The Life and Trials of Autumn Moon

by TraumaLane


A Moon's Reflection

Chapter 1: A Moon’s Reflection- First Quarter

The Moons owned a small farm in Bray Valley near Ontaurio, their property included a few dozen acres and a part of the forest near their house. The Moon family's day started like many other farmers across Equestria. They would rise with the sun to tend to their crops, perform maintenance needed to the various areas of the farm, and care for the variety animals that called their farm home. Another day was about to begin, but before the first rays of Celestia’s sun could peak over the Neighskapis mountain range of Galloping Gorge, a dark figure crept through the halls of the old farmhouse.

Eyes flashed glowing amber in the low light of the house, as olive colored hooves stalked over the faded dark brown floorboards. “This time for sure,” thought Autumn as she carefully avoided the squeaky fifth floorboard by her parent's door.

Her fuzzy ears perked as she listened for any change in her parents breathing or squeaking of their bed. As she pushed the slightly ajar door wider, it’s hinge just barely squeaking. Autumn stalked silently towards her prey, barely noticing the sound the door made as she moved into the perfect position. She took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart; she smelled the faint scent of falling leaves, the soil and wheat of her family’s fields, all while feeling the cool crisp fall air creeping in through the open window as she closed her eyes and flattened her ears against her skull.

Autumn Moon lowered her fore hooves to the ground and raised her haunches into the air as she prepared to make a legendary leap “I’ve got you this time dad...” she thought and began to grin. The filly jumped up into the air grinning like a mad mare, a pair of ivory fangs poking out past her lips.

“HA... GOT YOU!!!” shouted the large silver earth pony stallion as he sat up quickly opening his forehooves to catch his daughter before she landed. Shadow Snare’s short jet-black mane showed a bad case of bed head as his amber eyes flashed, his own fang filled smile grew at his little fillies wide eyed disbelief.

“W-what no way!” Autumn thought as her father caught her in his unshorn hooves and proceeded to give her a small noogie. Autumn wriggled around and pushed her fathers hoof away from her now messed up mane.

“No fair... how’d you know dad?” Autumn looked up at her dad in surprise frustration clear as she tried to straighten her mane.“ I woke up even earlier today and I didn’t even hit the floorboard this time.”

Shadow’s large barrel shook as he chuckled at his now pouting daughter. Autumn crossed her forehooves, her wild silver tail twitching as her eyes narrowed farther in annoyance at her father laughing at her attempt of a “wake-up call”.

“You waking up early now that’s a feat,” Shadow chuckled Autumns mouth dropped as she turned away from him her ears flat against her skull in embarrassment she snorted at his comment clearly not satisfied by that answer. Shadow looked at his daughter sympathetically “I guess I’ve teased her enough the stallion thought.

“In all honesty little one you almost had me,” Autumn turned to face him slightly her ears perking showing her both her surprise and showing she was listening to him. Shadow grinned as he saw he’d gotten her attention before he continued.

“Although, when I said you’d have to get up early in the morning to surprise me I didn’t think you’d take it so literally.” Shadow's gruff voice soothed Autumn as her father loosened his grip and reached out starting to mess up her wild silver mane again. This time Autumn let him muss up her silver mane deeming it’s neatness a lost cause.

“But to answer your question...” Shadow wiggled his pair of thickly furred ears as his daughter gazed up at him. “I heard the door squeak before you made it to the bed,” Shadow replied.

“Ugh... rats I can’t believe the door got me,” Autumn said as she face-hooved, her ears lowered in bashfulness. Autumn's ears twitched as she heard her mother start to stir next to her father the bed creaking slightly, as the mare shifted. Sugar Beet was used to her husband and daughter's early morning antics and her dark emerald eyes glanced at them both before she too sat up awake for the day.

“Good morning Mom, hehe sorry about waking you. Can I still help out with breakfast this morning?” Autumn asked with hopeful eyes as she moved out of her father's hooves and nuzzled under her mother's chin like she did when she was smaller.

“O' course ya can, sugar, an' don’t worry, maybe one day ya will surprise yer father,” Sugar Beet said, her kind voice sounding tired. The farm mare sent a knowing wink and smile to her husband before she gave her daughter a small hug nuzzling the side of her face. Her long olive oil mane was also a casualty of bed head. The earth pony’s elderberry coat was a stark contrast to her husband’s and daughter’s. Her cutie mark was a white sugar beet and shined faintly as the sunlight peeked through the blinds on the open window.

Shadow Snare leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek giving her a sly wink in the process. Sugar Beet smiled and nuzzled her husband in return. “Now come on ya’ll, breakfast won’t make itself an' we got plenty o' work ta do.” Sugar Beet hopped out of bed as an energetic Autumn followed close behind.

“Alright love, I’ll meet you two beautiful fillies' downstairs after I feed the chickens and grab us some eggs,” Shadow Snare stated as he made his way out of the room his own cutie mark standing out against his silver coat, a wolf's paw filled with water, a snare tied above it.

Sugar Beet nodded smiling as she led her daughter to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Unlike her husband, who only needed a quick comb to fix his bed head, her daughter's wild mane and her own needed a bit more to get them somewhat presentable.

Her mother brushed her long olive oil mane into a simple hair band to keep it out of the way, she also donned a faded clover scarf around her neck tiny sugar beets scattered on the hand-me down garment.

Autumn gazed at her mother and brushed her own mid length silver mane wearing it in a somewhat wild style. Autumn reached up a hoof to smooth out her forelock; her silver mane matched her dad's coat and hung over her neck to the right, her long bangs covering her eyes partially. “There we go, that’s a bit better thought Autumn as she moved to leave the bathroom.

“Don’ forget ta git the fur on yer ears sugar,” Sugar Beet reminded her daughter. Autumn smiled sheepishly at having to be reminded but did as she was told. Both mares young and old brushed their teeth, Autumn brandishing a fanged smile to her happily smiling mother when she finished.

“So, mom, what are we making for breakfast?” an eager Autumn Moon asked as she happily cantered out of the bathroom, her bushy tail wagging slightly. Both Autumn and Sugar Beet went downstairs heading for the kitchen. They passed the small comfortable living room the sun beaming through the old glass windows of the farmhouse filling it with warmth.

Sugar Beet smiled at her daughter as she replied, “Well today ah was thinkin' we’d have some cinnamon apple flapjacks, wit' a side of eggs an sliced pears.” She looked at her daughter and her knowing grin grew wider as she saw the filly's eyes begin to sparkle at hearing that they’d be making Autumn’s favorite breakfast.

As the two mares of the Moon family reached the kitchen, both Sugar Beet and Autumn started getting all the ingredients and utensils they would need to start on the apple flapjacks and sliced pears. Autumn's tail started to wag eagerly as she placed the pears, Honeycrisp apples, butter, and milk on the table. Autumn smelled the sweet subtle smell of the Honeycrisp apples and the more earthy pears as she placed them on the counter.

Sugar Beet grabbed the sugar, salt, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and finally Harvest Moon all-purpose wheat flour on the counter and started to heat up the stove. Sugar Beet started setting out the mixing bowl and turned to see her husband returning inside the house with his bounty: A basket of eggs.

Shadow grinned proudly and puffed up his broad chest as he trotted over placing the basket on the counter in front of his wife. “Your eggs, m’lady,” he said jokingly as he performed a small bow to his wife. “Is there anything you fillies need help with before I head off to check that hole in the fence near the south acre?” Shadow asked as he glanced between the other members of his family.

Sugar Beet smiled lovingly at her husband before relying sweetly, “Nah, we got it here hon’. Ya go on an’ check on the fence an' breakfast will be done before ya’ll get back.” The elderberry mare then glanced at the basket and placed two greased frying pans on the stove.

“Alright love, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Shadow rubbed noses with his wife before turning to look at Autumn “Mind your mother little one, and try not to burn the house down,” he said smiling warmly, messing up her mane for the second time this morning.

“Daaaad... I’m not that terrible at cooking! Besides cinnamon apple flapjacks are the best, I don’t think I could ruin those if I tried.” Autumn smiled a determined grin to her father. “Plus, I haven’t burned anything in the last year,” she said the laughter failing to hide the pride in her voice. Autumn's silver tail rose in the air curving slightly as she held her head high.

Shadow chuckled at his daughter, sounding slightly like rolling thunder. “Ah... right you are, how time flies...apple flapjacks are your favorite so I’m sure they’ll be great,” Shadow said as he started walking towards the front door, his own bushy tail slightly wagging behind him. The sun began to light up the rest of the clear fall sky, the hard work of the Vanhoover weather team showing as the screen door at the front of the house shut with a familiar clatter leaving the two remaining family members to cook.

Autumn watched her mother set the fire in the stove and helped her mother to carefully measure out the supplies. Satisfied Autumn grabbed a knife and a few bowls and prepped the apples. Slicing them before beginning to mix them into the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. “Can ya grab four eggs for the batter sugar?” Sugar Beet asked.

“Sure mom,” Autumn replied she grabbed a near by dish towel off of the oven in her mouth. Autumn went to the fridge and carefully pulled out the four eggs and wrapping them up to carry them over to the bowl. Autumn noticed she could smell the scent of Bertha on the eggs she was carrying; as if the hen were right next to her. “Hmmm... I wonder if Red is giving dad grief again”, she thought as she processed the scent and continued her task... her strong sense of smell being nothing new to the filly.

Sugar smiled as she saw Autumn place the eggs on the counter top. The elderberry mare grabbed the eggs with her hooves, cracking them with practiced ease. “Woah. Nice mom... can I give it a try?” Autumn asked.

Sugar Beet smiled at her daughter “Sure thin’, jus’ make sure ya don’t get any shells in the batter. After yer done, ya can mix it up and start pourin' the batter into the pan.”


Autumn nodded and cracked the egg just like she was shown,narrowly managing not to get any shells in the batter. Sugar Beet watched proudly as her daughter stirred the batter and placed the families old cast iron skillet on the wood stoves flame. Autumn grinned in satisfaction and did as she was instructed by her mother, loving the smell of the batter as it hit the hot pan.


Autumn always loved getting to cook with her mother; it was amazing to think that something her family grew from the ground could be transformed into something new like cakes, pasta or her favorite flapjacks. She knew that all ponies have some form of magic, but to Autumn, this was the best kind. As she flipped the apple cinnamon flapjacks over and moved the finished flapjacks to a plate, her mouth started to water. The smell of the scrambled eggs her mom was cooking was not helping her situation. Swallowing her saliva Autumn’s ears flicked down slightly as her stomach released a growl louder than a Manticore.

Sugar Beet giggled at her daughter and shook her head as Autumn gave her a sheepish look, “Good thin’ we got some grub on the way, hon’. Sounds like an Ursa minor may be hiding in here’.” Autumn pawed at the ground slightly as a small blush colored her olive cheeks, but she continued to cook as her mother instructed, flipping the flapjacks as soon as she saw the batter bubble.

The two mares continued to prepare their breakfast with instructions being given occasionally by Sugar Beet to aid Autumn. Between them they had the breakfast done in a little less than an hour and were setting up the table when Shadow returned from repairing the fence.

“Wow... now this looks great,” said Shadow as he approached the table, his smile causing his amber eyes to glow in the light. He nuzzled up to his wife giving her a quick kiss before taking a seat at the head of the table, turning to Autumn he smiled and saying “You did a great job Autumn. Who knows, you may be a better cook than your mom someday.” Autumn puffed up her fluffy chest in pride and sat up straighter as Sugar Beet swatted her husband gently with her hoof.

“Maybe someday, ya did a great job sugar. Let’s tuck in ‘fore it gets cold” said Sugar glancing toward her daughter before turning towards her plate. Anypony who walked in could feel a sense of calm and happiness surrounding the Moon family as they dug into their breakfast.


Autumn smiled at her parents; their life was simple, and she enjoyed every moment of it as she ate her favorite apple cinnamon flapjacks and a bite of pear. Autumn's tail swooshed over the floor in satisfaction as she chewed the flavor causing her to him in satisfaction. Her tail reflecting her happiness as she thought about the wonderful food that she had made with her mother. The occasional conversation about work and school filling the house with chatter to combat the silence.

The Moon family finished their breakfast and started the day's chores. Shadow went out to the nearby barn to meet with the other farm hands they had brought on to help during the busy harvest season. The wheat and barley they had raised were ready to be collected and turned into flour or used for beer at the local Malt Hopps brewery, while sugar beets and carrots the family also grew would be picked and stored away for winter, with excess sold at the market for additional profit.

“Alright listen up fillies and gentle colts... I know the seasons been good, but we’ve still got work to do.” Shadow spoke with authority from the front of the crowd of ponies. Seeing he had their attention he glanced at the schedule in his hooves. “I need Team A to get hooked up to the harvesters and begin cutting and gathering with the wheat. Team B will begin to root up the beets and carrots and treat the soil afterwards. Sugar Beet will oversee Team B and I will go with Team A since they have multiple fields to cover.” Sugar Beet nodded at her husband understanding what was needed. “Finally, Team C will tend to the critters and help the others as needed” Shadow Snare looked at the small group of ponies and nodded at the look of understanding he saw from each of them.

Autumn smiled in admiration at her father as she watched him take the lead for the teams heading to the fields. “I’m gonna go see what I can do to help.” thought Autumn as she followed behind her parents managing to catch up with her mother.


“Hey Mom can I help you with the carrots?”Autumn asked eager to get her hooves dirty. As she saw the other farm hands gathering their sacks and carts with supplies. Seeing her mother grabbing a few bags in her teeth to sling over her withers.

Sugar nodded her approval as she gave Autumn a sack from her muzzle. “Sure thing sweet pea, just head on over to the west field and make your way down 3 fields to the right... you think you can do that?” The matriarch asked.

Nodding eagerly Autumn put on her gathering sack and headed toward the field her mother had instructed. “Alright here we go,” said Autumn as she began the practiced movement of gripping the vegetables stems with her fangs and pulling them out of their soil fortresses. Autumn could feel the life in the soil through her hooves and watched as the crops they had tended to were harvested with pride. Autumn’s strong neck muscles and hooves made easy work of the fields and with sacks full she headed to the carts before seeing what else needed to be done.

Autumn helped feed the pigs, and chickens and even had some time left over to play with her pet Rooster Red. The day flew by as the family worked together to complete the day's chores. After the farm hands headed home the tired family ate a full meal of carrots and vegetable alfredo before deciding to turn in for the night. Autumn and her parents walked to their rooms her parents stopping by her room to wish her a goodnight.

“You were a big help today little one, we wouldn’t have gotten as much done without you,” Shadow Snare said warmly as he pulled the covers over the filly.

“He’s right ya know, ya did a great job sweet pea. Thank ya for helpin out so much,” Sugar Beet said as she sidled up to her husband smiling at Autumn. “So ya ready ta go back ta school in a few days?” Sugar asked.

“No problem,” Autumn said bashfully to both her parents,“ and ready as I can be Mom. It’ll be good to see French Butter and Tall Tales again.” She glanced at her mom and dad, who were smiling at the thought of seeing her friends.

“I bet, but fer now though ya go on an' rest up, sweet pea,' ' Sugar Beet replied as she made for the door to turn off the light. “Love ya sugar, goodnight and sweet dreams.” Sugar smiled at Autumn before she started walking down the hall to her bedroom.

“Sweet dreams little one, love you” said Shadow as he followed his wife out the door to get some rest themselves after a long day’s work.

As the sun set over the Moon family’s farm Autumn thought about her next strategy to sneak up on her father in the morning, how she could help out on the farm after school and even had a wondering thought of when she’d get her cutie mark.

She was already larger than most fillies and colts her age and while most already knew what their special talent was, she did not. Maybe it would be tending crops like her mother or her father’s talent for building contraptions from the stories mother told her.

“Who knows...” whispered Autumn to no pony in particular as she rolled over looking at the wall before her eyelids fell heavily over her eyes. As these last passing thoughts went through Autumn’s head, she began to fall victim to sleep, wondering what the future would hold for her, hoping that it would be just as amazing as today had been. Her last sight before sleep was of the Mare in the Moon casting a soft glow over the fields her family’s farm.