Laughter.

How good it felt to laugh again with my friends. This was a feeling I looked forward to every year.

To simply be in the company of my loved ones was a treasure I held most dear to my heart.

It hurt to leave Princess Celestia alone. I felt, I had betrayed my promise to her, but she was encouraging, insistent even, that I should leave the protective confines of the SPP; and join with my friends in Ten Pony Tower.

Not that I really had a choice.

I couldn't believe my Goddess would blackmail me by threatening to tell my friends about my overuse of Orb #8! That was confidential!

...I had assumed. I loved Celestia even more for realizing that need, and gave me an out that wouldn't compromise my personal promise to her. "You know, my little pony; when you do that, you are essentially marking my body and soul with your essence."

No matter how chaste she'd put it, from that day on, after I needed the pleasures and sanctuary of Orb 8; I always felt a tsunami of crippling shame, judgment, and guilt.

That was a secret I'd take to my grave.

It was just an excuse to me. The years were getting tougher to be away from my friends and especially my Homage; every year she'd come see me on her birthday, and mine. Each visit wore on my mind and soul, knowing I wouldn't touch her again for more than half a year. I tried not to be selfish for her sake. We both knew how painful the method needed to enter and exit the SPP.

Over the years, I never once saw a hint that Homage was beginning to falter. I wished I was as strong as her, I'd tell myself.
Burning yourself alive with dragon fire to see a lover was as romantic as anypony could get, but the novelty quickly wore itself off after seeing my love with such painful expressions.

That isn't how I wanted to first see her. So upon returning to Spike in his cave, I promptly gave him a bap on the snout, and a big hug and kiss for burning my girlfriend.

My friends and I were all together eating a meal at Homage's Ten Pony apartment.

Homage began the conversation. "So how are things in Junction Town, Velvet; are the Stable ponies integrating well with the group in Shattered Hoof?" She asked.

I was curious to hear how our fellow Stable dwellers were doing as well. I hope mom was doing okay, even though she probably never thought of me...

"Not as well as they could be doing, I'm afraid." She answered, sounding melancholy.

"What's wrong, they aren't fighting, are they?" My blood was already starting to heat at the idea of Gawd's group harming the Pony's from my home.

I never realized it at the time, but both groups were former raiders. Looking back on my memories--thanks to the SPP-- helped me come to many realizations. Had I'd known that, I'm not sure I would've help either group; but then, if I hadn't, where would my fellow Stable Dwellers go?

Velvet quickly assuaged my worries. "Oh no, nothing like that; you see, the whole reason for the exodus out of Stable 2 was to prevent any more inbreeding." We all followed along with her explanation.

"Well, the Stable ponies aren't exactly keen to 'comingle' with wastelanders, whom they believe will give their offspring deformities and genetic mutations; and there's still quite a bit of stigma against Pegasi; worse yet, things are beginning to escalate, I've been pulling down posters that preach 'Stable Purity', or 'Keep our foals Stable', 'Surface? Never. Stable Forever!'.

My nose scrunched. That last one sounded a bit forced.

Homage cut in. "But the Gardens of Equestria eliminated all the taint and radiation throughout the land; there shouldn't be anything to worry about, right?" She asked.

"Yes, but it doesn't completely heal a Pony's physiology, otherwise all the ghouls and Alicorns would've been reverted back to pure, untainted Ponies, and Littlepip..." Velvet trailed.

I sighed, knowing what she was about to say. "I remember what it felt like, like everything wrong inside me was just washed away in a cleansing tide," I recalled being there that day, the only other time I ever left the SPP pod.

I wanted to be present inside the chamber where the Gardens of Equestria mega spell was housed; when it was activated for the very first time, after more than two centuries of waiting.

It was a momentous occasion that would forever be written about in the annals of history.

A mega spell enhanced rainbow beam shot through the volcanic chamber, before forming a dome of healing magic, much like the one from Steelhooves' memories.

In that moment, my body was healed of all its ailments. My mind was sharper than I ever recalled it being, my body was strong again, my senses were heightened, there was an extra spring in my step, and I no longer felt weak or sickly. My heart filled with a sense of peace, joy, love, and happiness that I wanted to last forever; only magnitudes more potent than the Sonic-Radboom.

I felt almost perfect.

I still had my pipleg, the scars from my adventure, and even though it's been over a decade, I haven't aged a day since the end of my adventure. It was as though time itself had abandoned me.

Homage only grew more beautiful, more mature, her eyelashes were so thick and luscious. Every blink was like she were giving me a come hither wave that made my heart flutter and knees weak. Her body really filled out as she matured, especially her flanks. Hee...

Hers was a beauty rivaled only by Velvet, who was beginning to show her age; if the subtle lines beneath her eyes were any indication. She still made it work without effort. Maybe I still had a fetish for older mares, but she was still every bit as beautiful from the day I chased after her.

She kept the scar on her right leg hidden with her golden pipbuck. Despite the Elements originally forming around their left leg, like how the majority of Stable ponies wore them.

I never had the courage to joke about us having the same fashion sense; out if fear of hurting her feelings. And I was still a bit self-conscious with my own Pipleg.

I haven't seen Xenith in pony for years now. I kept tabs on everypony through the MASEBS network connected to the SPP. The last I saw of her, she was bringing in a new group of Zebras into Glyphmark.

I hope she was happy. I still wanted to see her again.

Calamity was sporting some new cybernetic wing enhancements due to injuries he sustained during the battle at Spike's Cave. And a new beard goatee that was a rusty orange like his mane, with a some stray white hairs sprinkled throughout that made him look his age. He worked on his accent, or rather, Velvet must've 'helped' him; since his drawl was now at a tolerable level for her.

She'd yet to correct his speech. Either that, or she'd gotten used to it.

We all still carried scars from our adventure. I wasn't sure how to feel about it, responsible maybe, which was the truth. None of us were the same ponies we used to be. Though, I felt I was the least changed of all, not just physically.

Velvet continued. "If a Pony's genetics were damaged either through prolonged exposure to taint, radiation, or poor breeding; then those defects could still be inherited by the offspring."

My half-alicorn physiology, coupled with the Zebra potion; firmly placed me in that category, I thought.

The problem was simple enough to understand, but now we had to find a solution. "So how do we convince the Stable ponies that it's safe to breed with outsiders, and that their foals will be safe?" I rubbed my chin in contemplation.

"Homage and I think we may have a solution, it's quite simple, really," she explained. "All we have to do is have a few volunteers to lead by example, or in this case; to breed by example." She chuckled, knowing how corny that sounded.

Homage added. "It needs to be Stable Ponies, wastelanders, and Pegasi that the others can look up to for guidance and assurance; ponies who've already captured their hearts and minds, and earned the respect of the public."

Velvet added. "A Pegasus formerly with the Enclave, I believe, would show how far the peace has progressed; since Littlepip is beginning to wean off using the SPP these last couple of years, plus it'll be the start to a new generation of surface-born Pegasi to help tend the land."

Littlepip was in deep thought. "So we need a couple Stable Ponies, a Wastelander, and an Enclave Pegasus to breed; and they all need to be of sufficient social standing that the other Stable ponies can look up to as examples... Hmm, I'm not sure we know any ponies that can fill all those requirements." She continued to rub her chin in thought, while staring at the table, as if it would provide answers.

Calamity leaned back and folded his hooves. "I don't know, ya'll; kinda sounds like askin' alot just to get some Stable ponies to buck outside their comfort zone; but who could we ask that'd be willin' to go through all that?"

Velvet and Homage started giggling like teenaged fillies.

Littlepip and Calamity looked bewildered.

Homage asked, with a coy smile. "Velvet, would you mind helping me with something in the kitchen?"

Velvet smiled back knowingly. "Of course, excuse us everypony."

"Huh?" I looked around quizzically as our better halves left the dining table. "But we're already in the kitchen."

"Ah think we might be in trouble Lil'pip." Calamity drawled.

"What!? What did we do?" I questioned in alarm and worry.

"Dunno, but it ain't ever a good sign if your mare leaves the table with another mare to 'help in the kitchen'," he said, while making 'air quotes' with his hooves.

Homage and Velvet returned after exchanging a few hushed whispers containing words like 'you were right-totally clueless, both of them', 'yes', 'no', and 'okay'; their private conversation was punctuated by a few giggles from both of them.

Calamity and I stiffened at the table as they sat back down. Both were giving looks to one another, a strong tell that there was some plan in the works.

Velvet cleared her throat. "So Littlepip, did you know that I've been working with the Applejack's Rangers in recovering old Pre-war books for the preservation of pony knowledge?"

I looked at Calamity, and he looked just as clueless to the conversation.

"No, I didn't know that; how's that going?" I asked in confusion, while trying to work out where she was going with this.

"It's been going marvelously well!" She chirped. "We've even started a book exchange and have plans to build a library and school in Junction Town."

I was genuinely elated. I loved seeing Ponies from our Stable flourishing, but all I could do was observe and speculate from within the SPP pod.

"So that's what that new building is for, I was wondering about that, Velvet that's great news," I clopped my hooves. "The ponies there can finally start getting the education they need."

"Yes, but before we can fill it with books, I have the privilege of reading through and deciding what gets added to the collection; and I came across one that I found very... interesting. " She hinted.

"Interesting, how?" I questioned.

"Did you know that before and during the War, ponies didn't practice monogamy as we do now?" she asked.

My ears raised at that. "They... didn't?" I questioned.

Velvet shook her head. "They instead formed bonds with multiple partners, usually more than three mares to every one stallion, and they called these multiple pairings a 'herd'; which is synonymous with 'family' and groups of ponies."

"So prewar Pony's were largely polygamous?" I guessed, knowing I had to be right.

Homage cut in. "It's not that uncommon, I came across a commune during my adventures that was lead by a stallion with five 'herdwives', they'd vote on who lead the herd every year; the 'lead pony' they called the position."

I vaguely recalled Xenith having a similar family dynamic.

"I gave Homage the book to read, and we started talking and..." Velvet looked at Homage to take the reign of the conversation.

"Littlepip, let me start off by saying that I love you with all my heart; that you are more than I could ever ask for; which makes this next part so hard to say..." I watched my Homage chewing her lip.

I gathered her hooves in mine. "My love, no matter what it is, I can take it, what do you want to tell me?"

She took a shuddering breath before closing her eyes. "I want to have a baby."

"...huh?" I cocked my head, knowing I must not have heard her right. "Like, you want to adopt?" I suggested, my voice strained at the end, feeling my eye twitch.

Homage chuffed, before shaking her head. "No, I want to have a foal."

My mind was blown. Out of everything I guessed she would ask, that was definitely not one of them.

I looked down in disappointment. "You know that we... that I can't... give you that." I looked away, feeling impotent for some reason. Surely she knew how futile it was... unless.

Why would she want something that I couldn't physically give her myself?

Then it hit me.

The little pony in my head was fervently connecting the dots with a red string zig-zagging across a mural of disjointed evidence, photos, and paper clippings.

They were planning to... my Homage with... I looked to Calamity. He seemed just as confused, it hasn't hit him yet.

I met Velvet's concerned gaze.

"What's going on?" I asked a little more aggressively than I probably should've, and let go of Homage's hooves.

"Please don't be mad at me!" Homage was upset and hid her face from me.

"I'm not mad," I said quickly, giving her reassuring rubs on the shoulders. "Just... confused, and concerned, and a little scared about what this all means."

Homage took a shakey breath. "Velvet's been letting me help sort through all the books the Steel Rangers no longer want; she brought a book to me about how Ponies used to form herds, we both found it interesting, and we started talking about our relationship with each of you; one thing lead to another and... well, here we are."

I shook my head. "I'm still not following."

Velvet cut in, speaking to myself and Calamity in turn. "Littlepip, Calamity my darling, Homage and I have a proposition for the both of you."

Calamity and I shared a look.

"Let me get out that this was all my idea, I was working on a way to broach and solve the animosity between the Stable Dwellers and Surface Ponies when Homage confessed to me that she wanted to have a foal, but was afraid of how that would make you feel, or react, Littlepip-"

"But she doesn't have to be afraid, I love her, and-"

"Let me finish." Velvet interrupted. "This wasn't my first idea. That actually was to use the Sex change potion we've developed for the Alicorns to help you give Homage what she wants; but if we did that, then it could be misinterpreted that the Lightbringer wants to breed out the corruption of wasteland mares and support the 'Unity', or worse, the 'stable purity'."

I felt my stomach roll in disgust. The very idea that I'd have one of... those between my legs... again. I'd grown a tenuous acceptance with Homage's toys, one of which could be worn like some floppy prosthesis, but to have one for real? Nope.

I remembered what it was like in Steelhooves memory; I felt an internal shudder at the very idea, it scarred me deeper than any wound I sustained during that time.

I understood everything now. I was more than a hero, I was a public figure; I was somepony other Ponies looked to for guidance.

They honestly couldn't have picked a worse pony, in my opinion.

It had to be me. There was no other choice. I was the 'spark', after all. I could see it as a terrible joke in my head. Newspapers with the headline "Lesbian Hero the Lightbringer Impregnated--But who is the lucky stud?"

I suppose... If I had to pick any stallion... Calamity, my best friend. The very thought made the butterflies in my stomach flutter... and wretch at the same time.

Velvet continued. "That was... until I started thinking about my own wants and needs as well as my husband's."

Calamity shifted nervously before being interrupted. "Velvet I-"

"I know you want to have foals, Calamity, and I'm sorry it's taken me this long to finally be ready, but..." her breath hitched. "I couldn't forget Fluttershy's cottage, those little colts and fillies... their tiny bodies just-" she sniffed in her seat, and Calamity comforted her with a hoof and a wing around her withers; grasping her hoof in support.

Velvet sucked in a snotty sniff. "Equestria is safer than it's ever been since the war, thanks to us; but there's still so much danger out there, ponies we've crossed in the past who might still want us dead; and all I could ever think about is, what if it was our foals in that pit."

"Ah Velvet, c'mere," he wrapped her up in both hooves and wings, taking care to mind his cybernetic parts.

Velvet calmed in his embrace.

"I won't ever let that happen. You know how strict I am with crime in these parts. I ain't ever gonna let so much as a jay walker within a 100 miles of our town." He spoke so loving and gentle with her in his embrace.

It actually made me want to be in her place. I don't recall ever getting a hug like that from him, did I?

Velvet pulled back. "So what do you think?"

Calamity looked surprised, and was silent with his hooves folded over his chest for awhile, before a giddy smile creep across his lips. "A chance to breed three beautiful mares. Maybe even have my own harem; why, it's every teenaged Enclave colt's dream!" He chuckled in genuine elation, at first, before it bled into awkward chuffs, then he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, after getting disapproving looks from all three mares. "Sorry; gosh ya'll I jus'- I'm flattered an' honored and everything, but I wanna be sure that ya'll are sure, I don't want any of ya'll to feel obligated jus' cause a bunch a stable folk don't wanna buck with outsiders."

Velvet place her hoof on him. "That's why we're talking about it, darling, you don't have to say anything, if you need time to think it over."

He seemed to deflate, as if realizing how much time had passed since his choice to leave the Enclave and pursue a life of service to those in need.

"Ya'll know civilians in the Enclave, stallions and mares were only allowed to produce one foal in their lifetime, the One-Foal-Law was meant to keep our population down, and if we enlisted in the Enclave, we had permission to have two, or four, if'n ya got lucky and met an enlisted mare who wanted to have that many; alotta mares signed up for that reason, weren't no subtle secret it was the Enclave's way of breedin' loyal citizens. Then I get down here on the surface, and it was everypony for themselves. I almost went that way myself, but I never imagined I'd have a big family like my father." His teeth clenched at the mention of his sire.

Calamity sighed and took off his black desperado hat; he stared at it for several moments, while we waited patiently for him to share his thoughts. "Truth is, I was afraid I'd be just as bad of a father as he was, but now... I think I'm finally ready to retire."

Velvet gasped. "But darling, you love being sheriff!"

Calamity nodded. "I'm ready Velvet, I'm ready to call it quits, to hang up my badge and battle-saddle; and start a family with ya. I want that life with ya Vel, I want our little ones runnin' around causin' all kinds of ruckus; I wanna see 'em grow up as we grow old together, but..."

"But I still want to help where I can... I'm gettin' slow, Vel, not by much, but I feel the ache in my bones; my rifles are gettin' heavier; and I know one day I'm gonna run into a younger, faster ganger with somethin' t' prove.

He faced Homage.

"Homage, we known each other a long time since we set off to find the other Element bearers, I know these Pipbucks," he held up his left foreleg to show the Golden Pipbuck with his Wrench and Spanner Cutie mark pictured on a red gem screen. "They prove we were destined to be close friends, but I like to think we became that way regardless. You were always comfortable coming to me when you missed Littlepip, and over time I think I've come to love you as more than a friend,

He turned to me. His eyes were glazed with tears yet he refused to let them fall.

"Lil'pip we've been through a lot together, you're more than just my best friend, you're like family ta me, Homage you too, I care and love you both with all my heart, I don't want things to change between us. So if you say no, I'll understand and there won't be any hard feelings,"

"But since I'm gettin' my feelings out there, I want you to know how I feel once and for all... after I first met you, Lil'pip, I saw the good in your heart; you risked life and limb to save ponies you didn't even know, and I thought to myself, 'now here's a mare I could see settlin' down with for the rest of my life,'.

Littlepip stared into Calamities unwavering gaze, knowing he spoke truth in every word. It was as if she were dying, all life function had ceased within her, and her whole world became him.

"But then I figured out that you only had eyes for the mares, it never stopped me from wonderin' and hopin' that maybe..." he looked back at his wife, getting her reassurance. "I guess what I'm sayin' is- W-what I'm sayin' is... I love you, Lil'Pip, Homage, and I'd love to have you both as my herdwife."

Littlepip felt a lump form in her throat, and a queasiness in her stomach. I never realized how tightly my hoof was gripping the table. I had to force myself to relax, breath, and swallow.

Velvet and Homage watched with bated breath and worried looks at her reaction.

She was about to say something, Littlepip's mouth hung open, her chest rising for breath; before snapping shut and cheeks puffing out as she tried to hold back a sickness.

Littlepip rush out of her seat and half-jumped, hanging her short, little body off the counter, before vomiting into the sink.

Main Quest Completion Reward:
Almost Perfect.

Due to your partial Alicorn transmutation, and the healing recieved from the Gardens of Equestria, all of your non-magical injuries, ailments, and addictions have been reversed (excludes physiological changes due to Taint exposure, Cybernetic Implants, and Zebra Alchemy). Your base SPECIAL points are all raised to 9/10, if they weren't before. Who knows, maybe given enough time you'll become a full Alicorn? Until then, just tell others those newly formed nubs on your back (if you are not a Pegasus), or forehead (if you are not a Unicorn) are just tumors.

Author's Note

I thought it would be cool if the Gold Element Pipbucks had the gem become the glass screen, and it simply displayed an image of their Cutie mark on the CRT screen.

I like to think they can function as real Pipbucks, but I think realistically for FoE they wouldn't.

What do ya'll think?