//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Masters of the Sky // by klockwork //------------------------------// FWOOSH! The trees nearly bent from the gale force winds made by the rainbow pony flying through the sky. Rainbow Dash was on her way back to Ponyville after her trip to Manehatten. She had left for Manehatten for a few days for a mandatory weather convention. It was a yearly occurrence, the convention, all it was is ponies from around Equestria meeting up to discuss new discoveries, inventions, tricks, etc. Rainbow Dash was happy to present her own findings, about her successfully doing a sonic rainboom. Most people had already heard about it from the young fliers competition, but she went deeper than just bragging about it. She thought that if enough ponies were able to pull one off, they could use its energy and color to make even more beautiful rainbows. Rainbow was also excited to see her friends which she had been away from. Obviously none of them could come, since they couldn't fly and Fluttershy wasn't a weather pony. And even if she could have come anyways, she would never be able to leave all her animal friends for that long of a time span. It was still early in the day and Rainbow wasn't feeling tired at all so she decided to go straight to her friends. She decided to visit Scootaloo first and see how she was doing. She had said she would practice like crazy while waiting for her favorite pony ever to return home. She was nearing the city and she began to see all those friendly faces she had missed. They all seemed to be headed somewhere. Chances are Pinkie was throwing her a welcome back party and people were preparing for it or something. She sped over to the CMC clubhouse first to see Scootaloo then bring her to the party, if her hunch was correct. She slowed down as she began to near the clubhouse. She landed silently on the outer rim, then quickly flung open the door and shouted, "Hey kids," She stopped short when she realized the place was empty. She looked around quickly to see if there were any clues on where they went. All she saw was a bunch of hoof drawn pictures though. She admired them for a few seconds, as some of them were quite good. They had pictures of everything hung up. Most of them were about plans or stills of them getting their cutie marks. Some were pictures of Rainbow Dash being awesome, she didn't need to think twice about who drew those ones. She quietly giggled to herself about the little fillies obsession with her. She trotted outside to give a quick circle around to see if they were playing outside, although after a minute or two of searching she didn't see anyone. She decided it would take too much to find her, and chances are they were all at Sugarcube corner where Pinkie inevitably is holding the party, either that or Pinkie would be there to direct her to it. As she flew towards it she heard someponies welcoming her back and she quickly reciprocated the acknowledgement as she flew to Sugarcube. She landed and quickly flung open the door to be welcomed by a more than usual ecstatic Pinkie Pie. "Oh my gosh! Dashie welcome back!" She cheered as she tackled her in a giant hug. "Oh ya! Come on, I got a surprise for you! Follow me!" Pinkie said as she began to bounce into the other room. Rainbow Dash followed her and was greeted by an ear piercingly loud "SURPRISE! WELCOME BACK!" from the multitude of guests. She acted surprised, although she really wasn't. She did act grateful as well, which she actually was. A great amount of guests had already arrived and more and more came in every minute. "Come on Dashie! Lets go say HI to the others!" Pinkie cheered as she bounced over to a table where Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack were hanging. "Welcome home sugarcube." Applejack said as they saw Rainbow and Pinkie walking over. "Hey girls whats up? Hows it been since I was gone." Rainbow said. "Oh nothin much, been quieter without you flying around and a bit more boring." Twilight said. "Well I'm back now and ready to cause some chaos! By the way, have you girls seen Scootaloo around? I went to visit her at the clubhouse, but she wasn't there. I, don't, seem, to, see, her, here, either." Rainbow said inquisitively and the last sentence while looking around the room for the little filly. "Oh, we actually haven't seen her or the other crusaders in the last few days. They've probably been off on some big adventure." Twilight replied. "Ya, the three of them managed to win a contest and get wonderbolts tickets. It was too bad you were off in Manehatten, otherwise they would've taken you. They won four tickets and ended up taking Fluttershy along as there chaperon." Applejack added. "After the show they went to find the wonderbolts to see if they could get their signatures. After a while of searching, we eventually found them and they were kind enough to get us all one, oh and they got one for you as well." Fluttershy said and she gave Rainbow Dash a picture of all the wonderbolts with all of there signatures under their respective names. "Oh wow!" Rainbow Dash cheered as she looked at the picture. "I wish I knew where they were, I would love to thank them. It sucks that that stupid convention stopped me from seeing the wonderbolts though. Did they say where they were going?" She then added. Pinkie had managed to quietly slip away during the conversation to tend to the party. She flipped the music to some insane dance music and the five of them could hear her calling everyone to the dance floor as she began to dance in her crazy Pinkie way. "I'm sure you'll see them next time dear. At least they know who you are, not many people can say they've partied with the wonderbolts." Rarity said reassuringly. " Also, no, Applebloom had she was goin on a new mission with her friends to find they're cutie marks. Ah'm a bit worried since she never came home last night, but they were probably having a sleep over at Sweetie's or something. Don't see where else they could be since they're not here nor at the clubhouse." Applejack said. It was a bit odd she thought, usually if Applebloom slept over somewhere else she would at least tell Big Mac, Granny Applesmith, or her. The last time she slept over somewhere without telling she got a huge lecture by the three of them as they were worried sick, then she was grounded for a few days. "Oh I'm sure they're fine darling. Nothing bad ever happens here anyways." Rarity said calming Applejack down a bit. "I'm sure they'll show up here soon, they knew when Rainbow Dash was getting back and I'm sure at least Scootaloo would love to welcome her home." "Ya, this is no place for worry either, we're at a party!" Rainbow said just as Pinkie bounced back over to them. "Come on girls! Lets boooogie!" Pinkie cheered as she pulled them over to the dance floor. The party lasted for hours until it was night time and everyone was getting tired and had to go home. Rainbow Dash was especially exhausted. Although she didn't feel it in the morning, she was now. The long trip and the instant party hit her hard. The moment she got home she fell asleep in bed. Rainbow Dash woke up the next morning and went about her usual routine. After she was done with her job for the day she decided to go over to Twilight's and catch up on her reading. She was about halfway there when she remembered about the CMC. She decided to take a quick detour and visit the clubhouse to see if they came back overnight, if they weren't there she would go check with Applejack to see if Applebloom showed up, chances are if she did, the other two did as well. She quickly zoomed over to the clubhouse. She quickly circled around it a few times first without slowing down to see if they were outside. They weren't so she went inside to see if they were inside. She doubted it though, since usually they could hear them screaming from the inside. They were always so loud and causing chaos, but adorable at the same time. She opened the door and was right, no one was inside. She sighed and took off for Applejack's. "Hey sugarcube, ah'm guessing you're looking to see if the kids came home?" Applejack said as Rainbow began to land down at the farm. "Ya." Rainbow said. "I'm starting to worry about them." "Me too, and ya they didn't come home last night. Ah was about to go out looking fer em and ask around." Applejack said. "I'll help, it'd be a lot easier if you had an aerial view as well." Rainbow said. They didn't need to go far to find their answers. They were only a few meters from the farm when they saw Applebloom charging over to them, her face radiant with glee. "Oh my gosh. Applebloom!" Applejack shouted at her. "Where the hay have you been?! We've all been worried sick!" She began her lecture. "Wait Applejack, before you go crazy on her, lemme find out where Scoots is." Rainbow requested. "Hey Applebloom, where's the others?" "There both fine, but the most amazing thing happened. Scootaloo got her cutie mark!!" Applebloom said happily, obviously no punishment Applejack could dish out would phase her, she'd except it with open arms.