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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The End

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

Pinkie Pegasus

by Lets Do This

Party of One