Author's Note

I know it’s the first but I always hated joke chapters in the same story, so this isn’t one.

Updated ages of a few characters, not that I have been very strict with them. There’s about 9 years left till NMM and Cannon:
Rarity:15
Rainbow:12
Fluttershy:13
AJ:12
Pinkie:12
Twilight:10
Spike: 1
Dawn:10
Starlight:10
Sunburst:11

Ch62. A change of routine.

Big Mac was a young stallion of few words, at least that’s what most Ponyville residents thought about him. Around his family and close friends he was an intelligent pony who spoke from his heart just like his dam had taught and encouraged him to do.

Recently he had made a new friend in Shining Armor, something that had never occurred in the original timeline, thanks to his younger brother and learned more about the guard life. He had no plans to join the guard, despite his strength, however Shining did help him realize that he should do some actual combat training instead of just relying on his bucking and brawling skills. This was especially true since his family’s farm bordered the Everfree.

He wanted to learn how to protect not only himself but Cheerilee and the rest of his family and finally the farm. That’s why today he was standing in front of the Ponyville Reserve guard house with plans to get that training, he was in luck that they offered free defensive courses for stallions.

He took a deep breath and walked into the lobby.

“Dawn, Twilight.” Celestia had pulled them aside after morning class. “I forgot to speak with you both about the upcoming Galla yesterday. It’s going to be held just before the fall break this year, so in a few weeks. The two of you will probably be asked to dance so we’ll go over etiquette and some other details this weekend instead of our normal lessons.”

“Dancing?” Twilight looked concerned when Celestia nodded to confirm.

“What, don’t want to dance with me Twi?” I playfully bumped her shoulder.

“Oh no. I mean yes I mean.” She wiggled her ears while blushing then huffed in frustration. I laughed and Celestia smiled.

“No worries Twilight, you won’t be required to dance, just socialize a bit. Cadence and your family will be in attendance so don’t worry too much.” She placed her hoof on Twilight’s back comfortingly.

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. “That sounds good princess.”

“Rarity are you in here?” Morning Dew walked into the best dressmaker’s shop in town, technically the only one but, she still preferred Rarity’s over the shops in Canterlot.

“Oh Mrs. Dew welcome to my boutique where everything is unique.” Rarity waved her inside but hummed in thought. “I still really must work on that greeting. What can I help you with mam?”

“Rarity please you’re a family friend, just Morning or Dew is fine and I’m here for a dress. The herd and I are going to the Galla this year.” Morning Dew.

“THE Galla? As in the Grand Galloping Galla?” Rarity swooned.

“The GGG?” Pinkie, who had been over for tea stuck her head out of the kitchen looking excited. “Only the biggest party of the year?”

“Pinkie Pie, darling, do calm yourself in front of customers.” Rarity had recovered and playfully swatted at her friend.

Morning Dew laughed and shook her head. “The very same. If I had known you two were interested I would’ve gotten more tickets from the princess.”

“The Princess?” Rarity tilted her head in confusion.

“Yeah we went up to the castle over the weekend visiting Dawn and she invited us.” Morning commented while browsing some of Rarity’s displays. She enjoyed clothing but normally only during a date with one of her partners.

“I had no idea you ever spoke with her.” Rarity was a glutton for gossip so was highly interested.

“Well why wouldn’t she? Dawn is her personal student.” Pinkie was idly munching on a cookie she had baked for them while revealing information she thought was common knowledge.

Rarity didn’t know that and fell over causing Pinkie and Dew to rush over and check on her. Good thing I promised not to talk about him being an alicorn.

“Good workout everypony we will take a short break then head back inside.” I took a deep breath and flopped onto the grass as Gale let us stop running. I wasn’t the only pony that laid down, gym class was much harder than the first semester. Now that it was primarily designed around early guard training, the routines had become more difficult and Gale had a smaller group of us to focus on.

“This is much tougher than I calculated.” A sweaty Moon Dancer slumped against my side. She was one of the few fillies who had stuck with the class despite having no plans on becoming a guard.

“Eww Moonie you’re all sweaty.” I playfully pushed her away.

She stuck her tongue out. “So are you.” Her continuing to take gym class, instead of only focusing on studying, was a change I had noticed early on. Honestly I’m glad she didn’t lose her confidence unlike in the show where she became a recluse.

“So, read any good books lately?” I asked as we cooled down.

“Yep, found a book on griffin history. It’s a bit intense though.” She shivered and not from the late Summer breeze as she told me more about it.

“Sounds about right considering Griffins are omnivorous and have had more wars than ponies.” I tilted my head back and forth. Still nothing on humans though.

“What about you? Also sorry about you and Starlight.” She gave a warm smile and gave a friendly push on my side.

“No new books however Celestia was teaching us some interesting spells for daily use.” I lit my horn and the sweat was cleaned off both our coats though it didn’t help with our smell. “As for Starlight.” I sighed. “Thanks, it’s never easy losing a friend.”

We sat in silence for a few moments as other small groups around us chatted. Before either of us could say anything else Gale spoke up.

“Alright Everypony, back on your hooves. Time to hit the showers.” She ushered us back towards school with her wings earning a few groans as everypony stood back up.

Rarity knocked intensely on Fluttershy’s door. “Darling open up.”

Fluttershy opened her door slowly and peeked out. “Rarity, is, is something wrong?”

“Wrong? I just learned Dawn is Princess Celestia’s student.” She swooned with her foreleg on her forehead.

“… um, okay?” Fluttershy looked confused. “I already knew he went to her school.”

“No darling her personal student.” Rarity was a bit frustrated that she didn’t understand.

“Hey you two what’s going on?” Rainbow had been flying around and got curious when she spotted her two herd members having a heated conversation.

“I was just telling Fluttershy here about Dawn being the princess’s personal student. But she doesn’t seem worried.” Rarity huffed.

“Should I be. I’m sorry that I’m not.” Fluttershy hid behind her mane.

“What’s the big deal Rares. I already knew that since his mom told me.” Rainbow shrugged.

“Rainbow, Darling, it’s a big deal because now even more fillies will be going after him.” Rarity was getting exhausted from the lack of foresight.

“Eh, I wouldn’t worry to much. His mom said he just had a falling out with his trial herd so isn’t interested in anypony right now.” Rainbow again said flippantly.

Rarity opened and closed her mouth a few times the fell on her haunches in defeat. “He already had a trial herd?”

“Well not any more.” Rainbow nodded.

“Oh my, I hope he is okay.” Fluttershy was more concerned about his feelings which made Rainbow smile.

When school ended for the day I met up with Lyra and Moon Dancer to study in the Library. Twilight had wanted to join as well but had to get home right away to watch over Spike.

“So what should we start with?” Lyra spread out her study materials. “Math, magic, history?” I never expected pony school to be more intense than human school but they really compress it all down into the early years.

“I vote getting math out of the way.” It was my easiest subject since I already had years of training in it and I liked to take my time with magic since it was actually fun.

“History it is then.” Lyra joked.

“Hey isn’t that..?” Moon Dancer motioned with her head towards the Library entrance.

Starlight and I shared an awkward look before she turned around and left.

“Ouch.” Lyra winced. “That was rough.”

“No need to remind me.” I turned back towards our table and pulled out my history work. “Let’s just focus on getting this stuff done so we can enjoy our evening.”

The other two nodded and we got to study.

Big Mac dragged his hooves while walking back to the farm after a grueling first day.

“Well there you are Mac. Have a good day off?” Pear Butter looked her son over. He had some fresh bruises that caused her concern. “Mac, what happened to you?”

Mac winced when she touched his side. “Training.”

Pear frowned. “Training for what? Bull fighting?” She snorted. She loved rodeos like any farm pony but Bull fighting, in her opinion, was a ridiculous addition from the cow herds.

“Noope.” He shook his head then regretted it with a wince.

Pear rushed inside to grab an ice pack then rushed back out. “Then what mister? And it’s a good thing your sisters or other mothers aren’t around to see this.”

Mac flinched then sighed in relief at the soothing ice pack. “Guard training.”

“Mac use your words.” Pear hoofed over the pack so he could hold it himself.

Mac scuffed his hoof on the dirt and hung his head. “I didn’t like losing to Shining Armor. I also didn’t like what happened with dad or to Dawn last year. I hate feeling like I can’t help so I took some defensive classes today.”

“Oh sugar cube.” Pear hugged her son but felt bad for agitating his bruises. “You help out more than enough around the farm and did you train all~ day?

Mac nodded, huffed and looked his mother in the eye. His expression relaxed as she smiled with pride. “I still want training.” He pinned his ears back.

“Fine. But only once a week and try not to come home so injured, maybe just do a few hours. I know you’re strong like your sire but even he knew restraint. Now head inside and get washed up.” Mac nodded and Pear shook her head as she watched him head inside.

“Never a dull moment around here.” Pear thought back about her new herd members and son and how that love had changed the farm for the better. “Wish you could have seen it Bright.” She then followed Mac into the house to help Granny with dinner.