Levi Ackerman is now one hundred and seventy-five. He has wondered in Equestria for roughly fifteen years after his job working for Princess Celestia as her personal bodyguard. His current location was in the southwestern region near the Luna Ocean close to where he'd originally entered the country from. He was here to visit someone. He looked up at a very old and very worn-out sign barely swaying in the breeze with a low creaking to it. The sign said in fade but still bright eye-catching letters,

'Strawberry Jam Plantation'

Letting out a sigh Levi mumble, "I'm home," a tear rolled down his cheek a bouquet of white flowers in his arms.

Levi walked through the gate onto the plantation. He looked around and saw many ponies working in the fields. Being late spring to early summer this was the time to pick the strawberries. He saw many of the ponies and noted the ones that were of the strawberry bloodline and the ones that had married into the family. He mostly used subtle hints like facial features but also the ponies' cutiemarks.

He walked around noting that the layout hadn't really changed in the sixty-five years he'd been gone but a lot had been added in. It was only natural as time progressed. He walked until several ponies felt uncomfortable about a tall skinny green cloaked minotaur looming over them.

One of them finally came up and asked, "Excuse me sir but can I help you with something? You just walked in here and all your wandering around the plantation is making a lot of the ponies here just a bit nervous," The stallion looked to the green cloaked masked man.

His face hidden under a white blank mask he'd taken to wearing while traveling in order to hide his face. Levi was the only human in this land as far as he knew. There was nothing particularly special about this mask. It was made of a rare white wood the was very sturdy but very light making it to where it was easy to wear. It was an extremely simple design as well with only two eye holes for opening. It did have an Anonymity spell cast on it so others wouldn't notice him if he was in large crowds.

He would often draw attention from his presence alone but could often play himself off as a young minotaur except for when he stayed in one place for a longer period of time. That's when he turned to wearing his hood up more often and when he was on the jobs he took he would wear this mask. He eventually took to wearing it while traveling as it deterred most from questioning him period.

"Yes little one," Levi spoke softly. "I am here to pay my respect to a... to an old friend of mine," he explained politely. "I was wondering if somepony would be so kind as to point me in the direction of the cemetery."

"I'm sorry to say sir but the only cemetery we have here is the old Strawberry Family graveyard, and I highly doubt you know any pony buried there," the stallion remarked in confusion.

"Please it's... very important," Levi pleaded with a bit of sadness in his voice.

The stallion sighed. "As long as you stay with your guide," He pointed a hoof at Levi.

"That is fine," Levi nodded.

"Strawberry Marmalade," the stallion called out and a unicorn mare with a white cream coat a strawberry blonde mane and tail with graded into bright vibrant green at the tips with vibrant sparkling sapphire blue eyes and a what looked like red jam in a jar cutie mark trotted out. "Yes, papa?"

"Show this minotaur to the family graveyard but stay with him," the stallion pointed at Levi while Marmalade tilted her head and then nodded. "Follow me please." she trotted off. "And call me Mar."

"With pleasure," Levi followed.

About an hour went by and Levi found himself looking at a family graveyard. "Here we are. What the name of the pony you're looking for? I can help you look," Mar smiled in a way that reminded him of Strawberry Surprise.

"Hmhm... No need little one," he patted her head. "I know exactly where she is buried."

"Okay but I still have to stay with you," Mar trotted after him confused as Levi walked past the main graves to a set of two lone standing tombstones under a tree. "Why did you come all the way out here to these two. Almost no pony comes out this part of the farm, even from my family. It's only on a really special occasion that any pony does."

Levi pulled down his hood off and then took off his mask and hooked it to his belt. He then took a canteen and poured some crystal clear water over the left grave whose red granite tombstone read 'Strawberry Surprise Ackerman'. He knelt down placing the bouquet on the ground at the base of the tome stone.

Strawberry Marmalade froze in place the face she saw. Her jaw hit the ground at the sight of the human before her. The scar on the right side of his face was a dead giveaway for her ancestor, the one who disappeared, presumed dead. The one whose Tombstone sat not but six feet away from her now.

"Hey there Strawberry, it's been a while hasn't it," Levi spoke softly. " about sixty-five years," he places a hand on the stone as tears ran down his face. "I never stop thinking about you or the kids and our grandkids. You made me... so happy..." Levi's tears hit the ground.

He stayed that way for a while and then looked over to Marmalade and smiled. "You have her smile," he stood and placed the mask back on his face. "It was very nice to meet you Mar, but now I must go before it gets too late."

"But.... but... this is your home you don't have leave," marmalade said as she briskly walked alongside her grandfather. "We were always told the stories about you and told that if a two-legged creature that resembles a centaur in green comes to allow him to stay as long as he wants. YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE WITHOUT SEEING SOMEPONY!" She'd managed to get in front and jumped up to put her hooves on his chest.

"She waited for you to come home for so long," she let tears of her own fall now. "Great granny Streusel is still waiting for you!" Levi froze. "She still here and waiting, she never stopped. She's always by the door saying 'papi will come home and I want to greet him when he does'. She never once thought you were dead! Never!"

Levi just stood there while his decent cried and begged him to see his daughter, "Alright then. Marmalade take me to see my little girl..."

Marmalade's eyes got as big as dinner plates. She immediately took him to the old homestead where a wrinkled older butterscotch yellow mare with silver mane and tail sat in a rocking chair waiting by a door.

Marmalade trotted up to her great great grandmother, she was Levi and Strawberry Surprise's youngest daughter Strawberry Streusel. Though she was very very old she was still very much aware of the world around her and could be extremely spry when she wanted to be. Most does she just sat on the porch in her rocker waiting. Many called her nuts and most of her family thought her idea of her father still being alive was to but they still wouldn't bad mouth her about it. Granny Streusel would whomp anybody she disagreed with her walking stick. A stick that was given to her by her parents from their tree, the one where the graves were.

"Granny granny wake up," Mar trotted in place.

"Snu.. wah... I'm not sleepin.. Oh, Marmy it's just you." Granny Streusel rubbed her eyes, the same blue eyes that her all her fillies and their fillies all the way down to Marmalade herself. "Aren't ya supposed to be in the field with your papi today Marmy?"

"I was, but then he asked me to take somepony out to the cemetery granny," Mar said. "After a bit, I was able to convince them to come and see you!"

"Calm down child you'll give me a heart attack if ya keep shaking me like that," Granny Streusel bonked the mare on the head. "Now who came to see me?" Mar rubbed her head and Levi chuckled. "That laugh... I know that laugh..."

Levi came up to the porch pulling his mask off and knelt down to be eye level with his daughter, "Hi Streusel... I'm home.."

Streusel opened her eyes wide to reveal her blue eyes. She reached up with her hooves and touched Levi's face, Tears well up in her eyes and fell like waterfalls. "Papi.... My papi... you're home..." Levi held his daughter like he did when she was a filly and she was content. For so long she'd waited and now he was home.

Four years later...

Levi spent a small part of his time either reading and enjoy tea with his daughter Streusel. He also liked cleaning would be out in front of the barn practicing his swordplay. It was something that he often did and sometimes he would often have a fan club and a few of his family members who wanted to learn a few tricks. He saw no harm in teaching the ponies how to better defend themselves so he obliged them. Sure there wasn’t nearly as much need for as when he came to the plantation main years prior but better safe than sorry.

His most promising pupil was Marmalade. No matter what day it was she always wants a listen from her grandfather, even if what a minor. She came even if it was her days to work in the strawberry fields or do chores around the plantation. She and Levi often practiced in front of Streusel to give the old mare a bit of entertainment. Levi would also tell them stories about his adventures across the world. The foals often loved hearing these before dinner. Levi always glammed it up for them and the other, it helped him have a bit of peace by reliving some of his old life.

Currently, Levi was sparring with Marmalade and letting Streusel watch as per the usual.

*THWACK!*

"That's it Marmy, put more of a half spin into the tilt and not your full weight," Levi instructed his granddaughter by a few generations. "Remember what we want is quick rapid strikes one after the other,"

*THWACK!*
*THWACK!*
*THWACK!*

"There we go keep me on the defensive, don't give me time to catch my breath or get my footing," He added. He was teaching her how to fight without magic. It was easier to fight with it cause she could hold the blade any way she wanted but by having her use her mouth she was more prone to be able to fight without magic. Levi never put much stock in magic, yes it had its uses but he never was one for the easy way to go about things either.

"And overhead strike!" he raises his training sword above his head and barreled down.

*THWACK!*

Marmy and Levi were locked, "You've gotten a lot better Marmy but you still have a long way to go before you can beat me," Levi added pressure. He was only using one hand currently.

"I havmt vost vet!" Marmy said through her teeth just as determined as ever. She suddenly smirked and then let go of her sword causing Levi to fall face-first into the ground but this mare wasn't done yet. "Get him everypony!" Suddenly from all directions, Levi was pelted with Strawberry family foals that pinned him to the ground and started to tickle their grandfather.

"HAHAHAHAAHAHA! Stop!' Levi laughed.

"Admit met it, grandpa, admit you lost to me and then I see if I can stop them," Marmy evilly smirked.

"Okay, oaky you when!" Levi laughed.

"Okay everypony that's enough," Marmy pulled the giggling foals off their grandfather. "Ha I beat I finally beat you!" She gloated.

Levi stood up and looked down placing a hand on her head. "Yes you did Marmy and I am very proud of you," He tussled her mane causing her to giggle. "You used a tactic I wouldn't have thought of to win and use it well you did. But one thing you forgot to account for," Levi stopped and Marmy tiled her head. "Revenge, get her!" He pointed and suddenly the foal all head stars for eyes and big grins as they jumped the teenage mare and tickled her this time.

"Marmalade, Levi," Came a mare's voice from the house. "You two get the little ones to wash up. It's supper time. Then you two bring Granny Streusel in."

"Okay Rush," Levi called back. "Okay every pony you heard Rush It's suppertime, go wash up!" The foals pouted but knew better than to back talk. Levi helps Marmy up to her hooves. "You get Streusel I'll handle the little ones."

Marmy puffed out her cheeks pouting, "Not fair Grandpa. I use that move first." she squinted and then giggled. "Okay, I'll get Granny Streusel. " Marmalade trotted up to her grandmother in her rocker chair, her whomping stick next to her. "Granny, it's time for supper.

No response.

"Guess I'll have to shake ya again," Marmalade rolled her eyes. Placing a hoof on her grandmother the young mare shook her elder slightly. "Granny come on it's supper time. Ya need to wake up,"

No response.

"Come on granny this isn't funny," Marmalade nudged her grandmother. "Ya need to get up!"

"Marmalade what's taking so long?" Levi stepped ot dry his hands to look over at the pair.

"Grandpa Levi, Granny Streusel won't wake up," MarmalAde said as he looked at Levi.

He walked over knelt down next to his daughter, placing a hand on her hoof he checks her pulse, No Response.

"What's goin on Grandpa why aren't you saying anything to her, she always wakes up for you," Marmalade was starting to get worried now.

Levi stood up and Marmalade saw the tears rolling down his face and she knew, "No... nonononono... she... she was fine just an hour ago..." She stared as tears of her own welled up. "She... can't be..."

Levi turned to his granddaughter and held her tight in his arms as she cried out. Everypony came to see what was going on. Levi told them to keep the foals in the house as quietly as he could. Marmy cried for hours and Levi never left her side. Strawberry Streusel Ackerman, the youngest of Levi Ackerman's children had passed away that afternoon with a soft smile on her face. She was laid to rest next to her husband in the family graveyard not for from her mother.

Days laters...

Marmalade trotted about the Strawberry household. She hadn't felt like do much of anything after her grandmother's funeral. The only pony she would even get close to was her grandfather and even then she only stayed off to the side out of the way. She was now just wandering around looking for Levi as he hadn't been around at breakfast having gone to town earlier today and wouldn't be back until tonight. She'd just heard from her mother that Levi had just come back and was in his room.

Marmalade was standing outside Levi's door and she steadily raised a hoof and knocked three times, "Come in," she heard. Marmalade opened the door and saw Levi sitting at his desk writing. Not far from him was an ivory-colored candle with a pink flame. "He looked over with his usual gaze. "Marmy, are you okay?"

"No," she said as her ears folded against her head. "My heart hurts..." she looked down.

Levi set down his quill, "Come here," he said. She slowly trotted over. Levi bent down and picked her up and wrapped her in a warm hug. "It's gonna be alright Marmy," he stroked her mane. "She was very old and ponies don't live forever. I was honestly shocked she held on for so many more years after I came back. She's in a better place now though. She back with all those who she lost."

"Except you," Marmy pointed out. Levi didn't stop stroking her mane. She then asked the question he'd been waiting for someone in the house to ask. "When are you leaving?"

"In a few months," Levi sighed as Marmy pulled back, tears streamed from her eyes.

"I don't want you to leave," She cried. "I lost granny I... I DON'T WANNA LOSE YOU TO GRANDPA!" she buried her muzzle into his neck.

"I can't stay Marmy," Levi sighed. "I will come back and visit though," he hugged her.

"Grandpa," she said. "I...I've always wanted to see what's out in Equestria and... you've been teaching me a lot these last few years. Could I... come with you..."

"Marmy," Levi pulled her back to look into her blue eyes. "My type of life isn't meant for kind-hearted ponies like you. I have really enjoyed my time here these last few years. They have been some of the happiest I have had in a long time but I can't stay too long. If you come with me you'd be on the move constantly. Do you honestly think you can leave everypony here and never really settle down in one place for longer than a few months?"

"Would... would we come back here to visit?" Marmy begged.

"Marmy I already told you I would come to see you," Levi sighs. "You remind me so much of Surprise sometimes. So I'll do what she did when I was thinking about leaving the first time. I won't tell you no and I won't tell yes either. As I said I have some months before I'm leaving. I won't stop your training BUT I won't give you advice on leaving either. Talk it over with your folks and the family. They already knew I planned on leaving, so did Streusel."

Marmy looked at her grandfather. "I will do what I have to so I can to be ready Grandpa Levi." Her eyes shined in the candlelight. "On another note, what are you doing?"

"I was actually writing a letter to a friend I made some years ago while work for her as her bodyguard," Levi explained. "I was telling her about what happened while also checking on her a bit. I haven't really written to her in a few weeks so she's most likely pretty worried about me."

"What her name?" Marmy asked.

"Oh I never told any of you that story before have I," Levi chuckled nervously. "Well, as I said, it was some time ago, almost twenty years now in fact. I was hired as Princess Celestia's bodyguard." Marmy's eyes widen with wonder. "It all started in a town with no name, in a pub..."

Author's Note

Chapter three and this concludes the proluge everyone!

Hop you enjoy, was kind of hard to finish this actually. Made myself cry whi writing it.

Enjoy,

Alvasa