My Little Dashie 2: The journey to Equestria

Chapters

Chapter 1 > Memories
Chapter 2 > The message
Chapter 3 >Top Secret
Chapter 4 > Plans
Chapter 5 > First contact

Chapter 1 > Memories

A/N: Corrected some error by Bronydragon. Thank you

"Dad,
for fifteen years you took care of me. For fifteen years you loved me, played with me, and made sure I enjoyed my life in a world not meant to house me. I'm not a mare of many words, but even though I told you this in person, I felt you needed a written version of it so you will know it was all real.

I love you daddy. You helped shape me into the mare I am now. I'm not sure what is going to happen, if I will remember any of this or not, but I want you to know that you did a darn good job of raising me, even if I was a bit stubborn at times and short with you during others.

With Celestia's permission, I hope to allow you to keep our photos; our memories, with you so that you will never forget. Again, I love you, and thank you.

Your little daughter always,

Your little Dashie forever,

Rainbow Dash."

Earth

Brian's pov

That was two years ago. Two years ago Dashie went back to her own world with the Princess, Twilight, and her friends, but I still remember every minute which I spent with my daughter.

It was hard. Hard to continue my life but I knew I must.

I had to move out my house 'cause every day when I woke up, I was haunted by my memories. Good, beautiful memories, but those always made me sad. I had to use the office room very day - which was Dashie's room – so I never had a day when I could concentrate completely. Some months later I found a good house in a village...in UK. That was the best choice, because that way I can't go to any "memory place" where we were. But my memories, of course, I still have.

The village was small, the population was very friendly, and everyone knows everyone - like in Ponyville. That's funny. - I try to be from my "memory places" as far as I can and I live in an alternative Ponyville. Of course the first days were a bit hard: I was the 'stranger' who came from the "other side of the world".
But later they accepted me.

The house which I bought is very good. Relatively big with garden, garage, etc. In the area there are just dirt roads, the nearest asphalt road is 10 km away. So I needed some good off-roader. In the next village, I could make a good business: I had some furniture which I didn't need and he had a Nissan Navara. I heard they're very good on the dirt and on the asphalt road too. And really...his sound is reminding me for an industrial fan. But this is another story and I had another dream...

When I saw Dashie flying, I always wished I could fly with her - but of course, I couldn't.

Maybe these memories led me when I went to a flight training course - I always had a little agoraphobia but I’ve beaten it. Now, I finished the training and I got an old but beautiful PC-12...she's small, but very powerful and she can always surprise you - in a good way - like Rainbow Dash. Maybe the fate but, the plane is cyan blue too.

So this is my life now: Flying through the English Channel, between London and France, with a plane which is only my...

"BRIAN!!! Where are you?! You must took of 10 minutes ago!"

Well, the plane is mine...between 6 AM and 8 PM.

"Coming!"

I went to the small office where my boss, Mr. 'Always angry' Bird (seriously that's his name) was already waiting for me.

"Why is the ground crew still fueling the plane? I thought we bought only half a tank of kerosene!"

"That's correct sir. I directed them to fill the tanks to full." I answered

"WHAT?!? You want to close this company with this expensive fuel?!" Mr. Bird shouted.

"With all respect sir, I checked the fuel price in Toulouse and here. The kerosene here is cheaper with 2 Pound. That’s why I ordered the full tank" I answered with the most relaxed sound that I had.

"Hmm...You’re probably right." 'Probably?...always in this theme. Ah never mind' I thought.
"Well...you have all the clearances that you need, so you can go when they finished the refueling."

"Of course sir." I wanted to salute to him, but I think that's not the best idea.

I walked out the office when he yelled after me: "Fred is already at the plane."
I just waved back to let him know, I heard that.

Fred was my co-pilot. He came here around two weeks later than me and now we're best friends. I walked to the Pilatus "Dash" and greeted the ground crew.

"Hi Steve. How much time do you need, because Mr. Bird is already flying by the anger."
"Hi Bryan. He-he...don't worry 2 minutes max." Steve answered in his always happy tone.
"Ok, thanks. Good bye."
He just nodded then he removed the fuel truck's pipe from the plane's wing.

I went to the cockpit where Fred already awaited me.

"Welcome aboard 'Captain Dash'. How is my best friend?" He saluted and smiled when I sat down in my seat.

Yes, he knows about Dashie...One time, when I was ill, he came to me to see how I was. I was just watching my album when he stepped in my room and I wasn't fast enough to hide it behind my back. He recognized these pictures were too good to be Photo shopped, so I had to tell him the story. He has lots of diplomas from IT universities, I couldn't mislead him.

"Well you know. The usual" I smiled back. "We have everything what we need?"
"Uhm, yes I guess, except the two most important things" he told me and winked.

I perfectly knew what he was talking about. I looked out of the window, the crew finished everything, and we were ready to start.
I locked the cockpit, and while Fred took the plane to the runway, I put these two 'most important things' to the dashboard: a picture of my daughter and her first feather. Since we flew with them, we never had any problems. I think some magic already is within these 'artifacts'. I looked at them and remembered those 15 years.

Suddenly Fred woke me up from my daydream.
"Hey, you want to do the take-off?"
"Huh?...Oh yes, sure." I grabbed the yoke and the throttle.

"Tower, Bird 153, ready for take off" Fred told to the tower.
"Bird 153, you're cleared fot take off"
"Cleared for take off, Bird 153 roger"
"Good bye guys"

I looked once more to the picture and the feather and then pushed the throttle to forward.

"Hey, are you really ok?" Fred really worried about me.
"Yeah, I'm ok; just...it was correctly two years ago and..."
"You miss her?"
"Yes."
"Hey, don't worry. She's now in Equestria...with her friends. And that's the best for her." Fred tried to comfort me.
"I know." He was right, but I couldn't feel better.
"Hey, I know it's hard, but try to give me a happy final flight" Fred tried to change the subject...with success. Tomorrow he'll quit the company. He got a better job somewhere the other side of the UK. Honestly, not really hard to find a better job than this.

I pulled the yoke and our little bir...pegasus lifted in the air.

Equestria

Rainbow Dash's pov

Two days...I left him two days ago.

Fortunately Twilight just gave me back my original memories and she didn't erase the 'news'. Now it's a bit difficult...to take everything in its place in my mind but I can do it. Now I'm not the same Rainbow Dash I was two weeks ago...or I just tried not to be the same.

On my duties I try to act like nothing happened, but in my free time I try to make an intermediate way between my new and my old personality. And in the nights I just remember my life with dad. But this night is different...

Tonight I'm waiting below my house for a certain orange filly who wants to go with me to see the shooting stars. Until her arrival I just lay on the ground, watching Luna's moon and wondering what my dad is doing at this time.

"Rainbow, I'm here!" I turned my ears and my head to the source of the voice.
My #1 fan, Scootaloo came from the town hall's direction with her usually huge grin. I just smiled on that.

"Well..." - I told her - "are you ready?"
"Of course, I'm always ready." she answered when she arrived to me.
"Ok, the others are waiting for us at the library. Let's go." I grabbed my saddlebag in my mouth, swung it on my back and got up.
"Wow" Scootaloo gasped.
"What's up?" I asked. "Something wrong?"
"No, just..." - she hesitated - "it's about you..."
"About me?" I think I know what she wants to say, but I thought I’d better wait.
"Well...Twilight told me what happened to you and she told me you changed a bit...so...I just wanted to say that..." she looked at me. I think she expected some "old Rainbow-style" impatience, but I just waited...this surprised her a bit.
"...you are really a bit taller than two weeks ago and your manes style is more..."
"Serious?" I tried to help her.
"Well yes, but I wanted to say awesome." she forced a little smile.
I blushed a bit on her sincerity.

It's true, I really am taller with a half a head than the others...Princess Celestia offered an age regression for me but I respectfully refused it. That two year difference is nothing and with that I'm still not the oldest in the 'Mane 6'. About my mane, well...that's a personal thing.

"You are not mad at me because I told this to you?" the orange filly asked me in a worried tone, while we trotted to Twilight's library.
"Scoots..." - I just shook my head, a warm smile spreading over my lips, which surprised her. "...why should I be mad at you? Everypony has an own opinion about the others." I explained to her.
"Well you really are not the same Rainbow Dash..." At this point I looked at her with a worried look. 'I hope, it's not a problem for her' I thought.
"...but I don't care. You're still awesome for me." After that she looked at me with a huge smile. 'Phew...that was close'.
"Thanks Scoots, it...it means a lot to me." I felt myself a bit happier...at least one pony fully accepted me.

We arrived at Twi's library where, of course, everypony waited for us.
"Hi Rainbow! For a second I thought you don't want to come" Twilight greeted me.
"Good evening guys! Well I could come faster but in that case I would have easily left Scootaloo behind." I answered with a wink.
"Hey, that's the important, ya arrived, sugarcube." Applejack defended me.
"You're right AJ. By the way...where are Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle?" I asked because I didn't see them.
"We're here." Sweetie suddenly appeared on my left side, which caused me to jump and fall to the ground. The others just laughed.
"Ouch" That's what I could say behind my smile. "Just to know...you told them my 'situation'?" I asked; when the two other fillies started examining me.
"Well...more or less darling." Rarity told me.
"Ok, more than nothing." I said while I stood up. "So where are we going?"
"Well, what do you think about that hill where we saw the shooting stars the last time?" Twilight asked.
"Oh noooo...that's too far for us." The CMC groaned in unison.
"How about, if I...take you on my back, huh?" All the girls watched me with an 'I heard it right?' face.
Well, the idea shocked them a bit, because the 'old' Rainbow was the last in Equestria, who came up with an idea like this.

"Uh...aare you sure about it, Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked behind her pink mane.
"Yeah, of course. I mean I can easily carry three fillies on my back." I answered with confidence.
"Not about that Dash, just...it's a strange idea coming from ya" AJ told me, still shocked.
"Don't worry; I don't want to eat them or something." I answered with a little smile.

"Ok, everypony ready?" I asked when the three fillies successfully climbed up on me. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell are seated on my back; Scootaloo is laid on my neck and looking forward trough my mane.
"We're ready." they told me in unison.
"Ok, let's go." Twilight said and we started trotting to that certain hill, but after an almost half an hour trotting...

"Hey Rainbow Crash!" 'I don't believe it...why now?' Hoops and his 'friends' unfortunately found me somehow...but I tried not to hear them, I have more important things to do right now.

"I guess they don't know my story." I told Twilight.
"No, they don’t." the unicorn answered with a slightly worried look.
"Are you sure, you don't want to say something?" Rarity asked me, expecting that the old Rainbow will throw down the three fillies and fly straight to those three bastards.
"Don't worry Rarity, I can handle it." I told her, still ignoring the bullies speaking.
But after that, I heard something, which I couldn't ignore "...What is this grandma' mane style Crash...you'll always be a looser and you'll always be surrounded with lousers!!!"

I stopped. 'Ok, that was going too far'.
"Uh-oh" the girls realized my anger behind my peaceful face.
"Girls, please climb down for a minute." I told to the fillies as calm as I could.
"Uh, ok." Three seconds later the CMC were already on the ground.
"Just a minute." I told them.
"Come on guys, Crash want to play with her idiots." Hoops said to his ‘friends’ and they started to leave.

Scootaloo's pov

The next second, with a bright rainbow colored flash, Dash was already behind the three colts and grabbed their tails, which surprised them...combined with the effect she had on them, because she needed to lean down to make eye contact. I didn't hear what she told them, but at the end of the conversation the three stallions were standing there with death white faces.

Rainbow Dash's pov

"Uh..Yes, Ms. Dash, Ok." Hoops answered with shaking legs.
"Thank you." I told them and released their tails, which caused them to lose their balance, falling face first into the mud.
After that I simply walked back to the others, but I still heard the three of them:
"I think it’s better if we go home."
"Strange...She’s taller than I remembered." To be honest, I smiled a bit on this.

I trotted back to my friends. "Phew...Sorry, but I needed to release a little pressure."
"Heh...If this was a 'little', Ah don't want to know what ‘big pressure’ is like." AJ told me after a little hesitation.
"Well I can change, but the old Rainbow is always in me." I answered with a half-smile and picked up the fillies.
"You're right Dashie!" Pinkie hopped up and down while we walked towards the hill. "Without that, you'll be a bit booooooring."
"Hey, that's not right. Rainbow is not boring!" the orange filly on my head jumped up in anger a bit.
"It's all right Scoots, she just joked...Riiight? I asked Pinkie while I gently pushed her back into my mane.
"Ok, you got me Dashie." Pinkie smiled at me and gave me a high hoof. 'Just like good old times'.
"By the way Dash...what did you say to them?" Twilight asked me.
"Ooh, nothing serious, believe me." I answered and giggled a bit as I recalled our conversation.

The three stallions just stood there with shocked expression on their faces.
"Guys...I had some long and exhausting weeks, so I'm not in the mood to 'hang out' with you. But if I'll meet with you next time I'll drop you front of the Hydra, one-by-one." Rainbow told them with a very calm tone.
"And what will you do if we simply fly away?" Hoops tried to say something. Dash leaned closer.
"And how do you want to fly away..." she showed the most devilish smile what she could manage "...without your wings."
Of course she never could hurt any of them but they don't know this

We arrived at the hill which Twilight told us. Every pony from Ponyville was already there.
"Hi girls!" Lyra greeted us. "I knew you'd come, so I reserved the best place for you." the mint green unicorn told us with a huge grin, shaking from excitement.
"Thanks Lyra." we told her one by one and lied down. It was really the best place. About Lyra...she was always around us since we came back from Earth. I think she is very interested in humans.
"Fluttershy, where is your lovercolt?" I asked her with a wink. She just blushed.
"He had to work overtime and he was very tired, so...he is sleeping in my cottage now. But he wanted to see this." she explained, her voice being a bit sad.
"Hm. In this case I think I have something that can help." I answered. All of them looked at me curiously.

I opened my saddlebag and raised a video camera out of it, together with a little tripod. These were two of those things which I brought with me to here. Of course Lyra and Twilight were the first who asked me.
"What’s that thing Dash?"
"It's a camera. You can record anything with it and later you can look at it again." I set up the camera and turned it to the sky. But what I didn't notice, I accidentally turned on the playback mode.

"Hey Dashie, don't worry. It's just water. "
"I know, but it's too hot."
"Ok, wait a minute."

I forgot to change the memory card and now everypony watched one of my bath times.
"Oh Dash...Is that you?" Rarity asked.
"You looked like me, except your colors." Scootaloo commented the video with a giggle.
"Ok, ok. It's over girls." I changed the card as fast as I could. My face was as red as AJ's apples.
"You were soooo cute, Dashie." Pinkie told me and everypony 'Awww'-ed.
"Please, leave the topic. I love those days but now we have other things to watch." I tried to distract them.

After when the 'show' started we lied/sat on the ground and watched the sky.
"Rainbow, you saw something like this, in the other world?" Scoots asked me in a whispering tone.
"Of course. They were very rarely, but yes. For example, we saw one some days before..." I wanted to continue but I couldn't.
"Before what?" the orange pegasus asked.
"Before we went to her...right? AJ finished my sentence. I just nodded.
"Oh...sorry Rainbow. I don't want to..."Scoots apologized, but I interrupted her.
"It's not your fault Scoots...and not yours girls...this happened and now it’s over." I told them. I knew it wasn't easy for them too, so I didn't blame them.

The night was getting colder and colder every minute. It wasn't very cold for me, but I noticed, that Scoots started shivering on my head.
"Twilight, in my bag, is a blanket. Can you give it to me?" I asked the lavender unicorn.
"Yeah, just a moment." she told me and pulled out a rainbow colored blanket. I just nodded towards Scootaloo and Twilight covered her with the blanket, tucking the loose ends under her belly.
"T-t-th-thanks." she told us.
"Not a problem. Rarity, AJ, do you have something for Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom?"
"Oh no, I forgot that!" Rarity cried out dramatically, upon realizing that she left Sweetie Bell's scarf at home. And same happened to AJ.
I just rolled my eyes. "Come on girls...I don't have another blanket but I have wings." I told them with a small smile and successfully surprised my friends again.
"Oh, thank you Rainbow." The two other fillies told me together. The others just watched us with smiles on their faces.
"What?" I asked.
"Oh..nothin', sugarcube." AJ told me. "Just look at you." I looked to my left and right, and then on my head...I couldn't do anything just looking at the three fillies with a warm smile.
"Ah think you changed a lot on the other side Dash. But as Ah see, they love it." AJ told me and pointed to the fillies.

After the event we started to trot back to Ponyville with the three sleeping fillies, when suddenly...
"By the way...you know where Scootaloo is living?" I asked the others but they didn't know. 'I hope it’s not problem, if I bring her to me.' I thought. At the library everypony told a goodbye and I flew back to my house.

At home I went up to my room and tucked Scootaloo into my bed.
"You had a tough day...you deserve a good sleep." I whispered to her and went to the living room at downstairs to unpack my things. As fast as I could, I hid my bath time’s memory card before somepony will watch it again. 'Maybe later.'
Then I heard somepony knocking on the door. I looked at the clock. It was 1 o'clock.
"Who could it be at this hour?" I mumbled to myself. When I opened the door, firstly I thought there was nopony. Then after I shook my head, I realized that the 'nothing' I saw, was a night blue alicorn.

"Oh, Princess Luna? How can I help you?" I asked when I looked up to her...yes she’s still taller than me.
"Good evening Rainbow Dash. I just came to visit you. I heard you had a very long two weeks." she told me with a half-smile.
"Well yeah...really long. I guess the news travels very fast."
"Heheh...yeah, that’s sure. But as Celestia's sister, I could hear that from first hoof." she chuckled.
"Yeah that's right. Uh...you want to come in, or something?" I asked her. She nodded.
"Ok, just please be quiet...Scootaloo is sleeping upstairs." I told her. She nodded again.

We went to the living room and I served two coffees.
"If it’s not a problem...may I ask why Scootaloo is here?" Luna asked.
"Well, we watched the 'star show' and when it finished, she fell asleep and I don't know where she is living." I answered "But as I recall...she never told anything about her family."
"I see. Well tomorrow you can ask her about it, but if you need some help I think I can see about her home or her family." the princess offered.
"That would be good, thank you. But I guess that's not the reason why you came here." Well, that's a great moment when you meet a princess, but when she comes to you...that's not good every time.

"Well my sister just wants to know if you're okay...I mean about your memories and all." 'Okay, fortunately it's not the bad moment' I thought.
"Yeah, yeah I'm okay; just...a bit sad 'cause I can't meet my dad again." I told her.
"Yeah, I heard about what happened to you in that world. You were very lucky that he found you. Sad thing, but my sister was right...she couldn't bring him here, because he doesn’t belong here. But everywhere is a loophole." she told me with a confronting smile.
I suddenly looked up to her and saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "But in this case...what is that loophole?"
"Believe me, I want to tell you, but I'm afraid I can't. That's not here...I mean, not in this world."
"So...if my dad can find that loophole, he can come here?" I asked her still hoping.
"Yes and more. He can travel through our and his world."
"But what about the time difference?"
"Yeah, I heard about that. I think when the 'connection' between the two worlds stabilizes, the differences will vanish." she explained to me.
"I see...I wish I can tell this to him." I sighted.

Suddenly Luna spotted my camera and a knowing smile formed on her face.
"Well...I think you can." She said nodding towards the camera. I looked at the recorder and Luna's horn, which started glowing...I started smiling. "You think, what I'm thinking you thinking?" I asked her.
Luna nodded "Well, yes...I think."

Chapter 2 > The message

A/N: I using Connor's character with Ceehoff's permission

Earth

Brian's pov

I arrived at home around 21:30. I usually arrive around 20 o'clock, but we just had a little rain...We needed to wait almost 40 minutes around London to get a landing clearance. I parked the car in front of the garage and went to the house, going to the front door to check the mail. 'Bill, bill, advertisement, magazine, bill again.' Just the usual. I placed Dashie's feather and her picture on the TV

I went to the kitchen and grabbed some oatmeal from the fridge, which I made yesterday. I put it into the microwave and - of course - I ate it. In the last two years I didn’t really eat any meat except some rare occasions, when I was with friends or something. After the dinner I took a shower, picked up the pajamas, and got ready to sleep...at least I tried to do so

I was tired...very tired, but I couldn't fall asleep. So I went to the living room to watch some TV. I saw the news: 'Just some accidents because of the storm. Later they told the weather forecast...raining, raining and raining. But it's not surprising because autumn is always like this. I felt myself being tired enough to try to sleep again, so I turned off the TV and headed back to the master bedroom "What a..."

The TV turned back on. I looked around on the ground, expecting that I stepped on the remote, but it was on the table.

"Hm...Strange. I think I need to take it to the service." I muttered and turned it off again, but now I unplugged it too. What followed blew my mind. I never imagined that, but the TV turned on again. Buck...usually some horror movie started like this. Needless to say, I was a bit scared 'Ok, I guess this situation can't get any stranger than it is right now' I thought. But I was wrong.

"Dad?"
"What?" I knew that voice. I knew it very well. And I realized too, that the feather, which was on the TV is...glowing...like a blue lamp.

"Dad. I went back to the TV to see the face that I couldn't see for the last two years. Two long years.
"Dashie?"
"Dad, I sent this message to you with Princess Luna's help, to tell you some important things..."
I started tearing up out of pure happiness...she is ok, and still remembers me.
"First of all - but I guess you realized that..." and she smiled, "I still remember the time I spent with you. Twilight just gave me back my original memories, so I remember everything of those times which we spent together."
"...that was nice from her." I said to her, imagining she could hear me.
"And secondly - and this is the most important part – there is still hope."
"Wait...what?"
Fortunately I had a DVD in the recorder, so I started it...I hoped it can record the message and I didn't care what kind of movie will be erased.

"As you remember, Princess Celestia told us that you don't belong here. Well, this is a fact, BUT...if you find a way to come here - I mean with the help of technology or anything - she'll allow you to stay, because that is part of your...what was that word Luna?"
"Technological evolution." I heard the other princess' voice. Maybe she's the one holding the camera.
Dash face hoofed. "thank you. So that'll be part of your technological evolution. But the bad news...nopony know where, or what is that thing which can help you to find this 'loophole'." She sighted and I saw a little disappointment in her eyes.
"Well...it's more than nothing." I muttered to myself.

"Oh, I think I can give you a little help." Luna said and turned the camera around, giving the lens a warm smile.
"Well, hello Brian. I guess you know that I am Princess Luna. So, about the 'key to the loophole'. I have an idea, but it isn't sure that it’ll work out. When Rainbow Dash left your world, she maybe left some sort of clue after her...I mean things, objects, anything...maybe one of these will be the key. But what comes after that...that depends on you." She was right...maybe there is some connection between Dashie's belongings and her current location - I mean Equestria...but what, which?

The camera turned back to my daughter. "I know this is very little help, but we hope you can figure out something. You always could figure out something." She said smiling and winking.
"I hope we'll see each other soon. Bye dad...I love you." After these last words of my little Dashie, the screen went black and the light, that enclosed the feather, faded.
"Good bye Dash, I love you too." I sat there for at least 10-20 minutes. 'What is the key?...How can I find it, or that loophole?'

Then I looked up to the feather. That was the closest thing, which Dash left here. I grabbed it and took a closer look.
"Heh...It can't be that easy...or is it?"

Equestria

Rainbow's pov

Luna gently placed the camera back on the table.
"Thank you princess. I hope he'll find anything which can help him." I told her. It’s true, his world is very big and the odds are almost zero, but hope dies last.
"You're welcome Rainbow, and don't worry. He figured out how to raise you...It'll be nothing for him." she smiled.
"I hope you’re right." I answered, and looked out the window to the night sky. "I don't blame your sister, or Twilight and the others, it’s just..." - I looked back at her - "...it's hard.”
"I know how you feel." Luna answered. "I felt the same, when I was sealed away in the moon." Then she touched my shoulder with her hoof. "But after a thousand years, I'm here again. With my sister. So don't worry, there is always hope."
"Thanks. But I hope I don't need a thousand years to see him again." We chuckled a bit on this.
"Well, I think I have to go. I have some work to do and you need some rest. Oh, and...if I find anything about Scootaloo, I'll inform you." She added slowly walking to the door. I opened it for her.
"Thank you princess. Good night."
"Good night you too, Rainbow Dash." she told me with a wink. I just smiled.

I walked up to my bedroom, where Scoots still slept and gently laid myself next to her. 'I hope you'll tell me something about you tomorrow' I thought. And with that, I instantly fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up relatively early. Scoots still slept next to me, so I decided to get up, left her on the bed, sleeping tight and made my way down to the kitchen.
I started making some pancakes. I knew I wasn't a good chef, but with dad's help I was able to learn this recipe very well.

I was around halfway to finish the cooking, when I heard little hoofsteps and deep sniffs from upstairs.
I turned back to see an orange pegasus filly - halfway between sleeping and waking - slowly walking in the direction of the kitchen. I giggled and continued the work, and...

BANG, BANG, BOOM, BANG

I turned around again: She was near the stairs, face plugged into the floor (the stairs and the floor were cloud too, so she didn't hurt herself).
"Ouch." was the only thing she said.
"Good morning." I told her, while pulling her out of the floor. "I think you need a little morning shower with cold water, huh?"
"Uh...huh?" I think she didn't realize what happened, or where she is. "Uhh...hey Dash. Oh yeah, I think I need one." she told me with a little sleepy tone in her voice.

I just smiled, while leading her to the bathroom - fortunately I finished the pancakes, - and filled the bath with warm water.
"I thought you said something about cold water." She told me, a tad bit confused.
"Sorry, but I don't want to freeze you and risk that you'll get a cold afterwards." I explained to her.
"Ok, ok, I got it. Besides...I don’t really like the cold bath." She said grinning and jumped into the bathtub. And of course a lot of water flew onto me.
"Upps...He-he." The orange filly realized what happened and started to dive into the water...but she wasn't nearly fast enough.
With a devilish smile, I shook myself, and most of the water flew back at Scoot's face.
"So, he-he?" I asked her, still smiling.
"Hey, that's not funny!"
"Yes it is...Waterloo." Now we both laughed.

For the next half hour we played a little in the bathroom.
After that we started to eat breakfast.
"Hey, it’s very good. Who made it?" Scoots asked.
"What do you think I did here before you rolled down?" I asked her with a knowing smile.
She gasped. "Are you serious? I never guessed you can cook things like this. It's better than Pinkie's cupcakes."
I blushed. "Ah...I don't think so. By the way, don't tell her this. I don't want to find myself in a cooking competition." I said with a wink.
"Why, what are we talking about?" she winked back with a huge smile. I just chuckled.
We talked some more minutes until she finished her pancakes.
"Uh...Dash, I'm just curious, but...why pancakes? I mean you could make a simple sandwich too, but you made these..." She pointed to the empty plates.
"Well, you had a very long night and I thought you deserve a good breakfast, because I couldn't bring you to your home."
But as I said this, she got very silent and just watched the floor with a blank expression.
"Thanks." she mumbled. I saw that she tried not to cry.
"Scoots, are you okay? If you had any problem with that, you could..." she interrupted me. "No, no, no, no, It's okay, just...nopony made a good breakfast like this...just for me." I was a bit shocked.
"And what about your parents?" I'm afraid, I knew the answer.
"Yes, my mom tried sometimes, but those weren't as good as yours." she told me, but she avoided the eye contact.
"Okay...if you don't want to speak about it, I'm not going to force it. I'll take you to Ponyville, ok?"
"Yeah, that would be good, thanks." She said and walked to the front door. 'Yes...it's definitely not the truth.' I thought.

We flew back to the town square and she hopped off.
"Here we are. Do you want to go home with me, or..."
"NOO!!!" she shouted, causing me to back away a little.
"I, I mean no thanks...I still have to do some things before I go home." Scoots told me, a nervous tone lingering in her voice.
"Uh...okay. In this case bye. I have to go to work...paperwork." I told her and we started walking in opposite directions.
"Oh, Scoots!" she stopped but didn't turn back around. "If you want to talk with somepony, about anything, ANYTHING...you can tell me."
She stood there for some seconds. "Okay." and continued to walk away.
'She, doesn't want to talk about her family or anything which have connection with her privacy...I hope I’m wrong.'

The work was totally boring: paperwork, paperwork and...oh, paperwork. Since I came back I haven’t really had a normal day. I mean I wasn’t really out with the weather team. They thought I need a little time alone, but I had enough time without these papers. 'Ok, this is enough' I thought to myself.
I walked out of the office to find Cloud Chaser, who led my team in those days, but as I hurried out, I almost crashed with Flitter.
"Oh, sorry Flitter." I apologized.
"Nonono, it was my fault." she tried to blame herself...without success.
"Sorry, but you're wrong. You couldn't see me. Anyway, you don't know where Cloud Chaser is, do you? I want to speak with her."
She thought for some seconds before speaking again. "Uuuhh...I think I saw her in the cafeteria a minute ago."
"Thanks. Oh, here your documents." I said, hoofing back the papers, she held before the crash, to her.
"Fhankff." she told me with the papers in her mouth and walked towards one of the offices.

In the cafeteria I found Cloud Chaser, talking with the team.
"Chaser, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked her. She nodded and we went to another table.
"Chase, I know you don't want to take me to the patrol, but please. I'll get crazy here if I can't go out and spread my wings. You don't need to take me into the leader position again...just give me a place in the patrol." She looked me in the eye for a second.
"Okay." she answered with a smile.
I raised an eyebrow. "Just like this? You don't try to dissuade me, or something?"
"Well, I could, but...one: The team and I already decided to take you back today after lunch, and two: ...You’re not the type who can simply don't do something, because somepony told you to don't do that."
I smiled and patted her shoulder. "Thanks, you're a good friend and colleague...and friend."
"I know, I know." she chuckled.
"Ok...so, bye until lunch." I said, walking out of the building with my bag...I had something to do.

I flew to Fluttershy's house. The small cottage is located - and still standing - near the Everfree Forest. I flew a lap around the house, but didn't see her. 'Maybe she's in the house'. I landed at the front door and knocked. The door opened, and a stallion walked out. He had a light brown (almost white) coat with black mane and tail. His cutie mark was the image of Equestria's Sun with a human figure in the middle of it.
I perfectly knew who he was.

"Hi Connor. Is Fluttershy here?“ I asked him.
"Hello Dash. Yeah she's here, but she’s not feeling all too well." Of course he noticed the changes about me, but he didn't care.
"What happened?" I asked a bit worried.
"Don't worry. Nothing bad, she just caught a little cold yesterday."
"Oh...I hope she'll get well soon."
"Yeah, me too. Anyway, what can I do for you?" He asked, changing the subject.
"Oh, yeah. Actually I came to you. I heard you had a little overtime last night and you couldn't watch the 'sky show'."
"Yes...Cherry Limeade let me rest some, but I couldn't see the whole thing." he answered with a bit disappointment swinging in his voice.
"Yeah, I guess you had quite the traffic." I smiled a bit. "So, I have something that’ll, maybe, cheer you up."
"Really? You maybe brought the stars with you?" he laughed.
"Well, almost." I answered and pulled out the camera from my bag. Connor's eyes widened for a minute.
"Wow, where do you..." he paused and looked at me. "...Sorry. I heard about what happened to you. Fortunately you found a great guy."
"Actually...he found me." I answered, while scratching the back of my head.
"In this case, you were very lucky."
"Yeah...we can say that."
Maybe he saw the little sadness lingering in my face, so he changed the subject. "So, what's on the camera?"
I suddenly woke up from my daydream "Oh yeah...I recorded the star show, so you can watch it. I guess you can handle it without the manual." I smiled.
"Oh, thanks. Me? This? Without manual? What do you think, I am? A human?" he looked at me with a knowing smile.
"Oooh...you never know." I winked.
"Well. Thanks. I'll give it back to you as fast as I can."
"Ok. By the way, who talked to you about me?"
"Princess Celestia sent a letter to everypony, some minor things about your last two weeks."
"Ah...I see."
"Look, if you don't want to talk about the details, I don't care, don't worry."
"Thanks."
“You're welcome." then he looked at the clock. "By the way...when do you have to go back to work?"
"Uhm, at 12:10, why?”
"Because it’s already 12:15." He told me with a worried look.
"WHAT?!" I poked my head through the door and looked at the clock. Really, 12:15.
"CrapIhavetogobye."

WHOSH, BANG

I flew back to the weather station as fast as I could, causing a Sonic Rainboom on the way.

Connor still stood at the door, his mane straightened backwards, with a shocked expression on his face.
"Well...I guess she hate to be late. Geez, I’m talking like Zecora." He sighed going back into the house and closing the door.

I flew my way back to the station, when I spotted the team - they flew the other way -, so I flew an intercept course.
"Sorry, but I had to do something." I apologized.
"Don't worry." - Chaser answered - "Could you, at least, eat something?"
"No, but I can handle it." Really, the last thing I ate was breakfast.
"Ok, you know." the pale blue pegasus told me.
We flew towards to Ponyville’s limits, when I heard a quiet "Psss" above me. I looked up...and there was Derpy.
"Yeah?" I whispered.
"You need something to eat?" she asked me.
"Not really, but if you..."
"Catch!" she still whispered, as she passed me two muffins, which I grabbed during an
'aileron roll'.
"Thanks" I told her. She just smiled back.

The rest of the day was totally eventless. Of course I wasn't the captain this time, but I didn't care. I could do my job as a weather pony and that was enough for me.

I arrived at my house late at night. I was tired - buck I felt like I didn't do something like this in the last 15 years...oh, I really didn't. I took a shower, and I ate some pancakes, which we left this morning. When I finished dinner, I heard a knock on the door. I opened it and saw Flitter standing on my doormat.

"Hello. Isn’t it a bit late for you to visit me? No offense." I asked her.
"None taken. Don't worry. I have a package for you. It arrived at lunchtime, but you weren't in the station and it looked like a very important thing, soo...I came here to give it to you." She answered giving the package to me. It looked like a letter but it was bigger and a bit heavier than a usual one.

"Thanks...Anything else? I still have some pancakes, if you want."
"No thanks, I was on my way home, but thank you anyways." she told me.
"Ok, good night and thanks."
"Bye". And with that, she flew away.

I walked up to the bedroom and gave the letter a closer look. I saw a dark blue royal stamp on it. So it came from Princess Luna. "That was fast." I muttered.
I started to open it, but stopped halfway through. 'Do I really want to see it? What if my guess is true?' I thought. I finally opened it and a small letter fell out from the package. I picked it up and started to read.

Dear Rainbow Dash!
I spent the last night to find those information’s about Scootaloo, which you needed and I found it.
Unfortunately I have bad news. I know you wanted to read better news, but I'm afraid I can't give you better.
If you need any further help, send a letter to me. I hope I can.
Princess Luna

P.S.: This document is a copy, so you can keep it.

I looked into the envelope, spotting a dossier inside. I slowly pulled it out of the envelope with closed eyes. When it was front of me, I opened my eyes and there were the two words I never wanted to read.

PONYVILLE ORPHANAGE

"Well...that’s explaining everything." I told myself, a frown forming on my lips, and opened it. That was definitely Scootaloo's file.
Let's see.

'Age: 8' Ok, I already knew this.
'Parents: N/A, died in train accident, 5 years ago' "Darn it Scoots, if I knew this, I would’ve never asked you about them."
The other data’s were simple data’s about her.
Luna was right, these were really bad news. I didn’t really know what to do tomorrow, but one thing was sure: I don't talk to her about this. She'll be frustrated if I simply throw it on her.

I laid down the dossier on the table and went to bed. I needed one or two hours, but I finally could fall asleep.

Earth, location unknown

It was a dark room. Some kind of office. The only source of light was a lamp on a polished wooden table. A man sat behind the table, a computer placed on it, right between him and a chair standing on the opposite end of the table

"... this is the most important part...there is still hope..."

Suddenly another man walked into the office.
"Sir, I think we found the source!" he told the man.
"And? Where is the source located?" the man asked.
The other man gave him an Ipad witch showed satellite imagery. On the image was a house in a small village, a blue pickup standing in front of the garage.

"..I hope we'll see each other soon..."

The man leaned in closer to the Ipad, which now highlighted his mouth. On it was a devilish smile.
"Don't worry little pony, you will...you will.

Chapter 3 >Top Secret

Earth

Brian

My Saturday was totally uneventful, except one thing: Almost all day I read Dashie's message over and over again, which - fortunately - the recorder was able record. I tried to process every bit of information in it. Maybe I’d find something new. But I wasn't as lucky as I wanted to be. After the fifth time watching it, I found everything I could.

"Okay, let's see...” I told myself “The key is, with almost 100% accuracy, this feather. But how can this help to find a way to Equestria. How can I activate it? Where, how, when?" I almost slammed my head into the wall, but nothing. Then I realized that it is already 10 pm. 'Maybe some sleep will help' I thought.

My sleep was dreamless, but Sunday wasn't as uneventful as Saturday. I woke up around 7-8 o'clock. I don't remember perfectly, because I didn't want to wake up. Somebody knocked on the door. 'Who wants anything from me and most importantly what, in this early Sunday?'.
"Coming!" I shouted at the door, when I heard the knocking again. I opened it and...Well, at first I thought it was Jason Statham from 'The Transporter' – not kidding, he really looked like him. Then I noticed two other guys in a black car. 'Great...good begining'.

"What can I do for you?" I asked.
"Good morning..." 'Good...that never means anything good.' "...Your name is Brian?" the 'men in black' asked.
"Uh, yeah, as far as I know, yes." 'Ok, I feel something bad'
"Do you know anything about this...phenomenon?" He asked, and showed me a picture. I couldn't believe it...That was a photo of Dashie's Sonic Rainboom, which she made when we were in that park.
"Uhh...yeah. I saw it on TV...a couple years ago, why?" I tried to stay calm...and tired.
But the guy started smiling. 'Uh oh'. "This thing never was in the news." At that moment I heard that famous 'BUSTED' sound from the GTA games in my head.
"I have to ask you to get in your car and follow us." The guy told me.
"Okay..." I gave up myself." Can I, at least, take a shower before we get going? I'm not in my best condition to drive." The man took a look on his watch and nodded.

While I walked into the bathroom, I looked outside: There were more agents around the house, so if I wanted to escape...that was impossible.
I took a shower as fast as I could, packed some clothes into a bag. And Dashie's things - fortunately they didn't notice it.
"Okay, I'm ready." I told them. We went to my car and headed to the highway. There were two cars in front and two behind of us. Needless to say I really hadn’t any chance against four Freelanders. I think they were really 'worried' about me, trying to escape. It's a fact, that my Navara was a bit faster on the dirt road, but they had four "tanks" around me.

We were already driving for two hours, when I noticed that I'll run out of fuel.
"Sorry, but I think we need to stop. We'll run out of fuel soon." I told my 'friend', who just nodded. He spoke something into his headset, after that one, one Land Rover - from front and rear - easily darted towards the - I hoped - next fuel station. 'Man, they're a bit faster, than I thought'. The guy next to me noticed my surprised face and smiled a bit. "These don't have the original engine." He told me. "Yeah, I noticed that." I told him...but what I thought was...'You don't say'.

After 10 minutes, we arrived at a fuel station, where the other two Land Rovers already 'cleaned up' a place for us. I refueled the car and we continued our trip - they paid the fuel. Until the end of our little journey we were totally silent, except when he told me where I’d have to go. To be honest, I hadn't any idea where we were going, so I just drove.

Around noon, we arrived at our destination. It was an air base. I mean military. Air defense, fighters, bombers, and - of course - soldiers. I guess it’s needless to say, that I was worried a bit. 'Oh god, where am I?'
We drove through a gate. There were at least four soldiers with machine guns. They talked with the first SUV's driver and after that, we could enter the base. My worried feeling got worse and worse.
"Don't worry; we don't want to hurt you." My 'friend' told me.
"Are you sure?" I asked. He just nodded. That calmed me down a bit.

We almost drove to the other end of the base. On the way I could see lots of fighters: F-22s, F-35s, F-18s, and F-14s 'Darn, they're still using them?'. But what surprised me, I saw a MiG-29 too. I wondered what it was doing there.
Finally we arrived near a big hangar. When I say big, I mean really BIG. As I saw, an An-225 could fit into it easily. Near the hangar was a little section, which was connected to the huge building. We got out of the cars and went into that little "cottage".

From the corner of my eye I saw one of the men getting in my car, driving it into the hangar.
In the structure there was a door, which led us to the hangar and one to, I don't know where. We choose the second one.
Well, it wasn't really a door. It was an elevator. We went into the lift and one of the agents pushed a button. It was then that I realized that there weren't any other buttons. Just two

The cabin slowly started going down. After maybe one minute I started wondering 'Where are we going to? China?'. Then suddenly, the cabin started slowing down and stopped. The door opened and my jaw dropped. I saw a huge room, which looked like the main hall in the Man in Black movies. Scientists in white lab coats walked to and fro. There were lots of computers and everything you can, or can't, imagine in one place. There were other rooms left and right, but I was too busy to look into those rooms. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. That was my 'friend'.
"I know this is amazing for you, but we have to go to the boss." I just nodded and followed him.

We went into a room, which looked like an office. At a table was a guy. He was around his 40's.
"Welcome sir. Can I call you Mr. Dash?" He asked. Well, in that situation he could even call me Sandy, I didn't care.
"Uh...yes, that's no problem. And how should I call you?" I asked him.
"My name is not important. Mr. D. is fairly enough." He answered.
"Uh, okay...Mr. D. I don't want to be indiscreet, but why did you bring me here?"
"Immediately down to business." Mr. D. said to me "I like that." He then nodded to a guard, who locked the door and pulled down a screen.
"Before we start it..." - Mr. D. told me - "Everything what you hear here, that's top secret. Do you understand?" he added, a warning undertone in his voice.
"Yeah, sure." but honestly I figured it out much sooner.
"So...as you know, the Earth's resources are very limited and are going to run out soon enough. Well, this section - 'The Agency' - tried to find a way to craft these resources easily. We built a machine, which can craft enough resources for a smaller city. But we were wrong...It wasn't a crafting device...We…made some sort of gate." I looked at him with a shocked and confused expression.
"Really?" He nodded. "And where is it going to?" I asked. But I'm here, so somehow I guessed the answer.
"See yourself." He told me and, using his head, pointed to the screen. I turned there and saw a huge thing. I saw two rings, which rotated very fast in the opposite direction with 90° difference and I saw a huge green light in the structure's center too.

"We sent a drone into the portal to investigate the other side. But what we found. We never imagined that it could be real."
The drone went through the portal and after a bright green and white light I saw a huge clearing. Or maybe it seemed to be a clearing because the camera lost its focus. Then I heard steps behind the drone.
"Hey, look! What do you think, it is?" I heard a little girl's voice...but…it was very familiar. Then I realized why.
An orange-purple blur appeared in front of the camera. 'It's...she's...no, no, that's impossible'
"Hey Scootaloo, what did you find?" I heard another voice 'It must be Sweetie Belle' I thought.
"I don't know...You saw something like this before?" Scoots asked the others.
"Ah never." That was definitely Apple Bloom.
"Bring it to the clubhouse. It'll be a very good decoration." Sweetie Belle said.
"Ok, let's go." then the screen went black.
"Later we brought the drone back. With this." I looked to Mr. D., who held something in his hand. A...cape. It was the CMC's cape.
"Maybe they used it as a hanger." He gave it to me. I examined it. Yes, it sure is their cape.
"It's all good and nice, but you didn't answer my question. Why am I here?" I asked him, still looking at the cape.
"Yeah, sorry. So...we got the drone back, but after that the gate's core simply exploded. We found out that the gate needs a special core, with a special radiation. And THIS is where you come into the picture." I looked at him, a bit confused.

"Do you remember your Friday night?" he asked me, with a knowing smile. I couldn't react. 'What a...they watched me?
"You think nobody saw that Sonic Rainboom, years ago? Well, we saw it. And the message you got two days ago. We detected a radiation, which can help us maybe."
"So...You want that thing, which caused that radiation, right?" He nodded "Yes, but of course not without consideration."
I started thinking. "I have one condition. I want to go with the first team, who goes through the portal."
Much to my surprise he immediately accepted my condition.
"Okay...so you can help us with the problem?" I hesitated a bit, and then nodded. I showed him the feather. He nodded to a scientist, who came in a minute ago. The scientist came to us and tried to get the feather, but I pulled it out of his range.
"AND...I want to see, what you are doing with this." Mr. D.'s smile faded a bit, but he nodded. I gave the feather to the scientist, and stood up to follow him.
"Before you go..." Mr. D. told me "...Since you are working on this project too, you must stay at this base."
"And what about my job?" I asked.
"You're - from now on - working here."
Before I could say anything, the scientist stormed out of the office with Dash's feather, so I hadn't had a choice. I had to follow him.

We went to a lab where they put the feather into a glass...box (I don't have better words to describe it), which was connected to some computers. They started running some tests, but I don’t really understood what was going on. After an hour or so, one of the scientists shut down the system and went to a telephone with a satisfied smile. I guess he called Mr. D.
"Sir? It's Dr. Archer. This is it!"
Then he talked with him for about five minutes, before they finished the conversation.
"Mr. Dash, as we see, this feather is totally compatible with our system."
"And how do you know that the core won't explode again?" I asked.
"I’ll try to explain it...Every world, or dimension has a certain radiation. The Earth's radiation and that world's radiation is almost the same, but just almost. BUT...this feather - we don't know how - is a bit flexible, so it can beat the radiations' difference, and can send anybody or anything between these two worlds."
I was a bit happier inside. 'Maybe this is that loophole what Luna and Dash talked about'. But something slipped into my mind.
But something slipped into my mind.
"But we have a problem."
"What?" asked Dr. Archer.
"There is a little time difference between the two worlds. I mean, what is just one day there, is an entire year in our world."
Archer wasn't surprised. "Yeah, we know it. But we have a plan." He said, waving for me to follow him.

"We found out, that, when the gate is open, this difference is not present for that timespan. So we made a machine which can completely solve this problem, but..."
"But you have a new problem, right?" I asked.
"Yes. If the plan should work, we need to bring this machine to the other world. But one, until now we didn't have a good core for the gate and two, we guess that world have a ruler, or something like that. And we don't want to kick the door into their face; we want a simple diplomatic travel. As far as I know, you had a little business with their ruler."
"Princess Celestia. And yes, I had." I remembered that day, when they brought Dash back to Equestria.
"I see. Do you need anything to get that permission from her?" Archer asked.
I shook the memory out of my head and started thinking. "Let's see...This device can play videos?"
"Uhm, not yet, but I can modify it." He answered.
"Okay. First off, I have to know, how this thing is working, because I have to tell them what we plan via video." Archer nodded, and started to write.
"Second, we have to send it to the correct place and not some random place. I don't think they'll find it, if we 'teleport' it into a cave or something." He laughed a bit, than he told me that the drone has already made a map of Equestria, after it 'escaped' from the CMC clubhouse.
"Third, we need to communicate with the others, so if you can do it, it would be good if we can chat with this 'Synchronizer'."
"I think that's possible." Archer answered after a little thinking.
"Ok. And fourth,...I need a little rest."
Archer started to write this too, but stopped about halfway around with a sheepish smile.

I came here maybe a week ago. I couldn’t' do lots of things. Most of the time I walked around in the base. They didn’t' give back my car - maybe they thought I would escape with it... and I couldn't go in that big hangar too. 'Hmm...Are they hiding an UFO in that?'
So...on a late afternoon, Dr. Archer came to me. "Brian! I have good news and bad news."
"Uh...okay, what is the good?" I asked.
"We finished every modification you needed and we're ready to send the synchronizer to Equestria."
"Well that's really good. Aand...what is the bad?"
"I lost the champagne I stored for this day." he told me. We laughed a bit then went to the huge gate-generator to start the process.
We arrived at the gate room, where lots of scientists were gathered as well as Mr. D.
I followed Archer to the main computer.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
"Just a minute" I told him. I went to the synchronizer and put a letter into the cover, and then I went back.
"Now I'm ready." I told him.
"Ok. Where can we send it where they will find it for sure?" he asked me.
"Let's see...What is the date?"
"The date?" he was a bit confused. "October 25."
"Ok...October 25....so; there it’s maybe around 9 or 10-11 pm. I think. Let's see..." I looked at the map on the screen. I found Canterlot; it wasn't hard to spot. The castle was a very good indicator. But it wasn't my target. I found a little village some, maybe 20-30, kilometers away from Canterlot...that's maybe Ponyville. I spotted a big forest like area next to the village. There were trees in straight lines and near them a big red house...no a barn and some sort of family house. I perfectly knew who was living there.
"That's the target point." I told them, pointing near the house.
"Are you sure? As I see, it's in the middle of nowhere." Archer asked me. I heard a little disbelief in his voice.
"Don't worry...I know what I'm doing." I told him.
"Okay, you know." then he clicked at the point I wanted in order to send the device.

Then the generator started humming louder and louder. They could copy Dashie’s feather's radiation, so they didn't need it - for the gate generator at least.

'Generator starting. Please stand by'. A feminine voice came from speakers all around us. That was the base's main computer. Then the two rings started rotating around the new core. They rotated faster and faster and faster and...At the end I could see a sphere.

'Generator is operatonal. Searching for target coordinates'. A big square appeared on the screen, which became smaller and smaller, until it pointed at our target point.

'Target's coordinates locked. Initializing sending processes' The generator slowly started glowing. This time it wasn't green, it was blue. Cyan blue. The conveyor belt - which held the synchronizer - started rolling to the gate. When the distance between the two machines was around one meter, huge, blue flashes started to strike onto the synchronizer. Everybody covered their eyes. We heard some cracking sound. Then, some seconds later, everything went back to normal, except one thing. The synchronizer vanished. Archer immediately ran to the computer. I followed him. We saw the next text on the screen: 'TRANSFER COMPLETE'

'The sending finished successfully. Switching to standby mode'.

Equestria

Aplejack

We had a good summer day. We could sell every apple at the market, but that meant we needed to buck some trees the next day. So - as every day -, we had to wake up early. Apple Bloom was at Rarity’s on a sleepover with her friends, so she could enjoy their company.
I, Big Mac, and Granny Smith had a great dinner, and then everypony went to sleep. I went into my room, put my hat near to my bed - on a table and lay down in bed. I was about to drift off to sleep, when I heard a cracking sound from outside and...Maybe some blue light.
"What in Tarnation is going on?" I muttered to myself, while I looked out the window. I saw something near the house, but I couldn't figure out what it was from the first floor. I slowly walked down and out. The others were still fast asleep, so I was the only one who heard that noise. I went outside, but what I saw,...I couldn't describe it. I saw some sort of machine...I didn't know what it was. It was silent, so anything was that, it was turned off. As I walked around that thing, I noticed a letter, which fell down near it. I looked around and with a rake I pulled it closer to me – you can never be careful enough. I saw, something was written on the cover. I took a closer look. 'AJ'. 'That's for me?' I wondered. I opened it and started reading, but when I finished, I was shocked and the letter fell to the ground.

Dear Applejack!

First of all, if the device's arrival caused any damage for you, I’m terribly sorry.
And why I wrote this for you...You were there with your friends, when Dashie had to go back to Equestria. I guess you know how huge my pain was after that day, but I hope you never have to feel it. After two years I found a way to come to your dimension, but there is one problem. As you remember, when you needed 15 days to find Dash, we spent 15 years together. That is, why we sent this device that you see in front of you. It's some kind of synchronizer: if you turn it on the difference in the timeline between our worlds will vanish. But of course I can't force you to do it. I just ask you for one thing: make sure to this synchronizer gets to the princesses, as soon as possible. If they allow it, they can turn it on with the green button, after that a video will show everything they need to know. If they have any problem with the idea, they can simply send it back with the red button. It’ll send a signal to our systems, and the synchronizer will come back here.

Please, don't tell Dash, if the Princesses allow it, I want to surprise her.

Brian 'Dash'
Rainbow 'Dashie' Dash's father

I just stood there. Dash can finally be happy again...and her father too. But I had to hurry, every seconds counts. There was only one thing I could do.

Ponyville was silent and peaceful at night. Everypony slept and dreamed. Everything was silent and...
"TWILIIIIIIGHT!!!!"
...or almost everything.
A certain orange earth pony ran through the village like a lightning bolt.
"TwilightTwilightTwilight!!!"
She dashed to a tree where a certain unicorn mare lived.
Twilight heard the yelling and slowly walked to the door, to open it. Just in time. When she opened it, AJ ran in the library and crashed into a bookshelf.

"Applejack, what are you doing here this late? Twilight asked. AJ tried to answer between two breaths.
"No time...to the farm...now...teleport." she slowly answered, catching her breath again.
"But you can't stand it when I do that." the unicorn told her a bit surprised.
"DO IT!" AJ shouted this time.
"Ok, ok, ok, just calm down." Twilight told her and her horn started glowing. Then, with a big flash they vanished.

At the same time a unicorn and a, little pale, earth pony appeared near the farmhouse.
"Are you okay, AJ?" Twilight asked.
"Just a sec'." she answered.
"So...why we are..." the unicorn started the question, but AJ simply turned her head towards the device.
"What is this?" Twi asked.
"Read this...You will understand." and with that, AJ gave her the letter. She ran through the letter, then her eyes widened. She looked to the synchronizer, than back to the letter. "Thanks AJ, I think I can handle it from now on." there wasn't an answer. "AJ?" Then she heard a little snoring next to her. Applejack started to sleep immediately after she had given the letter to her. Twilight just smiled.
"You had a very tough day." she teleported the orange farm pony into her bed, than she vanished too. With the device.

In the Canterlot Palace, Princess Luna sat on her balcony and watched the night sky. She felt that something had happened, and she knew what. Then she heard a knocking on her door.
"Come in." she told, and then a guard entered the room.
"Princess. Twilight Sparkle wants to speak to you." the guard told her.
"Let her in then." the princess told the guard. He bowed and went back, out of the room. Then Twilight entered.
"Princess..." she bowed "...I came, because..."
"I know why you are here. It's about Rainbow Dash's father, right?" she asked.
"Uh...yes. Well, he sent a device, and...Better if you read this." She levitated the letter to Luna, who catched it with her magic. She read it, and then smiled.
"I think it's the best, if I wake up my sister. Can you bring the other elements here? Except Rainbow Dash, of course." then she nodded toward the letter.
"Of course princess...Poor Applejack, she have to wake up...again." then Twilight walked out the room. Luna giggled a little then she headed to her sister’s room.

After an hour, all of the five ponies and the two princesses stood in the throne room. Princess Celestia has already read the letter.
"I guess your hooves weren't in this, right?" she asked the five elements with a knowing smile.
"Of course not princess. There aren't other ponies - except you - who can cast a spell which can help us to send anything to that world." answered Twilight. The others nodded.
Celestia turned to her sister. "And what about you, Luna?" The princess of the night stood some meters away and whistled. Her sister simply smiled. "So?"
Luna's whistle started to fade. "Well...maaaybe a little?" then she grinned sheepishly. "But I just sent a 'good bye' message. Nothing more." She tried to tell as less as needed and she didn't want to pull Rainbow Dash into this situation too.
Celestia nodded. "Ok, I think that's really nothing bad." Then she turned back to the others - and Luna wiped a few drops of sweat off of her forehead.
"Of course I can allow him to come here, but it's a huge risk. Because, if he can travel through the two worlds, that mean others can do it too. And they're maybe not as friendly as he is."
"Princess, we understand the risk. But I guess we can handle the problems, IF there will be any." Twilight said to Celestia.
"Are you sure you want this?" the princess asked, in more serious tone. "You want me, to help, opening a portal between our two worlds, which we possibly couldn't close, if we want to. Because you want to help ONE pony?"

Twilight answered without hesitation "Yes. Because this pony is our friend."
"Ah can handle any risk princess." said Applejack.
"Yes." answered Rarity.
"Yesyesyesyes. I’ll do everything for Dashie!" Pinkie babbled, while she bounced up and down.
"Uhm...yes...if it's no problem." answered Fluttershy.
"I'm on their side too sis." said Luna, and she walked to the other five ponies. They looked on her with a smile.

"Well, in this case..." Celestia started to speak, "...I don't have any other choice." And she pushed a button.

Earth

Brian

After we sent the synchronizer, Mr. D. wanted to talk to me.
"Congratulations Mr. Dash. I hope they'll allow our request and we can step on to the next level of our diplomacy."
"Yeah, I hope too." I answered. "I hope it's no problem, but I had a hard day, so can I..."
"Yeah, yeah, of course...but before you go to sleep, I have to introduce you to somebody. Someone you can trust."
Then I heard steps behind me and felt a hand on my shoulder. When I turned around, I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Hello 'Captain'. Good to see you again".
"Fred? What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"I already told you..." he laughed "...I found a better job."

Chapter 4 > Plans

I spent the next days with Fred. Almost always...except when I was sleeping of course. He told me, that he worked with me as an agent 'cause of Dash. But later he became my friend, so he wanted to stay with me - I mean as a co-pilot. This shocked me a bit, but I understood. It was his job and he became my best friend...How could I be mad at him. Until Celestia's answer arrived, we started some "training" with some fighters - I guess IF we can go throught, we'll make it with an aircraft - and I always wanted to try out some more mobile planes, than the passenger type. But it wasn't always easy...

'Warning! FOX 2, FOX 2!' My fighter's computer alarmed me for an incoming missile.
"Darn, that's not good." I cursed to myself. I made a fast aileron roll to the right, then a sharp left turn and I also launched some flares, to shake off the rocket. Fortunatelly it missed me.
"You’re crazy Fred! I thought it's just a simple test flight!"
"You right Bri. I just thought, we can make some fun." and he shot another missile.
"Oh, son of..." and the missile reached its target...Me...Everything went black.

The canopy opened, and Fred was standing next to me, with a huge grin.
"The second launch wasn't fair, you know?" I looked at him with an annoyed glare.
"I know, don't worry. Thunder, what is the current stance?"
'If my memory unit is correct, it is 2:5 to Fred's benefit' a very energetic female voice told us. Sometimes it...she reminded me of Dashie. Thunder was Fred's "jewel". She was some kind of diagnostically program, but sometimes she could react like she was alive. That's a fact. Fred told me she’s just a simple program, but I think she is a bit more than a "simple" program...I think she's some kind of AI.
"Besides...This is just a simulator. The real flight is not this easy. In a real fight you can do some trick." I told him. He raised an eyebrow.
"Really? What kind of trick?"
"That's a secret." I smirked.
"You know what? Show me what you can do with a REAL fighter, huh?"
"Are you sure about that?" I asked him. "Am I ready for this?"
"Well - as I saw - you absolutely are."

We went out of the complex, and headed to the fighter hangars.
"Ok, I fly with a Lightning..." Fred told me "...Which do you want? Another F-35?"
"No thanks. I need something...older." And I pointed to a certain Russian double-engine fighter.
"The Fulcrum?" he started laughing. "You’re kidding, right?" I crossed my arms with a knowing smile. "No."
"Well, if you want to lose again...ok."

The crew loaded the two planes with fuel, and we took off...Fred of course used that fancy vertical take off ability. Then we made some "test laps" to get used to the plane.

"Okay, are you ready to lose again?" Fred told me throught the radio. "No, I'm ready to win this match."
"You know...okay, first we fly toward the other, pass each other from left, then start the fight, ok?"
"Yeah, I got it."
I turned around. I was at the one side of the base; Fred was on the other side. We started to fly towards each other.
"Okay..." Fred told through the radio "...one...two...FIGHT!"

We passed each other - approx 1 meter between the two bellies - and I started a sharp turn. I knew, my MiG-29 wasn't as mobile as Fred's F-35, but I could make it a bit difficult for him to catch me. After a minute chase, he got behind me. I heard the alarm's beep, which means he's targeting me.
"I think this the end Dash." Fred told me, and I heard his laugh.
"I don't think so." I pushed the throttle to max. thrust and pulled the joystick as hard as I could. 'Come on Migy, you can do this.' The Fulcrum picked up her nose, and started a cobra maneuver. As I stopped in the air, and Fred passed below me, I heard his 'What the... comment. I just laughed. After that, I dropped Migy's nose, and started to chase Fred's plane. He tried to shake me down, but I didn't give up. He tried a sharp left turn. I also turned left, with a Cobra turn, locked him, and... "I won hahaa!"
"Hey, it's not fair...you cheated!" "Sorry, but you're wrong. I didn't cheat; just used my plane's abilities." I answered.
"U-uuh, it was a cheat." He tried to convince me. 'Sorry Fred, but Brian is right. It wasn't a cheat.' Thunder told us. Fred must have installed her into his Lightning.
"Thunder, why are you on his side?"
'Hey, I’m just telling the truth. I'm not on his side.' she...protested?
"Okay, okay. So...next turn?" He asked me.
"Sure." I answered.

The match's upshot was 2:5...to my benefit. I also used the Kulbit maneuver sometimes, which also impressed Fred. But the last fight...was interesting.
Fred learnt from his mistakes, and always tried to keep distance behind me. But I had one more trick.
I pulled the throttle back between 1/2 and 3/4. It caused an incomplete combustion, and Migy started smoking, like a factory's chimney. And Fred blinded.
"Where are you?" He asked.
"Just follow the smoke." I answered. Then, I launched some flare, which caused Fred to pull up the nose of his plane. As fast as I could I pulled back the throttle to zero, and opened the speedbrake. In the next second I was behind, and locked him.

After landing we went to eat something. I must tell you, the food was very good...for a military base.
We spent the next two to three months like this and we helped each other, to be the best fighter pilots in the base. And I waited. Waited for the signal from the Princess. The scientists connected the computer to the receiver and to a three-colored LED: red, yellow, and green. The yellow one informs us, when the receiver has contact with the synchronizer. I think it's needless to say, what the red, or the green light meant.

Every morning, my first task was to check the reciever, but I was always dissapointed.
"I'm afraid, they'll never answer." I told to Fred, when he arrived.
"Don't worry. Maybe the princess needs to think about it. I'm sure they will..." 'BEEP...BEEP...BEEP'
'Attention! Incoming signal.' the computer alarmed us.
"See, I told you." Fred said to me, and the yellow light started blinking. I watched the light. 'Green...please switch to green.'
Some blinks later the light switched...to red. A world collapsed in my heart. Fred patted my shoulder. "Sorry buddy, I guess it's not..."
'Malfunction detected. Please wait' the lights switched off. 'What?' Then the yellow started blinking again, but this time, it switched to green.
'Approval received...starting to locate the 3 dimensional target.' The locator appeared on Equestria's map and started to zoom to Canterlot.
Target located...Equestria, Canterlot, Canterlot Castle. Initializing time synchronization.' The gate generator started rotating, but this time not as fast as when we sent the synchronizator to Equestria.
'Synchronization started. Estimated time to finish...3 months.'
Everybody cheered. We did it. Three months and I can see her again.
"Ok, Captain...I guess this is the time to show you something." Fred told me, and we walked to the elevator..

Equestria, Canterlot Castle

'Synchronization started. Estimated time to finish...3 months.'

"That's...that's a week before Hearts Warming Eve!" Twilight shouted.
"Well, that’s tha best gift fer Dash. They can see each other." AJ explained.
"You're right Applejack. That's the best gift for each other." Rarity agreed.

All of the ponies were very happy, to be able to make Dash happy.
"Yes, you are right. She will be very pleased indeed." Princess Celestia told them. "But I think it is not as easy as it looks like. Let's have a closer look at this machine." The princess slowly walked closer to the synchronizer and noticed a little problem...a keyboard.
"Hmm...I guess we need a pony who can handle it. Would any of you know somepony?" she asked the others with a knowing smile.
"You mean somepony, who came from another world?" Twilight asked.
"Somepony, who is my syster's 'big brother'?" Rarity continued.
"Somepony, who’s now living in a house near the Everfree?" Applejack narrowed the list.
"Uhm...somepony, who’s...living with, uh....me?" Fluttershy asked in her whispering voice.
"Yes, Fluttershy. I am indeed thinking about him." Celestia answered their questions all at once. "He is in your house now. Is that correct my dear Fluttershy?"
"Uhm...yes, he's still sleeping." The yellow pegasus answered. Celestia's horn started glowing, and in the blink of an eye, a certain earth pony stallion appeared in the throne room. He was lying on the floor, still snoring..

Earth

Brian

Fred and I went to the elevator. As soon as we entered, he pressed the top floor's button and the lift started moving.
"Well, Brian...I'm just curious. What do you think? What kind of vehicle we'll use to go to Equestria?"
"That's a good question. So...my first guess was some kind of well equipped research plane, because both of us are very good pilots. So, I thought for example a 737, or an A320. But as I saw the hangar's size, it can be a 747 or an A380 too. But after theese fighter lessons...I'm completely out of possibilities." In that time we reached the top floor, and went throught the other door - where I never had a chance to see in. We went up a stair and entered a room. There wasn't anything; just a huge window, and a computer on the other side. I didn't see anything throught the other room - maybe they turned off the lights in that room.
"Well...not wrong ideas, buuut..." he paused a little and went to the computer "...I guess, the A320 was the closest to the thruth." he clicked the mouse and nodded towards the window. What I saw; I can't write it down... The lights slowly turned on, one-by-one. What I saw... 'It's impossible'. Sharp, long, droop-nose, huge double delta-wings and...winglets? She was there. The most famous SST plane in the world. A...no, The Concorde...but she had some upgrades.
"F-Fred...you...you’re trying to make fun of me, right?" I couldn't think, I couldn't breath.
"Don't worry, it's not a joke. Do you want to see her closer?"
I turned to him. "Of course...if you don't need to kill me after that."

Fred almost pulled me into the hangar, because I was completely frozen on the spot there. As we walked to the plane it grew bigger and bigger - I know it's normal, but in that situation...
"Uh...I saw one in an aviation museum, but as I remember they were a bit smaller, or am I wrong?" I asked Fred.
"No. You're right. Her offical name is the 'SST2', but I just call her 'Concorde NG'."
I walked near her dropped nose and gently caressed it. Her nose was perfectly smooth, and...so was she. Perfect.
"Aaand, how many modifications did you make?" I asked Fred.
"Oh, not many...first of all - as you see - she is a bit bigger than her ancestors. She's now 75 meters long, her wingspan is 35 meters and her height is now 25 meters, instead the 'old' 61/25/12. I know it’s not a horrible difference, but fairly enough for my goals. Just like in the old times, every part is made in Toulouse, but the assembly took place here. The engines are also Rolls-Royce engines. But these are quieter and stronger and the winglets are helping us to use a bit less fuel. We also upgraded the suspension, now she can land almost everywhere, from the flattest asphalt runway to the worst field. And because she's bigger - and heavier - the main gear now has THREE pair of wheels."
I couldn't say anything, but I noticed something. "Impressive. But...what's this?" I saw a long, some kind of hole at the begin of the wings. Fred just turned to me with a smile. "Believe me; you don't want to know it."
"If you say so...And what about the top speed? I guess that's around Mach 2, right?" Fred turned to me with a huge smile.
"Well...not really. On the tests she reached Mach 4 speed, but the engines have a limiter, so she is maybe able to fly faster, but I don't think, the fuselage can sustain it." My jaw dropped.

We climbed up on a stair, which was built into the belly directly behind the nosewheel. Inside, the plane looked more like a little house, than an airplane.
"Inside we have everything we need...Kitchen, toilet, bedroom, and some other little thingies."
"Not bad Fred, but I thought I'll find sensors and computers here, or something like this."
"Oh yeah. Those are mostly in the front cargo deck." We slowly walked forward and stopped in front of a door. "And here is our new, second, home." With this he opened the door. It was beautiful. The cockpit looked like somewhere between the old and the 787's cockpit. There were four seats: one, each for the captain and the first officer, and two at the back for - maybe - the guests. I sat down into the captain's seat to try it. It was very comfortable.
"I see, you like it" Fred told me, there was a huge grin on his face.
"Yeah, not bad." I answered.
"I have to show one more thing to you. It's the most important part of the plane. Come on." I got up from the seat and followed him.
We went to the rear side of the plane. There was a narrow corridor. Left side was a door with a 'Fusion generator' label...'I guess this is her battery' I thought. On the right side was a door with the label 'jump drive'.
"Huh...strange name."" I mused to myself.
"Yes, but it’s true." Fred told me and opened the door. There was a gate generator like in the base, except it was...smaller, and in the center was a plastic box.
"That's the core's place. Unfortunately we couldn't make more than one and I guess you can't help." he told me with a knowing smile. I pulled out Dashie's feather from my coat and placed it into the box. Fred connected it with some cables. As he connected the last cable to the box, the feather started glowing...just a little bit, and the whole plane 'came to life'. Some computers started humming and lights turned on.
'Systems starting. Welcome Fred and Brian.' a familiar voice greeted us.
"Thunder? You installed Thunder to the plane?" I asked Fred, who just nodded.
'To be honest, it was my idea. Both of you know, that I'm a very good diagnostical program, which can check 5000 programs at the same time. With theese capabilities I was the best choice for you.'
"That makes sense." I admitted.

We slowly walked out of the hangar. I was very happy...Three months and I can see my daughter again. Tears of joy were already forming in the outlines of my eyes.
But I saw that something was bothering Fred.
"Hey, are you okay? You look like someone, who lost his best friend."
"Yeah, no problem, just..." he looked around "...Lets go for a ride." I just nodded.

We drove away from the base, to a little restaurant in the next village. We ordered some food, and waited.
"Are you sure, you’re alright? You’re acting a bit strange since we left the plane."
"Yeah…I'm just...hell." He looked around; I guess he looked for agents. "Look. You trust me, right?"
"Yes, of course. Why?"
"Well, when we'll arrive to...our destination...you can do anything you want to. You can go everywhere and meet everyone. Just remember one thing: I say anything, I do anything...You. Must. Trust. Me. Okay?"
I was a bit surprised. "Uhh, okay, but why do you say this to me?"
"Because...Look, I don't want to tell details, but there will be that time, when you don't know who is your friend, and who is an enemy anymore. And please, don't ask me about it. I'm already in big trouble if they know I told you this."
"Ok, ok, don't worry. I won't talk about it."
He sighted "Thanks."
"One more thing...you sent the Concorde's parameters to the ponies?" He just nodded.
"Great. Because we'll need a landing site, and I don't think Applejack will be very happy, if we accidentally use her farm as a runway." I said as we both broke out into a fit of laughter..

Equestria

The five ponies and the two princesses are standing next to Connor.
"So...we have to wake him up as fast as possible, BUT without any problem." Twilight suggested. "What about a 'good morning kiss, Fluttershy?"
"Oh, that never works. He's a very hard sleeper." the yellow pegasus answered.
"Hmm...I think, I have an idea." Princess Luna spoke up. "Can I try it?"
"Uh, Luna,...you don't plan to wake him with the Royal Canterlot Voice, do you?" Celestia asked a bit worried.
"Oooh, nonononono. Don't worry about that."
"In this case...Ok, you can try it." Celestia answered, but she was still ready to do something, if things were starting to go into a bad direction.
Luna quietly walked to Connor's face and lied down. Their faces were just some centimeters apart. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and...

"GOOOOD, MORNIIIIIIIIING!!!"
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" and in the next moment there was just a little, light brown, cloud were Connor snored mere moments ago.
"Luna, what did you do?" Celestia asked shocked.
"Nothing, I just woke him up!" the other princess protested.
"In that case...where is he now?" Twilight asked. They looked around everywhere in the room, but couldn't find him for Celestia’s sake.

They almost gave up the search, when they heard a familiar voice.
"T-t-t-tha-that wa-wasn't f-f-funny." They looked up to the voice's direction. Connor clung on the chandelier...upside down and shuddered.
"Uuh...Connor? What are ya doing up there?" Applejack asked.
"Oh nothing AJ, I’m just...changing the lightbulb." he answered.
"Suuure...So you don't jump up on the chandelier, because you were scared from Princess Luna using her Royal Canterlot Wake-up, riiight?" Pinkie asked him.
"Of course not. As I already told you..." but he was interrupted by Princess Celestia.
"Connor, it's not a bad objection, buut...thoose chandeliers are using magic, not lightbulbs." the others started giggling and Connor started blushing. "Soo, THAT'S why I can't change it..., ahaaaa. Can somepony help me please?" he asked, pointing to the ground.
"Of course. Just don't move" Luna told him, and her horn started glowing.
"Ok, but I wanted to take a trip to the ceiling." Connor shooted his last joke, before a dark blue aura helped him to the ground. When he finally was down, he started kissing the floor several times; this caused a little laught from everypony.

"Okay, so...*yawn*...Sorry. So, why am I here? He asked.
"We brought you here, because...this." Twilight told him, pointing to the synchronizer.
Connor's eyes widened. He slowly walked around the device to inspect it. Then he noticed the keyboard. "Let me guess, I have to do this for you, because you can't handle it?" he pointed to the keys.
"Yes. But if you can help us, we can make Rainbow Dash very happy." Pinkie answered.
"And what is the connection between Dash and this?" the light brown stallion asked.
"Because Dash's father sent this." AJ told him. Connor looked to the device again. After some seconds he turned to the others with a huge grin on his face. "Then...what are we waiting for."

After half an hour, Connor got everything he needed for the work: two pencils, two rings to attach the pencils to his hooves, and two glasses of water: one to drink and one to wake him up perfectly. Now a wet headed stallion sat behind the keyboard. Shining Armor and Princess Cadence also arrived, because they heard Luna's 'good morning'.

"Okay, let's see, what we have." He started to 'look around' on the computer. "Hmm. Here's a video file...'First things first'. Strange name, but it makes sense." he pushed 'Enter'. Suddenly the monitor blacked out and the machine started playing the file. They saw a familiar human on the monitor.

'Princesses, Welcome! Princess Celestia already knows who I am but, you, Luna; I guess we didn't have the chance to meet personally. I'm Rainbow Dash's father. I know, you have a lot of questions, but I don't have much time, because we want this video to be as short as we can make it. First of all, thank you to approve our trip to Equestria. As I wrote in the letter, this device can help to eliminate the time difference between our worlds. In this computer you will find everything you need to know about how we'll arrive, and with what. I hope I don't ask too much, but I guess you have to make some preparations, so our arrival will be perfect. But try to do something for me and this is the most important thing...don't tell Dashie anything. As I wrote it, I want to surprise her. And I also guess, a very excited pegasus also can't help you' - he winked. 'Later we'll install a communication system into the computer too, so we'll able to discuss the details. Until that...good bye.'

The menu appeared again. Some seconds later Connor turned to the other ponies.
"Brian? Brian is Rainbow's dad?" he asked.
"You know him!?" they asked in unison.
"If I know him? Of course I know him! He was one of my best friends! We met on a summer holiday, and slowly became the best friends, until I....arrived here." he looked back to the monitor.
"That's good; you can see each other again." Pinkie told to him, bouncing up and down in excitement.
"Yeah, just three months. Okay, let's see. What kind of thing will bring him here?" He asked himself, starting to navigate through the files.
"I guess that's it. So, it will be an airplane. Hmm...'SST2'? The name sounds a bit familiar." He opened it. Suddenly a 3 dimensional holographic image appeared in the room's center. Everypony jumped back a little.

"It's...impressive." Shining spoke up first. "Is every airplane looking like this in your world?" he asked Connor.
"No..." the stallion answered "...The Concorde had a unique design. She was one of the two only supersonic passenger planes on my world."
"And what does the supersonic title mean?" Cadence asked. Connor laughed a bit.
"To be honest, I waited for this question, but from Twilight, or Rainbow." The two mares looked at him confused.
Connor switched back to his serious mood. "Okay, so...when Rainbow Dash is performing a Sonic Rainboom, she’s as fast as the sound. The humans call that speed transonic speed..." the others nodded "...and the supersonic speed is the speed, which is faster than this." The three princesses just stood there, the jaws of the other ponies simply dropped.
"Wai-wai-wait sugarcube...ya mean...this thang can fly faster than Rainbow Dash?" Applejack tried to find her voice.
"Yep. Twice as fast. But this is an upgraded version and as I read, she can fly with Mach 4 speed...that means four times faster than Dash." some ponies simply collapsed as they heard this. Rainbow was Equestria's fastest pegasus. They couldn't imagine anything flying faster than her.
"But her mightiness is her weak point too. The engineers designed her for speed, but at low speed - Take off, and landing - she's a bit unstable. So she needs a long place where she can stop."
"And how long would that place have to be?" Cadence asked.
"Let's see...she has wheelbrake, speedbrake, and reverse thrust too, that's better than the old ones. Ah, I found it...she needs two kilometers for the safe stop, and this is also enough for the take off."

"I guess from here on, it's your task to do everything we need to do to help Brian with his arrival." Princess Celestia told them. "If you need any help, just ask us. I think Shining Armor will be happy to help you with anything he can."
"Of course princess." he bowed.
"Good. In this case we now continue our duties. Have a good day." and with that, Celestia and Luna left the throne room.

"So...they need a 2 km long strip, far from Rainbow Dash, but close enought to Ponyville?" Shining summarized the informations.
"You're right. And I know the perfect place, but I don't know what the owner will say."
"I guess I know who you are talking about." the white unicorn answered with a smile on her face. They both turned to Applejack, who was a bit confused. "What?"
"AJ, your farm is perfect for this landing site. I know you’re not really happy, but this is the only way." Connor tried to convince the cowmare.
"Actually Ah think Ah have a little place near the Everfree, where we haven’t got any trees." she answered.
"I don't know...there are lots of crazy winds. What if they'll arrive in the worst time?" Twilight noted.
"In that case, we'll call the best pegasi in Equestria." Armor winked. Everypony knew who he meant.
"Poor Dash, she can't be there..." Connor smiled.

Author's Note

Hi again! I hope you still wait the next chapters. Sorry if somebody think I bring too much technology into the story, but this is my style, I can't help. About the hangar scene and the Concorde's idea...it was my inspiration. SPOILER WARNING FOR MASS EFFECT 2 GAMERS

Chapter 5 > First contact

Equestria

The next three months were a bit hard for all of the ponies. Maybe Dash changed inside and outside too, but she was still curious about what the others were doing around AJ's farm. Fortunately, Celestia knew a spell, which masked every sign of the 'airport'.
Soon the winter arrived, so they needed to keep the area clean. Twilight found some special gems which could glow enough to clear the runway from the snow, and the Apple family 'ironed out' the field as far as they could. It was still bumpy, but Connor told them that it's no problem.

The final month arrived. The time difference was small enough, so they could make a video contact. It was a beautiful night at the end of November. The Mane 5 (6 - Rainbow Dash), Connor, the three princess, and Shining Armor were waiting for the contact. Unfortunately the camera and the communication monitor were on the opposite side of the synchronizator - than the computer’s side -, so Brian couldn't see Connor. But he told the others that it's no problem...at least he can surprise him too.

Around 10 pm., the camera's little red light turned on, indicating that it has a signal from Earth. They got the video image too, but it wasn't the best.
"Do....Hear....me?" the figure asked.
"Not really." Celestia answered. Some seconds later the image became clearer, but still not clear enough.
"And now?" it was definitively Brian.
"Now the sound is perfect, but the image is still bad." she told him.
"Okay, one sec..." they heard some click, then the image became perfectly clear. "I hope, it's good now."
"Perfect." Celestia smiled.
"That's good. Well, good evening princess. I hope it's not too late for a call."
"Don't worry, you can call us anytime...except Sunday." the others laughed.
"No problem, besides...I'm enjoying a little rest on Sundays too." He winked.
"Yeah, I believe you...so, what can we do for you?" the princess asked.
"Honestly, I just wanted to know how you are. Could you keep this a secret from Dash?"
"Yes, it's a bit hard, but yes. She's not suspecting anything. But about the preparations... I think it's the best, if I let Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor explain everything." She stepped aside and the two unicorns stepped to the machine.
"Hello Brian, good to see you again." Twilight greeted him.
"Nice to 'meet' you again Twilight...long time no see."
"Yeah, for you that's true." she giggled a bit.
"I guess he is your brother, right?" Brian asked and turned to the captain.
"Yes, I am mister. First of all, I want to tell you...your plane it's fantastic. I hope I can see it a bit closer later."
"Don't worry you can. Every one of you."
"So about the preparations...We finished everything we could do for the runway. It has lights like in your world. It's still a bit bumpy, but I hope it's no problem."
"Wow, you're really fast! I'm happy that Dash has lots of wonderful friends like you..." the ponies blushed a bit. "...I guess you don't know, but in my world, we need people on the ground too, who we call Air Traffic Controller. They're helping the pilots to find the runway, and to land on it. So I'll need at least one pony from you to help us about this."
"I guess we can do it, but how?" Twilight asked.
"Don't worry Twilight. We can send some equipment that will help you. You just have to send the runway coordinates."
"Okay, it's on the way." Shining told him, nodding to Connor. He sent the coordinates and nodded back. "We sent it."
"Good. Aaaand...arrived. Hmm...WHAT!? Do I see this right? You made the runway on Sweet Apple Acres?"
"Yeah, ya see right, sugarcube." AJ joined in to the conversation.
"Are you sure Applejack? Because if..."
"Don't worry about that. Mah family’s not really using that region, so no problem."
"Ok, thank you. I'll return the favor somehow."
"Ooh, you don't need to..."
"U-u-uuuh, I WANT to return it, and with this, we. Closed. This. Theme." Brian insisted.
"Okay, okay. You're stubborn as a mule."
"I know." he grinned "Returning to the original theme...How much time do you need to complete the sync?"
"Uuhm...half a month, as I see." Twilight answered.
"Okay. As I know, a week after that you'll have the Hearts Warming Eve...or as we know, Christmas. If it's not a problem, I would like to arrive two days before HWE, in the middle of the night, when most of the ponies are sleeping."
"Yes, you're right. And about the arrival...we'll be very happy to see you...again." Celestia spoke up again.
"Yes, me too. By the way, I have to warn you. Our plane is very noisy, especially at supersonic speed."
"No problem. We'll send a letter to everypony with the informations, and about Rainbow Dash..." the princess turned to Twilight "...we should lock her into her house, and cast a soundproof spell on it."
Brian was a bit surprised. "Strange solution princess...from you."
"Well, sometimes I can be a little bad, don't you think?" she giggled a bit.
"You're the princess; I'm just a poor subject." Brian smiled. "Oh before I forget...we've sent the equipment for the ATC. We also sent manual for them, so you'll know everything, you need." behind him the ponies saw a huge blue light, and then a strange device appeared near them. It was a radar, a radio, and a mobile weather station.
"They've arrived." Shining told them.
"Okay. I guess we talked about everything we needed. So...we'll see each other in 3 weeks." he bid his farewell.
"Good bye." the ponies told him in unison. Then the monitor went black.

"Okay...I guess we can install these things tomorrow, when everypony is full with energy, so...good night, everypony." Shinig Armor spoke up. The others said their goodbyes and headed home.

Earth

'Three weeks for us, one week for them.' I thought.
"Hey, Brian!" Fred ran to me. They made some new modifications on the Concorde. "How did it go?"
"Very well. They have one week, so they'll finish everything. What about the plane?"
"Oh yeah...about her...We have a goods lift on the rear side, which we used to bring up the equipments to the cargo hold, and to the deck. And now...we made a garage from the elevator's engine house."
"Wow, not bad...and what kind of vehicle can fit into it?" I asked him.
"Well for example...a certain blue Navara?"
"Wha-wha-wha-wait...you mean you could make enough space for my pick-up? Into a plane?" he nodded. I coudn't say anything.
"Ookay, what will be next? You'll tell me that the plane in fact is some kind of 'air frigate'?"
"Don't worry. I'm not planning this." we laughed.
"Oh and...something else. I have a good plan about the painting." I was confused a bit.
"Why? What's the problem with the white?"
"Nothing, just too...flashy" and he showed me the plans about the painting. I was almost bursting from laughter.
"Because THIS it not flashy?"

Author's Note

Hi guys!
I know it was just a short chapter, but I don't wanted to write it into the 4th chapter.