Winter months

The first week he spent getting things for Butter Bun. He was given a tour of the farm by Big Mac the second day. Big Mac was an amazing solider and to see him in this setting was odd to say the least. Shield awoke early and picked up Butter Bun who had also awoken. She reached up to him with a smile. he picked her up then put a pot on the fire place and began to boil water to warm up the milf for her. The extra duties of being a father made thinking of the past just that much easier to forget. Finishing the bottle and wrapped her up and let her hang around his neck again as she nursed the bottle.

He put his coat on then opened the door to his warm shed, cold air rushed to greet him making his breath crystallize as he began to breath. He looked at Butter Bun and she seemed fine. He stepped out to go about doing the morning chores, feeding chickens and sheep. As Shield Fed the pigs a voice startled him.

"You sure are an early riser almost all the mornin chores are done. Apple Jack will be happy." Apple Bloom said to him making him turn around calming down.

"I have to make my way some how." he said covering Butter Buns face again from the cold. Apple Bloom looked to him and shook her head and smiled.

"Well come on in Apple Jack and Granny have made breakfast." She said. Shield put the feed down and followed her to the main apple home. Following her inside he wiped his hooves and closed the door behind him. Apple Jack was setting the table for five as he walked into the kitchen taking a seat. Big Mac walked down the stairs and took a seat beside him.

"Well mornin you." Granny smiled and placed a apple pancake in front of him.

"Thank you." he offered as the rest of the family sat down.

"What are you doin today Apple Jack." Granny Smith asked.

"Twilight asked me to help with something i don know what." she said

"Oh that's nice just make sure to feed the animals." she said reminding her.

"Oh don't worry granny Shield already did them." Apple Bloom said. Granny looked to him

"Well aint chea a hard worker." she said smiling.

"I do want i can he said simply." he said simply taking a bite of his pancake.

"How did you meet Big Mac again?" she asked. Both Apple Jack and Apple Bloom looked at Granny who was oblivious. Granny's memory was sketchy at times he had come to see. But this was a question that they wanted to know and he could understand really. He looked to Big Mac and they came to a slight understanding. Even when he knew him in the 68th he wasn't good at explaining how he felt. Shield could see that they knew nothing of the Macintosh he knew. Readjusting the now wide awake Butter Bun who began to play with his mane. He smiled despite himself, then pushed his plate back.

"We will have to go back about 3 years ago at the beginning of the second year of the changeling conflict." he explained

-3 years ago-

Waking up Shield moaned drawing the attention of the nurse.

"Where am I." his voice cracked.

"You are at the combat hospital." she explained. Then the conflict flashed before his eyes once again. He closed his eyes as a new wave of pain.

"Whats the damage doc?" he asked. The nurse looked uncomfortable as she summoned up her answer.

"You received heavy damage to your left wing and it was irreparable as well as you received a large cut down your left side, your to be bed ridden for a few weeks doctors orders." she said. Dancing Shields world felt that it fell away from him. His one thing that allowed him to be who he was had been ripped away from him. Her speech seemed to filter to background noise as his terrible reality seemed to crash in on him. His contentiousness began to go black as he passed out.

Waking again he was depressed and did not wish to do anything. His way of life was over never again would he feel the wind whip past his ears or feel the touch of a cloud under his hooves. The next three weeks he was up and walking around in rehab working hard to get back into shape. His balance was off and now the scar healing on his left made it hard to move.  After he was able to move around with minimal pain he approached his doctor in his office.

“Doctor I would like to be transferred to the front with the earth ponies and unicorns. His doctor looked at him understanding his plight but didn't wish to send another pony out to fight so quickly.

“I can get you a safer job in the intelligence branch.” he said trying to sway him. Shield could understand him and even thank the fact he wish to keep him safe but his place was in the thick of it.

“Thank you Doc but i have made up my mind. All I need is your signature and approval.” he explained. His doctor looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“You have my signature but not my approval. I am not happy with your choice but i will approve it.” he said putting his signature and slamming a stamp of approval on his file.

“Don't die. I put too much time into you.” he ordered. Shield nodded and chuckled.

“Ill try and keep myself in better shape.” Shield agreed.

Shield was taken by cart arriving at a FOB (Forward Operating Base) just outside of Trottingham that was under changeling control. As he arrived he was greeted by a armored stallion earth pony who's damaged and scorched battle armor betrayed his part played in battle.

“Are you the pegasus Shield Dancer?” he asked.

“I am Shield Dancer yes.” he said.

“I am Bolder Bash, Good to have ya follow me I’ll show you to the barracks.” he said motioning him to follow. Shield followed him with his things slung over his back to the tent that was set up.

“Find your cot and acquaint yourself with your fellow soldiers. I read your file I know how you lost your wing, I don't know why you want join the front but I'm glad to have your skills added to the squad.” he said placing a comforting hoof on his shoulder. Shield watched him leave and turned to the tent, the sounds of other ponies talking and joking. He pushed the tent flap aside and walked in drawing attention for everypony there.

He nodded to them getting respectful nods from them back. Finding a cot he placed his things removing his pegasus armor he placed it on his cot and placed his effects into a locker.

“Hi and welcome to the 68th.” a deep voice Stallion said. Shield turned and came to meet the owner of the voice.

“Names Big Macintosh, the guys call me Big Mac or Mac for short.” Big Mac said.

“Shield Dancer.” he said raising his hoof in greeting. Big Mac shook his hoof.

“Looks like you took quite a licking.” he said chuckling. Shield looked at him and chuckled opening his wing then closing it.

“Yea changeling bombardment can be damaging even when flying.” he said with a hint of sadness. Big Mac nodded and then a siren began to go off and Big Mac’s fun demeanor changed to a hardened soldier.

“Were planned to take back Trottingham.” he said quickly putting on his armor. Shield followed suit. Already he was going  into battle and his adrenalin was kicking in as he put his helmet on then put his sword against his body then quickly put on his flight claws. The feel of the steel against his hooves brought back his anger at what they had taken from him. They all would be instrumental to taking back Trottingham because the fire in his eyes showed nothing but the thrill of the battle ahead.  Stepping out from the tent he jogged after Big Mac then slowed down as he stood beside him then looked up as the first snowflake fell upon his armored helmet.

"It seems that the winter is here..." he said, Big mac looked up as well.

"I wonder what Apple Jack, Granny and Apple Bloom are doin." he wondered.

"Ask them when you get back." Shield said hitting him in the shoulder. Big Mac looked at him and smiled.

"Yuup."