Epilogue (5 Years Later)

“Daddy, Daddy!”

My daughter, Phoenix Heart, now 5 years old, was a beautiful little filly. Her bright yellow fur shone and her short brown mane ruffled as she ran towards me, her wings spread as she violently flapped them and elevated herself high enough to get herself into my arms, She buzzed with excitement.

“Hey there little girl!” I said, grabbing the filly in my arms and pecking her forehead.

“How was your first day of school?” I asked her.

“It was so cool Daddy! We learned about how to read and write and how to spell too!” She buzzed in excitement, her wings fluttering as she did so.

“That’s really cool sweetie!” I told her, setting her down and beginning to walk home, waving to Cheerilee as I did so.

“Daddy?” Phoenix looked up at me.

“Yes Phoenix Heart my dear?”

“Can I have a Wonderbolt uniform like you and mommy do?” She asked, giving me pound puppy eyes.

“Maybe when you’re a little older,” I chuckled, flexing my wings through tho holes in my uniform shirt.

“Awwww,” She groaned as she kicked the dirt.

“Tell ya what though. I can fly you the rest of the way bome if you want to?” I told her, knowing she couldn’t refuse such an offer.

“YAY!” She buzzed into my arms again as I started running and spread my wings and took off into the warm blue sky.

Spitfire said she’d only be in the office for an extra hour for that meeting with the Equestrian MIlitary Counsel.

As I set myself down in front of the front door, I knew something was off. There was no newspaper on the porch like there usually was. I opened the door.

“Spits? Honey?” I called out.

Spitfire came out in full uniform, complete with hat and everything.

“You’re gonna want to see this...” Spitfire said, hanging her head and handing me the newspaper.

The headline read as follows:

GRYPHON EMPIRE DECLARES WAR ON EQUESTRIA! WONDERBOLTS TO TAKE OFFENSIVE LEAD IN INVASION!

It had finally happened. The day that every Wonderbolt feared would come, the day that they were finally needed for military service.

“We each have 2 weeks to prepare for our departure to the Forward Operation Base.” She said grimly.

“Daddy?” Phoenix spoke up, “What’s war?”

“Something I thought you would never have to see and something that I wished didn’t follow me into this world.” I said, not hiding the dread in my voice.