//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16 
// Story: Five years of Ice, A thousand years of Flame 
// by Lucky424 
//------------------------------//

	Turns out fixing things around the school had been a good idea. The past week was spent fixing houses, public items like benches and such. The biggest challenge was the playground in the park. I wasn't a civil engineer, but even I though it should be condemned. I refused all payments, as Rarity wasn't charging me to stay or eat at hers. Surprisingly, she had no problems with me eating meat… as long as she was out of the house. So last night was spent, at her insistence as the girls were having a get together, in Caramel’s bar. I didn't pay for one drink.

I hadn't seen Luna all week either, but she is a princess, so it is to be expected. So when I awoke that Friday morning to intense pleasure, it was easy to understand my surprise. I lifted my head up a little to see something bobbing up and down under the covers. Peeking out at the edges were the tips of blue wings. I reached my hand under the covers and ran it through the mane I expected to find, Luna’s head pushing into my palm and then carrying on.







There was a solid knock on the door and the young woman rolled out of her cot, pulling on a robe and brushing her hair out of her face. “Enter.” The door slid open and she could make out three figures standing in the corridor. One entered and closed the door behind him, allowing her to get a good look. “Fleet Admiral, I wasn't expecting you,” she glanced at the display on her desk. “So damn early. What can I do for you sir?”

“Well, a cup of some really strong coffee would be nice, Julie Andrews.” She turned to her kitchenette and started to boil some water, getting two mugs out of a cupboard. “And I would like to know why you changed the stations standing orders without notifying me first.”

“I want to be sure.”

“Be sure about what, exactly?” She handed him her personal data pad, files still open. He gave them a once over and shrugged. “I don’t understand, it’s just a flight plan for a fleet. Good to know you’re keeping your skills sharp.”

“It’s not an exercise, sir. Check the source materials.” He minimized the fleet details and studied the open personnel file, then the intercepted message. It was a set of lines and dots, with a translation underneath it.

“So what did you want to be sure about?”

“The region of space where the signal originated. It’s the Chaos Region.” He flipped back to the fleet movement screen and saw that it was directed to a zone that was surrounded by red lines, cutting that area out of all possible navigation. “He was on board the Friendship, sir. I think he’s there.”

“And what does the Solar Reich have to do with this?”

“It was one of their ships, sir. It is only fair that they accompany us. Plus… they have tech that would benefit us in the Chaos Region.” He looked over the ship movements again, and the message they received.

“Have you spoke to them about tagging along?”

“Yes sir. That’s why I've named their ships on the flight plan. I just need authorization to take a few of mine along as well.” He flicked back to the file of the soldier, reading through it carefully. His eyes lingered on the name and photo for a good five minutes.

“Very well. You have a go, Admiral Luckes. Bring him home.”

“Thank you sir. And don’t worry, we won’t leave without him… dad.”







“Well good morning. And what are we so happy about today?” I looked round from the oven to see Rarity leaning against the door frame, a smile playing across her features. “Or did you forget what you promised my sister and her friends?”

“No Rarity, I remember. In fact we’re going to be having some good fun out there, as long as Twilight translated the maps I requested. I guess I'm happy because I've just been visited by Luna.”

“Oh… I see. And what are you doing now?”

“Breakfast.”

“I didn’t know you could cook.”

“You never asked. Now you go get Thunderlane and I’ll set up down here.”

“But… how did you know he stayed over last night?” I could see the panic in her eyes, the way she avoided my gaze, and her hoofs shifting on the floor.

“Well… you may want to, I don’t know, soundproof your room or something before Sweetie Belle stays over again. You’re pretty noisy.”

“Just... carry on with breakfast.”

“Yes ma’am.” It was a simple affair. I was missing the bacon and sausages, but we had eggs, hash browns, fried bread, toast, and a few other bits. Thunderlane left for work a short while later, and Rarity busied herself sorting out the stores finances. I cleaned up and reset the kitchen, before heading to the library. The door was open so I just walked in. “Morning Twilight.”

There was a thud from the kitchen and a quick, but hushed, conversation, before I heard the back door open and close. Twilight’s head popped out of the doorway. “Morning Alec, how can I help you today?”

“Well for one, you might want remove that stalk of hay from your mane. And next time tell Mac to just go out the front door.” Her face visibly flushed as she looked to the floor. “Come on Twi, is it that bad really?”

“No, it’s just… well.”

“Twilight, you can say it.”

“It’s that I’m a princess, and he’s... I don’t mean to sound rude, but well, he’s a… a common pony. I’m… I don’t think I’m supposed to be with him. It goes against protocol.” She emphasized by waving her hoof.

“So?”

“SO? SO? How does that help me?”

“Does he make you happy?” She closed her eyes as her breathing steadied. Her mouth started to curl upwards, resulting in a massive grin.

“…yes.”

“Then hear me when I say this.” She opened hers and finally met my gaze. “Fuck what everyone else thinks. If you want to be with him, then be with him, don’t hide it.”

“…I guess you’re right. Why should I care? If he is the pony I like…no, the pony I love, then why shouldn’t I show it? They may not agree, but… I don’t bucking care!”

“Language, Princess Sparkle! What would the court say hearing you utter such things?” We stared at each other as straight faced as possible. I couldn’t keep it up, feeling myself start to smile, and that was it, we both burst out with laughter. “I can tell you needed that! Now as to my visit, have you managed to finish those maps?

“Yes, they are done. Why would you want a gridded map of Ponyville?”

“It’s to help the girls with some more maths. Figure if they learn it whilst doing something fun, it may stick in their heads a bit better.”

“That’s quite a good idea. Do you have any idea where you’re going yet?”

“Yeah, we’re going here.” I tapped to section of the map, signifying our camping area. “It’s got a nice view of the town, so I thought it’d make a good spot.”

“When do you leave?”

“I’ll pick them up from school, and we’ll go straight away.”

“Could I ask you take Spike along as well? I understand that you’re taking Rumble and Pipsqueak along.”

“Sure. In fact, that will probably work out for the best.”







“Monday night I touched her on the ankle; Tuesday I touched her on the knee; On Wednesday night success! I lifted up her dress; Thursday night well, oh! Cor blimey; Friday night I had my had upon it; Saturday night she gave my balls a tweak; And Sunday after supper, I rammed the fuc…”

“ALEC!” I turned back to the group following me, see the attentive faces of three fillies, two colts, and one teenage dragon along with the very shocked face of Princess Luna. “Perhaps you should think about what you were about to sing?”

I stood there confused for a few moments as I went through the song in my mind. “...oh. Uh… so no more singing for now then?”

“Do you have something for children?”

“Not really, no.”

“Then, yes, stop singing.” We carried on in silence till we hit our camping spot. Just as I thought, we had a brilliant view of the local countryside, and due to the fact there was hardly any light pollution, could see the stars very clearly. I started by putting mine and Luna’s tent up, showing the kids how to do it. I split them in two groups, Spike and the colts, and the three fillies. Hey, I was in Scouts, I know what goes on a co-ed camps! 

Anyway, after around an hour, which was filled with forty minutes of arguing between the fillies, I check on their progress. The tents were up and stable, with just a few adjustments needed. It was pretty late by then, and the foals were all tired, so we bid them good night and they were away. I sat on the cliff edge with my legs dangling down. I felt a head rest on my shoulder and saw a bottle floated in front of me. “You’re pretty good with children. That is nice to see. But what are all these lines in the ground, and what is that contraption that they all point to?”

“You’ll see in the morning. All it depends on is what time Celestia drops by for a visit.”

“Are you planning on pranking my sister? If so, then it is a losing battle you will be fighting.”

“Nope, not me. I’m just giving the tools out for use.”

“You mean the colts and fillies?”

“And Spike. Now we have him, it’ll make thing easier.”

“I… see. I think. Anyway, why don’t we retire for the night? I understand you have a gruelling day planned for them starting right away.”

“Yep. For a start, they’re going to have to catch breakfast.”







"I see what you mean by having to catch breakfast!" I was pinned to the ground under Luna, whilst Spike rummaged through my pockets looking for the key to the food locker. I had spent the last half an hour running around the woods with the foals chasing me. They started to slow down, and Luna decided that they had had enough, and joined in. A triumphant shout from my side drew our attention, and we saw Spike walking away with the keys in his claw. Luna turned her face back to me. "You can wait for breakfast. What you did was down right cruel, and further mmmmpppphhh!" I had cut her off by shoving my head up and kissing her deeply. I heard the sound of 'awws' and retching from beside me as I pulled away.

"No thanks, I'm not hungry. I've just had a taste of the sweetest thing here!" Luna smirked and rolled off me, so I got started with cooking breakfast. After we finished, Luna took Scootalo and Rumble down to the nearby river to wash the dishes. The others helped me clear everything else away. Once they returned I passed the maps out, but I only had four. Before I could say anything, they had already paired up, Rumble again going with Scootaloo, Pipsqeak with Applebloom, and Spike with Sweetie Belle. Luna sat down next to me and rested her head on my shoulder. "Now then, a skill that I find very handy. Map reading."







"So then Twilight, how are you and that hunk of a pony getting on?" Her cheeks visibly flushed as some of the other ponies shot her quick glares. Celestia smiled from behind her teacup, they were sitting in a corner booth of Sugarcube Corner.

"We're getting on fine, but some of the mares in town have been avoiding me recently... and even ignore me when I do bump in to them."

"Really?" She glanced at the ponies who's ears were perked in their direction, and raised her voice. "If these mare are jealous that he chose you over them, then let them be jealous! He loves you, Twilight, don't let anypony else tell you that."

"Thank you... wait a minute, how do you know he loves me?" She raised her eyebrows as Celestia tried to sink in to the seat.

"Well, he... uh, might have sent me a letter or two asking about you when you first arrived. Or maybe even twenty. And that was in your first month here."

"Twenty letters? He... loves me that much?"

"I can tell you, without a doubt, that the answer is yes, if his last one from during the week is any indication." Celestia's horn flashed, and a scroll dropped to the table, a moon sigil sealing it. "Oh, what's this? A letter from Luna?" She unrolled it and place it down on the table.

'Dear sister, could you and Twilight Sparkle head to Ponyville park? There is something I wish you to see.'

"Shall, we then Twilight?"

"Yes, why not. And who knows, maybe there'll be a certain farmer out for a walk?" She had a little giggle, they paid their bill, and trotted out of the bakery.







"Right then, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, you two are on spotting duty. Scootaloo, you're on reloading duty. Spike, you're helping me make ready. Rumble, Pipsqueak, you're on aiming duty. Luna, is the letter ready?"

"Yes, I shall send it when you ask." A small cloud drifted over us and stopped over an old bath tub I had placed up here during the week. Rainbow Dash appeared and jumped on the cloud, making the water fall in to the tub. I grabbed my other supplies and got busy.

Ten minutes later and the bucket was loaded. I nodded to Luna and she sent the note. Nothing happened for a few minutes, and then Applebloom got really excited. "Ah see them, Ah see them! They're leaving Sugarcube Corner, and headin' to the park!"

"Good. Sweetie Belle, what angle is the park from here?" She bent over the map. protractor in hoof. I watched as she placed it on the mark of the camp site, placing a ruler on top, making a line to the park.

"Um... it's... thirty seven degrees to the left." Luna bent down and double checked, then nodded to me.

"Okay, how far is the park?"

"It's... seven hundred and fifty metres."

"Okay, Scootaloo, load the first batch." I watched the multi coloured balls be placed gently in the bucket, which was then set on the rollers. I grabbed my notepad and pan I brought with me and made a few calculations.

"Okay Spike, start turning." We started to work on the crank, the pulley system pulling the ropes taught. I kept an eye on the tenisometer that I had attached, and let it get to what I worked out we needed. Once there, it automatically locked on the pins, the lever going tense. "Rumble, Pip, you're up. Thirty seven left, twenty three up." The two colts got to work, setting the long barrel to the right settings. The made sure it was in the right place and nodded to me "Luna, do you want the honours?"

"Sure... what do I do?"

"When Applebloom gives you the signal, pull that level back, and sit down to watch the metaphorical fireworks."







Celestia sat smilling among the ponies in the park. They had come across Applejack, Caramel, Big Mac, Braeburn and Fluttershy sharing a picnic. Rarity and Thunderlane came by a while later, and they could see Rainbow Dash's tail hanging off a cloud. It was a very peaceful day, and she just let her worries drift away with the very gentle breeze.

An object blocked out the sun for a moment, and she turned in that direction, noticing some small spherical objects flying through the air. Before she could ask anypony if they knew what these things were, they started to drop towards the ground. They seemed to be getting bigger... and then it hit her.

It was a small balloon, filled with water. Water that was now all over her face. By the time she realised this, the others had caught up. They pelted her body, and she heard screams from around her as other ponies were hit. After working ou what was going on, all but Rarity was laughing. "My beautiful mane! It's ruined!" Thankfully, Thunderlane was on hoof to calm her down.

"Ruined? Rarity, if anything, wet mane makes you look even sexier." She stopped panicking and stared at him, before leaping at him and kissing him passionately. Celestia's ears perked as she heard a distinct voice shout in the distance.

"BOOM, HEADSHOT!!!!! RELOAD, AND LET'S GO AGAIN!!!" She could hear a clanking noise, and a few minutes later more of these objects came flying through the air, raining down upon them. 

"If it's a prank war he wants, then it's a prank war he'll get." She smiled to herself as she reached her mind out. 'Oh Discord!! I have need of your services!'