//------------------------------//
// All the Way Across the Sky 
// Story: Rebirth of Harmony 
// by WanderingPhysicist 
//------------------------------//

        Rainbow Pie enjoys a good afternoon nap on a cloud. They are almost as good as morning naps, better than noontime naps, about equal to evening naps, but nowhere near as good as extended nighttime naps, or sleep as some ponies would call it.
        The pegasus and her cloud bed float over a wide plain, several hundred meters from the ground. She stirs a bit and rolls over, right off the edge of the cloud. Having learned from past experiences, the safety line tying her hind leg to the cloud comes into play instantly. Rainbow dangles from her cloud bed, upside down and still snoring away.
        The other pegasi in Rainbow’s weather control unit laugh at their coworker as she dangles from her cloud. The laughter is cut short when a light gold mare with a pale blue mane flies into the center of the group. Raindrops looks around for the source of the disruption, and the snoring quickly leads her to the source. She flies over and lands on the cloud.
        ‘Rainbow!’ Raindrops shouts down at her worker.
        Rainbow snorts and looks up at her boss. ‘Oh. Hi, Raindrops! How’s it going?’
        Raindrops growls and stomps. The cloud sends a bolt of lightning straight into Rainbow’s backside. The young pegasus shouts in pain and tries flying away. She ends up dragging the sparking cloud behind her. The other pegasi laugh at the panicking pegasus. Raindrops groans and facehoofs.

        Rainbow meets Raindrops in her boss’ office. The older pegasus stares at the younger one from behind her desk. The cyan pegasus yawns and scratches her rainbow-colored mane while she waits for her boss to speak. Raindrops sighs and picks up a folder from her desk.
        ‘What are we going to do with you, Rainbow?’
        ‘Nap time sounds good about now,’ Rainbow yawns.
        Raindrops snorts. ‘That wasn’t even the first time we caught you napping this week. It isn’t even Friday, and you have been caught napping on the job twelve times. Do you know how much trouble you would be in if I wasn’t your boss?’
        ‘Slap on the wrist and stern warning?’
        Raindrops shakes her head. ‘This is serious, Rainbow. If I wasn’t watching out for you, you would be looking for a new job right now. Instead, you will just be up for review.’ She sets down the folder. ‘Next Wednesday, you will be put through all of the basic skills needed to work for the weather service. If you don’t score perfectly, and I literally mean a perfect score, you will be fired. Do you understand?’
        ‘Yeah, yeah. I get it. Fly here, make rain, cloud... something,’ Rainbow groans.
        Raindrops growls. ‘It is that sort of attitude that might get you fired. I have tried everything with you. I tried morning duty. I tried late night duty. I even tried getting our crew assigned to your brother’s farm.’ She grimaces a little. ‘Thankfully, that didn’t fly. I would hate to think how many apple harvests you could have ruined... or eaten.’
        Rainbow drools. ‘AB grows such good apples.’
        Raindrops growls more. ‘Rainbow, I want to see you pass your review. I will personally be training you every day until your review.’
        ‘Aww!’
        ‘No complaining!’
        Rainbow winces at the yell. Raindrops takes a breath and calms down.
        ‘Sorry. I... I just want you to do good. We will meet here tomorrow morning. I want you there with bells on!’
        Rainbow salutes and marches out of the office. She thinks to herself about her situation. Then an idea hits her like a bolt from the blue. She screams as a lightning bolt really does hit her. She flies throughout the weather factory, trying to ditch the cloud that is still attached to her leg. The entire factory laughs at Rainbow’s antics.

        Raindrops yawns as she trots to her office the next morning. She holds a cup of coffee in one wing and rubs a sore muscle in her left hind leg. Her coworkers wave and greet her as she walks to her office. She notes the lack of Rainbow so far. She groans and sips her coffee as she enters her office. One glance into the room causes the coffee to hit the floor.
        Rainbow stands on Raindrops’ desk. She is dressed in a dark blue robe and pointed hat, both covered in stars and moons. Bells are sewn along the edge of the hat and robe. Rainbow has a hoof raised and her wings extended. A fake beard hangs from her face.
        ‘BEHOLD!’ Rainbow bellows. ‘The Great Rainbow Swirl the Bearded hath arrived!’
        Raindrops stares in shock.
        Rainbow giggles. ‘Like it? The robe is hoof-stitched.’ She fluffs the beard. ‘And I think got the beard genes from my dad.’
        Rainbow giggles and snorts at her joke. She searches Raindrops for any sign of approval, but the older pegasus just stares with her jaw on the floor. Rainbow’s eyes dart as she tries to think of something to say. She jingles the bells on her robe.
        ‘I.. I got the bells right, too.’
        Rainbow puts on her biggest smile and leans towards her boss.
        Raindrops looks down and scowls. She looks back up with tears in her eyes. ‘Get out.’ she snarls.
        Rainbow squeaks and disappears from the room. Raindrops slams the door behind her and wipes away her tears.

        Rainbow sits outside of Raindrops’ office like a sad puppy. She is still in her costume. She perks up and tries looking in the office every time anypony enters or exits. Any glance from Raindrops sends the worried pony back into hiding.
        At the end of the day, Raindrops is annoyed about the bearded cyan young mare poking her head in the doorway every few moments. She finishes her last meeting for the day. The familiar face pops in the doorway while her guest is leaving. Raindrops sighs.
        ‘Rainbow. Get in here.’
        Rainbow slowly trots into her boss’ office.
        ‘Rainbow, I want to talk with you. First, take off that costume.’
        Rainbow grabs the beard in a hoof and pulls it across her body. Somehow, the whole costume disappears into nothingness. Raindrops ignores the odd occurrence.
        ‘Rainbow, you know I used to live in Ponyville, right?’
        Rainbow nods enthusiastically.
        ‘Your costume today reminded me of a Luna Solstice Night when the late Twilight Sparkle wore a similar costume. You... awoke a number of memories of the times before the attack... Before the city was destroyed...’
        Rainbow looks down and frowns. ‘I am sorry. I didn’t know my costume had so many bad memories for you.’
        Raindrops shakes her head. ‘No. Those were good memories. Great memories. Happy memories. Do you know why I requested you for my crew? Why I picked you when you are a mediocre weather pegasus at best?’
        Rainbow shakes her head.
        ‘As soon as I saw your name, I was reminded of your mother.’ Raindrops smiles. ‘She is an amazing pony. She could make everypony smile just by trotting down the street. I thought that if I had you on my team that you could recreate those happy memories.’
        Rainbow whines. ‘I am sorry that I am a disappointment.’
        ‘Far from it! Every day is a joy to see you. Yes, you are frustrating when we under a crunch, and your bad habit of sleeping all day is very annoying, but I cannot think of a crew that has higher morale. You make us all laugh. You always bring tons of treats for everypony’s birthday. Not to mention your cloud art.’ Raindrops starts crying tears of joy. ‘Rainbow, if there is one pony who has ever lived up to both their namesake and their parent’s legacy, it is you! That is why I want to see you succeed. I don’t want you to ever get sad and lose your talent for making everypony laugh.’
        Rainbow tears up she is so happy. She dives across Raindrops’ desk and grabs her mentor in a giant hug. Raindrops smiles and returns the hug. Suddenly, a bright light shines between them. Rainbow leans back as the light solidifies around her neck. A golden necklace with a large diamond cloud at the center.
        ‘Is that..?’ Raindrops asks.
        Rainbow’s eye goes wide. She takes off flying through the factory to show her new Element of Harmony. She even flies through all of the cloud walls.
        ‘I AM AN ELEMENT OF HARMONY!’ Rainbow shouts as she flies throughout the factory and out into the city.
        At her desk, Raindrops laughs at Rainbow’s reaction. She watches the young pegasus flying around the city through the holes in the walls. She calmly picks up her desk phone and makes a call.

        Helios and Alba fly into Cloudsdale. They receive bows from everypony they fly past and bow and wave at everypony as they scan the city. Helios is levitating a phone to his ear.
        ‘I understand. Thank you.’ Helios hangs up. ‘That was Octavia. Lyra just reported that there was a large magic spike in the area. Hopefully, Rainbow will be willing to help us look for the potential Element after we see her.’
        Alba gets distracted by a large display of cloud candy. ‘Uh huh.’
        ‘Alba! This is important.’
        Alba looks up at her brother and pouts. ‘I know! I felt the magic surge too. We do have magic lightning rods built into our head after all.’
        Helios sighs. ‘Sorry. Let’s just find Rainbow. I’m sure she’ll put us at ease.’ He starts scanning the skies. ‘Now where would she be..?’
        ‘I AM AN ELEMENT OF HARMONY!’ a rainbow-colored streak shouts as it zig-zags through the city, bouncing off some buildings, flying through others.
        ‘Found her!’ Alba cheers.
        Helios groans and facehoofs.

        Rainbow has calmed down enough to meet with her half-siblings in her small apartment. The apartment barely contains the young adult pegasus, teenaged alicorn and their alicorn foal sister. Rainbow still has a huge grin on her face.
        ‘I guess you saved us an explanation about why we’re here,’ Helios says.
        Rainbow’s grin grows. ‘So awesome!’
        Helios sighs. ‘Rainbow, please. Be serious for once.’
        Rainbow drops her grin and makes the best ‘serious business’ face she can. Alba giggles at the funny face.
        ‘You look just like your mom,’ Alba giggles.
        ‘Anyway, Rainbow, since you now have a new bauble like the rest of us, will you be joining us as we tour the planet?’ Helios asks. ‘We don’t know how long it will take, but it is something our father has asked us to do.’
        ‘Oh! I totally forgot about that.’ Rainbow picks up her mobile and dials a number. ‘Hi! Raindrops! I am going on a quest with my brother, so... I quit! Bye!’
        Rainbow hangs up and smiles at her siblings. Helios holds his head in embarrassment. Alba giggles.
        ‘Don’t worry. I was about to be fired anyway,’ Rainbow assures. ‘Something about sleeping on the job. Either much or not enough. I think it was the latter.’
        ‘Alba...’ Helios sighs. ‘Go back and tell the others that Rainbow will be joining us. I’ll help her make sure everything is in order for her departure.’
        ‘But...’
        ‘Alba, you can teleport better than I can. Rainbow and I have a few things to arrange,’ -- he looks over at Rainbow -- ‘like a better resignation for one...’
        Alba sighs and gets up. ‘Fine. Don’t take too long, okay?’
        Alba charges her spell and disappears in purple flash.
        Rainbow looks at Helios. ‘So, how bad is it?’
        Helios sighs. ‘We really don’t know. Our mothers aren’t worried, but dad...’
        ‘Did... he cheat? Like with Full Moon?’
        Helios shakes his head. ‘No, it is just his gut feeling.’
        ‘And what does my mom say about gut feelings?’
        ‘I think that is why he is worried.’ Helios sighs. ‘Anyway, we have Trixie and Octavia on the trip with us. Everything is going to be fine.’
        Helios smiles. Rainbow giggles.
        You’re jealous that Apple gets to bring his fillyfriend, but you don’t.’
        ‘How the hell..? I mean! No!’
        Rainbow giggles again.
        ‘Let’s just pack your saddlebags and go,’ Helios growls.

        The rest of the Elements of Harmony and their mentors are gathered at a small way-station below Cloudsdale. Pegasi zip back and forth between the small village on the ground and the massive city in the sky. Trixie comforts a pouting Alba while they wait in a small park. Nearby, Apple Bloom and Apple Pie practice their martial arts. Octavia watches them from the shadows. Apple Pie tries to jump and kick using only his hind legs, but he stumbles on launch.
        ‘Dang it! I am never going to get that,’ Apple Pie grumbles.
        ‘Ah am sure y’all will get it,’ Apple Bloom says as she helps the young stallion up. ‘It just takes a little practice.’
        ‘Or you can think like your father,’ Octavia mumbles.
        ‘What was that?’ Apple Pie asks.
        Octavia sighs. ‘Think about it. Third law reaction. You can only push down with so much force in your current physical condition, but what if something a lot more massive could push up?’
        ‘You’re saying to use my powers to use the ground to push me up?’
        Octavia shrugs. ‘Or you can just condition yourself. Personally, I suggest both, but I am only trained in a dozen combat styles, so what do I know?’
        Apple Bloom trots over to the older mare and pokes her in the chest. ‘Hey! Which one of us is his sensei?’
        Octavia looks down at the hoof touching her then back up. Her intense glare can be seen through her purple sunglasses. The younger mare backs off a little.
        ‘Come on,’ Apple Pie moans. ‘We can all get alo...’
        Apple Pie stops mid-sentence as his ears flop, his knee twitches, and his eyes flutter. Apple Bloom and Octavia stare at the stallion.
        ‘Was that one of those things like your mom has?’ Octavia asks.
        ‘Yeah...’ Apple Pie thinks. ‘But that one means the sky is about to be graced by a beautiful rainbow...’
        A pair of shadows pass over head and loop around.
        ‘Look who I found!’ Helios calls as he and Rainbow land in the field.
        ‘I said “beautiful rainbow”!’ Apple Pie shouts at Fate.
        ‘Good to see you too, big brother,’ Rainbow giggles.
        Apple Pie and Rainbow trot over to each other and hug. The other members of the group trot over to greet their new arrival.
        ‘Great t’ see ya again, Rainbow!’ Apple Bloom cheers.
        ‘It is nice to see the family reunited,’ Trixie says.
        ‘Can we get going? Next train leaves soon,’ Octavia grumbles.
        The others glare at Octavia for ruining the happy moment. Another shadow flies past overhead.
        ‘Wait! Don’t leave without me!’ Raindrops lands near the group and catches her breath. ‘Phew! Thought I would miss you.’
        ‘Raindrops? What are you doing here?’ Rainbow asks.
        ‘Do you really think I could let you go off on an adventure alone?’
        Rainbow nods. ‘Yes.’
        Raindrops sighs. ‘Rainbow, you know you wouldn’t get far without me. You even forgot that you haven’t slept since this morning.’
        Rainbow gasps. ‘That’s right! I missed all of my scheduled naps and snack times!’
        Raindrops pushes a small cloud over. Rainbow instantly hops up and curls up. She is asleep in second.
        ‘Thanks for that. Really,’ Helios groans.
        ‘Oh, come on,’ Raindrops sighs. ‘Do any of you know how to wake her from one of her power naps?’
        Everypony shakes their head.
        ‘How about getting her to focus?’
        Everypony still shakes their head.
        ‘How about getting her to behave in public, something I am guessing you will need on your trip?’
        Everypony continues shaking their heads.
        ‘See. You need me. I have been able to make Rainbow a respectable member of the Cloudsdale weather crews.’
        Rainbow rolls off her cloud and falls to the ground. She does not wake.
        ‘Okay. I have made her a member of the Cloudsdale weather crews. The point is, you need me.’
        Octavia groans and trots away. ‘Whatever. We’re late for our train.’
        ‘I think she meant to say “welcome to the team”,’ Trixie says, shaking Raindrops’ hoof.
        ‘No, I didn’t!’ Octavia shouts back.
        The others greet and welcome Raindrops and follow Octavia to the train. Helios stops to help Raindrops put Rainbow back on her cloud.
        ‘Thank you for taking care of her all of these years,’ Helios says.
        Raindrops blushes. ‘Well, it was more like...’
        Helios smiles. ‘I was talking to her.’
        Raindrops smiles and looks away. Helios gives the cloud a push. He escorts the two pegasi to the train station.