The Secret Island

“RUN!” screamed a four year old colt as he gripped his sister’s hand. She didn’t need to be told twice as the two ran as fast as their young legs could take them through the Everfree Forest.

They knew they were in deep, deep trouble. Not just because their parents had told them several times not to enter the forest without an adult, for behind the two was a large timberwolf big enough to eat a pony whole with a single bite. For that they would only be in major trouble. But this was far worse than the scolding they would receive if they got caught.

Sadly, the two didn’t make it very far. They had only been running for a few seconds before the sister tripped on a fallen branch, dragging her brother along with her. And before they could move a muscle to get up they felt the hot, sticky breath of the timberwolf above them and could feel its drool drip from its large fangs. The two closed their eyes, knowing it was the end for them. They both knew from the stories that their family told that timberwolves did not understand pleading or begging.

But then, the two heard a smack sound followed by the sound of an animal whining. As one the two turned to look up and saw that Princess Luna was standing above them. She was wearing slightly dirty jeans and a black plaid shirt that had its sleeves rolled up. One of her hands was raised in a way that looked like she just backhanded something. On her other shoulder was a satchel that looked like it was full of documents.

They then looked behind them and saw the timberwolf. Or, rather, what was left of the timberwolf. All across the forest floor were various pieces of wood in all shapes and sizes. And some of those shapes looked an awful lot like teeth.

Luna stared at the pieces, her eyes narrowed “Stop playing dead,” she said sternly. “You’re not fooling anypony here.” As soon as she said that, the pieces began to float in the air as Luna lowered her arm. The alicorn then crossed both arms right below her bust while the various pieces began to connect until they reformed the timberwolf in a position that looked like it was about to pounce.

The two children cried out in horror as the timberwolf let out a growl. It opened its mouth and snapped at them causing the young ones to scream. Luna, however, stood there stone faced with her eyes glued to the monster.

“Alright,” said Luna in a voice that, while calm, radiated with power. “I’m going to make this simple for you. You can either attack me or turn tail and run. But know that if you hurt anypony from my family it will be the last thing you ever do.”

For a moment the timberwolf stood there, staring and growling at Luna as it twitched its ears. Its stomach demanded food, and right before it were three ponies ready to be eaten, but its survival instincts said that it would not survive a fight with the alicorn. That there were many more creatures to eat in the forest that were less dangerous. Slowly the timberwolf backed down and walked away.

Luna kept her gaze on the retreating creature, not moving at all until it was out of sight. Only then did she let out a sigh of relief. But before she could say anything to the two young foals she saw them get up and quickly hug her legs.

“Auntie Luna,” they both cried out together, looking up at her with tear-filled eyes.

“Are you both all right?” asked Luna as she pulled away from them so that she could bend down to better examine the twins.

She first looked over Sparkling Cider, a four year old thestral filly with bright green slitted eyes. Luna scanned her white mane that was braided in two shoulder-length pigtails for any signs of blood before moving to check her amber colored coat. Luckily all she had were some light scrapes and a few rips in her jeans as well as her pink shirt.

She then turned her attention over to Hard Cider, or Cid as he was nicknamed. Like his twin, he too was a thestral with bright green eyes. However his short and spikey mane was black, meaning that she had to run her hands through it to check for bleeding. Finding none Luna let out a sigh of relief as she began to check his coat which, thankfully, was a much darker shade of amber than his sister’s. She found there was some blood on the back of his elbow, but other than that as well as needing a new blue plaid shirt and patching up his overalls he was fine.

Relieved that they were fine, Luna wrapped her arms around the two and hugged them before kissing them both on the foreheads.

“Thank goodness you’re both ok,” she whispered in their turfed ears before releasing them. She then stood up and placed her hands on her hips. “Now what were you both thinking? I know your mother has told you plenty of times not to leave the farm without an adult. And going here of all places? If I hadn’t forgotten my paperwork, then…” Luna’s voice trailed off as images of what could have happened to the two of them filled her head and she fought back a shudder.

“We’re sorry Auntie Luna,” said Sparkling as she rubbed the tears from her eyes.

“We didn’t mean to do anything bad,” added Cid.

Luna let out a sigh. “I know,” she said before giving them another hug. “Right now, I’m just glad you’re both alright. Now, let’s get going home.”

“Are ya gonna tell mama?” asked Cid.

At this, Luna gave them both a sad smile.

“WHAT IN TARNATION WERE THE TWO OF YA THINKIN’” roared Applejack so loud that everypony from Sweet Apple Acres to Twilight’s castle could hear her. The two foals in front of her winced in pain, and Luna, who was sitting at the kitchen table, nearly dropped her mug of hot apple cider on her documents. Luckily for her she caught it just in time before continuing to examine its contents while also keeping an eye on Applejack’s condition.

Said earth mare was on the warpath. Veins had appeared on her forehead as she struggled to continue making supper for that evening, moving from pot to pot while slamming them against the stove with a snarl on her normally loving face. But this was a slightly more difficult task than it normally would have been seeing that she was eight months pregnant. She didn’t like it since she couldn’t help out with the field work and was forced to wear one of Rarity’s special maternity dresses that made her feel mighty foolish due to all the gems on it.

Of course there was another reason she was upset right now. A reason that, even a month after the event, the Apple family was still feeling the sting of the loss.

“Ya both should have yar flanks tanned being so pony foolish!” raged Applejack as she slammed another pan onto the stove. “Ah said ya both could play in the fields, not go trotting into them woods! What in the wide world of Equestria were the two of ya thinkin’?”

Sparkling tried to speak, but couldn’t due to her sobs leaving her brother to answer. “W-We just w-wanted to s-see Auntie Apple Bloom b-before she l-leaves,” answered a teary eyed Cid.

Upon hearing this, Luna looked up from her documents and turned her attention towards Applejack. The orange mare looked momentarily stunned, her own eyes beginning to moisten at the mention of another member of the family leaving. There was almost a nod of understanding, as if she almost was willing to admit that she would have done the same thing. However, all of this lasted only a short time before anger and rage took over her once more.

“Ya think that’s a good enough reason?!” yelled Applejack as a timer went off behind her. She quickly put on her oven gloves, opened the oven, and pulled out an apple and carrot casserole before setting it on the counter to cool off. “Ya’ll be seeing her tonight anyways.”

“But we wanted ta see her at work,” said Cid.

Applejack threw her gloves onto the floor causing the young colt to flinch. “That has ta be the stupidest reasonin’ ah ever heard. Ah know me and your father raised ya both ta be smarter than this.”

“W-We’re sorry,” sobbed Sparkling.

“YA THINK SORRY IS GOOD ENOUGH?!” roared Applejack as she began to see red while staring at the two. “Ya think saying sorry is gonna make me forget that ya both broke my trust? That it’ll get ya out of trouble? If Granny were here…” Applejack’s voice trailed off as she realized what she had just said. Tears began to form around her eyes while she placed a hand on the counter for support.

It had been a month since Granny Smith, the last of the founding members of Ponyville, had passed away. There hadn’t been a tragic accident or illness just that her old age had finally caught up with her. She had passed away in her sleep with a smile on her face, happy that she had been able to see her grandkids get married and see her great grand foals. She would have been happier to see that so many ponies from town had shown up to her funeral. Mayor Mare even announced that a statue was being made in her honor for all of her help making Ponyville the town it was today. And despite one pony whose presence caused a major disruption (not Pinkie Pie thankfully), everything went all good as it could have.

However things with the family had suffered due to her loss. Applejack was taking it harder than any other pony there, now trying to do all the jobs that the older mare had once done as well as trying to raise the twins, do whatever farm work she could do in her condition, and try to convince Twilight that she could still go out and save the world from time to time. Harvest, when he wasn’t at work, did his best to help out despite being mighty tired for which Applejack was grateful for, however it wasn’t enough. Then there were all the memories around the house that kept bringing the mare to tears at the drop of a hat.

Then there was Luna and Big Mac. Luna had become more…withdrawn. When she wasn’t working on something for the Everfree Academy or the status of the military she was going into the fields and staring off into space for long periods of time. After a few weeks of this she had confided in Applejack what the problem was and asked for advice, which the mare gave after realizing the position Luna was in. As for Big Mac, he was spending a bit more time in the orchards planting new rows of granny smith apples while becoming more silent than ever.

Luna, seeing Applejack about to lose it, got up from her seat and moved so that she was standing behind the twin. She then placed a hand on both of their heads.

“Alright,” said the night goddess gently. “I think they understand what they did was wrong. Why don’t the two of you go to your rooms until dinner and think about what you’ve done?” The twins nodded and raced upstairs. As they did Luna returned to her seat while Applejack looked up with her. Her expression was a mix between thanks and annoyance.

“Ya shouldn’t be gettin’ involved,” stated Applejack.

“Trust me,” said Luna as she picked up her paperwork while downing the last of her hot cider. “They’ll be having nightmares about this for a while. Hopefully they’ll learn their lesson.”

Applejack crossed her arms. “Then maybe ya shouldn’t help them any,” she responded, while looking at the stairway. “Might get it through their heads that what they did was wrong.”

Luna shook her head. “That’s not how my job works,” she said. “If somepony needs help in their dreams to sort something out I have to help. Besides, what kind of Aunt would I be if I let my adorable niece and nephew suffer needlessly?”

Applejack rolled her eyes as she turned around just in time to save something cooking on the stove. “Ah swear those two have no idea how scared ah was when ah heard they were in the forest,” she said while working on the food. “Though ah’d be joining Granny if something happened to them. And today of all days to do something like that.”

“Maybe it’s my fault,” replied Luna as she used her magic to grab a kettle containing more hot cider and refill her mug. “Maybe I should have let them come to the Academy to see where Apple Bloom works. Maybe then they wouldn’t have been so curious.”

“Ah doubt it,” replied Applejack. “They probably still would have gone. Still, ah can’t thank ya enough for savin’ their hides.” Applejack then turned around and walked next to Luna. “But ah need ta ask ya something: have ya talked to Big Mac about, well, ya know?”

Luna’s face went pale for a moment. “I, er, haven’t found the time,” she said, causing Applejack to frown.

“ How can ya enter somepony’s dream like walkin’ into a room an ya say ya can’t find the time?” demanded Applejack. “An here ah thought ah’d heard all sorts of tall tales. What’s the matter? Mac adores ya like nopony else. Ya know he’ll say yes.”

“And that’s what I’m afraid of!” Luna shouted while standing up so quickly that her papers flew across the room. “He’ll say yes and then someday he’ll grow to despise me. Just like Celestia has told me since the day I brought this up with her. I just…I don’t know if I can take it. I love him so much that the idea of him hating me, wishing that he had never fallen in love with me is almost too much for me to take.” Tears were now beginning to fall down her face. “And when that time comes, I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep myself under control. What if I become Nightmare Moon again and try and kill all of you? I…don’t think I’ll be able to live with myself.”

“Sugarcube,” whispered Applejack a moment before hugging the crying alicorn. “There now, don’t cry. It’ll be alright.”

“I don’t think it will,” sobbed Luna.

“But ah do,” said Applejack as she released Luna and took a step back. She then pointed a finger at her. “Ah know that big lug just as well as ya do. He’ll say yes an the two of ya are gonna live even more happily ever after than Shining Armor and Cadence. Sure as apple seeds in the core of an apple. Ya just need a moment ta tell him an ask him what he thinks.”

“I…” began Luna but stopped herself. Quickly she wiped away her tears and took a deep breath. “I’ll think about it.”

“Ya been thinking about it for a while now,” responded Applejack with a frown.

“Right,” said Luna with a sigh of defeat. “Just…give me some more time. Like maybe after Apple Bloom leaves. I don’t want to ruin this day.” As Applejack nodded, Luna said that she needed some fresh air and left the room in a hurry so that she could be alone with her thoughts.

In the middle of the Everfree Forest stood the former Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. Now it was simply called the Everfree Academy. Unlike Celestia’s School for Talented Unicorns, the Academy accepted members from all tribes as well as all races that lived in Equestria. Yet, like Celestia’s school, the students who attended got some of the most advanced education in the country.

Luna had done wonders with this place, restoring it to its former glory and then some. Everything had been restored to the way it had been over a thousand years ago so well that nopony could tell what was old and what was new. At least that’s how it looked on the outside. The inside was a different matter for the night princess had added many modern things like indoor plumbing and electric lights. Many of the rooms which had once been used for various (and in Luna’s opinion useless) purposes now served as classrooms. The old throne room had been converted into the dining room where students could relax and chat after a long day. Even the library had been given a huge makeover, allowing for numerous tables to be placed within and many of the out-of-date books had been replaced.

Outside, the grounds had been converted into training grounds full of various equipment for the students to train on. These included things like various obstacle courses, combat training pits, and an archery field. And beyond those was the only new building to be added: the school's dorms.

Right now, Harvest was walking across the grounds towards the Academy gates to meet a fresh group of students. As he did, he passed by several students dressed in their school uniforms, green camo pants, and matching long sleeve shirt, who were heading back to the dorms so that they could drop off their school supplies before dinner. He also saw several students dressed in their combat practice gear which consisted of a leather vest, pants, and helmet while also carrying around their wooden practice weapons.

‘We’ve come a long way,’ he though as several students paused to salute him.

When both he and Luna got back from the island seven years ago, they set to work getting the castle ready while Celestia did her best to stop them. She simply felt that it was a waste of time and resources, not even bothering to hide these feelings from the press or the nobles. And while Celestia could not stop Luna from opening up the Academy, she was fighting with Luna tooth and nail to stop her from her project to improve their military.

In all fairness, the two tried dealing with the matter behind closed doors for several months. The problem was that, no matter how much evidence or logic Luna presented, Celestia held firm on her belief. Several times Harvest would talk to Applejack about the matter as they tried to figure out why Celestia was being so stubborn. The best guess the two could come up with was that Celestia, who had ruled alone for a thousand years, was simply used to getting her way.

One of the best examples they had was the Sombra incident. Luna, who was at first all for sending Twilight to deal with the situation, became concerned when Celestia wanted to add restrictions on how she did it. Because of these concerns, as well as knowing the damage to the Crystal Empire and the rest of the Equestria, wanted to go as well as back up. Celestia refused. Looking back, the two knew how lucky they were that Twilight had decided to disobey that order and give the Crystal Heart to Spike. Then there were the times when Celestia disappeared into the alternate Equestria without so much as a word to her co-ruler or making all the decisions with the Tirek incident. Unlike those times, Luna was not going to sit back and let Celestia have her way on this matter. Not when there was a serious problem right under her nose.

Then, shortly after the Academy classes began, things took an unexpected turn. Harvest got a message from Fancy Pants that Celestia had called from a meeting with the nobility to talk about Luna’s ‘concerns’ regarding the military. The message also stated Luna was not the only pony not to hear about this, but Twilight, Cadence, and Shining Armor. Acting quickly, Harvest went down to the sparring grounds to inform Princess Luna about this and the two quickly grabbed several things that she would need before teleporting to Canterlot.

By the time they reached the throne room where the meeting was being held, Celestia was in the middle of a speech about how everything was fine as is, that Luna meant well, but had become overzealous in her beliefs. Finally, Celestia began to talk about how much it would cost to do the things that Luna wanted. When she finished, many of the nobles seemed to be swayed to Celestia’s side.

It was then that Luna asked if she could speak. At first Celestia, who was shocked to see her younger sister there, was hesitant and tried to use her tardiness as an excuse not to allow her to speak. Luckily, help came from Fancy Pants once more as he requested to hear what Princess Luna had to say. This was seconded by Countess Diamond Vein from the Hanging City.

However, as Luna stepped forward to speak, Harvest knew they had lost. They had left in such a hurry that Luna hadn’t been able to change her clothing. Standing near Celestia, who was dressed in a shimmering golden dress, Luna’s messy main and muddy training attire, caused many of the nobles to turn their noses into the air and ignoring what Luna said out of principle. And as Luna took her seat, the two knew Celestia had won.

Yet this victory didn’t come with a very heavy price. Both Twilight and Cadence were upset that they hadn’t been invited to this important meeting about their nation’s military. The way Twilight took it was if Celestia was saying that she still needed to prove herself as a princess. And it didn’t help that the papers agreed. A few days following the meeting, political cartoons in the Canterlot Free Press began depicting a filly alicorn Twilight trying to sit at the adult table only to be shooed away by Princess Celestia or Twilight putting on a fake pair of wings before going to meet the public. After that, Harvest heard from Spike that Twilight began to work herself even harder as if to prove to everypony that she had earned her new position even after Celestia apologized for how situation was handled.

The same couldn’t be said with Cadence and Shining Armor. The pink princess of the north was fuming mad with the whole affair, saying that she should have been allowed to comment of the proceedings at the very least. She also said that she could understand if there was an emergency in Canterlot and Celestia didn’t have the time to wait for her fellow princesses, but this clearly wasn’t the case. The only reason they hadn’t been invited was so there would be less of a chance that Luna wouldn’t find out.

That or she didn’t want to take the chance that one of them might call her out on the whole affair in front of the nobles. And while it wasn’t Celestia’s intent, she had made it appear that Cadence (as well as Twilight and Luna) were just princesses for show. Shining Armor was even angrier since he was the Captain of the Royal Guard and thus he should have been there was well. Instead, he wasn’t even allowed to voice his opinions on the group he was supposed to be running. He was in such a state of anger that he mailed his two week notice to Celestia. Celestia, upon reading this, wrote back saying that she would not accept his resignation. A few days later she received her unopened letter back with the words ‘Return to Sender’ written on it.

Then there was Luna. When she returned to Everfree she went straight to her room and locked herself inside while dark clouds gathered around the castle. For several days she stayed in there, refusing to speak to anypony due to the humiliation she received thanks to her sister. It was only due to Big Mac breaking down the door and talking to her that she finally came out. However, things wouldn’t be the same between her and Celestia. At the next princess meeting, Luna sent a thestral named Dreaded Appointment in her place to simply take notes.

After the meeting Celestia asked him why Luna was doing something so immature, and his response was that Luna was busy and didn’t want to come all the way to Canterlot just to waste space. The night princess still did her job, but no longer set hoof in Canterlot except to check up on the Night Guard stationed there.

There were also problems outside of what was happening with the princesses. A few days after Celestia’s stunt, Harvest began reading in the papers that the ponies of the Crystal Empire also felt offended by what had happened. Those interviewed stated that what Celestia had done was basically pass policy on the whole of Equestria when certain areas (like the Empire) were not represented at all. Some were starting committees and parades demanding independence from Equestria. And the fact that Cadence was so slow to stop things like this, sometimes taking days, did not bode well for those in Canterlot.

Soon after that, Harvest began to hear rumors coming from Canterlot that he was only able to verify as truth during his next visit. It appeared that there were some in the Guard that didn’t take Celestia’s decision very well. Many of those Guards felt like Celestia, the princess they all went through training for and then spent years protecting, was saying that she didn’t have any faith in them. Because of this those Guards began to resign one by one until the majority of the Guard was made up of those who joined just for a free ride.

Finally, there was Twilight and her friends. While it was never Celestia’s intention, her statement also affected them in a way that nearly destroyed their friendship. It started with Rainbow Dash when she was called into Spitfire’s office to be informed that she was out of the Wonderbolts Reserve. When Dash demanded to know why, and Spitfire sighed and told her that her duty to Equestria had to come first and didn’t want to put Rainbow in a position where she might be tempted between the two.

Similar things happened with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy began getting letters from various animal rights groups that she belonged to telling her that her name had been dropped from their various lists of recruits while Pinkie was told that they would just get another party pony. When they asked why the response was the same as Spitfire’s.

But the worse affected by this was Rarity. It started with Sapphire Shores, who didn’t want Rarity to worry herself when she had the fate of the nation hanging on her shoulders. She didn’t want to do this to her friend, but Equestria was more important than looking good on stage. Then, various clients began to inform her that they were taking their business elsewhere, saying they didn’t want to take the risk that Rarity might not complete their order because she was off and about. Soon, Rarity found herself in a bind.

With each passing week she was barely keeping herself above the red and soon had to rent out rooms in her boutique just so that the bank wouldn’t take it away from her. Several times when Harvest had lunch with the white mare alongside both Luna and Applejack, Rarity would say things like “I wish I had never gone into that forest to stop Nightmare Moon.”

Twilight, not wanting to see her friend’s dreams and futures crushed, contacted Princess Celestia to let her know what was happening. However, Celestia was also busy with other things and told Twilight that she knew she could handle this. Applejack, when she heard this, snorted and said that she was just making Twilight clean up her mess.

And while Twilight did everything in her power to help and reassure her friends, her words and actions had little to no effect. Most of the time the group would get into a big fight and not speak to each other for days. Luckily for her Applejack, who was the only one not affected, and Luna were there to help when they could. They managed to find the others outlets for their passions and help them find ponies they could call special.

Then, about a year after the event with Celestia, disaster struck.

At first, things looked like they were improving. After many apologies with Cadence and the rest of the Empire, things were settling down there. Cadence was now on more pleasant turns, coming over to Canterlot every once in a while for tea and promising to talk to Shining about taking up his old post once more. However, she was still met with cold receptions whenever she went to Ponyville.

Yet in the kingdom of Dimondia, the Diamond Dogs had found a new queen, a unicorn named Starlight Glimmer whom wished to spread her beliefs across Equestria whether they accepted it or not. She had spies watching Twilight and her friends and, when she found out they were on some mission into the Badlands, she attacked Canterlot en mass. The Guards did their best to fight back, but without a Captain they were horribly disorganized and were badly out of shape. To make matters worse, Starlight had improved upon her equalization spell so that it not only stole cutie marks but also a pony’s wings or horn. Eventually, even the mighty Celestia was hit by this magic.

But then help came. When the attack began, Luna sent word to Shining Armor and Cadence for help while she prepared her students for battle. The two forces gathered along with additional help from the Hanging City and attacked the enemy's flank. In the end, it was one of Luna’s students that managed to sneak behind Starlight and cut off her horn during the heat of battle, destroying her magic and returning all that she had stolen. Soon after that, the Diamond Dogs fled.

After the defeat of Starlight, the nobles came to the realization that Luna had been right. Twilight and her friends were powerful and could stop great threats, but they couldn’t be everywhere and help everypony. And if they didn’t improve things, another villain would try and repeat what Starlight had done. And with Twilight, Cadence, and Luna agreeing with them, Celestia, in the end, was forced to give in.

Now, things were different. A new Captain had been placed in Canterlot, an earth pony named Ground Siege, while Shining Armor stayed in the Crystal Empire keeping the troops up there in shape. Surprise inspections started to ensure that the troops were in shape as well as ready for whatever action was needed. The Everfree Academy also got a huge popularity boost. It had gone from a school with about sixty student to having over three hundred students on a waiting list.

With the announcement that Council of Friendship was no longer Equestria’s first line of defense, the six of them were able to start getting their lives back in order. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were invited back into their respective groups while Ponyville was able to have its primary party planner back. Twilight was finally given a chance to breathe from all of her work, finally able to spend quality time with her herd. As for Rarity, orders began flooding back into her shop, saving it before she had to start making knock-off brands for Filthy Rich.

As for Celestia, she took the whole thing really hard. At first, she seemed sullen, and several times seemed to accuse Luna of setting the whole thing up just to make her look bad. For the next couple of years things festered between the two as they continued not to speak to each other.

It was only until Twilight and Cadence finally had enough of this, with Twilight yelling at her mentor and idol to grow up. This was just the slap in the face that Celestia needed and quickly realized just how much of her sister’s life she had missed out on. And while Luna was hesitant at first, she did accept her sister’s apology.

Now, Harvest stood before a group of twenty-five fresh students mostly ponies but two griffons as well. With a scrutinizing gaze, Harvest looked them over and was overall ok with this batch. In his opinion, there were three types of students that came to this school. The first being those who wanted to do their best for their country. The second were the students that, while not wanting to lead a military life, wished to excel and be the best they could be.

Most of the new students could easily be put in those categories. Several of them stood at attention while still in casual attire while others, while looking nervous, were doing their best to make a good impression.

In fact, there was only one student that seemed to be in the third and most despised group of them all: brats! These were students that were sent to them because their parents either spoiled them or just didn’t know how to get them to behavior. Sure, sometimes the Academy would get ponies who had lived hard lives on the streets of places like Manhatten or the like, but they were far more likeable than the whiny, self-important fillies and colts who still think that the world revolves around them at their age! The only way that they even got in was that the parents were willing to pay extra (the extra bits going to a charity).

Luckily for him there was only one who seemed to fit the description of a brat. She was sitting on her bag, looking utterly bored in very expensive looking attire that he was sure cost him at least three paychecks. And looking a bit closer, Harvest saw that he knew this one brat.

‘Oh this is going to be a treat for me,’ thought Harvest as he suppressed a smile before clearing his throat. At once, almost everypony there looked in his direction.

“Alright,” said Harvest loudly as he began to walk back and forth in front of them. “Congratulations on getting into the Everfree Academy. I am your training instructor Major Harvest Moon. When you are not in the classroom, you will be mine. It will be my job to whip all of you into shape over the next three years, something that I take very seriously. You find that we do things differently from other schools around here. First you are now a unit, not a class. Your unit’s designation is B-17. Remember that! While you are here you will either pass as a unit or you will fail as a unit. If one of you-” Harvest was then cut off as the brat loudly yawned and then rolled her eyes when she saw everypony was staring at her in disbelief.

“Oh,” said Harvest softly, but there was a dangerous edge to his voice that made almost everypony’s blood run cold. The only one who wasn’t affected was the brat. “I’m sorry. Am I boring you?”

“Yeah,” said Diamond Tiara. “Like, I have better things to do than to listen to some stupid flying rodent. I’m only here until daddy calms down.”

As several students mouths hung agape, a small smile appeared on Harvest’s face. “I see,” he said. “Then lets help pass the time and help the princess here wake up. EVERYPONY GIVE ME TWENTY-FIVE PUSH UPS NOW!” At once, twenty-four ponies got down and began to count as they did the exercise. Some faster than others. However Diamond stayed where she was.

“Do you, like, expect me to get down on the dirt?” asked Diamond while Harvest stared at her. “No way. I totally just got my nails done and I am so not going to mess them up.”

“MAKE IT FIFTY,” yelled Harvest, causing the other students to glare at Diamond. “AND NOPONY HERE IS EATING OR SLEEPING IN THEIR DORM UNTIL YOU ARE ALL DONE!”

“What?” yelled Diamond while the others groaned. “You can’t do that! You have to feed us! You-”

“If you want food you will do as you’re told,” said Harvest coldly. “Every time you disobey, your unit will suffer. Now get on the ground now or else I’ll make it seventy-five!”

Luna stood by herself on top of the largest hill in Sweet Apple Acres, looking out at the orchard in the direction of Canterlot. It was her favorite spot on the entire farm, not because of the view, but of the memories she had here. She and Mac had done so many things here from long talks, picnics, to wild sex. And now here she was, making the biggest decision of her life.

‘Ok Luna, you can do this,’ she thought while taking a deep breath. ‘Applejack is right, Mac loves you. Heck, I don’t need her telling me that. I’ve seen his dreams after all. But does that mean that he’ll want to stay with me? This is a pretty big thing and not everypony can handle this kind of commitment. Celestia said that she did the same in the past and they only lasted a few years. Maybe I should-’

“Luna?” came a voice behind her, causing the night princess to jump. She turned around and saw Mac standing behind her with a worried expression. He was wearing muddied jeans and a blue plaid shirt that looked like it had seen better days. Luna wanted nothing more than to go to his side, but instead turned around to leave. However Mac grabbed her arm, holding it in an iron grip.

“We need ta talk,” he said in a concerned tone.

“Why?’ asked Luna as she looked around, as if preparing an escape route.

“Ya know why,” he said. “Ya haven’t been yourself since granny passed. Ya have barely said a word ta me since then. Ah’ve barely seen ya before ya run off somewhere. Ah thought ya just needed some time ta be alone, but it’s been a month. Ah’m gettin’ worried sick. Please, tell me what’s goin’ on.”

Luna struggled for a moment. This was the thing she wanted to avoid right now. She wasn’t ready to ask him something so important like this. But then she looked in his eyes, full of concern, and she stopped. One look in those eyes told her all she needed to know. That if she kept this up she ran the chance that she would lose him anyways.

Luna let out a sigh. “Alright,” she said in defeat. “I guess I should tell you something I should have told you a while ago. I’m…pregnant.”

Big Mac’s eyes widened in complete shock. His jaw dropped and hung there for what seemed like a long while. Then, a smile appeared on his face. After seven years on cumming inside Luna he had finally knocked her up. He was going to be a father.

“Ah don’t believe it,” he said. “Ah’m gonna be a daddy! How long are ya in?”

“A little over a month,” said Luna as she looked away. “Maybe two. I found out the day before the funeral.”

Mac’s smile slowly faded as he release his grip on Luna before wrapping his arms around her in a big hug. ‘Ah see,’ he thought as he held her tightly. ‘Must of thought it was bad timing an didn’t want ta tell anypony. Must have been keepin’ it inside her this entire time.’

“Don’t worry, ah understand,” said Mac as he stroked Luna’s mane. Luna, however, pulled away from him.

“No, you don’t,” she said. “Mac, alicorn’s like me and Celestia don’t normally give birth. And when we do, they won’t be like Twilight or Cadence. They will be alicorns.” Luna’s voice quietened somewhat before she said the next two words. “…immortal alicorns.”

“Ah er,” stumbled Mac as he tried to figure out what Luna was trying to say. He knew she would outlive him and if they ever had children he prayed they would outlive him. So what was the problem?

“You see, I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” said Luna. “Seeing Granny pass and then finding out I’m with child made me think about…us. At best, we’ll only have fifty or sixty more years together. And they both me and our child will lose you forever. That thought, more than anything else scares me. I don’t know what I, what we, will do when you’re gone. So I’ve been thinking about using the bonding spell.”

“The bonding spell?” echoed Mac with puzzlement.

“It’s a spell that only me and my sister can use,” explained Luna. “It will link us, basically meaning that you will live as long as I do. The problem is that I can only do it for one pony at a time. I know how much Applejack and Apple Bloom mean to you. I love them both so much and I wish, oh how I wish I could make us all immortal so that we could always be together. But…I can’t.” Tears were now running down Luna’s face.

“I don’t want to lose anymore of you. I want to save what I can, but I know how much your family means to you. If I did this spell, you would remain young while they grew old and died. Applejack says that she understands and is all for this but I’m not so sure. I keep thinking that one day, when they’re all gone you’ll grow bitter towards me and then leave. I-”

Luna was then cut off as Big Mac placed a dirty finger on her lips, silencing her. Then he gently wiped away the tears on her face before embracing her once more.

“Luna,” he whispered. “Ah wished ya could have told me all this sooner. When ah married ya, ya became my family. An ah promised that we would spend the rest of our lives together. That’s one promise that ah intend on keepin’. Now, ah want ya ta use that spell so we’ll be together forever.”

“But what about the rest of your family?” asked Luna, trembling as she did so.

“Ah’ll miss them,” said Big Mac honestly. “It’ll hurt when they’re gone, this much ah know right now. Can’t imagine what’ll be like when that happens. But ya mean the world ta me. Ah’d give ya the world if ah could. Ah’d like ta give ya a big family with lots of foals over the years so that we’ll never be lonely, if ya wanted that.”

“I do,” said Luna with a smile. She then kissed Mac passionately on the lips. For several moments they stood there like this as Luna’s horn began to glow. Then time seemed to stop around them. A leaf that had been falling now hung in mid-air and squirrel was frozen in mid-leap. The magic from Luna’s horn before to turn white as it swirled around the couple until becoming a sphere that engulfed them. They stayed in there for what seemed like an entirety before the sphere exploded into stardust and time seemed to return to normal.

Meanwhile, back at the Everfree Academy, a fifteen year old filly was looking out the window with a smile on her face. She had a lean, athletic build with small breasts that was perfect for a pegasus, but her orange wings were smaller than they should be for her age. She was wearing a leather jacket, a purple shirt that matched her mane color, and denim jeans. On the back of her jacket was a decal that looked like her cutie mark; a wheel with wings made out of bright yellow flames. Her eyes were fixed on a certain filly who was struggling to do push-ups.

‘I know I shouldn’t be enjoying this,’ thought Scootaloo with a giggle. ‘But I can’t help myself. Karma, you really do exist!’

“Scoots ya said ya’d give me a hand,” came a voice behind her. With a sigh, Scootaloo pulled herself away from Diamond Tiara’s torture and looked straight at one of her oldest friends in Equestria; Apple Bloom. She stood in the middle of the room wearing a white lab coat, a red blouse, jeans, and her old pink bow in her red mane. She was currently carrying a box that mushed against her large, D-cup breasts.

Standing next to her was Zecora, who was remaining silent for the moment. Like Apple Bloom, she was also wearing a lab coat. However, underneath it she wore a grey, tribal tube-top that showed off her ample C-cup breasts and a matching tribal loincloth. The room they were in right now was hers.

After Luna started to build the Academy, she wanted somepony who could help train her student to be able to use various forms of plant life as medicine. And that pony was Zecora. It had taken Luna a while to convince the zebra, but in the end it was worth it. Zecora took students throughout the forest, showing them where certain plants liked to grow and what they were used to help heal. In the classroom she talked about the various lands surrounding Equestria and the plants that lived there.

Zecora also doubled as the school’s nurse with Apple Bloom as her assistant. Ever since the filly got her cutie mark (a flask with three apple blooms in it) Zecora and Twilight began to teach her everything they knew about potion making. And thanks to the school's resources, Apple Bloom never found herself short on materials.

“Sorry,” said Scootaloo as she went over to one of the boxes that hand Apple Bloom’s cutie mark on it and picked it up. “It’s just so nice to see Diamond Tiara get what’s been coming to her after all these years. Especially after what she did at Granny Smith’s funeral.”

Apple Bloom gritted her teeth. “Please don’t remind me,” she growled as the memory flashed in her head, her hands pushing the box closer to her chest. “Ah don’t want ta think about the things she said about Granny at her funeral!”

Scootaloo gave a quick glance back out the window before returning her attention back to her friend as they began to head out the room carrying the boxes. She could understand how Apple Bloom felt. After the wedding between Luna and Big Mac, Diamond Tiara seemed to get worse. Maybe it was because Princess Luna was now Apple Bloom’s sister-in-law. Or maybe it was because Silver Spoon began to distance herself from Diamond Tiara, no longer joining in her bullying the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Or perhaps it was a bit of both. Whatever the reason for her extra venom, she had been growing worse and worse with each passing year. As well as less cautious. Filthy Rich was finding it harder and harder not to believe all the things that ponies said about his daughter.

Then came the funeral. It was the last straw between the Rich family and the Apple’s. The next day Filthy came to apologize, but it wasn’t him that they wanted an apology from. And the Apples were so angry at they decided that Barnyard Bargains would no longer get the first hundred bottles of zap apple jam any longer.

“Well maybe you’ll like this,” said Scootaloo. “I heard in the employee break room that Filthy actually cut her out of his will. She’s now got to work to get back in.” This caused Apple Bloom to growl.

“I must confess, Scootaloo, for I am at a loss,” said Zecora suddenly. “I would never have thought you would take Mr. Rich for a boss.”

“Hey, say what you will about his parenting skills,” said Scootaloo as they exited the castle. “But he’s fair with his employees.” While Barnyard Bargains had a setback due to no longer being able to sell zap apple jam, they were still going strong. One of the new services they provided was home delivery, which worked out great for Scootaloo.

“Can we please stop talkin’ about them?” asked Apple Bloom. “Ah’m gonna be leaving today for Zebrica and won’t see ya’ll for three years! The last thing ah want ta be talkin’ about is Diamond Tiara or her family.”

“Nervous?” asked Scootaloo.

“Ya have no idea,” sighed Apple Bloom. “Ah know how lucky ah am that Twilight and Zecora pulled a lot of strings so that Head Medicine Mare Zavanna will teach me. But, at the same time, ah’m afraid ah’ll mess up and let ya’ll down. Not ta mention ah’ve never been away from home this long.”

“Apple Bloom you need not fret,” said Zecora as she gently placed a hand on her young students shoulder. “There is no need to think of yourself in our debt. Zavanna does not normally take ponies as students, this is true. All we can ask is that you do the best you can do. Under her training there is much you shall learn. Then, in three years, to us you shall return.”

“Thanks,” said Apple Bloom with a smile.

“And don’t worry, I’ll try and visit you when I get time off,” said Scootaloo. By this time, they were now standing in front of Scootaloo’s new ride. Having outgrown her old scooter, Scootaloo had decided on making herself a new vehicle powered by her tiny wings. She had started off with a bike frame and added various items like a black chrome exterior to protect said frame, a speed gage, shock absorbers, and several other things. On it’s was a passenger cart which Apple Bloom suspected had been enchanted by Twilight because not only where they able to put the two boxes in it but Apple Bloom was also able to sit in it comfortably.

Apple Bloom gave one last hug to Zecora and said her goodbyes as Scootaloo put on her helmet before beginning to flap her tiny wings. They soon became a blur as they began to move the cycle forward at an amazing speed that almost caused the teenage Apple to scream. The two zipped out of the Academy grounds and, once out, zig zagged through the forest.

Apple Bloom closed her eyes, wishing they would be at her farm soon. Anything to get off this crazy ride. Even if it meant saying goodbye to her family early. Saying goodbye to Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres, and all of the memories she had here. Then she began to feel them slow down. Opening her eyes, Apple Bloom saw that they weren’t at her farm but instead at their old club house which still looked rather nice seeing as it hadn’t been used in years. Sure the paint was starting to peel and roof had a lot of branches on it, but it was still better than what it had been like before she had fixed it up.

“Uh Scoots, why are we here?” asked Bloom as she looked over at the driver. Said filly slowly took off her helmet before looking up at the old club house.

“I just wanted to show you this before you left,” said Scootaloo. “This was where we all started our first real journey together as the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

“But we became the Cutie Mark Crusaders at Sugar Cube Corner,” said Apple Bloom.

“Yeah, but this place has more memories and it was where we did most of our planning,” said Scootaloo defensively. She then opened her mouth to say something, but instead groaned. “Grr. This is just great. I had a nice little speech I wanted to make, but now I forgot it.” She sighed. “Anyways, I just wanted to say is that you are leaving for a long while and we won’t be able to see each other again. But like when Sweetie Bell left for Manehatten to tryout for Bridleway, we told her we would always be here waiting for her when she came back. And that goes for you as well. When you return, we’ll come back here and talk about all the things that we have done. Because, no matter the distance, we’re still friends. We’re still crusaders and we’ll never stop the journey.”

“Wow,” said Apple Bloom as smile appeared on her face. “Scootaloo, that was very nice.”

“Thanks,” said Scootaloo as she put on her helmet, not just to protect her head but also so her friend couldn’t see her tears. “Now hold on, I gotta get you home in time for dinner!”

That night, the entire Apple Family stood outside as Apple Bloom began putting her things in a flying chariot provided by Luna.

Dinner had been a pleasant affair, however three ponies had shown up late. Harvest had shown up about ten minutes late thanks to a certain spoiled filly who was going to be sleeping outside for not following orders. Big Mac and Luna showed up five minutes after him, back in their lovey dovey mode that no pony had seen since Granny had passed. No one spoke about Apple Blooms departure but instead of little, everyday things.

After Applejack’s marvelous dinner, the whole family went into the family room and looked over photo albums. They looked over pictures of Applejack’s and Harvest’s wedding as well as the wedding of Big Mac and Luna. There were pictures of Apple Bloom’s many failures to get her cutie mark as well as the one celebrating the day she finally got it. They looked at photo’s of the day the twins were born and one showing the look on Applejack’s face when she found out she was pregnant again.

Then came the dreaded knock on the door signaling that it was time for Apple Bloom to go.

“We’ll miss you Auntie Bloom,” said Sparkling while Cid nodded.

“Ah’ll miss you both as well.” said Apple Bloom as she gave they both a quick hug.

“Now be sure ta write,” said Big Mac as Apple Bloom release the twins.

“Mah little sister is all grown up,” said Applejack with tears of joy in eyes. Even Luna had a few tears in her eyes.

“Ah’m gonna miss ya’ll,” said Apple Bloom as she hugged the two mares.

“When you come back, I’ll make sure we do something special,” said Luna. “How about we go back to the island.” When she said this, all the adults turned to her and gave her a stunned look. Apple Bloom, on the other hand, looked overjoyed.

“Really?” she asked. “We haven’t been back there in years! Ah can’t wait!” And with that, she jumped into the chariot. With the promise of a family trip when she returned, Apple Bloom wanted to get started as soon as possible.