Chapter 57 New Lessons

“Leaving home in a sense involves a kind of second birth in which we give birth to ourselves.”

• Robert Neelly Bellah

Rendezvous point, Balitmare Colt: Ginger Snaps

As we see all of the new team members walking towards us, I am stunned, to say the least by the three tag-a-longs. I look at Choo and ask her, “Uh, where did the other three come from?”

Before she can answer the young hippogriff steps forward, sticks out her chest floof, and proudly says, “We snuck along to be with Moon. Just like you guys did on the expedition.”

I fight the urge to facehoof when she says this and I see Choo shrug her wings and then answer, “We did not find out they were following us until we bedded down for the day yesterday, by then it was too late to send them back.”

I then hear one of the young pegasus mares say, “We just want to be here for Moon when she needs us.”

I then tell them, “Alright if you want to do a mares job to help your friend, fine, but understand, you are now going to be treated as adults.” I pause for a moment then tell them, “Also, we are limited on the number of bunks we have, so all of you are going to have to sleep in hammocks for this trip.”

Choo nods her head, “I had not told them that yet. But I concur Cookie.”

From up in the Pilot House, I hear Rust call to us, “Is everyone on board so we can get underway again?”

Choo calls back to her, “Yes Captain, we are all here. I will visit you in a bit.”

I see Rust's shadowy form nod then head back inside. Shortly after this, I hear the ship's machinery begin to change in its sound followed by the feeling of movement in the hull as the anchor is lifted and the sternwheel cuts into the water.

I can instantly tell when they see Katie as all four of the youngsters at once say, “Aww, a dog.”

Then Moon Lily asks “What is her name and when did you get her?”

Xochitl answers, “Her name is Katie, and we found her recently, or should I say, she found us.”

The foursome quickly descends upon the poor hapless pup and begin to give her scratches and pet her. I must laugh at how quickly Katie leans into their attention, but still looks at my husband as if asking if it is alright. He smiles and nods his head and she leans into it even more.

I then ask, “How was the trip here, and how exactly did these three sneak along?”

She tells me, “How about you and I go see Rust and I will explain then.” She pauses then tells us, “Xochitl, how about taking the rest to our quarters? Ginger and I need to check in with the captain.”

“Yes boss,” he replies, then he turns to the others, “Ok, follow me.” He laughs lightly then tells them, “Besides, I need to hear how the buck you three snuck along without the scouts knowing you were there.” As he says the last part, I see all four of the batponies cringe slightly.

I smile to myself as I watch them all head below with the batpony scouts following closely on their heels. Once they are heading below decks Choo tells me, “Well, let us go talk to Rust, I want to discuss with her a couple of ideas I have.”

Once we are in the darkened pilot house we wait until Rust is ready. When she is comfortable with the ship’s movement upriver she says, “OK Choo, what do you two have for me?”

Choo smiles and tells her, “Well, first I have to say that I have three extra passengers that I had not planned on.”

In the low light, I see her tilt her head as she asks in a slightly exasperated voice, “How come you have three extra passengers?”

This time Choo looks down and I notice her twist her back hoof before she looks back up and says, “Three of Moon Lily’s friends followed us at a distance and we did not know they were there until we bedded down yesterday. If we would have taken them back, we would have been two days late getting here.”

When she says this it makes me think oh, dear Sweetcream, Moon Lily’s friends did to Choo what Xochitl and I did with Choo’s help to Mama Mollygirl. I find myself shaking my head and I hear Rust ask, “What is it, Cookie?”

I feel my face heating and I am very glad that they can not see me clearly as I blush and tell her, “It seems that what we did as foals had come around to bite us in the flank.” I turn to Choo and tell her, “Sorry boss. I guess they heard the old family stories.”

Rust shakes her head, “Goddesses, must your entire branch of the clan be like that? I swear,” she says as she begins to laugh lightly. Finally, she says, “Ok, we can deal with them, or rather, Choo, they are your team members, so you deal with them. Now what else do you have for me?”

This time I can hear the smile in Choo Choo’s voice as she answers, “Well before we left, I had a couple more radio frequency detectors made up in the shop. With them, we can determine where our target is broadcasting from by triangulating the broadcast tower’s location. After that, we can drop in and pay them a visit.”

“And how do you plan on using the ones not on the Colt?”

“Well, I was thinking we could use one of them mounted on the Hot Shot, and the other could be carried into the field by some of my team. We could then use the reading on them to point into a general direction and with three different reference lines we should be able to find a point where the bearings cross on a map.”

Rust thinks about it briefly then tells her, “OK, but we need to be careful using the Hot Shot, both the birdies and my crew are still not used to working at night with each other.”

I nod my head but then I notice Choo shaking hers as she tells Rust, “Well we are going to have to figure out something, maybe launch before dark and recover in the morning, because our target's normal broadcast time is in the evening.”

I watch as Rust thinks briefly, “Perhaps, we will see what we can do. Or perhaps I can drop anchor and give a stationary landing pad. I am not sure about that, but we can see.” She stops and looks at the navigation table and tells us, “Follow me, we need to determine a location to begin at anyways.”

Once at the table, we look at where known settlements are along the river. She then points to a location where there is a very large branch that crosses the plains and almost seems to curve around Canterlot Mountain. I am fascinated as most of the way it looks fairly wide, but then it narrows down as it moves south toward the major rail line that crosses it between Canterlot and Van Hoover.

Rust then tells us, “Why don’t we start tonight with just one RFD to get a general bearing? Then we can try again once we reach here at the fork. There is a settlement there at what remains of Neighagra Falls. We can pick up some wood for the boilers and put a team out to try and use a second RFD. The team can move a bit of a distance and we can use the ships and the teams' RFDs to try and triangulate along with our original point. As long as they do not move the broadcast tower, we should be able to triangulate the location still. Then maybe we can do it a few more times as we get closer.”

I see Choo bite her lower lip as she thinks it over. Finally, she says, “I think that should work pretty well captain. How long before we get to Neighagra Falls?”

She looks at the map again, looks up as she thinks, and tells us, “Maybe a day and a half at tops.”

“Sounds good Captain Rust. Shall we see if they are broadcasting yet?”

“Might as well, go ahead and head down to the radio shack, I had the RDF installed there. Let me know what they find.”

“Sounds good Ma’am,” Choo tells her and we quickly leave the domain of the Pilot House and head down to the radioshack.

Once we arrive at the Radio department, we find Twinks is already there and she is talking with one of the crewponies named Squawk Box.

“How is it going Twinks?” I ask as we enter.

She smiles and replies, “So far so good. We have a pretty good bearing on the transmitter tower for this broadcast, but it seems to be further north than I would have expected.”

“Really?” Choo asks.

Twinks nods her head, “Yeah, we have it set up for a relative bearing.”

“Excellent, thank you for already being on the ball Twinks,” Choo tells her.

“Yeah, great work Twinks,” I tell her.

I see her grin as she receives the praise, and then she tells me, “Well, the credit does not all belong to me, Squawk Box helped me learn how to use it too.”

Besides her I see the crew pony smile and shrug, then he goes back to listening to the airwaves. Choo then tells her, “I think we should go let the captain know so we can use that to help determine our next course of action.”

I see a nervous expression come across her face before she straightens up and says, “Okay Choo, when you are ready.”

Soon we are in the Pilot house again, as we enter, I hear Rust ask, “What now Choo?”

“Sorry to bother you again captain, but we just came from the radio shack, we have a rough bearing as you requested earlier.”

“Great, let us go to the map and we can see which direction it is coming from.”

Once at the map, we look at it and look from where we are at and then we draw a straight line on the bearing Twinks had recorded. Once drawn we look at it and I notice only one of the old cities along it, Whinnyapolis. I then point to it and I say, “I guess that would be our next destination.”

I see Choo raise an eyebrow while Rust moves her hat further back on her head with her forehoof. Rust then looks at Choo and tells her, I think we can do that. Just a couple more days and we should be in range for the Hot Shot to land you. Another couple after that and the Colt could.”

Choo nods her head, “I think we will use the Hot Shot and keep the Colt safer for now. However, before we do, I want to use the other two RDFs to triangulate on the location of the broadcast.”

Rust nods her head, “That sounds good, how about we discuss this some more in the morning and plan on getting the others airborne by noon tomorrow? Besides, I need to catch a couple of hours of sleep.”

With that Choo tells her, “I will see you in the morning Captain.” She then turns to me and Twinks and tells us, “Ok, let us go back to our berthing and talk with the others.”

As we enter the compartment, I see several new hammocks have been hung and I notice that I do not see my younger sister and friends. So, I ask, “Uh, where are the youngsters?”

My husband starts to say something but Mort answers first, “I told them after they hung their hammocks to catch some sleep as they had a long flight.”

“So, you mean they are all asleep already?”

He laughs mildly and tells me, “Yeah, you could say that.”

Sunny from the side tells me, “Yeah, they all were worn out.” He laughs lightly and adds, “Even Moon Lily. They did good for a forced flight.”

“Glad to hear that Sunny, how did your training go with Moon?” I ask.

He grins, “Pretty well overall. I just did not know those other three were actually training too. I thought they were just having fun.”

I look at my husband and shake my head at him at the card table with our dog laying her head on his lap. “Well, after this I guess they will have their own stories too.”

*****

Baltimare Colt, Enroute towards Whinnyapolis: Xochitl

As Choo and Ginger head back up to the Pilothouse, I lead the others back down to our berthing. As we go, I hear the youngsters all talking excitedly wondering what it is going to be like once we get to the berthing compartment. Inside I laugh as I understand how new and exciting it must be for them, but I do not want to shatter their illusion.

As we go, I see several crew members passing by us in the passageway. Most just say hi, but a couple stop and stare at us as we pass and I almost laugh when a few have their jaws drop. I am not sure whether it is because of the batponies, the alicorn, the hippogriff, or three young mares who are fully kitted out with web gear and weapons.

Once we get to the birthing compartment, I see several of the others playing cards in the lantern light. I notice Moon and her friends looking around then I hear Slip Stream ask, “Where do we get our hammocks from?”

“Now that is a good question,” I tell her.

I am just about ready to go see if the ship's purser has any extras when I hear the twin sisters ask, “Can we play cards too?”

I see the ones playing cards look at each other and then Double Back tells them, “Not this game right now as we are playing for caps, but perhaps later we can teach you a few games, it never hurts to know how to play.”

I look at him with a raised eyebrow remembering how my father felt when I was about their age and he found out Trouble Water had taught me how to play Dodge City Hold’em and I ask, “Really? At their age?”

“What? Why not?”

“Do you realize who their parents are?” I ask.

He shakes his head, “Other than your sister-in-law Moon there, no. Why?”

I shake my head, “The twin’s mother is Lieutenant Colonel Wind Rider, and Slip Stream's father is Lieutenant Colonel Dull Beak, both with the Third Regiment of the Manesville Brigade.”

Double Back looks at me with a bit of confusion as he asks, “And?” Then before I can answer he says, “Besides, my Uncle Milo is the one who taught me when I was about their age and he is the Colonel for the Harness Regiment.”

When he says this, I see Days End look at him over his cards and shake his head, and then he says, “You never told me about your uncle.”

I find myself chuckling as I shake my head. Then I wave a hoof, “Never mind.” I turn my attention back to the fillies and tell them, “Wait here with Katie and I will find out where we can get you some hammocks at.”

Shortly after this, I find the ship's purser up on the mess decks having coffee and listening to the radio with the 2nd engineering mate. She looks at me, takes a sip of her coffee, and asks, “OK Flower, what do you need?”

“Hey Purse String, sorry to bother you, but I need three more hammocks if you have them.”

She laughs, “I was wondering if you were going to get them hammocks or just hot rack it.”

I shake my head, “Nah, but I guess we could if we need to.”

She then tells me, “I will get them for you, but let me finish my coffee first, in fact, pull up a seat and have one with us if you like.”

While I truly prefer the taste of tea, I have gotten rather fond of coffee with some honey and milk in it. So, I go over and grab a cup of coffee and take a seat. Once I am seated, she asks, “OK, what is the story about the fillies that landed with the rest of the team just a bit ago?”

“Well, we had planned on my sister-in-law Moon Lily, but the three others are her friends and they snuck along. Sunny and the scouts with them still have not told me how the buck they managed that one, but by the time Choo and the others found out they were following them it was too late to send them back.”

She looks over her cup of coffee at me and shakes her head. Then the 2nd Engineer grins and asks, “Isn’t this Moon Lily part of the Water Clan?”

I nod my head, “Yes, but so are about half of the Repair Ponies. Why?”

He chuckles slightly then sets his cup down and tells me, “Well, all the old hooves have heard the rumors about her. But when she and her mother were helping our wounded awhile back, I do not remember her having wings to go with her horn.”

I watch as Purse Strings almost chokes on her coffee, then she turns to him and asks, “What are you saying?”

I shrug my shoulders and then answer for him, “Purse, Moon was born a unicorn, during the recent battle against the Enclave at Manesville she got her wings too. She says she ascended and met Celestia and some other princesses.”

She shakes her head and moves her ears in disbelief, then says, “Flower, don’t mess with me on this. It is not funny. I read the book of Little Pip.”

I hold up a hoof and tell her, “I am not kidding. Besides is it really that hard to believe since we can now see that Choo got her Cutie Mark?”

“That was another thing I wanted to ask you about. When did that happen and how?”

“It happened a couple of months ago while we were on a mission, as for the how I am not sure. But let’s just say it was a blessing from Luna and Celestia.”

She looks at me with a raised eyebrow and asks, “OK, where?”

I lean on the table and tell her, “That, I cannot tell you. Just know that Choo has a real Cutie Mark and that the Princesses were involved.”

Both she and the 2nd Engineer look at me skeptically. Then she tells me, “Once we finish this cup, let’s get you those hammocks. I am sure those youngsters are going to be ready for bed soon.”

“Probably, but they are pretty excited still too.”

She shakes her head, “Not sure why, but they are still young.”

“Yeah, you are right about that. But I am afraid they were raised on stories of me, my wife, as well as her sister and Tater all sneaking along and fighting.”

She closes her eyes and shakes her head, “Dear Goddesses, I hope that was not it, they will be sorely disappointed I would think.”

I laugh lightly then tell her, “Well, if so, then we did our jobs right.”

She tilts her head, as she looks at me then shakes it, “I thought all of you Repair Ponies lived for excitement.”

“Nah, but we do seem to find enough of it.”

She laughs then stands up, “Let us go get those hammocks and I will help you carry them down.”

“Thanks again Purse Strings.”

“It is nothing Flower, besides, do you think any of you down there might have a bottle of Old Overmare?"

“Maybe, depends on if any left them here on the Colt when we left for our last mission.”

After we have the four hammocks for the youngsters and the four for the Batponies, Purse Strings assists me in taking them to the berthing area and tells them, “Good evening, everyone. These are all property of the Baltimare Colt and the Water Clan. Do not damage them or you will be required to pay restitution. Please step forward to receive and sign for one if you need it.”

I watch as the first Morning Star and the scouts step up and receive theirs followed by Moon Lily and her friends. When Moon steps up I watch Purse Strings look at her and hear her say, “My Goddesses, you really do have wings now. I heard, but never would have believed it without seeing it with my own eyes.”

Moon Lily stands up a bit straighter and has a serious expression on her face as she replies, “I was as surprised as you, maybe more, but please, do not use the Goddesses in vain. They would not appreciate it.”

Purse String looks surprised and asks, “So you really met them?”

Moon nods he her and solemnly tells her, “Yes ma’am. Celestia even gave me the choice of becoming an Alicorn or not.”

Purse Strings seems stunned and asks in a nervous voice, “So you are a princess now?”

Moon smiles and shakes her head slightly, then tells her, “No, I discussed this with her and the other princesses and they all agreed, that I do not have to be a princess here. Instead, I am just an NCR citizen like most of those here.”

I watch as Purse String's muzzle goes down, her eyes wide as if she were looking over a pair of eyeglasses as she cautiously asks, “You, you actually met them, and they made you an alicorn, but did not make you a princess?”

Moon smiles sweetly, which worries me, then she responds, “Yes, I have. How many others who were born with just a horn later grew a set of wings? Where do you think I got them?”

I watch Purse Strings blush in embarrassment, then her expression changes to one of irritation as she seems to think she is being mocked, which to be fair, I think Moon just did a pretty good job of. To derail the situation, I call out to the others, “Hay, do any of you have a bottle of Old Overmare with you?”

This draws Purse’s attention away from Moon as she starts to look at the others. Finally, one of the Trouble Shooters stands up moves toward some boxes of equipment, and tells us, “Yeah, I got some, wait a minute.”

I then hear Summer Moss ask the one who stood up, “What, you have been holding out on us?”

The stallion laughs lightly and tells her, “Nah, I just know if you knew, you would drink it all.”

I see the fillies all get wide open eyes as they watch her root around in a wooden case briefly and pull it out. As I see their ears all go forward, I realize they think they are going to get some of it and I tell them, “You four are too young for this, do not even think it.”

In response, I hear all four of them reply, “AWWW.”

Summer Moss then tells them, “He is right, and I would not have allowed any of you to have even if he had not said it.”

Cowlick then adds, “Believe me, we were not allowed any at your age either. Sutures caught me and I had to beg her not to tell my parents.”

I smile to myself as I remember that party all those years ago. But then I remember mine and Ginger’s first drinks. That was after the first battle of Two Step, and we only shared a hard cider. It helped to steady our nerves, but the LT, now the Colonel, and my father did not allow us to have any more during the expedition.

As Purse Strings has a single drink with Summer Moss, I tell the flying foursome, “Ok, let us get your hammocks up so you can get some sleep when you are ready.”

Slip Stream then asks, “Where do we hang them, Xochitl?”

I look around the compartment and tell them, “Let us tie them off to those beams along the side of the compartment on this end. Just like those at the back there.”

By twos the fillies grab a hammock and carry them to the sides, when I offer to help them, they smile and tell me, “We got this Xochitl, it is easier with our wings,” and I watch them hover as they each tie off an end. As they do this, Morning Star leads the others in doing the same.

Once the hammocks are set up, I see the four of them seem to be tired so I tell them, “Maybe you could lay back down for a bit, nothing exciting is happening anyway.”

The two pegasus mares look at each other and Frost Glitter tells Snow Song, “I really could use a nap.”

Her sister yawns first, then tells her, “Yeah, I think that is a good idea.” Then she flies up to one of the hammocks and beds down, followed by her sibling. Soon after Slip Stream and then Moon both go to lie down as well.

Not long after they have fallen asleep my wife and Choo Choo return to the berthing. When they arrive, they ask about the flying foursome and I give them a brief update on them. Choo seems satisfied with the answers and we continue with our normal routine.

*****

Baltimare Colt, River Fork near Neighagra Falls: Choo Choo

Yesterday and this morning have gone fairly smoothly for us. The teams had to get to know the new members. The scouts that are attached we already know and Sunny has worked with them enough down in Hoofington that he has an idea of the capabilities and has discussed them with me. Mort's team is still trying to get to know them, but it can be difficult when they sleep all day.

It is late afternoon, nearing sunset, when Rust drops anchor and launches the Hot Shot with one of the portable RDFs, Sunny, Morning Mist, and the batponies all take off and head up the smaller river here that forks off. They have orders to only go about ten miles and take a reading. The Hot Shot, well they are to fly about fifty miles, take a reading move twenty miles north, and take another one.

I smile when I think of how yesterday went. The fillies all slept the entire night. When they awoke the next day, I remembered the packages from the MOM Party Kit we found buried near the shop. Finally, I realized whose names besides Moon’s were on the other boxes. The one being Slip Steam whose package is the largest. Then I notice there is one for Snow Song and one that surprises me which is for Morning Star.

With that realization, I told the others to wait for me there and I made my way to the area our supplies were stored in and retrieved them. Once I have returned with the packages, I give them out to those whose names are on them.

I secretly take delight in the expression of surprise on their faces as well as the knowing expressions on those who have seen this before. Twinks with a grin tells them, “Go ahead and open them.”

This time I hear Days End answer, “Open them and if there is not a note telling you, we will afterwards.”

Moon then tells the others, “I will wait till the others have opened theirs first.”

I then hear Slip Stream giggle before she says, “Well in that case, here we go!” as she uses her talons to deftly open hers.

Then I first hear her let out a squee, and then I see a look of sheer awe as she looks at what I know is a Griffon Assault rifle.

From the side, I hear Tater say, “Wow, A GG33, very nice. Not a lot of those were made.”

She turns to me and says, “Dad is going to be so jelly of this. Wow! Finally, I have my own weapon.”

Inside I cringe as I am afraid of what her parents will say since they kept her from them for so long.

Then in my mind, I hear Moon tell me, ({Don’t worry Granny, she knows how to shoot. We took her radhog hunting even, so her parents know that too.})

({Thank you, Moon, for letting me know.})

Tater then tells her, “After breakfast, we can go up on deck and if Captain Water does not mind, I will help you learn how to use it.”

She turns to him and tells him, “But I already know how to shoot. Moon and her siblings taught me.”

He smiles knowingly as he tells her, “True, you know how to shoot, but have you handled one designed like this? Because while it may be similar to a pony weapon, it is set up for you to use with your talons. It even has a talongrip rather than a mouthgrip.”

“Ohh, you are right. I had not thought about that.

Next, I watch as Snow Song opens hers. As she opens it, she finds a brief note that says,

Snow Song,

I know there are two presents in here, one is for you and the other for your sister Frost Glitter. I know you two are almost always together so I figured this would be a surprise for her as well. I hope you both can enjoy them as well as use them.

Sincerely

Pinkamena Diane Pie

She looks visibly confused as she looks at the note then asks, “Who is Pinkamina Dianne Pie?”

We all smile and I slowly tell them, “Pinkamena Diane Pie was once known as Pinkie Pie. The Ministry Mare for the Ministry of Morale during the Zebra Equestrian war.”

The flying foursome look at each other in surprise and Moon asks, “Granny, is she still alive after that long?”

“No Moon, she died on the final day like so many else.”

Then Snow asks, “Uh, Choo, then how could she know about us?”

I smile and tell her, “I truly do not know, but she always seemed to.”

Moon then asks, “OK, so what did you two get?”

Snow Song takes out two paper-wrapped packages and hooves one with her sister’s name on it to her. Then they open them there are three items in each, I recognize what we now call Enclave Scout Armor, but from my times as a scout with the regiment, I know these were developed during the war.

Next, both receive a recon hood that goes with the armor. Finally, they both receive a set of pegasus goggles to wear.

As they look at them, they both smile and then look at each other. Then they ask, “Choo, when can we try these on?”

I want to laugh at their excitement, but instead, I smile and tell them, “How about after breakfast.” We will have you walk with it on before you try to fly with it.”

I see they both are slightly disappointed but Frost Glitter answers, “OK Choo Choo.”

Next to open hers is Morning Star. As she opens it, I see she takes a note out and reads it. She looks first at my granddaughter, then at me. Then she looks back down into the box. She calls the other three batponies over and hooves each of them a dark blue scarf. Each scarf has a large broch of silver with a blue opal gem in the center, each of which also has a black flaw that makes it look like a batponies pupil.

I watch as each of them takes theirs with a sincereness I had not expected. But I think I understand as these look like ones that I saw the Nightguard wearing in some of the old propaganda posters. I look from them to Moon, then back to Morning Star and she simply smiles and nods her head, and I think I understand. Moon may say she is not a princess, but to them she is, and they are following her wish of not calling her one. But I also notice them all trying them on and smiling.

Finally, Moon opens hers. Inside I notice is a solid gold necklace upon which hangs a large broach that has her cutie mark on it. She too receives a note. I watch as she picks it up and reads it. She smiles, then she folds it up and puts it into her saddlebag using her TK. After which she uses her TK to put the necklace around her neck. As we all are looking at the gifts with those who received them she tells me, ({Granny, I will only wear this normally for formal occasions. Pinkie gave it to me instead of a royal gorget since I had decided I was not a princess.})

({I understand, and thank you for explaining it to me.]) I send back to her as I smile and nod my head.

It is at breakfast that I realized how some of these gifts may appear to others as the batponies are all wearing their scarves and Moon her necklace. Ginger and the rest of the team are leading us with me, Moon, and her friends in the middle followed by the batponies. Mort’s team has already gone to get breakfast as Tater assisted Slip Stream in storing her weapon and Twinks helps the pegasus sisters store their new field kits.

As Moon and I pass through the doorway onto the Mess Decks the conversations go quiet as the crew who are already eating stare at us. Mort waves to us and I wave back to him.

Then I see a white earth pony with a brown tail and mane drop his jaw, before standing up and slowly walking over to Moon and me. He then stands in front of me and looks me over from head to hoof, tears welling up in his eyes. "Y-y-your majesty..." He says, voice cracking before he kneels and looks at the ground, fighting back tears.

As he does this, I feel slightly confused, then I watch as Moon Lily gently tells him, “Please, get up. We are not royalty; we are only citizens of the NCR.”

Now I understand, he as well as most of the crew of the Colt have not seen me since I got my cutie mark. I nod my head in understanding and tell him. “Please rise, I am not she. I have met her, but I am nowhere the beauty she is. Please, call me Choo Choo. Now who are you my good stallion?”

Moon smiling at him, tells him, “My name is Moon Lily and I am a member of the Water clan. However, you are correct, I am an as scent, ascend, ascended alicorn, and I have met the princesses as well, but I am not a princess, though I do thank you for thinking I was worthy of such an honor as Celestia and Luna.”

After she tells him this, I see him look at me with his head tilted with a questioning expression on his face. I nod my head to him and I watch as the stallion gets back up after hearing all this.

He now looks somewhat brokenhearted, but also hopeful at the same time. He then tells us, "S...so...so they do live? I knew it! I knew they were alive. No one believed me, but I had faith! I prayed every night that someday, somehow they'd return and set things right again!"

As he says this, I find myself looking at her with my head tilted and one eyebrow raised. She then sends me, ({I do not want to confuse him by trying to explain Twilight and Candence.})

({Yes, that would be hard to explain. You are doing well young mare.})

Then he asks Moon, “So the Goddesses still live? I was right, I told the others they were, but they would not believe me.”

This time Moon nods her head in answer, and then she asks him, “As my great-grandmother has asked you before, what is your name sir?”

He smiles at her, puts a hoof across his chest, and says, “Ma’am, my name is Rough Seas.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you Rough Seas, please, just call me Moon Lily, or just Moon.”

He then asks, “Can you tell me what the Goddesses are like?”

I smile as she tells him, “Yes sir, both myself and Granny would love to, but how about later? We need to get some breakfast too.”

I see him blush slightly then he tells her, “Of course, sorry about that.” Then he makes his way back to his seat and begins to eat again.

As he sits back down, we make our way through the chow line and then we sit next to Ginger and Xochitl. As we take our seats Ginger quietly says, “Sorry about that. Choo, we forgot to warn most of the crew about your new cutie mark, and Moon, well the rumor has already run through the crew about you becoming an alicorn, but I guess to see it is different than hearing about it.”

Moon nods her head as she is chewing a bite of pancake and after she swallows, she tells her sister, “Yeah, I guess. I am starting to get used to it.” Then she turns to me and asks, “How about you granny?”

I smile at her and answer, “I guess. I am still getting used to others mistaking me for Luna. I mean, I would have loved it when I was young and cos-played as her. But now, I know I am not as beautiful as she is. But it could be worse.”

That evening while I am topside with fillies the sisters try flying with their new gifts. They struggle at first as they are not used to the extra weight, but before too long they seem to be both getting the hang of it, as well as getting tired. When they land for the last time in it, Snow Song asks, “Choo Choo, can we take a break, I am starting to feel sore in my wings.”

“Of course, in fact, I think you have worked with them enough for today, so let us call it a night.”

Once back in the berthing, I see the one called Rough Seas has returned and is playing cards with several others of my team and Mort’s. Once he sees Moon Lily and myself, he tells them, “After this hoof, I am out.”

After he is done, he cautiously approaches Moon and me and asks, “May I ask you to tell me about how it was to meet the princesses?”

Moon smiles and tells him, “Sure Rough, that would be my pleasure.”

I shake my head and return to the present as Twinks approaches me and tells me, “Boss, The Hot Shot has its two readings and is inbound. Same goes for Sunny and his team.”

“Thank you Twinks. Once they get back, we will look at the map again and prepare to begin our hunt tomorrow.”

She smiles an almost feral grin when she hears that then replies, “I really hope we can catch them when they are on the air, that would be perfect.”

I smile and nod my head, “True, but nothing is perfect, and we all know Discord loves to tweak anyponies plans just for fun.”

I then hear the engines of the Hot Shot coming our way and head to the Pilothouse to watch them land. As they come in several unicorns of the flight deck crew use their horns to illuminate the landing pad. I smile again when I see that as soon as the Vertibuck has landed they douse their horns and run up and tie it down. Soon I see Love Tap trotting our way. When she reaches me, I return to the chart table. I look at it and draw the lines from the readings starting at the coordinates they took them from and smile. Now if Sunny’s team gets here soon, we can narrow the location of the broadcast site down and tomorrow night we can try and catch them in the act of lying on the air.

*****

Rainbow Dash Skyport, Hoofington Region, GPE Territory: Ball Lightning.

As I wrap up my paperwork for the day, I look at the clock. I realize what time it is and shake my head. Another late night it seems. Unfortunately, since I have been back it seems these are becoming more common. As I am flying home, I am considering turning on Broken Dreams broadcast to hear the latest when I see Air Burst flying toward me.

I slow down to allow him to catch up with me. Once he is close enough, I greet him, and he returns the greeting. Then I ask, “So what is up for you Air?”

I see him look around first, and then he answers, “Not much, just getting ready to head out of town with a group of friends if you know what I mean.”

I nod my head as I quickly grasp his meaning. He is getting ready to go on another mission. I want to ask where, but I know I shouldn’t. Instead, I ask, “Going to visit anypony we know?”

He shakes his head, “No. I guess you could say that it is just a shopping trip. Heading to what was once one of the old malls.”

“Hmm, interesting. Well, be careful as we both know how dangerous those shopping trips can be sometimes.”

He grins back, “I will, thanks. I just wish you were a bit lower in rank so I could spring you for it too.”

I laugh lightly, “Believe me, with all the paperwork I have now, I would love it.” I pause then add, “Well, except for the fact that Sundancer is due in the next couple of weeks.”

He smiles at me when I tell him this and then he tells me, “I can understand that. Just remember to let me know what she has the next time you see me once I get back.”

I smile as I tell him, “Will do Air, by the way, do you have time for dinner tonight? I know Sundancer will want to see you before you go too.”

I see him look at his pastern watch and he then nods his head, “Yeah, I can do that. But are you sure you have enough food?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, if not, you get part of my portion.”

I see him blush as he answers, “Thanks Ball. Besides, I want to see the kids too.”

As we arrive, I hear Lil’ bit call out, “Mom, Dad is home and he brought Uncle Air with him.”

From upstairs I hear her say, “That is good. Savannah, could you help me by getting it for them.”

“Sure Mom, do you want me to bring you some too?” Savannah asks her.

From above I hear my wife call back, “No, I do not feel like eating tonight.”

I then ask my oldest daughter, “Is Mom ok dear?”

She has a slightly worried expression on her face as she tells me, “I think so Dad, but after we ate dinner, she went upstairs telling us she was not feeling good.”

“Thanks for letting me know dear. I will go check on her.”

“Thanks, Dad,” she tells me then heads into the kitchen to get us supper.

We have both almost finished eating when I hear Sundancer cry out in pain, then as I am making my way upstairs with Air right behind me, I hear Sundancer say, “I think it is time.”

Without thinking I ask, “Time for what?” as I reach the landing and turn to go into our room. From the corner of my eye, I see Air Burst put his forehoof to his face and shake his head.

Then I hear her say in an elevated tone of voice, “Time for me to have the foals.” As she moves towards the door of the room.

Air then tells me, “We better get her to the hospital Ball.”

As we go to the door I tell the kids, “Scout, Savannah, you two take care of the others until I get back, okay?”

“Yes Dad, just get Mom to the hospital, we got things here,” Scout tells us.

I nod my head and we begin to make our way there. We are halfway to the main terminal with its medical department when she stops, she cramps up and screams in pain, and her water breaks.

With this I have her climb onto my back as I run as fast as I can to the terminal. Several times during this she is hit by a contraction. The last time she reaches forward and bites me in the back of my neck causing me to yell in pain as well.

Once we arrive at the medical department, I take her to the registration desk and tell them, “My wife is in labor two weeks early. Her water broke on the way here.”

The nurse tells me, “Ok, let's get her into a room right now. But I will need you to fill out some paperwork for her, and looking at your neck for you too sir. That is a pretty bad wound on the back of your neck.”

By this time Sundancer is being taken to the back by another nurse. I reach back with a forehoof and it comes away bloody. “Yeah, we will need to get that taken care of also.”

Air then tells me, “Ball, it seems you have everything in hoof, I really need to get going, again, let me know what she has.”

“Will do Air, be careful out there,” I tell him and offer him my hoof.

He smiles and takes it. Then he tells me, “Let the rest of the family know I said goodbye and I will be back as soon as I can to visit.”

I smile at him as I tell him, “Will do. May Celestia guide you and Luna protect you on your trip.”

He grins and looks back in the direction that they have taken my wife with a slightly worried expression. Then he turns and heads back out the door into the terminal.

I finish the paperwork and the nurse tells me, “Follow me, Major.”

Once in the back, they clean the wound and give me a few stitches and a healing potion. After they are done, they lead me to the room Sundancer is in.

I then go over to her and sit next to her bed as she lies there panting softly. I give her a small kiss on the cheek and tell her, “I love you, my Sunshine.”

She looks up at me, “I love you too dear. What happened to your neck?”

“It’s nothing dear. Don’t worry about it.”

I sit there talking with her as she has another contraction, and I start to see a hoof emerge. This gets me to almost panic as there is nopony else there with us. I call down the hall and one of the nurses calls back, “What?”

“One of the foals is starting to come now.”

She says something to one of the other nurses and then she flies as quickly as she can to the room. As she enters my wife is yelling again. As we begin to see the second hoof coming out as well.

The nurse is now in a position to catch the foal as she turns her head to me and says, “I swear when I checked her half an hour ago, she was only dilated 5 centimeters.”

I hear my wife scream again and I watch as the nose of my firstborn begins to emerge, followed shortly by another scream.

The doctor then arrives and moves the nurse to the side as he quickly takes her place and tells my wife, “On the next contraction I need you to push hard.”

Sundancer, covered in sweat then tells him, “What do you think I am doing!” Then she screams again as she is racked by another contraction, but I can tell she is really pushing and our first foal is born, the nurse takes them into her forehooves from the doctor and begins to clean the foal. Soon she turns to us and tells us, “Congratulations, he is a healthy little colt.”

Then she hooves him to me to hold. I look down at my first child and see his red coat and his orange mane and tail. I carry him gently to Sundancer so she can see him.

She looks at him with a tired and loving expression then I can tell another contraction has hit and she screams again as she begins to give birth to our second foal.

I move back from her slightly as the doctor and nurse continue to coach her. I have been holding my son for another half hour when I see the head of my next child emerge as the doctor carefully guides the foul out and catches them. The nurse takes the foal and cleans it up then tells us, “Congratulations you have another colt. Both are healthy.”

The nurse then takes the foal over to her and lets her see him briefly. I see her smile as she gently places a wingtip along his yellow face, then moves it through his white mane.

After she has finished passing the afterbirth, we take both foals to her for their first feeding. As the foals are laid next to her to feed the nurse looks at us and asks, “Do you have names for them yet.”

I look at my wife and she asks, “What do you think dear?”

“How about Lightning Burst for our oldest here? I am not sure about our other yet.”

She smiles and tells me, “How about Air Burst?”

I think briefly and realize he too has become almost family and this is most likely the closest he will ever come to having a foal of his own. I look into her eyes and smile as I answer, “I think that would be a good name dear.”

I spend a bit more time with her and our sons before I tell her, “Dear, I need to get back to the kids. I will stop by on my way to work in the morning.”

Tiredly she tells me, “That sounds good dear. Be careful and let the rest of the family know about our new arrivals.”

I smile and tell her, “I will love, now sleep well, and maybe tomorrow evening I can bring the family over to visit you and them.”

As I say this, I see her smile as her eyes close and she falls asleep. On my way home I think of who all I must let know about Sundancer delivering early. Once home I see Scout and Savannah are still up and both are worried. Savannah asks me, “How is Mom?”

I give both a brief hug, and then I tell them, “She is doing fine, and so are your two new brothers.”

Savannah then asks, “Dad, can me and Lil’ Bit help them learn to fly?”

I feel a warmth flow through my body at how lucky I am with my family, both by blood and adoption and I tell her, “Of course dear, I would expect nothing less. Now let us all get to bed; morning comes early and I want you all to be ready for school tomorrow.”

As I lay down to sleep, I wonder what life will bring next and I pray for peace and happiness for all my children.

*****

Good evening to all you Wastelanders out there tonight. I am Junction Town's favorite DJ Broadcast Nights. Leading in tonight’s news we have reports of growing tensions in the Hoofington region, as several factions have begun to express their dissatisfaction with the Lunar Council and their neutrality with the Grand Pegasus Enclave.

From Closer to home, it has been leaked by a member of the President’s cabinet that the NCR has suffered a great defeat in the Mohoovie Desert just outside of Reino. At this time there is no official casualty list, but all contact has been lost with the forces there.

We also have reports of an airship battle that has occurred west of Whinnyappolis. The NCRN Airship Storm Surge engaged the GPES Derecho there. Ground sources report both ships were heavily damaged and have limped off from each other.

I would also like to remind all healthy and able citizens of the NCR that your country needs you. We need you to stand tall with your brothers and sisters in the NCR Army and Navy. Either by joining them in service or by supporting them through war-related industries. Remember you too can make a difference and make the NCR a safer and better place.

Tonight’s sponsor is the Junction Town Meat Market. For all your meat and poultry needs come to the Junction Town Meat Market. Open seven days a week for the duration.

Now back to our next song, one that seems appropriate for now, here is Its Time.

Author's Note

A lot is going on in this chapter. The Flying Foursome and the batponies arrive aboard the Colt and receive their gifts. We get to see how the crew of the Colt reacts to them, especially Moon Lily and her new wings.

The character of Rough Seas belongs to my friend who goes by the same name. Rough assisted me in writing the character's actions and dialogue for this chapter. I would like to give a special thank you to him for this.

We also get to see Sundancer give birth to her and Ball Lightning's sons. It is during their naming of them we see how close they became to Air Burst. Speaking of Airburst, it does lead one to wonder just where his next shopping trip is destined.

I would like to apologize for releasing this chapter later than normal as the last two weeks have been rough, which resulted in my attending the funeral of one of my best friends today.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's song the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sENM2wA_FTg&list=PLIT1U6WS4aYBLwNPx8HxL7Hb8Gr5Z5lSn&index=17