//------------------------------// // Twenty Two // Story: Dashie: Twenty Percent Cooler // by Kieva Lynn //------------------------------// Standard Disclaimer: I do not own MLP, nor am I in any way affiliated with the author of the story this fic is based upon. XXXXXXX Chapter Twenty-Two XXXXXXX General Carver was in his office, finishing up his paperwork, when the door flew open. Agent Helms and Doctor Hensen rushed in, along with some of the General's aides. "Apologies for the breach of protocol, General," Helms said, "But you need to see this right away." Helms switched on the office television, and Carver jumped to his feet when he saw what was on the screen: "Greetings, people of Earth. I am Celestia, Princess of Equestria, and I come on behalf of my world, seeking your friendship." "This happened ten minutes ago General." An aide said, "We're running a delayed feed so you can watch it all." Carver nodded and returned his attention to the video. "It is my understanding that many people on Earth have some awareness of my world's existence, by way of a television program. This program was the doing of my mother, the former Queen Faust, who hoped for this day and inspired the cartoon to prepare humanity for it." Celestia explained. One of the newspeople found the courage to ask "And what is it that you want from us?" "In general, only friendship, though the ideas of trade, commerce, and political alliance are also desirable... That said, there is one specific request I must make. One of our citizens, Pinkie Pie by name, is being held by your military. We must, of course, insist upon her release." "Now do you believe me Davie?" Pinkie asked, popping up behind the General, who at this point was finished with being surprised by her impossible actions. "Not entirely." Carver answered. "But it doesn't matter... The President will almost certainly order your release at this point." "Well good. You've been a good host Davie, but this place is boring." The General simply shook his head.. "Anyway," Pinkie continued, "Now that your President guy is gonna say to let me go, I'll just show myself out." "You mean you could have just left at any time!?" Helms demanded. "Of course not Silly Willy! It's like I told you before, I can break the wall when the narrative requires it, or when the results of doing so will be really funny. And doing it NOW when I didn't THEN is funny!" And with that Pinkie waved goodbye and dived into the General's wastepaper basket. Which was empty when Carver, Helms, and Hensen leaned over to look in. "Oh yeah, that's really Pinkie Pie alright..." Hensen said... XXXXXXX While Celestia was appearing on the morning news, which was quickly being rebroadcast all across the planet, Brian decided to take the opportunity to have a chat with Scootaloo. "So... What do you think of Earth?" He asked. "It's really cool!" The filly answered, "But then, it would have to be, since Rainbow Dash grew up here! Actually, I guess that means you've gotta be kinda cool too, since you raised her to be so awesome." "I can't think of any way to take that except as a compliment." Brian thought to himself. He asked "I'm curious... Have you EVER really thought about what it would be like to be adopted?" "Oh sure, a few times. But i dunno... It'd be awesome to have a family and all, but then what if they took me to someplace like Trottingham? I'd lose all my friends!  I might not even ever see Rainbow Dash again if they took me far enough!" A funny expression crossed her face. "Wow! What if it was humans that adopted me? I'd be on a whole different world! I'd never see anypony I know ever again!" Brian reached over and patted Scootaloo on the back. "Don't worry. As close as you and your friends are, I can't imagine anything could keep you apart for long." Scootaloo smiled warmly. "Thanks." "Anytime. You know, even if you did end up on Earth, I bet you'd still be able to see all your friends. The Princess tells me they'll be able to make permanent gates soon. You just walk through a door and you're on another world." "Really? Wow." "Yep.  I know I'm getting one so Dashie and I can see each other...  I guess they'll be able to connect it directly to Ponyville... And, you know, there's that upstairs loft I could convert into another bedroom, just about the perfect size for a filly..." As Brian was talking, Scootaloo finally tumbled to what he was suggesting. She stared at him, eyes wide. "You mean...?" "It's as much your choice as mine. But Dashie's already told me she'd like an official little sister, and-" Brian was cut off as Scootaloo tackled him. "This is awesome! It's like everything I ever wanted, a home, Rainbow Dash as a sister, not having to leave Ponyville, well, technically but... If this is really allowed, I totally wanna give it a shot!" Then, out of nowhere, a pink head popped out beside them. "Aw, that's sweet!" Pinkie said. Brian and Scootaloo jumped back as if shot, looked at each other, then together exclaimed "Pinkie Pie!?" "That's my name, don't wear it out!" "When... How...?" "Oh that nice Mister President man said I could go when the Princess asked, so here I am!" Brian shook his head. He was so very glad it had been Dashie who came into his life; trying to raise Pinkie would have driven him to drink... XXXXXXX Epilogue With no way to hide it, Earth's governments opened diplomatic contact with Equestria within the week. A few nations held back, insisting that the alien ponies were evil, though most were at least open-minded. Princess Celestia found herself stuck in New York City for two full days, granting news interviews and official meetings with national leaders and ambassadors. Her U.N. speech was broadcast live to over two hundred countries. When the group returned to Brian's home, they found Luna and the Bearers waiting. Their reunion with Pinkie was joyous, and needless to say the mare threw a combination "Welcome Back Me/Congratulations Scootaloo" party that evening. Don Calamari had been dropped anonymously at a hospital, and was not being taken seriously by the staff when he claimed to have been possessed by a demon horse. “First-Contact Induced Psychosis” they called it. Rainbow Dash surprised everyone by declaring her intentions to move back into her old room for the time being. "Cloud house'll still be there when I'm ready for it Pops." She had said. "So picture this, bed here in the middle, Wonderbolts poster on that wall, Dale Erhart poster across from it..." The permanent gates Celestia had proposed were built soon after. Nearly all were in New York, but a single small example was installed elsewhere, connecting a rural farmhouse with a new door hidden behind a bookcase in the Ponyville library. Scootaloo's adoption was delayed a month by complaining from elements within the nobility who thought a pony orphan should go to a pony couple. Luna rather dramatically ended the stalemate by offering immediate custody to whichever of them would take Scoots personally. The nobles turned and left in silence, save for Blueblood who practically galloped out the door, screaming. In any case, it bought time for her new room to be finished. Thomas and Sara returned to Port Timbrey, having little desire for continued contact with the unusual, but Solomon and Jessie elected to move close to Brian. Miri stayed close, and everyone knew it wouldn't be too long before Brian proposed. Life went on, on both worlds, the good with the bad, much as always for most people. And somewhere else, far away across the Bleed, an ancient evil stirred in it's slumber, soon to awaken...