“Uff.” I fell backwards onto the training mat and collapsed, my breathing rough and fur slick with sweat. It was a very unpleasant feeling all around, especially with the chill of winter creeping into the training hall as snow fell outside.

“Oh come on Dawn, get up. You were doing great.” I could almost feel the sarcasm dripping in Shining Armor’s tone as he returned to a relaxed stance.

“Shiny don’t be so rough on him.” Cadence stomped her hoof and flicked her tail in agitation at him from her spot on the side of the ring.

“What? Me rough on him?” Shining motioned to the scorch marks left behind on the training mats caused by the beams I had fired at his shield. “I’m lucky my fur is still white.”

“Maybe, but you’re the older stallion.” I listened to them bicker a bit more while recovering from the most recent training session with Shining. He and Cadence were currently back at the castle after another diplomatic mission and would be staying for the foreseeable future, just in time for the holidays.

They were both now training me in self defense techniques and, while Twilight had begged to join our lessons, her BBBFF had adamantly refused.

I can see why he’s the future captain. I rubbed my aching side.

“Dawn are you ok?” Cadence asked while standing over me and looking down with a concerned look on her face. I was so out of it I hadn’t even notice her walk over.

“Yeah I’m fine.” I grunted as I rolled back onto my hooves. The aches were already fading thanks to my Alicorn healing but it it also made my fur bristle from the excess magic.

“See Candy, Dawn is a tough colt same as me.” Shining puffed up and rubbed a hoof on his chest. This earned himself a swat from Cadence’s tail.

“Don’t use that nickname in public.” She hissed while blushing, primarily upset he was joking around.

“What public, Candy~?” I asked while playfully looking to stand up for my fellow colt. Shining may have been kicking my flank but it was rough being the outnumbered gender on the regular.

“Janecolts I swear.” Cadence huffed and walked back to the sidelines as Shining gave me a brohoof.

“Nice comeback Dawn but only I can call her that.” He playfully growled then ruffled my mane aggressively. “Now hen, ready for another round?”

I got back into position and readied myself for another flank kicking.

“Alright everypony that’s it for today’s training. Good job and have a good Hearth’s warming.” The instructor shouted out before leaving the room. Big Mac found himself a towel to wipe off with as the few other ponies he had been training self defense moves with waved goodbye. A few of the mares gave him a wink which caused his marefriend to snort in agitation.

“You really do this every week?” Cheerilee flopped down next to her colt friend nearly out of breath when they were the last two left in the room. She had decided she wanted to get into better shape, not only to keep up with Mac but so that she could keep up with the foals of farming families she would soon be watching over, so had decided to join in on his training sessions for the first time.

Apparently more mares and even a few colts had started showing up when they found out her handsome farm colt was going causing the class size to triple. Much to the appreciation of those running the class for the safety of the town.

“Eeyup.” Mac chuckled and nuzzled under her chin.

“Eww, not while we’re all sweaty Mac.” Cheerilee protested half heartedly before Mac maneuvered under her barrel to be unceremoniously carried onto his back, him chuckling again. “I can walk you know.” She licked his ear appreciatively.

“Ah’ know.” Mac began heading for the door as his mare friend gave him a nuzzle. Once outside of the Ponyville Guard’s training hall they both shivered in the cold winter air and Cheerilee wrapped herself more tightly around him.

“I’m glad your mom didn’t schedule the snow for the town until later today.”

“Me too.”

“Are you ready for the holidays?”

“Eeyup.”

“Is your family still going up to Canterlot to celebrate at the castle and surprise Dawn?”

“Eeyup.” Mac felt Cheerilee sag on his back. “You could come with, you’re practically family.” He felt his back warm up as Cheerilee buried her muzzle in his mane.

“Really?” She mumbled out.

“Eeyup.”

The two didn’t talk the rest of the way back to Cheerilee’s house sharing a quiet loving nuzzle when she was dropped off. It wasn’t until he heard some quiet giggles from above did he look up and notice he was being watched.

“That was smooth son.” Forest Breeze said from atop a cloud.

“Really smooth.” Rainbow Dash giggled from right next to her.

Forest gave the younger flyer a friendly wing slap. “Hey, don’t tease my colt young filly.I have family rights and you don’t.”

“Not yet anyway.” Dash laughed and flew off.

Forest rolled her eyes and flew down to greet Big Mac. “That filly, I don’t know what Dawn sees in her sometimes.” She then gave Mac a motherly nuzzle.

“So ya saw all that?” Mac blushed as they started walking towards the farm.

“Yeah. I noticed you carrying her on your back so was worried she was hurt during the training but then didn’t want to interrupt you two talking. She’s more than welcome to join us for the holiday by the way.” Forest fluffed her wings.

“Thanks mom.” Mac gave her a nuzzle as they entered the farm. Forest paused and smiled. With how little the colt talked she hardly ever got Mac to call her mom, it felt nice.

Once Mac had walked down the path a bit she flew back into the sky to catch up with the weather team to bring in the coming snow. She also Spotted Rainbow pulling a few stunts and rolled her eyes at the enthusiastic filly.

“So Shining Armor, how is Dawn doing with his training?” Celestia asked the young guard while having afternoon tea with Imago, him and her niece. Their daughter Alicia off playing in the castle with her sisters.

“Really well your highness. He got in a few good hits today and I had a hard time holding back.” Shining remained formal as he gave his reply.

Cadence huffed. “I would hardly call that holding back Shiny. If Dawn wasn’t an Alicorn I doubt he would be out playing with the others this afternoon.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.

“It’s probably good for him after what happened recently.” Imago took a sip of her tea before they switched to talking about the upcoming holidays.

Stretching out my legs I finally felt a satisfying ‘pop’ from my joints and breathed a sigh of relief.

“You alright.” Twilight’s ear flicked as we walked the castle halls. Trixie was on my other side as we headed towards my suite for an afternoon study session. Though Trixie will probably just cuddle most of the time, not that I’m complaining.

“Yeah, your brother just is really strict on the training. I’m glad you weren’t there.” I huffed.

“Oh.” Twilight hung her head a bit. Before I could say anything Trixie walked to her side and gave her a bump.

“Sparkle he didn’t say he didn’t want you around. Only that he didn’t want you hurt.” Trixie puffed up. “I have seen the aftermath of his last sparring session with one of the guards and it did not look fun. Trixie certainly wouldn’t enjoy it.”

“But how are we supposed to keep him safe!? As the lead filly it’s my job to keep our colt out of danger.” I knew she had been worrying but not quite so much. I was glad Trixie was around.

“Twilight it’s every fillies job to keep the herd safe and we will do that with magic of course.” She flourished her cape and let out little sparks from her horn before resting a foreleg over Twilight’s withers. “We are unicorns Sparkle and you’re one of the best.” Trixie nuzzled her earning a blush. “So stick with that.”

For the first time since my return Twilight actually looked more confident. “Yeah you’re right. Thanks Trixie.” Twilight gave her a kiss on the cheek and ran off ahead of us. Trixie sat on her haunches and rubbed her cheek.

“Thanks Trixie but it’s my job to keep you both safe too ya know.” I kissed her other cheek and followed after Twilight.

Trixie rubbed both her cheeks and smiled before she yelled after us once recovered. “Wait for Trixie!”

Lyra sat and watched the snow fall with a smile on her face on one of the benches outside the dorm. She had recently received a letter from her new family that everypony would be coming up to Canterlot for the holidays.

She was still a bit worried about being included in family events but once she heard they had adopted yet another young filly she wasn’t as nervous about being adopted by them.

Dawn was also keeping her company in school as a brother and she was happy Bon Bon was going to join them for the holidays as well.

As she continued to watch the snow fall she plucked a few strings on her lyre and began playing a song from her memories.

Author's Note

Let me know if there’s anypony you want me to check in on. I have been mostly focusing on Dawn again for now but other ponies are still doing things in the background to keep the world spinning.