morning everyone. We will be home in a couple of hours. Once we are there We will reform. After we are dismissed, I want all active-duty troops to go to the Armory to turn in their weapons. I look at Sunset and tell him, “Only issued weapons are to be turned in. This means Ginger, Xochitl, and Xavier’s weapons do not get turned in. They were captured on the march. I will sign the receipt for the lost weapon for Xavier.”

I see him smile and Balanced books smirk. Balanced looks at me and says, “Understood Ma’am.”

“As for all of you. It has been my personal pleasure to serve with you and to command you. In a couple of minutes, I want to hold formation so I can tell our troops the same thing. I want the same order on the road for the march today as usual.”

I look over at Fancy, “When we get to the Stable, I want your caravan to march in with us. After we fall out, we will begin the process of welcoming all of them to the Co-op. Fancy, I want to personally introduce you to the Overmare, Overcow and the Colonel of the 1^st Regiment. It is the least I can do. All right then, dismissed back to your troops, let’s get the traveling circus ready to move.”

They head back to their units and form up for the last time away from home. My staff and I stand before them. I look at all of them and feel pride for each and every one of them. “First, at ease. I only have a few things I want to say to all of you before we get moving for the last stretch of our journey home. Yes, home to all of us who desire to stay there,” I say as I look at Fancy and her civilians before I continue, “I just wanted to take one last opportunity to say thank you again. None of us could have done this journey without the others. You have made me very proud to command such fine troops as yourselves. Our civilian siblings, I thank you for all your support and what you have done also. Each of us has shared an experience with each other that those who were not with us will not be able to fully understand. Company commanders, see to your troops and prepare to move. Companies, attention. Dismissed.” I tell them and we begin to shift into marching order.

As we begin to move again, to the south of us I see a plume of dust from the column of the Artillery and the 2^nd Regiment troops. Above them, I can see George lazily flying keeping pace with those below. They are still at least a klick away when I give the order, “Forward, March!” beginning the last couple hours of march to home.

I see a lot of excitement among the members of my command. I fall back a bit and talk with Fancy for a while. As I pass the medical wagons I think of Sutures and I feel pain in my heart at how I miss her and I worry about how she is doing. As I pass the artillery Archer calls me over and pats the seat next to him on the limber. I trot over and swing aboard. As I start to climb up, he gives me a hoof to help. I then sit next to him and smile. He looks over at me and says, “Cap for your thoughts Mollygirl?”

I nicker a little, then I tell him, “Dear, I was just thinking how different this is than when we left. Not just the situation, but for us,” I tell him as I put a hoof on his.

He smiles back and tells me, “I understand, who thought we could lose so much, yet gain so much too? By the way, Mollygirl, you need to tell me someday, what happened under Canterlot Mountain. Sutures refused to discuss it, and Ginger and the others laugh and tell me that the most unusual thing was Sutures talking to herself. Is that some kind of in-joke or something? I mean I have heard her talking to herself plenty of times.”

I smile and gently kiss him on his cheek, "Dear, really, she should tell you about it, but that is part of it, and it is not a joke. Some hard choices were made under that mountain and could have changed everything. Let’s just say for now, I think we made the right decisions, and know that you have two mares who love you, and Archer, please don’t tell Badger, but part of me really wishes this was your foal love.”

I see him almost beam with pride when I tell him that and he tells me, “Mollygirl, I feel the same, but I still want a foal with Sutures too. I hope you understand.”

“Of course, I do,” I tell him.

After a bit, I get down from the limber and trot up forward to D-troop. We are just passing the wreckage of Capon to our west; I notice that the church and foundry are no longer standing either. I guess somepony cleaned out the ferals that were still there. I think back to the day we lost Ghost there. We give it a wide berth though as we pass it, just in case.

Several hours later we come to the checkpoint outside of Dairyanne. Behind me, I hear the civilians give an excited cheer. We march up the road, I recognize the ponies and cow stationed at the checkpoint as members I know from the Cocky Colts. They wave us through and watch as we march through and turn to the west onto the main road to Manesville. As we pass through the small town, I overhear several ponies saying “That is all that’s left of them?” As we march through the troopers begin to sing The Mare I left behind me.

They keep the pace up as we pass through Emerald Grove, and are singing again. As we pass through, I see many of the locals come out and watch us pass by. I also notice that the old general store has been cleared away and a larger building has gone up in its place. I hear Choo Choo nickering from above as we pass by, I see her look in the direction of the cave and her sisters, but she stays with us still.

About a kilometer out of Manesville we take a right turn onto the road that will take us to the stable. As we make the turn, I hear the troopers begin to sing the March of the CEF. We are just about to the stable when they finish what I knew as the last chorus of it, but instead of ending the continue to sing.

At Serenity Valley we gave em what for,

With Nightmare Moon's bark and Celestia’s roar

They came at us with an overwhelming force

We fought them and stopped them there of course

It seems that they have added a few more stanzas, I guess. I am thrilled that they have remembered to add that to it. In the distance, I can see ponies and cattle coming out of the main entrance to the stable to watch as we approach.

Give us a target, give us a goal, tell us what we are fighting for

Lead and guide us and show us the way,

and we will claim victory at the end of the day

Then I see Colonel Chappy, as well as the Overmare and Overcow, come out. From the direction of Manesville I see many more coming out to watch our return.

And just when they thought they would win the fight

We surprised with more of the Co-op’s might

With hoofs on the ground and wings up high

We made Silver Spite give up his last sigh

“Right Column March,” I call to turn us toward the drill field. I notice that not only am I seeing our normal earth ponies, unicorns, and cattle, but I also see more than a few pegasi, several of them are flying in our direction.

Give us a target, give us a goal, tell us what we are fighting for

Lead and guide us and show us the way,

and we will claim victory at the end of the day.

“Column Left, March!” I command to bring us onto the parade grounds. The same one we left just a scant few months earlier. My troopers make the turn with practiced, steady ease

Now we march home our head held high

If anyone ever asks, we tell them why

While the CEF may no longer march past

We’ll be the LT’s troopers till we breathe our last

Just as they finish the last line, I give the command, “By fours, On Right into line, and Halt!”

The first set of troopers being Sunset, Trouble, Blondie and Firefly immediately turn to their right, takes ten paces and halt. The second set of four, Xavier, Xochitl, Ginger, and Choo Choo, passes by them and turn to their right, again taking the ten paces and halting in line with the first set. This is repeated over and over again until the wagons come up. When they do, they turn individually and line up with the sets. After the wagons come the limbers, followed by the Volunteer troops.

I step out in front of my troops and watch as the battalion of the 2^nd regiment repeats what we have done, but opposite and facing us, with George standing in formation at their far left. It is noticeable, the difference in the size of the units and our appearance.

As we stand at attention, I see Colonel Chappy come up. Beside him I see a pegasus mare wearing the insignia of a colonel. They march out followed by the Overmare and Overcow as well as several dozen onlookers. When they get in front of me and Major Gray Tempest they stop. I overhear Colonel Chappy say under his breath, “My Goddesses, that’s all that is left.”

He then turns towards my troop first and tell us, “Members of the CEF, you have made us proud. Thank you all for your devoted service and sacrifice, Welcome Home.”

Then he turns along with the other Colonel who addresses the 2^nd Regiment troops, “My loyal troopers, I commend you upon the expedient completion of your mission. You have saved the Co-op Expedition Force and brought them home. Proving how well your training has served you. Thank you.”

For some reason, the other colonel’s speech sticks in my craw. Yeah, they saved us, but they took their own sweet time getting there. I have a feeling that I am not the only one who feels this way.

Then the Over’s both give a short speech welcoming us home again and telling us how proud they are of us. When they are done, both colonels tell us to take over our troops, and then they depart.

I turn to my troops and call out, “Company Commanders, have your units fall out and prepare for weapons and equipment turn in. March by squads into the stable to the armory. Volunteer Company, you will go last. Those of you wishing to stay active in the CDF will take the oath, then be assigned quarters in the stable.” When I say that last part, I notice several of them have their heads rise up, ears forward and eyes wide. And then I give my last official command as CO of the CEF, “Companies, Dismissed.”

I hear the orders repeated by each troops CO’s. I then watch as each troop begins to fall out by squads and head towards the stable entrance. I feel tears begin to well in my eyes at this, the end of MY CEF.

I turn and see the Overmare and Overcow standing at the side of the parade grounds. Fancy approaches me and I take her over to meet them. They both are amicable to her and begin to question her about the civilian’s intentions and discuss with her the possibility of membership for all of them. After a bit of talking with them, Fancy asks them, “Would you two like to come to talk to all of us at once? I am sure it would be better that way as well as a much more personable way of introducing yourselves and the leadership of the Co-op to them.”

I then excuse myself and go find Ginger before I head into the stable. Archer is busy with his troops at the time so I send him a quick text message by PipBuck letting him and Badger know where I am heading.

I find Ginger with the rest of the scouts. They all seem hesitant to leave each other. Xavier tells me, “Mollygirl, we will wait for you and head home together if you do not mind.”

“Thank you, Xavier, I really do appreciate it. I still have to find out where Sutures is. I want to see her as soon as possible too.”

He smiles sadly, “I understand all too well. We can wait LT, we can wait.”

I then notice his PipBuck and realize that all my scouts except Sunset need to turn them in. “Xavier, Sunset, we will need all non-personal weapons turned in to the armory as well as issued equipment, including PipBucks.”

I see several of them move their hoofs towards theirs as I say it. “I am sorry everypony, but the stable does not have a lot of them left. And I am sure that they have even fewer now with the formation of the 2^nd Regiment.”

“We understand Major, it’s just you get so used to a thing sometimes, and it is hard to imagine not having it,” Xavier answers for them all.

I nod my head, “I do understand, believe me. If it were up to me, you would be able to keep them.”

“That’s ok ma’am, we do understand, do you mind going into the stable with us?” I hear Chip ask.

“It would be my pleasure; I need to report in anyways,” I tell them, then I turn and before I can lead them in Ginger tugs on my barding.

“Ma, can I ride on your back in?”

I smile to myself, “Sure, why not,” I tell her as I kneel down and let her climb on my back. Once I stand back up, I finish leading them into the stable. At the tunnel entrance are a new guard post on one side and an automatic anti-machine gun nest opposite it. There has been built a short wall about 15 feet before the opening that would prevent a foe from running straight into it now.

We walk down the tunnel and I see the first change. On one side is a painting of a rearing pony holding a sword high in its pastern. Below it, a ribbon that twists and says, First to Fight. Above it is painted 1^st Regiment Co-op Guard. On the other side is painted a silhouette of each type of Pony, running, a pegasus in the center with its wings spread and behind them is a silhouette of George. Above them are the words 2^nd Regiment Airmobile CDF. Below them are the words, Death from the Clouds.

Not bad I think to myself; I have to say I like both of them.

As we get to the Armory, I see the line waiting to turn in equipment and weapons. I tell my scouts I will see them in a bit and go to report in at the regimental headquarters. As I am passing the medical department, I see Moonpie standing by the railing looking down into the atrium.

I walk over to her and greet her, “Good to see you again Moonpie.”

She looks startled and looks up and smiles at me, I see her notice my scar and get a slightly sad look on her face and then she looks over my shoulder at something. Then I hear Ginger from on my back say, “Hello, it’s good to meet you, ma’am, Ma has been saying she needs to talk to you.” I am embarrassed as I had forgotten she was still there. To Ginger, this has gotten to be normal for her to ride on my back.

Moonpie raises an eyebrow, and replies to us, “It is good to see you are back Mollygirl, congratulations on your promotion by the way,” then she asks, “And who is this young mare with you?”

“Excuse me for my lack of manners Moonpie. This is my daughter Ginger.”

I see a look of confusion on her face at first as she says, “I had not realized you had a daughter. I know you thought that way about Epona but I did not know you had a foal already.”

Ginger then tells her with a bit of sadness but also pride in her voice, “Ma adopted me after my mom Nugget was killed at Targhee. Epona was my half-sister ma’am.”

“I see,” she says then looks at me and nods her head, “Mollygirl, stop by as soon as you get a chance and we will make an appointment for you to come to talk to me,”’ She then looks at Ginger them back to me, “If Ginger would like to talk to me I would be open to that as well and we can set up an appointment for her too.”

“Thank you Moonpie, I will get back to you about that later, but I need to get going, I still have to report in, and then I want to see where they took Sutures when the brought back.”

She looks at me a bit strange, “Do you mean the medic Stitches?” she asks.

“Yes, do you know?” I ask.

“Mollygirl, I am not sure, but she may still be at the stable medical department. Most went over to the Manesville hospital though.”

“Ok, thanks Moonpie, it is great to see you again and I will talk to you later,” I tell her and I continue on to the HQ.

As we get there, I hear a Cadet I do not recognize make a snide comment of “I did not realize it was bring your filly to work day.”

I stop in my tracks. I still have my full kit on as well as weapons. I turn to the cadet and calmly tell him, “Excuse me, I know my uniform does not show my proper rank at this time, but you can address me as Major Mollygirl, and you damn well better understand I just got back from the field, and this filly has probably seen more action in the last two months then you have so, I would give her some respect. Especially as she is still carrying live rounds in that SIR on her shoulder.”

I see his mouth start to hang open. I turn and continue on my way to the Colonel's office. Once outside of it I see Emerado approaching. She notices Ginger on my back and I see her close her eyes some, yep, she saw the casualty reports alright. She comes up to us and tells us, “It’s great to see you both again. Mollygirl, would you like me to watch Ginger while you report to the Colonel?”

“Thank you Emerado, I really appreciate it,” I tell her and kneel down so Ginger can climb down.

Once she is down Ginger turns around and gives me a hug, and the says “Thanks Ma, I will see you when you are done.”

I give her a kiss on the helmet and tell her, “Ok Ginger, behave please for your step-grandmother.”

I have to fight the urge to laugh when I see Em’s face when she realizes what I have just said. Then I quickly knock on the Colonel's door and enter when he tells me to do so.

The Colonel is behind his desk. I march up in front of it and salute him as I did as a cadet. He smiles at me, “At ease major, please take a seat.”

“Thank you, Colonel,” I tell him as I sit down.

He chuckles lightly, “Mollygirl, you are a major now. When we are in private please call my Chappy.”

“Thank you, sir, I mean Chappy, sorry about that.”

“Mollygirl, you did an excellent job of picking up and bringing the troops home after most of the officers were killed. That is part of the reason I made the suggestion to the higher-ups that you maintain your position of leadership, you will be the second battalion commander for the 1^st regiment. You will maintain D and H troops as well as a reconstituted E troop. Do you think some of your volunteers may be interested in assisting in that?”

I smile and tell him, “Sir, if not all, then most of them. If I may suggest though that if Clock Work request to stay in that he be given a commission and take over the reconstituted E-troop. Failing that if his sergeant Trip Hammer decides to, then the same for him. Both performed outstanding yeomanry service for us.”

I see him tilt his head as he looks at me and thinks about this, “Interesting suggestion, don’t you think though that some of the remaining regulars from E-troop might object?”

I smile when I answer, “Sir, they have been serving under the command of the Volunteers since we lost Tenderhoof. I do not believe it will cause any problems. In fact, they are all already used to working together.”

He nods his head, “An interesting way of doing things major, now, speaking of interesting, let's begin to hit the high points of the expedition. I will expect a full written report in two weeks after you return from leave, but let’s hit the highlights for now.”

“Yes sir,” I reply, then I begin to tell him some of the highlights. He takes a particular interest in the foals meeting with Gawd as well as the railyards under Canterlot mountain. I have his full attention when I mention the rail car with the portal in it.

After about an hour he tells me to make sure I stop at the quartermasters and get my proper rank insignia and to have a good leave. Then he dismisses me.

As I head back out into the main office area. I see Ginger off to the side with Emerado and some of the other staff members, as she goes over the map with them and tells them of our adventures. She is pointing at JR-7 when I come up and I hear her say, “Really, Xochitl and me got to talk to some griffon named Gawd and a unicorn named Velvet as well as a zebra. We told them about home and they were really interested.”

I laugh lightly and surprise them all as I tell them, “Well we do have two representatives of theirs with us, so feel free to ask them too.”

Em then gets my attention and has me step to the side, as Ginger keeps talking to them and describing some of our fights, Emerado tells me, “Ginger told me about Sutures, I found out she was taken to the Medical Department of the stable.”

“Thank you Em, you do not know how important that is for me to know. By the way, how is dad and Shadowbuck?”

She smiles. “Bullet is doing really well. Though he and I both worry about Shadowbuck. He is still getting slivers and splinters that work their way out. But the doctors say he will be fine eventually.”

“Thank the Goddesses on both counts.” I tell her, then I add, speaking of miracles Em, “My foal should be born only a month or so after yours.”

I see her eyes go wide and her mouth drops open and then she recovers, “Congratulations Mollygirl, I am so happy to hear that. I know your dad will be too.” She says as she gives me a hug.

After we break the hug, I tell her, “I need to get going dear, I have to check on Sutures and then get back home.”

Before I can go though, she stops me, “Sorry Mollygirl to delay you, but before you go, I had already picked these up from supply for you.” In her hoof are my Major insignia, which I have her assist me in putting on my uniform.

“Thank you again Em, this means so much to me,” I tell her.

“Anytime Major, now go get your daughter and see your wife to be, and yes, Ginger spilled the beans to me about that too,” she says with a slight laugh.

I go over to get Ginger and she is telling them of how Red Eyes troops tried to cut us off after we reached New Appleloosa. She is telling them the part of how our supply wagons were on the run and Major Quick Trot has set the CEF in fixed positions, and the MP’s directing us where to go as we came to the lines.

I am seeing amazement on many of their faces as they listen to her. I let her finish talking about that fight then I interrupt, “Ginger, we need to get going, Sutures is in the Medical department, Archer and Badger will meet us there.”

She hops down from the chair she was standing on so she could point at the map more easily, “Ok ma, sorry everyone, maybe Ma will let me come back and tell you more later.”

I actually see the disappointment on some of their faces as she walks over to me to leave. Once we are out of the HQ and almost to medical, she tells me, “Ma, after I told them about the Battle of Two-step and then the race for the bridge, the cadet who was giving me a hard time actually apologized. He said he had never expected a filly to see that much action.”

I put a hoof over her shoulder, “I am glad he did, that was very polite of him.” Then I see Archer and Badger both walking up at the same time. Badger steps up first and kisses me first on my muzzle, then he surprises me by kissing me on my cheek. After he does this, I repeat it with Archer.

Archer then looks at all of us, “Shall we go see our darling now?” he asks.

I simply nod my head and Badger and Ginger both respond quickly with a “Yes!”

We enter the medical front office area. I see the medic at the desk take a look at us. I guess we should have cleaned up first, but this is more important.

She leads us to the back where the recovery ward is. As we enter, I see her and want to cry with relief that she is still alive. As we come up to her bed I can tell how bad it was. She has lost a leg. She looks at me with tears in her eyes, then Archer and even Badger and tells us, “I, I am sorry, if you don’t want me now, I understand. Before I can react, she has two bucks, one on each side both kissing her on the cheek simultaneously.

Archer tells her, “Of course not, my dearest mare. You are still beautiful and we love you.”

On the other side, I see Badger whisper something in her ear that makes her blush some and then giggle. She then puts a hoof alongside his cheek and looks him in the eyes and asks “Promise?” to which he nods his head.

Both of them give her a hug and then move so Ginger and I can come up. I extend my forehooves to hug her and give her an ever-so-gentle kiss. “I love you Sutures; you should know that by now.”

She looks down at the sheets, “I know, but you never counted on this.”

Ginger then comes over and hugs her, “Mama Sutures, we're family, even if we are not blood, we're here for each other.”

We stay there and talk with her for a while then we are interrupted by the members of the 1^st Squad of D-troop, with Dusty leading them entering. They all come over and say hi and kid around with her some, the bottle comes out and I see Sutures grin with a tear in her eye. “Thank you everypony, this means a lot to me.”

We stay there a bit longer and then I tell Sutures, “Dear, seeing as you have company, I am going to take these guys home to get cleaned up. I will be back tomorrow ok?”

She smiles and puts out a forehoof for a hug, as we go to hug, she shifts and she kisses me as intimately as anypony ever has. We break the kiss and see all those around us smiling, I hear Pearl joking say, “I wish somepony would kiss me that way.”

I am almost surprised when I hear Woody reply back, “Later dear, later,” as he lightly pats her on the back.

The bucks also both kiss her goodbye and then Ginger gives her a hug and tells her, “See ya tomorrow Mama Sutures.” We all give a small wave and head back out.

We stop at the armory and I see Buckshot behind the counter. He smiles at us, “Good to see you back Major. What do you have that you need to turn in?”

He is looking at my weapons, and almost is drooling. I surprise him when I answer, “Just the basics, my weapons are battlefield recoveries. I should turn in my PipBuck as well as Ginger’s.”

He sighs, “Well Major, from now on, you get to keep your PipBuck all the time, the privilege of rank. As for the youngsters, let me see it.

Ginger sadly puts her hoof up and he takes out a special tool to remove it. Then he puts it on the bench and hooks some cables up to it and says, “Give me a minute here, I will be putting her data from it on a file for her to keep. She can load it on any other PipBuck she may obtain later.”

I see her smile suddenly, and she says, “Thank you, sir, I really appreciate it.”

“Your welcome young mare. The least I can do.” He tells her with a smile, then he takes a small plastic computer file and gives it to her. “Here you go, it has all your messages as well as locations as markers on it. From the size of it you have been busy.”

She smiles, “Yes sir, I also have some music that I saved from DJ Pon3 on it.”

He nods his head, “I do the same thing, OK, you ponies have a good night now.”

We then head out the stable entrance where I see my scouts still waiting. Chip and Blackberry Pie tell us goodbye first and then head towards Manesville. Firefly, ask me if he can talk to me privately for a minute.

He and I walk away from the others and once far enough away he asks, “I know she is not your daughter officially, but I know how close you are to both her, and her sister, so I felt I should ask you first.”

I nod my head as I begin to suspect what this is about. Then he continues, “Major, I would like your permission to ask Dusty to marry me.”

I smile at him, “Firefly, if you were the same young buck I met originally, I would probably say no, but you have grown so much and become a fine stallion, yes, you have my approval and permission.”

He smiles widely and tells me, “Thank you, ma'am, I truly do appreciate it.”

“Just don’t hurt her Firefly, or I will turn Ginger loose on you. Now she is inside medical visiting Sutures with the rest of the squad, why don’t you head on it and join her.”

“Yes ma’am,” he tells me and then he trots off to find her.

Trouble along with Blondie and Sunny are standing there waiting for my return. Trouble comes over first and gives me a hug, “Thanks cuz, for everything. Is it alright if I visit you at Sumac’s in the next couple of days?”

“Of course, Trouble, you are family all three of you are.” When I tell him this, he smiles as does Blondie. I simply hear Sunny giggle in the background. “Where are you three going from here?” I ask.

He sighs, “Tonight we will see about getting a room. Tomorrow I will look for another job, and perhaps take them to meet my parents.”

“That makes sense. Let me know if I can help at all.” I tell him.

“Ok, Mollygirl, we best go get some dinner and find a room, have a good night and I will see you soon, he says. Then they turn and walk away. Sunset is there with Pages still. They are holding tails and he has a wing over her back.

Sunset smiles and tells me, “Thanks for everything Major,” and he holds out a hoof. I take it and we shake.

“Sunset, thank you for everything, especially with helping me bring them home,” I tell him.

“Were herd Ma’am. That’s what we do. We best be going. Pages has to be back for duty in the morning. If you don’t mind, I will stop by the farm sometime.”

Badger smiles at him, “Sure Sunset I have a bottle of Wild Pegasus set aside for this, bring your Father if you like.”

“Sounds good Badger, I will do that. Take care and have a good night folks.”

Badger then smiles, “You too, and Trooper Pages, I will see you in the morning. Please do not be late.”

We watch them head back into the stables then Archer, Badger, Choo Choo, Ginger, Xochitl, and I all turn to head back to the farm, with Woofers and Tweeter flying slightly behind us. Walking the same path all of us had taken to begin the expedition. Part of me is glad to be back, but part of me feels a loss too.

As we make our way home the sun begins to set. We are coming into the yard when I see and then hear Magpie yell, “Their back, Sumac, Persimmon, they're back!”

They all begin to run our way and we just step into the farmyard when it happens. We see a bright flash from Ginger’s hip.

She closes her eyes without looking at it and says, “Really, now? You have to be kidding me.” With her eyes still closed she asks, “Tell me it is not something stupid. What is it?”

Xochitl is the first to answer, “No Ginger, it is not stupid.”

I look and have to nod my head, “No dear it is not.”

Then Badger and Archer look at it. Archer then tells her, “My young mare, it is an unrolled map with a farm as a starting point and a dotted line going to different parts of it and returning to the farm with an x next to an arrow. I would say, it is an adventurous cutie mark.”

I hear her let loose the breath she was holding, “Oh, thank goodness.”

As the others approach, we all make our greeting and Sumac tells us, come on in, have you had dinner yet? I can make you all something to eat.”

Choo Choo answers, “No thank you, I need to get back to my sisters, I just felt I should end this journey as it began. Have a good night, I shall see you all tomorrow,” and then we watch as she takes to the air and flies away towards Emerald Grove.

Ginger turns to me, “Ma, it's good to be home.” I put a hoof around her shoulder and she leans into me.

“Yeah, I feel that way too dear.”

Dear DJ Pon3

Today we will be arriving home to the Co-op. We have all changed so much and we are all somewhat nervous. However, we all cannot wait to be back again amongst those we love and care about. With this in mind I ask that you play for those of us in the CEF, Home Again.

Thank you

Mollygirl,

Major, CEF

My usual thanks to Kkat for creating the world of FoE. I also want to thank the other authors who have written in this world and shown how much more we can explore it.

Finally, readers, we find Mollygirl and the members of the CEF have returned to Manesville and the Co-op. There have been many changes that have occurred during this short time and while they may know what some of them are, they will also find out that more has changed while they were gone, both in the Co-op and in themselves.

The YouTube link for this chapters dedication song is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWYQoQnEZo