Dawn's new day.

After the three of us galloped out of the farmhouse I asked, “So where to first you two?”

“Wellp, I figure we’ll start with the school house since it’s closest then circle around town and stop by our families stand.” Applejack shouted back at me. “Sound good to you Mac?”

“Yup, sounds good sis.” Big Mac nodded.

When we reached the schoolhouse fence Cheerilee was helping an older mare re-paint the building. She must already be working as an apprentice.

As soon as she noticed the Apple siblings she set down her brush and walked over, “Hey there Applejack.” She gave a friendly wave, “Hi Big Mac.” She said with a wink causing his cheeks to somehow become redder. “Who’s the new colt, another family member?”

“Nah, this is a family friend, Balanced Dawn,” Aj put a hoof on my back while also giggling at her brother.

“Oh, well nice to meet you Dawn,” we shared a hoof bump, “I’m Cheerilee the teacher’s assistant for Ponyville’s school and future teacher.”

“Nice to meet you Cheerilee. Need any help?,” I decided to tease Mac a bit, “I bet Big Mac here would Love~ to help ya out.”

He sputtered a bit and shot me a look. I gave him an innocent smile in return.

She acted like it was a tough decision by tilting her head back and forth then said, “sure, thanks for the help Mac and I'm glad you don't mind.” But was already dragging the poor young stallion off to help.

When they were out of earshot, “that was an awful thing to do ta my brother.” Aj tried reprimanded, though considering she couldn’t keep a straight face it lost all effect. "You're Lucky I like Cheerilee, though my brother might get ya back for that."

“What,” I shrugged, “the big guy needed a wingpony.”

She started to walk off and shook her head, “a what?”

“Meh, it’s a Pegasus saying I picked up from my relatives.” I started following after her and noticed something I hadn’t before when I glanced at her flank.

“Hey Aj,” I finally brought it up after passing the future site of Carousel Boutique, “Can I ask you something?”

“Ya just did Sugarcube,” she said with a playful flick of her tail.

I rolled my eyes, “How did you get your cutie mark and why is it two apples and a pear?” Wish I could think of a better way to ask considering the change.

"Don't you know its rude to look at a fillies flank," She exclaimed while blushing then slowed down to sit and continued more seriously, "Honestly it's a bit of a story if you want to listen." I sat then nodded for her to continue, "Well I wasn't always the best at telling the truth ya see. I would lie for any little reason such as getin out a my chores. It got really bad when my mom told me she was having another foal which made me jealous, though I didn't know it at the time. Eventually I even lied to myself by saying I hated living on the farm and moved in with my aunt and uncle Orange so I could be a city pony."

She scraped her hoof on the dirt then shook her head. “I spent a year there acting completely unlike myself, all until I saw this rainbow explosion in the sky with the trail leading back home. That's when I knew I had to be honest with myself and go back home to my parents. As soon as I got home my mark appeared and I have been helping my family with the farm ever since."

"But why the one pear if you're and Apple?" I tilted my head. The rest of her story is close to what I know.

"Well at first I didn't really know but ma finally told me the story about how her and pa met after his funeral," Her ears drooped a bit but she smiled. "Turns out her side of the family runs the pear farm right next door and her folks forbid her from being with my pa but she loved him anyway, after his passing she started reconnected with them and is talking with her pa, my Grandpa Pear, again. Once he apologized for being stubborn a course. So it shows my ties to both my families." She finished with a smile and flick of her tail.

"Wow that's an incredible story," She beamed at the praise.

"What about yours?" She motioned towards my flank, "That's one unique mark."

"I really don't know for sure. Funny thing Is I also got my mark during that Rain-boom. I was hit with so much magic that I passed out and woke up with it." I looked back and examined it close for the first time in a while.

AJ whistled, "so much magic you passed out, must have hurt."

I nodded, "Oh yeah. As for what it means well, The star is for being good with magic and the gear is the same for science. The Ying Yang is for Balance of the two but I still don't know why its made of the Night and Day instead of the normal Black and White."

"Well shucks sounds complicated, can’t ever say I’ve seen a symbol like that." She tapped her chin then shrugged.

"Meh, I'll figure it out one day. Anyway thanks for answering Aj." I stood up and after she joined me we resumed our walking.

"Thanks for listening, I think I have only told my family that story so far." She hummed and we continued our tour.

As the two of us walked around I was able to see what plenty of the town was like before it was in the show. The Library was still open for business yet, due to the Librarian retiring next year, it would be closing up for Twilights arrival soon. As we passed Bon Bon's she was just setting up shop so it was still rough looking and under construction. I spotted a pregnant Ditzy Do applying at the post office when we passed by and almost wanted to say hello. Strange to see it all so early though not everywhere is different like the statue and open market.

“Hey you two what ya doing?” A pink blur that had just showed up asked.

“Bah!” Aj and I both fell back on our haunches as an excited Pinkie suddenly appeared in our path.

“Gosh darn it Pinkie don’t do that!” Aj playfully swiped at Pinkie with her hat while I laughed after recovering.

“Okie dokie lokie. But here,” she passed us both an envelope.

“Pinkie what’s…” I started to ask but she was already bouncing down the street so I shrugged and opened it with my hooves receiving a face full of glitter. Note to self, open all invites using magic away from face. I tried using a quick cleaning spell to remove the glitter and managed to succeed on my third attempt then read the invitation.

Applejack giggled and held hers at hoof’s length. “So what’s it say?”

“You’re invited to a surprise ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party at Sugar Cube Corner.” I flipped over the card expecting more yet it was blank. “No time or anything.” I shrugged.

Applejack asked me to open hers so I did, this time using my magic, and read out, “show up at 5pm tomorrow.”

“Now how the hay did she know you’d open yours first?” Aj asked.

“Magic probably”. I shrugged. “So want to go?”

“Course I will, it’s a Pinkie Party. I may not have know her long but she already throws great parties. Pluss it's supposed to rain tomorrow so no chores.” Aj smiled and we continued on with the tour of the town.

Just before noon Aj and I finally made our way to the Apple Family’s stall in the market. I was a bit surprised to find my dam and Pear Butter deep in conversation during a lull in business.

"I'm serious Pear we need to get the Apple family a better contract." I overheard my dam say to Pear them sharing a small nuzzle. I tilted my head as we walked up. Aj was about to say something but I stopped her with flick of my tail. She gave me a look and I shook my head.

"But the Apple family has been working with the Rich family since the founding of Ponyville," Pear responded with a downcast look.

"I'm not saying we should cut them off just work out new deals considering how old your contracts are and how well Barnyard Bargains is doing, the Apple's are a noble house for Celestias sake." My Dam finished just as we made it to the stall.

"Mom what are you and Ms. Dew talking about?" Applejack asked her mom while looking up at her curiously.

"Just, business sugar." She sighed, "Did you and Dawn have a good morning? Where's your brother?" Pear hugged her daughter while my dam and I shared a quick nuzzle and greeting. Big Mac chose that moment to show up, covered in paint droplets.

"I was roped into hanging out with Cheerilee and helping paint the schoolhouse." He said with a huff and a glare my way to which I just smiled.

"Well ain't that just sweet of you." Pear nuzzled the top of her sons head without noticing his frustration. "That filly is a sweetheart. Looks like you need a good scrubbing though." She finished with a giggle.

As the three of them continued to talk my own dam magicked me onto her back and asked, "Have fun with Applejack?"

I nuzzled her neck glad to be off my hooves, "Yeah, we walked ALL over the town. It's bigger than home but still way smaller than Canterlot even though it's so close."

She started walking away from the stand so we could head back to the farm. "Speaking about town, how would you feel about us moving here?"

My ears perked, "What do you mean?"

"Well... Your mom and I were thinking about living closer to your school since you cant visit Sires Hollow on weekends unlike Ponyville, plus they are in need of more experienced weather manager that can handle the Everfree. Not to mention Pear would like to have us close by." I almost thought my mom was blushing at that last part.

"What about your work though, and my friends?" While the Idea did excite me a bit I also really didn't want to move again. Also I feel it will change too much.

She rebutted "Well sweetie I can work almost anywhere not to mention the Apples need help with accounting work. As for you and your freinds, you are in school with Sunburst and Starlight so you'll get to see them plenty."

I went silent to think it over just as we crossed onto the farm. My dam must have taken it as my approval though since she continued with, "Anyway sweetie we wont move in until after we talk things out some more."

"Move in where?" I tilted my head?

"Well with the Apples of course." She was definitely blushing this time.

WHAT?!?

I spent the afternoon walking around town and thinking about everything my parents had told me. Apparently after they had both rescued Pear Butter the three of them began spending a lot of time together. At first it was just to make sure she was doing ok and helping out around the farm after Bright Mac's passing then they started getting closer over the weeks. They didn't share all the details, not that I wanted them, yet I could see how happy It made them so I couldn't really oppose.

Big Mac and Applejack took the news a bit better since they wouldn't be moving and had spent plenty of time around my parents lately, but it was still a shock to them that their mother had found new love. At least Bloom is too young to notice. Really I wouldn't be opposed if it wasn't changing so much.

I sighed while passing an alley then overheard a familiar voice crying. Is that Lyra?