An Extended Holiday

by Commander_Pensword

75 - Actually on Holiday

Extended Holiday
Ch 75: Actually on Holiday
Act 10

---

“That foundation sounds like it was made for a specific reason,” Hammer Strike replied as he stared the Horses down.

“Sultan Amir believed that he would not be able to repay you during his lifetime, but he realized there may come a time where he could repay you after his death. We are the descendants of a line of warriors who are purposed with lending you our aid in times of need. We have heard of the recent attack on your palace, and so we arrive to serve your whim,” the stallion said. “The men were not prepared to enter without your express permission. I alone came to deliver our message and await your leave.”

“You’re free to enter and leave as you please, but be warned, you may have to share rooms until further barracks are finished depending on how many of you there are.”

The stallion looked back and shouted something in his native tongue. Quickly and orderly, more Arabian stallions began entering New Unity in a column three stallions in breadth and ten stallions in length, the third column mission one member due to Akhmed’s absence. They were all similarly dressed, though some held scimitars and others had simple longbows. One or two even carried halberds on their backs. Each bowed his head before crossing Hammer Strike’s path and speaking something in their native tongue. They maintained their military bearing as they turned as one, transforming their columns to three rows by ten columns before halting and awaiting inspection.

Hammer Strike nodded to the troops. “Impressive. Though, it’s been so long since I had a chance to speak your language that I need to refresh myself. Akhmed, you’ll be in command and are to translate to me until I refresh myself, understood?”

Pensword walked into the courtyard nervously, then trotted up to Hammer Strike and whispered into his ear. “Moon River is loose, and she has a crossbow with her.” He flicked his ears and turned his head to face the new soldiers, then turned back to Hammer Strike. “Are you trying to give me a migraine? I have to incorporate battle traditions of Saddle Arabians now, too?” he hissed. “It is a pain just trying to mesh Gryphons with Ponies.”

“Pensword, they are my troops, meaning they aren’t in your chain of command, and you don’t have to worry about them.”

“Good.” Pensword sighed wearily. “Just warn them about my daughter; she is armed now. She will not respect differing branches. I worry she is going to recruit the other foals in New Unity.”

“Greetings, Commander of Equestria,” Akhmed said, bowing his head respectfully. “I am Akhmed.”

Pensword was a little surprised to be addressed. “Greetings, Akhmed. I am just informing Lord Hammer Strike that my daughter is currently out and about, and-” he was stopped as they heard a high toned chitter ring through the air while little suction cup bolts landed on both armor and ground. “-That might happen. I want to make sure that no harm comes of her play, so please come to me if it gets to be too much.” He looked up and froze before sighing heavily. “And I will talk to the other two Thestral foals who have joined in.” ‘Poor Fizzpot,’ he thought to himself.

“Children are a blessing.” Akhmed smiled at him. “She will be a strong hunter; I am sure of this”

“That they are, and they make sure to keep the warrior agile, even when they are not hunting or battling,” Pensword replied with a small chuckle.

“Well then, my lord, if it pleases you, we will make our camp outside the walls,” Akhmed said. “We have traveled far, and so we are fortunately stocked with very good tents.”

Pensword took this as his cue to leave the group and the courtyard. He needed to find some parents to inform them of what was happening.

“We should have an area cleared where you can place your tents until the barracks are finished,” Hammer Strike replied.

“Thank you, my lord.” Akhmed bowed again before he spoke to his stallions and they proceeded to leave.

“Alright,” Hammer Strike said as he turned once again towards the Gantrithor. “Back to work.”

---

At precisely 5:45pm on that day, Hammer Strike, Grif, and Pensword each received a royal scroll by dragon fire. They were all identical and read as follows:

‘Hear ye hear ye …. really? We still do that, Celestia? Isn’t that a bit archaic? Wait, what? No, you shouldn’t have been writing this down! Just restart!

Hear ye, hear ye, be it known that on this day, we, the royalty of the Solar and Lunar courts are in agreement that the fortress of New Unity shall be granted leave to all troops to seek a well deserved respite… Okay, this is enough, you had me learn to speak in the modern tongue for so long that I’m finding this tedious.

Teacher, Commander, Grif, Celestia and I have decided that after the long exertions you all have gone through, everyone in Unity could use a little vacation. The guard are being given leave to go home and visit friends and family, and you three are to gather your families and Conor and be at the train station in one week to go on vacation to the Crystal Empire. This journey is mandatory.

Instructed by princess Luna Galaxia in agreement with Celestia Galaxia, transcribed by Black Quill, royal transcriber of Canterlot Castle.

P.S. Mandatory means you, Hammer Strike!’

Hammer Strike frowned as a debate went on in his mind on whether to go or not.

“Well, I guess that's a thing now,” Grif said to himself as he set the letter down. Getting up from his desk, he went to find Conor.

Pensword looked up from his seat at the table as Lunar Fang stared back at him. “Well, looks like we get to go the Crystal Empire, and I really hope no time travel is involved this time.” The he stood. “Right, I better find Conor.” He bid his wife farewell with a kiss, then exited his room. His first guess was to check the human’s quarters.

Conor sat at his desk as he continued to work on reading the new spellbook Twilight and Clover had assigned him. “So that word is Eternium, right?” he asked.

“Uhuh,” Twilight said, “That’s right. That’s perfectly right.” Her eyes darted left and right as she looked nervously around the room.

“Uh, Twilight, are you okay?”

“Okay? Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be okay? Everything’s great. It’s not like I made a pinkie promise and I’m trying not to break it or anything,” she said, chuckling nervously.

“Twilight, this is hard for me to say, but you’re an even worse liar than Applejack, and that’s saying something.”

Twilight deflated. “... Was I really that obvious?”

“It’s not a bad thing, Twilight. But if you have a secret you need to keep, just relax and tell me you can’t tell me. I’m not going to egg you on about it.”

“Thanks for understanding, Conor.”

“My pleasure, Twilight. So, should we get back to work?”

A loud knock sounded on Conor’s door. “Conor, you in?” Grif’s deeper voice called through the wood.

“Yeah, I’m here. It’s open,” Conor said by way of invitation.

Grif opened the door and gave Twilight a measured glance before turning to Conor. “Start packing. It seems we have been forcibly sent on vacation.”

“Where to?” Conor asked. Twilight looked like she was about to explode as she bit her lower lip and vibrated in place.

“We are going to the Crystal Empire, Conor,” Pensword chirped happily as he flew in behind Grif, alighting in front of his friend. “I wonder how the place looks after almost a year.”

Twilight flew into the air, nearly hitting the ceiling in her joy. “Finally!”

“... I take it you were sworn not to tell me about this little trip until my friends could?”

“Yup.” Twilight grinned. “And the best part is, the girls and I are all coming, too for the Princess Summit next week!” She squealed happily. We’ll be coming on a different train since we all still have some royal duties to take care of. That and I’m waiting on Celestia to tell me my part in the summit. Oooh, I hope I get to meet some delegates, it’d be so exciting to test my knowledge on cultural greetings. And on top of that, I get to see Cadence and Shining! I’m so excited! Especially since we don’t have to worry about some massive hostile takeover this time by some evil pony with grand delusions of power and rule to worry about. I just can’t wait!”

Pensword flew into the air to join her, his grin just as wide. “I know. That means I can see how the empire acts while lax, and not in danger. Also, I can actually do a working holiday, and… I can formulate a proper means of handling Moon River’s unit.” Did he sound proud or perturbed about that? Conor couldn’t tell for sure.

“Moon River has a unit?” Conor asked, surprised.

“It will be nice to just do some regular family stuff for once,” Grif noted. “Wonder what they plan for Hammer Strike.”

“Yes,” Pensword answered Conor. “Don’t human children form packs at a young age?” He looked down at Conor from the air with a confused cock of the head. “She is the daughter of a chieftain and of a High Duke; of course she has a unit. How do you expect her to lead if she is not learning already?”

“I’m just surprised is all. Guess she decided to leave me alone since I’m working so hard. That was nice of her.” Conor smiled just as a skilled dart flew through his window and smacked him square on the back of his neck. “... I spoke too soon.”

Pensword crowed with pride. “That was awesome! Also, Conor, stop inviting Discord’s Spirit into the equation.”

“She’s becoming quite the sharpshooter.” Grif laughed.

“Speaking of Discord, when am I going to be allowed to see him again anyways? There are some things he and I need to sort out before we go home, well, to the other home I mean.”

“I hope you enjoyed your time with us,” Grif told him. “Man I’m going to miss you.”

“You guys’ll be able to visit though, right?”

Grif and Pensword shared an uncomfortable glance before Grif spoke. “Not often, and not for long periods of time.”

“If I can even visit,” Pensword said dubiously. “That would be akin to getting a visit from General Eisenhower. If I did visit, it would be short, and I do have to build a military here.” He sighed. “It would be fun to visit you, but I have a life here, a career that literally is a one in a billion chance, so yeah…” he looked from Grif to Conor. “It won’t be much longer, then. Maybe a week or two at most.”

“I guess I should be grateful,” Conor said. “I got to see you guys one last time, get in shape, and I didn’t have to see much combat while I was here.” He sighed. “I’m going to miss this place, though, and you guys most of all.”

They waited in silence for a moment before Grif finally spoke up. “Whelp, I should start getting the cellars moved around. We might as well open the taps for the troops before we go on leave, let them have some fun.”

“Better write the orders and let loose the war wolves upon the mead,” Pensword muttered. “Conor… you’d better develop a strong stomach and ears, because I doubt you will like the jokes, comments, and whatever else will come about from this party.”

“Later, guys.” Grif waved as he left the room, heading for the cellars.

Pensword gave Grif a mock salute before turning to face Conor. “You take care, and if you want, I can make this wing off limits to party goers to give you a little bastion. Just do not go off exploring and expect everypony to treat your ears kindly. At least you won’t, or shouldn’t, hear what I was called during the war.”

“Bad?”

“Yep,” Pensword chirped before leaving Conor with Twilight.

Twilight looked to Conor. “Well, how about we get back to your Equestrian lessons, huh?” she asked with a strained smile.

Conor sighed and gave a sad smile in return. “Sure, Twilight. Sure.”

---

“Boy, ya’ll sure needed a lot of cider real quickly,” Applejack said, wiping sweat from her brow as she, Big Mac, and Grif finished stacking the pile of casks full of Sweet Apple Acres cider.

“You managed to do what we discussed?” Grif asked her casually.

Applejack said nothing, but nodded as she lowered the tip of her hat slightly. Half the casks had been watered down for when the guards seemed to be going a little too hard on the stuff. Grif passed AJ a large sack of bits.

Grif turned to Big Macintosh. “So, where have you been hiding my sister and her brother? I haven’t seen them since we got back and everybody says they were last seen in your company.”

Big Mac blushed. “Eeyup.”

“Mac, I’ve been very patient with you courting Little Willow. Now I need a straight answer.”

Big Mac motioned with a jerk of his head toward the shadow of the barn doors and plodded in that direction. Grif followed, quietly waiting to see what was happening.

“I uh … that is, I wanted to ask you somethin’, Grif, you bein’ the eldest brother n’ all.”

“Then think it through and stop stuttering,” Grif told him. “Chin up, chest puffed out. You aren't my underling or inferior to me, so say what you're going to say with some pride, colt.”

Big Mac took a deep breath. “I wanna marry Little Willow,” he said, “and I’d like to ask your permission.”

“Big Macintosh Apple, current heir to the line of Apples sired by Apple Core, an honorable stallion. I knew him pretty well, you know. He loved his mate with a firey passion few stallions have ever properly understood; however, I need to ask, Mac, are you prepared for Willow?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I reckon,” Big Mac replied. “Tall Oak’s already agreed after a little work. He challenged me to an applebuckin’ contest. Now he’s recoverin’ at Ponyville Hospital. Little Willow’s with him. Probably scoldin’ him like always.” Big Mac broke into a goofy grin. “She doesn’t know yet. I wanted to do things proper.”

“You have a symbol?” Grif asked him.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac nodded, pulling out a tiny cloth-wrapped bundle tied off with a string. Sprouting from the top, a tiny green shoot caught the sun’s light, swaying in the breeze. “It’s a hybrid,” he said, blushing. “Part willow, part apple.”

“It’s a beautiful sentiment.” Grif smiled as he clasped Mac’s shoulder. “Big Macintosh Apple, you are strong, brave, and despite how you’d like others to see you, you are intelligent, but it is your humility that will always gain my respect. It would be my honor to call you brother, and I know you will make my sister very happy.” He tightened his grip slightly. “And should my judgement of you fall short, I will peel and core you like the apples you love so much, and unlike my brother, I can back that up. Understood?”

Big Mac nodded, and much to his credit, did not show any signs of hesitation or fear. “Eeeyup.” He gently returned the plant to its hiding place in his saddlebag before extending a hoof.

Grif took it in his talons and squeezed gently. “Go on, then, and start planning for this. I can’t wait to hear from Willow that you popped the question.”

“Yes, sir,” Big Mac said, saluting before he reared and galloped off.

“Winds speed, Mac.” Grif chuckled as he turned to the cider cart. “Winds speed.”

---

Pensword stood sweating in Hammer Strike’s forge, watching the smith. “So, just to let you know, we are going to have a large party before we all go on royal leave. That means we are opening up the stores for one night.”

“Alright,” Hammer Strike replied, striking the material once more.

“Just…. let them have their fun and let them have their drinking contests.”

“It’s alright. I know what’s going to happen.” Hammer Strike continued his work.

“Good. Have fun, and I will be coming back to drag you onto the train. I heard Shining is going to open the crystalforge up for you to do anything you want.”

“Tempting,” he replied.

“Thank you,” Pensword answered, smiling proudly. “I am going to help with the kitchen and food.”

“Alright. Plan for keeping the Demos away from the kegs?”

Pensword laughed. “I plan on having them get access to the secondary cellar.” He smirked. “I also told them that if they let the others drink first, they would get to finish up all the leftover kegs, meaning they get more booze if they wait in the secondary Cellar, where all the real drink is located.”

“We’ll see how that goes.” Hammer Strike gave a faint chuckle.

Pensword paused as he finally saw what Hammer Strike was working on. “Is that for Moon River?” He asked before frowning. “Please tell me that is all you are making, because she is not ready for weapons training.”

“We’ll see how I feel about it.” Hammer Strike gave a small grin. “Might be just this.”

“She will grow. This will become a small dagger for her, but at the moment, is it going to be a short sword?”

“Seems about right.”

Pensword nodded. “Sounds good. When shall the dagger be ready?”

“Ten minutes at longest.”

“Then the ceremony will be tomorrow night.”

“Alright.”

“I expect you there in full battle rattle,” Pensword said as he studied the future dagger. He felt a chill just by looking at it.

“So, some plates of armor over my coat.”

“Sure,” Pensword responded with a laugh.

“To be fair, full battle gear makes me a bit too tall for an event like this.”

“This ceremony is outside,” Pensword countered.

“You want me to stand twice the size of Macintosh?” Hammer Strike grinned. “I’ll wear it if you want.”

“You are Hammer Strike, Celestia’s Ghost. I want Moon River to see your form and see it as safety, as home. It also would be an insult not to come in your best to the family who is honoring their foal’s first battle.”

“Alright, I’ll bring it out and make sure I bring my best weapon set.” Hammer gave a light-hearted sigh. “Just got to make sure I don’t kick someone by accident ... and duck through door frames.”

“We will give you a wide berth. Besides, most of us will be flying.”

“Ground-bound I shall be, like usual.”

“I am sure we can find something out.” Pensword chuckled. “At least get you a military recon balloon.”

“I’m fine on the ground.” Hammer Strike shook his head. “I’ll be fine.”

“Okay,” Pensword responded. “Well, I need to be getting some other things ready for tonight's party. See you around.”

“See you.”

---

The courtyard was abuzz with activity as all the troops crowded the area, talking amongst themselves cheerily. A small wooden stage had been set up alongside a dozen tents, each holding the preparations for that evening. With a nod, Thundercolt lifted a trumpet to his muzzle and blew a few notes, grabbing the crowd’s attention as Hammer Strike, followed by Blast and Tower Shield, walked onto the stage. Pensword and Grif landed behind them moments later and a smooth, disciplined silence overtook the group.

Pensword stepped forward, dressed in a simple dress uniform with hints of armor underneath the cloth. His ribbons, medals, and three commemorative sashes hung from his body. The soldiers stared in awe. This was the first time their commander had ever worn all the emblems of his station at once.

“I, Commander Pensword of the ancient Equestrian Armed Forces, and currently of the Demon Slayers, do hereby relate orders from the Princesses. All armed forces stationed in New Unity are hereby given two weeks leave starting at sundown tonight. As such, I am hereby implementing an old military tradition. The stores are to be opened, the kegs tapped, and you all will enjoy the night doing whatever you wish. Just keep it within reason, even though I know you won’t,” he said, chuckling. “Make sure to get it all out of your system so you do not become a scourge upon whatever town you descend upon. Also, as per tradition, I shall be taking the first drink.” He did his best to hide his true feelings. Like it or not, tradition had to be followed. “Also, to any civilian contractor who is present, so help me, if you complain about the food for the Gryphons and Thestrals, I am sending you to finish your contract with Princess Luna.” The soldiers burst out laughing.

Pensword nodded to his left, where Fox Feather stepped forward and proffered a goblet. He picked it up, happy to see only a small portion of liquid in it. He ignored Matthew’s complaints and knocked it back in one go to the cheers of the troops. When he had finished, he returned to observing them. “Dismissed. And I don’t want to see any of you for two weeks on base.”

“Now for you Bladefeathers out there, I know this may seem a bit confusing, as this is our home now, so I’m giving a hundred bits to each of you to use for a trip to anywhere in Equestria. Have a vacation on Hammer Strike!” Grif shouted, downing his own glass in a quick flourish with his head back so the troops couldn’t see his distaste.

After the Bladefathers toasted their clan leader in turn, the five leaders stepped off the stage and let the troops get to their activities. Grif made his way to the gwarkala to wash the taste of alcohol out of his mouth.

Pensword followed his friend’s example. “I never cared for that drink,” he whispered. “I hope I won’t have to drink any more tonight … even though I know Blue Flame will try to get me to drink some concoction or another he’s been brewing behind our tails.”

“If they like it, fine.” Grif shrugged. “I’ve just never liked the taste of alcohol.”

“Hey, guys. One heck of a party, isn’t it?” Conor asked as he waded through the crowd of ponies to the table. He looked casually around as a certain blue pegasus with a red mane and tail began passing around shot glasses filled with a clear liquid. The ponies who tried it were soon coughing up a storm as they failed to take the sheer power of the raw liquor they’d just drunk.

“Care for some?” Grif offered Conor a tankard of gwarkala.

“Is it tangy?”

“We had it the other night at dinner,” Grif reminded him. “It’s sweet with an icy aftertaste”

“Oh, that stuff.” Conor smiled as he accepted the cup and began to drink. “You know, I really think I’m going to miss this place. Not only is their food amazing, but I actually feel healthy here. I haven’t had a gag reflex in weeks.”

“Yeah we all noticed that when we were here a few weeks.” Grif nodded. “Maybe you’ll write a book?”

“If you do, I will definitely buy it and read it.” Pensword chuckled as he moved to an empty table and sat down, content to watch the ebb and flow of the party as more and more Ponies began to get rowdy with the other soldiers and mercenaries. A moment later, Lightning Dust appeared with a dish of food. Pensword frowned. “If the troops told you to do it, you were being hazed.”

“Don’t care,” she responded as she put the food down. “If this is what I need to do to get accepted after my faults, so be it.” She cracked a smile. “However, that Gryphon that told me to do this might just find some hot sauce in his tankard.”

“Good. Just be sure you have some Demon Slayers with you to back you up,” Pensword replied. “He might take offense at the hot sauce. Or he might like it.”

“Well, if Gilda’s reaction is anything to go by, Pensword, I’d guess hot sauce isn’t exactly well known in Gryphonia,” Conor interjected.

“It’s not common, no, but spicy isn’t exactly a popular flavor choice,” a familiar voice spoke. Gilda stood not far off from Lighting Dust with Trixie beside her. “Maybe you should stay with us for now.”

Lighting Dust nodded, pausing mid-step as Pensword coughed.

“Also, the princesses’ orders supersede mine. That means you get leave as well. Go see home, tell your parents that you are being trained and your rough edges polished under a war hero.”

Again, Lightning Dust nodded her head before joining the other two at their table.

Pensword leaned over to Grif. “The reformation table,” he whispered in Draconic.

“Who’d have thought those three would be friends?” Grif responded.

“Hey, trust me, when you’re trying to make up for a mistake after it’s all over, you see things alot differently.” Conor looked to the trio’s table. “After all, it’s part of how I became the guy you know today. If a person is willing to change, they deserve the second chance, and anyone else who’s been there should be obligated to help them out of a moral sense of duty, you know? ‘Cause we’ve been there, too.”

A couple hours later, the festivities were still going on, the food was almost entirely gone, and a major chunk of the alcohol had vanished. Many of the troops were passed out and some of those that remained conscious were not in their best mind. Grif and Conor sat not far off from where Kahn was attempting to woo a bush of wild roses, trying their hardest not to laugh.

“Please, mademoiselle, someone as fair as you cannot turn me down. For I fear if you do, I will be dead by morning. Come. Come with me and we shall show the world just what true beauty is, mon cheri.” He attempted to kiss one of the roses only to get stuck by one of the thorns. “Oh, why must you scorn me so?”

““You think we should tell him?” Conor asked, barely suppressing the fit of laughter that was begging to come out.

“You think he’s in any state to listen to us?” Grif said, trying desperately to hold himself back.

Pensword watched from another table without much reaction, though a tug of a smile pulled at the corners of his lips. He shook his head in humourous disbelief. Kahn’s actions seemed so tame compared to some of the things he had seen in the old days. Not far off, Clover sat at a table, casually drinking from a tankard of cider. Several stallions, including both of the Heavies, lay unconscious on the other side of the table, having learned why one should never underestimate a mare who grew up in the pre-unification era.

Fox Feather sat at one of the tables, several tankards around her as she woozily surveyed the area. Her eyes happened to catch onto Lunar Fang approaching Pensword with Moon River in her regular sack carrier. The tired foal yawned in an adorable fashion as she snuggled her crossbow. Something fired in the pegasus mare as she slammed her tankard on the table and got to her feet.

“I think it’s time somepony got herself to sleep,” Lunar Fang said to her husband, gesturing to their daughter.

“I agree. But did she have fun?” Pensword asked. “Please tell me that you took her darts away. I do not want to be fishing darts out of tankards or worse, learn one of our troops ate one.”

“I hid the ones I could find. I think she’s actually been creating strategic cache’s -”

“PERMISSION TO SPEAK FREELY, SIR?” Fox Feather shouted as she wobbled towards them.

Pensword blinked in confusion and shook at the tone and loudness. He had a flashback to a sober, but loud human friend back on Matthew’s world. “Granted? Just please tone it down for Moon River’s sake.”

“Sir, I’ve been serving with you for…” Fox Feather got lost for a moment before attempting to count on her hooves.

“Let’s just leave it at a very long time, as it will vary depending on whom you ask that question to,” Pensword answered softly.

“Either way, I’ve been serving with you for a really long time, and in all that time, I’ve always been helping you. Of course, you probably don’t remember. In the academy, you spent all your time with Apple Core, and I never blamed you for that. You never gave up when they threw it all against you, and I respected that. I admired that!” she said as she swayed a little on her hooves. “Then there was the tests. You knew all our skills, all our strengths. You had such passion in command. That’s when I loved you,” she finally said outright, not seeming to even register the gravity of her words. “I was going to tell you at graduation; I had it all worked out, but I hesitated, and then your village happened, and then her,” she said, gesturing to Lunar Fang. Her voice carried no malice, surprisingly, only cold regret. “You were taken the moment you met her, but with everything that's happened, I just want to let you know-” with a sudden movement, she pulled Pensword’s muzzle into hers for a somewhat sloppy, but passionate kiss before pulling back. “I still love you, sir.” And with that, she took to the air and rather lopsidedly flew away as tears dropped onto the comatose guards she passed over.

Pensword stood there, dumbstruck, and doing a fine impression of a cockatrice victim. His mind replayed over the past, showing every moment with Fox Feather. All at once, every little motion, each comment, held far more weight thanks to this new lens Fox Feather’s confession had given him. He did not know what to say or do. Lunar Fang could see her husband doing a brain reboot and had a gut feel who had caused the crash. That one never had a fur coat.

“You have a drunk, distressed mare out there FLYING! Go after her, feather brain!” Lunar Fang said, whacking him with her wing. “She could seriously injure herself.”

“...Whoa?” Grif looked to Conor, his mouth still open and eyes wide in shock.

“... I know this kind of stuff happens in books and all, but wow,” Conor said, also dumbfounded.

Pensword ignored the comments after being hit by his wife's wings. Moments later he was in the air chasing after Fox Feather, hoping to Faust that she wouldn’t crash. He looked up and fervently thanked Faust it wasn’t raining. After fifteen minutes of intense reconnaissance, he found the Pegasus sound asleep on a medium-sized nimbus cloud.

Pensword looked around cautiously. In the Everfree’s sky, anything could happen. So, being the gentle stallion he was, he found another nimbus cloud, pushed it over to Fox Feather and settled in to watch over the mare, giving him time to think, as well as to argue with Matthew.

Back at the courtyard, Lunar Fang, Conor, and Taze were still scanning the skies, even though Pensword was far out of sight. Finally, Lunar Fang lowered her eyes, a grin on her muzzle.

“Well, on the one talon, at least the cat’s finally out of the bag. On the other talon, dramatic reveal is dramatic,” Grif said.

“No kidding,” Conor said. “Does everything here have to come out like a fantasy novel? Because I swear, this is a textbook fantasy plotline.”

“I know,” Lunar Fang replied dreamily. “To think, a future wife friend was a fellow cadet that grew up and trained with him.” She giggled. “Now his line will be secured.”

“Well, at least you won’t be trying to kill her.” Grif laughed. “You going to be okay, Lunar Fang? I mean, this is kinda big.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up. You’re telling me that ponies here in Equestria have multiple wives, too?” Conor said, his eyes wide.

“It’s not as widely practiced as with Gryphons, Conor, but it does happen,” Grif commented. “Usually tribes have some sort of requirement to be met. Thestrals value warrior bloodlines, I believe?” Grif asked as he looked to Lunar Fang.

“Correct,” Lunar Fang responded. “If this hadn’t happened, I would have talked to him and pretty much told him to take another mate. I won’t risk my line being his only legacy. If my line dies out in the future, then his proud blood and history ends with them. With Fox Feather, now the Pegasi can have their warrior leader as well, and so, too, the Thestral.”

“And if Pensword isn’t comfortable with it?” Conor asked.

Lunar Fang gave Conor a blank look. “Pensword grew up in Pony culture. He knows the traditions of Thestral great leaders, as well as the fact that even Commander Hurricane had four mares. I think you are thinking of his other part,” she said, giggling. “There he was, asking me questions on culture and history, and now here he is, living it for himself.”

“The question still stands, but I guess we’ll have to leave that up to Pensword to decide for himself anyways.” Conor sighed. “So, should we all head to bed? It is getting pretty late. Besides, I have something I’ve been meaning to ask Clover about anyways.”

“You guys head in,” Grif said as he pulled out a black piece of charcoal. “I’ve got some stuff to finish up yet.” He grinned evilly towards the unconscious Ponies and Gryphons all over the courtyard.

“Very well,” Lunar Fang responded with a giggle. “I want pictures.” She looked down at the now sleeping Moon River. “I need to tuck you in.” She took to the air and headed for her quarters.

Conor just sighed and chuckled before making his way to where Clover sat, watching Grif as he began to run over each of the unconscious Guards’ faces with the charcoal in a way that reminded Conor of a certain pink singing puffball with a green capped permanent marker for a microphone.

---

Fox Feather woke to a pounding, throbbing headache. She was instantly aware of the cloud under her body, but didn’t know what that meant. The previous night was a painful blur at best. As she slowly opened her eyes, the bright light of day hit her like a solid wall of throbbing that had been beamed directly to her brain through her retinas.

“Easy, Fox,” Pensword said, using her nickname from their time as cadets. “You want a cloud roof to help with the sun?” he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

“I’ll survive, sir,” she said, rubbing her head. “What happened last night?”

“You drank a lot, more than I have ever seen you down before, and confessed your love and affection to me and my wife before flying off in a drunken stupor.” She couldn’t say for sure, but Fox Feather thought she could hear a frown in his voice. “I thought you knew better,” Pensword said.

Fox Feather’s face turned a deep shade of crimson. “Celestia dammit. I am so sorry, sir. That was wrong. Please don’t dismiss me, sir,” she said, panicking.

“Dismiss you? If anything, you are lucky I am not writing you up. I don’t care that we are a military base; you should know better than to fly drunk. What if you ran into a tree, or flew up till you froze your wings, or crashed into the ground at full speed? That Was a very risky, and incredibly stupid move. I have half a mind to write you up and put you on a week’s probation for it.”

“... Say what?” Fox Feather asked, obviously very confused.

“You flew easily fifteen minutes into the Everfree Forest. We are above a section of the forest that is as dense as a jungle down there. You missed three trees by a hoof’s inch. I am not going to have a funeral. Do you remember rule number two about these celebrations?” He did not let her answer. “‘Any soldier who participates is grounded on base till they sober up.’” She could hear the disappointment. “That means I have to deal with you, so you stay on the cloud. I am taking you back to my place so the XO can also ream you out for your foolishness.”

Fox Feather was stunned, unable to answer as somewhere deep inside, a bit of her spirit started to break. Somehow, having him not know seemed to be better then having him ignore her, and she could already feel her emotions sinking.

“Now, do not go mooping about. I do not want this cloud turning dark. You said something. You were present, and you know I am part Thestral. That means you get some Thestral culture. I am not going to mention what you said last night, but you did say it in front of my wife. That means she gets to talk to you as well.” Did she catch the smallest hint of a chuckle? Fox feather said nothing for a long time, unsure of how to take his words. She waited for instruction.

Eventually, Fox Feather felt a presence next to her as a leathery wing lay over her back and a small giggle broke through her misery. “So, did you mean what you said back there, or was that the drink talking?” Lunar Fang was close enough that Fox Feather could smell her breath. The pleasant scent of mango made her stomach growl. “Well, don’t just sit there like a filly being asked out to the gala; speak up.” Lunar Fang giggled again.

“... Every word, Ma’am,” Fox Feather finally admitted. “He was always so strong, not just for himself, but for all of us they had labeled as failures. He would always walk past us in the morning and tell us to hang in there. Always had a hoof on my back when he got to me. I wouldn’t have made it anywhere without him.”

She heard the sound of wingbeats as she felt the draft from Lunar Fang’s takeoff, followed immediately by the sound of a very loud wing smak. “And you didn’t take her as a war bride as your right?” Lunar Fang exclaimed angrily. “Honestly, if you’re going to be a chief of a Theatral clan, you need a wife who would be with you on the battlefield.” She sighed in exasperation. “How in the name of Tartarus could you have been so blind to her?” She snorted. “Well, I know the perfect punishment for the lieutenant.” Lunar Fang turned and lowered herself until she hovered in front of the Pegasus. “You’re going to get a special treat, Fox Feather. You get to go on a train ride with us. Neither of us are going to let you out of our sights, seeing as the last time we did, you flew drunk into the Everfree.” She snorted again. “This is also so I can teach Mr. Hopeless up there how to actually court a Mare.”

“Yo-you’re not sending me away?” Fox Feather’s head immediately shot up from the cloud. She squinted in pain as the light of the sun burned into her eyes yet again.

“I can’t exactly hold it against you.” Lunar Fang laughed, looking to her husband. “As hopelessly oblivious as he can be, he really has a way of grasping your heart.”

“I wish to point out that I am only oblivious when it comes to mares,” he answered, putting his wings up in mock horror. “Still, I am sorry.” He grimaced. “I do not care if humans only have one wife. I am a stallion and a Pony.”

Fox feather blinked in surprise, then felt the moisture as it pooled around her eyes. She sobbed gently as she threw her hooves around Lunar Fang. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“You are very welcome,” Lunar Fang answered. “Just be warned, we are heading to the Crystal Empire. Now… I hereby invite you into our home for breakfast, where I will be able to explain just how this is going to proceed.”

“I’d like that,” Fox Feather said as the three ponies took to the air towards New Unity, Lunar Fang supporting the Pegasus while Pensword flew to their right. He daren’t touch Fox Feather while his wife gave him the eye.

---

“Using a crystal focus of a specific element, we could use the energy from the core to recreate the elemental force, thus giving us an output for at least a shard of energy per set apparatus,” Hammer Strike explained, gesturing toward the drawn papers on the desk in front of Circlet and himself. “Thankfully, we can do this due to the energy from the core being unshaped, essentially a raw power.”

“I’m still uncertain about this particular branch of magic you're using for your calculations. Doesn’t the philosopher's stone produce simple magical energy?” Circlet asked as she looked through the papers, the red lines on her hooves pulsing with the magical energy from her soul.

“Raw energy, unshaped by the ways of magic. Thus, you have the foundation of equivalent exchange. To take raw energy and change it to another, lead to gold; or in this case, air to fire, etcetera.”

“Wouldn’t the energy remaining unaligned be better for powering the ship?”

“Certainly is. When you are free to shape it how you please, you can get plenty of interesting outcomes from it.”

“And yet you want to shape the energy coming from the core into an elemental affinity? I’m afraid I may be missing something with your logic. Magic isn’t really my field.”

“Do you understand frequencies?”

“Yes.” Caring circlet nodded.

“Take the raw energy coming from the core as a flat line. Each elemental affinity can be achieved by adjusting the frequency with fine tuning and a proper focus.” He reached into his coat and pulled out a red crystal. “An example of a focus would be fire.” He gave a grin as he moved towards the core, crystal in hoof. “Second example, frequency shaping,” he finished, moving the crystal towards the outer layer of the core. Upon contact with the outer layer, fire burst from the point it touched until he removed it.

“That’s incredible!” Caring Circlet said. “So you can change the very nature of the magic without needing runic formulas!”

Hammer Strike grinned. “Why make it needlessly complicated shaping it slowly when you can set a mold and fill it?”

“If you do it this way, you’ll need to do something about these runes,” Circlet said, gesturing to the red glowing rune patterns channeling the core’s energy. “There is no way the Gryphon runes will be able to transfer that kind of power.”

“Use these crystals as relays.” He gestured with the red gem in his hoof. “Different one, of course, not a fire based one.”

“You're talking about wireless power transfer,” she said in awe, “taking away the strain of needing runes with more direct connections.”

“A new field of magic you get to learn about. Exciting, eh?” Hammer gave a small chuckle. “I could focus the energy through shards of order, most likely.”

“It’s too bad, really,” Circlet noted. “The core could power a ship a hundred times this size, but it would never survive within the atmosphere.”

“Give it a while, years to come up with either the tech or magic necessary to create a survivable atmosphere surrounding the ship and deal with the motion controls when inertia stops being a common function.”

“So, have you decided on what you’ll modify first?” she asked.

“Engines.” His grin grew. “I want to make this thing soar.”

The golem smirked as best as its artificial mouth could. “Well then, we’d best get started.”

---

Vital Spark smiled as he clip clopped up the steps from the ravine. Since he was going to be heading off to the Crystal empire, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to give Harmony another dose of his magic before they left. His body felt like lead, but it was worth it to help her feel a little better. The familiar weight of his focus on his back also made him happy as he looked back to the pearl mounted to its housing. “That ought to hold her till we get back,” he said.

“Good, it could be a while before we do,” a familiar voice noted from the top of the staircase.

“Grif! I thought you said you weren’t going to follow me,” Vital said accusingly.

“I also said this shouldn’t be a regular thing. Also, when Espio and Camo come back claiming they randomly lost you, it raises some questions. You’re lucky Hammer Strike isn’t here right now,” Grif noted.

“First of all, that’s bull. You never said anything about this not becoming a regular thing. You said as long as it doesn’t interfere with training. Secondly, if Hammer Strike were here, I’d tell him he needs to not say anything, just like I’m telling you.”

“From now on, when you come out here, you're taking a guard as far as this. Fluffy isn’t the only manticore in the Everfree, and they will come out this far.”

“Grif, that puts my promise in danger,” Vital said.

“And you coming out here puts you in danger,” Grif said.

“No, it doesn’t. I have someone else looking out for me.”

Grif sunk his face into his talons and groaned. “Look, I won’t say anything if Hamer Strike doesn’t bring it up, but when he does, and he most assuredly will, I can’t hold it back from him.”

“That’s all I ask. My friend says she can’t let Hammer Strike know about her yet, but he will soon enough.”

“Yeah, and then we’ll both be getting the raised eyebrow of disappointment.”

“My hooves are tied, and so are my hands. She’s the one who gave me the crystal in the first place when we saved Shawn. I owe her.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Grif said. “We should go before Hammer Strike comes looking for us.”

“Good idea. And Pensword’s expecting us for the ceremony tonight, too.” With that said, Vital Spark made his way up to his friend’s side and the pair walked back to the castle road in silence.

---

The ceremony for Moon River was being finalized within the Thestral Camp in a large open field with the stars and moon rising above the horizon. Tables were placed about in a great horseshoe shape with a long table at the head where Pensword, Moon River, Lunar Fang, Fox Feather, Grif, and Hammer Strike would be able to sit. Hammer Strike had indeed come in his juggernaut armor, raising more than a few eyebrows from the Thestrals gathered and getting several respectful nods. One thing that Vital could see from the side tables was that every single Thestral and guest was armed and armored. His focus staff leaned at his side within easy reach. As an added show of respect, he appeared in his training armor, the leather having recently been oiled, and the studs polished to a shine.

Pensword stood up. “As there are those not of our heritage within our midst who have proven to have the heart of our kind, I should explain why we are armed. At a ceremony like this, we are armed due to the fact that either the olden tribes or enemies of our clans would attack to remove those who are to be future warriors. We are armed to defend our warriors and to also welcome them into our midst as fighters and warriors of the night.” He inclined his head to where a light beamed down to reveal Moon River, not even a year old, wearing armor, and looking so cute in her toughness that she could weaponize the d’aww.

“As the father, it is tradition for me to speak.” He looked to Moon River with a smile and love in his eyes. “However, I cannot say much, as she is still so young. Yet despite her age, she took down a foe that would have used her and her friends as a means to try and gain leverage against us. There she was, not even able to crawl, yet she somehow was able to break a Changeling’s horn and immobilize said Changeling with said horn.” He smiled and pulled something from his pouch. “For this, she is to become the High Duke of Ys’s first warrior of song.” He draped a large medal around her neck. “No matter her path, she will always be given a seat at the head table.” Pensword looked to the table. “Godfather Grif, please, as a warrior, present your gift to a fellow warrior,” he said, using the formal language as ceremony and tradition demanded.

Grif rose from his seat and walked directly to Moon River. With pride, he lifted his hands towards her and presented ... a simple bow string?

Pensword waited, smirking. He knew there was more to this than meets the eye. He knew his friend too well. The other horseshoe had to drop soon.

“A crossbow is a good, sturdy weapon, but the true mark of a warrior in Gryphon culture is the bow. When you are old and strong enough, as my father did with me, I shall help you to craft a bow that you will use to shape your legacy. This is my promise to you, Goddaughter.” With some ceremony, Grif wrapped the bow string around Moon River’s hoof several times and tied it snugly. “This is my gift.”

Moon River looked at the string around her hoof and, much to the surprise of her parents, she didn’t try to remove the string. She looked to her Godfather and blew a few bubbles with foal speech. Pensword smiled and looked down to where Hammer Strike sat. “As is tradition, we Thestrals seek out a skilled smith to forge a special weapon out of a trophy from our first conquest as a warrior. I have an antler tipped spear, my mate has her weapon, and now Moon River joins with her own. Hammer Strike, he who Luna looks up to, please step forward to present to Moon River her first weapon.” He turned to those present. “It is a personal choice for each of us to use or not use our first weapon. Sometimes it is impractical. At other times it is used and becomes a famous weapon to Thestralkind.”

Hammer Strike stepped forward with a small pouch resting on back. His Juggernaut armor clanked heavily, but he had kept his helmet off for the ceremony as it would make it a little harder to hear him through a steel and gem encased helmet. He stopped just in front of Moon River so he could still see her without looking straight down. To his surprise, Moon River giggled and laughed at his appearance, showing no fear. He sat down as he grabbed the pouch off his back. “Not many get to call the horn of a Changeling their own trophy.” He gave a small grin as he opened the pouch, removing a certain dagger from both the bag and its sheath. The blade was made of a dark steel while the handle had been crafted from the Changeling horn, its tip sharpened to work for a quick strike with the end of it if necessary. He placed it back into its sheath and carefully fastened it to her back. “A dagger for later; more of a short sword for now.” He chuckled lightly.

Moon River giggled madly, reminding those present of Grif, Pensword, and even Lunar Fang when they had giggled at some plot they had planned themselves. Pensword could only beam in joy. “That’s my Moon River,” he whispered. He stood up and began walking around the tables, striking his armored hoof on metal plates that had been set before each pony during the speech.

A silver moonbeam shone on the ground nearby, a silvery flash burst from the spot, and then Luna stood in the field dressed fully in her ursa bone armor. With dignity and grace, she approached the head table. Pensword moved to stand between his daughter and the princess, his wings spread and an aggressive stance taken.“Who wishes to approach the table?” he demanded. “Identify and state your reason.” While those of Pegasus or Unicorn backgrounds gasped, the Thestrals nodded with respect and agreement. “I got a scroll stating you could not make it tonight.”

“Pensword, you know very well who I am. As high chieftess, I am not obligated to answer that question, especially in regards to that tone. Stand down.” Luna’s eyebrow twitched angrily. “One of Celestia’s seneschals had the scroll intercepted instead of forwarding it to me, and then proceeded to answer like he would for Celestia. I assure you, my High Duke, I would never miss this.”

Pensword nodded and stepped aside. The two glared at each other a moment, as tradition demanded before she passed to the head table. Having passed Pensword, Luna approached Moon River, smiling sweetly at the Thestral foal as she leaned down to nuzzle her gently. “Hello, little light,” she said. “So young, and yet so old. You’ve already made a mark in history and yet you aren't satisfied until the songs are sung about you millenias after you are gone. A new cluster of stars shine for you tonight, young one. Orion now carries a dagger on his belt. You can see the pommel and the blade if you look closely enough. Let these be a testament to you and your valor, and may your life continue to be a worthy one.”

The Thestrals all froze and looked up into the sky to the constellation, which was hovering over the meadow for all to see. Pensword didn’t need to order anything as fire pits were doused and candles snuffed. The children of the night looked and found the change to their night sky as they began to chant in the native language of the Thestrals, which sounded more like chitters and squeaks then Equestrian. Pensword bowed his head towards Luna in humility and respect. The other Thestrals would forever remember now that only the High Chieftess could approach the table without needing to answer. She had placed her authority in this one matter. Pensword folded his ears back in shame for his hasty words. Moon River, however, stared into Luna’s eyes and giggled before booping Luna’s nose with the hoof tied by the bow string. Luna could see Orion's constellation shining in her eyes.

“The hunter reflects in your eyes, young light,” she laughed. “Or maybe it is that you are so like him his spirit is within you. I expect great things from you, Moon River, and I have faith you will not disappoint.” With these words, Luna lovingly returned the boop and vanished in a flash of moonlight.

---

All eyes were on Pensword and Moon River as everyone waited patiently at the train station for their trip to the empire. As expected, Pensword began to smile as his eyes widened. His ears didn’t twitch this time, but that goofy grin was all the party needed to know what was coming. He smiled even wider when he watched Moon River cooing and giggling as she waved her hooves about while her father looked down at her. “You hear it? That is so cool. You really can hear that? I can’t wait till you know that is the Royal Engine that is pulling the car, a special engine pulling the train,” He said, speaking in baby talk. “And then there are the cars.” He giggled. “Why, when you are older, I bet you could ride in any spot on the train you want.”

“I cannot say enough how the fact that they can both do that creeps me out,” Grif whispered quietly to Shrial.

Grif’s first wife couldn’t help but chuckle. “She’s her father’s daughter. Just wait till you have yours,” she said, resting her hand over her much distended belly. “Then you can creep him out just as much as he does you.”

“I’ve got alot planned.” Grif smiled, wrapping one wing around Shrial and one around Avalon as he held an ice chest in his talons. “I’m going to get back to cooking again, and I have a special menu planned that you’re simply going to love.”

“Ooh, I like the sound of that,” Shrial said as she rubbed her head against Grif’s neck.

“Just as long as he doesn’t burn the kitchen down,” Avalon said, chortling. Shrial couldn’t help but snort at the joke.

“You laugh, my dear, but soon you shall eat those words.” Grif smiled. “Our first family outing that won’t end with us knee-deep in blood,” he said, chuckling. “I’m looking forward to it, though Hammer Strike doesn’t seem that excited. Then again, he could be ecstatic; you never know,” Grif said, looking to where Hammer Strike stood not far off, as impassive and expressionless as ever.

Lunar Fang was smiling while Pensword continued to talk about the train. They all could hear it faintly now, chuffing along to the station. She shook her head while a few Ponies laughed nervously at seeing the group heading out.

Hammer Strike was thinking to himself about some projects he was going to work on while in the Crystal Empire. It may have been a mandatory vacation, but he still had things to create.

Fox Feather stood apart from the group, feeling out of place amongst such close friends. The pegasus was both anxiously anticipating and dreading the next two weeks. She found Lunar Fang at her side placing a leathery wing over her back. “Welcome to the madness, sad to say, but you’ll be joining it one way or another by the time we get back.”

“You have your camera ready, Conor?” Grif called back to the human suddenly.

“You kidding me? I’ve been waiting to see the empire ever since Cosy told me about what you guys and Twilight did to protect it. It sounds amazing,” he said, patting the young colt on the head. Cosy laughed.

“Just wait until you try our crystal berries fresh. You thought that cookie was good, our chefs make the best crystal berry pie you’ve ever tasted.” He licked his lips happily. “And Cady’s gonna be so happy to meet you, too. She likes people who care.”

Conor blushed profusely. “Thanks,” he said, wringing his hands as he hunched his shoulders slightly. His simple jeans and shirt had been supplemented with heavy duty fabric on the pants and a thick hoodie with a furry lining that hung tied around his waist. His short sleeved tee had been cut to show off his muscular frame, much to his dislike. Rarity had insisted, and even gone so far as to replace his entire wardrobe one day while he was out training.

“Bellacosa, did you write that letter I requested asking about hunting in the empire?” Grif asked the colt. “Are we going to be cleared?”

“Grif, you’re a hero of the Crystal Empire. You can do practically anything you want, and nobody would even care. I still don’t get why you wanted me to make it all official,” Cosy said, sticking out his tongue at the word.

“Because you can’t please everyone, and I’d like to be able to show the one Crystal Pony who has something against me that I can legally hunt, rather than putting your sister in an awkward position. You can argue with all the fools in the world, Bellacosa.” Grif winked at him. “Better to let them think they got their way, then trick them afterwards.”

Cosy smirked. “And Scootaloo said adults didn’t know how to have fun.”

Any further conversation was cut off as the train huffed and puffed into the station, the engine a gleaming example of the wealth of Equestria from its brass fixtures to the emblems of the sun, moon, and a new addition, Twilight’s Cutie Mark: proof that she had limitless access and the privilege to use the engine any time she needed to as well. Cadence’s crystal heart still adorned the sides of the engine cab, indicating the engine was designated for Crystal Empire dignitaries if they had to use the Equestrian Rail Network, which was information none of the beings standing on the platform really needed to know, but Pensword told them anyways.

The doors to the train opened up to reveal a white unicorn stallion with a short electric blue mane with streaks of orange in it. He wore a puffy blue winter coat with a white shirt underneath. His cutie mark was a crystal with an antenna sticking out of the top. He looked around the station with tired grey eyes, but a smile on his muzzle. He settled his gaze onto the group there before finally saying something in a mellow tone. “Hey, any of you seen my niece? Bright pink, curly mane-”

“Uncle Comic!” Pinkie proceeded to step out from behind a nearby signpost, where she had been waiting.

“There you are. And here I was, wondering if I was headed to Sugarcube Corner alone.” He drew back briefly and looked into her eyes. “You sick or something, Pink?”

“No, I feel fine. Why?” she asked.

“Well, you seem to be a little horse.” He grinned a little more.

Pinkie broke into laughter almost immediately as nearby ponies groaned at the very old and incredibly overused joke. Pensword began the cackle and laugh as well, even as a look of homesickness sparked in his eyes.

“Great crowd, it seems. Didn’t know I’d get heroes in the audience,” he said, looking to the group once again. “Headed to the Empire, are you?”

“Yeah, we are,” Grif said, looking warily at the very strange Crystal Pony.

“Could you do me a favor? My brother’s been trying to get into the guard, but I think he could use a step in the right direction. And don’t worry about figuring out who it is. Trust me, he likes to stand out.”

Grif looked to Hammer Strike and Pensword questioningly.

Pensword looked to Grif. “I give no promises. I shall make my assessment when I arrive.”

Comic shrugged. “All I can ask for.”

“So, Uncle Comic, what have you been up to these days?” Pinkie asked.

“I’ve been working on plenty of jobs, though they never stick. For example, I used to be a banker, but I lost interest.” He shrugged and gave a wink.

Pinkie found herself on the ground rolling from the laughter. Pensword was leaning against the wall finding it harder and harder to breathe from his own peels of laughter cascading between Pinkie and himself.

“If he keeps this up, I’m worried Pensword will forget to take a breath in,” Hammer Strike commented to Grif.

“Well, we should get boarding. It was nice meeting you, Mister Comic,” Grif said, gesturing to Lunar Fang, who started semi-guiding, semi-dragging Pensword onboard.

Hammer Strike simply nodded to Comic, who gave a wave in return. After they all boarded the train, the doors closed and soon they started on their journey to the Crystal Empire.

“I’m surprised I didn’t get his famous eyebrow of doom,” Comic said.

---

Pensword looked out the window as they traveled north. “So, when do you think the first snow fields will begin to show?” he asked Fox Feather, a grin on his muzzle as he tried to strike up a conversation and pass the time.

“We’ve been traveling for a good few hours, so I imagine pretty soon,” she responded.

“Good. So, what is your favorite meal of the present day?” Pensword asked. Pensword knew what to do for such a courtship, but Matthew was still confused how a married stallion should really go about courting a second mare.

“The hay fries they make are pretty good.” She shrugged. “I still miss my mother's radish stew, though.”

“Radish stew,” Pensword said as he rubbed a hoof beneath his chin. “Hmm, you will have to show me how to make it some time.”

“I’d ... like that.” She blushed.

He chuckled as he looked to Lunar Fang, hoping he was doing the right thing. He certainly did not want to upset her any further than he had already. It was strange being expected to spread his line out between at least two mares. He hoped to Faust and the Moon he would be able to pull this off before he returned to staring out the window, listening to the train and feeling the sway of the coach car beneath them.

Hammer Strike sat quietly in his seat, thinking to himself about the first project he would work on and where he was going to store the finished projects.

Conor walked up to his friend and sat in the chair opposite him. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“You want to go into a conversation on weapon smithing and armor smithing?”

“Whatever makes you comfortable,” Conor said, shrugging. “I’m too tired to really care all that much right now, and smithing always has been intriguing to me.”

Hammer Strike gave a soft chuckle. “Perhaps I could teach you a thing or two while we’re here, eh?”

“I sure wouldn’t mind. You’re probably going to insist that I learn how to use my thaumic field some more while I’m here anyways, unless you want me to stop now since I’ll be going home soon.”

“The more attached you get to it, the worse it’ll be when you go home,” he replied. “At least with smithing you have more of a chance of using it back home.” He gave a small grin.

“Not to mention the combat training I’ve started.” Conor smiled back.

“Hopefully, you’ll stay in shape this time around.” His grin grew.

“You do realize I’m going back to the fattest country in our world, right?”

“Plenty of thin people still.”

“Should I start laughing first, or do you want the honors?”

“I’ll give a chuckle if I come back and have to whip you into shape.”

“Maybe I should let myself go just to get you guys back on Earth every once in awhile.”

“We’ll be coming back once in awhile of course. It’s just that we couldn’t stay for long.”

“Right, because of the whole magic field needing Equestrian magic, right?”

“It needs a form of power in general. Our wounds are so deep that if the field died off, it couldn’t support us anymore.”

“And you three die.” He sighed. “I’d hoped I’d read that part wrong.”

“At least one of us would die, two severe conditions left.” He shook his head. “It wouldn’t be pleasant.”

“I wish I didn’t have to say goodbye.”

“Then don’t. Simply say until next time.” He gave a soft smile.

“And there’s the emotion.” Conor smiled back,. “See? I told you I’d get you to show some before I left.”

“There’s more reason than that,” he replied, shaking his head lightly. “But yes, you did get some.”

“You won’t mind if I hug you guys before you come back here, will you?”

“It’ll be a little tricky. I believe everyone is headed to their own family, but we’ll see how things go.”

“Then I’m hugging you guys before we go back. Like I said, you three are family. I’m not going to leave without treating you like it.”

“I’ll make sure I don’t accidentally burn you.”

“Think you can help me with that in the forge when we get there, too?”

“That’s where you’re going to have to suck it up.”

“Curses.” Conor smirked. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Grif made his way over to where Bellacosa sat by one of the windows looking out over the passing scenery. “So, War Prince Bellacosa,” Grif smiled down at the young crystal colt as Moon River nibbled on his ears, “what will be your first royal action when you return to your kingdom? Commission a dagger? Or a sword? Some battle armor, perhaps?” he asked nonchalantly, though most experienced fighters could see the test in his words.

“Well, I might just because our armor is out of date compared to the rest of Equestria and the world at large, but I don’t really see your point,” Cosy said, scratching his head. “Why would I want a bunch of flashy stuff like that?”

“But surely there is something you want to do when you return to your kingdom triumphant?” Grif asked him. “And alone?”

“... Alone.” Belacosa sighed as he looked out at the window. “Battle may be exciting and all, Grif, but I really hate war,” he said as his eyes started to water. “War took my mother. It killed some of my best friends, and now … now it’s taken ten more.”

“I’ve seen over forty good living beings to their death in combat,” Grif told him. “Their memory became my burden, just as your guards’ memories have become your burden. Remember them as best you can, and never forget the sacrifice they made for you. You should do your best to find out who their families are and make a point to comfort them. If we forget those who helped us become what we are, are we any better than Ambrosia?”

Cosy sniffled and ran a hoof across his nose. “No. We’re not.” His lips started to wobble as he struggled to hold back the tears. “Grif, could you take Moon River for a bit? I think I need some time alone.”

“Of course.” Grif picked up the giggling foal. “If you need to talk, I’m here.”

Cosy nodded as he looked out the window. Crystal tears clinked against the frame as they broke apart. The faces of the brave stallions who had watched over him danced like phantoms across the windowpane as the train made the transition from the green of Equestria to the harsh cold of the frozen north. “A snowstorm for every fallen soldier,” he said, repeating the old adage. “I never thought about it much before. I guess everypony cries sometimes, even nature.”

Comments

[Dravkwn]

Another awesome chapter. I'm sad of the idea of the trio + 1 becoming simply the trio again.

[Booster Spice]

Saddle Arabian warriors of mixed abilities but trained as a squad? Will they have training before, or with Pensword etc in Stealth and hit and run tactics also? Which area will they be camping in if theres still buildings to go up, between the wall and the forest, or has the outer walls been extended to clear space such as towards the quarries etc?

When Celetia decided there was going to be a Wakes Weeks, I wonder if it was after talking with Conner etc. I also wonder if she has found out the message interceptor yet, or if that is subversion within the ranks of the castle, which hopefully teh staff are, dealing with.

The celebration reminds me of Dwarf weddings. For much the same reasons? With having Hammerstrike in Juggernaught rig, especially in WH40K helmetless style, Id be suprised if Zecora in her hut didn notice the strangely quiet Everfree at that time. Wonder how Crysalis feels about any part of a Changeling drone being a permanent part of the night sky, even as war prize?

Im wanting to see what Hammerstrike is going to do with the element based crystal power distribution arrays, I just wish I could remember which old scifi story I heard off where combat troops weapons were powered from the ships engines by power transfer. To me, crystals and runes are just ways of manipulating the magic, energy fields, but given the traditional method is to contain the energy within the item being used, the item limits the power, and crystals, really good ones, can handle immense powers, runes, well, depends what rules they are following. You can also get very strange crystals, including twinning and interpenetrating, and flourspar.

Pensword is finally expanding the family, to ensure the House is more permanent? There will be a House group formed in Canterlot to start going through various accounts and practices to clean things up?

Cosy finally gets on the train home.

And remembers those that are not.

[Night_Striker]

good chapter man! and i got an felling shitt will happen soon oh soooo werry soon.
something is going to happen in the crystal empier right? cause i goot an feling that they will met someone new that will lead to an new enemy again.

[ihatehaters1994]

A great chapter. I lived how moon river was snipping everyone. I have a feeling Connor will be staying in equestria.
On a lighter note I was surprised pensword finally noticed foxfeather. Corse it took drunken courage, but I hope there official by the end of mandatory leave.
Keep up the awesome work, lookin forward to the next chapter. I can honestly see this story lasting for many years to come.

[Biker_Dash]

Big Mac took a deep breath. “I wanna marry Little Willow,” he said, “and I’d like to ask your permission.”

Love the sound of thousands of CheeriMac, MacDash, FlutterMac, and MarbleMac shippers committing ritual Seppuku as they all watch their favorite ships sink to their watery graves.

[Vital Spark]

6751939
To answer your concerns, Truthseeker, I'm Vital Spark, the head editor for An Extended Holiday. The reason why the grammar is so poor and abominable in these earlier chapters is because of the fact that I have not had the time to get back and finish editing them yet. I was brought in a little over half way through this project and had to focus on the newer chapters being published. Now that I have graduated from school, I will have somewhat more time to focus on editing with my team to fix the earlier chapters. We are aware of the many, many errors that need to be fixed, and hope you can look past them until my team and I are able to finish revising those chapters.

Sincerely,
Vital Spark
Head Editor on An Extended Holiday

[BronyofMeddlers]

*sigh* while Conor may leave, the group will have vacation...however seeing herding in Thestral culture in this universe is surprising. Honestly thought it was the norm-- guess I was wrong. *large grin* I see Sans from Undertale has finally arrive, now we gotta wait till we see other familiar characters. Here's hoping none of you play genocide in undertale.

[Warlite the Human guy]

“That’s where you’re going to have to suck it up.” What?

[Mini-Joe]

gosh dangit! I kept reading because the story was really good but I'm tired of all this polygamy.