//------------------------------// // Chapter 7B // Story: The Home Coming // by brony114 //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash swooped in on top of a white puffy cloud that floated above the cliffs where she had found some really strong up currents. The cloud floated just outside of the strongest air current. She had just completed some extremely Technical aerial maneuvers aided by the updrafts and was taking a short break from the excitement.  Fast adrenaline maneuvers and short lazy breaks were one way Rainbow liked to chill.  Below her was the island of Parrot Port which looked picturesque in the late morning. Sprawled in front of her was the southeast end of the island with the shoreline and beach where She had first met Nocturne Armor. The many ponies, save for a few pegasi who dotted the sky, looked like ants.  Rainbow sighed in bliss as she felt the warmness of the day wash over her. Her thoughts drifted to random subjects as she took these moments to reflect on a great many things. What seemed to pop into her head more recently were thoughts of the island’s plight and the struggles of Nocturn Armor. It was of great concern to her mostly because she wished to help her friend Twilight who had certainly deemed the task of bringing Nocturn home paramount. Yet, she was beginning to prioritize the well-being of the island itself. It was a warm and inviting island that definitely reminded Rainbow of Ponyville in some ways. It was almost like a tropical version of her home and she wanted to help them out as best she could.  Rainbow looked out onto the landscape below her and laid her head on her forelegs as she began to feel yet another nap enveloping her conscience. All she could hear was the breeze that wisped around her cloud.  Suddenly she heard the voice of a mare who was very close to her.  “ Well, this seems like a nice spot.” Rainbow’s head shot up and she quickly looked around to find the source of the voice. Right behind her was a dark gray pegasus in a police uniform, hovering just above the cloud she was on.  “ You must be Rainbow Dash, I didn't mean to startle you.” Lieutenant  Pepper Stowaway fluttered her wings to allow her to steadily hover.  “ Oh, Yeah that's me. No, I’m not startled, officer,” said Rainbow as she nervously giggled. The police pegasus certainly had an intimidating persona. “ I hope you wouldn’t mind, but may I join you on your cloud  I’ve been patrolling all morning and want to take a break, and I was hoping to have a word with you.” Pepper gently landed, sending a few wisps of cloud up with her hooves.  Rainbow eyed Pepper with a bit of a scrutinous look. “ No, I don't mind, but what do you want to discuss?” Rainbow felt Pepper’s stare, and she could also sense a hint of something in her tone.  “ Well, It’s nothing too serious. It hasn’t been long since you and your friends have arrived, but you all seem to have acclimated pretty well to our home.”  “ Well, Parrot Port does seem pretty homey.” Pepper shifted her gaze away from Rainbow. Her mood was hard to read for Rainbow who felt unsettled for some reason.  “ Is this Island different from your home… PonyVille I mean?” Pepper made it a point to learn as much as she could about anything or any pony in her sphere of attention. “ Well actually, other than the tropicalness of this place, I’d say it’s pretty spot on,” Rainbow explained.  Pepper seemed to carefully reflect on Rainbow's response.  “ Even though the Hotel has many rooms, you sleep in a tree…” Pepper suddenly brought up. Her eyes darted to stare into Rainbow’s eyes.  Rainbow didn’t know why, She wasn’t trying to hide anything, but the way Pepper brought up this fact made it feel wrong.  “ Well, It’s nice to sleep outside you know. I’m sure you understand being a pegasus.” “ … in Nocturne's tree, near his house….” Pepper’s gaze seemed to cut into Rainbow as if peering into her soul.  “ S.. sso… so what?”  Rainbow sputtered, her nerves seeming to take a toll being under the intense gaze of Lieutenant Pepper Stowaway.  “ What exactly are your intentions?” Pepper  “What are you talking about?  Rainbow had a tone of denial.  “You’re not trying to get close to him are you?” Pepper’s directness took Rainbow by surprise.  “What?! No way!” Rainbow’s embarrassment was pretty evident.  “ Then why are you in his palm tree?”  “ Well, to be honest, I was trying to get him to go home with us at first, but now I know that he needs help with fighting the pirates. Look, I can leave his tree if you want me to.” Rainbow didn’t want to cause any trouble, especially with the police. “ No, that's not why I asked. Nocturn could have flushed you out a long time ago if he wanted.” Pepper looked at Rainbow with a side glance. Pepper knew that Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends had changed their Mission due to getting to know more about Parrot Port. Mayor Hoofington and Nocturn had briefed the rest of the Police force on their plans earlier that morning.  Pepper heard that the City Council would hold a meeting to allow for Equestrian aid and the construction of the Equestrian embassy. Rumor had it that they were already mostly in agreement. It would be a while before Princess Celestia could implement everything laid out in the plan, but help was already well on its way in the form of a detachment of the EUP Expeditionary force. Today though, Pepper’s only concern was figuring out what Rainbow’s deal was. She figured Rainbow would relent and hightail it to the hotel, but that hadn’t happened. She also wanted to figure out why Nocturn didn’t feel the need to force the cyan and rainbow-colored pegasus off his property. She would have to ask him about that later.  “ So, You’re one of Nocturn’s friends?” Rainbow asked after a moment of silence.  Pepper turned to look at Rainbow and she smiled. “ I’m Pepper Stowaway, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”