Dawn's new day.

When mom finally landed during sunset, it was right in front of the Sweet Apple Acres farmhouse. "Well sport here's where we're staying," she motioned with her wing. "Also, have you gotten heavier?"

As I slid off my mom's back I playfully ruffled her mane then had to stop and stare just to take it all in, "wow," the farmhouse was much larger and homey than the one from the 'show' in my memories and not just due to my size. The entire homestead looked like it could accommodate a large family herd comfortably and still not have anyone feel crowded with its many rooms and wrap around porch.

I looked back at my mom and grinned while my tail happily swished, "is this really where were staying?"

"Sure is young'n," an elderly mare who had just come outside chuckled, "Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres and welcome back Forest, good to see you again."

"Ms. Smith, good to see you again too." Mom led me onto the porch to join the older mare.

"Ah none of that now Forest. I told you before to call me Granny considering you're practically family already after what you've done." Granny Smith leaned down to look me in the eye and smiled. "And this must be your colt, Balanced Dawn." She nodded after looking me over, "Good looking stock, not to spindly compared to most unicorns."

"Um, thanks?" I tilted my head while my mom laughed.

"Granny, what have I told you about sizing up all our guests?" Chided a Cream colored mare with a ginger mane from the open doorway. That color combination wouldn't stand out on a human.

"Bah, I was just teasing the young colt Pear. Let an old Mare have her fun." She straightened back with a slight pop of her back, smirking while my mom tried to contain more giggles, Her and mom clearly got along.

Pear Butter rolled her eyes. "Why don't you come inside Dawn so I can introduce everypony else." She held the door open for me as she stepped back inside.

I followed her to the massive living room where my mom, a few other foals and a puppy were relaxing. "First off, I'm Pear Butter," She then pointed to everyone one by one, "Then we have my foals Big Mac, Applejack with her Puppy Winona, and Applebloom."

Big mac gave me a nod while Applejack looked curious, Applebloom babbled happily, slowly walked over to me, and sat right in front of me wanting 'ups'. When I lifted her in my magic and put her on my back she began to giggle and her siblings gave me approving smiles.

"Then lastly we have Pinkie Pie my daughters friend and the apprentice of the local bakers Ms. Swirl and Mr. Cake." Pear finished and sat down next to my mom.

"Hi everypony, Hi dam good to..." Before I could finish Pinkie rushed over to me and got nose to nose while grinning ear to ear.

"Hi Dawn, I'm Pinkie Pie but everyone just calls me Pinkie and I work at the Bakery and Plan Parties. Do you like to Party because I normally throw a Welcome to Ponyville party for everyone I meet." She continued to talk a bit longer until.

"Now Pinkie don't go overwhelming the colt." Applejack put a hoof on her friends withers.

I Decided to play along, took a deep breath, and matched Pinkie's grin, "Hi Pinkie, I'm Balanced Dawn but everyone just calls me Dawn and I'm a student at CSGU which stands for Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Yes I Like to Party but only sometimes since they tire me out but I would love to go to one of your Parties." I finished still nose to nose. Good thing I was ready for her.

Everyone in the room was stuned silent aside from Applebloom playing on my back. Pinkie blinked twice, opened and closed her mouth slowly all before I tilted my head and asked, "What were we not playing the 'Introduce ourselves as fast as possible in one breath' game?"

The room laughed and Pinkie regained her smile then looked at Applejack, "He's good." Applejack just shook her head and got comfortable again.

For the next half hour we all sat around getting to know each other a bit better before Granny called everyone to a late supper. Once in the dining room the sleeping Applebloom was finally pried from my back and put into a foal’s chair to eat after waking up.

When everyone was about finished with desert I asked, "So dam, how did you all meet Ms. Pear Butter? Your letter Didn't go into much detail."

Once again everyone went quiet, though the room became heavy as ears drooped and Pinkie’s mane deflated. Before anyone could say anything Applejack got up and ran out of the room with Winona while Pear started to quietly cry. Big Mac and Granny both looked teary eyed and excused themselves. Oh no, it was THAT accident? With Pear still alive I didn't even realize.

"Dawn, I know you didn't know better but it's painful subject. Their… they lost somepony during that accident.” Dewy sadly said, “now why don’t you go find Applejack and talk to her while your mom and I help clean up.”

Breezy moved around the table and wrapped Pear in a hug. "It's ok let it all out."

I nodded and left the table while my family and Pinkie got to cleaning up for the somber Apple family. Me and my big mouth.

Once outside in the moonlight I lit my horn for a small tracking spell. Following the dimly glowing thread it created brought me to the base of a treehouse I recognized with the sounds of crying emanating from inside.

Walking slowly up the ramp and pushing the clubhouse door open I found a curled up Applejack with her hat, wimpering Winona, and a framed photo in her forehooves the only light coming from a dim lantern. Without saying anything I laid down next to her, she flinched at the contact but didn’t otherwise respond.

She eventually wiped her eyes, “I really miss him you know, my hat was the last thing he gave me before he and ma went on their delivery. I’m real grateful your moms saved mine I just wish it hadn’t been too late for him.” I didn’t say anything while she sniffled, put her hat back on, and let Winona go to get more comfortable at her side.

“Don’t get me wrong I don’t blame them or nothing, especially after hearing mom tell the full story it just still upsets me that Bloom won’t ever get the chance to know him and the rest of us won’t ever get to see him again.” She passed me the framed photo of her and her parents. I looked it over and passed it back.

“What about your pa, your moms never mentioned him, did he also?” She looked at me with red eyes.

I shook my head a bit, “no idea, dam doesn’t talk about it, but that’s fine. I have loving parents and life isn’t bad. Plus, you still have your family too and new friends so even if your little sister never got to meet him you can all share the memories.” I gave her a friendly nuzzle, “why not practice with me?”

For the next while she told me what happened then moved on to happier memories. She ended with a story about her dad and brother making a big mess doing chores until she was laughing and crying. Eventually as the night wore on and her emotions ran dry, Applejack fell asleep with a smile on her face.

“Dawn, Aj I'll let your family know you’re here.” Pinkie called up from the base of the tree, “ then I’m heading Home, stay warm.” A thick blanket roll then came through the window which I grabbed in my magic. Thanks Pinkie. You're welcome. I could have sworn I heard her respond.

“Sweet dreams Aj!” I wrapped us both up with Winona and a warming enchantment to help keep out the cold of the fall winds.

“Do you think we should go check on him Breezy?” Morning Dew nervously asked her partner as they cuddled into bed after Pinkie told them what happened.

“Our colt will be fine Dewy, you wanted him to go cheer Applejack up remember.” Forest Breeze gave her wife a quick kiss.

“Yes, but I wasn’t expecting them to stay out in her clubhouse. She is two years older so come next spring she’ll probably have her first season. She just better not take advantage of our colt.” Dewy huffed.

“Well he could do worse.” Breezy playfully said, earning a smack from a pillow held in her wife’s magic.

“Not funny Forest Breeze.” Dew used her wife's full name to make a point.

Breeze sighed, “Dewy, Dawn will be fine. He is as smart as both of us and knows more than he let’s on these days. He won’t be our little colt forever.” She hugged her wife who huffed.

“I know,” she buried herself in her partner’s wings.

“We could always use that spell again to have another,” she tried to say seductively but only got another playful pillow smack.

“Breeze, it was difficult to cast the first time and it should only be for seasonal relief. We still have no idea how it resulted in Dawn being born or what it did to his magic. We still haven’t even told him,” Morning whined. “I told you I am perfectly fine using a stud for our next.”

“It’s not the same and you know it,” Breeze licked her wife’s horn causing her to shudder.

"Maybe this season then we try," Dew conceded and nipped her wife's wing.

The two didn’t go much further than that, falling asleep with plenty to think about.

I woke up at sunrise to a blond tail slapping across my face and a playful smile from a green eyed filly as she looked my way before heading out the clubhouse door. Rolling my eyes I rolled the blanket back up and carried it back to the house in my magic. Once inside I quickly set it on the couch so I could follow my nose towards the kitchen.

“Morning youngin,” Granny Smith greeted with Mac Next to her as I arrived, “how about you help Mac and I out? No magic except adding love to the food while cooking in this kitchen though,” She winked.

“Sure Granny, Morning Big Mac” having remembered having hands before it was no trouble to use my hooves and TK grip instead of levitation for the work. Granny gave me an approving nod after watching me for a bit.

"Yup," He nodded as we worked.

“Morning Dawn,” As we cooked up pancakes and eggs my dam stopped by for a nuzzle before helping to set the table.

Once we finished cooking, both families sat around the table to enjoy breakfast.

Near the end Pear spoke up, "Aj, Mac, why don't you two show Dawn around town today while us grownups handle the chores."

"Really? Ok sounds fun," She got up and began pulling me towards the front door while her older brother followed with a sigh and my moms held back laughter.

"Be back by lunch you three." My dam called after us.