Standing stunned still and unsure of just how to react to all this suddenly happening, Twilight looked to the turquoise pegasus with wide eyes, as her lips tried to put her thoughts into words but nothing coming out as all she could do at this moment in time was continue to stare silently, 'Could it really be true? Could this pegasus be the one we've been needing to come by and be the one to encourage us to keep going? That sounds too good to actually be true, but if what Fluttershy said about this pegasus is right then...maybe...just maybe there's a chance at least,' the Princess thought as she tried to compose herself now, shaking her head and taking a deep breath, slowly calming herself down.
"Could you just wait outside here for a moment?" she asked the mystery pegasus as a polite smile was slowly forming on her lips, causing the pegasus to simply smile back to her and answer with a quick nod.
"Of course Princess," the pegasus replied before Twilight thanked her in a rushed voice and left her and Fluttershy waiting at the door for a few moments. The two pegasi left to look to each other slightly as they both were a little unsure of what was happening with Twilight, and wondering just what she would do when she came back.
Walking back into the kitchen now Twilight looked to her marefriend who seemed like she was back to being lost in deep thought again, not knowing how the pegasus would react to the kind of situation that she would soon be in after she told her just who had come to visit them, but being hopeful that this could at least prove to be somewhat beneficial to them both and their plans.
"Who was at the door Twilight?"
Spike asked, as he was still concerned for Rainbow Dash it seemed but was also wondering why Twilight looked to have such an anxious expression on her face right now, however her expression also seeming to be holding a slight excitement behind it, which was making the young dragon a little curious about who might just have been at their front door.
"Somepony that I believe Dash might just be interested in seeing," Twilight answered, a smile forming on her lips as she just confused Spike more, and turned to Dash as she caught her attention by tapping her shoulder lightly, causing the cyan pegasus to now look up and turn her head towards her.
"Dash, there's somepony at the door that I think wants to talk with us both, would you come and see them please?" Twilight asked, causing Rainbow Dash to also seem a little confused now, as she tlited her head to the side while she looked up to her marefriend, unsure of what to think when she saw her expression, before just nodding as she guessed whoever was at the door had definitely caused Twilight to seem slightly less worried than she was just a few moments ago.
"Sure,"
Dash replied, standing up from her chair as she for now tried to put all her thoughts to the back of her mind and not think about them, wondering just who was at the door and hoping that she would be able to focus more on them rather than everything that was going on inside her head at the moment.
Twilight feeling a little unsure about how this would all go exactly but continued to smile as she led Dash to the open front door where Fluttershy and the other pegasus were waiting for them. Upon walking back into the doorway and seeing the turquoise pegasus still having that polite smile formed on her lips Twilight wondered if Dash would know who this pegasus was or not, she was from Cloudsdale after all, and as the Princess looked to see Dash's reaction, she raised her eyebrow a little when she saw her marefriend now take a step back as she saw the other pegasus standing there in front of her.
"Rainbow Dash, it sure has been a while huh? It's good to finally see you again," the turquoise pegasus greeted Dash, her smile turning in to a more brighter one as she looked genuinely overjoyed to be seeing Rainbow Dash, while the same really couldn't be said about Dash as her eyes widened and she just seemed awfully surprised, all speech leaving her for a moment as it looked like this mystery pegasus was the last pony she was expecting to see at Twilight's door.
"L-Lightning Dust? What are you doing here?" Dash asked as she raised her voice a little, and seemed like she was more than surprised to see the other pegasus standing in front of her right now, Twilight seeing that Dash ovbiously must know this pegasus since she not only knew her name be also seemed to have recongnised her quite quickly as well.
Lightning was going to answer as she seemed amused by Dash's reaction to seeing her again, but just stayed slient as Fluttershy spoke up instead, "I brought her here after finding her in Cloudsdale, or rather she found me I should say really," she stated also seeing that Dash did seem to recognise lightning almost instantly and must have known her quite well considering the fact that she remembered her name easily enough.
Dash looked to Fluttershy a little taken aback to hear that she had gone up into Cloudsdale again, and now felt kinda bad, guessing that the reason for Fluttershy going up to her hometown again when she thought she never would, most probably had something to with the problems that her and Twilight had been dealing with since meeting the royal Princess this morning, Dash seeing that Fluttershy must have caught wind of what was going on somehow.
"You didn't have to go and do that- Dash stated feeling like Fluttershy shouldn't have had to go into Cloudsdale when she was possbily not ready for that just yet, however Fluttershy cut the cyan pegasus off as she shook her head and smiled to Dash now.
"I wanted to Rainbow Dash, Applejack told the others and me about the problems that you and Twilight were having to face, so I wanted to find a way to help you in any way that I could, and when I got to Cloudsdale Lightning Dust here came flying over to me and started asking about you," Fluttershy explained, causing Dash to look slightly more surprised while she turned to glance at Lightning again and sighed slightly not knowing just what the turguoise pegasus could be after by being here, but guessing that it most likely wouldn't be anything she would expect to be good.
"Dash, Fluttershy said that this pegasus is interested in our plans for the future with both towns, and wants to hear more about them apparently," Twilight stated now catching Dash's attention, as she looked to the Princess, and then shifted her eyes to Lightning again, that defintely being something she wasn't expecting the pegasus to be here for.
Looking to Lightning's smiling face and wondering if the pegasus was actually being geunine right now or not, but also not knowing what to think at this point and figured that she would need to hear more before she could really judge anything about the other pegasus's intentions.
....
Twilight having soon invited Fluttershy and Lightning inside the library as they all were sitting down at the dining table together now, Spike making drinks for them all in the kitchen. Rainbow Dash seeming a little sceptical of Lightning as she looked to the pegasus who was just casually talking to Fluttershy at the moment.
Twilight looking to her marefriend as she wondered why she looked so troubled by lightning suddenly showing up, not expecting this to cheer Dash up at all, but was questioning why it seemed like she was being so weary around the turquoise pegasus that she seemed to know, but was kind of glad that her focus had shifted from the things she was thinking and getting herself all worked up about before.
"Dash, do you know Lightning Dust?"
Twilight asked getting the feeling that the answer to her question would be an obvious one, but asked anyway since although it did seem like Dash knew Lightning Dust quite well, it didn't seem like they were all that close, and plus the fact that Dash was acting so weary around the turquoise pegasus did cause her to think that maybe there was something she and Fluttershy didn't yet know about her, while Dash did.
"Well kind of...not really though, besically I know her name and have talked to her once or twice in the past, but to be honest I don't know her that well. Considering the fact that she was one of the pegasi from Cloudsdale who would just keep to herself most of the time, I never really hung out with her and would only ever talk to her when I happen to bump into her or something like that," Dash explained as she looked to Twilight but was clearly still focusing on the pegasus that was sitting beside Fluttershy. Twilight now seeing why Dash was seeming a little uneasy at the moment, since the cyan pegasus didn't know Lightning all that well it was possible that she was being completely sincere and actually was interested in all that Twilight and Dash had planned like Fluttershy had said, or if in fact she could also have other intentions on her mind.
Dash sighing a little now as she thought she should just stop trying to work stuff out for herself, and instead try and find out what Lightning truly wanted by simply asking her and seeing what her answer would be, "So Lightning, do you really want to hear more about the plans that Twilight and I have for the future?" she asked, catching Lightning's attention and causing her to turn to her, that smile still present on her face, almost seeming like it would never leave her expression.
"Yes, I know we don't know each other all that well, so I guess I'm not expecting you to agree, but when I heard you talking to all of Cloudsdale about the relationship you and Princess Twilight have, and just how much you loved her it...it really spoke to me and I think what you and the Princess are trying to accomplish is really inspiring. I have always felt that there shouldn't be this big separation between our two towns, I mean we used to get along so well, so I believe we can be like that again someday if we can just find the right way to go about this, I'm sure there's a way to get both Ponyville and Cloudsdale to come to some sort of agreement. Fluttershy told me of the problems that you two have been going through, and I would love it if you would let me help you with them, or at least let me hear more about it all, I would also appreciate that greatly," Lightning explained as she talked with excitement in her voice, sounding like she was really looking to help Twilight and Rainbow Dash with their plans, but while Twilight smiled and seemed hopeful that Lightning was exactly the pegasus they had been hoping to find, Dash didn't seem convinced just yet, still looking a little sceptical, while also not being able to deny that Lightning did seem to be speaking truthfully right now as she looked back to the two of the with a determined expression.
Dash glanced to Twilight now as although Lightning was seeming to be genuine with all that she was saying, she still wasn't sure if they should really trust the other pegasus as much as to allow her to help them with their plans. However by the hopeful smile on Twilight's face it was clear to see that this was pretty much the exact pegasus that she had been hoping to come across, wanting to find someone who like Rainbow Dash actually wanted to end the feud between the two towns, and be willing to help out in any way that they could, it certainly seeming that Lightning Dust fit that description quite well.
Twilight noticing that Dash was looking to her, and smiled to her, nodding and giving her an encouraging expression, "She seems like the real deal to me," she stated in a slightly whispered tone, before she turned back to Lightning again and the turquoise pegasus happily just smiled back to her in return. Twilight making it obvious that she believed all that Lightning had said, and definitely wanted to get her on bored with everything if she really did want to help them out, which did seem like that was the case here.
Dash looked to Twilight with a slightly concerned expression, wondering if she was being too trusting right now, or maybe she was judging Lightning badly, turning back to the turquoise pegasus again, and going over her own thoughts about all this, 'it's true that she does seem sincere enough...but can we really trust her? Maybe I'm thinking about things too much again, after all like she said 'we don't know each other all that well', so would it really be fair for me to be so weary of her when in fact there may be no reason to?' she sighed now thinking just what she should choose to do here. Miss their possible chance and send Lightning away, or let her help them.
"You really want to help us?" Dash asked as she still looked a little uneasy, but figuring it wouldn't be right to deny Lightning if all she wanted to really do was help them with all of this, and from the looks of things that's exactly what she had in mind at the moment.
"Of course, in any way that I can," Lightning replied as she nodded to Dash, a confident smile resting on her lips as there were pretty much no doubts in Dash's mind that the other pegasus really did mean it when she said she wanted to help them just then.
'Maybe this could actually be a good thing, although I do still want to keep an eye on her from here,' Dash thought as she looked to Twilight again before nodding her head slowly and showing the Princess that she was agreeing to allow Lightning to help them with all that they had planned, causing Twilight to now light up as she mentally thanked her marefriend, and then turned back to Lightning.
"The truth is we need all the help we can get right now, so we would be glad to have you on board Lightning Dust," Twilight stated with a bright smile to Lightning causing the pegasus to lit up with excitement.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, I promise you will not regret this!" the excited pegasus happily stood from her chair and thanked Twilight and Dash over and over again, wanting to let them know just how greatful she was for letting her help them, smiling to them both as Twilight nodded and smiled back to her, while Dash was still feeling a little anxious about all this, and Fluttershy was glad that the two had agreed for Lightning to help them with their plans believing that this is what they really needed right now, and hoping that soon enough Dash would see that as well, and wouldn't look so uneasy around her anymore.
"So where do you plan to go from here? Well I don't mean to rush you at all, but I would like to know where you are planning on starting with all this, after all you've got a long road ahead of you both," Lightning asked still sounding so overjoyed about everything that was happening at the moment, clearly wanting to get into the full swing of things, and was hoping to help anywhere that she could.
"Well that's true enough, and us telling you where we plan to start would only be fair so..." Twilight paused as she tried to think of something, having a rough idea of where she wanted things to go from here with their planning, but was a little unsure of how Lightning Dust could be part of it all and help out, sitting back in her chair as she seemed lost in thought for a moment, while Lightning waited patiently to hear what the Princess would say.
"We could have her meet your other friends Twi," Dash suggested, speaking up and causing Twilight to look a little taken aback as she wasn't expecting her marefriend to come up and say anything since she had been a little silent for a good while there, "I mean if she really is going to help us with all of this, it might be good for her to get to know a few of the other ponies that live in this town besides Fluttershy who didn't even used to live here before the feud started anyway," the cyan pegasus added in quite a rushed voice that was a little lower in tone, obviously seeming nervous still as she turned away from Twilight when she realized the Princess's slightly surprised expression directed at her.
"That's a really good idea Dash, but they're your friends too don't forget," Twilight's expression formed into a smile as she leaned closer to her marefriend, showing that she was happy that the pegasus was actually taking part in this, instead of just sitting back and continuing to think about things which is what Twilight first thought she was going to do, feeling glad to be proved wrong. Causing Dash to blush a little from embarrassment as she shook her head a moment later and turned her attention back on to Lightning again, and avoided Twilight's reply to her.
"So what do you say Lightning, you wanna meet the others?" she asked looking to Lightning with a nervous smile, as she still knew that Twilight's eyes were on her, knowing without even glancing that the Princess no doubt was looking to her with a raised eyebrow right now.
Lightning just nodded excitedly in reply, "Sure, I'd love to," she smiled agreeing to meet the others happily, while Twilight and Fluttershy nodded simply, and Dash did the same after a moment or two, sighing slightly as Twilight had shifted her eyes to Lightning, while she just glanced back to the turquoise pegasus who was happily talking to the Princess and Fluttershy now, still with that bright smile on her lips.
Dash wanting to believe Lightning as well, and kind of did want to get to know her a little better, but also still having a feeling that she should be more weary of her and thought although she wasn't going to jump to any conclusions she was going to keep her distance and just see how things would go from here with this mysterious pegasus, who she still felt very unsure about.
....
Twilight soon gathering all the others and telling them to come meet up at the library, all of them now together in the library's main living area, with Spike making drinks and small snacks for everyone as he pottered around a bit, making sure that all the guests were being seen to.
Now walking over to Twilight and Rainbow Dash, noticing that they seemed to be observing Lightning Dust from a far, guessing that they were only keeping their distance so that the others could all go over and talk to her instead. Twilight looking like she was eagerly waiting for when their friends would go over to meet Lightning, while Dash seemed to be a little uncomfortable at the moment.
"So how's it going? Have any of the others approached her yet?"
Spike asked as he came walking over to Twilight and Dash, wondering if Lightning had talked to any of the others yet besides Fluttershy, and hoping that everyone was getting along nicely. Twilight having introduced the young dragon to Lightning a little eariler and just like with Fluttershy and the Princess everything had gone down well enough, causing Twilight to hope that the same would be said for her other three friends, and even though she knew that Dash still wasn't all that sure of the mysterious pegasus just yet, she was hopeful that she would warm up to her and stop seeming so uneasy soon enough.
"No, not just yet, however I'm sure they will all be going over to meet her soon enough, they're probably just thinking of what to say to her, after all they all did seem interested when I gathered them here and told them about Lightning Dust. And I'm sure they will all get along just fine with her," Twilight stated smiling to spike, while she was still looking over to where Lightning stood talking to Fluttershy, and seeming to be forming a sort of friendship with her, as they both chated to each other happily, the Princess just hoping that the other three would be the same when they would finally go over to meet with her.
Still looking anxious about all this Dash sighed slightly, looking over to Lightning, and although she did want to trust the pegasus, she just wasn't sure if that was the right choice, as something about the mare was just not sitting well with her it seemed, "Do you think that we can really trust her Twilight?" she asked nervously, while she seemed to be fighting with herself at the moment, knowing that Lightning seemed so nice and cheerful, and wanting to be helpful to them. But while she could clearly see that when she looked to the turquoise pegasus, she wasn't sure what it was, but she felt like there just might be more to Lightning then she herself was letting on.
"Relax Dash, you're just being paranoid,"
Twilight rested a caring hoof on Dash's shoulder and gave her a slight smile, trying to reassure her that she didn't need to be so nervous about all this, having a feeling that she knew why her marefriend was a little unwilling to trust this mysterious pegasus that both of them knew hardly anything about had just come walking into their lives and confusing her with how she should feel towards everything turning out the way it was. But hoping that within time Dash would see what she saw in Lightning and wouldn't be so weary around her anymore.
"Maybe but-
Dash was about to continue however soon getting cut off by Twilight. Knowing that she probably was thinking about this all too much, but if that was all it was then why couldn't she just push these kind of thoughts to the back of her mind like before? That not seeming to work this time, as she was more concerned about just who Lightning was and what she wanted then what she was worrying about before, wondering if this was just her mind playing tricks on her after all.
"Dash, look!"
Twilight cut Dash off, as she pointed and directed Dash's attention over to where Lightning stood with Fluttershy and both of them were surprised to see Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity all making their way over to the two pegasi, seeming like they were going to finally meet Lightning Dust now. Twilight smiling as she was hopeful that they would all get along, while Dash looked a little concerned for just how things would go down, when she figured that maybe she shouldn't be so worked about all this, when Lightning hadn't really done anything in order to maker her feel this way about her. Both of them waiting to see just what would happen with the others, as Spike joined in along with them.
"So it's Lightning Dust right?"
Applejack asked as her, Pinkie and Rarity had come walking over to Lightning and Fluttershy, seeming like they were all now ready to meet this mystery pegasus, feeling a little nervous as the three knew that they had never met this pegasus before and guessed that she was most probably much different from how Rainbow Dash used to be, and their thoughts seeming to be completely correct as Lightning turned to them all and just smiled politly.
"Yep that's me, and you are all friends of Rainbow Dash and the Princess right?" Lightning asked seeming humble enough to the others and causing them all to look to each other with slightly relieved smiles now, this pegasus definitely seeming like someone who was quite easy to approach and talk to.
"That's right. Am Applejack, this is Pinkie Pie, Rarity and you've already met Fluttershy," Applekjack introduced herself and the others to Lightning, ponting to each one of them with her hoof as she said their name, Pinkie and Rairty politly smiling to the turquoise pegasus, while she just nodded in return and and smiled back to them all in reply.
"It's nice to meet you all," she replied happily, causing the others to all relax now, as they felt like there was nothing really for them to be nervous about since it really did seem like this Cloudsdale pegasus was more than happy to meet them, which wasn't something they had been expecting, but were glad that that had seemed to be the case at the moment.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well lightning Dust," Rarity replied as the other two agreed and soon starting to fall into a casual converstaion with the pegasus, seeming that they were able to get along with her very easily just like Fluttershy had.
"Is it true that you really want to help Twilight and Rainbow Dash with their plans?" Pinkie asked as she and the others were a little curious about whether Lightning wanted to really take part in helping to make the bright future that Twilight and Dash were looking to, into a reality that they could hopefully get to someday.
"Of course, in any way that I can,"
Lightning answered as she caused the others to all look to each other for a moment, clearly seeing that the pegasus was being nothing short of sincere right now, and were glad that Fluttershy had made the decision to go up into Cloudsdale after all, for if she hadn't gone through with it, then this pegasus that seemed to the be the one that Twilight and Rainbow Dash had been needing wouldn't have been found, and they would have probably never gotten the chance to meet her at all.
Pinkie Pie and Lightning now happily talking to one another as soon Fluttershy and Rarity joined in on the casual conversation as well, while Twilight and Rainbow Dash came walking over to Applejack and caught her attention, stopping her from joining in with the rest of the others, as the farm pony just looked to the two and smiled to them both.
"So what do you think of Lightning Dust?" Twilight asked as she could easily see that the others had gotten along with Lightning just as well as Fluttershy had, seeming to not be having any problems with her at all, and Applejack proving her point even more as she smiled and happily nodded in reply to the Princcess.
"She seems really nice, I'll admit I was a little nervous about meeting her since unlike with Rainbow Dash, none of us had really met her before, but it seems there was nothing for me to be worried about, and the others and I can clearly see that you two have most likely found exactly what you have been needing with her, after all peagsi like her that come from Cloudsdale tend to be hard to come across," the farm pony answered as she and the others had been glad that they didn't have to worry at all, and were happy about the fact that they actually had been able to help the two, by Fluttershy bumping in to Lightning and hitting it off with her so well, guessing that they shouldn't have expected any less from a pegasus that Fluttershy was able to get along with and talk to so easily.
"I think so too," Twilight nodded with a smile in reply, glad to see that everyone seemed to be getting along really well with Lightning Dust. Well everyone bar Rainbow Dash, it seeming like the cyan pegasus being the only one that wasn't so sure about her, the Princess hoping that that would soon change as time went on though.
'All the others are getting along with her so well, which means I'm the only one that's questioning whether we should really trust her or not,' Dash sighed as she was glad that the others had gotten along with Lightning so well, but it seemed that no matter what all the others thought about the turquoise pegasus, she just couldn't seem to get it out of her head that there's more to Lightning than just her polite, easily approachable, and seemly very trustworthy personality, it not seeming like all an act, but at the same time it not being clear to her at least just what true intentions she might just be hiding.
'I don't know why I'm feeling like this when it comes to Lightning, but maybe it's just because I have also never met a pegasus from Cloudsdale like her, just like all the others. After all she's not the kind of pony that I used to hang around with at all back then, so should I really be getting worked up about all this, when in fact it could be nothing? Maybe Twilight is right, maybe I am just being paranoid,' Dash thought as she looked to Lightning and couldn't figure out why that cheerful smile of her's that definitely seemed geunine, made her feel so uneasy still, hoping that these feelings would just go away soon, and she wouldn't have to be stressing herself out with alll this anymore, and could just focus on her, Twilight and now Lightning moving forward with their's plans for the future that they were hoping to aim for.
....
The gathering not lasting for much longer as it was soon early in the evening and Lightning had told the others that she had to start heading back home, standing outside the library now as she was saying 'Goodnight' to everyone and thanked Twilight and Rainbow Dash for everything today.
"Are you sure you can't stay any longer?" Pinkie asked with a pout as she felt like she still had so much she needed to talk with Lightning about and didn't want her to go just yet, however the pegasus just shook her head as she smiled to the earth pony, knowing that she better head home before it started to get too dark.
"Sorry, but I kinda want to get back home before the sun sets competely, plus I feel if I stay for much longer I just might end up spending the night here," Lightning stated with a nervous smile, not wanting to disappoint Pinkie, but also knowing that going home now instead of later would be her best bet.
"You'll come back tomorrow right? Dash and I could tell you more about what we have planned for the near future," Twilight asked, wanting to make sure that they would be seeing Lightning again, since she also did want to talk with her more, and was wondering if she had any plans of her own for where they could go from here.
"Of course, there's nothing that could keep me away from coming back here," Lightning stated happily as Twilight nodded back to her and smiled to her in return, looking forward to how tomorrow would go now, as they all soon said their gooodbyes to the pegasus and waved to her, before they all walked back into the library together.
Rainbow Dash was going to follow the others, but just as she was about to turn and walk after them all, she gave a glance to the direction that Lightning had started to walk off in, and was surprised to see the turquoise pegasus still standing there, having her back turned to her, but her head facing her as her golden eyes were locked onto Dash's magenta ones.
Dash's eyes went wide as she felt like she suddenly couldn't move right now, freezing up in the other pegasus's cold stare, that cheerful and polite smile having completely disappeared as a slight frown was resting there instead. Lightning's expression looking blank and unreadable as it almost seemed like she was staring straight through the cyan pegasus, causing an uncomfortable cold chill to run down her spine for a moment.
"I-is there something the matter, Lightning?" Dash asked nervously not knowing what to do, or how she should react to this right now, wondering just where this had suddenly come from, as it seemed like the other pegasus's demeanor had changed completely, however not staying that way for long as that cheerful smile of her's came back a moment later.
"Not at all, goodnight Rainbow Dash," Lightning simply stated with her classic beaming smile, causing Dash to just look to her confused and unsure of what to think as she had no idea why she had gotten such a cold stare from the other pegasus all of a sudden.
"Y-yeah...goodnight,"
Dash replied in a low voice, still seeming stunned by what had just gone on while Lightning just waved to her with that cheerful smile still resting on her lips, before turning and taking off into the sky. Heading off home up to Cloudsdale, while leaving Dash to wonder just what had happened between them, as she stood staring to where the other pegasus had disppeared in to and still didn't really feel like she could move just yet.
'Just what was with that look she gave me?' she questioned as she was even more confused about Lightning now then she was before, wondering just where that cold stare had suddenly come from, and why it had been directed at her for what seemed like such a long amount of time, not knowing what to think about that mysterious pegasus anymore it seemed.