Dawn's new day.

After the kiss I awoke with a start and just sat there listening to 'click clack' of the train wheels. Luna kissed me…

Looking out the train’s window, it was still well before sunrise. My family, Lyra, and our new maid were all still asleep. It was a bit surprising when the maid wanted to come with us but all three of my parents had agreed to take her in. The other surprise was that she didn’t yet have a cutie mark or name as my ‘grandparents’ always just called her The Maid after buying her as a newborn eighteen years ago. Only ten, pony, years older and she’s had it rough.

I wiggled from underneath my mother’s wing, left our compartment, and headed towards the lavatory to relieve myself. Once finished I returned and tried to enter as quietly as possible.

“Can’t sleep either?” My ears flickered towards Lyra.

“Not really. Too much happened all at once, ya know?” I hopped up on her bench and gave her a friendly nuzzle that she returned.

“Thanks for getting us out.” I couldn’t see her but could tell she was smiling. “Being a statue doesn’t look like fun.”

I snorted at that. “You’ll have to thank my parents and Celestia for that. Heck even the maid did more than me. I was just kinda… useless.” My ears pinned back.

“You weren’t.” She left no room to argue then continued after a moment of silence. “She really needs a new name you know.”

“Who?” I tilted my head.

“Our new maid.” She nodded.

“Our? Oh, yeah but she should pick it not us.” I poked her side with a hoof.

“Doesn’t mean we can’t give suggestions though like… Swift Wind or Helpful Wind.” She tapped her chin with a hoof.

“Hehe, those are kinda awful names.” I flank bumped her.

“No they are n-, okay, yeah they are.” She smiled. “Wonder what happens to me now?” Her ears splayed back. “I really wanted to finish school at least.”

“Well, according to Celestia and my parents you’re, kind of, legally part of the family so it shouldn’t be an issue for you to keep going.” I nervously said while tapping my forehooves together.

“That’s great. Wait, did your moms adopt me?” she asked confused.

“No, you’re technically my herd member.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “My grandparents filled the papers and made you my broodmare just like they said they would. We can get it dissolved of course, it may just take a while…” I finished hastily.

“Huh. “ she thought for a moment then shook her head and didn’t say anything before hopping of the bench and leaving our compartment.

“Well that could have gone better.” I almost jumped out of my skin, did jump off the bench, when my Dam spoke. This caused her to laugh when I fell on the floor.

“You heard all that huh?” I looked up at her after composing myself.Never used to be so jumpy. Maybe this all affected me more than I thought.

“Just the end." She leaned down and gave me a nuzzle before grabbing me by the scruff and placing me on her back. "Lyra didn't look upset by the information at least." She placated. "Oh! Starlight is going to be so jealous." Morning Dew covered her muzzle with a hoof.

"Dam, that's not funny." I nuzzled into her mane.

"Who said I was joking colt." she tittered then turned somber. "Sorry about all this." I hugged her around the neck but let her continue. "I knew my parents weren't the best but they never went so far before you were born. I didn't even know half the stuff you told me about and the rest was just..." She sighed. "I'm a bad parent."

"No you're not. You kept me safe all this time didn't you?" She nodded at my question. “Celestia and the guard will handle it.” We fell into a comfortable silence after that.

As the train continued on the sun eventually rose and a pony went around informing everypony that we were almost at Ponyville. Lyra returned without saying much.

As we all disembarked onto the station I stretched like a cat before following behind my parents.

"Finally home." Pear smiled. "You two take me on the craziest adventures." She nuzzled Morning and Forest.

Before we could even make it outside of the station a pink blur tackled me. “Oh your back. I was so worried. I postponed all the parties you would have missed.” Pinkie gave me a nuzzle as she hugged me then quickly moved onto Lyra.

“I know I don’t know you yet but I’m so glad you’re also safe. Bon Bon was worried sick after getting out of the hospital.” Pinkie let her up and Lyra began to cry.

“She’s alive?” Lyra exclaimed then ran off towards town. I felt guilty that I hadn’t even thought about Bon Bon. Oh I have a party to get ready. Pinkie ran off without another word.

“Go on colt and check on your friends. I’ll get this lot home just hurry up.” Pear said before my parents could argue as she dragged them off towards the farm.

“Thanks mom.” I smiled at Pear and ran off after Lyra. The maid glanced between the two groups and decided to follow after me.

When I caught up to her she was standing nervously outside of a small unopened shop. Walking up to her side I nudged her and she finally built up the courage to knock.

“We’re not open yet.” An unhappy Bon Bon said from inside. “I’m not opening until…” she cut herself off after opening the door and spotting us. Her eyes locked onto Lyra and for the second time she was tackled today by a happily crying filly.

“Hey Bonnie, I made it back.” Lyra hugged her friend and stroked her mane until she invited us all inside.

Once inside Bon Bon sat us all down before making a pot of tea. None of us spoke until she finally asked after setting out the tea. “So what happened after the attack?”

Lyra and I took turns explaining what happened to both of us while Bon Bon remained silently seething with anger and said a few un-pony like things under her breath. When Lyra and I finally finished our stories she turned towards the maid.

“So you helped keep them captive?” Bon Bon glared at the Pegasus who nodded and recoiled with guilt. “But you also helped them escape?” Another nod. “Fine, I can forgive that then though I’ll have my eye on you.”

Lyra and I breathed a sigh of relief before I stood up. “Well I have to get back home. I kinda ran off after Lyra when she found out you were alive.” I rubbed the back of my neck and headed towards the door with Maid following behind me.

On the way out Lyra gave me a surprise nuzzle and whispered. “We can figure out the other stuff later.” Before rejoining Bon Bon on her couch to continue chatting. Bon Bon gave me a questioning look with a raised eyebrow to which I shrugged and walked out.

As I traveled the path through Sweet Apple Acres towards the farmhouse I couldn’t help but dwell on my silent companion. “You need a name.”

For the first time since meeting her the young mare almost tripped as I continued. “Do you have any ideas?”

“I never really thought about it.” She looked downcast.

“What about something with Breeze in it like my mom?” I looked skyward. “Maybe something about your newfound freedom?”

“But I still serve your family, just a new generation.” I snorted at her deadpan remark.

“What about Lofty Breeze?” For the second time today I almost jumped out of my skin when my mom spoke from overhead. I hadn’t even noticed her following us from the air. What is wrong with me, I normally watch the skies like mom taught me.

“How long have you been there mom?” I playfully huffed at her.

“You didn’t think we would really let you run off alone after everything.” She landed and trotted next to us before throwing out a few more name ideas.

As we bounced a few names back and forth the maid spoke up.

“What about Unfettered?” She smiled. “Unfettered Breeze. That should be my new name.” As soon as she spoke it aloud her flank lit up and a Cutie mark of a bird in flight escaping a gilded cage appeared on her flanks.

“Congratulations! It looks like you picked the perfect name for yourself.” My mom looked proud as Unfettered looked shocked by her new mark.

Once inside the house it was my turn to be tackled again. “Welcome home partner.” Applejack gave me a strong hug before Big Mac gave me a hoof bump and Granny gave me a hug of her own. Apple Bloom walked over last and jumped onto my back giggling.

“Welcome back youngster, I hear you had quite the adventure.” Granny chuckled at the sight.

“Oh let me tell you, it was one crazy adventure.” The entire family gathered around as I told them what happened. By the time I finished it was already about lunch time so we all sat down around the dining room table. I joined them after placing Apple Bloom in her booster.

“Well things around here weren’t quite as exciting as all that.” AJ spoke up while helping feed little Apple Bloom. “Pinkie was in a right state about not being able to host parties for the new ponies in town.”

“New ponies?” Pear Butter, Morning Dew, Forest Breeze and I all said at the same time.

“Jinx.” I said which earned some confused glances. Guess it’s not a thing. Should be with how often it happens.

“Yep.” AJ continued like I hadn’t said anything. “There’s a new Unicorn seamstress named Rarity and two new pegasi. One accurately named Fluttershy, the girl spooks easily, she’s the vet’s new apprentice and the other is Rainbow Dash. Rainbow will be working under Forest as a new weather team pony apprentice.”

Guess all the elements are finally moved into town. Except Twilight.

“Well hopefully she’s up to snuff.” Forest nodded and said. “We did need to increase the size of the team though considering what happened last time.” Pear’s ears drooped at her statement.

“Wait mom your the new weather manager in Ponyville?” With everything that happened I hadn’t even gotten the chance to catch up with everyone properly.

“Yep. I was supposed to start last week but they let me start late due to our family emergency. In fact I’ll be starting tomorrow. Sorry we won’t have as much time to hang out after you finally got back.” She frowned.

“Not your fault mom.” I gave her a nuzzle.

“Anyway it’s nice to get some new blood in town.” Pear pitched in. “The town could use some more ponies.”

“What are we then?” Morning Dew huffed.

“A heap of trouble.” Granny who had been half asleep spoke up causing us all to laugh, herself included.

“So two of them got away?” Cadence was reading over the report with Shining Armor and Celestia in Celestia’s private study.

“Yes. They managed to surprise me with a unique spell.” And almost trap you in gold.They weren’t even close to such a thing.

“Auntie you alright.” To Cadence and Shining it looked like she had just gone quite.

“Just fine my niece, thinking about what I could have done differently.” Celestia looked out the window.

“Well one thing is for sure. The guards all need better training and a good house cleaning.” Shining huffed. “We found quite a few local guardsmares who had been taking bribes and the Canterlot regiments are out of practice when it comes to combat.”

“Good work Shining Armor, you will certainly make captain of the guard at this rate by merit alone.” Celestia praised. Not that all this effort should have been necessary. Lazy ponies. Celestia shook her head.

“That’s my knight in Shining Armor.” Cadence gushed and gave him a loving nuzzle to which he blushed.

Celestia cleared her throat and the two separated. “We will still have to hold the trial for the other three we did capture.”

“What about Dawn’s dam, Morning Dew? She had to have known what was going on.” Shining asked earning a wing slap over the head from Cadence.

“You really think she was helping them when her foal was taken from her?” She admonished.

“Well. Lyra’s parents did sell her.” His statement let to an awkward silence that hung for a moment.

“I do not believe she knew the extent of what her parents were doing and even if she did come forward, what evidence would she have presented that wouldn’t have been swept away by her own parents or other nobles before reaching me.” Celestia sighed. You shouldn’t have let the nobles become so bloated. Lulu did try to warn you.You. Do. Not. Use. That. Name!

“I agree with you auntie. As for the colt maybe I should speak with him once school starts back up? It really seems to help Twilie when she has, issues.” Cadence suggested.

“No I will speak with the colt. I postponed that conversation only so he could return home for a while and not miss out on his entire break from school.” Celestia replied.

“His mental state was surprisingly stable when we found him.” Shining tapped his chin thoughtfully. “So was Lyra’s for that matter.”

“The poor foals were probably just in shock Shiny.” Cadence gasped. “Imagine everything they went through.”

“I guess you’re probably right candy.” He nuzzled his marefriend as the three continued conversing on matters of state.

Pinkie hummed to herself while pulling another batch of cupcakes out of the oven. “Tomorrow’s triple ‘Welcome to Ponyville party’ is going to be perfect!”