Another successful meeting with the Cutie Mark Crusaders down, and the whole team is here too, Trace Light included. I’m the first to leave, so the other four say their goodbyes to me, prompting a look back to them and a smile from me.
I sigh happily. “Another good afternoon with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I can’t wait to tell Twilight.”
Looking forward to the first weekend of the autumn, I buzz my wings to mimic the music to the ninth level in Planet Puzzle League as I walk home. There’s just something about that stage that sticks out from the rest of the music, even with Sim Hive’s quasi-phonographic sounds. Maybe it’s the howling in the two chorus sections.
Across from the western side of Town Hall, one of the ponies out and about seems to notice the music coming out of my wings. Huh, what’s that from? …hello? …kid?
I stop the music and turn around when it’s clear the mare is referring to me. “Yeah?” The mare looks a little familiar. She’s a pegasus with an aqua coat, a crooked golden mane and tail, and a cutie mark with a lightning bolt and three stars underneath. Behind her is a empty freight pegasus chariot next to the stump of a “for sale” sign.
“I couldn’t help but notice the smooth music you were playing with your wings. I thought I was the only one who enjoyed that kind of music.”
“Oh that? It was just from a puzzle game I took with me. Nothing special.”
“So what’s your name, kid?”
“Aita. And yours? Because you look familiar.”
“I do? Wherever you saw me, name’s Lightning Dust.”
“I thought so. Were you at the academy?”
“Oh yeah!” Lightning Dust performs two backloops, then offers a hoof bump, which I accept. “So, where you headed?”
“Home. I just got done with a meeting with my friends after school. So, what are you doing in Ponyville?”
“Just got moved in so I can go on tour as a stuntpony across Equestria. I may be barred from the Wonderbolts, but that doesn’t stop me from getting my thrills.”
Well now I’m impressed. “You’re a stuntpony now? That’s so cool…”
“Isn’t it? I’ve been an adrenaline junkie my whole life, and finally getting paid to have fun one way or another was my life mission.”
“Whoa…”
“Well, I have to return the chariot, then I’ve gotta unpack. Great meeting you, Aita. We should hang out sometime.”
“Yeah we should! See ya!”
As I run home now a hyped changeling, Lightning Dust and I wave goodbye to each other, me with my hoof, and her with her wing.
Not long after my encounter with Lightning Dust, I make it home, where everyone is at the throne room, including Twilight’s friends.
When I open the door, it creaks, getting everyone to look at me. Rainbow Dash is the first to approach.
“Aita! What’s up, buddy?” she asks in the gruff but friendly and enthusiastic tone we’ve all come to expect.
Rarity approaches me now, softly rubbing my head. “My, you look more chipper than usual. What’s the occasion?”
I clear my throat to the voice of Lightning Dust. “Somepony’s JUST moved to Ponyville.”
Everyone - sans Twilight, Starlight and Spike - shrinks their pupils in surprise.
“WHAT?!? You’re kidding!!!”
“Calm down, Pinkie,” says Twilight. “Aita, is this true?”
“I just talked to her today,” I answer in my normal voice. “She’s moved here so that she can go on tour all over Equestria! And boy, did we get along well!”
Twilight flies up to me and hugs me. “That’s wonderful Aita! You made a friend all on your own! Here in Equestria!”
“Wait, who’re we talking about?” Starlight asks.
“Oh that’s right. You haven’t heard of her,” I remember.
“Her name is Lightning Dust. That imitation Aita did earlier was her voice. And she was the reckless pegasus that almost got us killed by a tornado,” explains Fluttershy. She doesn’t even flinch explaining her past encounter.
I change into Lightning Dust to show Starlight what she looks like.
“Ah, I see.”
Once Starlight notes, I change back.
Applejack puts a hoof under her chin. “Y’know girls, Aita is not one to hide anything from us. If he says Lightnin’ Dust is makin’ a new name for herself, then darn tootin’ am Ah givin' her the benefit of the doubt.”
Spike happily anticipates everypony believing Applejack. And three, two, one…
“Good point Applejack,” Rarity replies. “Everything Dashie recapped at the academy about Lightning Dust’s actions may be awful, but atonement worked for Chrysalis. It should work for ponies who’ve done less.”
“At least all we had to deal with was recklessness instead of some power-crazed crazy-prepared unicorn trying to take back an entire empire,” admits Pinkie.
“Or a former legend trying to keep his record intact,” Rainbow Dash adds.
“We should throw her a welcome party! I’ve never tried the stunt theme before. Think you can help with that, Rainbow?”
“You can count on me, Pinks!”
“Wanna help send out invitations?” Spike asks Fluttershy, who nods.
“Why don’t Twilight and I accompany you, Spike,” suggests Starlight. “And Aita, you know what to do.”
I jump into the air and nod. “So, where are we holding the party?”
“The usual place… you know where it is,” Twilight answers to me. I think I actually do: Sugar Cube Corner.
Unfortunately, I remember what Lightning Dust said before.
“Um, before I go, I just remembered you might have more time than usual to set up the party. Lightning Dust is returning a rental since everything’s inside.”
Twilight nods. “It’s okay, Aita. Just meet up with her at her new home. Based on what I’ve heard about her, she should be back in no time.”
“Okay. See you all at Sugar Cube Corner.”
I’m the first to head out of the room, but instead of immediately going out, I detour to the library to grab my DS, which has been charging on the mirror all day. With the DS in my magic, I start heading back to where Lightning Dust and I first met.