Pinkie Pegasus

Chapters

The Party Pony
Garden Party
Diplomatic Party
Party of One

The Party Pony

"Heyyyyy, Rainbow Dash!"

Sprawled on a cloud in front of the dorm wing of Cloudsdale Flight School, the rainbow-pinioned pegasus buried her snout under her forehooves and groaned disgustedly.

"Ughhh! Not now, Pinkie Pie."

A radioactively pink pegasus with a cotton-candy mane and tail swooped down from the dorm's roof. She darted swiftly about Rainbow's cloud, her cotton-fluff wings buzzing at hummingbird speed.

"You were goin' all-out at practice this morning!" Pinkie shouted in her high-pitched, sugar-rush voice. "You were like, zoom! And then like, zoom-zoom-ZOOM! And then like loop-de-loop-annnd-BOOM!"

Collapsing on her back on a neighboring cloud, Pinkie giggled helplessly. Then she smiled at Rainbow. Upside down, putting a frown on her face so it still looked like she was still smiling. The resulting muddle of facial features made Rainbow feel queasy.

"Pinkie, that is so Uncanny Valley, ya know?"

Pinkie Pie just laughed, the way she usually did while trying to figure out what something meant. Then she rolled over and smiled again, this time the right way up. "Whatcha doooinnn?"

"Nothing." Rainbow sighed. "Just wavin' goodbye to my future as it flies off without me." She hopped up from the cloud, turned her back to the School, and slunk off. It shouldn't have been possible to slink away dispiritedly in midair, but Rainbow somehow managed it.

Just proves I'm still awesome, she thought.

A fluttering of wings, and Pinkie Pie was suddenly in front of her. Her forehooves grabbed Rainbow's cheeks, and she smiled, brightly and sympathetically.

"Whatsa matter, Dashie?"

Rainbow frowned back at her, annoyed.

"Why can't I just hate you?"

"I dunno, why?" Pinkie shrugged. "We are still friends, right?"

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me."

Because Pinkie was right, they were friends, and had been nearly as long as Rainbow could remember.

Which sometimes seemed a bit too long, actually...

It started in Junior Speedsters Flight Camp. Rainbow was arcing around over the play area, practicing high-speed cornering through the target cloud-rings, while at the same time keeping an eye on the runway and play area below, to see what the cool kids were up to.

And that was how she happened to spot, trotting out of the archway of the Registration hangar, a small blob of pink with a fluffy mane and feather-duster wings. The pink filly set down her travelling bag, then stared up and around at the other fillies and colts winging through the air, with her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. Then she hopped into the air herself. Hopped, that was the word for it. She pronked down the cloud-brick stairs on her hooves, sproink-sproink-sproink. Then onwards across the clouds, her wings held out stiffly, not even trying to lift off.

Suddenly, at the top of a hop she swooped upward into the air. She circled round for a bit, then landed right back on her hooves, next to her bag at the top of the stairs. And then did the whole thing all over again, seemingly for the joy of it.

Lame, Rainbow thought. Just another airhead newbie. She wasn't going to give the pink filly a second thought.

But then she heard Hoops, the tan, flop-maned leader of the Loser Patrol, guffaw loudly. "Hey guys, get a load of this," he called to his friends, brown-coated Dumb-Bell and charcoal-maned Score. "This puff-wing can barely get off the ground!"

"Yeah," Dumb-Bell sneered. "Looks like somepony sent their prize piglet to the Camp by mistake."

The pink filly giggled brightly, snorting and snerking every now and then. "I'm not a piglet, silly! I'm Pinkie Pie!"

"Pinkie Pie?" Hoops was almost speechless, it was such a perfect straight line. But he was too slow, and Score leapt on it first:

"Are ya sure it ain't... Piggy-Pie?"

The three bullies laughed derisively. And Pinkie joined in, laughing merrily as if it was the best thing she'd heard all day. And snorting and snerking as she laughed, which only made the bullies laugh harder. Even Rainbow had to grin at that. The pink filly did kinda look and sound like one of those fluff-winged pigs they kept around the farm walls in Cloudsdale, to eat scraps and chase away the woodpeckers.

But then Hoops unwisely went on. "I bet she bombs out the first day. She hasn't got a chance."

"Huh?" Pinkie's smile faded. "Whaddaya mean? Why not?"

"You kidding me? Nothing that fat and dumb can possibly fly fast enough to make the grade at Flight Camp. The whole point is to fly. Right, guys?" Hoops leered at Pinkie smugly. "Right, Piggy-Pie?"

He laughed uproariously, and the others laughed too. But Pinkie wasn't laughing now. She just sat there, looking sadly puzzled, as if she couldn't figure out why anypony could be so casually cruel to somepony they'd only just met.

For some reason, that didn't sit right with Rainbow, not at all. It was like a switch had been thrown, and suddenly she was hopping mad. Up to now it had been the usual kidding around. Maybe it got a little rough here and there, but you got used to it. But this... this was just plain mean. A line had been crossed, and somepony needed to show these losers where that line was.

Snapping into a power-dive, Rainbow arrowed down at the bullies, her forehooves held out, aimed right between Hoops' eyes...

And at the last second she popped her wings and came to a screeching air-brake halt, scuffing up a whirl of vapor. It enveloped the bullies, making them cough and choke. "You should talk, Hoops," Rainbow said coolly. "Bet you couldn't fit through the hangar doors over there. Assuming you could even find 'em through that bird's nest you call a mane."

Then she swung round to the pink filly. "Hey there! Name's Rainbow Dash."

"Hi, Rainbow!" Pinkie was all smiles again. "Wow, that was a really sweet stop."

"Natch. It's how I roll." Rainbow smirked and held out a hoof. "Stick with me, Pinkie, and those guys won't give ya any more guff."

"Okey-dokey!" Pinkie willingly grabbed hold. Rainbow's wings raced and she powered her way back into the sky, dragging Pinkie along with her. The pink pegasus spread her own wings, shrieking with excitement.

"Whee-hee! I don't think I've ever flown this fast."

"Oh yeah?" Rainbow laughed. "Well hang onto your lunch, Pinkie, 'cause that was just the warm-up."

Rainbow went into a screaming power dive. She followed it with a barrel-roll, several loop-the-loops, and a smoooooth upward arc to finish off. Then she turned... and found that Pinkie Pie was still right beside her, having matched Rainbow move-for-move the whole time.

"Wow, Pinkie! You're an awesome flyer too!"

The pegasus grinned and fluttered her wings. "Thanks, Rainbow!"

"So how come you were just messin' around before, if you can fly like that?"

"Eh." The pink pegasus shrugged. "I don't like to show off."

While Rainbow stared at her, trying to wrap her brain around that little heresy, Pinkie dug into her cotton-candy mane with a hoof. "And I got a perfect way to give those bullies something to really laugh about." Pinkie smiled mischievously. "Whaddaya say, Dash? You in?"

Rainbow blinked. Then nodded eagerly. "Oh yeah, I'm in! Totally!"

A few minutes later Hoops and his cronies were flapping lazily along, looking for another unsuspecting victim to amuse themselves with. From out of nowhere a cyan streak blasted through them, with a thunderous wake that tumbled them through the air.

"Hey, losers!" Rainbow shouted. "Betcha can't catch me!" Pausing only to blow a raspberry, she shot upwards and disappeared into a cloud-bank overhead.

Growling, Hoops and the other bullies charged after her. They punched through the cloud themselves...

... and found nothing on the other side. Rainbow had disappeared.

Then Hoops felt his nose tickling, then itching. He sneezed. Then he sneezed again. Dumb-Bell and Score were also sneezing. The bullies all were doubled over in the air, gasping and a-chooing uncontrollably. While high overhead, Rainbow and Pinkie peered down over the edge of a cloud, snickering gleefully. Pinkie was holding the small canister of sneezing powder she'd pulled from her mane. She'd used it to liberally dust the cloud below right after Rainbow flew through it.

Rainbow grinned. "Good one, Pinkie! I didn't take you for such a good prankster."

"Oh sure! It's all in good fun. A little laugh now and then helps brighten everypony's day. And laughter is kinda my thing. I'm a party pony. Hee!"

"You know, Pinkie, you're not nearly as lame as I thought. You wanna hang out?"

"Ab-so-tively, Rainbow!" Pinkie grinned, and then laughed brightly, snorting and snerking all the while.

And in the process, she accidentally dropped the canister. It hit the cloud right in front of her snout, letting off a puff of pink powder just as she drew in a breath.

Pinkie froze, her eyes watering.

Then she sneezed. And sneezed, and sneezed again. The sheer force of her sneezes sent her volleying through the air in random directions, pinballing off clouds and puffing them into vapor. But Pinkie was giggling the whole time, whenever she could draw breath. As if it was the funniest thing in the world to her.

Rainbow stared in shocked disbelief. She was amazed that anypony could willingly behave so, well... uncool. And yet at the same time, be totally okay with it.

The thought made Rainbow smile, then laugh. Then laugh some more. She fell on her back on the cloud, snorting and sniggering helplessly while Pinkie Pie shot back and forth through the air overhead.

"Ha!" Pinkie crowed, as she finally got control of herself and hovered in the air, her wings buzzing. "There's my smile! I'm a happy party pony!"

From then on, they'd been inseparable. All through Flight Camp, and then again at Flight School. Each of them tried to outdo the other with ingenious pranks. They pranked the other students, they pranked the instructors, they pranked anypony and anything that offered the likelihood of a good, solid, harmless laugh.

Their true pièce de résistance came when they managed to prank the School's headmare, Lieutenant Coldstream herself, by swapping the wooden pointer the graying pegasus favored with a replica made of rubber. So that when the Lieutenant snatched it up and fiercely whacked it against the chalkboard, as she often did, it first splatted against the board like a wet noodle and then hung limp in her fetlock as she stared speechlessly at it, the entire auditorium erupting in shrieking laughter.

Rainbow had spent that entire night in an agony of gut-churning terror, fearing she and Pinkie would be found out and hauled before an inquisitorial tribunal, a firing squad, or worse. But nothing of the sort happened. And even if it had, it had totally been worth it. Especially over the next few days. Whenever Pinkie and Rainbow clapped eyes on each other, they had to slap hooves over their mouths to suppress incriminating laughter at the Best... Prank... Ever!

Together, they were a team. Partners in pranks, utterly unstoppable. The Diabolical Duo. The Mayhem Mares. The Ones Who Never Got Caught...

And now? Now things were suddenly different.

Shaking loose from Pinkie's hooves, Rainbow flapped onwards. She wasn't sure where she was headed, just sure what she was leaving behind.

Pinkie flapped along beside her, puzzled. "What's up, Rainbow? I mean, we are gonna go visit the earth-pony world and see Twilight again, right? That’ll be just super-duper-looper-awesomely-cooleriffic! And I’ll finally be able to throw her that welcome party I'd planned. Although," she added thoughtfully, "since we know her now, I might have to re-theme it as a Hey, It's Great to See You Again party. But no problemo, I can do that. Easy peasy, mac-and-cheesy! Right?"

Rainbow just stared straight ahead, frowning. She'll never get it. She’ll never understand. No more pranking, no more craziness. From now on, Rainbow Dash flies straight and true.

So why... why does it feel so unfair?

Garden Party

"Hey, Twilight? Ya in here? Aw heck, who’m I kidding? Where else would ya be?"

Applejack trotted in through the doors of the red barn on the hilltop in Ponyville, which Twilight Sparkle's parents had let her turn into a workshop of sorts. As always the orange farm pony was struck by one thing about the place: its neatness. Tools on pegboards, each in its proper outlined place. Paper and pencils in perfectly aligned stacks on the drafting table. Wood planks and dowels stacked against one wall, arranged by length and tree species. An entire set of shelves with nuts and bolts, nails and screws, chains and small gears, all organized in carefully labeled jam jars, in order by size and material.

And all round the walls of the room, in case after case... books. In proper order by category, author, and publication date.

Applejack knew that last part for a fact since Twilight had told her so. More'n once, the farm pony added to herself with a grin.

In the open work area in the middle of the floor stood the broad-winged airframe. It was made of the strange gray, compressed-cloud material Twilight had gotten from the pegasus world. There was more of the stuff piled on a table nearby: panels and spans of all sorts, again neatly ordered by size and shape.

Applejack had held one of the spans in her hooves once, and had to immediately put it down again because it just felt weird. Light as spiderweb, strong as teak. And Twilight had built a whole aircraft out of the stuff. Applejack half suspected a filly could lift the thing with one hoof.

Through a gap in the craft's upper panels a head popped up. But it wasn't Twilight's. It was a small dragon with purple scales and green spines. He blinked green, cat-like eyes at her, then grinned.

"Hi, Applejack!"

"Hey there, Spike. Heh!" Applejack shook her head. "Never gonna get used to that. Me standin' here, talkin' to a real live dragon. Where's Twi at?"

Spike gestured downwards with a claw. "She's still working out the hoof-pedal gearing for the propellers." He pointed at the wings of the craft, which now had small boxes attached, with double-ended wooden blades like maple-tree seeds. "That way, she won't have to rely so much on updrafts and gliding."

"Land sakes alive." Applejack stepped closer to have a look. "This thing's like that patch of ivy down the back forty. Every time I turn 'round it's gotten bigger."

"Hi, A.J.!" From underneath the gray-panelled fuselage a lavender hoof stuck out and waved. "Sorry, I didn't hear you come in."

"No worries, hon. Figgered I'd come over early for the get-together."

"Oh yeah, that's right. Rarity and Fluttershy should be arriving soon, from the unicorn world."

"How they gonna do that? They got another of these flyin' doohickies?"

"Ah hah..." Twilight replied, mysteriously. "Wait and see!"

Applejack grinned at that, suspecting it would be worth the wait.

Then sensing someone behind her she turned and found Twilight's mother walking in through the door. The gray-coated mare was carrying a plate with a sandwich on it, plus a sack of hay-fries. "Oh, hello there, Applejack."

"Howdy, Ms. Velvet." The farm pony touched her hat politely.

"Is Twily in here someplace?"

"Down here, Mom!" The lavender hoof waved again.

"Well, I've got your lunch, dear. I know how busy you get but we don't want you passing out from hunger, do we?" So saying, she set the plate down next to the aircraft.

Twilight's hoof reached out, felt around vaguely, found the sandwich. Then hoof and sandwich vanished from sight, followed by the sound of appreciative munching. "Mmm, my favorite! Grilled cheese, ketchup, and daisy. Thanks, Mom!"

"My pleasure, dear," Velvet replied. "And Spike, these are for you." She picked up the sack of hay-fries and passed them to him. "Can't forget Twily's little helper."

"Gosh, these look great!" Spike grinned. "Thanks, Mom!"

Velvet looked bemused at that. Then seeing Spike's worried look she waved a hoof. "Oh, it's all right, dear. You can call me Mom too, if you want. Now are you sure this is enough? I know Twilight said you liked gems or something."

"Oh, anything crunchy's good enough for me," Spike said. "And these hay-fries are the best! Thanks!"

"You're welcome, dear." Velvet smiled proudly. "And Twilight, do say hi to your friends for me when they get here."

"Sure, Mom," Twilight replied, a little absently.

"Why don't ya stick around, ma'am?" suggested Applejack. "Say hi to 'em yourself?"

Velvet looked sorely tempted, then shook her head. "Mmm, no. I don't want Twily thinking I'm hovering or anything. I'm just so pleased she's been able to make some new friends here. It's one of the reasons we moved to Ponyville in the first place. What with Shining Armor away on that apprenticeship, I've been worried Twilight might get lonely all by herself." Velvet looked momentarily concerned. "You will keep an eye on her for me, won't you, A.J.?"

"Always do, ma'am, whenever I can. But you don't haveta worry. Twilight, she can look after herself."

Velvet nodded gratefully. Then, with another glance at the airframe, she trotted out through the door.

And Applejack exchanged a glance with Spike. "She ain't told her folks yet, has she?"

"Nope." Spike shook his head.

"I will, A.J.!" Twilight said. "... eventually. Somehow the time's never quite right, you know?"

"Twi, you've been flyin' this gizmo back and forth between entire worlds here. They're bound to notice, sooner or later."

There was a lengthy silence. "Yeah," Twilight finally said. "That's what worries me. What if they said it was too dangerous? What if they told me not to do it any more? What if... what if they didn't like my friends from these other worlds?"

"Twilight, your folks are better than that. Ya know they are," Applejack scolded. "Heck, they'd just as soon tell ya to pack a lunch and remember to wear a scarf if it's chilly. But it's better all round if they're in the loop, know what I mean?"

"Yeah..." Twilight sighed. "I hear you. Let's talk it over with the others when they get here, pick a good time to introduce them to my parents. I just hope Mom and Dad don't freak out or anything. Hey, Spike? Would you mind taking down some measurements for me?"

"No problem, Twi. Be right down!" Nodding to Applejack, Spike disappeared into the innards of the aircraft.

And Applejack shook her head. All ya can do is nudge, she told herself. Twi's gotta find her own way of doing things. It's how she rolls.

There was a fluttering of wings outside, and Rainbow and Pinkie came into the barn, with Rainbow flapping through the air like usual. Pinkie by contrast was trotting along on her hooves, giggling as if she found the meadow-grass ticklish.

Rainbow waved dispiritedly. "Hey, gals. This where the party's at?"

"Huh! This doesn't look much like a party scene to me." Pinkie glanced around critically at the workroom's neatness. "But don't you worry, I can fix that in a jiffy!" From nowhere, the pink pegasus produced a long, fat tube with a bell-shaped opening at one end, much like a brass blunderbuss. Before anypony could stop her she threw the tube to her shoulder, aimed at midair, and fired...

... and with a thunderous blast of confetti, suddenly there were banners and bunting, streamers and balloons hung everywhere about the room.

Applejack stared around at it all, flabbergasted. "How'd ya do that, Pinkie?"

Pinkie beamed. "I never visit other worlds without the ol' party bazooka!" She patted the device fondly. Then, trotting over to Twilight's tool pegboard, she somehow found a pair of hooks with an outline exactly matching the bazooka and hung it up neatly.

Twilight crawled out from under the airframe and stood staring around at the decorations.

"Wow, where'd all this come from?"

"Surprise!" Pinkie darted over and hugged her. "Are you surprised, Twilight? Are you really? Huh, huh? I hope you're surprised. See, it's a Not-Really-A-Welcome-Party-Since-We-Already-Know-You-But-We're-Really-Happy-To-See-You-Again party. There's even cake! And that ain't no lie!"

Again, seemingly from nowhere, the pink pegasus presented Twilight with a decent-sized frosted cake, complete with floret icing and lit candles.

"Gosh." Twilight blinked. "That's great, Pinkie. Thanks!"

Applejack blinked, stunned. "Somepony wanna 'splain to me how she does all that?"

Rainbow waved a hoof warningly. "If you value your sanity, A.J., don't ask." Then she sighed, rolling her eyes. "It's just somethin' she does. She's a party pony. Or that's what she tells me, whenever I ask. And she's really, freakily good at it." Rainbow crossed her forehooves in disgust. "Just glad somepony around here is good at something..."

Before Twilight could ask what Rainbow meant, she was distracted by a small blue gemstone sitting on a table nearby. It was flashing on and off, making a chiming noise. "Hold that thought, everypony," Twilight said. "The others are about to arrive."

Grabbing up the gem with a hoof, she trotted out through the barn doors, the others following after her. Once outside, Twilight set the gem down on the grassy slope in front of the barn, just shy of where it banked downwards toward the Apple family's property.

The gem blinked and made its chiming noise again. In response, Twilight tapped it with a hoof, then stepped back quickly.

A flash of light leapt from the gem into the air above it, and a broad portal with swirling edges spun open. Through it, the ponies could see an elegant, silk-curtained throne room. Plus two unicorns. One was tall and proud, gleaming white with a perfectly styled violet mane, a crystal circlet on her forehead. The other was thin and willowy, a warm butter-yellow in color with a flowing pink mane and a large flower tucked behind one ear. Plus for some reason, the yellow unicorn also had a small white rabbit sitting atop her head.

"Yay! It worked!" Twilight clapped her hooves excitedly as the two unicorns stepped through the portal and onto the grassy meadow, then stood looking about themselves with interest.

"Well!" said Princess Rarity. "This is your world is it, Twilight? It's very... uh, rural. But quite lovely, especially compared to the Everfree. Oh, no offense, Fluttershy. I know you and your animal friends do your best."

"It's okay," Princess Fluttershy said mildly. But the rabbit sitting on her head scowled darkly in Rarity's direction.

Then Rarity looked past Fluttershy, at the gem projecting its portal. "Nice to see that these old portal-stones still work. And between different worlds, no less! But that's entirely thanks to you, Twilight, in locating the spell to operate them. Which reminds me..."

Rarity used her magic to levitate a small bundle of grimoires through the portal. "Here's those additional spell-texts you were looking for. Now, I can't pretend to say how much use they'll be. You'll have to tell us. After all, you're our Sorceror Royal now."

"Thanks, Rarity." Twilight took hold of the bundle, clearly resisting the temptation to page through them right away. "I'll take good care of them, and let you know what I find out. And while you're here, could I ask the two of you to test-drive a couple of spells for me? I think they're complete, but it's hard to be sure, not being able to cast them myself."

"Not a problem, my dear. Only too happy to oblige." Rarity glanced around at the others. "And who are your other friends here?"

"Oh, I'm sorry! This is Applejack." Twilight said, waving her over. "She's my best friend in Ponyville. Her family owns and runs the neighboring farm, down the hill there."

"Howdy do, uh... Your Highnesses." Applejack doffed her hat and attempted a respectful bow.

Rarity waved a hoof. "Applejack, darling! There's no need for formality. True, in our world Fluttershy and I are royalty. But here we are merely guests. So there's no call to stand on ceremony."

"As ya say, ma'am," Applejack said, as she replaced her hat. "Honor to meet ya, all the same."

Rarity dimpled, clearly appreciative of the respect. And Fluttershy timidly pointed down the hill. "Um, are those trees your orchard, Applejack?"

"That they are," the farm pony replied. "One hundred percent genuine apples. That's our specialty. And the farm house is down that way, too."

"Oh! Do you keep animals?"

"Surely do. We got cows, sheep, pigs, chickens... you name it."

"Oooooh!" Fluttershy said. "I'd love to visit them later."

"Be happy to show ya around."

"And of course," Rarity went on, "we do recognize our Captain of the Air Patrol." She nodded in Rainbow's direction. The pegasus brightened up a little, holding herself taller and more formally in midair. "And Sir Spike, our little knight in shining scales!" Rarity smiled down at him, and Spike quickly drew himself up, trying to look appropriately Brave and Glorious. "But who," Rarity went on, "is your friend here, Rainbow?"

"I'm Pinkie Pie!" The pink pegasus zoomed over to grab Rarity's forehoof, then shook it so vigorously she threatened to dislodge Rarity's circlet.

"Ah... charmed, I'm sure," said Rarity. She discreetly stamped her hoof to get it to stop compulsively vibrating, while Pinkie darted over and did the same thing to Fluttershy. The rabbit on Fluttershy's head clung to her mane desperately, like a champion bronco rider.

Then Pinkie looked back and forth between the two of them eagerly. "Do Princesses like music? Of course you must like music. Gotta have music at a party." And Pinkie was suddenly holding ten musical instruments, which she played with wild abandon using all four hooves, her wings, and her mouth, making the other ponies wince and cover their ears.

"The party's in Twilight's barn," Pinkie called over the din. "C'mon inside!"

Bemusedly, the ponies and dragon all followed the pink pegasus back into the barn. Once there, Twilight quickly found a safe place in a trunk for the spell-books. Then she showed Rarity about the workroom, in particular going over in detail the changes she'd made to the airframe. Rarity nodded and tried her best to appear as if she understood it all. Applejack and Fluttershy talked eagerly and at length about animal care. Pinkie Pie danced about the room, playing music, cracking jokes, generally being the life of the party. And Spike sat on top of the airframe, staring at Rarity in dreamy fascination.

Throughout it all, Rainbow hovered off to the side, frowning gloomily. Whenever Pinkie swung past and tried to drag her into the fun, Rainbow resisted with increasing impatience. Finally, Rainbow had had enough, and shouted at her.

"Pinkie! For the thousandth time, quit being so... so freaking random!"

Silence fell, and everypony looked at her. Rainbow crossed her forehooves, looking regretful for the outburst yet reluctant to take it back. Applejack finally spoke up.

"Somethin' on your mind, sugarcube?"

"Yeah!" Pinkie added. "I wasn't gonna say anything, Rainbow. But you've been real mopey all afternoon."

"Is anything wrong?" asked Rarity. "At home? In your world, I mean?"

"No!" Rainbow snapped. "Well, yeah. Maybe, kinda. Ughh!" She flung up her hooves. "Sorry if I got a little loud. But today has not been the best day of my life. In fact, it's been darn near the worst."

"Oh! What happened?" Fluttershy asked.

"Is it anything we can help with?" Twilight offered.

"I dunno." Rainbow glanced around, as if seeking a cloud to flop down on. Lacking for one, she swooped over and thunked down on the airframe itself. Spike quickly made room for her.

"At school this afternoon," Rainbow said, "they called me into the head office, and... long story short, they're kicking me out of Flight School. Or what amounts to it. They say I'm not going to be able to continue with the professional flight program."

"Seriously?" Applejack asked. "Do ya know why?"

"Yeah. At first I thought it might be my pranking. Though nopony's been able to prove a thing. Ehem! But no, they say it's because I haven't been paying attention in class. And taking too many risks during flight exercises. Basically, that I'm not professional enough." She made air-quotes with her hooves. "And my grades... well, they're not so hot either. But I thought for sure I was squeakin' by. Maybe I was wrong about that, too."

Rainbow stared at the ceiling, and sighed.

"Bottom line is, I'm not gonna be able to complete my logged hours for graduation. Which pretty much kills any hope I have of getting into the Legion. Or any sort of flight-related work. I mean, who's gonna hire a flyer who hasn't logged her hours?"

"Oh! that's terrible," Fluttershy said.

"Yeah!" Pinkie nodded. "Getting into the Legion has been like, Dashie's dream ever since Flight Camp." The pink pegasus landed on the airframe next to Rainbow, and threw a hoof around her in a gentle hug. Rainbow looked uncomfortable at that, but she didn't object to it either.

"But it's more than that," Rainbow went on sadly. "I've always wanted to get into the Wonderbolts. They're like, the Legion's elite flying unit. But they only want the best of the best. So I guess I can kiss that dream goodbye too. And it's just so unfair!" She pounded one forehoof on the other. "I mean, I've been helping Twilight discover and explore entire worlds here. That's why I'm so distracted in class. I keep thinking about that, wondering what we're gonna run into next. And it's not like I can even tell anypony back home about it. I mean, who's gonna believe me?"

She sighed. "And ya know, the absolute worst part of this is, in Twilight's world I'm an explorer, an adventurer, a risk-taker. Heck, Rarity, in your world I'm Captain of the freakin' Air Patrol! Which... at the moment is basically me, but even so. While back home..." Her shoulders sank. "I'm nopony. A flunk-out. A loser. And that just sucks."

Silence fell. The ponies all nodded sympathetically, looking at each other.

"Well!" Rarity finally said. "We can't have that. You know Rainbow, you're always welcome to come live in our world. You and any other like-minded pegasi who'd like to be part of the Air Patrol."

Rainbow made a face. "That's nice of you, Your Highness, but... I'm not sure I'd feel right, just ducking out like that."

"Oh!" Fluttershy said. "Maybe Rarity and I could speak to them. The ponies running the School, I mean. Prove that what you're saying is true? Give you a good character reference to help get you off the ground?"

"That might help," Rainbow allowed. "Just one problem. Cloudsdale doesn't have ground, just clouds. If you two are gonna visit, where would you stand?"

"Hmmm, that does present a problem." Rarity nodded. "I mean, Fluttershy has her levitation spell, and she's trying to help me learn it. But I'm not sure I could manage it for more than a minute or two."

"And even I can't keep it going forever," Fluttershy added. "It takes a lot of power. I really need to rest up after."

The ponies thought about it.

"Well, how about this?" Twilight said. "What if we invited the ponies from Rainbow's school to come here, to the earth-pony world? They could fly here, same as Rainbow and Pinkie do. And we already know the portal spell works to get Rarity and Fluttershy here. You could all meet here, talk things over."

"Not a bad idea," Applejack said. "Kind of neutral ground, like?"

"Indeed!" Rarity said. "I'm certainly open to the idea. Fluttershy?"

"Hm? Oh, yes, I'm all for it. Um... if that's all right?"

"A'fore we do that, tho," Applejack said, "maybe we oughta talk it over with Mayor Mare? Find out if it's okay?"

"Yeah... we probably should." Twilight looked uncomfortable. "And before we do that, maybe I should clue my parents in, too..."

They waited until later in the afternoon. Twilight's parents were sitting in the living room sipping coffee, and chatting over the events of the day.

Twilight trotted in nervously. "Hey, Mom. Hi, Dad."

"Hey there, Button!" Night Light smiled warmly. "What's up?"

"How'd the party with your friends go, dear?" said Twilight Velvet.

"That's... kind of what I wanted to talk to you about." Twilight bit her lip. "You know how I said my friends weren't from around here?"

"Uh huh." Velvet nodded. "You said they were from someplace up in the hills? Like Hoofington or someplace like that?"

"It's actually a bit farther than that. Okay, maybe a lot farther. Look, don't freak out or anything, but I might have figured out a way to travel outside the sky. To other worlds entirely. And my friends, they're from a couple of the closest of those worlds."

Night Light and Velvet looked at each other, amused. "Okayyy..."

Twilight grimaced. Clearly they thought she was just pretending. Well, here goes nothing.

She motioned with a hoof, and the two pegasi swooped in through the front door. "This is Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie," Twilight said. "They're pegasi, from a world where ponies can fly."

"Hi, Twilight's Mom and Dad!" Pinkie shouted, her wings buzzing like mad.

"'Sup," Rainbow added, trying to act a little more chill.

Twilight motioned her other hoof, and the two unicorns came in from the kitchen, with Applejack and Spike right behind them. "And this is Princess Rarity, and Princess Fluttershy. They come from a world of unicorns, where ponies can work magic."

"How do you do, Mr. and Mrs. Velvet?" Rarity said, bowing genteelly. "A very great pleasure indeed, to make your acquaintance."

"Oooh, likewise!" added Fluttershy.

"And Spike here," Twilight said, motioning for him to stand next to her, "we think he might be from a world where there are dragons. But we haven't found it yet, so we're not sure."

Twilight's parents were staring at the new arrivals, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Twilight looked from one of them to the other, then cringed guiltily.

"Please don't freak out... please don't freak out..."

"Oh my gosh!" Velvet was awestruck. "Unicorns are real? And you're really Princesses, where you're from? Oh my! Should we be bowing or something, Your Highnesses?"

"Ah, there's no need, my dear," Rarity assured her.

"And ponies can actually fly?" Night Light was beside himself. "That is so... amazing! How fast can you go?"

"Depends." Rainbow looked smug. "How fast can ya measure?"

Pinkie Pie swooped over and shook hooves with each of them. And once Night Light and Velvet had gotten over that, they peppered the pegasi and unicorns with questions, both about themselves and about their worlds. To Twilight's great relief her parents didn't seem anxious or worried, just intrigued. Twilight carefully skirted discussion of the cyan void between the worlds, just to avoid frightening them. But otherwise, she was finally able to open up and describe her observations in detail, which was wonderful.

"So," Twilight said when things had calmed down a bit, "we wanted to help Rainbow out with a school issue. And it seems like the best thing to do would be to have the Princesses talk with some important ponies from the pegasus world. And I thought they might all meet here, since it's kind of a convenient middle ground... if that's okay?"

Her parents looked at each other, bemused. "Well!" Velvet said. "We really ought to run that by the Mayor, don't you think?"

"Probably." Night Light grinned. "I'll bet there's some kind of permit we have to apply for. Permission to hold an interspecies conference or the like. Do you think we'd have to apply for diplomatic status?"

"Oh, stop being silly!" Velvet said. "It would only be polite, so the Mayor's in the loop. I mean, it's not every day you have guests from other worlds dropping in." She turned to Twilight and her friends. "I tell you what, dear. Let's go and have a talk with the Mayor tomorrow. I mean, if that works for everypony else?"

"Absolutely, my dear!" Rarity said.

"Us too," Rainbow added, and eyed Pinkie sternly to make her keep quiet.

"And if you're not in a rush," Velvet offered, "how about joining us for supper? You too, Applejack. I just want to hear everything about what your worlds are like. It sounds so fascinating!"

"Goes double for me," Night Light said. "I want to hear more about this Flight School, Rainbow. You make me wish I had wings myself, so I could go there."

"Hey, no problem!" The pegasus looked bemusedly proud.

Twilight looked back and forth between her parents. Everything seemed to be going fine. So... maybe now was a good time to ask? "Mom? Dad?" she asked carefully. "Is it okay if I keep visiting these other worlds? To be with my friends? And to see what other places might be out there? What they're like, who lives there, that kind of thing?"

Her parents looked at each other in surprise. Then Velvet smiled. "Well, I suppose it's all right, honey. We did want you to be able to meet ponies and make new friends. And if we meant from here in Ponyville we should've said so, right? So that one's on us." She reached a hoof to ruffle Twilight's mane. "Just be very careful, dear, and always come home safely."

"And don't start any wars," Night Light added cheekily.

"Dear!" Velvet scolded. "Oh, and do remember to pack a lunch."

"And wear a scarf if it's chilly," Night Light said.

"I will." Twilight all but melted with relief. "Thanks so much, Mom! Thanks, Dad!"

With that settled, the group trotted into the dining room, chatting companionably together. And Applejack looked at Twilight. And smirked.

"Heh! Told ya!"

Diplomatic Party

The next morning the whole group, including Twilight and her new friends plus Twilight's parents, approached the Tudor-style rotunda of Ponyville's Town Hall.

"Let your mother do the talking, Button," Night Light advised. "She and the Mayor were at school together."

"Dear," Velvet retorted, "Marigold was my teacher, and you know it. And whenever she stares at me over those little half-moon glasses..." Velvet shivered. "I still wonder if I haven't forgotten my homework."

"Wish it was a nicer day," Twilight peered at the cloud-filled sky. "It's kind of gloomy."

"Hey, no problem!" Rainbow said. "I'll just clear the clouds away."

"All that?" Twilight waved a hoof. "That'd take you forever."

"Huh! Lot you know," Rainbow said. "I could clear this whole sky in nine seconds flat."

"She sure can!" Pinkie nodded excitedly.

"Oh yeah?" Twilight wasn't buying it. "Prove it."

Rainbow frowned, affronted. Then she leapt into the air, blasting away so fast she left a shimmering rainbow contrail in her wake. The ponies all watched in amazement as she ping-ponged back and forth like a cyan bullet, zeroing clouds and bucking them to vapor.

"Go, Rainbow, go! Go, Rainbow, go!" Pinkie shouted, waving pom-poms that she'd suddenly made appear from nowhere.

Belting the last cloud with a roundhouse swing of a hoof, Rainbow shot downwards. She landed back on the ground, not even winded, and smugly huffed on a hoof.

"What'd I tell ya? Nine seconds flat."

"Yay, Rainbow!" Pinkie shouted. "Whoo hoo!"

Twilight was floored. Spike reached up and gently shut her mouth for her.

"Oh, my!" said Rarity. "That was... an impressive display."

"I'll say it was," Applejack added, wide-eyed.

"Ooo..." Fluttershy whispered in awe. "It was unbelievable."

"I agree. Most impressive, young lady!"

The group all turned to see Mayor Mare, standing on the Town Hall's porch. The white-maned, tan-coated mare peered upwards at the totally cloudless sky. Then she turned a gentle-eyed gaze on the group. "I see we have some new visitors," she said in a friendly but mildly questioning tone.

"'Morning, Marigold!" Velvet said. "My daughter's made a few new friends, and she'd like to introduce them to you."

Twilight quickly gave the Mayor a capsule summary of her explorations, and then she went round the group, presenting everypony. When she got to the Princesses, Mayor Mare's eyebrows shot up, and she swiftly curtseyed.

"Your Highnesses, it's an honor."

"For us as well, Madam Mayor." Rarity and Fluttershy both bowed their heads respectfully in return.

"Well!" the Mayor said, as she straightened up again, "I always say a day without an unexpected surprise is a day wasted. And this certainly fits the bill."

"Oh." Twilight looked anxious. "Did I do something wrong, ma'am?"

"By performing a minor miracle?" Mayor Mare smiled. "Nothing of the sort, dear. I sometimes manage two or three myself on a good day."

"Oh good!" Twilight replied, relieved. Then she went on to explain the plan for having the Princesses meet with representatives from Cloudsdale in Ponyville. As she spoke the Mayor's eyes widened and her eyebrows crept steadily upwards, to the point where they threatened escape over the top of her mane.

"What do you think, Mari?" Velvet asked cautiously.

"Oh, I think the idea's as marvelous as it is unexpected." Mayor Mare smiled. "And I'm totally on board. This could put Ponyville on the map! Such an auspicious gathering. We could hold it right here, in Town Hall."

"Ah, no offense, Madam Mayor," Rarity put in gently. "But it might be advisable to host the conference in a more neutral spot. So as not to appear to be favoring one group of ponies over another."

Mayor Mare looked a little wistful, but nodded. "Point taken, Your Highness. That would make sense. But what locale would be suitable?"

"Heck, Mayor!" Applejack put in. "Y'all could use our barn if you'd like. We can fancy it up a bit, and it's about as neutral a spot as they come."

"Well that sounds just fine to me," Mayor Mare said. "But I do think we should run it by the Chancellor to get her buy-in. By chance, she'll be stopping by later today to discuss the schedule for harvest-time. So we can put it to her then..."

Thus it was that, later that afternoon, a portly pinto pony wearing the traditional feathered hat and ruff was standing beside Mayor Mare in front of the Town Hall. Chancellor Gravy Boat looked on skeptically as Rainbow darted about the sky gathering what few clouds had re-formed and bringing them down to ground level. Rainbow worked for a while shaping them into a rumpled-looking but comfortable puffy chair. Finally satisfied, she executed one last loop-the-loop, and flopped down onto the chair-shaped cloud with smug satisfaction.

"And that's just when we want a place to chillax, Your Chancellorness. There's a ton of other things we pegasi can do with clouds."

"Hmmm... it certainly looks comfortable." Gravy Boat tapped her uppermost chin doubtfully with a hoof. "Let me give it a try."

Before anypony could stop her she'd waved Rainbow aside and sat down upon the cloud-chair. Or tried to -- she went right through it, like the fog it was, landing with an undignified thump on the grass.

Rainbow snickered. "Oops, sorry! Shoulda warned ya. Cloud-sculpture only really works for us pegasi -- unless we pack it solid. Then you earth-ponies can use it as building material. Like Twilight did with that airplane thing of hers."

"Hmmm." Disdaining Mayor Mare's offered hoof Gravy Boat hauled herself up and dusted herself off. "Seems a little impractical to me."

"Oh, but that ain't the half of it, Yer Honor," Applejack put in. "Pegasi can move clouds around, and make 'em rain on cue. It'd be powerful helpful for farming, when there's a dry spell."

"Hmph." Gravy Boat eyed her. "Making it rain? I find that hard to believe."

"Oh yeah?" Grabbing a hunk of cloud from the chair, Rainbow parked it over the Chancellor's head. Then she gave it a sharp buck. A small deluge of rain pelted Gravy Boat, leaving her drenched, the feather in her hat plastered messily across her face.

"Rainbow!" Twilight gasped in horror.

"Oh my!" added Rarity. "Do let me help you, Madam Chancellor." Rarity's horn sang brightly, and a minor windstorm began whirling about the Chancellor's head. It swiftly dried her hat and her mane, but still left the bedraggled feather flopped across her face.

The Chancellor's puffed the feather off her face. Her frown spoke volumes. "Magic is all well and good," she said sternly. "But if only you unicorns can wield it, what use is that to us? And ponies with wings?" She gave Rainbow a sour look. "I shudder to think of all the regulations we'd have to add to the books, just to deal with you lot."

Rainbow crossed her hooves, and looked ready to fire a snarky come-back. But then she felt a hoof land on her shoulder. It was Pinkie Pie, smiling knowingly.

"Allow me, Rainbow," she whispered. "I got this."

"Pinkie Pie..." Rainbow warned.

"Don't worry, Dashie," Pinkie looked smug. "I speak Chancellor!"

She fluttered over to hover next to the Chancellor, beaming merrily. In return, Gravy Boat scowled back at her doubtfully. "Well?"

"Hi! You like cupcakes?" And just like that, there was a double-grandé chocolate cupcake with pink icing and sprinkles sitting on Pinkie's hoof. Surprised, the Chancellor willingly took it. Pinkie produced another for herself, then companionably munched it as she went on:

"Lemme tell you, your Chancellorissitude, about my concept for a party..."

A short time later the group was walking into the Apple family's sizeable barn, with the Chancellor in the lead and Pinkie hovering at her side. And everypony else quietly following along behind in wondering amazement.

"... and then we bring everypony in here," Pinkie was saying. "And see, we've already got a conference table set up, with bunting and banners for the three tribes. Oh! You'll have to tell me if I got yours right, Your Highnesses."

"They look splendid my dear," Rarity quickly supplied, with a sovereign's grasp of When to Let Somepony Else Do The Talking. "Do go on, please."

"And I figure," Pinkie said, "that as host of this important conference, you'd sit here, Your Chancellorship, in the place of honor." She indicated one of the four chairs set around the table.

"Looks like any of the other chairs to me," Rainbow muttered to Twilight, who quickly shooshed her with a wave of a hoof.

"And the Princesses will be here," Pinkie went on, "both of them together, representing the unicorns, and Commander Bronzehoof -- he's the big cheese from our world -- he'll be here. And the four of you can hash out all that important stuff about unity between our three worlds, and trade, and visits back and forth, and so on. And we'll have cake and pie and tea and coffee and all kinds of goodies to celebrate afterwards. Plus if you wanna take a break from all the diplomatic whack-a-moly, we can bring everypony up to Twilight's barn up the hill there. Show them her workshop and the plane thingy she used to come visit us. Let 'em see what earth-pony ingenuity is capable of, huh? So whaddaya say, Chancellor? Is this a party, or what?"

Gravy Boat snapped out of a comfortable reverie of self-importance. She seemed actually surprised to find she was expected to say anything at all.

"Well..." she allowed carefully and importantly, "we shall have to give it some serious thought. Some very careful consideration. Eh, Marigold?"

"Indeed, Chancellor." Mayor Mare nodded placidly. She like anypony else could tell the Chancellor was sold on the idea.

"An important event such as this," the Chancellor went on. "A meeting of great leaders, as it were. And it seems," she added, with a nod in Pinkie's direction, "the planning is in very good hooves here."

"Aw!" Pinkie dimpled, waving a hoof. "De nada, Your Chancellorness! It's just what I do. I'm a party pony! Hee!"

"Come then, Mayor," said Gravy Boat, sweeping about. "Let's return to the Town Hall and plan an agenda. We'll want to make sure we don't miss a thing, in these initial talks. If you'll pardon us, Your Highnesses?"

"Absolutely, Chancellor! And Madam Mayor." Rarity nodded indulgently. "We'll talk again soon."

As the Chancellor and the Mayor strolled out through the barn doors, everypony present heaved a sigh of relief. And Pinkie looked at Rainbow sheepishly.

"So... how'd I do?"

Rainbow frowned at her -- with clear envy. "Pinkie Pie, I think you could sell a sparrow its own nest!"

Twilight smiled. "I think she did great."

"Darn tootin' she did." Applejack shook her head. "I ain't never seen the Chancellor won over that fast."

"Eh." Pinkie shrugged. "I figured she might like sweet stuff, same as I do. And I just kinda ran with it."

"Well then," said Night Light. "Sounds to me like this conference thing is actually on."

"So... what happens next?" asked Velvet.

"Next," Rainbow said, "comes the hard part. Telling the ponies back home about all this. And Pinkie, I doubt very much Commander Bronzehoof is into cupcakes."

"I might have an idea about that," said Twilight. "If I can get everypony's help?"

"Absolutely, my dear," Rarity said.

"Oh, me too!" Fluttershy added.

"Oooh! Oooh! I love ideas! Sometimes I even have them myself!"

"Y'all can count me in," Applejack said.

"We can use one of the spells I've been working on," Twilight went on. "And if it works, I think it'll really get their attention. What do you think, Rainbow?"

Rainbow smirked.

"Hey, I'm in, totally. This I gotta see!"

Later, at the Cloudsdale Legion HQ:

"Commander Bronzehoof! Sir!"

The gray-maned, silver-armored pony looked up from the ancient mahogany table with a disapproving glare.

"Better be important, Captain."

"I believe it is, Sir." The gold-flanked, fire-maned pony took three precisely measured steps foward then placed a scroll on the table. "This was hoof-delivered to one of the cadets, who was asked to pass it on."

"What is it?"

"Unknown, Sir. It's marked Your Eyes Only."

Bronzehoof sat back in his chair, his eyes narrowed. "This better not be some kind of prank, Captain."

She nodded. "Only one way to know, Sir."

"Hmph." Bronzehoof stared at the scroll. It was made of a stiff yellowish paper. Not like the standard-issue wood-pulp stuff that came out of the farm districts. And it was bound with plain twine, plus a tag with his name on it. Cautiously, Bronzehoof picked it up with his hooves and unrolled it.

And hastily dropped it on the table again when the blasted thing began talking. It was speaking in multiple voices, and sounded much like a bunch of first-year cadets arranging themselves at a portrait session:

"...is it on yet?... Where should we be looking, Twi?... Right at that glowing gemstone on the worktable... Oh! I do hope Fluttershy and I cast the spell right... You did fine, your Highnesses... Okay, quiet now, ya'll! Like we planned, let Twilight do the talkin'."

Bronzehoof reached out a hoof and gingerly drew the scroll closer. And saw in a square box on the paper's surface, a moving image. It was a group of pegasi... no wait, not just pegasi, other kinds of ponies as well. Some of them had horns. Some lacked wings. One was even wearing a cowpony hat, of all things.

The wingless pony in front of the group, a lavender pony with a school-filly haircut, began speaking: "Ahem. Dear Commander Bronzehoof, I hope this message finds you well. I apologize for the unusual means we're using to reach you. I hope it's not outside the bounds of protocol. To keep this brief, there are multiple worlds above the sky, worlds much like Cloudsdale. Some of them are inhabited by ponies. I and some of my friends here are from these other worlds. We'd like to request the honor of your presence at a conference of the leaders of these various pony worlds, to discuss what we all have in common, and how we can all work together."

The Captain was staring at the moving and talking image, dumbfounded. "I almost wish this was a gag, Sir."

"Quiet, Captain." Bronzehoof growled. "This is Need to Know."

"Yes, Sir."

In the image, the lavender pony waved over one of the other ponies, a cyan pegasus. "I particularly want to thank my friend, Rainbow Dash. She was the first pony I met when I found my way to your world. And I couldn't ask for a truer, more loyal friend."

The pegasus timidly waved a hoof, grinning sheepishly.

"Matches the description," the Captain observed, "of the pony who delivered the message."

"Think you can find her again, to get a message back?"

"With a mane and tail like that, Sir? No question."

"Thank you for your time and attention," the lavender pony finished. "And kind regards from me and all my friends. We hope to hear from you soon."

The pony reached out a hoof and the image froze, still showing all six of the strange ponies. Bronzehoof whispered a silent thank you for that. It was going to be hard enough to persuade everyone as it was. He thought briefly then looked up, all business.

"Senior staff to the briefing room. Ten minutes. Go."

"Yessir!" Saluting, the Captain leapt into the air and blasted away -- through the window, to save time.

And Bronzehoof nodded proudly. There was a reason he left the thing open, in spite of all the drafts...

As usual with such things, it took time to get everything arranged and everypony's schedules aligned. So it was a few days later that Twilight and her friends, plus Twilight's parents, were all standing in front of the Apple family's barn late one morning.

Twilight thought she could see Granny Smith peering suspiciously through the window of the adjoining farmhouse, accompanied by Applejack's siblings Big Mac and Apple Bloom. But otherwise they had managed to keep the meeting quiet, so there were no other ponies around.

"Ughh!" Rainbow groused. "What's taking them so long?" She hovered nervously above the group, staring up into the blue sky that she'd spent every second since sunrise clearing of every last cloud.

"We sure we got the day right?" Applejack asked. "You said time runs different in them other worlds."

"The unicorn world runs a little faster." Twilight consulted a circular slide rule resting on her forehoof. "And the pegasi world is... a little less fast," she quickly amended with a glance in Rainbow's direction. "But according to my calculations, this is the right time in all three worlds."

"Maybe they're not coming," Rainbow sank lower and lower, until her hooves nearly brushed the ground. "Maybe they decided against it. Maybe all this effort was just a wild goose chase..."

"Well turn that frown upside down, Rainbow," Pinkie Pie crowed, pointing a hoof. "Because I don't think that's a flock of geese up there!"

They looked and could see, approaching from almost directly overhead, a small contingent of winged ponies. Their silver armor was glinting in the sunlight.

Twilight pointed. "That's Commander Bronzehoof in the lead, right?" she asked, as the Cloudsdale ponies drew closer.

"Ohmigosh-ohmigosh-ohmigosh!" Rainbow choked out, her forehooves pressed to her snout in awe. "You know who that is with him? It's Spitfire!"

"Who?" Twilight asked, staring at the blue-uniformed flyer accompanying Bronzehoof.

"Huh! Only the Captain of the Wonderbolts. She's a legend! They say she's tough as nails because she eats them for breakfast."

The pegasi squadron swept in a circle overhead, glancing to all sides as they surveyed the surroundings. Then they came in for a landing on the meadow in front of the barn. Teeth gritted, Rainbow shivered with hero-worship as the Commander and Captain approached, escorted by a small phalanx of armored pegasi.

The group came to an abrupt halt, and stood waiting.

"Oops, right!" Twilight said. "That's my cue."

Trotting over to an open area of the meadow nearby, she set down the portal gem. Tapping it, she quickly got out of the way as the portal spun open. And through it, a line of unicorn guards strode out, looking stern and impressive. Yet one almost didn't notice the guards themselves. They seemed mere clothes-ponies for the shimmeringly elegant scarlet robes and circlets they were all wearing. Their hooves were polished, their horns decorated with fine swirls of color, and while each pony's overall look was similar they each had subtle, individual differences, so no two guards looked exactly the same. It was like an army of haute couture, of living tapestry.

Twilight grinned. "Looks like Rarity's been busy in that design studio she set up," she whispered to the others.

The unicorn guard quickly formed up into two lines, to either side before the portal. Then they bowed deeply, their snouts nearly touching the ground. And from the portal the two Princesses strode, wearing their own elegantly shimmering regal gowns. Rarity had traded her circlet for a gleaming fleured crown, and Fluttershy wore a finely woven laurel wreath. Plus she had a small entourage of animals accompanying her, a pair of finely-combed badgers holding her train.

The Princesses were preceded by a smallish herald pony, carrying a scroll in her magic, which she unrolled with a flourish.

"Presenting! Their Royal Highnesses, the co-rulers of Unicornia! Her Highness, Princess Rarity of Canterlot! And her Highness, Princess Fluttershy of Everfree!"

Twilight smirked at that. "Fluttershy won the toss, actually," she whispered. "But she still wanted Rarity to be named first, since she'll be doing most of the talking."

The Princesses strode to meet the approaching Commander and Captain, the two sides exchanging respectful, if somewhat watchful, nods with each other. Then both groups turned as, with fanfare of trumpets, the doors to the barn swung open.

Framed in them was Chancellor Gravy Boat. She was wearing a tall formal hat, with a plume-like feather that could have swatted an albatross. Plus she had on a finely-stitched, puff-sleeved doublet, and burgundy pantaloons. She might have looked ridiculous in the outfit, yet there was a familiar distinctively subtle styling to it, which somehow brought the look off. "That's more of Rarity's work," Twilight whispered. "She offered to design the Chancellor's diplomatic wear, as a way of sweetening the deal."

Gravy Boat strode forwards, her hooves spread welcomingly. "Bold soldiers of Cloudsdale!" she called. "Elegant mages of Unicornia! Welcome to Earth, land of the Earth-ponies. It is my great honor and delight to welcome you, for this historic meeting."

The rulers all solemnly traded bows with each other, every one of them the picture of staid, reserved austerity.

And then Pinkie Pie looked out from the barn doors.

"Hey, all you big-wigs and hob-nobs! You feelin' diplomatic yet? Are ya ready to get down, and chew the fat? Let's get this diplomatic party started!" She vanished back inside, and from within the barn ten instruments began playing a sprightly polka number.

Somehow -- nopony was quite sure how -- this managed to merely break the ice rather than shatter the glacier. At Gravy Boat's sweeping gesture, the royal delegations trotted forward, and accompanied her inside.

Mesmerized with awe, Rainbow drifted through the air after them.

And she was brought up short when the pegasi guards stationed at the door flung up wings, glaring at her.

"Uh, right." Rainbow grinned sheepishly. "V.I.P's only. Yep. I gotcha." She backed off as she spoke, then looked downcast, as the guards firmly shut the doors in her face.

"Aw, don't take it too hard, Rainbow," said Applejack. "They're not even lettin' us Apples in -- and it's our barn!"

"Yeah, but..." Rainbow shrugged helplessly. "This is kinda deciding my whole future. I wish I could be there, to hear it go down."

"Don't worry, Rainbow," said Twilight. "Rarity and Fluttershy are on your side. I know they'll do their best to speak up for you."

"Yeah, I suppose." Rainbow still looked uneasy.

"C'mon," Twilight said. "Let's go back up to the workshop to wait. That way we can be ready if the delegation does want to come by for a tour."

"Y'all go on ahead," Applejack waved a hoof. "I'll stick around here just in case Pinkie needs anythin'. We'll give ya a yell if anything happens."

Twilight nodded, and together she and Rainbow headed up the hill. They were followed closely by Twilight's parents, who were chatting with each other in quietly amazed tones.

And as they went, Rainbow stared back at the closed barn doors.

And looked miserable.

In the workshop, Twilight quickly buried herself under the airframe again, quietly tinkering away at the gearing. Spike stood at her elbow, ready to pass her tools and jot down notes. And Rainbow was sprawled on top of the craft, her snout in her hooves, becoming increasingly restive and fidgety as time dragged on.

"Jeez," she finally grumbled. "This is taking forever!"

"Diplomacy's like that," Twilight said. "I read somewhere it's the art of waiting patiently and politely for the other party to say exactly the wrong thing."

"Hmph. How come you're so calm about all this?" Rainbow demanded. "Why aren't you worried?"

There was a pause. "Who says I'm not?"

"Well, you sure don't look like it."

"I'm an inventor," Twilight said. "When I'm worried, I find something to do with my hooves. You see this thing?" Twilight's hoof reached up and thumped the airframe's side. "This is me being worried about what Mom and Dad were going to say about my little trips to other worlds. And you see this whole workroom? How neat and tidy and organized it all is? That's me being worried, too."

"About what?"

Twilight sighed. "About Shining Armor leaving home. When he left to take that apprenticeship in Hoofington, I felt so alone. Like my one and only true friend was gone forever. So when we moved to Ponyville I buried myself in this place, in my books and inventions. But even so, it's not the same."

"What about Applejack?"

"Sure, she's a good friend," Twilight agreed. "And a great neighbor to have. But she's got a job of her own running the family farm, and it keeps her pretty busy. In fact, up until I flew this thing to your world, Rainbow, and ran into you, I'd forgotten what it was like having a close friend. Somepony who has the time to just... I don't know, hang out and do stuff together we both like to do. Somepony I can talk to, about the discoveries I've been making here. That's been kinda nice, really."

Twilight worked away in silence for a while. Then taking a driver Spike had given her she attempted to tighten a screw on the gearing. And found it hard to do, because of the cramped space and tight angle. The grip of her hooves on the handle kept slipping. "Drat," she muttered. "I'll have to re-block this thing. There's not enough room under here. If I only had three more inches --"

She fell silent, as the aircraft silently lifted in the air, exactly three inches. Just like magic.

Shifting around, she peered up past the airframe. And saw Rainbow smirking down at her. The pegasus had hooked her forehooves into the grips on the plane's upper surface and was holding it aloft on sheer wingpower.

"Thanks, Rainbow."

"Heh! Just bein' a good friend, Twilight. Like you said."

Twilight smiled back. "This might take a while."

"No problem, take your time," Rainbow replied coolly. "I can do this all day..."

"Hey, Rainbow!" Pinkie Pie yelled, zooming in through the open barn doors.

"Pinkie!" Rainbow shouted. "What is it? Are they done yet?"

And she let go of the hoof-grips.

"Wahhh!" Twilight shrieked as the airframe thunked back down onto the crates she'd been using to support it. "Rainbow!"

"Aw, pinfeathers." Rainbow said. "Sorry, Twi! Are you all right?"

"Just fine," Twilight muttered, "apart from nearly getting a screwdriver jammed in my eye..."

Rainbow wasn't listening. Instead, she stared eagerly at Pinkie. "So, what did they say, huh? Did they say anything about me?"

Pinkie shrugged. "How should I know? They're still jabbering away down there. Gab gab gab! They talk more than I do, and that's sayin' something! I just came to let ya know they were thinking about coming up here next, to have a look at Twilight's airplane gadget."

"Thanks for the warning," Twilight said. "We'll be ready whenever they are, Pinkie."

"Okie-dokie-lokie!" Pinkie grinned. And without another word she swung round, and pronked out through the doors.

And Rainbow thunked back down on the airframe again, her snout in her hooves.

"Aw, man!" she grumbled. "I don't think I can take the suspense much longer."

Twilight traded an amused look with Spike. Then she thumped the side of the airframe with her hoof. "Ahem?"

"Yeah, right. Find something to do with your hooves." Rainbow sighed. And re-hooking her forehooves on the grips, she held the airframe aloft while Twilight kept working on the gearing.

As promised, the delegations arrived at the barn shortly thereafter. Twilight gave them a quick engineering overview of the airframe, and then summarized her observations of the different pony worlds, and the cyan vastness that surrounded them.

Princess Rarity had already had the tour so she discreetly stood back out of the way, with Fluttershy huddled beside her, to allow the others a better look. Commander Bronzehoof in particular looked on sternly and unreadably, as Twilight came to a hesitant conclusion.

"And so... well, that's it. I'm thinking of exploring some of the other nearby worlds next, to see if there are any other kinds of ponies living there. Because that would be... really interesting?" Twilight was finding it difficult to keep up her enthusiasm, in the face of Commander Bronzehoof's cold, unmoved gaze.

The Commander looked first at Chancellor Gravy Boat, then at Twilight's parents, who were watching a little anxiously from the sidelines.

"And this... exploration," he said, "is being carried out with no planning, no oversight? Just one filly tinkering away in a glorified playhouse? Shouldn't she still be in school?"

"Um." Twilight winced, not sure what to say.

Then she felt a nudge at her shoulder. It was Pinkie Pie. "Tell him about your degree, Twilight!" Pinkie pointed to a framed document on the wall. "I noticed it at the party earlier, and I was gonna ask you about it."

Bronzehoof glanced at it himself. "What's that supposed to be? Some kind of filly grade-school graduation certificate?"

"No, sir." Twilight frowned. "It's my college equivalency diploma. And the reason I don't go to school any more," she went on, her voice taking on a fierce note, "is because they ran out of tests to throw at me. I study on my own now, conduct my own research." Trotting over to a nearby bookcase, she tugged a notebook out with a hoof, then flipped it open to show pages and pages of notes, sketches, and charts. "Plus I keep meticulous notes of my explorations and discoveries. So that other ponies can benefit from what I find out."

She slammed the notebook closed. "I'm an inventor. And this is not a playhouse, it's my workshop. Any other questions, Sir?"

Bronzehoof stared at her, an eyebrow raised. A brief uncomfortable silence followed.

Then Rarity spoke up. "Well, I for one can vouch for Ms. Sparkle's acumen. You know, Commander, there are times I feel she knows more about unicorn magic than even we unicorns do?"

"Oh, yes!" Fluttershy put in. "We've seen that first-hoof."

"She crafts entire spells," Rarity went on, "knowing nothing more than the logic of spellcraft itself. And the spells work, without even needing to be tested first. That missive we sent to you, Commander, it should be proof enough of her skill. It is, in a word, fabulous!"

The Commander eyed Twilight thoughtfully. "Are all earth-ponies this smart? You, for example," he snapped, looking at Applejack. "What about you?"

"Me, Sir?" Applejack stared, surprised, then grinned uneasily. "Uh, nossir. Just a farm-pony, farmin' apples. Cause that's what we Apples do, with apples. We, uh... farm 'em. But Twilight," she added quickly, "she can think her way outta anything. Around these parts, she's one-of-a-kind, definitely."

"Yeah!" Pinkie put in. "Twilight's so bright I feel smarter just being in the same room with her!"

"That's not much of a stretch," Rainbow couldn't resist whispering in her direction. Then, more loudly: "Uh, yeah, Sir. Twilight can be a bit of a brainiac at times. But if something needs figuring out fast, Sir, I'd trust Twilight... Sir." Feeling nervous, Rainbow added a salute just for good measure.

Night Light nodded. "That's our bright little Button," he said.

"She always makes us feel so proud," Velvet agreed. "She's smart, but she knows how to use that smarts to help other ponies."

"Yeah! Twilight's the nicest pony I know!" Spike insisted. And smiled up at Twilight as he said it.

While they'd been speaking, the ponies and dragon had all unconsciously gathered closer around Twilight. With the result that Commander Bronzehoof found himself facing them as a group, determinedly staring him down.

"Hmm." He nodded. "Very interesting. Well," he went on calmly, glancing at Chancellor Gravy Boat. "I think we've seen everything here. Shall we head back down and continue our discussions?"

"My thoughts exactly," the Chancellor said. "Your Highnesses?"

"Of course," Rarity replied, and Fluttershy nodded too. Gravy Boat led the way out through the doors, followed by the Chancellor, and then the unicorn Princesses. Rarity gave Twilight and the others a reassuring wink as she strolled out through the door.

And Rainbow scratched her mane with a hoof. "Uhh... what just happened?"

"I'm not sure." Twilight shook her head. "I think maybe we impressed him? But that's just a guess."

"I s'pose..." Applejack allowed doubtfully. "Ah well, early days yet! Give 'em time to get to know us, they'll come around."

The diplomatic session continued late into the afternoon. The sun was lowering in the west when Applejack finally came up the hill to find Twilight, Rainbow, and Twilight's parents. They all joined Pinkie on the meadow in front of the Apple family's barn, and looked on as the four leaders thanked each other for a lengthy but productive session and discussed preparations for the next one.

"As discussed," Gravy Boat said, looking at Mayor Mare, "we'll need a means to keep track of visitors to our world, much as the unicorns and pegasi will do for theirs."

"Well, there's always the Guest Register in Ponyville Town Hall," Mayor Mare suggested doubtfully, "but that's purely traditional. It's never actually been a requirement for anypony visiting the town."

"And it'd be a bit of a hike, into town and back," Applejack observed. "For anypony visiting here."

Twilight nodded. "Or a flight, as the case may be. What if we kept a logbook in my workshop up on the hill? Would that work for now? My friends will mostly be visiting here, anyways."

"I'd feel quite comfortable," Mayor Mare said, "with Miss Sparkle's meticulous record-keeping."

"I'll leave the details for you to sort out, Marigold," said Gravy Boat. "And thank you all, Commander and Princesses! May our future meetings go as well as this one has."

The Commander bowed stiffly in reply. The Princesses did likewise, but more gracefully and in tandem. Then the pegasi snapped out their wings and took off, winging upwards and disappearing into the glowing orange sky. And the Chancellor and Mayor Mare trotted off down the road to Ponyville's town center.

Leaving Rainbow Dash looking astonished and frustrated.

"But... but what about me?" she muttered sadly.

Beside her, Pinkie Pie whipped out a bullhorn and screamed into it, making the hills shake:

"YEAH! WHAT ABOUT DASHIE, HUH???"

Party of One

The group of friends reconvened up at Twilight's workshop. Twilight located a large blank notebook and spare inkwell, then set to work assembling a small lectern-like stand to hold them. As she worked, the Princesses reviewed the day's discussions.

"And I apologize, Rainbow," Rarity said. "We did try to bring the conversation around to you, several times. But for some reason Commander Bronzehoof didn't appear to want to discuss the subject."

"We did mention how brave you were, in defense of our realms," Fluttershy offered. Then she looked sadly puzzled. "I'm not sure why it didn't seem to help."

"It's okay, Your Highnesses," Rainbow said morosely. She was sprawled atop the airframe again, chin in her hooves. "I guess, when you get right down to it, I just don't matter enough compared to all the rest of this."

"Well, it's not for lack of trying," Twilight said, as she positioned the lectern by the workshop doors. "And you're always welcome here, Rainbow."

"And in our world too," Rarity agreed. "Always."

"Thanks."

"Excuse me, ladies?" said Mayor Mare, trotted in through the workshop doors. "I don't mean to interrupt. But Miss Dash, do you have a moment?"

"Sure," Rainbow tossed her hooves disgustedly. "I got tons of 'em right now!" Then, at the Mayor's bemused look, she cleared her throat. "Uh, sorry, ma'am. What's up?"

"During the deliberations, I couldn't help but overhear you might be looking for work that makes use of your flying abilities?" Mayor Mare smiled. "Seeing how you so easily deal with weather-related issues, we'd be more than happy to hire you to help manage Ponyville's weather, if you're interested?"

"Well, sure," Rainbow said. "Like, clearing the sky? Bringing the rain? That kind of thing? Kind of like a Weather Officer, like we have at home?"

"Exactly. I feel certain that ponies here would welcome being able to count on consistent weather for a change."

"It'd suit us farmers, fer sure," Applejack said. "It's been a bit dry lately. But I almost hate to wish for rain, since we tend to get it in buckets when it does come."

"We can work out the details later," Mayor Mare said. "Maybe set up some kind of rotation or request system? But I just wanted you to know, Rainbow, your efforts are appreciated. And our door is always open to visitors from your world."

"Gee, uh... thanks, ma'am."

Nodding politely, the Mayor turned and trotted out again.

And Rainbow sighed exasperatedly. "Well, that's just great! Now I've got important jobs in two worlds, and I'm still a nopony back home! Sheesh!"

She flopped down on the airframe, disgusted. The other ponies looked at each other, not certain what to say. Before anyone could speak, there was a loud click of hooves from the doorway.

"Rainbow Dash!"

It was Captain Spitfire, standing stiff and formal in the doorway. Rainbow stared, wide-eyed. Then she quickly hopped down from the airframe and snapped to attention.

"Uh, ma'am! Rainbow Dash reporting, ma'am!"

"You're wanted back in Cloudsdale. Right now."

"There ya are, Dashie!" Pinkie cheered. "I knew they hadn't forgotten ya. Let's go!"

"Just you." Spitfire pointed a hoof at Dash. "Now."

"Uh... yes ma'am." Rainbow gritted her teeth, and glanced around at the others. "See you gals later... I hope."

The rest of them nodded encouragingly, as Spitfire turned and launched away into the sky. And Rainbow hopped into the air and reluctantly took off after her.

Commander Bronzehoof was back in his office, looking over a number of reports spread out on the mahogany table.

There was a nervous cough from the door. "Uh, Sir? Captain Spitfire said you wanted to see me, Sir?"

Bronzehoof glanced up minutely. "Ms. Dash. Come in." Then he went back to staring at the reports. His forehoof moved them this way and that, arranging, organizing.

Rainbow cautiously stepped into the room, and peered around in awe. At the framed medals, the navigational charts, and the scale model of Cloudsdale itself, right down to the last pillar and rainbow, hanging from the ceiling near the windows. She'd heard about this place, usually in hushed, forbidding tones that suggested abandoning all hope. But she'd never expected to be standing here herself...

Then she abruptly recalled why she was standing here. She snapped firmly to attention, all but vibrating with nervousness.

Bronzehoof perused the various reports a few moments longer. Then he spoke, quietly and sternly, not even looking up.

"As I understand it," he said, "a visitor from an entirely different world, an entirely different species of pony, literally falls out of the sky. And you take it upon yourself to give her a guided tour, show her our technology, our defenses. And then help her return home, to her own world, with that knowledge about us. And you didn't even think to tell anypony about all this, afterwards?"

Rainbow gritted her teeth. "Well, Sir... I didn't think anypony would believe me."

"Hmmm. Perhaps not."

"But you don't have to worry," Rainbow said hurriedly. "About Twilight, I mean. She's an egghead, Sir. Spends all day inventing stuff. She's not out to hurt anypony."

Silence.

Rainbow winced, then went on, feeling desperate. "Anyways, Sir, I had to help her. Without those wings she built, she can't fly. And when they folded up on her, she'd have pancaked right in the middle of the Colosseum if I hadn't rescued her."

Now Bronzehoof looked up. "I hadn't heard about this."

"Yeah! And then, well, once I'd caught her, there wasn't much else I could do but lug her back home. I mean I couldn't just let her go splat, right?"

Bronzehoof didn't reply. Instead he drew one of the reports on his table closer and examined it.

"Following this, you aided Ms. Sparkle in using pegasus technology to build a new aircraft. And then assisted her in interfering with the political structure of yet another of these worlds."

"Well..." Rainbow shrugged. "It just wasn't fair, Rarity being gypped out of her rule like that. By some evil sorceror in disguise. We only helped her get her throne back. That's all."

"And in the process, prompted the reuniting of two powerful magic-wielding realms under a single banner?" Bronzehoof eyed her.

"I... guess so," Rainbow allowed. "But Rarity and Fluttershy had been friends before, so that didn't really change anything, did it?"

"And all this was your idea?"

"Well... no," Rainbow admitted. "I mean, I helped a lot. But Twilight, she was the brains of the operation. We'd never have pulled it off without her."

"Indeed. And do I understand correctly, Ms. Dash, that you've accepted a commission in the armed forces of a foreign power?"

"Oh, you mean the Air Patrol thing?" Rainbow shrugged sheepishly. "Well, what could I say, Sir? Rarity and Fluttershy were just being nice, hoofing out honors and titles and stuff as a way of saying thanks for our help. She even gave Spike a knightship, if you can believe it."

"Spike?"

"Um, Twilight's assistant, the dragon? Little guy, green spines? Follows her around everywhere, taking notes and stuff?"

"Hmm. A dragon," Bronzehoof said in a quietly marvelling tone, "willingly serving as a pony's assistant..."

"Yeah. And I think he's got sort of a crush on Rarity, too. But you didn't hear that from me. Erm... well, but the title they gave me, it doesn't actually mean anything, does it? The unicorns don't even have an Air Patrol. They don't have any kind of air defense."

"They don't?"

"Nah. Except maybe for Fluttershy's levitation spell. But that's pretty much it, far as I can tell."

"I see. And now it seems you've also accepted a position of responsibility in this... Ponyville," he said, as if finding even the name difficult to accept. "Serving as their Weather Officer?"

"Uh yeah. Mayor Mare offered me the job, just before Spitfire came to get me. Hey, how'd you hear about that?"

"Hmm? Oh, the Chancellor was hinting at the possibility during the deliberations."

"Oh. Well yeah, I figured I might as well do something with what I've learned at Flight School. Since I'm not going to be able to finish my hours for the flight program."

"Really?"

"Yeah, they kicked me out." Rainbow frowned, and then the words just started tumbling out. "And you know what, Sir? That's what started all this. All I ever wanted to do was graduate and join the Legion, work on my flying chops, and maybe, maybe one day qualify for the Wonderbolts. That's all I've ever wanted."

"Go on."

"And then, well, when I talked to Twilight and the others about it, they were nice enough to offer to help. And well, I guess you know the rest, Sir."

"Interesting." Bronzehoof actually looked surprised. "So all this, bringing together three totally different pony tribes, establishing a diplomatic bridgehead between three completely different worlds, upending our entire view of ourselves as ponies... it was all to help you get reinstated in the flight program?"

Rainbow looked miserably embarrassed. "I... guess so. But Sir, Twilight and the others... they were just being nice. Helping me out. Because, well... we're friends. I'm not sure why, we just are."

Bronzehoof was staring into the distance, looking thoughtful. Rainbow gritted her teeth.

"Uh, how much trouble am I in, Sir? You don't have to sugar-coat it. I can take it."

Bronzehoof looked at her, surprised. "Trouble? What makes you say that, Ms. Dash?"

"Well..." Rainbow gestured vaugely with her hooves. "Aren't I? Why else am I here? Did I break some kind of law, visiting Twilight's world, and all that other stuff?"

"Ms. Dash." Bronzehoof eyed her. "Do you really think you're the only pegasus who knows there's a edge to the sky?"

"Huh?" Rainbow goggled. "Seriously, Sir?"

"Mm hmm." Bronzehoof nodded. "We've known about the void outside for quite some time. We've had it under observation. We knew there were other worlds. But you, Ms. Dash, managed to do something that no other pegasus had yet managed to do."

"What?"

He leaned forwards, looked her right in the eye.

"Cross through the void, visit these other worlds... and come back to tell the tale."

Rainbow's eyes went wide. "So you're saying... I'm some kind of hero, Sir?"

"Let's just say," Bronzehoof replied, "we're most impressed by your initiative, Ms. Dash. And your actions throughout appear to have reflected the best ideals and principles of the Legion. We're looking for quick-thinking, dependable ponies like you."

Rainbow's slack-jawed expression spoke for itself. Then she winced. "Except," she pointed out, "I'm out of the Flight Program. So that's not happening, is it?"

Bronzehoof smiled. "What if I said I could have you reinstated? I'd even be willing to look upon your weatherpony efforts for this... Ponyville, as counting towards your logged flight time."

"Really, sir?" Rainbow was agog. "That'd be awesome!"

"Hmm. But I'd want you to do something in return."

"Anything, Sir! I'm on it!"

"I'd like you to provide regular reports on your activities in these other worlds. About the ponies you meet and interact with there. So we're kept in the loop from now on, and can make plans accordingly."

"Um. So... you're asking me to spy on my friends, Sir?"

Bronzehoof shook his head. "We have ponies here who are responsible for gathering intel, assessing it, drawing conclusions and making plans. What we lack, Ms. Dash, is raw data. You can provide that. Just talking to you, I've already learned three things about our new... neighbors that I didn't already know. All I'm asking you to do is keep your eyes and ears open while you're in these other worlds. Let us know what you see and hear, who you talk to, anything of interest that you learn. Don't bother with polish or trying to draw conclusions yourself. Just the bare facts. We can take it from there. Think you do that, Ms. Dash?"

"Are you kidding, Sir? No sweat!"

"Fine. You'll provide your reports to Captain Spitfire. She'll pass them on to me. And we'll let you know if there's anything specific we'd like you to look into. Otherwise, as I said, just the facts. And, once you've logged your hours and properly graduated, we'll discuss a commission in the Legion."

Rainbow snapped to attention, saluted. "Yes, Sir! You can count on me!"

"Fine. And who knows? You play your cards right, Ms. Dash, you might even be on a fast-track to the Wonderbolts."

Rainbow clapped her forehooves to her snout to keep from squealing with delight. "Um," she managed to get out, "permission to step outside and explode, sir?"

Bronzehoof smirked. "Permission to step outside granted. I'd advise against exploding. We just had the walls resurfaced."

"Yes, Sir!" Rainbow turned and shot through the open door, nearly colliding with Spitfire, who was standing outside. "Ma'am! Yes, Ma'am! Right away, Ma'am!" Rainbow tried to salute with both forehooves at once. Then, not even waiting for a reply she blasted away, leaving a rainbow contrail in her wake.

Spitfire shook her head. "Newbies," she muttered knowingly.

Then she stepped into the office, and regarded Bronzehoof doubtfully.

"Did you really mean all that, Sir? Admission to the Legion? And fast-tracking her for the Wonderbolts?"

Bronzehoof regarded her in silence, his expression unreadable. Then he spoke:

"Every word."

"Sir?"

Bronzehoof sighed. "Captain, we are dealing here with forces beyond our understanding. Perhaps even beyond our ability to understand them. Forces that could turn our safe little world upside down and shake it, like one of those little souvenir snow-globes. We have to fly carefully here, learn as much as we can, be ready. And to that end, Fate has seen fit to deal us an extra card. We'd be fools not to play it. So yes, I will be very interested to hear whatever Ms. Dash has to share with us."

"Yessir. I'll get things set up... after she's calmed down a bit. But you really think it's that serious?"

Bronzehoof didn't reply right away. He stared at the scroll on his desk, on the picture of six ponies, plus a small dragon. From completely different worlds but working together, as if they'd always been meant to be together.

"Look at this picture, Captain. What do you see?" Before Spitfire could answer, he went on. "I see a small lavender pony with talents and skills beyond her years. Plus an uncommon knack for gathering a following, and inspiring them. In cooperation, allegiance... even devotion. There's a word for a pony like that, Captain," Bronzehoof growled softly. "A word no good-and-true pegasus will ever tolerate..."

"Sir." Spitfire nodded. "I'll get right on it, Sir."

Bronzehoof nodded in return. And Spitfire turned, took wing, and darted away.

Then the Commander stared down at the image on the scroll, at the smiling lavender pony at the center of it, his voice a low, determined snarl:

"... Princess!"

Rainbow shot out through the main entrance of the Legion HQ, still so excited she was barely looking where she was going. As a result, she ran smack into the pink pegasus who eagerly dove into her path. They tumbled across the clouds for several lengths, and then finally got untangled.

"Dashie! How'd it go? Did they let you back in?"

"Pinkie?" Rainbow stared. "What are you doing here?"

"Duh! My ears were flappin', my knees were twitchin', my eye was fluttering. That means look out for opening doors! And the way I was a-twitch-a-twitchin', the ol' Pinkie Sense was telling me it was a big door! So I figured whatever the Legion wanted to talk to you about was great news."

"The best, Pinkie! I'm back in the game."

"Yay! Did they let you back in the School?"

"Better than that. Bronzehoof himself told me I was in line for the Legion after I graduate. Maybe even the Wonderbolts!"

"Wow! I knew it was a big door." Pinkie grinned. "Good for you, Rainbow!"

Rainbow nodded smugly. And briefly considered mentioning the extra assignment, reporting back to Spitfire. Then she decided against it. Pinkie would just blab about it after all, and ponies might get the wrong idea. After all, Rainbow was just filing reports, same as any other weatherpony would, right? Nothing weird about that.

Then Pinkie poked Rainbow's snout with a hoof.

"Hey! Cloudsdale to Colonel Dassssh! Ya wanna head on over to the earth-pony world again? Tell Twilight and the others the great news?"

The thought of seeing all her unusual friends again brought a smile to Rainbow's face. Even Pinkie's demented grin -- upside down, again, her wings buzzing as she hovered in midair -- was strangely comforting.

"Ya know, Pinkie," Rainbow said. "There's nothin' I'd rather be doin' right now."

The two of them took off, into the brilliant blue sky overhead. Then through it, into the cyan void beyond.

No other pegasus, Rainbow marvelled to herself as they navigated the void, heading for the shimmering blue bubble of Twilight's world, which was so unlike most of the others in sight.

And then she smirked.

Huh! I always knew I was awesome!

The End

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and My Little Pony: A New Generation,
their characters and indicia are the property of Hasbro.
No infringement is intended. This story is a work of fan fiction, written by fans for fans of the series.