A couple weeks ago a huge thunderstorm was scheduled for Ponyville. Anypony with any sense stayed in that day. Perhaps they used the time to bond, perhaps they caught up on some work. One pony was studying furiously that day though. A recent immigrant to Ponyville, this particular mare was interested in the "unnatural" phenomena that occurred in the Everfree Forest.
Her name was Lyra Heartstrings. Most knew her as the renowned musician, but what most ponies didn't know was that she was a paranormal investigator as well. Ever since she was young she had been interested in mythology and legends. One of her favorite topics being of the elusive creature known as a "Human". As she sat on the Train to Ponyville she reflected on all the events that lead her up to this point, and her first tale of the Humans.
Her Grandpappy told her all sorts of stories about them. They were unlike anypony in Equestria because they were said to have no magic at all! Instead they had rely on their wits, and creativity. It was said that they came to Equestria in various types of ways through a "bridge between the worlds". In the stories her Grandpappy would tell her the Humans were always the good guys, they would show up whenever somepony was in trouble and save the day. They would slay evil monsters, and save ponies.
Yet, as with all things eventually one must grow up and put away childish things. Except Lyra couldn't let it go. Not to say she hadn't tried, but the allure of finding that mythical race, and what they could contribute to Equestia flooded her young mind. She traveled all across Equestria researching the weird, the abnormal. And her travels had finally brought her here to Ponyville. She had heard of the Everfree Forrest of course and heard about how dangerous it was. Yet there was a rumor circling around about particularly odd weather phenomenon in the Everfree just a couple weeks ago.
"I know your out there humans...I'll find you someday," Lyra muttered to herself.
~~~~~
Meanwhile
Some of the ponies on the Ponyville weather team had noticed that Rainbow Dash's behavior had done a 180. She went from sullen and depressed, back to her showy, fiery self. Indeed she seemed even more determined now days. Most ponies chalked it up to Rainbow Dash's indomitable spirit, although a couple ponies speculated she had found a different stallion in her life.
Yet, there was one odd thing. Rainbow Dash was using alot more of her holidays than usual. Now it's well known that Rainbow Dash can be a bit lazy at times, heck she was often seen napping on the job. Yet, she was so fast and efficient at her job that she could more than make up for the lost time. Lately though she seemed to take less naps though and worked straight through her shifts. This meant she usually finished her work load long before anypony else, and sometimes she even got started on the next days assignments. The catch? She was asking for alot more days off. Much to the annoyance of MayWeather the manager to the Ponyville Weather Team. Everybody knew asking MayWeather for days off was just begging to be told off, the veteran Weather Manager who was all about efficiency, and firmly believed that everypony should give their all during work hours. Needless to say MayWeather and Rainbow Dash butted heads. Like the were currently doing in MayWeathers office.
"WHAT! Your asking for another day off!" yelled MayWeather. The pony was positively fuming at this point while Rainbow Dash meely leaned against the wall with a confidant smile.
"Why you aragont little...what makes you think you deserve all these days off huh? " MayWeather demanded "You think that just because you show up to work and actually do, gee I dont know ACTUAL WORK that your entitled to all these days off!"
If Rainbow Dash was intimidated she sure didn't show it. She cassually trotted up and handed her a file.
"Whats this suppose to be" MayWeather said somewhat bemused.
"Oh nothing much just the assignments for the nest couple days Stocked, Droped and Loaded!" Rainbow said smoothly with a waving motion of her hoof for emphasis.
MayWeather looked positively ready to explode by this point, but before she could say anything Rainbow Dash continued.
"See I know you Boss. If there's one thing you love, its efficiency. You've kept me around this long because of how fast I can get the job done, and how fast I can pick up the slack if we're ever running late."
MayWeather gave the cyan pegusus a good long glare, and finally sighed.
"Celestia damn it Rainbow Dash if you aren't right! But would it kill ya to even give a tiny ounce of respect for your job?"
"Woa Boss! Don't get it twisted. I love this job, and I like working here. I may not look like it but I do care about this job" Rainbow attested.
"Humph. Attitude kid. It's about attitude," MayWeather said breaking it down "Sure your fast, but if your constantly taking naps think about what that means for the other workers will ya? How would you react to a worker who could do twice the amount of work you could do and naps the rest of her shift?"
Rainbow Dash considered her words for a minute, but things were different now. She wasn't doing this for herself she had sompony to look after and she needed to be around him as much as possible.
"Sooo....is that a yes?" Rainbow asked smugly smiling at the reaction she knew MayWeather would have.
MayWeather slammed her head onto her desk and Rainbow chuckled.
"Go, just go already." MayWeather said with her face still embedded in the desk.
"Thank you Boss! Don't worry I'll clear those clouds even faster next week" Rainbow said zooming off. MayWeather just mumbled something incoherent about that "rainbow headed headache".
"Im getting to old for this MayWeather concluded" downing an aspirin for her ever growing headaches.
~~~~
Lyra took a deep breath as she exited the train. The seagreen unicorn admired the quaint little town for a bit and had a hopeful smile on her face.
"This will be the place I finally get some answers" she though to herself. Already she was feeling the butterflies of anticipation welling within her. Lyra's other leads may have not lead to anything in particular but she was confidant this time would be different. Just then her stomach grumbled reminding her that there were even more pressing matters.
With a blush she admitted "Hehe maybe I should go get some lunch, before I go human hunting?"
So with those words Lyra Heartstrings journeyed into Ponyville, with hope in her heart and a rummbly tummy.
~~~~
Rainbow Dash on the other hand zoomed away at breakneck speeds to reach Fluttershy's cottage, but perhaps just a little to fast. She was coming in on Fluttershy's cottage a little to hot!
CRASH!
"Rainbow Dash are you alright" called a concerned voice. Fluttershy immediately rushed over to her friend.
"Im fine, im fine sop your fussing" Rainbow quickly regaining her posture and trying to preserve what little shred of pride was left "I was, I was just trying out a new technique! Yea a new technique!"
Fluttershy cocked in eyebrow in disbelief but didn't peruse the matter. She had a more pressing question.
"Your here awfully early Rainbow Dash...gasp! Did something happen at work? Are you okay?" The yellow pegusus begain to launch herself into a worrying fit.
"Woa, woa, calm down! Nothing bad happened at the Weather Station. Honest." She said crossing her heart with her hooves.
Fluttershy looked visibly more relaxed, and took a deep breath "That is a relief. I thought something might have happened" she said putting a hoof to her heart checking her pulse.
"Nah. I was just telling the Boss-lady I worked extra hard so I deserved a little down time. So now I get to spend time with my two favorite ponies in all of Equesria" The mischievous Pegasus said with a wink.
Fluttershy blushed a bit, but retorted, "Nice try but I know why your really here. Follow me he's asleep in the living room."
As they trotted to the living room though Rainbow gently bumped Fluttershy "Hey I meant what I said back there. Thanks for helping me take care of this little rascal Fluttershy. Celestia knows I couldn't handle a foal all by myself."
"Oh but he's just been a little angel Rainbow Dash. Honestly watching him along with my other animals has been no trouble at all" She said almost proudly. However a certain exhausted bunny passing by merely rolled his eyes. She had no idea the lengths he had to go to to keep Tony out of trouble. The infant had a curiosity that would put a cat's to shame!
"No trouble for you maybe..." The bunny thought. Yet for all the trouble Tony caused him he had grown rather attached to the infant. He hoped over to where Tony was sleeping and snuggled next to him.