Chapter 67 A Season of Healing

Since the debacle of Hereford and Chianina things have started to settle down. All of the mares and cattle who are pregnant are still getting bi-weekly prenatal checks. I still remember when Doc Treacle called us all into the briefing room and sat us down two weeks after we got back.

He smiles at us and tells us, “Ok, Ladies, I do understand your worries. However, I have done a lot of research along with Magpie in the Archives. One of the findings was that the magical radiation from the Balefire Eggs quickly dissipates. This means by our quick use of Radaway we cleaned out the magical radiation immediately. This limited any potential damage, to both you and your little ones. By using the healing potions, we have also repaired any damage that was done to them.”

I feel a wave of relief go through all of us in the audience when he says this. I know to me it takes a big load off of my mind, no matter what Ginger and the little mare in my dream has told me, I was still worried. As I think on this and my hoof moves to my stomach, I feel her move toward it also. I do almost laugh when I see so many others in the audience do the same thing.

Doctor Treacle then goes on to us about why we should continue such close monitoring of our young’s development as well as our health. He also tells us of several studies that the Ministry of Peace had done concerning the effects of magical radiation and how to treat it. When we leave, we all seem to be in a happier place.

As I am getting up to leave the Doctor stops me, “A minute of your time Major?”

I smile at how polite and friendly he seems in asking. He does not seem nearly the gruff doctor he was once before. With a sad smile in his eyes, he tells me, “Thank you Major for being such an ideal patient for this situation. I do not know if you realize it, but the rest of them have followed your lead. Your keeping calm has helped them quite a bit.”

I smile back at him and put a hoof on his shoulder, “Doctor, I trust you, and I know you know your job. I am just glad that it helps the others to know that also.”

He smiles fully when I say this, then I see his eyes shift to make sure no one is close and he asks, “Major, about the nightmares, I still get them, but not as bad. Thanks for the advice.”

Sadly, I smile too and I tell him, “Your welcome. I know I still get them too, but they are less frequent right now. If you need to talk, let me know Doc, we both were there, we understand the circumstances we faced and the decisions we had to make.”

That seems to help him a bit but he still seems a bit off, “Remember Doc, If I did not trust you, I would not want you to be assigned to my battalion when we begin to deploy. You’re the best Doc. I know it.”

I see him brighten up at that some, and he asks, “You really mean that Major?”

I shake my head and tell him, “Doctor, I don’t believe it, I know it.”

I see him gulp, “Even with the nightmares?”

I nod my head, “Even with the nightmares, maybe more because they show that you really cared about us. If you did not care, it would not have affected you.”

He smiles and looks around one last time, “Well don’t let my secret out, I can’t have them all thinking they can use me to be malingerers,” he tells me as he gives me a wink. He then says, “I will see you later Major, tell your spouses and daughter I said hello.”

I smile at him and tell him “Will do Doc, take care and I will see you soon,” as I then turn and head back to my headquarters for the day.

After the day ends, I walk with Badger and Archer most of the way home. Badger catching us on his way back from farm duty. As we are walking, he smiles and tells us, “Ya know farm duty and community service details did not seem so bad back when I was single. Now they really cut into my home life.”

I laugh lightly and tell him, “Yes dear, I understand, I miss having you home too. So do the others.”

Besides me, I hear Archer tell him, “I miss having you home too Badger. I miss our nights out with Xavier, Sunset, and Trouble together, I miss our times in the evening spending time with our family.”

Both of our comments bring a smile to his face and he tells us, “Thank you both. I do mean it.”

We continue to just share our conversation as we walk the rest of the way home. Once there I see that terrible trio are all out in the yard playing some form of tag, but I am not sure what the rules are. All I know is that suddenly in midflight I watch as Sunny is stopped mid-flight and is giggling like somepony is holding him and tickling him. Then it hit me just before I see Choo Choo reappear.

I watch as she sets him down and she waves to me. Then as I am walking toward the porch of the house, she and the trio come trotting over to say hello.

Ginger comes running and throws herself around my neck to give me a hug after which she notices Badger and Archer with me and runs to Badger and tells him, “Papa Badger can you stay home tonight?”

I see him smile as he tells her yes, and she gets excited. From the doorway, I see Sumac has looked out to see what the commotion is and when she hears Badger say this her smile is almost as big as Gingers. Inside, part of me still feels a bit of hurt and is jealous but I am really glad that she loves him too. I just have to remind myself that nothing worth having is ever easy and neither of them meant to hurt anypony else. Instead of feeding the hurt, I decide to enjoy the love and feeling of caring that we all share instead.

Choo Choo gets my attention and tells me, “I hope you do not mind Major, but I wanted to spend time visiting with the foals so I came over.”

Smiling I tell her, “No Choo, not at all. I hope you all have been having a good time.”

She nods her head as do they and I hear Xochitl answer, “Oh yes, Major, she has been teaching us how to fight against an invisible opponent, but she makes it fun not scary.”

From above me, I hear Sunny let out a light laugh, “Yeah, cousin Mollygirl, she makes it fun”

“OK, well I am glad you are all enjoying yourselves. Now I best head inside and get ready for dinner,” I tell them.

As I go in, I see Blondie is in the kitchen helping Sumac cook. In the parlor, I notice that Magpie is sitting next to Trouble and they are going through some old journals.

I stop in the parlor first and say hello to Trouble and Magpie, “How’s it going, guys? Anything interesting?”

Before Magpie can answer I see Trouble nod his head and he gets up and comes over and gives me a hug. Then he tells me, “Magpie brought home some of the journals from Millie’s expedition. You were right, I am so sorry I ever doubted you Mollygirl.”

I put a hoof around him and I tell him, “Nothing to be sorry for. I would have felt the same way if I had not read these and experienced her memories.”

I hear a slight sniffle from him, “Yeah, but it means we were wanted Mollygirl, that is what you don’t understand. We were made to feel we were not. That takes a heavy toll on the mind and spirit.”

“Well I am glad you finally got a chance to go through them,” I tell Trouble, then I turn to my wife and give her a brief kiss on her cheek and quietly tell her, “Thank you, love.”

As a reward, I get a very happy smile and she tells me, “My pleasure dear.”

From behind me, I hear Sutures tell us, “Dinner is ready if you are.”

As we go in for dinner, I smile to see our family and friends all seated together. After we finish our meal and are beginning to clean up, Choo Choo asks, “I hope you do not mind me leaving so early tonight, but I want to spend some time with Paper Work before he turns in tonight.”

I give her my hoof to shake and tell her, “No my friend, we just appreciate the time you have spent with us. Have a good time and tell Paper Work we all said hello.”

Sutures, and the others all express similar sentiments to her and the youngsters all follow her outside to say goodbye before she leaves. I watch them all give her a hug through the window and can not help but smile when I hear them all call her auntie Choo. Once she has left, they all come back inside and join us in the parlor as we share the evening in each other’s company.

After our guest leave and Ginger has been tucked into bed for the night, I am just about ready to go to bed when I hear knocking on the door. I join Sutures as she answers it. When the door is opened, we see a calf about Ginger’s age at the door. She is almost out of breath and asks, “Is Misses Sutures here? My ma sent me to get her help, we have a heifer who is having problems giving birth.”

I look at Sutures and she at me and she tells me, “Mollygirl grab a gun for protection from the radhogs and I will grab my saddlebags.”

As I am grabbing the Deathbunny I see the calf crying and ask her, “Are you ok?”

She nods her head and tells me, “Yes ma’am, but the radhogs almost got me a couple of miles back. They really scared me.”

I nod my head and tell her, “I understand, we will be with you this time.”

As we get ready to leave, I hear Sutures tell Archer and Badger, “Sorry dears, we got an emergency down towards Dairyanne. We will be back as soon as we can.”

As we are heading out the door, I hear Ginger yell, “Wait for me, I know Radhogs.” Before we make it to the end of the yard, she has already caught up with us and has her SIR on her back and slows to a canter to keep pace with us. The calf looks back at her, sees the carbine, and asks, “Are you Ginger?”

Ginger nods her head, and simply tells her “Yes.”

The calf looks at me and says, “That makes you the LT?”

I nod my head and the calf laughs and says, “Ma is not going to believe it.”

On our way several times we hear radhogs in the brush off of the road. Woofers above us growls to let them know we know they are there.

As we are cantering down the darkened path towards the farm, I hear Sutures tell me, “Mollygirl, Tweeters is fetching my mother also, I tied a note to her collar before we left.”

I guess that explains that. I then tell her, “I wondered about how you let her know at night. How does she let you know?”

She smiles at me and tells me, “My mother stops by the farm otherwise. But she always has an escort at night.”

I raise an eyebrow at this and she smiles, “Yes Dear, my father will probably meet us there.”

I try to ask her quietly, “Are you sure it is a good idea for me to be here with you than?”

Still smiling she tells me, “Yes dear, he needs to get used to it. Besides my mother knows how to handle him much better than I do.”

I nod my head and look forward to where the calf and Ginger are running next to each other talking to each other. Finally, we come to the end of a long dirt path that leads to a farmhouse. We see a lantern at the edge of the road to mark the house for us and several lights are on inside.

As we approach the porch, I hear a cow let out a loud bellow of pain. The calf runs ahead and once on the porch she knocks on the door and calls out, “Hello, It’s Mud Pie, I have Misses Sutures with me.”

As the door opens, I see an older cow open it and she tells the calf and Sutures, “Come on in, Mud Pie take Misses Suture to Hennerita,” she notices both Ginger and I standing there armed and tells us, “We are a peaceful home here. Please, come warm up by the woodstove in the kitchen, but do not go any further.”

Both Ginger and I nod our heads, “We understand ma’am. Thank you for letting us warm-up,” I tell her. Then Ginger and I both enter the home. We place our weapons together by the base of the wall next to the door and we both go sit by the fire.

We can hear the young heifer having her labor pains for over an hour before we hear another knock on the door. When the cow who opened the door earlier comes into the room, she nods to us and then answers the door. In the light from the door, I can see Doula and another unicorn behind her. The cow invites them in and as she enters Doula sees both Ginger and I sitting there. She smiles at us and Ginger tells her, “Hi Granny, it is good to see you again.”

Doula smiling back tells her, “It is good to see you too dear, I will talk more later,” she turns to the unicorn behind her and says, “Would you please wait here Cross?” then without waiting for a reply, she follows the cow out of the room so she can assist Sutures and the other midwife.

Following behind her is Suture’s father. I see him looking at me, shake his head and then he comes and sits on the other side of the woodstove from Ginger and me. Ginger lets me know she is tired and then she uses her saddlebags as pillows and curls up next to me and falls asleep.

From the other room, we can still hear the birthing pains and I will admit, it does make me fear for my own delivery.

After a while of uncomfortable silence Suture’s father looks at a sleeping Ginger and then me and decides to make conversation by asking me, “So how old is she?” nodding toward Ginger.

I smile and tell him, “She is ten physically, but with all she has experienced at times she seems twenty.”

I see him almost smile, then he asks, “how old were you when you had her then?”

“I adopted her while on the expedition. Her mother was a good friend and my stall mate in the stable. I have known Ginger since she was a foal though.”

Then he looks at my belly and asks, “So have you had any others than the one you are carrying?”

I shake my head, “No, this is my first and sadly, probably the only foal I will carry.”

I see him look kind of funny at me and he asks, “Why is that, don’t your stallions want more?”

I shake my head, “It’s not that sir. I had most of my female parts damaged when I was attacked last year. If it was not for your daughter, I know I would not be here right now.”

I see a look of surprise on his face, “Why not? I mean any medic could take care of wounds.”

I close my eyes and though I do not want to really talk about it, I do. “Cross Circuit, my heart stopped several times that day. A lesser unicorn, much less medic would not have been able to save me.”

“Is that why you want her around you? Because she saved you?” He asks me.

I shake my head, “No, we were friends before that, but that cemented the friendship. She and Archer got together while I was in the hospital.”

“He and she have dated that long,” he almost spits shaking his head, “And he has not had the courtesy to yet ask my permission. He has soiled my daughter as have you and neither of you has even asked her parents for their blessing,” he continues.

I realize at that point what he has said and ask, “Sir, among us earthponies we normally do not do that. Did we offend you that way?”

I hear him sigh and then he looks at me and tells me, “Yes. I wanted my daughter to marry a unicorn, it is only right. But if she is not going to do that, then she should still follow the customs of the unicorns in the Co-op.”

I am truly surprised to hear this and I ask him, “If we were to formally ask, would you have said yes?”

He shakes his head some more and tells me, “Yes, no, maybe. I do not know. I would have wanted to get to know the pony my daughter is in a relationship with. As for this arrangement you all have, frankly I despise it, but among us unicorns, it may have helped us to increase our numbers. But I have to ask, how can a pony love that many others.”

This time I let out the sigh, “Cross, why don’t you and Doula both join us for dinner sometime. This would allow you to see how we function as a family, as well as to allow you and us to get to know each other.”

He looks rather tired and irritated, but he takes the time to think before replying and tells me, “Perhaps, but I will want to discuss it with Doula first if you do not mind.”

I nod my head and tell him. “Sir, that makes sense and is reasonable. I just ask that you please consider it. I know your daughter does love you, she is just hurt. As for the rest of us, I am sorry we did not consider asking you if we could court your daughter.”

He nods his head and tells me, “Your apology is accepted. Now I think we both should follow your daughters’ example and grab some sleep.”

After he says this, I decide that he is correct and take his advice. As I am falling asleep, I hear from the other room, “Push now, there you go…”

I wake a couple of hours later to Sutures giving me a light shake, “Dear it’s time to go home.”

“Huh, oh, good, how are they?”

She smiles at me and tells me, “Mother and calf are going to be fine. They named her Nettle Belle after her father. Turns out he was one of your troopers. They felt it was only right you be here to guard the house when she was born.”

When she says this, it reminds me of something and I get into my saddlebags and I find a blood-stained envelope from trooper Nettles that I found after the last battle. I look at my mate and I ask her, “Sutures, I think this is for one of them, may I ask.”

She looks at the names it is addressed in and her eyes go wide, “Mollygirl, where did you get this?”

With a morose tone to my voice, I tell her, “I found it right before I got the word about you being injured. I was going to drop it into the mail, but I kept getting so busy, why?”

She looks at the envelope again, then at me, “Mollygirl, the recipients of this letter are in the next room. It is to his mother and his now widow who just had their calf.”

Inside I feel another stone slip into my saddlebag as I realize what that means. I take the envelope back into my muzzle and I slowly walk into the room with my head down. When I get next to the new mother in the bed, I place the envelope on the bed next to her. I then tell them “Congratulations on your calf. I am sorry, I just realized I had this still. I meant to mail it earlier. I found it in the trench after the last battle of Serenity Valley,”

They both stare at it and the return address with a stunned expression. The older cow takes it and opens it and they both read it together as I walk back out of the room.

I reenter the kitchen and see Doula and Cross Circuit leaving. I put my gear back on and have a drowsy Ginger climb onto my back. Just before we leave the older cow comes into the room with tears in her eyes. She walks over to me and gives me a hug and tells me, “Thank you. My son told us in the letter about his time with you that last night. You were there for him when I could not be. From one mother to another. Thank you.”

I feel a tear come down my cheek and I tell her, “He was a good bull, I am just sorry I could not bring him back home to you.”

From the side, I can see a look of surprise on Sutures’s face. We tell them goodnight and as we walk back to the farm, I tell her about trooper Nettle and the brief time I got to know him. Funny I spent part of his last night alive with him, and now I was there for the first night his daughter was born. I need to talk to Padre about this.

I think about the conversation and events of that night for a while afterward. I do end up talking to Padre and still have some questions. After that, I seek out Ahimsa, the cattle preacher who officiated at Badger, Magpie, and my wedding.

When he sees me at the door of his church he smiles broadly and tells me, “Please come in child. It is very nice to see you again.”

“Thank you, Ahimsa, I do appreciate it. I am sorry I have not visited sooner.”

He waves a hoof and lightly laughs, “Major, I would be very surprised if you are not the first pony who has entered here on anything other than a formal occasion. How may I help you?” he tells me as he sits at a desk in a small front office and he indicates a seat across from me to sit in.”

I take a deep breath to steel myself and then I look at him and tell him, “Ahimsa, what was it all for?”

I see him look surprised at first and he asks, “Dear, you need to be a bit more specific.”

I look up at the ceiling and I tell him, “All of this, the Wastelands, the Tartarus we put each other through. The death, the killing. It just all seems so pointless.”

I see him nod his head and he puts the elbows of his forelegs on his desk and rests his chin on his hoofs, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath while he thinks. After a short respite, he opens his eyes and looks at me and tells me. “I have often asked this question myself. I have even gone so far as to pray that the Goddesses and Sweet Cream would give me those answers.”

I nod my head and tell him, “So have I.”

He smiles at me, “My pony friend, did you just say you prayed to Sweet Cream?”

I nod my head and tell him, “I hope this does not offend you.”

With the smile, a teacher may give a prized student he tells me, “No, of course not. I am actually very pleased and welcome you to the herd. Even if you are not a full member of our beliefs, you are one of her herd now too.”

I am a bit surprised and confused at this and he explains, “Major, you have opened your mind and soul to she who created all of us. You do not criticize or judge others for their beliefs. I just have to ask with as much as you have gone through, what has precipitated this crisis of faith for you?”

At this question, I look down and tell him, “It was a letter I found and forgot to mail when we got back. I did not remember it until I was present for the birth of the writer's daughter.”

Still facing down, I look up and I see him smiling at me. Then he tells me, “Ah yes, the letter. I don’t know if you know how much of a stir that caused in our cattle community?”

I look up fully now and shake my head afraid of what I might hear. I then tell him, “No, I have not heard anything. I am sorry if I have caused any trouble for you.”

He smiles at me, “No Major, you did not cause me any troubles, but you opened up a lot of questions. It also taught many who were very jaded against you ponies that some of you do truly care about us cattle as if we were your own. Major, his last night was one of despair and pain. He KNEW he was going to die the next day,” as he says this I feel that saddleback flap start to open again, and he continues, “However he told his mother how you found him and took the time to comfort him as much as his own mother would have and that you both exchanged some secrets with each other. Major, he told his mother and wife that you became a spiritual parent to him that night.”

I am stunned to hear this. “I, I don’t know what to say, I just treated him as I would any of my troopers. I still feel the loss of every one of them, Pony, Cattle, it does not matter, each loss hurt.”

He stands and walks around the desk and puts a hoof on my shoulder and tells me, “Major, that is why the court of inquiry stopped coming after you. The cattle of the Co-op overall understand this. You are a mother of the herd now, whether you realize it or not. As the great cycle goes, most of us feel you were once a cow or bull and that you were sent here when you were for a reason. Sweet Cream puts us where we should be for a reason. We feel we all learn lessons with each lifetime that we can use in our future ones.”

I am surprised and embarrassed by what he is saying and ask, “The cattle know about this letter then?”

“Yes Mollygirl, we do. We are just glad that you cared for and treated us as much as members of your family as you would any pony.”

I nod my head and feel the flap of that proverbial saddlebag close without the stone being added. I then tell him, “Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me. It has helped a lot.”

As I get up so I can leave he walks along with me and we continue to talk. Once at the door I turn and tell him again, “Thank you,” and without thinking I give the old bull a quick hug.

He smiles and tells me, “Thank you, Major, please feel free to come back anytime. Especially if you would like to join us for services. Remember we are herd.”

I smile in return and tell him, “Thank you, I will have to do that. I will see you then.” After which I turn and head back to the farm for the night.

“Major, Major Mollygirl,” I hear a voice call from behind me.

As I turn around, I see it is Doctor Tourniquet and Dull Beak coming across the atrium of the stable to see me. I then notice they both have their full kits on and raise an eyebrow.

“Oh, Hi, how are you two doing?” I ask.

Both smile and as they come up Dull Beak tells me “We are doing fine; we are just getting ready to leave with the trade caravan to Junction Town. But we both wanted to say goodbye to you.”

“Well, I am going to miss seeing you both here. But I am sure you are going to be happier there.” I tell them.

While Doc Tourniquet smiles and shakes his head, he tells me, “Yes, in a way, but it has been nice to see the more modern medical facilities you have here in the Co-op region, as well as your school system. It has made for a very full report for the Followers.”

I smile at that and Dull Beak tells me “Major, it has been a pleasure ma’am. Thank your family for having me out for dinner last week again. That fresh, roasted rad-hog was really something. Also thank Ginger for having Sumac fix up the care package of bacon for me. She is one special little mare there along with that colt of hers.”

“Well, we are going to miss both of you. I would be more than willing to have either of you on my staff again. I can not thank either enough for everything you did to help us in the Valley.”

Dull Beak smiles at this and then tells me, “Who knows Major, perhaps I could get assigned as a liaison for an extended time, or once the Co-op Defense Force integrates into the NCR military I could be assigned to you.”

This brings a real smile to my face, “Dull Beak, I would love that. That is as long as you don’t’ mind working for a crazy mare.”

He starts to laugh at this and tells me, “Major, you may be crazy, but you are not boring. Please keep in touch if you can. I want to know what Badger's count is on the foals for fillies versus colts.”

Shaking my head, I tell him, “Ok I will do that. If you want, I will also let you know when Archer starts to throw foals and let you know his count as well.”

Again, he starts to laugh, “See Major, from you that sounds normal, from any other mare, well…”

This gets me to laugh too, “Ok, I best not keep you too long. Goodbye my friends,” I tell them as I extend a hoof and am surprised when I get picked up and squeezed by a very emotional griffon, which I decide to just enjoy, and hug him back. Once he puts me back down, I get a much more sedate hug from Tourniquet, which I also reciprocate. They both tell me goodbye one more time and then they turn away and head to the stable's main entrance. As they walk away, I feel another chapter of my life has closed. I sniffle a little bit and wipe away a tear that has escaped from my eye. Then I turn and finish heading back to my HQ to finish out my day.

Two days later I am approached by Chain Lightning and he asks, “Major, can I have a minute of your time?”

“Sure Chain, close the door and pull up a chair,” as he does this I ask, “What do you have for me?”

“Ma’am, I know you were friend with the representatives of the NCR and I respect that, but what I wanted to talk to you about; well that I had to wait for them to leave.”

Now he has my curiosity up so I ask, “Ok? Chain you normally are not like this and you know if possible, I keep my mouth shut.”

He shakes his head, “Ma’am, on this, let’s let the Colonel and the Overs make that call, but I did not want to put you in a spot.”

“I can appreciate this Chain, no what is it?” I ask wearily.

“Ma’am, after the battle at Hereford a couple of months ago I got visiting my old buddy who was a prisoner there. Now, as we listened to some of the survivors of the raiders talk, we started to hear where they got those Balefire eggs and their launchers.”

I nod my head and feel the urge to move my forehoof to hurry him, but I fight it down, all in good time I tell myself.

Finally, he tells me, “Mollygirl, after they were cleaning up the wounded in Targhee, they found a set of tunnels between two of the destroyed homes there. In these tunnels, they found the bodies of two Zebra strike teams from the war along with their orders. It seems that they died of radiation like most of the town. The kicker is that it seems that they were too late to hit their target that day.”

I nod again and ask, “Ok Chain, so what was their target then?”

He looks at me, “Please forgive me but while going through your reports I noticed a small village listed that you bypassed right before Targhee. I don’t know if you remember it, a little place called New Gallop?”

I think for a minute and tell him, “Yes, I do remember it why?”

He nods his head, “I figured you would. Captain Sunset and I talked about the Security Bots that you saw there. He said you both were curious as to why such a small farm town might have such devices and were not worried about raiders. Well, I can tell you why.”

“Ok Chain, why?”

Then he stuns me with his answer, “Ma’am when I was in intelligence for the Enclave we began investigating the old Mega-spell launch sites. Most of them were still single-use designs and had already launched. The one at New Gallop was one of these.”

I am stunned, to say the least, and reply, “You mean that we bypassed on old Balefire missile launcher?”

He shakes his head, “No Major, you bypassed an old mega-spell launcher, a particularly nasty one too from what the paperwork had described.”

I am slightly confused at this and put up a hoof and ask him, “Chain, what is the difference?”

He sighs and tells me, “Ok Mollygirl, the original mega-spell was developed by the Ministry of Peace and was a healing spell. When it was first used it worked so well it brought back the dying on both sides and the fighting and dying had to be done all over again. After that Equestria began working on developing massively destructive spells that could be set up and cast as a weapon against the Zebra Nation.”

He pauses and I nod, then ask, “So what makes them so different from Balefire Bombs?”

He nods and smiles, “Now that is a good question, Major. You see Zebra’s use a different form of magic. The Balefire Bombs are more of a fetish than a standard spell. I am sure some egghead Unicorns would be able to explain the difference better than I can, but you get the gest. This made them more stable and easier to deploy than a mega-spell also.”

“So, Chain are you saying that there might be an active Mega-Spell launcher in New Gallop we have to worry about?”

Shaking his head, he tells me, “No ma’am, they launched that day, and as far as I know the unicorns that were powerful enough to recharge the spell chamber never returned. It takes between 8 to 12 of them to do so, depending on the spell.”

“Oh, thank the Goddesses and Sweet Cream for that,” I say without thinking and I realize what I said when I see him smile and slightly turn his head to look at me.

“Ma’am, I think the cattle are starting to wear off on you some,” he tells me.

“Sorry, I started to learn a little bit about it before the expedition and have actually attended services a couple of times in the last month. They actually worship the Goddesses which has helped me adjust more easily,” I tell him somewhat chagrinned.

Still smiling he tells me, “I am not surprised, ma’am. We all need to find something to believe in, especially when we have had experiences like we have.”

“Chain, you are so right. Now back to business. So, the Zebra Teams were supposed to destroy the mega-spell launcher, why didn’t they.”

“Major part of what was found with them was a radio message they were encrypting to send back to Roam. It seems that they watched the mega-spell launch and knew they had not only failed but that it was useless to try and destroy the launcher. They also reported extremely high magical radiation levels from the attacks on Canterlot and Cloudsdale,” he pauses and embarrassedly adds, “They also were reporting the skies starting to be closed. Overall, Ma’am, I think they knew they were already dead and just felt it futile to take more lives unnecessarily. They did not want that karmic burden on them when they died.”

I nod my head. I can understand that all too well. I then tell him, “Chain, I will go tell the Colonel, you can join me if you like, I am sure he will ask you a few questions though.”

He stands up then and as he does so, he tells me, “Ok Major, just let me know and I will go with you. But overall, we may just want to contact the locals about deactivating the reload abilities of it. I am sure most of them are descended from the original crews.”

At this my blood chills. How close must their bloodlines run? They had a slightly lower crew level than we had of cattle in the stable when it closed. I also shudder at what it must have been like for them during those years of confinement. I then get up and tell him, “Let's go now Chain, might as well make it quick and dirty. Oh, by the way, how is your friend?”

He smiles at this and he tells me about him as we go to Regimental Headquarters.

As I look through the dresses on the rack, I smile to myself. Now which one do I think Sutures would look best in? I ask myself. Tomorrow is her birthday and I really want to surprise her with something special. She has been such a wonderful mare in these months since we have gotten back. The fact that her father while still not happy with us has at least came to dinner at the house and has told her he will walk her down the aisle to marry Archer has helped some. In his own words, he told her, “If you want to be legally bound to the others, I will say nothing, but please do that after you have married Archer formally.”

She was so excited that day she bounced on both hind legs and thoroughly thanked him. Later that night as we lay cuddling, she explained to us. “This means he has accepted us as much as he can without losing face in the Unicorn community, he is accepting me for me and my life as well as those I love,” Then she rolled over and whispered into Archer’s ear. I see him move his head back to look at her better and he asked, “Are you sure dearest?” She then nodded her head yes and buried her muzzle in his neck.

I finally find a baby blue and white checked dress for her and I take it over to Sewing Bobbin. She sees it and smiles, then asks me, “Anything else you might want Major?”

“Well, If you would, please put the usual sizing enchantment on it for her.”

“Ok, I can do that, no problem, so how long until you are due?”

Smiling I put a hoof to my expanded belly and tell her, “Hard to believe for me, but only a couple of more months.”

Smiling in that knowing way I have seen she has she tells me, “Now Major, remember to be careful afterward. That foal heat has caught many a mare off guard.”

I smile in understanding and then I tell her with a slightly sad tone in my voice, “That is ok, Sewing, most likely I will never be able to get pregnant again.”

I see the questioning look on her face and tell her, “Sewing back before the expedition I was attacked and almost killed. The damage done in the attack scarred me so badly I most likely will never be able to produce another foal.”

I see her take a deep breath and let it out. I know she does not need to breathe, so this is a way for her to communicate her disappointment for me, then she tells me, “I had wondered Major. You are one of the few living ponies I have ever seen who was in both worlds.”

When she says this, I am curious and have to ask, “Can you see my foal too?”

To this, she smiles and shakes her head, “No, your body and life cover that too much.”

“Oh, ok, I was just wondering,”

As I say this, I look over at the display cabinet next to her register and I see an old cameo on a white ribbon. The cameo is a silver frame, with a light blue background and has the profile of a beautiful young unicorn mare on it in white. Sewing Bobbins notices my gaze and tells me. “I see you like it. Would you like me to add it to your order?”

I hesitate in answering. I really do want it for her, but I already am getting her the dress, instead of answering I ask, “I wonder who she was?”

I see a sad wistful smile come over Sewing’s face and she tells me, “When I was young, I used to idolize her, she was so beautiful and had such grace,” She looks down and then tells me, “Then things changed. I learned my art from one of her students, who she had trained before becoming a ministry mare.”

I look at it one more time and tell her, “Yes, please. I am sure Sutures will absolutely love it.”

As she is wrapping it for me, she smiles and tells me, “You know this used to be part of a set at one time. It had two earrings that had her cutie mark on them,” she pauses and then adds, “I wonder whatever happened to them?”

After dinner that night we have a small party with our family and neighbors to celebrate Sutures’s Birthday. Finally, she gets to mine and opens first the dress, which causes her to say, “Now I can dress along with you three and look like a proper country mare.” Then she opens the cameo and I see her eyes go wide as she looks at it. I see a lump form in her throat, “Mollygirl, it’s beautiful, where did you get it?”

I smile at her and tell her, “I found it at Sewing Bobbin’s shop, I hoped you would like it.”

In reply, she simply nods her head. As she does this it reminds me of something and I tell her, “One more thing love, I have to get it from my dresser.”

I go into my dresser and pull out the envelope from Pinkie that we found in the wall. I pull from it the small envelope and note she had put in there and asked me to give to Sutures’s on her birthday and take it out to her and give it to her.

As I come out with the envelope in my muzzle, she looks at it funny. Then she gently takes it and opens it. Inside are two white oval earrings with three blue diamonds on them, that look like they were made to go with the broach. Her eyes go wide and then she takes the letter and reads it. As she does so, I hear her suck in her breath and then she wipes a tear from her eye. We are all curious and Ginger asks “What does the note say Mama Sutures?”

Instead of reading it she hooves it to us to read. No pony says a word, they are all shocked. But Archer does have a very proud smile on his face. Finally, I get it and read:

Dear Sutures,

Happy Birthday. I know it has been a very busy and hectic year, but you have done so much and so well. Congratulations are in order for both your new business as well as for your and Archer’s foal. Yep, I know you have been trying and I wanted to be the first to congratulate you.

I hope you like the earrings, they were difficult for me to get, but I know they match the cameo your wife has given you. The mare was an old friend of mine and I hope you think of her and I as well as those you love when you wear it.

Again, Happy Birthday and congratulations

Sincerely Yours

Pinkamena Diane Pie

As I set the letter down, I realize my jaw has dropped and I slowly close my mouth. All of us are now looking at Sutures and Archer. We all rush over and give them both a hug and congratulate them. It feels so great to know we are having another member of our family on the way. As I get done hugging them, I notice that DJ Pon3 is on in the background and I hear him telling us

…In addition to that, we also have received confirmation that the talks between the Manesville Co-op and the NCR are now winding down, with only the formal date of transfer of government control to be determined.

Now the next song is one of my favorites from Velvet Remedy, here is…

Before I can hear what song is coming on Ginger grabs my attention and tells me, “Ma, I am staying at Xochitl’s tonight, before I go I want a hug ok?”

I reach down and give my little mare a hug. As I do so I smile to myself thinking about how much my life is changing and how much my family has grown in the last year. I feel truly blessed.

That night, all of us parents share together again. I can not tell you how much it means to me just to share my time with them all, much less to hold and be held. When I fall asleep, I drift off being held by both Sutures and Badger. I notice that Sumac has one hoof around Badger, but is being held by Magpie. It is like a big puppy pile and something I would never have imagined having in my life, and now, I can not imagine not having. I realize how much Sweet Cream and the Goddesses have given to me and smile as my eyes can no longer stay open. It has been a very good day.

Dear DJ Pon3,

I have always considered myself to be a strong and well-educated stallion. Lately, things have begun to wear me down and I have begun to ask myself why? More than ever before in my life I am questioning what it all means as well as my faith and beliefs. The song that best fits how I feel right now is Who’ll Stop the Rain. If you could please play this for me as well as all the others who are going through this also.

Thank You very much

Sincerely

Doctor Treacle,

Manesville Co-op

As I take the time to thank those who have provided and expanded upon the world of FoE. I also want to take the time to thank all of you who continue to read the story and enjoy it. We still have a bit of a way to go till the end, but it is starting to come into sight on the horizon.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5zZKawkcBU