//------------------------------//
// First Day of Work 
// Story: Living in Equestria 
// by Blazewing 
//------------------------------//

Sunday was the last day before I started work at Bon Bon’s. It also happened to be the day that Moonlight came over, requesting that we finish The Staff of Star Swirl. I, for my part, did not decline such an idea. It was an appropriately chilly day, perfect for staying indoors, and I had restocked my pantry with hot cocoa, along with other groceries intended for hot meals. So, with blankets bundled around ourselves, and my young pegasus friend nestled up at my side, we proceeded from where we had left off: Ahuizotl claiming the Staff of Star Swirl for himself, forcing Daring and Dowser to witness his ascension to demigod-hood.

Midway through the second half of the book, as we read through the pegasus explorer and her unicorn sidekick trying to come up with a plan to take the staff away from Ahuizotl, a knock at the door interrupted us.

“Just as well,” I said, setting the book down. “My throat’s getting tired again. We’ll take a break and then resume.”

“All right,” said Moonlight.

I opened the door to find Ironmane at the doorstep, swathed in a longer cape than he usually wore, with a higher collar, fastened with an intricate silver brooch.

“Minister Ironmane!” I said, surprised. “This is abrupt of you.”

“Is it?” asked Ironmane, raising an eyebrow. “It was my understanding that you wished to change the date of my visits to Sundays. And is today not Sunday?”

“Well, yes,” I consented, not appreciating him treating this like a childish mistake on my part. “I just wasn’t expecting you so soon. I didn’t want to disrupt any of your-”

“You are disrupting nothing, David,” said Ironmane, crisply. “I merely adjusted my schedule to accommodate this change of events. I am fully prepared to change our meetings to Sunday afternoons in light of this. Speaking of, I congratulate you on acquiring a job in Ponyville.”

“Thank you, sir. I’m hoping to use the funds for more recreational or leisure purposes, as I’m appropriating what I earn for my stipend for home matters.”

“I see. That is certainly wise of you, especially in light of such a festive time of year. One tends to, how do I put this...momentarily forget the extent of their sums.” 

“I, er, agree, sir,” I said.

(Does he think I’m careless enough to splurge without thought? Wouldn’t surprise me.)

“At any rate, here are your week’s earnings.”

He levitated the usual sack of bits into my hands.

“Thank you for understanding, sir.”

“And I must thank you for giving me notice,” said Ironmane. “Given how busy your life in Ponyville seems to be, I wouldn’t have been surprised if the matter completely slipped your mind.”

(Just can’t let a quip slide, can you?)

“By the by, I took the liberty of reviewing your geographical composition,” said Ironmane. “Very good, I must say. Quite thorough”

“Thank you, Minister,” I said, “but I can’t take all the credit. Twilight assisted me with some of the finer details.”

“Ah, as I figured,” said Ironmane, a slight smile on his face. “I showed it to Princess Celestia, and she herself said it had ‘the marks of Twilight Sparkle’ in it.”

“I just hope you’re not disappointed that I needed assistance on this, sir,” I said, humbly.

“I? No. Princess Celestia herself told me it was likely you would go to her top student if you got stumped. She was not incorrect in her assumptions. And besides, we are a council, are we not? It is part of our duties to collaborate.”

Well, Twilight was right, then: there is no shame in being tutored.

“Thank you, sir.”

“If that is all, David, I shall be on my way. Until next week.”

“Until next week, Minister.”

With a whirl of his cape, Ironmane trudged off through the snow. On the opposite side, at the Hooves’ house, Scootaloo and Dinky were still working on Fort Hooves, but this time joined by Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. They had stuck a crude flag on a stick on the inside, bearing a pegasus wing and a unicorn horn, the word ‘Hooves’ written beneath. The walls were at least three feet tall now, with peepholes cut into them, probably to lob snowballs through, like ones soldiers would use for muskets. The four Crusaders waved to me, and I waved back before heading inside, where Moonlight had settled back on the couch, an empty drinking glass on the dining room table.

“Who was at the door?” she asked.

“Minister Ironmane, the stallion who comes by every week to deliver my dues for being part of the foreign affairs council.”

“Oh. I don’t think I’ve ever met him. What’s he like?”

“I used to think he was kind of a jerk, really seemed to have it out for me, but now, I feel like he’s just not much of a ‘pony-stallion’, if I’m using the right term.”

“Not very social?”

“Yeah. Preferring to stay immersed in his work, patriotic to the extreme.”

“Wow. He must really be proud of what he does.”

“I’ll say. So, ready to continue?”

“Yep!” said Moonlight.

“All right, just gimme a sec. That was probably the most I’ve talked to Ironmane in a while, and my pipes were already dry when I started…”


***


“...Whoa,” said Moonlight.

“Yeah. Whoa,” I echoed.

“That was, beyond any doubt, the most epic story in the series yet! There is absolutely no way they can top something like this!”

“No kidding! I mean, they freely admitted that the Staff was the most powerful magical artifact known to ponykind! The author would have to be an even greater literary genius than they already are to go beyond something like that!”

I glanced at the cover of the book. There, at the bottom, like every other installment, was written, in silver ink, ‘by A.K. Yearling’.

“I wonder who this A.K. Yearling is,” I mused.

“Probably a bigwig writer in Canterlot,” said Moonlight.

“One of these days,” I vowed, “I’m gonna meet them and let them know just how much I enjoy the series. And I’ll take you and Rainbow Dash with me,” I added, putting an arm around Moonlight’s shoulders.

“Ooh! Is that a promise?” Moonlight asked, eagerly.

“A Pinkie Promise,” I said, then added, while going through the motions, “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Moonlight smiled and nuzzled my cheek gratefully.

“Forever…”

Both of us sprang apart, looking about wildly. That had sounded like...like Pinkie. But how? And why did it sound so creepy? It was like a ghost, something in the very walls. Was I just imagining it? But then, if that was the case, why did Moonlight react as well?

It took a few moments for the shock of the moment to pass away, but finally, I cleared my throat and said,

“I’ll have to check with Twilight if there’s more after this. Like I said, it’d be difficult to top something as world-shaking as what we just finished.”

“Definitely,” said Moonlight. “I’d better be heading home then. Big day for both of us tomorrow, right?”

“You bet! Tomorrow, we step out into the world of employment.”

“Good night, Dave, and thanks again for having me.”

“You’re welcome, Moonlight. Good night, and good luck.”

“You too.”

I walked Moonlight to the door and saw her out, making sure she was inside her own home before locking up for the night. Even though my day technically started at 10, I wanted to be there early just to get oriented to my new position. In time, hopefully, I’d be finding gifts for my pals with a pocket full of an honest week’s earnings.

Sunday, December 4


***


The next morning, with no snow in the air but plenty on the ground, I geared up and headed for Bon Bon’s. The snow fort in the Hooves yard looked even bigger now, the walls slick and shiny, and the flag waving in the chilly breeze. Something told me a mini-war was going to erupt between the local foals at ‘Fort Hooves’.

When I arrived at the door, Bon Bon and Lyra were already trotting over from the opposite direction.

“Good morning, ladies!” I called.

“Good morning, Dave,” said Bon Bon.

“Greetings, my young apprentice!” said Lyra, in a humorously reverent voice.

“Pardon me?” I asked.

Lyra came up to me, putting her forehooves on my shoulders and looking me straight in the eye.

“You have come to learn the art of working in a candy shop, have you not?”

“It’s an art?” I asked, nonplussed.

“And it is only natural,” Lyra went on, dramatically, as she rested her elbow on my shoulder and gestured with her other foreleg, “for the new, inexperienced arrivals to latch onto the wise teachings of those who have travelled down that road before. Do not be afraid to ask questions of me, Padomino, for I have naught to give but my own wisdom.”

What in the name of heaven above was she talking about? And what was a ‘Padomino’?

“I knew it was a bad idea to let you see that movie,” Bon Bon said, wearily. “Anyway, Dave, ready to get started?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Great! Lyra?”

“Way ahead of ya, Bonnie.”

Lyra got off of me and, using her magic, unlocked the door, allowing the three of us to enter. The cozy warmth of the interior was very welcoming. The mares hung up their hats and scarves, so I did the same with my gear, and Bon Bon, heading to the back momentarily, returned with the apron she had picked out for me.

“Do I really have to wear it?” I asked, reluctantly.

“A clean worker is a happy worker,” said Bon Bon. “You don’t want to go through the day with chocolate stains on your clothes, do you?”

“Well, I suppose not,” I consented.

“It helps when you’ve got coats like we do,” said Lyra. “Then you can just lick it off, like a cat.”

“The way you eat, Lyra, you’re more like a raccoon,” said Bon Bon, dryly. “And I prefer to take baths, like normal ponies.”

“You saying I’ve got rabies?” Lyra asked, defensively.

“No, though that would explain your extremely erratic behavior.”

“Who needs explanations? I’m Lyra Heartstrings. Case closed.”

While they were bantering, I put on the apron, resigning myself to having to wear it. Of course I understood cooks and bakers all wore aprons to keep themselves protected from stains, but it just felt silly on me, when I wasn’t even taking part in the baking process.

“Well, Dave, since you’re suited up,” said Bon Bon, “let me give you a brief run-down of what your daily duties shall be. Have a seat.”

I sat down in one of the chairs, facing her attentively.

“Mainly, I’m going to ask you to help me with some counter work. That means greeting customers, taking and filling out orders, keeping the inventory organized, etc. Are you able to handle that?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ve had experience with greeting and organizing before.”

“Excellent. Then we should have nothing to worry about. Step up behind the counter and I’ll give you an example when our first customer arrives. Lyra, you can get started as well.”

“Aye-aye, chief.”

I followed Bon Bon behind the counter. There, I could see the rows upon rows of sweets in their individual receptacles and containers, with a hefty stock of bags for takeout purchases. Along the opposite wall were self-serve bins full of mini chocolates, gummy candies, jawbreakers, packs of gum, etc. Augustus Gloop would have devoured the entire display in about 5 minutes, give or take.

10 o’clock rolled around, and, right on the dot, the door opened.

“Welcome to Bon Bon’s Bon Bons!” said Bon Bon, cheerily. “How can we satisfy your sweet tooth?”

“Hello, everypony!”

It was Pinkie!

“Well, hello, Pinkie Pie!” said Bon Bon. “What can we do for you?”

Pinkie was about to speak, when she spotted me behind the counter.

“Aha!” she said. “There you are, Davie! If it’s all the same with Bon Bon, I’d like you to take my order today.”

I looked at Bon Bon to see if she would approve.

“If Dave doesn’t mind,” she said, “I have no problems with it.” She then turned to me and said, “Just follow what she orders, and don’t be nervous.”

Pinkie trotted up to me, grinning from ear to ear.

“I’m your first customer, Davie! How sweet is that? Hee-hee! ‘Sweet’. Get it? Because we’re in a candy store!”

“Heh, yeah,” I said, though I felt like the pun was pretty bad. “Listen, Pinkie, doesn’t you buying from here kind of undermine-”

But Pinkie had already wandered off. She was grabbing a bag and stuffing it with various candies from the self-serve bins.

“-the point of our bet?” I trailed off, realizing she wasn’t paying attention.

Eventually, Pinkie returned with a bag stuffed to overflowing and hefted it onto the counter.

“Ring me up, Davie!” she said.

Carefully, I eased it onto the little scale sitting by the cash register. The numbers rolled wildly until finally stopping at 5 pounds.

“Hey, Bon Bon, how much does the self-serve cost?” I asked the candy mare.

“4 bits a pound,” she said.

“So that makes 20 bits,” I told Pinkie.

“Not a problem!” said Pinkie, brightly, and she tossed a bag of bits onto the counter.

(Where does everypony keep getting these bit bags?)

“Expecting company or something, Pinkie?” I asked, sealing the bag as best I could and sliding it over to her.

“I’m gonna share this with Moonlight,” she said. “A little snack in between customers. And before you ask, the Cakes are supervising her.”

“I know it’s kind of early to ask, but is she doing ok?”

“Yeah! She organized all of our cookbooks, alphabetically and by type, and even made her first sale before I left: some corn cakes for Mr. Waddle!”

“Neat!” I said. “Well, tell her I said hi.”

“I will. See ya later, Davie!”

Pinkie grabbed the bag in her teeth and trotted out the door, Lyra opening it for her with her magic.

“Not bad at all, Dave,” said Bon Bon. “Your first sale on the job. How did it feel?”

“Pretty good. Then again, it was Pinkie. I’ve always felt comfortable around her.”

“Well, just you wait, my human friend,” said Bon Bon. “The day’s only just begun.”

“We’ve only just begun to live,” crooned Lyra, soulfully.

“Lyra,” Bon Bon interrupted, wearily.

“What?” asked Lyra, innocently.


***


From there, the day progressed with similar results. Ponies came in, one of us greeted them with the shop’s trademark greeting (yes, they had to say it every time somepony came in), and I took their orders. They either helped themselves from the self-serve candy bags, and all I had to do was ring up their purchases by the pound, or they wanted a specific piece of chocolate or candy from the counter, which I duly brought forth. Several had special preferences which they called their ‘usual’, like Golden Harvest’s favorite taffy or Berry Punch’s gummy worms. Those were orders Lyra knew, so she handled them. Those ponies whom I was more familiar with expressed surprise and delight at seeing me behind the counter, and told me I was doing a fine job when their orders were rung up.

The one visit that didn’t go as well as that was Rainbow Dash. She was glad to see me, sure, but she took one look at my apron and burst into a fit of laughter. All I could do was stand there and wait until she had laughed herself stupid, even going so far as to gasp out ‘so goofy’, before she could finally get a hold of herself and make her own self-serve candy bag. She was still giggling as I rung it up, as she paid for it, and even as she said goodbye. My masculinity was as riddled with perforations as a sieve, but it was in the interest of on-the-job hygiene, so I had to man up to that.

We had a healthy flow of customers until around noon, when we took a break for lunch. Bon Bon had to take care of some paperwork in her office, so she’d eat there, and Lyra and I sat across from each other on one of the tables. I’d packed myself a peanut butter sandwich with some fruit, while Lyra was having what looked like egg salad, along with a chocolate bar Bon Bon had brought out before the break, which needed Lyra’s approval. The way Bon Bon had given to her was like an office executive saying ‘I need this on my desk by 5’.

“So, Lyra, what exactly is it like eating candy all day? Not that I’m saying it’s not important to the business.”

“Nah, I know what you meant, dude,” said Lyra, casually. “Bonnie’s something of a candy scientist. That head of hers is bursting with lots of candy ideas, but she lets me test them out, make sure the balance is just right: taste, texture, size, all that. She’s a little bit of a health nut, doesn’t wanna ruin her figure. Don’t get me wrong, though, she loves making sweets. She’s just more...cautious about indulging herself. I say ‘heck with it’. Candy’s candy.”

She emphasized this with a big bite out of the chocolate bar.

“Ooh!” she exclaimed. “Caramel and marshmallow? Bonnie, you sly girl.”

“I know you’re not worried about getting fat, but what about your teeth? All of that sugar can’t be good for you.”

“That’s why I’m Minuette’s favorite patient,” said Lyra. “One of her talents as a unicorn is a teeth-whitening spell, which works wonders. Of course I brush every day, but when I pop by once a month, she makes sure they sparkle. She’s trying to find an anti-cavity spell to put on ponies’ teeth, but she hasn’t gotten it quite right yet.”

“So you just eat candy all day during work, without fear of cavities?”

“And play my lyre,” said Lyra, levitating her instrument to emphasize. “Customers who stick around like to hear me play.”

“Don’t you want to be a musician?” I asked. “I figured you’d be playing in symphony halls up in Canterlot.”

“I gave it a try,” said Lyra, “but I didn’t make the cut. It’s still my talent, but I suppose I’m just not meant to play in the big leagues. Still, I’m not complaining. My friends still like it.”

“I certainly think you play nicely,” I said, frankly.

“Aww, thanks,” said Lyra, smiling. “How about you? You play any instruments?”

“No. I’ve always wanted to play the piano, though. Just never got around to learning.”

“I think I can help you with that,” said Lyra, knowingly.

“Really?”

“Uh-huh. I could give you lessons.”

“But your instrument’s the lyre.”

“Doesn’t mean I don’t know about other instruments,” said Lyra. “It just means it’s my speciality. I’m no Frederic Horseshoepin, but I’m decent.”

“When could we arrange it?”

“We’ll have to work that out,” said Lyra, thoughtfully. “Tuesday’s bowling night, Saturdays are shorter, and Sunday off...Maybe Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons?”

“I like the sound of that. Thanks, Lyra.”

“Anytime, pal,” she said, grinning.

The door suddenly opened, and I jumped up.

“I’ll take care of this, Lyra,” I said. “I’m pretty much finished anyway.”

“Go get ‘em, Mr. Initiative,” said Lyra, proudly.

I went behind the counter, leaning over to see that the ponies who just entered were Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

“Hello, girls!” I said, in my best ‘so excited to see the customer’ voice. “Welcome to Bon Bon’s Bon Bons. How may I satisfy your sweet tooth?”

“Hello, Mr. Dave,” said Silver Spoon, brightly.

“Hi, Mr. Dave,” said Diamond Tiara, in a more subdued tone, though not exactly melancholy.

“Is there anything new this month?” Silver Spoon asked.

“Why, yes,” I said. “Just ask Lyra, our store’s taste-tester.”

Lyra looked up, wiping her face.

“Oh yeah! The new Caramallow Delight,” she said, holding up her half-eaten bar. “Part chocolate, part caramel, part marshmallow, all delicious!”

“That sounds tasty!” said Diamond Tiara. “We’ll take two.”

Thankfully, even though it was a taste-test product, Bon Bon still had had the forethought to leave a stack of them in stock, so I grabbed two and rung them up on the register.

“That’ll be 8 bits,” I said.

The girls each handed up 4, and I gave them the chocolate.

“Thanks, Mr. Dave!” they said, together.

“You’re welcome, girls. Have a nice day.”

“Go on ahead, Silver Spoon,” said Diamond Tiara. “I just need a couple minutes.”

“All right.”

Silver Spoon headed out the door, and Diamond Tiara turned to me.

“Hearth’s Warming is coming up fast, Mr. Dave,” she said.

“Oh, trust me, I know.”

“Do you know where you’re going to shop?”

“Why? Do you know a place?”

Diamond Tiara smiled.

“As a matter of fact, I do. Barnyard Bargains! It’s a chain my dad owns, with outlets all across Equestria! You can buy furniture, gardening equipment, groceries, and all kinds of knickknacks there. It’s perfect for a holiday shopping experience.”

“Is it? Well, if it’s as good as you say, I may have to check it out. Where is it?”

“In Ponyville’s shopping district. You can’t miss it: it’s designed like a big barn.”

“Huh. Funny how I never noticed before. Still, how come you’re telling me this?”

“I just figured you’d like to know, seeing as you didn’t live in Ponyville until a few months ago. Dad hasn’t seen you there, so he figured you may not have known about it until now.”

“Well, thanks. I’ll certainly pay the place a visit.”

Diamond Tiara smiled again, and took her leave. She really wasn’t such a bad kid, if you kept her away from topics concerning the Crusaders.

“Was that kid just a walking advertisement?” asked Lyra, sardonically. “Talk about self-promotion. Still, Barnyard Bargains does have whatever you need. Once I, *ahem*, accidentally lost Bonnie’s mane-curlers, and she made me buy new ones there.”

“Are you trying to tell me it really was an accident, or was it on purpose?”

“Let’s just say that whatever the case, it did her a favor. Those things were hideous.”

“What’s that you’re saying about me, Lyra?” Bon Bon asked, poking her head out of her office.

“Nothing,” said Lyra, innocently.

Bon Bon gave her a narrow look and disappeared back inside her office. How the heck did Lyra survive mouthing off about her like that, even if it was in good fun?


***


At last, the day wound down to a close around 6 o’clock. The customer flow began to die down by about 5:30, but Bon Bon gave the shop a little more time for stragglers. When none came, she declared the shop closed, and we got the place cleaned up for departure, Lyra running a broom across the floor while I organized the stuff behind the counter as best I could, then giving the tables a rub-down. When all was satisfactory to Bon Bon, she gave the ok, and we locked up the shop.

“Well, Dave,” she said, “you did very well on your first day. Good job.”

“Thanks, Bon Bon. After that preliminary, I think I can handle more like it.”

“Wonderful. We’ll see you tomorrow, then. Good night.”

“Good night, Bon Bon. Good night, Lyra.”

“Night, Dave!”

The two ponies trudged off through the snow, while I made my way home. I had just entered the area, however, when I saw quite a startling sight.

Fort Hooves was under attack!

The air was thick with snowballs heading over the wall and through the peepholes cut into it. I could see Snips, Snails, Truffle Shuffle, and Button Mash on the outside of the wall, while the Crusaders no doubt were going nuts with their own barrage on the inside, but theirs was growing less frequent. It looked like they were losing.

What was I to do? Should I really step in and help them? It would be quite a mismatch for the other side. Then again, the Crusaders were my friends, and I couldn’t just abandon them when they might need me.

I’d made up my mind.

As quietly as I could, I snuck around behind my house, making sure they were too focused on the attack to notice me, though honestly, who could fail to notice a 6-foot human skulking around like he was trying to play Metal Gear? Speaking of, I could hear Button Mash say,

“This is just like the castle defender level in ‘Revenge of the Humgonians’! Just keep mashing ‘A’ and never let up on your arrows!”

“But these are snowballs, not arrows,” said Snails.

“Same difference, Snails,” said Button Mash.

“Take five, guys,” said Snips. “We need to restock our ammo.”

Just the break I was looking for. While they were focused on making more snowballs, I made my way to the back of the wall and clambered over it, using a peephole as a foothold. The girls were huddled around a pile of snowballs, their backs to the wall. Apple Bloom let out a gasp upon seeing me, which made the others look up.

“Dave!” she said. “How did you-?”

“No time to explain, girls,” I said. “For today, at least, I can help you protect Fort Hooves.”

“Yay!” squealed Dinky.

“Shh!” said Scootaloo. “Don’t let the enemy suspect anything.” She then said to me, “Dave, think you can scare them off with some size-Dave snowballs? We need a bit of time to get the catapult ready.”

“As if you have to ask, my little friend,” I said, grinning. “Stand back.”

The girls stepped aside as I began scooping and forming my own snowballs, at least twice as big as theirs. They watched in awe and barely-contained anticipation of what was to come. Well, I should say Sweetie Belle and Dinky did. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were making final preparations on a miniature catapult. Where the heck did these kids find the time to make this stuff?

When I had made a sizeable pile, I heard Snips shout,

“Ok, boys! Ready...aim...”

That was it. Snowballs under my arm, I stood up, my head and shoulders just managing to breach the top. The colts stopped where they were, snowballs in their hooves, to look up at me, their faces perfect as the cover image for an ‘Uh oh’ moment.

“Hi, boys,” I said, casually. “Mind if I cut in?”

I chucked one of my snowballs over the wall, where it landed between them with a loud splat, making them flinch back.

“Now, Crusaders!” I shouted. “Fire!”

And the volley began anew. With fresh battle cries, the Crusaders lobbed their snowballs through the peepholes while I tossed mine over the wall. Added to this were some of my cannonballs flung from the catapult, adding a fresh taste to the barrage. The colts tried to fight back, but the renewed vigor took them aback, especially when one struck Truffle Shuffle and sent him reeling dizzily. Snips, who seemed to be leading the charge, looked like he recognized a lost cause when he saw it.

“Retreat!” he shouted.

He, Snails, Button Mash, and Truffle Shuffle all hurried off, abandoning their snowballs and beating a hasty retreat.

“Viva Fort Hooves!” I crowed to the frosty air. “Vivan los Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

The fillies cheered, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Dinky hugging me around the legs while Scootaloo traded a double high-five with me in the air.

“Thanks, Dave,” she said. “You’ll go down in Crusader history as the guy who saved Fort Hooves in its darkest hour.”

“Literally,” said Sweetie Belle. “It’s dusk already.”

“That’s not what I...never mind.”

“That should keep them away for a while,” I said, “but I can’t be around to defend the fort all the time. Still, I’m glad I could help out.”

“Is the ‘Battle of Fort Hooves’ finally won?” came a voice from the door.

We turned to see Sparkler standing in the front door, an amused smile on her face. Something in that smile told me that if I hadn’t shown up, she would have been the reinforcements.

“Because it’s time for General Scootaloo and Sergeant Dinky to come in for dinner.”

“We won, Sparkly!” said Dinky. “Thanks to Dynamo Dave!”

“Dynamo?” I asked, puzzled.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle wiped at a section of the wall, revealing a wooden half-oval inserted into it. They pushed it down, making a doorway big enough for me to step through by ducking.

“Lucky they never found our secret entrance,” said Sweetie Belle.

(How long did that take to make?)

The Crusaders bid each other good night, and Scootaloo and Dinky went inside while Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and I left out the secret entrance.

“You came in the knick of time, Dave,” said Apple Bloom. “We were finishin’ workin’ on the fort when the boys attacked. We barely had enough time to get some snowballs ready to fight back.”

“I figured you kids needed some help. Besides, I couldn’t leave my fellow Crusaders to such a battle in good conscience. What a way to end my first day of work. Well, good night, girls.”

“G’night!”

“Night!”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle went their separate ways, and I headed to my own home. I stopped at the door to look at the flag of Fort Hooves, still waving despite the furious onslaught the fort had endured. I gave it a quick salute before heading inside. Silly, maybe, but I was a Crusader, after all.

Monday, December 5