> Alice Pony Madness
>  by Gadman85
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Good riddance to the Old and Hello to the New
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a place few know exists and even fewer have actually seen, there was a young woman making her way through a rather hellish looking train.  This woman was very much an odd sort.  Many believed she was entirely mad, including herself.  However, despite the state of her mind she was very witty, clever and had a certain dark beauty to her person.  Her name was Alice.

She had a petite body and was shorter than most women her age.  Despite her small body her feminine curves were very much apparent.  The young woman’s hair was very straight, silky, and dark with a slight tinge of red.  She had a light but still healthy complexion.  Her most striking feature though were her vivid green eyes, which she drew attention to with black eyeliner and dark pink eye shadow, or at least that was the case in this world.

She wore a beautiful blue dress with a white pinafore. Both were slightly marred by the dried bloodstains, evidence of the many battles she fought while gaining back her sanity.  On her pinafore there were two pockets, each pocket was decorated with an astronomical symbol.  On the left pocket there was a symbol for Eris, which stood for the goddess of strife.  On the right pocket there was a symbol for Jupiter, the king of the gods, which represented her responsibility to her Wonderland.

Another feature of her attire was a skull adorned in the middle of the bow on her back.  In addition to this, she had knee high black boots with black and white striped stockings.  The final piece of her outfit was a silver necklace with a large omega symbol, and she held in her hand her most trusted weapon, the Vorpal Blade.

This blade was rather ornately engraved with a floral pattern that continued on to the blown wooden handle.  The blade was marred with blood just the same as her dress.  For the most part, the blade looked like it was little more than a simple large kitchen knife.  However, this knife was sharpened beyond measure to the extent it sang through the air as its wielder sliced their enemies to bloody chunks.  The woman’s skills with this blade in addition to the sharpness made it far deadlier than many would think such a cooking utensil could be.

The young woman walked along the final train car before the engine.  As she observed the fires and smoke around her she realized once again just how untrain like it was.  Then again, few things in Wonderland matched their reality counterparts.  No, her Wonderland made everything both grander and more horrific than it would otherwise be.  This being the case the train’s cars where more like some grand Gothic cathedral, rather than a simple place with seats and benches for passengers.

Alice clutched her necklace to her chest as she took in a deep breath.  She slowly exhaled as she remembered all of her lost memories.  She was now going to face the monster that not only killed her family and burned her home, but also was responsible for everything that happened in her life after that night.  Despite already having more than enough reason to hate him, Alice knew his most heinous crime was how he raped her dear beloved and wonderful sister Lizzie violently before killing her.

Alice’s green eyes turned fierce as she readied herself to end his hold over her mind.  Everything was his fault.  She lost her family, her home, and her sanity all because he wished to cover his tracks for what he did to her sister.  The "icing on the cake" was how he even planned to use Alice as a prostitute to pimp out to his “special clients” who lusted for something other than a young child.

Alice took slow confident steps as she entered the Infernal Train’s engine.  The place was massive and very empty.  The only light came from the fires and ash clouds below the glass floor.  Alice wondered where the Dollmaker, that man’s representation in Wonderland, should have been.

A few seconds after she stood in the center between the two pillars supporting the ceiling, the front of the engine was torn off with the howl of twisted metal.  Before her now stood the vile creature in all his corrupted glory.  Puppet hands with mismatched fingernails, stray small porcelain doll arms from his shoulder, and several strings where his arms should be.  A black caustic substance dripped from his otherwise empty eye sockets and where his neatly trimmed beard should have been.

The thing gave a bow before attacking her.  Alice was as ready for him as she could possibly be.  She merely hoped it would be enough.

{-} {-} {-}

The battle was a very quick but harrowing experience.  Alice had to use all her ingenuity and resourcefulness to fight him.  She even used her most powerful ability, her hysteria mode.  The brief enhanced strength and invulnerability helped some.  But it wasn't enough.

The vile being before her, gave a chuckle as he watched her laying on the floor defeated.  He spoke.  “Foolish little girl… little child...  You should have known you couldn't defeat your betters!”  The thing leaned in closer and gave her a wicked smirk.  “I’ll admit you put up a decent fight in the end.  In fact, I won’t be using you as I originally intended.  As I said ‘you’re an insane wreck.  My work is done.’  Congratulations Alice I will leave you be.”

Alice should have known he wouldn't just end her.  No he had to gloat and talk down to her, like he always did.  She had nothing left of her life and Wonderland just like he said.  She wished for all her worth that his gloating would somehow bring about his end, but she had to face cold harsh reality once again.  It was as painful and harsh as ever.

The foul loathsome beast grinned as he spoke again, “I have no use for you now Alice.  You know all I have done but there isn’t anything you can do…”  He gave a derisive laugh at her as he said, “You can’t even defeat the corruption and ruin of your own mind.  Why would you think you could usurp my control?”  He then gave out an evil laugh as he gazed upon her pathetic form.

Alice’s eyes widened.  She thought about his words carefully.  She thought over everything she had been told by the citizens of Wonderland including that blasted Cheshire Cat.  Alice pushed herself up to where she was on her knees and hands as she gave crazed giggle.

The monster looked at her with confusion.  “Why are you laughing, Alice?  I didn't know you were that far gone already.”  He then snorted at her.

She gave a crazed smile and answered.  “I just find it all so very very ironic is all.”  The thing raised an eyebrow at her.  He might have been worried or might have been more confident in his handiwork, but he was intrigued.  After all, he was still a psychiatrist.  The workings of a mind, especially a damaged mind, interested him greatly.

Alice closed her eyes, and her crazed smile seemed to match Cheshire’s in width almost.  The area around her started to darken.  A strong corrupted energy seemed to rush towards Alice.  The Dollmaker grimaced and got ready to fight as he noticed Alice was absorbing the dark energy.

Alice opened her still vivid green eyes, but now they seemed to have a horrifying and haunted fire behind them.  She spoke, “I was under the false impression that I needed to destroy and remove the vile ruin and corruption in my mind to defeat your control.”

She disappeared from sight and before the Dollmaker could react, she cut through all of the strings holding him up.

The Dollmaker let out a pained echoing scream as his body collapsed to the floor, and his sick ruin infested tongue lolled out.   If the thing had proper eyes they would have widened as he watched Alice walk towards him with a deadly grace.  She was glowing with dark power as her cold bright green eyes stared at him.

“It seems I was mistaken.  All I needed to do was be rid of you to take back my control.”  She then with glee unleashed a flurry of attacks with her ever trusty blade on his weak spot.  When she landed the last slice the thing exploded!  The ruin and corruption inside the thing’s body disintegrated harmlessly into the air.  Alice gave a smile as the train came to a halt and she ‘awoke’.

{-} {-} {-}

The Queen of Hearts was sitting on her throne in her rotting throne room and gave a rather dark smile as she felt a tremor of sorts.  “How amusing, Alice.  I never thought you would go about gaining control of Wonderland that way.”  She said to herself.

She gave a little laugh.  It was just like Alice to find a different way to approach a problem from what was expected.  Sometimes her response was straight forward.  Other times it was in a way no one would suspect.  The Queen of Hearts merely smiled as she realized Alice had indeed done just what she was told to do.

{-} {-} {-}

Dr. Bumby stared at the damaged woman before him.  He grinned to himself darkly as he thought, “Well I may not have made the younger sister a willing sex toy.  But her knowing I have destroyed everything around her she cared for, has its advantages as well.”  He laughed as Alice went on about how she would see him punished for what he did and put behind bars.

“Who would see to this ‘justice’ you speak of?  You?!  Who would believe you, Alice?!  Everyone knows you are crazy, even you yourself...  No one will listen to a word you say.  In fact I believe the police will charge you instead, for disturbing the peace.  Be gone Alice.  I am waiting for your replacement.”  Dr. Angus Bumby then looked at his pocket watch and made sure Alice noticed her sister’s key hanging on it.  He kept it as a souvenir of his conquest.

He suddenly felt himself shoved against the nearby pillar.  His eyes widened as he felt a blade touching the skin of his neck.  He looked down and noticed Alice was wearing a nice blue dress with a white pinafore.  He looked into her eyes and saw a fire behind them that promised only his slow death.

Alice tore her sister’s key form his pocket watch.  She then slit his throat and gave a sweet smile as his blood splattered on her face.  “I will….”  She then took a step back as he slumped to the floor.

She raised an eyebrow at him as she said, “Did you honestly think I was completely over my violent outburst, good Doctor?  Surely a respected man in his field would do a though background check on his patients.”  She then watched as he choked on his own blood.

When he stopped breathing, Alice lifted his head and stabbed her knife right into his left eye and into the brain.  She repeated the process on his other eye.  She wasn't about to let him have even the slimmest of chances to live.  She then wiped the excess grime off her blade and made her way out of London’s Underground as a train sped on by.

Alice was mildly surprised when she noticed parts of her Wonderland merged with London.  She then heard a familiar low rumbling laugh.  “You know when I said you needed to find a way to control Wonderland again Alice,  I had thought you would remove the Dollmaker and the ruin from your mind.”  A skeletal cat with a rather demonic appearance appeared next to her as he laughed.  The cat was hairless with grey skin covered in several tribal looking black markings.

Alice gave a knowing smirk as she said, “Maybe that is what you had in mind Cheshire, but all you or any of the others told me to do was stop the train and Bumby’s control.  I did just that.  No one said I had to be rid of the ruin and the corruption.  Anyways, would you happen to know what happened here?”  Alice then motioned towards the surrounding area.

Cheshire gave another laugh.  “You always insist on getting things your way, Alice.  Does it not then surprise you that a girl, who created her own living and breathing world, could in fact tear through the very fabric of time and space just to get her way?"

He gave her his best wide grin as he continued.  "When you summoned your dress and blade into the real world you did just this, Alice.  But tell me, Alice…  What do you intend to do now?  There is a body back in there and when his murder is investigated.  His deeds will be brought to light, as will your connection to him, and thus probable involvement in his death.”  His voice dropped lower towards the end.

Alice looked around in thought and noticed a strange glimmering light a short distance away from her.  “I don’t think I would like to spend time in either the asylum or prison again, Cheshire.  Do you perchance have a riddle or clue regarding that curious light over yonder?”  She spoke causally as she pointed to the strange light which looked like a rip of sorts.

Cheshire gave his trademark grin as he said, “One of my favorite quotes may help.  ‘Seek and ye shall find they say, but they don’t say what you will find.’  Through that portal could lie anything, Alice.  The future, the past, another world…”  His grin widened as he continued with amusement, “Maybe the future’s past of another world even.”

Alice gave a huff, “That would be the same as just another world, cat.”

Cheshire chuckled, “Trrrrue.  Either way whatever is beyond that portal is not here.  I would warn you against letting your curiosity get the best of you.  But we know such warnings to you would fall on deaf ears.”

Alice gave a grin herself as she said, “What was that, cat?  I didn't catch what you said after ‘Either way whatever is beyond that portal is not here.’  Did you say something else, or were you just mumbling about curiosities again?”  This earned her a louder laugh from the cat.  “I shall go I think.  I must say I have grown rather bored of this world.  Will you be coming with me, Cheshire?”  She turned to him and asked as she made her way to the tear.

Cheshire just sighed as he answered, “You act as if I have choice in the matter, Alice.  You know just as well as I do that I go wherever you go.  It just may not always be at the same time as you.”  With that the skeletal cat followed Alice.  After just some minuets the two found themselves in front of the portal, light, tear, or whatever else you wanted to call it.  The two took just a couple of seconds to once again admire the view behind them before crossing into it.

{-} {-} {-}

As Alice came out on the other side, she first heard a loud "Boom" and looked to see a grand castle in the distance with an ever expanding disc of rainbow colored light behind it.  Alice thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.  She next heard several loud cheers coming from the direction of the castle.  Alice remained still for a good while just soaking in the view around her and wondering where Cheshire was.

{-} {-} {-}

Princess Celestia, diarch of Equestria and mover of the sun, stretched out her magnificent white wings as she thought over the royal wedding again.  She was right that Rainbow Dash’s Rainboom would be perfect for all to see just as Princess Cadence and now Prince Shining Armor kissed.  However, she also remembered the changeling attack and frowned in disappointment at her failure to protect her little ponies.  She also thought more on the odd surge of energy she felt with the Rainboom.

She wasn't too surprised something might have happened with all of the residual magic energy from Cadence’s and Shining’s powerful love attack against Chrysalis.  She figured a pegasus able to travel fast enough to shatter the light spectrum would release a lot of energy as well.  When these two energies connected something would have to happen.  The truth was if the attack hadn't occurred she would have ignored this issue.  However, due to the nature of things she decided she would have one of her task forces look into the matter and thoroughly examine it in the morning, when everypony was in the right state of mind.

Celestia discarded the last of her royal vestments and stared out into the night sky.  She always did this.  In the past it was to mourn over her failure to save her sister Luna.  Now in the present, it was to admire her beloved sister’s handiwork and realize just how much grander the night was with her return.  She let out a sigh of contentment and after a few more minutes went to bed for the night.

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow Dash smiled happily as she sipped on a mug of apple cider.  It wasn't as good as Sweet Apple Acres Cider, but it was better than no cider.  This particular cider tasted better than it normally would because she got to be awesome today for everypony to see.  She also got to enjoy time with the coolest and best ponies in the world, her friends.

The girls were all staying in the same room in the castle.  Twilight decided she wanted to have a proper sleepover with her friends.  Twilight had wanted to play some games and such, but the group was mostly tried from all the wedding brought with it.  Even Pinkie Pie, the party pony with endless energy fell asleep quickly.  Rainbow gave a laugh to herself as she realized Pinkie was actually the second to fall asleep.  The first of their group was Twilight.

Rainbow Sighed happily as she looked over her friends sleeping in their pony pile.  Pinkie somehow made her way to the top.  Rainbow finished the cider she liberated from the party and secretly placed in the room’s fridge.

She sighed again in contentment.  She was only awake this early because the nightmares had returned again.  It was something every pony who worked in that place suffered from to some degree.

She currently was simply taking solace in the sight of her friends before her.  It was times like this that made her life worth living.  It was times like this that made everything worth it.  She would have become like so many others “there” if it wasn't for her friends in front of her.

Rainbow stretched her forelegs and wings as she now felt tired again, and was ready to give sleep another try.  As long as she had her friends she could do anything, no matter how terrible it felt.  She smiled as she realized just how amazing the magic of friendship really was.  She softly made her way over to the pony pile and snuggled up against Fluttershy, who was shivering a few seconds ago form the cool night air.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice trotted down the streets of what turned out to be a city called Canterlot.  She thought back to just a little while ago as she wandered the streets.  This large city was filled with ponies of all colors and shapes.

---- Flashback----

Once she got over the beautiful rainbow from earlier, she was shocked to notice her body had changed.  She was now some kind of overly cute pony like creature.  She wasn't sure what to think of this predicament.

“Well well… isn't this certainly different, fair Alice.  I do wonder what you think about this new situation.”  Cheshire appeared next to her.  He still looked the same, sounded the same and had the same grin.

Alice once again found it comforting that he hadn't changed despite everything.  He was always a constant to her.  She never would admit to actually caring deeply about him.  His first death had really shook her to her core.  She knew even with her apparent indifference to him, the cat knew what she really felt for him somehow.

It took Alice a little while to answer.  She wasn't sure if she could even talk as this horse creature.  That didn't stop her from trying though.  “While I'm surely taking it as well as one in this situation could.  I actually find it rather curious.  I have always wondered what it would be like to be something different from a Londoner.”  She was relieved to notice she still had her same accent and could speak.

“Well…  You certainly aren't a Londoner anymore.  That is for sure.  You aren't even human now.”  Cheshire gave a low laugh.

Alice sighed as she answered in return.  “Well I never specified in my curiosity not be a Londoner but still a human.  Either way this ought to be yet another interesting journey I believe.  A nice respite from the dull life of a Victorian crazed woman.”

“Ohhh?  How so, Alice?  You are still female.  Still a woman.  And most likely still crazed.”  Cheshire said.

“Actually, Cat.  I am now a mare.  Not a woman.  So therefore I am now a crazed mare instead.”  Alice then gave the cat a smirk as she continued, “I thought syntax and nuances were your specialty, Cat.  You aren't getting rusty are you?”  She then gave him a teasing smirk.

Cheshire gave out a rumbling laugh as he answered, “I am sorry to disappoint you Alice.  However, I am still organic in full capacity.  If you want someone who gets rusty you should talk to Hatter again.”

“Kind of hard to do that cat, considering the last time I saw him.  He was trying to serve a dead March Hare and Dormouse tea.  That was before the crushing debris fell on him, and then he slowly sunk into boiling tea.  I bet he still thought they were alive while he started sinking,” Alice said with a hint of anger.

“That might be the case, Alice.  If it wasn't for the fact you took control and saved Wonderland again.  Now once again all of your creations have returned."  He then paused and placed a paw on his chin lost in thought for a couple of seconds  "Except the Jabberwocky.”  Cheshire nonchalantly finished.

Alice placed a hoof under her chin in thought as she said, “Yes he does seem to have a fondness for staying dead.  Doesn't he?”  Her constant company just gave another laugh to that.

“Anyways, perhaps we should see what this new world has to offer.  Don’t you agree, Alice?  I know that curiosity of yours never truly ceases to be.”  The cat then stood up and stretched his skeletal body.

Alice gave a sweet smile as she said, “Yes, I think we shall.  I am surprised however that you actually wish to hang around for once.  I think it will be interesting to see the dark side of this place.  I know it has to exist.”

The cat arched an eyebrow at her. “Really?  You think this land of bright colors, sunshine and rainbows will have an actual dark side to it?”

Alice then gave a giggle as she said, “This coming from the very cat that told me 'appearances can be deceiving'?  The way I see it a place with this much decoration is sure to have a very hideous underbelly as it were.  Or well if not an actual underbelly, it will have places of darkness I am sure.”

“You are of course right, Alice.  ‘If there is light there is also shadow’ as they say.  What is it that you intend to do once you find this shadow, Alice?” Cheshire asked.

Alice gave a giggle before answering, “It seems even your knowledge has its limits when it comes to things outside of Wonderland.  I am not entirely sure myself, Cat.”

“You may laugh at my supposed lack of knowledge Alice.  But have you ever considered my lack of knowledge is linked to your very own lack of information?”  Cheshire grinned and followed Alice.

“If you say so, Cat….”  Alice answered distractedly.  Her ears then perked up as she noticed something.  “Oh look!  A pond!  It seems still enough that I might be able to see what my new form looks like.”

Alice then trotted up to the pond and looked into it.  She was immediately drawn to her green eyes.  They were just as lovely as she remembered them, but they had a certain darkness to them that made them more intriguing she thought.  Her mane was styled just like her hair, and it was just as dark, straight, and silky with the same red tinge as before as well.  Her fur coat she noticed was light in color but looked a healthier color than her skin did even in Wonderland.  She was curious about her lack of clothing though, but she figured ponies just didn't wear clothing.

Alice turned to get a look at her side.  Her tail matched her mane.  Alice then took amusement in swishing her tail back and forth.  She had wondered what it would be like to have an actual tail.  The closest she had to one before was either her really long bow or the siren’s dress she wore underwater.  That dress was rather attention getting she always thought.  It showed off her cleavage the most of all her dresses, and had brightly lit colors with a long Angler fish lure on her back where her bow should have been.

While she was shaking her tail she noticed a picture of some kind on her flank.  Alice turned herself to get a better look at this picture.  The picture looked like her necklace with the omega symbol, but her sister’s key rested next to the omega sign on the same chain.

She tried to figure out what it could mean.  She then looked closer and noticed there seemed to be flecks of blood on the two symbols as well.  Anyone else might think they were just dots of red, but she knew better.

“Do you think this picture means I am the ultimate end of dark feminine beauty?  Ultimately beautiful yet tainted as well, Cat?”  Alice asked the cat who seemed to have a bemused smile on his lips.

“There are many things that stamp on your flank could mean.  However, I get a feeling it is you who decides what it truly means, Alice.”  Cheshire seemed to still have that same bemused smile.

Alice then went back to looking at her side, this time looking at it as a whole rather than just her tail.  It was at this time her eyes widened as she stared towards the middle of her back.  Cheshire gave a chuckle as he watched Alice and said, “I was wondering how long it would be until you noticed those.  It seems you aren't just any kind of a horse, but rather a Pegasus.”

Alice stood there staring not sure what to think.  She figured she should have noticed something like this sooner.  Maybe she would have usually.  The thing was her whole body oddly enough felt natural to her.  She didn't even have much trouble adjusting to walking on four hooves.  She figured this might be the only reason why she just now noticed she had wings the same color has her fur coat.  It isn't often one pays special attention to their various limbs.  Alice decided she would get her wings to work and start flying right away!

{-} {-} {-}

After a couple of hours of noting but barely learning how to get her wings to flap, Alice decided this wasn't going to be as easy as walking.  She sighed and tried to decide what she should do next.

Currently she was alone.  Cheshire got tired of her flying attempts after twenty minutes of nothing.  Alice finally decided she would visit the city with the castle she saw earlier and made her way to its gates.

---- End of Flashback----

While walking the city streets, Alice was surprised how easy it was for her to enter the city.  It turned out most of the ponies were at the time partaking in a royal wedding.  She saw a few ponies here and there and even learned of this currency called "bits" the economy worked on.  She now at least knew what she would have to get a hold of to eat and find shelter here.

One thing she found annoying though was how clean, bright and wonderful the city was.  Having spent several years in a dark and dreary asylum cell, followed by a year of barely living in the dank parts of London, she found how perfect this city seemed to be, hard to swallow.  She wasn't sure why this was the case.  it could really be anything.  One thing she knew though is there was no way life could be this perfect without something hidden away.

Alice sighed as she walked into an alley way to think how she would get some of these bits to survive.  She found herself wishing, not for the first time, that Radcliffe hadn't found a way to make off with all of her inheritance.  He was supposedly “Holding on to it until she was of mental stability to use it wisely”.

Eventually he ended up making off with it all when she was "found not capable of using it wisely".  Maybe her violent fit and accusations about stealing her stuffed rabbit helped sway things his way, but the man was responsible for stealing her rabbit along with everything else.  However, he was for all intents and purposes seen as a respectable man in the law field who actually still had his soul.

Alice’s eye twitched at the painful memories this one brief flashback led to, and the feelings that boiled inside of her.  Everywhere she went people only seemed to use her and take from her.  The doctors and nurses at Rutledge Asylum took her childhood, privacy and sanity.  Radcliffe took her last link to her family and her inheritance, which there was a lot of since her dad was a dean at Oxford University, and her mother came from a wealthy family.  Dr. Bumby took her family, house, memories of her sister and later the last remains of her dignity as he made her his personal maid.

He ‘hired’ her because he wanted her to "have a chance at acclimating to society once more".  He wanted her to "forget all that brings pain and suffering.  It is unproductive to remember these things".  He took Lizzie from her in the worst possible way.  Her eye twitched a little more at that thought alone.

Alice gave a little crazed giggle.  It seemed to her if you are to become wealthy, and thus earn pounds or bits, you must take from others without being caught.  Alice remembered seeing some rather wealthy ponies walking, no strutting, around the streets.  She wasn't going to become a common thief or sell her backside, but she needed a little start-up money, and she was sure those bits had to weigh down the rich ponies oh so much.

“But how to get money without getting into trouble.”  She muttered to herself in the alleyway.  She thought for a few moments and then her eyes lit up and she gave a slightly crazed smile.  He was here.  He was with her always, and she could summon him if she wanted.

“Ohhhh Cheshire…”  Alice called sweetly.

There was soon a pop near her as a grinning cat faded into existence next to her.  “You rrrang Alice?”  Cheshire answered with his iconic deep voice.

“Yes I did.  I was wondering if you could do me a favor.  And in doing so show just how remarkable, unique and helpful you can be,” Alice said as she leaned into one of his ears and said softly.  “I was wondering if you could help me with acquiring some funds.”

Cheshire gave a low laugh, “You mean stealing right, Alice?”

Alice had an odd look in her eyes as she said, “No.  Not stealing.  I merely think you should ease the burden so many of these well off ponies here seem to have.  For some reason they like to carry around bags with yellow circular bits of metal.  I would never steal.  I do intend to find my own way to make currency of sorts when I can.  But I need to start somewhere, and I think these pieces of metal will help with that.”

Cheshire sighed, “Are you daft girl?  I know these ‘yellow circular bits of metal’ are referred to as 'bits' and are this land’s currency.  I also know you realize this as well, Alice.  I am not saying I won’t aide you.  I just don’t wish for you to insult your intelligence, Alice.”

“What do you mean 'my intelligence' Cheshire?”  Alice asked.  She actually seemed confused on this one.

“It seems the ‘good’ Doctor’s damage is worse than I thought.  I figured you would know by now that we are in a way one in the same Alice,” Cheshire said with slightly annoyed eyes.

Alice then placed a hoof on her chin and said, “I guess I understand what you mean by that.  Regardless can you do what I ask without getting caught?”

Cheshire grinned his all too wide grin to that.  “Now you insult my skills, Alice.  I am shocked you doubt them.  I can do what you asked.  I would like to hear from your own lips why you ask this of me though.”

Alice’s eyes narrowed with some anger.  “Because all anyone ever does is take from me.  The rich in particular….  I don’t see anything wrong with them unknowingly investing in my welfare.  I will find my own way to deal with such matters, but I have to start from somewhere.  It won’t become a trend I am better than them.  If nothing else I don’t take joy in little children in the foulest of ways.”

Cheshire grinned darkly, “It seems you have decided almost all ‘rich’ are more or less Dr. Bumby and his illustrious clients.  Besides, Alice you are only telling yourself you are better than them.  I really don’t think you need to do that...  I shall return.”  Seconds later the cat faded away leaving only his grin hanging in the air for a few seconds.

{-} {-} {-}

It wasn't until much later that Alice found herself once again face to face with her constant companion.  His grin was as wide as ever when he handed her two bags of coins.  Alice was impressed and thankful, but now she had to figure out where to put the money.  She didn't want to be seen walking around with two bags of coins in her hooves.  She also wondered if she could actually do this, since it would require her to walk on her hind hooves in a manner like her previous self.

“I wonder where I should put them.  I don’t even have a hand bag or anything.”  Alice said trying to figure this out.

The cat’s grin grew as he mentioned to her, “Have you ever had any problems with inventory before, Alice?  I thought not.  So why would you now?  Sure this is a different world with different rules, but the Alice I know.  Always made her own rules and her surroundings to suit her in some manner.”

Alice thought about that and decided to do a test.  She thought up her Royal Suit dress and it materialized on her body.  This, needless to say, perplexed her.  “I am a pegasus not a unicorn….  I don’t think I have magic.  Do I?”

Alice looked at her dress in a nearby shattered mirror while waiting for Cheshire's answer.  She always loved this dress it was rather regal and beautiful she thought.  The dress fit her much like it would if she was human.  The main difference she noticed was the way it fitted her and left her wings free.

The dress was red with brown assets with a white border and gold embroidery.  She was surprised to see she still had her black and white stockings and black boots.  She also found it odd that she had her gloves which mimicked castle towers on her forehooves.  The last thing she noticed was her pinafore looked like an angled ace of spades card.  She turned to look at her back and noticed her bow looked like a heart shaped skull with glowing red eyes.

After a little thought the cat answered her. “From what I have seen all ponies in this world have magic of a sorts.  I saw a good few just pull something they needed out of thin air.  None of them had a horn glowing with magic.”

Alice then thought of putting away the dress and it vanished.  She smiled and materialized it again.  She then thought of a safe to hold her bits, and the bags disappeared.  She next thought of pulling out three bits as she placed a hoof in one of her pockets.

As she did this she now held three bits in her left hoof.  Alice smiled in triumph.  She finally thought of holding her trusty blade in her right forehoof, and it appeared in all of its bloodied floral engraved glory.

Once she vanished the knife and the bits, she went to a decent restaurant she saw earlier while walking the streets.  She needed some food and something to drink at this point.  She was very famished.  Plus she figured it would be a good place for a ‘tourist’ to learn about what was going on in this city and maybe even the rest of the world.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice entered the restaurant wearing her Royal Suit dress.  She thought it odd how these ponies seemed to have a fascination with wearing clothes, but for the sake of dodging suspicion she wore her most regal outfit.  Inside she was quickly greeted by a friendly waiter who showed her to a nice table by the window.

She had to take a second look at the menu to be sure she was seeing it correctly.  “I suppose it makes sense horses would be into things like daisy and daffodil sandwiches and hay fries.”  Alice said quietly to herself so that no one would overhear her.  She decided to try the sandwich and carrot soup.

As she was enjoying her meal a couple of stallions ended up sitting at the table next to her.  Alice smiled mostly to herself as she happened to overhear their conversation.  They were talking about all sorts of places they have been to before.  She thought she noticed similarities to several places she knew back in her old world.  Her ears perked up when she heard one of them mention a Lonpony.  She blinked her eyes a couple of times to that.

She noticed one of the two stallions saw her blinks and mistook them as her fluttering her eyes at him.  He didn't make a move or anything though. To Alice, the fact he contained himself earned him respect from her.  Alice then smiled and made her way over to them and said in her accented voice.  “I am sorry to interrupt, but I overheard you two talking about Lonpony, and I simply had to ask if you didn't mind if I joined you two gentle stallions.”

The one furthest form the window gave her a neutral expression as he asked, “Oh?!  And why did that garner your interest ma’am?” He was studying Alice very carefully.

Alice would have been a bit taken aback but she could tell he was merely curious about her and maybe a bit wary of her.  She couldn't really sense any ill intentions, so she didn't let it get to her.  Besides, she was a strange mare that randomly wished to sit by them as far as they knew.

Alice took in his features quickly.  He was a normal pony who had a light tan coat with a plain dark brown mane and tail.  His mark on the side, which she learned was called a cutie mark, showed an hourglass.  Alice gave a sweet and genuine smile as she answered, “I always had a fondness for the place and wish to one day visit it.  Unfortunately, I do not yet have the resources for such a venture, but one day I will.”

The other stallion, who thought she was flirting with him earlier, smiled at her and said, “I don’t see why not.  I love telling others of the places I have seen.”  He had a light blue body with a light green mane and tail.  His cutie mark was a compass.  He also had a horn, which meant he was a unicorn.

Alice smiled at him and took a seat as she said, “Does this mean your cutie mark stands for your passion for travel?”

The blue stallion smiled brightly at her and answered, “I am well-traveled and I write books about the sights I have seen.  Unfortunately while I can get by, I am far from famous, but I have seen many places.  My name is Long Trot by the way.  What is your name miss?”

The other stallion seemed to still be observing her.  However Alice always did her best to put on a brave front and not let such things get to her.  “I am Alice Briddell.  It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance good sir.  Do you have a book on Lonpony?  I have read a few but they always seem to focus on the more touristy aspects.  I paid little attention to them really, because I was more interested in something that talked more about the everyday parts of the city.”  Alice took a sip of her drink while keeping her eyes on Long Trot.

“Actually that is something I usually focus on in my books.  I think that might be part of the reason they don’t get the recognition I think they deserve.  Most just want to hear about the grander places and buildings.”  He said with a sheepish grin.

Alice’s green eyes seemed to light up to this.  “Do you know of a bookstore near here that sells you book on Lonpony then?”  She was leaning in closer to him.  He took delight in this action, while Alice mentally cringed.  She felt she was acting childish with this and blamed Bumby’s so called training she went through.  However, Alice got over it and decided she might as well use everything she learned from him to her advantage.

“I can actually do one better, Miss Alice.  I carry a few copies with me in my enchanted bags.  It's only 12 bits.”  Long said to her.  He then brought one out for her to see.

Alice smiled as she reached into her pockets and retrieved 12 bits.  She then placed the bits on the table for him to grab.  He would have complained about how she need not worry about paying for it, but he wasn't going to turn down the bits.  It also showed him she wasn't the type to just use others for money.  It seemed the other stallion eased back a little bit as well.

“Thank you so very much, Mr. Trot.  I probably would have gotten lost while looking for the bookstore you told me about anyways.  I actually just arrived here in Canterlot today.”  She then placed the book on the table next to where she sat before turning her attention to the other stallion.

“Oh goodness.  I am sorry I forgot to ask for your name, sir.  I was caught up in asking about books that I didn't ask for it.  I hope you can forgive my trespass on your dignity,” Alice said to the brown stallion.

The stallion gave a small chuckle before speaking.  “It is quite alright, Miss Briddell.  Everyone knows me as Doctor Hooves or simply ‘the Doctor’.  Some however have come to call me Time Turner, since my cutie mark stands for my knack for all things timey wimey.  I have traveled many places as well in my past, but not so much now I am afraid.  Having a wife and child will do that to a stallion.”

He then ordered a drink from the waiter and turned to Alice again giving her a critical eye, which she noticed.  “So were you here for the wedding Alice?  You did say you just arrived here today.”

Alice took another sip of her drink and looked at him with her green eyes.  “I am afraid I missed the festivities.  Which I am fairly certain are still going on at this very moment. Weddings are always very big deals.  I can’t even imagine how much a Royal Wedding would entail.”

“It is too bad you missed the wedding then Alice.  The reception is still going on now, but the rest of it is finished.  The whole thing was rather exciting and the public was invited to the ceremony.  How come you missed it, Miss Alice?”  Long trot asked her.

Alice let out a sigh as she said, “I would have liked to have made it, but I am afraid on my long journey I let my curios nature get the best of me a couple of times too many.  I had of course taken this into account when planning this trip, but I have always been rather curious since I was young.”  She gave a little giggle before saying, “Some would say it was a vice.”

The Doctor next spoke up.  “You know I think I have heard the name Briddell before Miss Alice.  Are you perchance from Baltimare or maybe Cloudsdale?”  The time expert gazed at her with a knowing expression he thought no one would notice.

Alice was always rather clever and she prided herself on reading people or in this case ponies.  Bumby was an exception, not the rule.  She noticed this ‘Doctor’ character was once again fishing for information.  She also had a feeling he was making up what he said in an effort to throw her off and catch her in a lie.

Alice gave a polite giggle, “Hardly….  My family lived out in the country peacefully.  This is part of the reason I have yearned for visiting places such as Lonpony, and decided to come visit here.  I had originally intended to make it for the wedding. but as I said I am sometimes rather easily distracted.  I am sorry to say Doctor, but it isn't very becoming to pretend you know something you don’t.  Ponies might think you are a bit of braggart if it becomes a trend of yours.”  She pretended to whisper the last part.

Long Trot and Doctor Hooves laughed to this.  Long spoke to her.  “He’s usually like that.  Always trying to find familiar faces everywhere he goes.  I do have to say you seem very refined for a simple country girl, Miss Alice.”

Alice gave a smirk as she said.  “Mister Trot.  I never said I was a simple country girl.  I only said I was from the country.”  Long blushed to this.  Alice gave a slight frown as she continued.  “I am sorry if I unintentionally embarrassed you, Mister Trot.  I have always liked games of syntax.  I think it is part of my upbringing, despite my family being from the country.  My father always prided himself as a scholar of sorts.”

The two stallions raised an eyebrow at her.  “He only stayed in the country because despite everything he found the scenery and peace of the outdoors calming.  He also mentioned his displeasure of academia politics kept him from pursuing a career in the field, since he didn't have the patience for teaching fillies and colts.  This being the case he made sure my older sister and I were well educated.  It isn't uncommon for ponies to choose a career they aren't actually specifically talented at when they have a family.”  Alice easily lied to them because it was still fairly truthful.

Long gave a laugh to that.  “Too true.  When it comes to having a family, many sacrifices must often be made.  So do you still have a family waiting for you back home, Alice?”

Alice lowered her eyes and the doctor felt a dark energy around her which put him on edge.   However, once the mare breathed in deeply the feeling disappeared.  “Unfortunately, I am currently at odds with my parents.  I said things I regret and one day I will answer for them, but in the mean time I am on a bit of a self-discovery journey I guess you could say.  That In addition to seeing the many sites Equestria has to offer.”

Long decided to change the subject somewhat.  “So did your father give up on his special talent all together or is he still doing something to feed it?  You said you have an older sister.  Do you have younger siblings as well?”

Alice gave a weak smile.  “No I don’t.  What he does is help out our neighbors.  We may not be a town or anything, but we have some neighbors we are close to.  What my father does is provide higher education to those that seek it, but are unable to acquire funds for a place of higher learning.  He has always believed that giving education to ponies of all walks of life if they want it only helps everypony.”  She was glad she overheard some of the terms these ponies used while she wandered about earlier.

After this Long and the Doctor chose to just enjoy her company.  Alice noticed Doctor Hooves seemed to be thinking over something, but she didn't pay attention to it.  She doubted it involved her in any which way.

Before she left, she asked where they were staying claiming she wished to find a place to stay for a while.  The two stallions gladly told her where they were staying, and in the end even insisted on paying for a couple of her drinks.  They claimed it was an honor to meet somepony more refined than many of the Canterlot elite, but without the ever present snobbery.

Eventually, Alice left as they ate their meal.  She even was so bold as to put just a tiny bit of extra sway in her step for Long Trot’s benefit.  This was her way of silently thanking him for his helpfulness.  When she found a promising Inn, she made sure the Inns the other two mentioned weren't anywhere nearby.  She didn't want to accidentally run into them on the street.

When she decided it was all clear, Alice got herself a room and told the friendly staff pony she was looking to move into Canterlot, so she needed a place to stay while she got her act together.  She claimed to be Alice Briddell from Lonpony.  The Inn keeper was more than happy with this arrangement once Alice proved she had the funds for such a venture, and gave the pegasus mare a good rate.  Alice knew she would have to again ask for Cheshire’s expertise at a later date, but she hoped it wouldn't be too often.

Alice then yawned as she finally found a comfortable position for her that didn't put any undue pressure on her wings.  She couldn't help but smile as she slowly drifted off to sleep that night, thinking she was completely in the clear.  The royal guard didn't know she was from a different world and as far as she was concerned neither did Long Trot or Doctor Hooves.

She would later learn she was a bit premature in this assessment, since the next morning Celestia’s task force would investigate where she entered the world.  Also a certain expert in all things timey wimey now knew that Alice Briddell was actually the ever intriguing and dangerous Alice Liddell.  He was at this moment trying to figure out what he should do about this situation if anything.
> Adapting too Well
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alice woke up in her bed at “The Lazy Saddle”.  She found this place and was pleased with how comfortable the bed was.  She had forgotten how lovely a decent bed was.

When she was at Rutledge Asylum, her bed was little more than a old almost falling apart bed frame and a single mattress.  The staff decided their residents didn't need a proper bed.  When Alice later moved into Houndsditch Home for Wayward Youth where she worked for Bumby while “acclimating to society”  her bed was little improved.  The bed frame was in decent shape as was the mattress and sheets, but that was about it.

Alice stretched her body and then her wings.  She looked into the mirror on the chest of drawers and took a moment to admire her wings fully.  She even lifted a hoof to stroke one of them.  The sensation that followed was purely orgasmic she decided as she let out a soft moan.  She might have ventured further but she heard a familiar voice speak to her.

“I have heard of a condition known commonly as ‘wing boner’ I wonder if this is what they meant?”  Cheshire said with his ever present grin.

Alice blushed as thoughts entered her mind.  She regained control of herself and said, “Cheshire please.  If I were to wish to engage in such activities I wouldn't do so easily.  It is improper of a lady.   Though I have to say that stallion Long Trot did make me silently consider things my mother would disapprove of.  He wasn't that bad looking actually.”

Alice’s mind then went blank as did her eyes.  She just realized she had considered a Stallion…. A male horse…. to be attractive…  She had only been here for a day and she was already thinking like this.  Then to her further embarrassment, she remembered how she was extra flirty with the nice Innkeeper at The Lazy Saddle’s front desk last night.

The worse part of this, said mare wasn't ashamed or unhappy about it.  In fact, she was happy to receive such attention.  Alice could excuse her thoughts a little as “Hormones making up for lost time”.  However, the dark maned pegasus had never before shown interest in a female before coming here.

Alice wanted to blame it on her hormones badly, but she knew that was only an excuse.  No, she was now well aware of her natural drive for intense intimacy.  She was appalled that she only wanted to be with somepony she found attractive, and for it to be on her terms.  Nothing else mattered to her it seemed.  She sighed to herself quietly, wondering how far gone or desperate she was now.

Cheshire gave a deep chuckle seeing her expression.  “It seems you may have adapted a little too well to this world Alice, judging by those words.  At least such interactions are more common place in this world.  So as long as you keep some control over yourself, there shouldn't be any worries.”

Alice really didn't know what to say to this.  She ended up just looking at him.  He gave a laugh and vanished from sight.  Alice decided it was too early for her to think on such matters.  She would have some breakfast in the Inn’s restaurant while she figured out what she would do for the day.

{-} {-} {-}

Princess Celestia sighed as she said goodbye to her favorite student and her friends that morning.  The magnificent alicorn wished she could have something more with Twilight Sparkle.  The lavender unicorn was just so wonderful and amazing as both a student and a pony.  Celestia wished she could at least be something akin to Twilight’s mother, but the unicorn already had a loving and wonderful family.

Some ponies thought she wanted something more akin to a lover with Twilight, but they didn't know anything about their relationship.  Besides, when you are around for as long as Celestia has been, you don’t think much about long term relationships to begin with.  How can a mare have such a thing when she will outlive all of her subjects?

The only pony she could have a long term relationship with was her own sister.  This was something she tried not to dwell on too much.  Despite their family bonds the thought did have a little too much enticement too it she thought.

Celestia shook her head of such deviant thoughts.  She had something she wanted a task force to look into this day.  She needed to focus.  Celestia turned to one of the many clone like royal guards and demanded.  “Have Stealth Flight meet with me in my private quarters.”

As the princess waited for Stealth Flight, she went over the many possibilities the energy she felt yesterday could have for her kingdom.  It wasn't long until a medium grey pegasus stallion with a light grey mane and tail appeared before her in her chambers.  On his flank he had a cutie mark with a light grey inverted triangle, this mark represented his talent for remaining unnoticed when he needed to be ignored.

“You asked for me, Your Highness?”  The male pegasus asked in a voice that sounded rather indistinct, but not so much to seem unnatural to others.

“Yes I did, Stealth Flight.  Yesterday I sensed a magical disturbance located not too far outside of Canterlot close to the pond of Self Reflection.  Normally I wouldn't think too much of it given all the residual magic energy from yesterday, but given current circumstances I feel it is necessary to investigate this matter.  I want you to gather whoever you think will work best for this task and figured out what you can from it.  Understood?”  The Sun Princess said.

The pegasus simply nodded and answered, “Understood, Princess.” Once he answered, he got to work.

Celestia went straight to the issue at hand with Stealth Flight.  This pegasus found it offensive if you didn't cut to the chase.  He was usually a very friendly and warm hearted gentle stallion.  However, when he was on the clock he focused only on his orders and didn't like too many questions being asked.

Princess Celestia let out a breath slowly as she got ready for the Day Court.  She was still feeling some after effects of last night’s festivities, but she had to attend to her duties as a princess.  She took a drink of water and got herself ready for the day.  She had full trust in Stealth Flight fulfilling his duties.

{-} {-} {-}

After a very filling breakfast and her morning tea, Alice was ready for the day.  She knew she should look for a job, but she figured learning to fly took priority.  She figured having this ability was a must for any dignified pegasus.  She wouldn't be a failure and disappointment to the pegasus race no matter what the cost.  She would sooner die than disappoint the ancestor pegasi or the Princesses!

Alice blinked a few times to that thought.  She had always felt some pride in herself and for her country, but she had never before felt she was better off dead than failing her country.  She sighed as she muttered to herself, “Maybe I am getting a little too into this pegasus thing.”

Alice shook her head and headed outside.  She had asked the cute, no…. the nice… Young lovely Innkeeper where she could go for a flight.  Alice shook her head again.  Even if she did like the Innkeeper's mane and coat color, she still didn't think she should feel this way about her.

The Innkeeper told her of a perfect park nearby where she could fly peacefully and uninterrupted.  Alice’s excuse of wanting to stretch her wings in the mornings seemed to work plenty well.  She could only guess it was another pegasus thing.

Regardless of other thoughts, Alice made her way to the park with the hope of making progress on her wing capabilities.  She figured it had to be something she would soon figure out.  After all Lizzie always said she was very good at jumping, and given her floating mastery from her Wonderland treks.  Alice figured she should soon get the hang of flying.   She just needed to get a hang of her wings first was all.

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow Dash was once again lounging on a cloud above Sweet Apple Acres.  She chose this spot to nap periodically for a few reasons.  The main reason being it was usually peaceful.  Another reason was her desire to make that special connection with somepony that so many others already enjoyed.  At first she preferred stallions, there just wasn't much that could match up to the feeling of a stallion deep within you when that urge needed to be fulfilled.

Many thought Rainbow Dash preferred mares, but truthfully that was only a more recent development.  At first when she was given the honor of serving Equestria in most beneficial way, Rainbow was excited.  However, as time went on she soon had to find a way to cope with the stress her job entailed.  At the time, she was starting to mature and she found solace in sex with decent Stallions.  She didn't go out with just anypony.  She had standards.

After a couple of years, she wanted something more from her sexual rendezvouses.  She wanted to get with a stallion that could understand her.  This was about the time she first started hanging around Sweet Apple Acres.  She found Big Mac’s silent yet strong personality to be very refreshing.  He worked hard for his family, and always stood by them.  He was always loyal to his friends and family just like Rainbow Dash.

As things progressed she realized Big Mac was similar, but had it rather easy really.  Applejack always provided him with direction.  This didn't really bother her until her responsibilities increased.  She was at the time, when they first met, just like Big Mac.  She only had to follow orders and was always provided direction in her job.

Nevertheless Rainbow could still find comfort in Big Mac despite everything, but things there started to get to her as they get to everypony eventually.  She could no longer just enjoy being around Big Mac.  She needed something more in her life.

The two broke things off on good terms in the end and remained friends.  Big Mac eventually found himself a new love interest and Rainbow completely understood this and even helped the two of them out when needed.  Rainbow Dash never abandoned her friends and always stood by them, even if she sometimes got a little carried away with other things.

One afternoon after her break up with Big Mac, Rainbow Dash actually helped Applejack around the farm and as a result the orange pony caught her eye.  AJ knew what it was like to actually be in charge of things.  AJ started running the farm as soon as she was old enough.

The blonde maned pony was the lead mare for the Ponyville Apple family easily.  Granny Smith was too old and Applebloom was far too young.  Their parents had long been gone from this world.  Big Mac was very good at his work, but it was always a mare that ran things in the Apple Family unless there wasn't an option.

It was at this time Rainbow realized she didn't care so much about if her special somepony was male or female.  As long as they had a special connection, it was good by Rainbow.  Once Rainbow started looking for depth to a relationship, she realized this relationship was one of the main reasons she was able to endure what she did for Equestria.  Rainbow shuddered as she recalled so many ponies that broke under the pressure of the job.

She eventually asked AJ out.  The two had a very good relationship for a while.  They were very competitive, but it only sometimes got out of hand.  Rainbow and AJ both thought they had found the one for each other.  They both loved giving their all for their goals and worked hard during the days for the most part.  They also found several ways a mare could please and enjoy another mare both psychically and emotionally.

Unfortunately, that didn't last either.  AJ and Rainbow Dash both wanted to be on top and couldn't work something out with the other.  Adding to this was Rainbow’s realization about the difference between them which started to resemble a glaring sun in her rose colored eyes.

AJ worked for her family.  Everyone knew all she sacrificed for everypony and respected her for it.  No one knew what Rainbow did for all of them, and the cyan pegasus couldn't share this with AJ.  This lead to a strain between the two of them.

In the end, AJ and Rainbow broke it off and kept their friendship.  They still cared for each other and loved the other, but it was as friends.  It wasn't the deeper caring and loving that Rainbow now so desperately required.  She needed somepony that she didn't keep secrets from.  Somepony that fully understood what she went through or at least knew what she went through on a daily basis.  Unfortunately such ponies were very hard to find and even less so still mentally there in a fashion.

Rainbow stretched her wings from atop her cloud before getting more comfortable and starting her nap.  Some ponies thought she was lazy, but the truth was she was simply tired.  Things had been more difficult lately with her work.  She was high up and so had to deal with most issues that popped up.  She wasn't getting the sleep she needed at nights recently.

She had ponies working for her, but they were lacking in certain aspects.  Unfortunately, these ponies were also the best Equestria had to offer and with “incidents” on the rise, Rainbow was forced to deal with more problems herself.

Rainbow finally fell asleep and had a decent dream for once.  In her dream, she was surrounded by all that brought her happiness.  Since other relationships hadn't worked out Rainbow took her friendships for all they were worth.  She felt lucky to have become friends with such wonderful ponies, and even if it wasn't exactly what she looked for it was something that could keep some light in her life.  This light is what kept her from going over the edge.

Rainbow’s peace didn't last long as she was awakened by a pegasus with a light green coat and a rose pink, yellow striped mane.  Her cutie mark showed a fluffy white cloud with swirls representing an air flow.  Rainbow looked into her eyes.  The mare’s eyes were a bright and lovely pink at one time, but now they had the ever familiar dimmed haunted look to them.  “Hey Fresh Breeze.  What’s up?”

The pegasus stood on a cloud next to her and said in a beautiful quiet voice few ever heard anymore.  “We had another incident….  We lost a wing of pegasi while in pursuit…”  Fresh looked down at the cloud hoping Rainbow wouldn't be angry with her and yell at her.

Rainbow’s eyes bulged with anger, but she wasn't about to take it out on the poor mare next to her.  “Who?” was the only word from her lips.

Fresh Breeze looked away and said quietly, “Number four…”  The light green pegasus then tried to bury her face in the cloud she was perched on at the moment.

Rainbow closed her eyes as she mentally cursed in a loud scream.  Number four was Happy Cloud.  Happy was the fourth best flier in their force, and he was damn smart too.  Rainbow calmed down and said to Fresh, “Alright….  I want you to go back and get two seekers on this right away.  They are just to gather information.  They are not to engage.  I will deal with Number four once we know where they are.”

Fresh Breeze gave a salute and flew off quickly to deliver her orders.  She knew Rainbow wouldn't take it out on her, but she could sense Rainbow’s anger and it scared her.  She hated being the messenger, but she knew there was much worse she could be doing instead.

The cyan pegasus ran a hoof through her trademark rainbow colored mane and sighed.  “I guess I will see what Twilight is up to now.  I have some time before I will be needed.”  Rainbow said to herself.  She then stretched her wings and flew off to visit her favorite egg head and good friend.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice was laying on the grass in the shade under a tree.  She had a smile on her face as she watched the sun hoover barely above the horizon.  She knew she was far from being amazing at flying, but she felt she was off to a good start.  She managed to get in the air several times and a few times she stayed air born for several minutes.

She heard a sound she would never forget as a certain creature faded into existence on a tree branch above her.  “You seem rather pleased for yourself.  Does it really bring you this much pride to barely succeed at what should be natural that much?”

“Cat, this isn't as easy as it looks.  Besides progress is progress.  I can’t go for hour long flights right off the bat you know.”  Alice said with slight annoyance.

The cat just grinned as he said to her, “I was just saying you seem to think too highly of a rather mundane accomplishment for a pegasus such as yourself.  The Alice before wouldn't settle for such trivial success with this much pride.”

Alice frowned at him from below.  “I know this cat, and I don’t plan on settling for this.  I am hardly worthy of being called a pegasus yet.”  She blinked as the cat kept grinning.  She never cared if she was worthy of being something before coming to this world.

Alice sighed, “I heard a couple of unicorns talking about pegasus pride on my way here.  It seems I am starting to have some this pride.  I think it is as you said before Cheshire.”

Cheshire laughed and then raised an eyebrow at her.  “What is it you mean by that, Alice?  I think this is probably one of the few times you have actually agreed I was right about anything.  I wish to know what I was right about.”

Alice just shook her head and said, “I am adapting too well to this world.”

Cheshire didn't laugh nor did he grin.  He simply gave her a thoughtful look before saying anything.  “So long as you don’t forget who you really are deep down, or what you have been through in the past.  I don’t foresee your quick adaptation becoming an issue.”

Alice’s eyes glowed with the fire of her determination.  “I will never forget Lizzie.  I will never forget what I suffered.”  With those words the cat disappeared again and Alice made her way back to her room at The Lazy Saddle.

{-} {-} {-}

Stealth Flight waited for the signal showing the Princess was ready to see him.  Once he got the signal, he glided into Princess Celestia’s office.  “So how goes your assignment, Stealth?” Celestia asked as she took a sip of tea.

Stealth Flight frowned a little bit wishing he had more to report.  “Nothing to report so far, your highness.  There have been several ponies in and out of Canterlot since the wedding.  None of the entering ponies match up with the timing it would take to get from the pond to the gates by either land or sky.  We have searched the surrounding area for any evidence, but there haven’t been any results.  As of this moment, we can only confirm what you sensed in that area.”

Princess Celestia looked thoughtfully into her cup of tea.  “What are you doing in regards to the search now?”  She would have usually told him to return to his normal duties, and just warned her guards to keep a lookout for strange activity.  She still felt in this case something more should be done with the recent changeling invasion.  Her kingdom couldn't do with another surprise attack at this time.  It was for this reason she had another team looking into prophecies as well.

“We are looking into to recent visitors and speaking with Innkeepers and other temporary housing proprietors.  Given recent events we have been able to work more openly than we usually would have, and most ponies give us their full cooperation without any hesitation,” Stealth Flight said.

There was a knock on the princess’ door.  “Who is it?”  Celestia asked.

“Remembered Glory, your highness.  I have news from the prophecy team.”  A gruff voice answered.

Celestia nodded to Stealth letting him know that she approved of his measures and wished for him to continue.  The pegasus took flight just as Celestia said, “You may enter.”

A black coated stallion with a light blue mane, and an ancient scroll with a magnifying glass cutie mark entered.  Celestia looked him over and said, “What have you found?”

The stallion bowed before answering, “We found an old prophecy book which mentioned the Crystal Empire may soon be resurfacing your highness.”

Princess Celestia stood up and said, “Come with me, Remembered.   We must discuss this with my dear sister Luna.  My niece Cadence may end up needing to cut her honeymoon short.”

{-} {-} {-}

Deep in the Unicorn Mountain Range a harsh wind blew the cloak a pony was wearing.  A medium yellow nose stuck out to sniff the air and take in the feel of the winds.

The cloaked figure walked into the cave he used as a home.  He knew they were looking for him.  He knew they would pool many resources to capture him since he was now a ‘Traitor’ to Equestria and the Pegasi race.  However, he knew who the real traitors were.  He was done with them now.

He walked further inside the cave and got down on his knees as he prayed for forgiveness even if he knew he didn't deserve it.  He had been doing this for the past week.  Once he was done with his prayer, he fixed his meal of two carrots and a slice of bread.  It was hardly filling, but it was enough for him to survive.  He had taken to fasting as a means of redemption for all the sinful things he had done with his job.

At first, he loved his job.  “You’re doing important work here!  You’re one of the best flyers Cloudsdale and by extension Equestria has to offer.”  He was so excited when they told him they had a special job for him that only the best were considered for.

They were right of course.  However, they didn't tell him what he was getting into until it was too late, same with all of the other best flyers besides the Wonderbolts.  He was so thrilled on his first day of work just before training started.  Everywhere he looked were the well-known icons of pegasi flyers.

His excitement quickly dissipated when he learned what they were doing, and what all it entailed.  However, he persevered through it all and even climbed the ranks.  His code name was number four.  They said it was because he was the fourth best flyer they had.

He found ways to trick himself into thinking what they did was right.  “It is just like you cutie mark, Happy Cloud.  You bring smiles and light during even the darkest of cloud covers.”  This worked for a good while and he kept going.

Eventually though he couldn't take it anymore.  He knew they would hunt him down, “No pony fully escapes” they always said as both a reminder of their duty and the consequence for quitting.  The thing was he didn't care now.  If he stayed there he would have became like ‘them’.  He wasn't going to just give up on life either however.

This led him to his current situation.  He was going to be leaving here tomorrow.  They would have first checked every train and the sky ways to make sure he didn't get away.  Happy decided to play it smart.  He hid close by but away from others, and now he was going to be leaving to somewhere that wasn't expected. He was going to a little farmstead towards the northeast.  He could live there and not be bothered with too many questions.

Happy munched on his last carrot and laughed at the irony of his mood.   He was far from his namesake at this time.  He hadn't been truly happy in four years now.  He was about to call it a night when a figure landed and entered his hideaway.

Happy looked up and let out a whistle.  “So they sent the boss herself huh?  Or did you volunteer for this mission, Dashie?”  Happy wasn't dumb he knew his gig was up now.  He hoped his prayer would be answered and his soul spared.

“When one of the stars makes a break for it, I get interested, Happy.  I must say it was tough finding you,” Rainbow said her face clear of any emotion.

Happy let out a dry laugh.  “So how did you end up finding me, Dashie?”

“I figured a smart stallion like you wouldn't make a quick fly for it.  I then heard from a farmer near here there was a cloaked figure spotted in the mountains out this way.  So will this be done the hard way or the easy way, Happy.”  Rainbow Dash asked, her eyes narrowed.

“I wouldn't be able to beat you in a race, Dashie.  And I am through with violence now.  I wanted to live somewhere quiet, but I know that won’t happen at this point.  But to answer your question I choose both, Dash.”  Happy said.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow at him.  He then gave a small smile as he explained.  “It will be easy on me, Dashie.  But it will be difficult on your soul.”

Rainbow Dash looked down and said, “You know we could have had something, Happy.  But you insisted on finding a mare outside of our business.  We could have saved each other’s souls either as friends or something more.”

Rainbow Dash looked up at him with anger in her eyes.  “Instead you had to go and say.  ‘Sorry Dashie.  But I can’t be anything less than lovers with a mare, and I need somepony away from all of this for that.’  I hated you for saying that.”

Happy just smiled at her as she approached him.  When she was close all he said was, “Sorry you have to do this, Dash.  I hope one day you find what you are looking for and after that a way to end it.”

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow was thankful for having to go with her friends to save The Crystal Empire.  It was a wonderful feeling to do something she could rightly be proud of after she dealt with that traitor Happy.  The Crystal Empire was a place filled with the power of happiness and love.  Being one of the ponies who helped save such a place felt nice.

They also threw an awesome party once Sombra was defeated for good.  She also liked the jousting in the arena during their festival.  She only wished she could have faced somepony more competitive than Fluttershy.  The whole trip, despite Sombra, was a nice relaxing delay before she had to go on to her next duty.

After what happened with Happy she now had to go on a recruiting trip.  She was first going to check Canterlot.  After the Changeling invasion, she started hearing rumors of a talented pegasus flying about the parks in the area.  There was promise with this rumor and she was going to look into it.

Rainbow always had mixed feelings about recruiting.  On one hoof, she would meet potential friends or maybe a pony who would become something more.  On the other hoof, more often than not, she would find somepony promising and happy only to watch them slowly be consumed by their new job.

{-} {-} {-}

It had been two weeks since she first arrived and started practicing flying and Alice loved it.  She had progressed quickly.  After she read a book about flight and pegasus biology, her studies skyrocketed and she was soon learning ways to improve her speed and technique.

Alice always thought herself a quick learner, but she figured flying must be more instinctual based than she first thought.  She saw no reason for a pegasus not to know how to fly well.  She didn't expect them all to be masters of flight or anything, but they should all be decent she figured.

Alice actually came to see herself as a rather excellent flyer in all actuality.  She could fly fast and had some pretty good moves she thought.  She always got a giggle out of the little trail of blue, green and purple butterflies she left behind her when she reached her higher speeds.  It reminded her of her floating ability in Wonderland and the beautiful trial it left behind her there.

She had also spent these past couple of weeks looking for a job of some kind, but none of them seemed to fit with her.  Her skills included using a knife to fight and now flying.  She was also good at cleaning and cooking, but she refused to do anything so servile ever again.

She only put up with such things under Bumby because she was weak at that time.  She wasn't anymore.  In fact, she had started hating anything she saw as weakness even in other ponies.  She rarely did anything about others' weakness because it sickened her to see it and no one ever really helped her in the past.  Alice simply didn't see much reason to help others now.  People only took from her so she wasn't going to give to anypony without a reason.

A couple of times when she was enjoying the local night life in the quieter bars and clubs she did intervene.  However when she did so, it was purely because she found it grating on her nerves.  Most of the time she would just leave the restaurant or bar, and truthfully the things she had seen here in this land of ponies weren't really that bad.  This made her wonder why ponies would put up with such weakness period.

Alice breathed in the night air as she left a rather popular pub.  She had to say the crowd in this bar was rather enjoyable for the most part.  She talked to many ponies and the music wasn't too bad either.  It wasn't something she had heard before, but it was pleasing enough for her ears.

Alice started walking back to her room at The Lazy Saddle.  She could have flown back, but sometimes it was nice to just take it slow and enjoy the cool night air.  As she walked, Alice took notice of two Stallions following her from the distance.  She decided to see where this would go and pretended to accidentally take a wrong turn and trap herself in an alleyway.

As she was about to turn around, the two stallions cut off her ‘escape’.  She pretended to be a little bit wary of the two pegasi stallions.  “May I help you two?” Alice asked her voice sounding as if she was trying to be strong.

The two stallions grinned at her and one spoke up, “We were just wondering if you would like to accompany us somewhere, little miss.”  The stallion who spoke was large with a dark red coat and a green streaked light blue mane.  He had a crossed feather and railroad spike for a cutie mark.

The other stallion had a dark green coat and a dark yellow mane.  His cutie mark was a bone and crossed feather.  He just smiled showing his dark yellow teeth.

Alice didn't say anything.  All she did was take to the air.  She was heading to a park she saw one day while flying around.  The two stallions soon took to the air as well and followed her.  Alice increased her speed just a little bit.  Her pursuers matched her speed.  She gave a little more speed and they matched it as well, but now they were having some trouble keeping up Alice noticed.

The two stallions were grinning taking joy in the chase.  They were going to make her pay for it in the end.  The two had no idea what Alice was actually doing.  Alice gave one small last kick of speed before then gliding down to the ground.  She then 'collapsed' to the ground panting from exhaustion.

The two stallions landed and the dark green one spoke first.  “Seems this one is a little feisty.”

“Yah haven’t flown that hard since we passed flight school.”  Said the red stallion while looking Alice over and licking his lips.  “I love the way a pegasus mare tastes after a flight.”  The dark green one just laughed and neither noticed Alice’s split second look of longing at the taste comment.

They took a step closer and stopped when they noticed her stand up, and pant less.  “Had you two the courage to approach me properly.  I may have considered your offer.  But after that pathetic attempt at flying I have no interest.  Tell me did you two really pass flight school?” Alice asked frowning at them in disappointment.

“Yah we did,” the green stallion answered.  He and his friend were angry now.  They didn't like ponies questioning their flying skills.  They passed flight school and that was all that matter.

Alice gave a scoff as she said, “You must have just barely passed if that was all you were capable of.”

The two bared their teeth as they extended their necks forward and pinned their ears back.  “Shut up now…  Bitch.  We might let you still live once we are done with you.”

Before the two could even move Alice shot between them and said, “I am not a female dog.”  She then kicked the red one in the ribs hard throwing him to the side while she hovered in the air.

The still standing stallion looked to her in shock just as she sliced at his side with a singing blade.  After that Alice made an aerial U-turn and quickly slit the red stallion’s throat, and threw her knife into the other stallion’s rear leg, where he had collapsed on to the ground.

“You two lack proper manners.  You two lack proper courage to speak with a mare,” Alice said as she walked her way over to the green stallion.  He was still frozen in shock from all that had happened in the last few seconds.

She placed a hoof on her knife and said.  “The worst part is you two can hardly fly and should be ashamed to call yourselves pegasi.”  She then pulled the knife out and quickly stabbed it into one of his eyes quickly before just as quickly withdrawing the blade.  This caused him the throw his head back as he howled in pain and she then slit his throat as well.

Alice made sure both were dead and wiped the excess grime from her trusty blade before then storing it away.  She then took off quickly into the night and flew away before landing by a small pond and washing her face real fast.  She ‘discarded’ her dress and made her way to her room.  Never did she notice a rainbow maned pegasus leaving from the scene of her crime.

When she entered the inn, she noticed the Innkeeper was already asleep and she made her way quietly up the stairs.  Once she closed the door softly, she got on her bed and snuggled into the warm sheets.  That night she had a wonderful dream of having tea in Wonderland with her friends in the Vale of Tears.

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow would have usually reported what she had seen, but she found that pegasus mare rather interesting.  The mare knew what those two intended, but instead led them away to ‘dispose’ of them.  What really caught Rainbow’s attention though, was what she said to them in the end.  Rainbow decided the green eyed dark mane pegasus deserved more attention.  She had potential in a certain way.

The cyan pegasus in the end decided if there were suddenly a lot of gruesome and mysterious deaths, she might report what she saw tonight.  However, she would give this mare more attention and maybe even recruit her.  After all, she could see the mare actually fitting in where she worked and maybe even surviving it.  Rainbow that night went to bed and had somewhat hopeful dreams for a change.

{-} {-} {-}

It had been a couple of days since Alice had the encounter with those two stallions.  She was somewhat surprised that while there was a pony hunt going on for the culprit.  The investigators didn't seem too keen on ending it.

In fact the lead pony even said, “When we started this investigation it didn't take long for us to find out these two were actually here for some illegal trade.  We are still looking into the matter, but we are pretty sure due to the gruesome nature of their deaths this was done in vengeance.  When we have more we will be sure to tell everypony, so rest assured that you have little to fear.”  Alice had later thought she might be linked to their deaths, but took solace in the fact no one really knew her all that well.  However, she would have to be careful in the future when she decided to take matters in her own hooves.

It was a couple days after the lead pony's statement there was an update on the double murder.  It turned out the darkness Alice had looked for wasn't as hard to find as she thought.  The investigators ended up finding the group the two stallions had dealings with, and it turned out they worked on “recruiting” for a pony pimp that was looking to start up a trade.   The royal guards quickly shut down the whole ring and the victims were freed.

This made for quite the stir among the ponies of Equestria, but the guards assured them this wasn't the first time this had happened and these “entrepreneurs” were always shut down quickly and dealt with severely.  Some journal ponies of course looked into this matter and found the royal guards were indeed right.

Alice found it unfair such matters were dealt with so quickly and efficiently here.  When she heard this news, she was pretty sure the ponies around her could feel her anger.  They decided she was angry that such a thing happened in the first place.  Alice did feel angry at this, but more so because she suffered such a thing in that other world, but no one cared or did anything about such things.

Alice was starting to think this whole thing was some cosmic joke.  The punchline being she would suffer such atrocities and escape to a world that rubbed it in her face how much her life was a mess before.  It caused her to grind her teeth as she was forced to remember Bumby’s words.  “You’re an insane wreck.  My work is done.”  She hated the thought that such a man could impact her life so very much.

Alice breathed in deeply and slowly exhaled as she calmed down while giving a little smile as she remembered his last moments of life.  He may have done things to her, but she saw that he wouldn't do such things again.  Alice’s smile grew as she thought maybe her cutie mark meant she was to be the Ultimate end to Female suffering.  After all, she killed those two stallions and a huge pimp ring was destroyed because of it.  Thus she ended the suffering of those females they had taken.

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow Dash had done as she planned and kept an eye on that mare.  She learned her name was Alice Briddell and she originally came from Lonpony.  Dash figured this might be part of the reason why she had all the etiquette of high society Canterlot elite, but not their snobbery.  Rainbow was further relieved when Alice hadn't kept attacking and killing other ponies.  This showed she had some restraint.

As far as she could tell, Alice was for the most part pleasant and respectful.  This is why as Rainbow followed her around sometimes she noticed the mare seemed to get a lot of attention, but at the same time even if a stallion didn't get her in the hay, they still enjoyed her company.  Alice always made sure to pay for her own drinks and such, that way she wouldn't accidentally offend a stallion when she didn't go home with him that night.  Usually this would irk a rather desperate stallion, but there was something about Alice that kept them properly cowed.

Rainbow figured it was her grace and beauty.  Most stallions would decide no matter how eager they may be they didn't want to displease her in the slightest.  This definitely played to their advantage, and allowed them to keep their life.  If what Rainbow had seen that night was any indicator.  This was another reason why Rainbow figured Alice would fit in with the job opening.  If Alice were to be selected she would need to operate in the public while also being able to do the dirty work.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice woke up in a different bed than her usual one and stretched her wings as she let out a soft sigh of happiness.  She had actually ended up sleeping with a stallion last night.  She recognized the lead investigator pony at a bar and grill and approached him last night.  After some talking, the two ended up hitting it off and she discovered he was single.

Alice looked to her side and saw he was still asleep.  She looked over his peach tan coat and at his shot spiky blonde mane.  Next her eyes traced his cutie mark; it was a magnifying glass with hoof prints following it.  She knew they weren't going to have a thing now or anything but that didn't bother her.  He also knew this.  He claimed he didn't want to endanger a marefriend given his job and decent renown.

She actually chose him because despite her initial anger at the whole ordeal, she realized how much work it took to solve such a thing.  Even if they were wrong in whom the culprit of the murders was.  In the end, it turned out there were plans to deal with them in much the same way she had done so.

She also chose him because he was very much the gentle stallion and she did find him attractive.  She also discovered he was a pretty good flyer when they went for an after dinner flight and she actually had fun and broke a bit of a sweat during their flight.

When the two of them later got more intimate with each other and he half-jokingly said.  “I always wondered what a beautiful pegasus mare tasted like down there after a wonderful flight.”  He more or less had her heart for the night.

She was a bit caught off guard by his statement at first, but she could tell he was merely saying the truth.  She then let her curiosity get the better of her and indulged his unintentional request.  When he let her take the lead she couldn't help but enjoy the night of passion all the more.

She heard him mumble next to her as he slowly opened his blue eyes.  “Good morning good, sir.  How was your night?”  Alice asked with a teasing voice.

He let out a wondrous laugh as he said, “I think you, Miss Briddell, know very well how my night was.  I also think given the evidence from last night, and this morning you had a wonderful night yourself.”  She gave a musical giggle to that.  She wasn't sure why his words made her laugh but they did.

{-} {-} {-}

The evening after Alice’s encounter with the lead investigator, she was enjoying a refreshing late flight.  She was lost in thought over her time here and realized that she much preferred this candy colored overly sweet world to her own.  She still felt things were a little too right here and that there had to be something hiding in the shadows, but she was doing alright.  The funds Cheshire acquired for her were more than enough to survive a good bit on it turned out, so she really couldn't complain too much.

As Alice flew in the twilight glow, she heard what sounded like a mare screaming.  Alice flew in quietly, not noticing a Rainbow maned pegasus fly in from the opposite direction having heard the same sound.  As Alice looked down, her eyes narrowed at the scene below her.

Two earth pony stallions were standing a few yards from a light peach colored pegasus mare with a dark red mane and a sunny cloud cutie mark.  Alice didn't understand this situation.  The mare was more than capable to flying away surely.  She wasn't even bruised or anything.  Alice wondered if maybe she had missed something so she watched.

“You know Peach Shine you shouldn't have screamed like that.”  A dark grey stallion with a black mane and a bird cage cutie mark said to the mare in slimy voice.

“Yah now we can’t guarantee your safety.  I usually like them loud myself, but not out in the open.”  The other stallion said in a dark voice.  He had an acid green coat and a dark blue mane with a coiled rope stamped on his flank.

“I didn't do anything to you two though….  Please just leave me alone….”  Cried Peach Shine.  She sobbed and said, “How do you even know my name?  I haven’t ever met you two before in my life.”

The two stallions smirked at each other and pretended to feel sorry for her.  “A lot of ponies know you, Peach Shine.”  The acid green stallion said.

The dark grey stallion then gave a chuckle as he added, “A lot of ponies are interested in you as well, Peach Shine.  You will fetch a pretty bit.”  As the two stallions slowly started to approach the mare, she cowered and curled up into a ball.  She was praying that someone would save her somehow.

One stallion turned to the other and said, “All too easy.”  He jumped into the air towards her, but before he could land he felt something hard hit him from the side.  He saw a dark mane as he fell to the ground and something silver flying through the air at his business partner and strike him in the neck.

The grey stallion fell to the ground and the green one was just about over his initial shock when suddenly he was hit in the head as the knife was pulled from his neck.  As he landed harshly on the ground, Alice stabbed his chest two times before then running over to the other stallion as he was just getting up to his hooves.

The grey stallion was about to react when he felt two rear hooves impact his chin sending his head into the air.  Alice then used her trusty blade on his neck three times before sending him to his back harshly with another kick.

Alice then stared coldly at the other stallion on the ground as she used a hoof to tilt his head to side.  As she did this, he looked up at her and stared into her green eyes.  She then used her knife and slit his throat.  It was a messy way to end a pony’s life, but it was also a very sure way to end it.  That is why Alice did so to those she killed.

The peach colored mare just stared as she watched her savior deal with those stallions violently.  She personally thought it was kind of overkill, but the mare was just thankful to have been saved from those foul stallions.  The mare with green eyes then walked over to her and asked in a sweet voice, “Are you alright?”

Rainbow Dash watched quietly from her tree she would have gotten involved, but she noticed Alice was there as well.  It pained Rainbow to allow this scene to play out at all, but she was focused on recruiting at the moment.  So it was with sorrowful rose colored eyes, that Dash just watched as the scene kept going in front of her.  Alice’s reaction to this matter would be what either got her the position or a report to the authorities.

“Yah I am.  They just scared me is all thanks, Miss….”  Peach said hoping to get her name.

Alice just kept looking at her as she asked, “Why didn't fly away?”

The pegasus still on the ground just blinked a couple of times before she answered, “I was scared and didn't think to fly away.  I've never been the best flyer or anything, but I did pass my test.  I just didn't think to fly is all.  Still though thanks for saving me.  I will do anything to make it up to you.”

Alice blushed at that thought briefly.  She was tempted to take the mare up on her offer and see just how far she would willingly go, but she couldn't just leave it at this.  Alice’s eyes turned colder but appeared to be burning.  “So you are saying you let two Earth ponies, who hadn't even yet touched or hurt you, get the best of you despite being more than capable of flying?”

The other pegasus looked up to her with a frown as she said, “I just didn't think alright…. Geez...  I suffer enough grief from everypony else about it.”

Alice’s eyes remained cold, but softened a little bit as she said, “Don’t worry I won’t let you suffer anymore.  Even if you are a sorry excuse for a pegasus…”

The other pegasus looked up at her with big purple eyes in confusion.  Alice then hit her quickly on the head and brought out her knife.  Peach just stared in fear as she said, “What are you doing?!”

“All you had to do was just fly away and this would never have to happen.  You don’t deserve to be a pegasus.  You ignore your fight or flight instincts and just cower.”  Alice said with no sign of empathy in her voice.

She then used her knife and brought about a quick end for the other mare.  She was just another weakling.  Alice would have spared her if she was a unicorn or an earth pony.  Alice would have even spared her if she was injured and thus couldn't fly.  Truthfully Alice would have spared her if she saw even one of the two earth ponies had hit her or hurt her in even the smallest of ways.  Instead this pegasus just cowered in fear, despite being in a mostly open field just outside of Canterlot.  There was plenty of take-off room for her to have used.

Alice would have spared her even if the pegasus went and more than likely would have reported her.  However, Alice would show no mercy to those that don’t do anything.  When a pony doesn't do anything despite being able to do so, they are just as guilty as those abusers they witness.  Alice knew this all too well.  She herself was like that, but she had paid for her crimes of silence, and had to relive the horrors she first witnessed every night for ten years.  She wouldn't let others suffer the same as she did then.

Once the deed was done Alice slung the excess blood onto the grass below her.  She then shot into the sky and stopped by a pond to wash herself quickly.  She was on her way to have a decent warm meal tonight with the Innkeeper at The Lazy Saddle.  Depending on how the night goes, maybe she would entertain her curiosity the mare from earlier stirred with her offer.

{-} {-} {-}

It was now a few days after Alice’s recent attack.  This time the authorities were a lot more sincere in their hunt for justice.  It wasn't because of the stallions though.  They found those two were pony traffickers, they hunted for ponies that they would then sell to the highest bidder.  Once again, the lead investigator from before uncovered the full extent of what the recently murdered ponies were up to.  The royal guard with his help rounded up a lot criminals across Equestria this time.

It was the matter of Peach Shine’s murder that brought about an outrage.  At first, everypony thought she was killed by the two traffickers, since they had a record of ‘breaking in’ their targets unless instructed otherwise.  However, analysis showed this wasn't the case.

When they looked further into her past life all they found was a lovely pegasus that maybe wasn't the best of flyers, but still made plenty of friends while at flight school.  Peach Shine had lots of great friends that claimed she always brought a smile no matter what.

The investigation team had very few leads on the murderer, all they knew was a kitchen knife was used.  No one noticed anything above the ordinary that night nor really saw anything.  So the investigation was pretty much at a standstill.

Alice thought Shine’s past was typical for any dead 'innocent'.  She thought it amazing how someone that not many truly took notice of was suddenly their great friend.  She doubted this was really the case.  After all Shine admitted herself she was teased a lot for her less than wonderful flight skills.  If all of these ponies were really her friends, why would she think she suffered grief from lots of ponies?  Alice sighed as she realized once again just how human these ponies could be.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice was enjoying a peacefully day in her favorite park when suddenly she saw a rainbow colored streak in the sky heading right for her.  Alice gave pause and watched as a cyan colored pegasus landed a little bit in front of her.  “Hey ya.”  The pegasus said in a cheerful but slightly squeaky voice.

Alice gave her a look over and asked, “Hello yourself.  Who are you?  Did you want something?”

The cyan pegasus gave a big smile and said, “I’m Rainbow Dash!  Are you Alice Briddell?”

Alice was on alert now, but didn't let it show.  “Yes I am.  How did you know who I was?”

Rainbow gave a little giggle, “I heard rumors of a pony in Canterlot lately that flew pretty fast.  Some even said she might be one of the fastest pegasi they have ever seen.  I had to check it out.  I am the fastest flyer in Equestria, so I had to see if there was any competition.  Once I got here, I asked around and a couple described a pegasus like you and said she liked to hang out here in this park.”

Alice blinked and sighed.  “That makes sense I seem to have gathered some attention here, but I didn't think I was getting that much.  I will have to try better in the future to stay less noticeable.  Either way you haven’t yet answered what you wanted Rainbow Dash.  By the way, I like you mane.”

Rainbow blushed a little bit but quickly recovered.  “I like your eyes.”  Rainbow said causing Alice to blush a little bit before recovering.  Alice wasn't used to getting compliments on her eyes.

“Anyways, I happened to overhear you were looking for a job as well.  So I wanted to give you an offer.  First I wanted to see how fast you really were,” Rainbow said still with her bright smile.

Alice thought for a moment before saying, “I'm going to need some information about this job before I even consider it.”

“You’ll be doing important work for the betterment of Equestria and the pegasi race.  Also we only take the best flyers for this job.  You will learn some of the most important secrets this land has once you start,” Rainbow said with her smile still in full swing.

Alice tried not to let the smile get to her.  It did seem to fit this pegasus very well and she liked it.  “I am sorry.  I'm going to need a little more specifics than that, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow placed a hoof on her chin for a second before then smiling again and saying, “Tell you what.  Let’s have a race!  You win I answer all of your questions.  You lose you agree to the job.”

Alice didn't like this bet at all.  “I refuse,” she said with a serious face.

“Oh?  So you are saying you aren't really all that fast, and don’t think you stand a chance?”  Rainbow said still smiling.  “I guess you aren't as awesome as those other ponies made you seem.”

Alice hated it when she was talked down to, especially by someone she just met.  Usually she would just ignore such nonsense, but her pegasus pride and competitiveness were getting the better of her this time.  She then gave Rainbow Dash a determined look with her vivid green eyes lit with the fire of her determination.  It sent shivers down Rainbow’s spine.  She really liked Alice’s eyes.

Alice spoke.  “On second thought, I have changed my mind Rainbow Dash.  I was once told, ‘Confront what frightens or offends you.  Reckless and insulting talk should never go unchallenged’.”

Rainbow gave her an equally determined look as she said, “Sounds like some good advice.  Let’s go then.”

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow Dash and Alice where in the air lined up by each other outside of Canterlot.  They didn't want any ponies interfering or watching if it could be avoided.  Rainbow Dash set a one-time use flare pistol on a cloud nearby that would fire itself to signal the start of their race.

Alice spread her wings out and got ready to start.  Rainbow Dash was next to her in the same start off position for the most part.  Rainbow took a glance at Alice's form and had to admit she seemed to know what she was doing at least.

After a few more seconds crawled by, the flare went off and disintegrated into a cloud of white smoke.  Two streaks took off at the same moment.  One streak was rainbow colored and the other streak resembled blue, green and purple butterflies.  The two mares soared through the air turning and circling the clouds Rainbow had placed to test agility as well as speed.

Rainbow had a small lead on Alice right now.  However, the dark maned flyer wasn't going to stand for this.  Alice didn't go all out right away she wanted to gauge her opponent.  Alice kicked up her speed and soon found herself in front of Rainbow Dash.  Alice had half a mind to gloat, but she knew the race wasn't over yet.

Rainbow studied Alice’s rear for a bit and noticed the mare also had a signature streak when flying fast.  She also noticed Alice held her tail in a way it streamlined with her body.  Plus Rainbow had to admit it wasn't half bad looking.  Now that Rainbow had studied Alice’s rear up close, she was tired of being behind it during a race.  Rainbow gave a grin as she kicked on some more speed.  She was excited to see what all Alice really had in her.

Alice soon found herself looking at Rainbow Dash’s tail again as the cyan pegasus pulled in front after the last turn.  Alice was surprised to see how streamlined Rainbow’s body was now.  She didn't even know pegasus could get that aerodynamic.

Alice could only stare at Rainbow’s tail for a minute or two before she thought of a way to increase her speed.  She tried to streamline her body as much as she could.  Alice could already tell this was something she would have to practice.  However, she soon pulled ahead again.

The race kept going like this for a good while with Alice increasing speed to take the lead followed by Rainbow doing the same.  Eventually, Alice decided it was time she stop holding back.

Alice started beating her wings faster and stretched out her forehooves just so to maximize her speed.  She soon, to her and Rainbow’s surprise, ended up pulling further ahead.

As they kept racing, Alice proved to have more agility than Rainbow Dash.  This didn't bother Rainbow though.  Her style was pure raw speed.  She was agile as well, but it wasn't necessarily her strong point.

Rainbow watched with an excited grin.  She caught up to Alice and said, “You really are a great flyer.  This is now a race!”  With that Rainbow pulled ahead a good distance as they continued.  Alice almost lost her concentration wondering just how fast Rainbow was.

The green eyed dark maned pegasus wracked her brain for anything that would help in this race.  She then got an idea.  She would try that move she discovered she had a little while ago.  Alice beat her wings for all they were worth and managed to close the distance between her and Rainbow ever so slightly.  She then concentrated on what she wanted to do.

Before she knew it, Alice burst into blue and black butterflies and shot forward quickly before she returned to normal.  Rainbow Dash just stared in awe at what she had just seen.  She couldn't believe it.  Alice then did one further as she burst again and shot forward once more.  Alice then did this five more times.

Alice could tell she was out of that move now.  She was limited in how many she could do it at different speeds in this world unlike Wonderland.  However, Alice kept her pre-burst speed constantly.  She thought she now had this race in the bag.

Soon to her surprise, Rainbow caught up to her again.  Rainbow was fully focused now though and only said, “That was really impressive.  But I really want you for that job.  I will have to win this race now, Alice.”

Alice was going to reply with a witty comeback, but when she saw Rainbow further streamline her body yet again, and then shoot forward quickly with what looked like a very acute cone of air displacing around her.  Alice came to a dead stop, knowing the race was over and she had lost.

Rainbow didn't stop though and just went faster.  Alice soon heard a loud crack reverberate in the sky.  She watched the light spectrum shatter around Rainbow Dash, and the pegasus Instantly doubled her speed and shot forward.  Alice just stared in awe as she saw for second time in her life the expanding Rainbow colored disc.

{-} {-} {-}

After a few minutes, Rainbow Dash returned to her side looking exhausted.  The two then settled down on a nearby cloud patch to rest after their intense race.  Alice looked down at the cloud she lay on with a little frown as she asked, “Did I even stand a chance at winning that race?”

Rainbow looked at the sky and said, “Yah you did, Alice.  I wasn't going to go all out like that originally, because there are some safety issues.  But when I saw you were a Burster.  I had to win no matter what.”

“A what?” Alice asked in a soft voice.

“A Burster.  You can use burst speed.  It was that thing you did where you turned into butterflies and shot forward really quickly.”  Rainbow answered.

“Are Bursters rare, Rainbow Dash?”  Alice asked.

“Yah very rare. I would say probably almost as rare as my Sonic Rainboom.  That was the move I did at the end of our race.  As far as I know, nopony else can do one.  Ponies may be able to learn it though.  I've learned a lot about it now.  I can’t always do it whenever I want, but I am getting better at them.  I was only able to do it now because I was determined to win the race more than I have been determined to win a race before,” Rainbow said.

“I guess that means I will take the job.  A deal is a deal,” Alice said sounding a little gloomy.

Rainbow looked at her in thought and said, “I kind of lied about that earlier, Alice.  You can turn it down, but after what I have seen you do.  I don’t think you will find another job that fits you.”

Alice looked to her with narrowed eyes and Rainbow sighed.  “I saw what you did to those two stallions awhile back, Alice.   You know the ones that tried to have their way with you and followed you into the park.”  Alice’s eyes widened she would have whipped out her knife, but she was too tired to do that right now.

“I also saw what you did in the field to those traffickers and Peach Shine.  It's because of that I knew you were right for the job, Alice.”  Rainbow said as she looked over at Alice.

Alice seemed to be thinking something over so Dash spoke again, “If I intended to ever turn you in, I would have done so by now.  Plus, I can’t really prove you did anything.  Besides you were right in what you did in both accounts in a certain way.”

This shocked Alice.  Here was another pegasus that actually seemed to agree with her actions for some reason.  Alice didn't know what to think to this.  All she could do was ask, “What is the job?  I will take it.”

Rainbow Dash turned to Alice and looked her over.  She saw that Alice meant every word she said.  “Tell me Alice….”  Rainbow Dash said with a smile.  “What do you know about rainbows and how their made?”
> A Job that suits Alice just Fine.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Celestia was once again resting in her private office sipping on some tea to help her get ready for the long day.  She was only a little surprised when Stealth Flight made an appearance.  “Since you came to me on your own without a proper meeting being setup.  I am guessing you have some news on your task?”

Stealth Flight bowed and spoke.  “I am sorry to intrude, your highness.  We have come to a standstill and need your advice on how to proceed.  We found out what caused the magic you felt during the wedding.”

Celestia raised a refined eyebrow at him.  “And what did you find?”

“It seems a visitor from another world is now a resident in Equestria.  She goes by the name Alice Briddell.  She's a pegasus who until recently was staying at The Lazy Saddle.  She hasn't done anything illegal we know of or anything, but we are not sure what to do here.”  Stealth said.

“What is the issue, Stealth Flight?  I know there has to be something bothering you.  Otherwise you would have brought her to me for an audience,” Celestia said to him.

Stealth Flight visibly swallowed before he spoke again.  “The thing is your highness…  She is now a worker at the factory.  A Seeker we were told."

Princess Celestia stood up and started pacing.  She hated anything to do with that place, but as a ruler she knew the need for sacrifice just as much as any pony else.  She usually left anything dealing with that place to the Pegasi their selves.

They made it their race's responsibility and wouldn't even allow Earth ponies or Unicorns to help outside the occasional use of a spell or two from the Royal guard.  As much as the Sun princess despised the factory, she knew rainbows were needed and she couldn't help but respect the Pegasi for carrying this responsibility and its horrors their selves.

Princess Celestia finally sighed to herself.  Perhaps it would be seen as cowardly by some, but she had her decision.  “Thank you for bringing this to me, Stealth Flight.  You and your task force have completed and fulfilled your orders.  So long as Alice doesn't cause any undue ruckus, she is now in the hooves of the Rainbow Factory.  Return to your regular duties.”

Stealth Flight left to debrief his team and get back to what he always does for the princess.  Celestia sighed again and wished Alice the best, since she was now a part of that place.  She took a final sip of her tea before going to the throne room to begin the Day Court.

{-} {-} {-}

“Rainbows…”  Alice thought to herself as she sat in a nice clean room.  In the past, rainbows always were something good and beautiful, even in Wonderland.  Now however, Alice had a new darker fascination with rainbows.

When she first arrived in Equestria, one of the first things she saw was a Rainbow right after the Rainboom.  She saw the rainbow over Canterlot castle and felt this pastel colored world was far too devoid of darkness.  Now after Rainbow Dash explained to her how rainbows were made, she knew the very land of Equestria was covered in the darkness she searched for.  It was just very well hidden and the populace at large had no idea it existed.

Alice was currently in a nice clean room.  She didn't have a home yet so Rainbow Dash set her up in the factory Seeker barracks.  Alice would have to find herself a place eventually and Rainbow had recommended something that was about half way between Cloudsdale and where she lived in Ponyville.  Rainbow said this would put her in an optimum position for her new job.  Alice thought she might have other reasons for suggesting here as well, but she didn't think it was anything bad.

Alice’s room was soundproofed from the factory floor, not too far from her room.  This way when the next bus of Sacrifices came through, she could peacefully sleep if she was currently off duty.

Ponies would think the factory was always constantly pumping out essence, when in actuality it wasn't.  They still had to keep the place running at all hours, but they did have some down time.  Seekers didn't though, given their special purpose.  They worked around the clock when needed and were always supposed to be ready for action, even if they were off duty.

Alice was now a Seeker for the Rainbow Factory.  She was surprised to find out, despite what some rumors around the factory said, escapes were actually an issue.  However, it wasn't the “Sacrifices” who posed much threat.  It was in fact employees that proved to be an issue.

The Rainbow Factory was one of the most secretive and essential of facilities in all of Equestria.  This being the case those who tried to escape, shirked their duties and turned their backs on Equestria and the Pegasi race.  These “Traitors” were handled with extreme prejudice.

Alice knew these “Traitors” weren't really traitors, but considering what went on here and how they were a part of it at one time.  She agreed with silencing them forever.  “No pony escapes the Rainbow Factory” she was told when she was given her orientation a couple of days ago.  Personally she agreed with what Rainbow Dash told her was the real motto “Not a single soul gets through.”  This motto painted an entirely different meaning from the veiled threat told in orientation.

Alice was laying on her bed in her room currently waiting.  She was now a seeker, but she didn't yet know where she belonged in their ranks.  Every new Seeker is tested on their abilities to see where they are starting from in the factory.

There were several different levels in the Seeker ranks.  At the top you had “The Stars” these were the top five fastest and most talented Seekers supposedly.  Below “The Stars” were the top 15, and below them there were several other ranks as well.

Ranking happened Bi-annually, or in the rare case where new Seekers were hired.  There was an “incident” recently so they had to replace a total of four seekers.  Alice was just one of these four.

Alice asked if Rainbow was “Number One” but the cyan pegasus gave a laugh and said “I was at one time”.  Now she was one of the top ponies in the Rainbow Factory period.  Rainbow told her she was the best flyer in Equestria, the Element of Loyalty, and in charge of operations at the Rainbow Factory.  Alice took this to mean she was probably the most important pegasus around.  She was sure Rainbow would agree with her, despite the validity of such a claim.

Rainbow gave Alice a surprise when she told Alice they already had a Burster that worked for them.  She said Alice and Number Three were probably the only Bursters in all of Equestria.  Rainbow told Alice due to their rare nature when it came to ranking they weren't allowed to use their ability.  After all they wanted the best period, not the best because they have a special ability, so no pony was allowed to use special abilities if they had them.

This made for a very dangerous combination if you thought about it.  This meant when Dash was a Seeker herself she had the skills to beat others without using her trump card the Rainboom.  This also meant “Number Three” earned their place without using their burst ability.  A very dangerous combination indeed.

Alice soon heard a knock on her door.  “Come in,” she said.

The door opened and in walked a light green pegasus with a Rose pink yellow striped mane.  “Hello, Miss Alice.  I’m Fresh Breeze and I came to escort you to the testing grounds.  If you will follow me please.”  Alice hopped off her bed and followed.

Right now it was a down time so the halls were silent when usually they were filled with sounds of sobbing Sacrifices and the periodic scream of agony.  From what Alice was told they actually used a penetration stun gun on the Sacrifices before extracting their essence, which provided the colors for rainbows.

This made sure they felt nothing as the process happened.  It was the closest mercy they could provide the Sacrifices without hampering the process.  They still screamed, but mostly because they knew what was going to happen.

Once the process was over and the ponies dead, they each were given a proper pegasus burial.  Which Rainbow Dash took charge of when she could.  Rainbow thought it was the least she could do for them.  Sometimes other factory workers would help, but often times it was too much for them or they saw no point to it and life in general anymore.

Fresh Breeze thought it eerie as she walked Alice to the testing grounds.  She felt uncomfortable at how peaceful the factory was at this time.  The only sounds one heard were maintenance on the machines and the occasional laugh from one of the floor workers.  One would think the silence would be a relief, but for Fresh Breeze it only caused her to have waking nightmares as her mind filled in the screams for her.

“Are you alright, Fresh Breeze?” Alice asked in a concerned voice.

“Ummmm…. Yah of course I am!”  Fresh answered her a little too loudly.  The light green pegasus figured Alice was only calm because she was new, and the horrors hadn't fully sunk in for her yet.

After a few more unnervingly silent minutes, Alice spoke again in her wonderfully accented voice to Fresh Breeze, “So if I may be so bold as to ask.  What does your Cutie Mark mean?”  Alice noticed Fresh pause for a moment and then smile as she looked at her fluffy white cloud and its swirls on her flank.

The light green pegasus felt happy as she thought over that moment again, “I’m originally from a small farming community called Stableville.  Summers were always harsh there, but we still managed really well anyways.  One year I decided I wanted some shade, so I went and found myself a few wild clouds and positioned them just right for relaxing under.  The heat was still stifling, and I knew if I whipped up a wind the clouds would disperse.  So I got creative.  I found a way to make what I called anchored clouds.  These clouds didn't disperse for three days.”

Fresh’s smile grew, “Then I got another idea and I shaped a couple of these clouds so they curved.  After that I took to the sky and flapped my wings a few times to build up a nice breeze, and enjoyed the fruits of my labor.”

Fresh seemed to have a dreamy expression now, “I decided I shouldn't be the only one to enjoy this, so I made a few more clouds and a couple of other pegasi helped me arrange them perfectly.  After that, we went and told everypony to come and take a rest for a bit outside.  They thought we were joking but looked anyways.  That day and the next two days the whole of Stableville enjoyed my setup.”

“Many said it was a fresh breeze at just the right time.  It was at that time my parents pointed out to me I earned my Cutie Mark!  Ever since then we have what we call the Mid-Summer Breeze Festival.  I go every year even though I taught a few pegasi how to make the clouds and set it all up.”  The light green pegasus gave a smile that would make Cheshire proud of its width as she finished her tale.

Fresh couldn't help but smile the rest of the trip to the testing grounds.  She didn't like being a messenger for the Factory.  However as long as she had the Mid-Summer Breeze Festival, where she helped bring happiness to the ponies for three days when they need it the most.  She could bare almost anything she thought.

Fresh’s mood took a sour turn though once she heard a crazed bloodthirsty laugh.  They were right outside of the testing grounds now.  Some of the seekers had been in the factory too long.  It was already starting to tear away at their sanity.  This was something which happened to all of them in some way.  However Seekers and Messengers usually had it easier, since they weren't only working the floor the whole time.  Hearing that laugh though reminder her once again where she was and what she had done.

“Well, Miss Alice.  These are the testing grounds.  Here you will be testing for your position and rank as a Seeker.  If you place in the bottom you will spend more of your time working the floor,” Fresh Breeze said.

One of the draws to advancing in rank as a Seeker was less floor time along with better accommodations, if you stayed in the barracks, and a salary increase.  This kept Seekers less likely to make deals with ponies wishing to escape.

Alice gave a brief nod and said, “Thanks for explaining it to me.”  She was already told this more or less by Rainbow Dash earlier, but Rainbow had admitted she wasn't exactly supposed to tell her anything.  Heck the cyan pegasus said she wasn't technically supposed to have been the one to ‘recruit’ her.

Rainbow Dash should have told a representative to meet with her instead and give her the initial test.  However she had taken a interest in Alice, so she bent the rules slightly.  She figured she earned that after working in the factory for so long.

Alice knew she was more or less testing to see if she would be a Star, or just in the top 15 so long as she didn't do anything too foolish.  However, she wasn't going to slack off or ‘buck’ the test as some ponies would say.  She wasn't sure what that meant, but she was sure she wouldn't do so.  It sounded inappropriate to her.

The testing grounds were a field inside the factory’s concealed space.  At one time, the factory got the aide of a team of Royal Guard unicorns to help expand the facility magically.  One benefit to Princess Celestia knowing of its existence, they had a lot more assets than they otherwise would have had.

Celestia wasn't happy of course, but neither were the founders of the Rainbow Factory either.  However they all knew it was needed, and despite its horrific nature the process was extremely efficient.

As Alice entered the grounds she took notice of the many different colors of pegasi, and obviously different levels of sanity.  Some were more or less focused and ready to prove themselves.  Some had a haunted desperate look in their darkened eyes.  They felt advancing in rank and spending less floor time was paramount to keeping their sanity.  A few others had eyes the size of pinpricks and were slightly foaming at the mouth.

“Alright everypony!”  A familiar voice called to the gathered pegasi.  Rainbow Dash was in a dark flight suit with goggles standing on a raised platform.  “You are all actual pegasi, unlike the excuses we deal with here for the good of Equestria.  However, we only select the best of the best to be Seekers, and then you have to prove yourself constantly that you are worthy of your prestigious position in our factory.  This is why we test Bi-annually and whenever we have fresh ponies joining our unparalleled ranks.”

There was a loud cheer from several of the gathered ponies as Rainbow finished her opening lines.  Alice on the other hand could tell Rainbow was filled with bravado, so others wouldn't doubt she was perfectly fine with what she did.  Alice knew the somewhat saddened Rainbow she spoke to after their race was part of her true self.  However, she only knew this because she was the same way at one time, before she took in the ruin and corruption of her mind.

Rainbow gave a confident smirk as she spoke again, “Good to see how eager you all are to prove your worth to the Pegasi race and more importantly Equestria!” more cheers followed this statement.  Alice became more determined as did many others hearing these simple words as well.

“The test is simple enough.  We have a course you all run through without using any special abilities besides pure raw talent, power, and speed.  After that we have you face off against each other in mock organized combat also without any special abilities."  Rainbow took a moment to look over the crowd.

"After all we don’t want to accidentally hurt any of our Seekers.  We just want to see who is worthy of being at the top.  Each and every pony here has already proven they are a Seeker.  When it comes to the combat portion you have a choice of weapons to select from.  You will see them once we get to that stage.”  Several nods from the gathered crowd could be seen.

“Alright!  Take your number and let the flying test begin!”  Rainbow shouted as most cheered and everyone went and got their number for the flying test.  Alice got number 26.  She was pleased with this outcome.  She would be able to study other’s performance and adjust accordingly for her turn.

Alice joined the other Seekers and watched as the first pegasus, light grey in color with a dark green mane and tail, took their practice lap.  Since everypony was allowed to watch the ones before them, the first 4 testers got a practice lap to offset the disadvantage of going early.

It was mostly quiet as things went on from there.  All of the ponies here were serious and silent.  Psyching others out wasn't something that really worked in this matter.  It might have worked a little on the newcomers, but everyone knew and had already proven their worth before now in some manner.

{-} {-} {-}

It had been a while now, but it was finally Alice’s turn to go.  She finished stretching her wings and legs and got in a crouching start position with her wings spread.  She waited for the signal.

A loud bang was heard and she was off quickly leaving her trademark trail of green, blue and purple butterflies behind her.  She paid no attention to the heads that turned and gasped in surprise at her signature trail.

Alice focused as she rounded the first turn of the course.  It was easy enough for her and she tilted into it so she cleared it a little faster.  After that she shot forward again.  She rounded a few more turns as the course continued.

Next she came to the cloud rings.  They were arranged at slightly different elevations, forcing the flyer to show they were capable of more than just simple straight line, single elevation flight at high speeds.  Alice quickly zipped through them moving up and down and side to side as needed while hitting each ring with minimal movement.  This ensured she lost as little time as possible, even if all she did was a simple tilt here or there.

Alice then came to the climb and drop portion of the course.  She climbed higher than any others did and came to a complete stop before immediately going into a free fall before hitting on her speed again.  Doing this she used gravity to her favor and mostly just minimized her resistance with a simple beat of her wings here and there as she shifted her body while zipping through the rings on the way down.

After the drop she came to the updraft and downdraft portion.  She cleared the first ones with little effort.  When she came to the massive updraft she caught as much as she could.  Once she had enough and approached the massive downdraft she tilted her body almost vertical and circled the downdraft along the edges using it to increase her speed, while not overwhelming her.

She was now coming close to the last part of the course after the massive downdraft.  She used the extra speed she had gained and beat her wings faster for the last part of the massive downdraft.  Next she started gliding and used a combination of her built up speed and quick rolls to make her trek around the assorted cloud columns tighter.

After this, was a stretch before a sharp turn followed by the last long run before the finish line.  Alice beat her wings to build up the speed she lost and then some.  Once she came to the turn, she raised her altitude slightly and preformed a displacement roll to reduce her turn radius and slingshot to the finish.

Alice came to the finish and was surprised to hear a few cheers from the watching ponies.  She couldn't help but blush a little to the praise.  She then went and took her seat and waited for the results of her run.  Some ponies actually gave her a little clap for her performance as she sat down.  A few gave her unsettling grins, but Alice was used to those by now.  You don’t spend time around Cheshire without getting used to such grins and sometimes even feeling pleased to see one.

As Alice was making her run, some of the Seekers watching were wondering if she might end up pulling off a Sonic Rainboom with the speeds she was reaching.  A few seekers however, knew she wouldn't pull off a stunt only Rainbow Dash could, but they had a feeling she might be a contender for a position as a Star.  These ponies already started plotting how they would show her during the combat portion, thinking she had little combat experience.

{-} {-} {-}

The first test finished up not too long after Alice’s run.  Those who went after her, attempted to add in parts of her style they felt would work for them with varying degrees of success.  Once the last pony finished and ended the first test, it was time for lunch.

Alice was a little impressed with the rather clean kitchen.  As she and the others made their way inside, they saw several ponies sitting and eating quietly.  She saw Fresh Breeze sitting quietly by herself in a corner eating a daisy salad.  Alice decided she would sit with her for lunch, since she didn't know anyone else in the cafeteria.  Rainbow no doubt made sure not to usually eat with the others during these tests, so no pony would think someone had an unfair advantage.

As Alice sat down across from Fresh with a lettuce, cheese, and tomato sandwich, the light green pegasus looked up a bit surprised.  “Is it OK if I sit with you, Fresh Breeze?  I would rather not eat with the others.  Some of them seem a little too eager.  If you know what I mean,” Alice said.

While she was used to unsettling grins, she was not used to the talk some of these ponies shared.  She could appreciate the finer points of using a weapon and completing a job properly.  However she didn't really appreciate the gusto they had for such things.  She was always taught to be modest after all.

“I guess it is, but I don’t know anything more about the test if that is what you're after,” Fresh said as she returned to her salad.  Ponies in the factory weren't usually very sociable, especially to a "mere messenger" like her.

Alice raised an eyebrow at her.  “I would not think of asking you such a thing.  My reason is just as I said.  They are a little too eager about certain aspects of the job for my liking.  I hold professionalism and enthusiasm for a job in high regard, but there are limits to such things.  Is it so odd I wish to just talk to you while partaking in my meal?  It is rather boring to eat by one’s self.”

Alice sat down across from her as Fresh spoke.  “No it isn't odd you want company for a meal.  It's just most ponies in the factory view messengers as taking the cowards way out, despite the fact we too have to spend time on the Factory floor like all the others.”

Alice gave her a curious look as she asked, “What is a messenger’s job anyways when not working the floor?”

Fresh gave a weak smile.  “We work as both royal messengers and factory messengers.  Our responsibilities to the factory are to send the Sacrifice’s ‘last message’ to their families and deliver other factory related correspondence.  We're also the ones who send letters of grievance to those who lost a family member in the Royal Guard to their duties.”

Fresh took a couple of bites of her salad before continuing.  “Like Seekers we also spend time outside of the factory for our job.  However, since we aren't hunting down traitors.  Our position is seen as less than honorable as far as factory business goes.  Personally I'm actually thankful for my position.  I don’t think I would have made it as long as I have otherwise.  Working the floor is very hard.  You either go crazy from the guilt, or you start lusting for the violence… and the screams….”  Fresh Breeze gave a shudder as she finished.

Alice simply nodded in understanding and said, “I guess that is why floor escapees are usually a high priority, both to keep the secrecy of this place and for the safety of other ponies,” Fresh blinked to Alice’s words.

She never thought about it that way before…  She always thought it was just for the safety of other ponies.  Most of the time the saner escapees would keep what goes on in the factory secret.  If for no other reason than to keep below the radar.  However, given the condition of floor workers she now saw what Alice meant.

Fresh grimaced as she started to once again realize nothing was the way it seemed in the factory.  There was always a double meaning or hidden agenda.  Her mind may have gone further into darkness then and there, if Alice hadn't broken her from it.

“I don’t see how your job would be any less respectful than a Seeker’s.  It can’t be easy having to face the families of those who die here, even if they aren't worthy of being pegasi,” Alice said with nonchalance.

The light green pegasus just shook her head.  She wasn't sure if Alice really believed that, or if she was just falling for the lip-service so many did when they're first recruited.  Their meal was mostly peaceful after that with some words exchanged here and there.

{-} {-} {-}

It was now after lunch and Alice was waiting for her next run in the combat tournament.  The weapon choices were standard fare she thought.  They had bows and arrows, the arrows had little plungers on the tips, they also had wooden swords, wooden maces, and to her pleasure wooden knives.  The wooden knives of course weren't even a shadow of a blade compared to her Vorpal Blade, but they were close enough.  Well the one she picked was at least.

Truth be told, Alice was rather bored with this part of the test already.  She had faced a few opponents now and took care of them well enough.  On top of that from what she could see, few others really would be much of a problem for her even without her burst move.  Some did have promise and she took note of them quickly.  She wouldn't be facing them until later she knew though.

In the meantime, she was bored and Alice was always rather dangerous when she was bored.  She decided she would see if she could use one of her other weapons from Wonderland.  A weapon from the first time she fought for her sanity.

She visualized the weapon she was thinking of, and acted as if she were merely pulling it out of her ‘pocket space’.  Alice’s green eyes lit as she gave a pleased grin to herself.  She then started juggling her over-sized and sharp edged cards while she waited for her next turn.

She didn't notice the current “Number Two” watching and flinch a little at her grin, before next staring while she juggled the cards she pulled out of thin air.  True all ponies had a ‘pocket space’ but it usually required more effort for large items.  When it came to some tools like screw drivers, pencils, and bits, it didn't take much at all.  However, for bigger items or larger amounts the pockets didn't work, this is why they have saddlebags and toolboxes.

“Number Two” otherwise known as Night Chill, was a male pegasus with a midnight blue body, brown eyes, and a black mane and tail.  He had been in his position for a good while now.  He was both talented and cunning.  He always took care of his targets with such artistry and perfection that he most often took on multiple targets at once.

He would usually link one target to the other’s murder even if the two “never knew each other”.  He then took care of the second target while they were being escorted for their trial without anypony noticing.  Usually they would die after they were always found "guilty".

Night Chill quickly picked out Alice as a contender for a top rank in The Stars.  He respected her for her abilities, but he had his pride as well, so he wasn't going to just let her roll into the top of their ranks right off the bat.  He actually felt intimidated after seeing her fight and wanted to make sure he won their fight quickly if they faced each other.

He wasn't weak by any means, but he saw what only one or two others in the room saw in her.  He saw she wasn't a stranger to combat.  In fact, he was shocked she wasn't a former Royal Guard or something.

He could tell she had fought a war before of some kind.  It was in the way she kept calm no matter what during the combat test.  Also it was the way she carried herself and had already analyzed her real competition, but she didn't try to get inside their heads or anything.  It was a bit infuriating to him really.  She acted as if she already knew how to defeat any of them.

As Night Chill watched her from the corner of his eye while she juggled, he started to get a smile on his lips.  He had a plan.  It was definitely using the rules to his favor, but that is what the rules were there for in the first place he always thought.  He hoped he faced her, that way he could make sure she was below him in the rankings.  Even if she was the new “Number Two” and he was the new “Number One”.

The truth was each of the Stars were all just a step or two away from the “Number One” position.  The last time there was a solid Number One was back when Rainbow Dash held the position.  This was part of the reason why in the odd case a Star goes on the run, Rainbow takes care of them herself usually.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice did her best not to get complacent with this test despite her success so far.  However, she did notice others were starting to act wary of facing her in the ring.  Especially after she showed them range weapons weren't much of an obstacle for her with her knife.

She faced a brown pony that was using a bow.  She quickly found her way inside his range and then used a kick to throw him off balance before claiming victory by placing her wooden knife to one of his vitals.  There weren't any rules about using hooves in addition to your selected weapon, so it was perfectly allowable.

She next faced a mare who used a sword with great efficiency.  The two locked blades a few times and once Alice had a good idea of her opponent's strength she used it to her advantage, and soon pinned the mare to the ground.  A few were surprised the pinned mare was blushing, but not from embarrassment when she got up once the match was over.

After that, she faced one of the ‘crazed’ seekers who was using a mace.  The crazed mare before Alice charged right off the bat.  Alice quickly moved just a little bit to side and immediately dodged the kick sent her way.  The mare attacked again, this time with her hooves first.  Alice countered and then followed up by shoving the mare back and lunged forward before her opponent could react.

It wasn't until the final rounds that she actually found the fights a bit of a challenge.  She was now facing one of the Stars.  As they waited in the air for their match to begin, Alice looked him over and replayed all she had seen him do in other matches.

Night Chill was glad he was facing Alice now.  He would be able to enact his simple yet effective plan.  He looked her over though to double check her.  He had to admit she was attractive and the inner darkness to her otherwise beautiful green eyes made her all the more intriguing.

Many here had this darkness to their eyes already, but she was one of the four new seekers and she already had it.  It made him hope his plan would work.  If it didn't, his victory was a lot less sure.

For this fight Night was using a bow and arrow.  He was a master at archery, but usually he also had a knife as well.  For this test you were only allowed one weapon at a time and your hooves.  All of the Seekers were watching this fight, including the ones who had already been placed during the earlier matches.

As the bell rang, Alice zipped in real fast.  Night was caught off guard for a second, but he had suspected she would make the first move.  He twisted to the side and sent a hoof her way.  Alice countered his hoof with one of her own and then backed up before zooming forward again.

This time as she approached he rolled around and was about to hit her with a hoof when she blocked his hit.  The two separated again and looked the other over.  They were just at the edge of the other’s range.  Night looked her over and said, “You really are something else, Alice Briddell.”

“You as well, Night Chill.  I can only imagine how dangerous you are when you no doubt have a secondary weapon.”  Alice replied floating at ease in front of him.  Others might think it foolish of her to drop her guard, but Night Chill knew differently.  It was her subtle way of telling him she knew at this distance they were at an impasse, and if he made a move she would be able to react quickly enough.  Alice wasn't big on subtly, but she could do it if she wanted.

Night Chill narrowed his eyes at her and silently prayed she never turned on them.  She would be a hoofful if she did.  He could tell she still had lots more tricks up her sleeve she hadn't shown yet.  Add to that her well placed confidence and it was pretty bad for anyone who stood against her.

The two got ready except this time it was Night Chill that moved first.  He charged her and when she dodged he swung his bow around to smack her.  She bobbed out of the way and sent a hoof to his side.  The impact sent him back from the force.  Usually he could use this to his advantage and get enough distance to use his bow, but Alice was flying right with him and keeping up.

Night Chill put on more speed, which she easily matched.  He then sent a front hoof at her again which she weaved away from expecting him to swing his bow around again.  Instead Night Chill sent her a buck.  His kick sent her back a good ways.  He was getting ready to hit her with an arrow while she looped around and tried to get back in range.

However, before he could Alice did some kind of tuck and roll move that allowed her to recover and shoot back before he could ready his shot on her.  Instead he let it fly and then sent a kick her way.  She naturally countered it, but he had time to grab his bow with his mouth and send a flurry of punches her way.  She either dodged or blocked them all.

Night next sent a hard buck her way again.  She dodged and was about to counter, but didn't noticed him spin while grabbing his bow and sending it her way.  The bow was reinforced enough so it didn't break when hitting a pony.

The hit landed on the side of her head with enough force it sent her flying enough for him to pull off a shot just before she fully recovered.  As he readied the shot, a wooden knife flew right at him causing him to blink just barely shift enough to keep his shot. However, he wasn't fast enough.

Alice hadn't expected his attack.  She knew what he was going to do now though.  She threw her knife right at him.  At this moment, her battle hardened instincts took over acting as if her life was in danger.  She was able to recover and close the gap thanks to the time her throw bought her.  As she closed in on him, she summoned her Vorpal Blade and slammed into him causing them both to drop to the ground.

Fortunately they landed safely.  They weren't too high from the ground in the first place.  Alice was now on top of Night Chill with her knife to his neck.  His bow off to the side, the impact caused him to lose it and the arrow.

Night’s eyes were wide as he saw the dark burning fire in her eyes up close.  It was much different from what he thought earlier.  These weren't the eyes of a warrior that had fought a war.  No, these eyes were that of a pony who had seen horrors beyond the likes of the Rainbow Factory, and had come out on top unscathed, for the most part.

Alice stared down at Night Chill for a couple of seconds before it all hit her.  Her knife disappeared and her eyes softened as she blinked.  The watchers and the others were just staring in silence.  The first pony to break the silence was Alice herself.  “I lost.”  Was all she said as she got up off of Night and helped him to his hooves.  She then left the ring as the bell rung and announced Night Chill as the winner of the match.

Night Chill stood there blinking for a few moments before then walking out of the ring.  “You only lost a match, Alice….  You are already Number Five.”  Night thought to himself.  He was glad his plan had worked.  He knew Alice’s instincts could be used against her in a match.  If pushed just right, she would react to save her life even if it wasn't really in danger.

After that match though, Night wished he hadn't pushed her like that.  He severally miscalculated her actual abilities and instincts.  He didn't think she would actually end the fight holding his life in her hooves like that.  Once no one was looking, he gave a shiver at the thought of what might happen if she were to turn on the Factory.  At the same time, he could tell if she did.  It wouldn't be from trying to escape.

Alice wasn't happy at the moment.  It wasn't because she was sad or disappointed she lost.  It was the manner in which she did.  She could have still won that match, but she let her instincts kick in when she shouldn't have.  She lost because she summoned her knife and broke the rule.  Had she not done that she knew she would have won the match.  On top of that, it was disgraceful to lose because of breaking the rules rather than from a hard fought match.

Alice just sighed and waited until the end as she watched the few remaining matches.  She did at least enjoy them more than the earlier matches.  They weren't boring.  After the last fight, they were all dismissed as the rankings were set out to be released tomorrow after breakfast.

{-} {-} {-}

After the matches finished, it was supper time.  Alice ate a lot for this meal.  She was, like she said to herself “hungry as a horse”.  The statement gave her a giggle.  As she sat next to Fresh Breeze again, Alice didn't notice how her small giggle actually unsettled a few nearby Seekers who saw her last match.

She may have lost the match, but the fact she could have easily ended Night Chill’s life scared them and also relieved them.  They were relieved she had the control not to go through with it despite her instincts taking over, but the fact she only lost because of a rule to the famed long lasting Number Two sent chills down their spines.  Whoever picked her to join their ranks clearly chose well.

Once she finished her meal, Alice retired to her room.  Despite her disappointing lose, it did feel good to lie down after a long day.  She had been resting peacefully for about half an hour before she heard a knock on her door.  She answered it wondering who it could be.

When she opened the door, before her stood a light orange pegasus stallion with a blue mane and tail.  “Sorry to bother you ma’am, but I'm supposed to take you to Director Dash’s office immediately.”  He then turned around and led the way.  Alice would have asked him for his name, but she was too busy wondering why Rainbow Dash would want to speak with her in the office.

The two walked along a hallway with a window to their left overlooking the factory floor.  Alice actually stopped a couple of times to look out the window.  Outside on the floor she noticed the rainbow machine proper.  It had several large vats made with what she figured was safety glass.  Each vat had a label above it for the different colors of the rainbow.

The main part of the machine seemed to be covered with caked blood and rust.  However, the stun gun and extraction equipment were in pristine condition.  Alice supposed this made sense.  After all, you wouldn't want the essence tainted when it was extracted due to dirty equipment.  The essence's purity is what made rainbows so bright and colorful.

Alice gave a distasteful scoff at the sign hanging on the wall across from the loading area.  The sign read “Don’t be sad.  Your sacrifice will bring bright cheery smiles to all the little ponies!”  There were smiling daisies on each side of the sign.

Alice thought that was pretty bad taste.  It didn't even rhyme.  Not to mention the sign clearly was in need of much repair.  If they were going to have that as a parting message for the Sacrifices, they could at least clean it up every so often.

Alice then looked around the edges of her window wondering why there wasn't any glass.  Next she looked down to the floor and noticed it was as clean as could be for such a place.  “I really need to take you to Rainbow Dash, Miss Alice.”  Her guide told her bringing her back to the moment at hoof.

“Oh... Sorry about that.  I just found the windows curious and couldn't help but look,” Alice said as she started following again.

Her guide just nodded in understanding and said, “We don’t have glass in the windows because all staff here during harvesting, need to be ready to provide aide should it be needed.  Sometimes things get a little exciting during Rainbow Season.”

“How did you know that is what I was pondering?” Alice asked in wonderment.

“Everypony always wonders that when they first start working here,” he said to her.

{-} {-} {-}

They finally approached a large double door painted bright red with a banner above it which read, “Just remember.  Rainbows bring smiles and joy to all!  Why would anyone want to escape the factory even if they could?”  Alice just shook her head.  It was a rather obvious poor attempt at a subtle warning.

Alice and her guide entered a brightly lit office with nice relaxing soft colors that didn't standout.  It was quiet the contrast to its occupant who wasn't wearing her dark flight suit and goggles now.  “You may go, Orange Streak,” Rainbow said in her normal slightly squeaky voice.  The guide bowed and headed out.

“You wanted to speak with me, Rainbow Dash?  Or do I call you Director?” Alice asked as she stood there in thought.

“When it’s just you and me, you can call me Rainbow Dash, Dashie or Rainbow or any name along those lines really.  However, when we are around others call me, Director Dash.  It sounds cooler than Director Rainbow Dash, and I sure as hay don’t want to be called Director Rainbow.”  Rainbow shuttered at the last name.

“Anyways,” Rainbow said before turning less cheerful.  “That was quiet the test we had today.  Especially the combat portion.”  Alice inwardly cringed at that.

“Look I am sorry for that Rainbow Dash, but my instincts sort of kicked in.  I am not used to holding back at all,” Alice said figuring she should apologize for what happened.

Rainbow still looking serious said, “Well after what happened I am sure about one thing, Alice.  Do you know what it is?”

Alice simply shook her head a little concerned, though it didn't show.  If she was thrown to the bottom rung of the ladder because of that mistake, she would not be happy.  It would wound her pegasus pride.

Rainbow sighed, “Man you're no fun to prank are you….  No real reaction at all…”  Alice just simply blinked owlishly at Rainbow.  “The thing I am sure of is that I was right to pick you for the job, Alice.  Being a Seeker suits you just fine.  You are now ‘Number Five’.  You would be higher, might have even made number one, if it wasn't for what happened in your match.  Heck you just proved that you are the most dangerous Seeker we have with that stunt.”

Alice was relieved to hear this.  She could deal with being Number Five and working her way up from there with each test.  In fact she preferred it this way, but one thing was on her mind.  “What do you mean I proved to be the most dangerous Seeker, Rainbow?”

“Night Chill has been steady at being Number Two in The Stars for a long time.  In fact he got it again…  Odd how that works out every time." Rainbow shook her head to this.

"Anyways he lost his last match against Dark Glow like the last couple of times, but she didn't hold his life in her hooves.  The Stars are always really close talent wise in all actuality.  This is why I took care of the previous Number Four instead of sending one of the others after him.  After that, the top end of the Top Fifteen are close to The Stars, but their earned ranks are a lot more….  What’s the word I’m looking for…?”  Rainbow said while placing a hoof on her chin.

“I’ll just go with defined.  Their ranks are a lot more noticeably defined talent wise.  I was going to try one of those fancy words Twilight always uses, but I can’t think of one right now,” Rainbow said with a little smile.

“Sometimes simple and direct is the best approach when it comes to speaking.  So is that the only reason you called me to come visit your office, Rainbow?”  Alice asked as she looked around the office.

“Well part of it, Alice.  The other part is I have your first mission.  You may be surprised to already have your first mission when we haven’t even announced the rankings yet.  But we are in the middle of a large clean up at the moment."  Rainbow hoovered over to her window and stared out onto the floor.

"Back when I had just started out as a floor worker here at the factory.  There was a large escape from employees at different levels.  This was before we had the Seekers and I was barely a mare back then, but already I was one of the fastest flyers in Equestria.”  Rainbow beamed at the last part.

“Anyways… The whole thing was a mess but fortunately they quickly got some of the more well-known and proven members together and they sought several of them out.  They were the first Seekers."  Rainbow turned back to her desk and looked at Alice.

"However, most of the escapees went into hiding or just plan stuck below the radar.  So we are still cleaning up that mess but not too many are left now.  I got one them and figured it would be the best way to get you used to your new job,” Rainbow said as she passed Alice a folder with a name on it.

“That is all the information we have on her.  She was hard to track down but she slipped up.  Probably because she figured we had given up on finding her.  That would be stupid if she did though.  We know she was a driving force behind the coordinated escape."  Rainbow dropped to the floor and took a breath.

"She was young at the time so she probably could still put up a fight.  If she hasn't let herself go too much.”  Rainbow paused and gave Alice some time to look over the information.

Alice looked over the folder, quickly picking out important information.  She paused when she got to one part.  “Rainbow who is Sunset Daisy?  It says here she is living with this..."

Alice turned the folder over to look at the name again.  "Twinkle Star and to ask for a file on her…. I know it's common but really sometimes pony names are soooo….   Overly cutesy.”  Rainbow raised an eyebrow at Alice.  “Ummm…  No offense, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow just laughed to that in good humor.  She then tossed Alice another folder.  “Congratulations, Alice.  You have your first mission and it is a double header!  Welcome to The Stars!"  Rainbow had her bright smile again.

"She was one of the ponies that escaped as well.  She was a floor worker and started about the same time Twinkle did.  Of course back then there were only floor workers, messengers and the higher ups.  They kept all they could about the factory under wraps, by providing last letters and other covers for why some pegasi went missing after their flight test and never were heard from again.”  Rainbow had a small frown now.

Alice read over the next folder quickly. “I have two questions.”  Rainbow nodded for her to ask them.  “Am I allowed to take these folders with me since I am staying here in the factory?  I figure once I have my own place I won’t be allowed to take such information with me.  Also is there anything else?”

Rainbow gave her a smile again.  “You are correct.  Like I thought when I saw you.  This is the best fit for you job wise here.  Yes, since you are here in the factory you can take the information to your quarters.  We have glyphs, generously provided to use by the Royal Guards, that can sense confidential material and instantly destroy it.  We don’t know how it works we just know it does.  Magic huh?”  Rainbow gave a face and shrugged her shoulders.

“As for the second part, yes there is something else.  Since this is your first job somepony will be going with you to observe and make sure you complete your mission, thus proving you are capable of this job.  Not that I doubt you are from what I have seen, but it is what it is.  Your first mission has to be observed by an official with the right credentials to do so.  This is the case for all new Seekers.  However, you are a special case in that you are also a Star.”  Rainbow Dash paused for a minute so Alice could register the information.

“Since you are a Star and also a new Seeker.  It has been decided I will be said official.  I have to observe every step you take on this mission and take notes.  This way we have an idea of what missions you are best suited for in the future."  Rainbow said with a no nonsense face.

"So I will be watching you again I guess.  As soon as you are officially given your mission tomorrow after ranks are passed out.  Also I won’t have to hide from you this time,” Rainbow said this trying to make it look like she really didn't want to do it.  Truthfully, she wouldn't mind observing Alice again.

Alice gave a giggle as she said in a voice slightly lower and sultrier than her normal tone, “Oh, Rainbow…  You know some might say you have taken a special interest in me with the way you keep finding ways to watch me.”

Rainbow blinked a few times not sure if she was joking or not.  Alice then started to laugh and soon Rainbow joined her.  “You definitely got me there, Alice.”  Rainbow decided she would have to be careful and on guard around Alice in the future, if she wanted to have fun with her.

“As your official observer, I am not really allowed to interfere or support you during your mission.  However, if it comes to a time that you feel you can’t complete the mission or the targets have far exceeded what is considered normal for this situation I can offer aide, but it will not look good for your future as a Star."  Rainbow gave Alice a pointed look.

"Also usually when a mission is given out you have some time to look over the information in advance, and will meet with either me or another pony that can clarify it for you.  In this case, it will be after breakfast tomorrow, and I will be the one who sits down with you, Alice.”  Rainbow said with a relaxed smile.

“You are dismissed until we meet tomorrow, Alice.”  Rainbow then gave Alice a seductive smile with half closed eyes and said in a lower voice, “You know unless you want me to keep you company.”

Alice blinked this time and blushed as she heard Rainbow give a giggle.  Alice soon joined her before saying, “I think I’ll be fine….  This time, Dashie.”

Alice left and decided she really liked Rainbow Dash.  She seemed like some pony that could keep up with her after some practice.  Even if Alice had a distinct feeling she could leave Dash behind by using highly sophisticated words.

Alice made it back to her room and started studying for her mission.  She knew she would have to do some snooping of her own before taking any action to make sure the information is accurate.  She also decided to approach this expecting a fight from the two targets, either both at once or separately.

If there weren't any Seekers at that time and these two were smart enough to make a well-coordinated and somewhat successful escape.  She decided they would be Seekers currently and maybe even at her level if they hadn't turned their backs and ran away like cowards.

Alice next gave a death glare at the photos of the two ponies in front of her.  One thing she had come to really hate were cowards.  They chose the easy way out.  They ran.  She already hated them for this fact alone.  She knew it was unfair for her to call anyone a coward because she used to be such a coward herself in the past.

Part of her knew she had come to hate cowards so much, because they reminded her of how she used to be.  Back when she let others control her.  She wasn't going to forget her past, but she didn't like such blatant reminders of who she used to be staring her in the face.  She had to suffer punishment for her cowardice and inaction.  Why should they be allowed off the hook for the same thing?

Alice gave a dark smile as she looked at the folders on her desk top.  She then looked up at her reflection and gave a little giggle.  Rainbow was right.  This was the perfect job for her.  She could deal with those that were too weak to do anything but hide.  After all if they could organize a large escape, why not do something more productive or at least try to do so.

Alice then yawned and said to herself.  “I really feel exhausted after today.  Oh well.  I might as well get some sleep that way I will be sharp and have my wits about me in the morning.”  She was a bit surprised as she laid down in her bed, that she didn't hear some witty come back from an ever grinning cat.  Cheshire usually had such impeccable timing like that, even here in Equestria.

{-}{-}{-}

Somewhere deep within the darkest parts of the factory a certain cat was lounging around observing.  However, he didn't have his usual all too wide grin on his face.  He stalked around hidden in the shadows, and came across two floor workers.  They were discussing how they were getting antsy and hoped a new shipment would come in soon, so they could hear the musical sobs and screams again.

Cheshire had some concerns about this place, and feared what would become of Alice after being a part of this for too long.  Though he did give a little grin as he thought to himself, “Well it seems you were right about this bright and colorful world hiding a very ugly and dark underbelly.”

The cat’s grin grew a little as he thought more about this place.  He could appreciate the harsh irony of using such a dark act, like slaughter, to make a bright and colorful symbol usually associated with peaceful, promising and romantic themes.  His grin soon faded again as he thought, “Oh Alice…  What have you gotten yourself into this time?”
> A Hunting We will Go!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alice woke up early the next day and she resumed reading over the two files on her desk.  She made a mental note to ask Rainbow how they got their recent lead, because from all she could tell the file seemed to be a bit dated.  She was wondering if this was a test of some kind or if it just didn't cross Rainbow’s mind yesterday.

When it came to breakfast, Alice already had a few questions to ask about her first mission.  She almost forgot she was to receive her rank officially at the morning meal.  Once she remembered she was going to get her rank, she thought it would be on a board or in a big announcement.  Instead it was given to her by one of the many messengers on a slip of paper.  She decided this made sense in the end, since it would be best to keep rank knowledge of other Seekers relatively unknown.

Alice looked over her piece of paper again and smiled.  She actually liked having proof in a solid form of her success for a change.  Also she took note there was a message telling her to meet Rainbow Dash in her office immediately after she finished breakfast.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice knocked on the door to Rainbow’s office.  “Come in!” she heard Rainbow’s voice answer.  Alice walked inside and took notice someone else was in the office with Rainbow currently.  It was Night Chill.  He gave Alice a once over.

“Since you are curious Night Chill, Alice here is the new number five.  I figured a smart pony like you would know this though,” Rainbow said as she motioned for Alice to wait.  “Anyways, she will eventually meet the rest of you in time.”

“Why not now?  She is here and we always have a ‘Congratulations to the new Stars Party’ every year, even if we are still the same ponies.”  Night Chill asked.  Alice was wondering why he cared about such things.

“The answer to that is simple.  She already has her first mission.  Anyways it is time for you to go, Night Chill.  I need to speak with Alice alone about her first double header mission,” Rainbow said as she pointed a hoof at the door.  

Night Chill’s eyes widened in surprise and he left.  On his way out he said to Alice, “Congratulations, Alice.”  He seemed sincere so Alice thanked him for his kind gesture.

He gave a little laugh as he said, “I wonder if the others realize they owe their current rank to me for finding a way to win our match, even if it was a cheap way to do so.  I look forward to seeing all you will add to our ranks.”  Night Chill closed the door behind him as he finally left the room.

Once she was sure Night Chill was gone, Rainbow spoke.  “Sorry about that, Alice.  It seems Night is concerned about who The Starts are now.  They were as close as most in the factory can get for the most part, but that isn't really saying much.  Anyways I'm sure you have some questions so feel free to ask them.”

“It seems you aren't the only one that has an interest in me, Rainbow.”   Alice said before proceeding, without seeing the look in Rainbow’s eyes.  “I do have some questions.  The first two I have are how old is this information and what was this recent slip up on her part that led to this mission being assigned to me?”

Rainbow nodded and took a seat in her chair.  She motioned for Alice to take a seat as well.  “The information is old, but I am pretty sure you already knew you would have to get a live update on it before doing anything.  As for the recent update…  Well she fell off the grid for a long while.  However, she was recently spotted still living at the address listed with Sunset Daisy not too long ago.  We had thought they left that place.  We would have acted sooner on this information, but we had that incident not too long ago which took priority.”

Alice kept a neutral face as she next asked, “Did either of the two stand out in any manner while they were still here?  I mean talent or skill wise.”

Rainbow shook her head, “Not in particularly.  Don’t forget though we only take the best flyers here in the factory.  It was the same back then as well.  I can only reiterate what I’m sure you already realize.  They were capable enough to lead a mass escape at different levels in the factory, and their actions led to the creation of the Seekers.”

Alice’s eyes narrowed as she asked the next question.  “Speaking of that.  Why was it they didn't try something bigger than a mere escape?  They had the skills and knowledge to do so I think.”

Rainbow gave a laugh to this.  “They weren't stupid.  They knew there wasn't anything they could do about it.  The Pegasi Ponies at the highest levels know of this place and approve of it.  Even Princess Celestia knows of this facility, and despite her feelings on it, she knows we need rainbows.  She leaves matters of the factory to us out of respect for the sacrifice we make for all of Equestria.  If a cover up was needed, we would have her full aid on the matter.  No doubt she knows what might happen if this place was exposed to the public.”

Rainbow leaned back in her comfy office chair.  “The public at large would be shocked at first.  After that, they would wonder why we don’t use other methods for rainbow creation instead.  Next, they would unsuccessfully try to find alternatives.  Finally it would most likely end in revolution of some kind and/or mass hysteria.”

“And in the end even if they accepted the factory some would start going crazy at the realization of their beloved rainbows being produced from the deaths of other ponies.  This would then lead to other ponies thinking it ok to kill other ponies for their life style to continue in any manner of ways.”  Alice added after Rainbow.

Rainbow was about to say something, but Alice didn't give her the chance.  “During this mission, what are you allowed to talk about or not talk about?”

“I can’t give you much idea about how to proceed on the mission, unless I have been authorized by the two circumstances I told you about yesterday.  We can talk casually if you wish while you are assessing your situation before proceeding.  I can also give you known information again if you need it, but only because this is your first mission.  You can voice ideas aloud to me, but I most likely will not answer you.”  Rainbow answered.

Next the cyan pegasus gave Alice a serious face as she spoke a warning to Alice.  “If your life is in danger or you are almost about to die, I have no obligation to assist you.  If it comes to that it shows you really aren't what we need in the Seekers.”  Rainbow then gave a pretty smile and seductive eyes as she said, “But I think I would help a cute pegasus like you if it came to that.  I don’t think I’ll need to help you though.”

Alice blushed for a second before asking her final questions, “Where is Las Pegasus from here, and what is the best way to reach it?”

Rainbow gave a smirk as she said, “That depends.  Do you want to get there quickly or do you want to get there at a leisure pace?”

Alice gave it some though before answering, “I want to get there at a leisurely pace.”

Rainbow nodded and said, “Then we should hit up Ponyville for a little bit and take the train.  I will have to check up on the other elements there first though.  I have to get in contact with them before I go on any long term assignments, but I like spending time with my friends so it doesn't bother me.  I can make the flight from here and there no problem, but since we are going all the way to Las Pegasus I have to make an appearance.  It will add at most a day to our trip, unless you take the night train.”

“Since I've never been to Las Pegasus before it would only make sense I would be excited to go as soon as possible and thus take the night train,” Alice answered simply.

“Okay then.  I guess you can wait at my place unless you want to look around Ponyville.  What will you choose?”  Rainbow asked.

“I would rather not make a sudden appearance at Ponyville at this time, so I will wait at your place if you don’t mind.”  Alice answered.  She remembered Doctor Hooves lived in Ponyville with his family.  She would rather avoid contact with him.

He might ask questions or invite her over for tea or something.  This would take up more time than she was willing for such things currently.  Plus, the extra time would give her a chance to double check her aim with her cards before the mission.

“Alright let’s get going then.  We can check the train’s time and get tickets before I show you to my place and I make my appearance.”  Rainbow smiled at Alice and said, “I hope you’re ready for this, Alice.”

Alice gave a dark smile as she said, “A chance to hunt down two cowards and traitors to Equestria in a city I have never seen before?”  Alice’s smile grew a little.  “I look forward to it, Rainbow Dash.  I will show you I belong as a Seeker.”

Rainbow would have said something like she didn't need to further prove something to her, but before she could say anything a rather pretty dress which Alice thought was suitable for travel appeared on her.  Rainbow just stared for a moment.

Dash then shook her head and thought it might be something similar to Pinkie Pie’s breaking of psychics, and didn't bother to question what Alice just did.  Instead she said, “Ummmm…. Alice…  Not that I dislike your dress.  It looks very good on you.  But it would cause you to stand out in Ponyville.”

Alice blushed a little and asked.  “Why is that, Rainbow?”

Rainbow scratched the back of her mane before answering.  “You see Ponyville is a rather….  Laid back place.  Ponies don’t usually wear anything other than maybe a hat or ribbon there.”  Alice nodded and her dress vanished.  Rainbow blinked a few times wondering about this ability of Alice's.

Alice casually summoned and dismissed her dress, because she figured it was part of the pocket space’s abilities and anypony could do it.  Alice turned to RD and asked, “Mind leading the way?  I've never been to Ponyville before so I don’t know how to get there.”

Rainbow shook her head a few times to clear it and led the way.  While they were leaving she told Fresh Breeze, who they met on the way out, to tell the assistant facility manager she was leaving for her observation assignment.  Rainbow and Alice left together for Ponyville, and fortunately it wasn't that long of a flight.  Alice could keep up a bearable pace for Rainbow Dash, even if it was slower than she would like by a small amount.

{-} {-} {-}

When Ponyville came into view Alice could instantly appreciate the rustic architecture.  She didn't understand why it was so very uniform though.  Alice would have loved to admire the view, but she and Rainbow Dash instantly headed to the train station.  Alice looked up at the train tables and figured while she wasn't found of trains, she could at least tolerate ones that weren't trying to destroy her mind and looked to be very cheery and fun to ride.

Alice paid for two train tickets to Las Pegasus with some money Rainbow Dash gave her.  Rainbow said it was a business expense so Alice didn't need to pay her back, since she would later fill out an expense report with the receipts from their mission.  Rainbow led Alice to her cloud home and promised she would be back at 7:00 P.M.  This way they would have plenty of time before their 8:30 P.M. train to Las Pegasus.

“Well Alice make yourself at home for the next few hours.  Feel free to try your target practice out back.  Just make sure no one notices you.  You are supposed to complete this mission without drawing undue attention to yourself."  The cyan pegasus made her way out after that.

Rainbow was about to leave, but paused in the door way and said to Alice.  "Also fair warning, some ponies might come by looking for me.  Just be careful and stay silent if you hear a knock on the door.  They won’t have any reason to enter uninvited so it should hopefully not be a problem,” Rainbow said with a trace of concern, since Pinkie wasn't big on other’s privacy.

Alice nodded and replied, “If someone does what should I do?”

The cyan pegasus placed a hoof on her chin and thought for a moment.  “Sorry.  I got nothing.  I guess you will have to just wing it.”  Alice gave her a frown.

Rainbow gave a sheepish smile as she feebly tried to defend herself.  “Besides….  A Seeker needs to be good at improvisation.  So you need to learn it if you aren't already good at it.”  Rainbow blushed and nervously scratched the back of her mane as Alice rolled her green eyes.

“Anyways!  Bye Alice!”  Rainbow said before making a quick exit.  She wanted to escape any potential disapproving gazes Alice might have for her.

Alice just sighed and said, “Might as well get my testing over and done with quickly so I don’t have to worry about being exposed.”  Alice then checked outside the back of Rainbow’s house to make sure it was clear.  Once she did this, she began testing her card throws.

After an hour, Alice smiled as she considered her cards to be in perfect order.  They worked just as they did in Wonderland for the most part.  Here she was limited not by magic consumption but by number of cards.

Fortunately it seemed they would return to her, like her knife, after a certain period of time.  As far as Alice was concerned, this shouldn't be an issue for her.  If it was she would have to simply find a way to improve her skills and strategies further.

As the day progressed, Alice had little to worry about at Rainbow’s home.  There were a few visitors who came knocking but they left after three attempts.  The only issue she had was an orange pegasus filly with a magenta mane.  The filly kept yelling for Rainbow Dash to come out and say hello to her.  Alice made her way silently up to the roof and barely peeked down to the pegasus filly.

Alice wasn't sure how old this pegasus was, but she noticed the filly couldn't seem to fly yet.  Alice wasn't sure what to make of this filly, but she did take note that the filly had a pair of lungs on her if nothing else.  She was cute but if she didn't learn to fly soon, she would most likely end up a Sacrifice.  However, Alice figured she was currently too young for flying, so she was still a true pegasus as far she could tell.

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow returned home at about 6:30 P.M.  She and Alice made small conversation until it was time to go and get their train.  Rainbow would have liked talking to Alice more, but she figured the green eyed pegasus was too focused on her mission to be much of a conversationalist at the moment.

Once they got on the train, the two had a meal where they talked about mundane things such as the weather lately.  It finally became a real conversation once Alice asked Rainbow how her visit with her friends went earlier today, and before that told her about the few ponies who came looking for her.

Rainbow was relieved Alice didn't have to worry about anything for the most part, but there was one thing that made Rainbow a bit unsure about Alice.  Rainbow wasn't sure what to make of her thoughts on Scootaloo.

Dash may not be the best big sister figure in Equestria, but she always did have a tiny soft spot for the small orange pegasus.  When she heard Alice talk about her wondering if Scootaloo should be flying yet, and what it meant for the filly’s future if she wasn't, Dash came to a decision on Scootaloo.  Rainbow decided she would actually take the filly under her wing after all and actually work with her.  She didn't want to see Scootaloo the Sacrifice if she could help it.

Rainbow wanted to save at least two pegasi from the factory.  Scootalooo was one.  She wanted to do what she could to make sure she didn't end up there.  The other was Fresh Breeze.  Rainbow had a little soft spot for her as well.  Fresh was still salvageable.  The factory had affected the light green pegasus, but there was still hope for her.  At least, that is what Rainbow Dash believed about her anyways.

Once they finished supper, Alice and Rainbow Dash both went to their respective beds.  The train was expected to arrive at Las Pegasus at about 5:30 A.M.  Surprisingly both mares managed to fall asleep rather quickly.  They would have an undisturbed sleep until they woke up shortly before their stop in the early morning.

{-} {-} {-}

Once the morning came and the two mares stepped off the train, they were greeted with the wonderful city-scape of Las Pegasus.  Alice was impressed beyond measure with this city.  It felt like she was seeing a pony city of the future with all of the tall buildings and neon lights flashing the names of different places.  Alice very much wanted to look at everything the city had to offer, but she kept focused on her mission at hand, or rather at hoof.

Before anything else, Alice needed something eat.  Just like any other tourist would after a night train ride that didn't serve breakfast.  This being the case she asked around for the best places to eat breakfast.  After some investigation into this matter, they ended up finding a rather delightful restaurant that happened to be near their targets’ home.

Alice took a look across the table at her companion for this trip.  “I have to say dark green looks rather odd on you.”  Alice then gave a chuckle as she saw Rainbow give a pout.

“Well I am rather noticeable with my normal mane, and they might recognize me since we were former coworkers,” Rainbow said.  The cyan pegasus currently sported a dark green mane and tail.  She was also wearing clothes that covered her cutie mark.  Clothes were somewhat common here in Las Pegasus, so it didn't draw any undue attention their way.

Once the two ‘travelers’ made their way to the café, they sat down on an elevated balcony that provided them a very wonderful view of the surprisingly scenic neighborhood.  Alice smiled and looked around the area taking it all in and started a casual conversation with her official observer about the surrounding buildings.

The Director of Factory Operations usually replied with eloquent words like, “Meh…  Not really my thing.  I like buildings in clouds with rainbow colored falls.  I heard this one pony near some small town has a house like that.”  Alice just rolled her eyes and figured she should have known that answer.  Nothing about subtle beauty would meet her companion’s taste.

Since they were early guests they received great service, and their waiter was more than willing to converse with Alice.  When she asked him about the local ponies in this area compared to the rest of Las Pegasus, he had plenty to say.  “Obviously they prefer to escape the glitz and glamor of the strip.  They are usually very friendly to each other here, and one always knows what is going on with the others.”

Alice raised an eyebrow and asked, “Oh?  How so good sir?”

Her polite respect seemed to sit well with the waiter.  He answered, “Well for instance…  Two long time lovers recently had a falling out.  This news spread like wildfire with all of the locals in this little corner.”

Alice gave him a questioning look as she innocently pressed for more information.  “Really?  I doubt break ups, even with long time lovers, are all that uncommon.”

The waiter leaned in closer and said conspiratorially, as Alice and Rainbow leaned in as well.  “The thing is the two were really well known mares in this area.  Their love was always seen as something that could inspire songs of mediocrity.”

Alice gave a little huff at his choice of words and he took it as a clue to explain.  “I say that because while it was endearing and very lovely, they rarely had any problems that weren't quickly and quietly resolved.  This meant no pony thought they would ever break up.  Almost everypony knows Sunset Daisy and Twinkle Star for their love for one another, though they usually just go by their first names.”

Rainbow watched Alice for any tells that this information affected her more so than it normally would.  Rainbow was mentally astonished that it did, but only just enough to suggest it was her delight in learning more about the actual stories of ponies in the area she was visiting.

“Well that explains why it gained such interest.  Two well-known lovers and both mares…  That is like waving a big flag saying look at us!”  Rainbow said keeping with the conversation.  She also mentally decided she would have to make a stunt that involved her finishing an amazing landing while waving a giant flag on her own somehow.

Alice gave a little giggle as she said, “That would also explain your choice of words.  Clearly a song that lacked drama in a relationship would be a hard sell for anypony.”  Alice then gave a slight frown as she said, “Though I suppose now a song about their love could sell…  It is a sad thought.  One sometimes wonders if love is ever worth it.”

The atmosphere was darkened for a little bit.  Alice’s statement struck very true for Rainbow Dash.  She felt this many times and had almost slipped into the horrible and lonely darkness that claimed so many at the factory eventually.  However Alice soon brought them out of the darkness as she cheerfully asked, “Do you know any other stories in this area, sir?  I do love hearing what the places I visit really are like.  I’m sure you know plenty of stories that would brighten our morning.”

He was about to say something, but Alice gasped as she cut him off, “I do mean only if it won’t interfere with your job.  I would hate for my selfish request to cause you any problems with a stallion of your profession.”

The waiter gave a chuckle as he said, “Since you two wanted to get here as soon as possible for your trip you managed to beat our breakfast crowd by quite a bit.  Let me check on your orders and then I can tell you a story or two more without any problem.”  Alice gave him a pleasant smile and Rainbow mirrored it.

Once the waiter returned with their breakfast meals, he told them a couple of cheerful stories about the area.  Alice was the perfect audience for such tales, and their meal ended up being very enjoyable.   Once the two travelers left, they gave their waiter a really decent tip but not too large.  Too much of a tip might cause suspicion Alice figured.  It was still better than the average tip and the waiter seemed very pleased with it.

{-} {-} {-}

For the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, Alice managed to find out a few more details about the two ponies in the area that had gotten so much attention recently.  The Seeker even managed to talk to a few local pegasi who claimed Sunset tutored them on flying.

In the end, Alice causally and easily learned a lot about her target.  She found out Sunset Daisy recently rented a house towards the edge of town wanting to be away from her ex-lover.  Alice felt a little disappointed she never got in touch with the informant who provided the breakthrough in tracking these two traitors though.

After that, Alice and Rainbow Dash checked into a room at a nice hotel near the strip.  Rainbow asked her reasoning for this.  Alice simply said, “Well any tourist would want a nice place to stay near the night life of a city like this.  If they have any class at all, they wouldn't want to go to a dingy hotel some call mare uses for her customers that she doesn't want to take to her own place.”

Rainbow thought this was more of Alice’s rather interesting approach to the job.  So many Seekers wished to stay as secretive and as far away from the public eye as they could when on a mission.  This secretive approach was good, but could also lead to “situations” that needed to be cleaned up.

Alice was showing how worthy of her rank she was.  She was more or less hiding a tree in a forest.  By being noticed but not too noticed, she would avert attention from herself if she handled this properly.  After all, who would suspect a bright eyed and happy tourist pony to be on an assassination mission?

{-} {-} {-}

When evening fell, the two went out to eat dinner and afterwards went to ‘explore’ the night life.  They spent some time gawking at the street lights and the scene before them.  Just like any wide eyed vacationing ponies might do. After doing this for a little while, they headed back to their room making a small show of going to bed for the night.

Once in the room, Rainbow had to shower.  She couldn't stand the mane coloring any longer.  Plus it was past the recommended time to keep it in her mane as it was.  Once her shower was over the two opened their window and silently flew into the night.  They took an indirect route to Sunset Daisy’s house.

The two factory pegasi approached the house shortly after night had fully fallen.  Rainbow found a great cloud to wait on while Alice approached the house.  Once Alice knocked on the door, Rainbow noticed a blind to the side shift as a pair of honey colored eyes looked to her front door.

Alice swayed a little on the spot.  She was going to say she needed to call for a chariot and the bar nearby was too noisy and the patrons a little too friendly for her liking to call from there.  Alice was about to knock again when she heard the backdoor open and somepony take off into the night.  Alice was quick enough to see a dark burnt orange pegasus with a dark green and red mane fly off really quickly, and she silently made pursuit.

Alice gave a little smile as she flew.  She liked this method anyways honestly.  She hoped she would have a real fight on her hooves.  At the moment, Alice thought "Hunter" would be a better title for her than "Seeker".  She was hunting down a traitor.

Rainbow soon joined Alice and the two followed Sunset Daisy as she led them away from the city.  Alice was still smiling as they flew, but she stayed focused.  She just couldn't help but smile at the hunt and flying really fast once again.   Alice gave a little giggle that not even rainbow could hear as they flew.  “I really think I could love this job,” Alice thought as they raced through the night.

{-} {-} {-}

It was a dark and cloudy night with a storm in the background.  Alice stood before the location she tracked Sunset Daisy to after the pegasus fled.  She knew Sunset Daisy chose to flee for a reason.  Sunset Daisy pretty much made a straight shot for this location and didn't even try to lose her.  Alice could think of two reasons Sunset led them here.

The first reason was obvious.  The traitor knew she would have to kill tonight if she wished to live.  She needed to take her pursuer out without anyone witnessing the crime.  Sunset seemed to have a great deal of confidence she could pull it off and escape before anyone noticed.

Alice was pretty sure she didn't know Rainbow was following as well though.  Still, Alice could appreciate the confidence the pegasus showed.  She was dangerous and fast despite her age.  The Seeker was sure even Rainbow knew if the target was their same age and in top form, she would have to help Alice on this mission.

The second reason Sunset led them on their chase, was still obvious but not as obvious as the first reason.  Sunset Daisy knew this day would come, and logically prepared for it.  Alice narrowed her green eyes which seemed to glow under the dark night sky.

She was walking into a trap.  She knew it.  However a smile grew onto Alice’s face, she was always resourceful.  She had walked into traps before and turned them into her favor.  Sunset had provided her with a possible break on her first mission.  She wouldn't have to be as concerned with stealth in this location.  Any pony in Sunset Daisy’s situation might come to a place like this to end it all away from others.

The green eyed pegasus knew this, because it only made sense two well-known lovers wouldn't take such a serious and hard break up without feeling pain.  Alice knew how love could lead to immense pain and suffering all too well.  Had she not loved her sister Lizzie and their family as much as she did.  Their deaths would not have mentally damaged her to the point they had.

She personally knew how losing those you love in any form could lead to dark thoughts of suicide.  She had spent many nights over the years at Rutledge Asylum wishing she had just ended it all.  However she was too cowardly to go through with the deed.

Alice felt right at home in this circumstance of a life or death battle.  She figured wearing her blue dress with the blood stained white apron, put her right in the element for what was to soon come.  Plus, it would make for a slightly easier clean up in the end.  She could just poof away her dress instead of having to either hide or clean it.

Alice sensed the dangerous nature of this setup, and was certain even her target knew it was like a double edged sword.  Alice had to blink a couple of seconds in using that saying, and would have pondered it further if she didn't have a mission.

This situation could go either way.  Alice could lose and Sunset wouldn't have to worry about it being traced to her, or Sunset could lose and Alice wouldn't have to worry much about it being traced back to her.  The seeker turned these thoughts over in her head.  Finally, Alice figured this situation was Sunset Daisy’s way of saying, “If you do kill me….  Then you deserve to get away with it.”

Alice didn't know if this was Sunset’s intention or not, but Alice never did just accept other’s versions of reality.  No.  She had many times rejected what others told her and replaced it with her own reality.  This was part of the reason why Wonderland was first created.  It was a place that was familiar yet also unfamiliar.

Alice’s green eyes continued to look over the area before her.  “Are you sure about doing this on your own, Alice?” Rainbow asked causing Alice to raise an eyebrow at her.

“I could help you with her.  She has shown she far exceeds our initial estimation of her abilities.  She knew we were coming and had already planned for it well in advance.  I can help you if you want me to Alice, and it won’t count against you,” Rainbow explained.

Alice turned to Rainbow and gave a teasing smile as she said, “Oh, Rainbow…  It’s sweet you care for me so.”  Rainbow blushed a little to this and was about to defend herself, but Alice didn't let her.

“You really should have more faith in the pony you personally chose as a Seeker.”  Alice’s teasing smile turned into a confident smirk as she turned back to the building before her.  Alice began to hoover in the air.

Rainbow actually felt a little uneasy seeing Alice’s confidence.  Not because she feared it was misplaced, but because she could tell how well placed Alice’s confidence was.  Rainbow felt apprehensive at what was about to start, and how it might foreshadow the new Number Five’s future as a seeker.  Rainbow Dash also couldn't help, but be just as equally intrigued by Alice at the moment.

“Hide yourself well and find a good seat to keep an eye out, Official Observer.”  Alice gave that wonderful smile as she quickly and quietly took to the building.  Rainbow took off soon after just as quietly.  Already Alice had shown she had the stealth parts of this job down for the most part.  If only the target didn't know they were already coming it probably would have been over already.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice kept her green eyes sharp as she entered the ruin of a building.  She wasn't happy with the dimly lit surroundings, but if she relied on just her sight she would have long ago died.  As she heard something slicing through the air from an angle above her, she quickly moved barely out of the way and immediately sent a few single shot cards in the direction.

Alice mentally cursed when the cards met only a stone wall.  She had given away one of her abilities.  Alice didn't let it get to her though.  She only threw single cards at the direction.  She already knew a couple of ways to use this exposure of her skill to her slight advantage.  She soon heard something else heading her way.

This time Alice let the object barely graze her.  It might be a little foolish, but she needed to have an idea of what the flying item was.  Besides, it wasn't like she was well known for being overly cautious or anything.  She was always a little reckless, especially in her Wonderland.

The Seeker felt the sharp disc graze her cheek.  She now knew it was a disc her target used against her.  She also knew it wasn't poisoned, and she then realized how foolish her move truly was.  If the object was poisoned then it might have been the end of her.  She wondered why ponies didn't do something like that, but she decided this was a topic to ponder at a different time than the present.

Alice was a little disappointed the next attack was pretty much the same as before.  The light tan colored pegasus wondered if her target really underestimated her that much.  She felt a little insulted Sunset decided she didn't need to actually engage her personally.  Alice decided she wouldn't stand for this and focused on her surroundings.

It seemed having spent so much time in dark and dreary places had increased her ability to make out shapes and see patterns in the surrounding darkness.  After she dodged the next attack, she sent a few single cards in the direction where she picked up a small hint of dark burnt orange.

When the next disc attack came, Alice dodged and had to deflect a sword from her left.  Alice knew swords should have the advantage to a knife, but she was precise and efficient enough to negate this advantage with her blade skills.  She looked into the honey colored eyes before her with calm.

Sunset was a bit impressed with the skills of this Seeker, but she didn't let it get to her.  She wanted to live!  It was the only way she felt she could make up for all of the horror she caused at the factory.  Sunset may have lost the love of her life to an argument, but she wasn't going to just give in yet.

No, she had made it her personal responsibility to help train any young fillies and colts she could.  That way they wouldn't become sacrifices.  She may have been tough, but never did a trainee of hers fail their flight test.

She also made sure when they passed their flight test no matter how tough she was on them she gave them a Pinkie Pie kind of party congratulating them.  She knew she would be missed if she died, and she made sure she wouldn't die, for her students.  She loved how their little faces lit up when they accomplished even the smallest of flying feats.  She hated everything about the Rainbow Factory!

Alice could feel the anger in the pegasus before her, and knew it was at the factory in general.  This deep down angered Alice more.  If she hated the factory this much why did she just run away from it?  Alice decided once her target was on her last leg she would ask her this.  At the moment though, she had a no good cowardly traitor to fight.

The two ponies kept their blades locked for a moment.  Alice gave a little push to overpower Sunset and when the pegasus flew back.  Alice threw a couple of cards her way.  As the green eyed pegasus expected Sunset easily dodged the attack and quickly lunged forward again.  Their blades clashed with each other once more.

“Well it seems they picked someone half talented to come for me at least,” Sunset said to Alice.  She was hoping it might get a reaction of some kind from the green eyed, dark maned pegasus.  It did get a reaction from her, but it wasn't what she hoped for.  She wanted this to either give the Seeker over confidence or to get her angry at the back handed compliment.  Not complete indifference.

“The factory and the Pegasi race take threats like you seriously,” Alice said.  Alice rolled to the side and landed a kick in Sunset’s side.  However the burnt orange pegasus was able to move just enough it minimized the effect on her.  Alice didn't let this get to her though.  She had landed a hit and if she landed more it would greatly affect her target’s performance.

The dark burnt orange pegasus charged her a few more times.  Alice managed to block or dodge them all, but she still felt the power behind each attack and knew something would have to change.  When the pegasus flew at her again, Alice dodged to the side and landed a solid buck on the mare sending her crashing into the darkness.  Before Alice could follow through with her next attack, Sunset disappeared into the darkness again.

“If that is the case then why did they send a freshly graduated Seeker after me?”  Sunset’s voice sounded from the darkness and was hard to pinpoint.

“Ohhhh?” Alice said with a hint of amusement in her voice.  “What makes you think I’m a fresh Seeker?”  Alice’s green eyes searched the darkness for any hints of burnt orange.

Sunset Daisy would have just ignored this comment, but with all that had just happened to her and the mental turmoil it caused.  She wasn't thinking too clearly.  She answered with a scoff and said.  “Did you honestly think somepony like me wouldn't have found a way to keep tabs on what went on in the factory?”

The factory escapee paused, hoping the full implications of the question would sink in before she continued, “I had a pony keep a decent eye on the place without knowing what he was really doing and no pony else knowing either.  Plus, Happy Cloud’s escape was hardly subtle, despite the Pegasi doing all they could to cover it up or explain it away.”  Alice’s eyes widened just a hint, but the speaker noticed the slight movement.

Sunset dashed at Alice from the darkness thinking she might have caused the pony pause.  She was disappointed when her sword strike was once again held off by a simple decorative kitchen knife.  She retreated and attacked again.  This time Alice dodged her, but when she did so Sunset Daisy simply attacked once again.

Alice managed to block the sword strike, but Sunset didn't bother to keep their blades locked this time.  Alice was momentarily surprised when Sunset let her win the blade tug of war.  However when Sunset let Alice deflect her attack, the former factory worker sent a solid buck Alice’s way before the Seeker could take advantage of this small victory.

Alice was caught off guard and the full force of the buck sent her flying into the darkness.  When Alice was about to land hard against a wall, Sunset pressed her attack.  Alice recovered, dodged the attack, and landed a hit on the burnt orange pegasus.  Alice was a little pleased with this hit, but when Sunset kept going with the hit’s force and recovered in the next room, her momentary excitement ended.

Alice flew carefully into the next room.  This room was darker than the last one.  Alice couldn't make anything out in the area, but she didn't let it get to her.  She gave a cruel smile as she sang and hoped to bait her prey, “A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go!  Heigh ho a dariy-o, a hunting we will go.”

Alice looked around and couldn't make any movement out.  This didn't stop her singing though.  Alice continued, “A hunting we will go, a hunting we will go!  I’ll catch a pony, and make sure she never lives again!”

Sunset grimaced hearing this song.  She couldn't believe a Seeker would sing a twisted version of a foal’s song at a time like this.  Her eyes widened and she gave a smile.  In this split second of a decision, Sunset Daisy ended up sealing her fate.  She thought Alice was one of those already far gone Seekers, and probably recently promoted from the floor.  She prepared her next attack with this thought in her mind.

Alice would have smiled in victory when the burnt orange target charged her under the misconception about her mental state, but Alice was professional in her new job.  As the pegasus charged her, everything seemed to go in slow motion for both of them.  Each thought they had victory in their grasp now, but only one would end up being correct.

Sunset Daisy Charged with all of her might, which would have been enough for any pony she thought.  Her eyes widened in realization as Alice barely dodged her charge at the last split second and easily sliced deep through her side with that knife.  It took only a couple of seconds before she crashed and the pain registered in her brain.  Sunset let out an unearthly scream as she lay on the floor in pain.  She breathed heavily as she looked at her own blood pooling on the decrypted floor next to her.

She might have still tried something, but before she could recover Alice had her pinned to the wall and floor with that absurdly sharp blade on her neck.  Sunset Daisy would have given a weak laugh at the situation, but she knew that would kill her.  Sunset also knew Alice was for some reason allowing her a few last words.

Alice’s green eyes burned into her, but Sunset stayed strong.  She spoke, “Finish me.  Go ahead.  But realize this.  One day you will be in my position yourself, unless you become one of those full time floor workers.  No pony truly escapes the Rainbow factory.”

Alice’s eyes didn't change as she said in a low voice that only Sunset Daisy could hear.  “You are right, Sunset Daisy.  No pony who works there will escape it; much less deserve to escape it.  However, your biggest crime wasn't getting away from there.”

Sunset’s honey colored eyes widened in confusion.  “No.  It was the fact you didn't do anything but run and cower, that put you in this situation,” Alice said to her still in that low quiet voice.

Honey colored eyes widened further as Alice continued.  “You had the means and talents to actually make a difference with your lover and confederates.  Yet you didn't do anything but run.  It doesn't matter if you had even the Sun Princess to worry about.  You still took the cowardly way out.  This, and the fact you are a true traitor, is the reason I am here to end your life.”

Sunset was shocked to hear this.  She then looked into Alice’s eyes once again and realized fully what she had done to bring about her fate.  She still couldn't help but ask, “Then why didn't you just end me out right?  You're more than capable of doing that it seems?”

Alice’s face didn't change as she said, “You fought the best you could.  You made sure your survival meant something.  I figured you at least earned the right to speak your mind and fight for your own life.”

Sunset’s eyes grew just a little bit larger hearing this.  She then closed them and gave a small smile.  She had finally accepted her fate.  As Alice’s blade slit her throat and she started gagging on her own blood, a few last thoughts went through her mind.

Sunset Daisy wondered how such beautiful green eyes could hold such darkness.  She felt an odd peace as she started to drift off to her never ending sleep.  She felt calm and hopeful as a bright light appeared in the distant sky before her.  As she made her way to her eternity, she got one last glance at Alice and oddly felt the young pegasus was a dark angel sent here to end her misery.  She felt every bad thing she had endured and spent her life redeeming for was cleansed from her soul.

Sunset thought Alice had in a way bestowed a mercy on her.  She no longer had to suffer what she went through.  She felt the darkness in the pegasus, but there was hope and maybe even salvation for them all as well.  Oddly enough she wanted to thank the new Seeker for killing her.

Sunset Daisy’s soul gave a smile and felt warm as it thought everything would end up good in the end.  She wasn't sure if this was from her present detachment to the mortal world, or because despite it all she figured the pegasus before her would bring an end to the horror of the factory.  The horror that place brought on ponies affected those who worked there just as much as the sacrifices, but in a different way.

The Rainbow Factory was truly horrible.  It would take either a very twisted saint, or a corrupted demon to fully survive that place.  Sunset wasn't sure which Alice was though, but such things didn't matter to her anymore.  Her soul took comfort in the fact she would soon be meeting her wonderful lover in a plane where only love for another pony matter, and nothing else.  Not even such a horrible and heated argument would separate them in this new place.

Sunset’s soul soon found itself in a desert palace room with beautiful dark pink see through curtains covering the windows around her.  She smiled as she closed her eyes and let the pleasantly warm breeze wash over her.  This place felt serene.  She could also feel the love and comfort in the area around her.

Sunset actually found herself feeling thankful for her final release from the hell her life had become.  Sunset Daisy felt some concern for Alice and her own soul, but it didn't consume her thoughts.  Nothing really mattered to her now.  It was all over for her.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice felt odd as her target’s life ended.  She wasn't sure what to make of these feelings.  She felt proud to have partially completed her job, but she also felt oddly warm after having ended Sunset Daisy’s life.  She could have sworn she felt relief from the dark burnt orange pegasus’ body as it turned cold.

She would have thought longer on this feeling more, but she still needed to finish her job.  She hoped Rainbow didn't hear what she said to the departing pony, but if Rainbow did Alice hoped it would be chalked up to playing one last mind game on the target, and not count it against her in the evaluation.

Rainbow didn't hear what Alice said to the target as the pony died, but she figured it wasn't anything to worry about.  There had been many Seekers, including herself, who gave some of their targets closure before ending their life for whatever reason.  In Rainbow’s case, it was to give the target and herself some peace in what happened before it all ended.

Once Alice was sure the first target had died, she started thinking about the second target.  She wanted to take care of Twinkle Star as soon as possible, but she hoped the next target wouldn't be too much trouble.  Alice was a little exhausted after her fight with Sunset Daisy.

She now knew why double headers were so difficult.  She took one target out, but if she didn't act fast enough her second target might escape before she could confront her, or the authorities might pick up on her assignment.

Alice then did what she could to place the body so it would look like a successful and rather extreme suicide by a distraught pegasus after her painful break up.  Alice couldn't help but think how much of a double edged sword this situation really was for her target in the end.  Alice then casually and calmly asked Rainbow a question.  “Rainbow?  Why is a double edged sword horrible?”

Rainbow just blinked completely caught off guard by this question.  She even landed loudly in a heap as she asked, “What do you mean, Alice?”

“Well a sword is a blade.  My knife is also a blade.  A double edged blade wouldn't actually pose any threat to the wielder.  After all when using a sword or knife you hold it by the handle.  Not the blade itself.  So why would it be bad for a situation to be compared to a double edged sword?  That would simply mean you could attack and cut with both sides of the blade in front of you,” Alice said as she applied the last touch, a note.

It was a note that explained what happened.  She was always very good at writing and loved copying others hand script.   Sunset's was rather easy for her to copy since she managed to see a letter one of her unintentional informants gave her.  The pony kept going on about how wonderful Sunset Daisy was as a flight tutor.

Rainbow despite the situation placed a hoof on her chin in deep thought before eventually answering.  “You know, Alice.  I've never thought of that before.”  She gave a little laugh as she said, “I guess it doesn't actually make sense really.”

Alice nodded as she wiped her hooves on her white apron.  “I could see a double bladed sword being dangerous.  Well only if the blades were on opposing sides of the grip.  I guess doubled edged sword is just easier to say than that.”

She gave a sigh and said, “Oh well.  On to the next target, I wonder what Twinkle Star will be like.  Hopefully she will make the cleanup just as easy as this one did.”  The new Star number five looked around the room and said, “The hardest part was washing the splashes on the walls so they looked aged and from the past.”

Rainbow wondered about that a little bit, but was a little surprised, and to a lesser degree pleased.  Alice thought she had it easy on this mission.  Rainbow should have probably shuddered at this thought, but she was just proud of her choice in bringing Alice on board as a Seeker.  Really though, no other pony she knew seemed to adapt as well to this type of work as Alice seems to have.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice looked over the house before her and noticed no one was home currently.  She cautiously approached the building and was surprised to find the home unlocked.  She and Rainbow silently and carefully made their way through the home.

Eventually Alice found an office of sorts, once she read the journal on the desk she knew where to find Twinkle Star.  There was an old mission a decent bit away from the house, where Twinkle admitted she went to when things really bothered her like her fight with Sunset Daisy would have.

The two factory employees now stood on a cliff overlooking the old mission building below.  Rain was already lightly pouring around them and the old ruin.  Green eyes and rose colored eyes scanned the surrounding area for any defenses.  Neither Alice nor Rainbow Dash could sense anything around the area.

Rainbow’s rose colored eyes looked to Alice, and she was happy to see the green eyed pegasus wasn't unnerved by the lack of traps in the area.  Usually Seekers found a lack of danger as a bad sign and it noticeably affected them.  It seemed the lack of danger was a bit welcoming to Alice, but at the same time she kept cautious as they approached the ruin silently.

Alice kept her guard up, but realized it might be a possibility her next target had accepted her fate already.  Alice wasn't sure what she would do if that was the case.  She would kill them either way, but she wasn't sure if she would hear their story or not.

On one hoof, surrendering could be seen as a noble act.  This would only be if Twinkle Star realized she didn't deserve to live any longer for what she had done, or had realized nothing really matter for her anymore.  Alice could understand this action.  On the other hoof if the target ran here hoping to escape her fate, Alice didn't care to show even the slightest measure of sympathy towards her.

Alice slowly entered the building.  It was an old church to some super natural being she could tell, but she didn't know much of anything about pony religions, so she didn't know who it was for.  Alice heard a deep organ playing a slow and sorrowful tune, but didn't drop her guard.  Alice was currently at ease, but not to the point she could easily be defeated by her target.

“So they finally have sent somepony to kill me for what I did so long ago…  I’m a little surprised it took them this long to do such a thing.  Tell me what is your name young one?”  A steel blue pegasus with a dark purple mane turned around and looked at Alice as the music stopped.  It was Twinkle Star, even if she looked a little older than in her photo from the file at Headquarters.

“You seem rather calm….  Why do you care who I am?  I’m a Seeker sent here to deal with you,” Alice said.  Her eyes were a little narrowed as she subtly scanned her surroundings for any known dangers.  She couldn't really notice any, but she still kept her distance for the moment and her wits about her.

Twinkle Star gave a small smirk.  “Is it really so hard to believe I want to at least know who is about to end my life?  My suffering?”  Alice’s eyes gave just a hint of surprise to this and Twinkle noticed it.

“I have long wished for my undeserved release from life.  I have relived my time in the factory many nights since I ran from there.  I would have just ended my own life and been done with it altogether when I was there, but others talked about their desire to leave that hell.”  Twinkle turned to the statue in front of her as she took a breath and raised her forehooves to the ceiling.

Alice could understand where she was coming from.  She too had felt similar to that way before.  She decided to hear Twinkle out, even if she could tell the pegasus was the preachy type.  Alice threw that thought away, she decided the fact they were in such a place had filled the traitor with a sense of self-righteousness and thus led to her inevitable preaching.

“I knew they wouldn't be able to do it on their own.  I helped them out in the end.  I felt maybe if I could at least help those who have suffered like I did to live even just a little bit longer… I could be forgiven for what I did in the factory, even if only slightly.”  Twinkle sighed deeply, dropped her out stretched hooves and turned around to face her executioner again.

“However, once I was free from there…  I wanted to live.  I didn't have a reason for living, but I wanted to live anyways and find a reason.  It wasn't long after that I ran into Sunset Daisy.  I noticed she wasn't dealing with her past too well at the time, and decided I would help her in any way I could.  The two of us took relief in each other.  We knew what the other had been through and eventually fell in love for this main reason.”  Twinkle’s eyes turned sorrowful.

“It lasted for a long time, but we fought eventually.  I felt things were too nice for us.  She felt we had done what we could to try and make up for it all, and shouldn't feel upset about anything and just live our lives.”  Twinkle gave a smile and continued, “If I had just agreed with her maybe this meeting wouldn't be taking place at all.”

Twinkle gave yet another sigh as she noticed Alice still was on guard, “I might have been willing to fight you for my life, but after losing the pony I loved more than anything.  I just don’t care.  I want you to just end it all, and maybe tell me your name.”

Twinkle Star turned to look Alice in the eyes.  The sight of her green eyes was more intense than she thought it should be.  There was something in this pony’s eyes she couldn't explain.  She felt as if she was truly unworthy in front of this pegasus that would kill her.

Twinkle turned away from Alice.  She couldn't keep looking into her eyes.  “I tried to find other ways to help others, but I couldn't do it.  We even took a little colt under our wing.  He still lives, but neither of us deserves to be a part of his life.  I don’t deserve to experience anymore happiness even if second hand.  I know my fate and I have already accepted it.”

Alice walked up to her calmly and asked her, “Does he know about the factory?”

Twinkle’s eyes widened at this.  “Of course not!  We wouldn't have told him anything about that place!  We only made sure he wouldn't end up a sacrifice.  Would you really have ended him if we did though?  He is little more than a young colt.”

Alice’s face didn't change at all as she said, “If it was my duty.  I would.  But it doesn't really matter now does it.  You won’t be alive for much longer, even if you did put up a fight.”

Twinkle couldn't believe what she heard, but it was what she heard next that caused her to gasp as Alice’s blade ran through her.  “You, just like your lover, chose to run instead of something more.  You barely made your survival and escape mean anything…”

It was a little more than a whisper to Twinkle’s ears, but the words were puzzling to her.  She wondered if Alice was saying her lack of action after leaving the factory was a graver sin than what she did there.  As she felt her life ending and slumped forward, she realized this was most likely the case.

Alice then said to Twinkle Star, as blackness over took the former factory worker’s vision, “Now that you have paid for your sins enjoy the eternal rest I, Alice gave you.”

Twinkle Star’s eyes shown with one final flicker of small happiness before she finally died.  As her soul flew surprisingly upwards, she got one last glimpse of her executioner in the moonlight shining from a broken window.  She unknowingly then came to the same conclusion her lover did in her last moments. She thought Alice was some dark angel sent here.

Twinkle also saw a glimpse of rainbow colored mane and discovered answers only death could provide her in that brief moment.  Before she could dwell on these answers, she found herself no longer caring about the affairs of the living anymore.  She rose into the moonlight peeking through the clouds outside and felt calm.

Twinkle’s soul finally came to a stop in what looked like the interior of a beautiful desert palace.  There was a warm relaxing breeze that caused the thin curtains to flutter on the windows.  The place was serene and more importantly quiet.  No more would she hear the cries of innocents as essence was extracted from those ponies in front of them.

The place was perfect she thought, but there was one thing she felt was missing.  When she heard a warm and loving voice say from behind her, “Welcome home, love,” and two hooves wrap around her she smiled and knew nothing was missing after all.  She wasn't sure how she deserved this eternity, but it didn't matter to her.  She was completely at rest and warm with the one pony that mattered the most to her, Sunset Daisy.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice looked around and saw a sharp jagged object that matched her knife close enough to use as a part of the setup.  This target was even easier than the last one.  She didn't even have to clean up any extra blood.  Alice wiped the grime from her blade on her unofficially dubbed “Executioner Dress”.

Rainbow just watched silently from the corner as she thought over the two targets.  She found it odd both seemed to have died with peaceful expressions in the end.  Sometimes ponies had just given up in the past, but none she could think of had ever seemed peaceful.  Even Happy Cloud had only begrudgingly accepted his fate in the end.  Rainbow wasn't sure if this was somehow an Alice thing or if it was just these two targets.

Rainbow would have thought more on the subject presently, but Alice’s voice broke her from her musings.  “Well that was even easier than the first one.  I hope it was simply a good luck of the draw case this time.”  Alice was now hovering in the air giving the area a look over with her forehooves crossed on her chest.  Alice’s eyes caught something and she flew over to it and investigated it.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow as she asked, “Why is that?  Most Seekers would love a break like this especially on their first mission.”

Alice returned with what looked like a note held loosely in her lips.  She dropped the note right in front of the fallen pegasus.  Alice then placed one of Twinkle’s hooves in the pool of blood and used the bloodied hoof to push the note forward as she spoke.  “If that was the case then this job would actually get kind of boring.  Sure it might be interesting to hear a pegasus’ story, but if that was all that happened then I would tire of this job quickly.”

After staring in disbelief at how causal Alice acted for a while, Rainbow couldn't help but let out a laugh.  “I’ll keep that in mind when it comes to our more problematic cases, Alice.  After all I wouldn't want my hoof picked Star Seeker to get bored.  You might start cleaning up shop early or something.”  Alice said nothing to this comment as she double checked there wasn’t any evidence of what happened here tonight that might draw attention to the factory’s involvement.

Once everything was in ship shape, the two pegasi silently made their way back to their hotel room and in through the opened window to their shared room.  Alice had vanished her dress half way through their flight and took the first shower for herself.  Rainbow went to shower after her and once she emerged she asked Alice a question, “So what is your plan now, Alice?  Being your official observer I need to know if you have a plan or not.”

Alice just gave Rainbow Dash a beautiful smile as she answered, “I’m surprised there is a question about this.  After all, what sort of tourist would leave so soon after first coming to this wonderful city?  I plan on looking at the sights while I'm here.”  Alice seemed to glow with excitement as she said, “I heard they have some amazing shows in the casinos here!”

Alice then gave a meaningful look as she said solemnly, “Besides if I were to leave so soon after tonight it might draw undue attention to my presence here.  I don’t think it will take the officials too long to find at least one of them.  I’m sure they will be able to determine the time of death decently enough, and any logical investigator would check transportation records and those that left quickly after the incidents.”

Rainbow blinked a couple of times as Alice continued, “I am of course figuring they won’t buy the whole ‘suicide’ story right away, despite evidence to its authenticity.  My main concern is if they will get somepony like Investigator Hoofprints from Canterlot on the case, but I doubt that will happen.”

Alice sighed and said with a smile, “On a lighter note, do you happen to know of any great places here, Rainbow?  I wouldn't want you to be bored while observing me till the finish of the job.”

Rainbow gave a smile and said, “I actually do know of a few places, Alice…  I might even be able to get the factory to cover some of the expenses for the remainder of the trip, since I am still observing you and all.”

Rainbow gave a little chuckle as she said, “That is a unique approach, Alice.  Usually a Seeker finds a way to leave as soon as possible unnoticed.  It really can be a pain covering up for them after the fact sometimes.  Fortunately it doesn't happen too often at least.”

Rainbow then gave a small devilish smile as she said lowly, “I look forward to taking you out and around in Las Pegasus, Alice."  She gave a small flutter of her eyelashes before saying,  "Anyways goodnight, Alice.”

Alice gave a little blush to Rainbow's words.  Alice next gave a sweet smile as she said seductively, “With you around I’m sure it will be a goodnight.  Goodnight, Dashie.”  Alice gave a little giggle as she watched Rainbow Dash blush because of her tone and response.

While Alice drifted off to sleep, she briefly wondered at the cat’s mysterious absence.  She was relieved, but also surprisingly saddened by his disappearance from her life.  Sure it was nice not hearing his constant riddles and all around lack of help, but secretly she always thought of him as her best friend.  She also wondered how Rainbow would react to meeting him and very much wanted to watch that scene play out.
> Harvest Time!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Harvest Time again...”  Rainbow thought to herself from behind her desk.  Rainbow hated harvest time the most of this job.  It had taken a lot for her to get used to it.  Fortunately, she was already an exceptional flier when she was hired and they were in need of Seekers after “The Great Escape”.  She was spared the horrors of the floor more so than usual as a result.  For Rainbow and most Seekers, it was much easier hunting traitors that ran from the factory and killing them than working the floor.  After all, they weren't innocent nor were they mostly helpless, like the sacrifices.

Rainbow sighed as she thought over her past again.  The only good thing about Harvest time at the factory was the fact cider season struck right in the middle of it during a lull.  Sweet Apple Cider season was the best thing in the world to Rainbow Dash.  It helped her get through this time at the factory, even if she hardly ever got a mug.  Just being around happy, care-free, and friendly ponies was enough for her.  Sweet Apple Cider Season to Rainbow was Mid-Summer Breeze Festival to Fresh Breeze, it was their time to relax and decide all wasn't bad in life.

“Harvest Time” as they called it, actually spanned a few weeks.  Many thought Couldsdale was the only place that had a flight camp.  The truth was every pegasus city and some of the larger metropolitan areas such as Manehatten and Fillydelphia had camps as well.  Each of these other cities had branches of the factory in them.  The branches were just pretty much holding facilities before they sent the failures to the factory hub in Cloudsdale.  The transportation of sacrifices wasn't easy, but they rarely had any incidents during transport.

Rainbow remembered all too clearly her first harvest time at the factory.  She just did her job because she was so shocked after learning the truth of what she would be doing for it.  She thought the sobs and screams were just in her head at first because of the heavy shock.  To Rainbow and the others who just started, the simple pushing of buttons and pulling of levers was the only thing they could really focus on at the time.

Once the harvest was over and the gravity of her job sunk in, Rainbow immediately went to the Head Operations Director at the time.  She yelled at the pegasus mare before her and went on about how this wasn't right and they wouldn't be able to get away with this.  She even threatened to go to Celestia herself with the matter.

----Flashback-----

Rainbow was huffing and snorting steam from her nostrils as she finished her rant.  The Head factory Mare just shook her head and gave a sinister smile as she said, “Alright Rainbow Dash I hear you.  In fact, I will even set up a meeting for you and the Princess here in this very office.”

Rainbow just stared in disbelief wondering if they would actually make sure Celestia didn't leave alive after this meeting finished.  She wondered if they could even do that.  She wouldn't put it past them after what she learned about the factory.  If they could do that to fillies and colts, did they have any decency at all?

“She hates coming here herself, but feels she must from time to time to show she understands the burden we have and how sacrifices are needed for her little ponies to be happy as a whole.  But I’m sure she will make an exception to come here herself for a loyal Pegasus to the throne such as yourself.  She is always trying to keep in touch with her pony subjects after all,” The Head Operations Director said.

Rainbow drooped her head to those words.  If Celestia knew of this place and allowed it, then she couldn't really argue with it.  She would never turn her back on her friends or Equestria.  Still she didn't like this at all and had to ask, “There has to be another way to get rainbows… you know a way that wouldn't be this wrong.”

The Head Mare’s smile slipped from her face as she said solemnly.   “Do you think we chose this method without carefully weighing our options?  Do you honestly think we want to kill fillies and colts?”  There was a moment of silence here before the manager continued sternly, “No we don’t.  We tried several methods before this device’s construction.  None of the other methods worked as well.”  The mare behind the desk sighed “I really think we need to have a course about the history of the factory for new employees.”

Rainbow just stood there dumbly trying to figure it all out.  She even listened to the lecture that followed, because she wanted to hopefully find some way to understand it all.  She was desperate to find some method to the madness that was the Rainbow Factory.  She needed something to grasp on to for her own sake.

“Everypony knows about the Griffon War and how it affected both Equestria and The Griffon Nation.  Ponies were starving, depressed and needed some reminder of hope.  This was when we first started working on finding ways to make more rainbows.  Rainbows always brought smiles and joy to the many ponies of this land.  At the time, it was the only thing that could help ponies while Equestria got back on its own hooves.”  The old director looked Rainbow in the eyes making sure her lesson was sinking in.

“Dr. Frankenhoof came up with a device that allowed him to make rainbows for those near his home.  His machine was a lot smaller of course, but it brought much needed happiness to those around him.  His machine simply took pegasus weather magic alone.  It took a lot of his pegasus magic and he ended up dying a painful and suffering death as a result.  We got a hold of this device and tried to improve it.  No matter what we tried though we couldn't get it to work on a larger scale successfully.”  The head mare took a deep breath and sighed.

She rubbed her forehead with a hoof as she continued telling Rainbow Dash the history of the factory.  “After some time a Mr. Horsehyde found a solution.  He didn't want to share it at first because of how horrific it was.  He was the one who discovered what we call ‘Essence’ and the only way to extract it.  Eventually he had to share his findings, and after that it was a matter of how to minimize the damage it would cause.”

Rainbow gave a frown and spoke up while the director took a pause to take a sip of water.  “Why use it then if they knew how horrible it was?  Are rainbows really that important?  And why use young pegasi as sacrifices for it?”

“I was going to get to that next,” the director said with minor annoyance.  “Things were really bad during that time.  There were already a few minor revolts in Equestria after the war because ponies were angry about it all.  They even sometimes took their anger out on veterans from the war."

"We knew rainbows would solve this problem, because Frankenhoof’s home town was just like that before he starting using his machine.  We also had plenty of supporting evidence that backed this up.  We acted on this because the last thing we needed was civil war after the Griffon War.”

The manager sighed again, she was feeling old now.  “The reason we used young pegasi is twofold.  First of all we didn't think Unicorns and Earth ponies should have to suffer for what was mostly our responsibility, especially because weather magic was used in the original device.  The second reason was more complicated.”

“As you should know, if you paid attention in school…  Pegasi were our main force against the Griffons.   Most of the military forces during the war were pegasi, because there wasn't too much Earth Ponies and Unicorns could do against an aerial army at the time.  The public for the most part was scared the war wasn't really over, and the Griffons were just biding their time.”  The head mare’s eyes narrowed here with some deep seated hatred before going on with her lesson.

“The Griffons also knew our air power is what kept us in the fight for the most part.  They had taken to colt and filly napping to force families to work for them.  They needed to keep a low profile for this so they went after the weakest of flyers from after flight school, mainly the ones that failed or just barely passed the test.  So the pegasi grimly saw this as an opportunity to cut off our weak point as a race.”  The head mare looked to Rainbow Dash to see if she understood this.

Rainbow could understand this but she knew this was a long time ago, and relations between Equestria and the Griffon Nation were now really strong.  “Why still do this then?  That war was a long time ago.  Griffons are actually now strong allies to our nation.  Equestria is doing really well too.  Surely we don’t need to keep this up anymore.”

The director just gave a little chuckle and shook her head at Rainbow’s naivety.  “You are right about that, Rainbow Dash.  However, once you give a pony, griffon or even a zebra something they don’t want to lose it you can't easily take it back.  We have grown accustomed to having rainbows readily available for use.  Ponies aren't really willing to give up their rainbows, and if they learned the truth about rainbows…. well I guess you can imagine how bad that would be.”  Rainbow just frowned to this as she thought of the worst case scenarios and realized they were the most possible of outcomes.

----End of Flashback----

“Wonderful memories…”  Rainbow said dryly to herself as she sat down and started looking over the transport routes for the upcoming deliveries.  They would be getting the failures from Manehatten first followed by Fillydelphia.  Manehatten tried to have their tests during the perfect times of the year, since colder weather came quickly to that area.

Rainbow gave a scoff at that thought.  Manehatten used to have their flight test during the harshest times of the year during the war and for a good bit afterwards.  They prided themselves on producing only the best of the best flyers.  If you could pass a test through blizzards, and a midterm during the hotter months you were pretty much destined to be a successful flyer.

It didn't even matter if you were less than mediocre compared to your Manehatten peers in actuality.  You were still an amazing flyer in the grand scheme of things.  Fillydelphia usually followed Manehatten’s example on some matters to show they were just as wonderful of a city if not better, so they tested with the same setup.

That all ended when a pegasus with some heart ended up in a position of power though.  Mr. Trueflight ended up high in politics because he had friends in both high and low places.  He knew the exact right ponies to make a difference.  The surprising thing is he actually used his connections to help out ponies as a whole rather than just himself.  Once he was high up, he made Manehatten and Fillydelphia shift when they held their flight tests.  It was his way of minimizing the damage.

Rainbow shook her head to clear her many racing thoughts.  Her main concern was this would be Alice’s first harvest as a part of the factory.  Rainbow shouldn't play favorites or anything and she knew Alice would make it through the ordeal as alright as possible, or so she hoped.  The truth was after seeing Alice’s first Seeker mission and being away from the mare, Rainbow actually felt a little concerned about Alice…  No, not just concerned.  Rainbow was actually a little scared of Alice.  Alice was exceptionally good at her new job honestly and it scared Rainbow Dash.

Don’t get her wrong she was proud Alice did so well.  She even celebrated with Alice after her mission in Las Pegasus.  Rainbow thought Alice was just a tourist on many occasions during the trip.  Rainbow herself thought Alice a friend of hers she recently met while on vacation, and Rainbow saw what she did during the mission in person.  That fact alone made Alice even more dangerous in Rainbow’s eyes.

Rainbow saw what Alice did.  How efficient she was as a Seeker.  It was her first mission, and a double header.  Yet, Alice seemed like an excited tourist that had never before seen such wonders as Las Pegasus.  Even when the news broke and Twinkle Star’s body was discovered quickly, Alice still fit in all too well.  Rainbow even asked her about this when they were alone, and how she felt about everything.

---- Flashback----

The dark haired pegasus just gave Rainbow Dash a simple smile as she answered her, “Honestly, I am a little disappointed in the authorities.  I had expected them to find her body sooner than this.  Such a locally well-known pegasus mare is silent for a long time, and no one heard from her for a few days after such a scene?  Not to mention I know ponies have been checking up on her as well.  Yet no one thought her silence odd or problematic.”

Rainbow was a bit confused by this answer.  She would have questioned it, but Alice didn't let her.  “I do hope they find Sunset Daisy soon as well.  It would be a shame if her body decayed unnoticed in such a ruin of a building.  She wasn't a complete disappointment after all.”

“Aren't you worried they might find something there, Alice?  Something that might link you to her death?”  Rainbow asked still confused.

Alice gave Rainbow a sweet and confident smile as she said, “Rainbow we already covered this that night…  I am only going to be concerned if Inspector Hoofprints is put on the case.”

Rainbow gave Alice a look as she asked, “Why him, Alice?  Why does it only bother you if he is on the case?”

Alice gave a slight frown.  “Because then he might find out something and I would have to clean up an extra loose end.  I could do it, but I kind of like him.  I actually slept with him back before you recruited me.  It was my first time consensually and he was a wonderful gentle stallion.”

Rainbow’s eyes narrowed slightly and Alice reassured her.  “We both knew it was a one-time only thing, and were happy with that.  However, having to kill him would be a waste of a talented pegasus detective.  Not that it would be hard to set up something that doesn't lead to me or the factory if needed.  I wouldn't hesitate either, but I wouldn't be happy with such an outcome.”

Alice’s words actually reassured Rainbow.  The two of them didn't really have anything going on and might not, but Rainbow was relieved.  The main reason being that Alice wouldn't let the factory down because she was attached to a pony she needed to eliminate.  The other reason, Alice didn't really say anything that might mean she wasn't open to mares being with each other.

Rainbow slipped into Observer mode and thought of the different options to this changed situation.  She knew what she would do in this situation, but Alice was new to this kind of thing even if she was very good at it.  “So what is your plan now. Alice?”

Alice gave a thoughtful look for a couple of seconds before smiling and saying.  “We continue touring this wonderful and amazing place.  After all… A suicide may be horrible and depressing, but not uncommon, especially in a place like this.  Besides not all tourists pay attention to the local news when they are on holiday, and even if I did by chance it wouldn't cause more than a sad couple of days.  That would only happen if I was extra sensitive.  Plus all of the money put into this trip and having the hotel for a couple of weeks would keep a sensible pony here.”

Rainbow’s face was emotionless as she asked, “What if it is ruled as a homicide and the two are connected while you are still here like you think it will be?”

“That depends on the situation at the time that information is given to the public,” Alice answered easily.

“How so?” Rainbow Dash pressed.

“Well if I am low on money I would get out rather quickly.  After all with a killer on the loose going after pegasus mares, I would feel threatened.  However… if I happen to win big in a casino while I’m here.  I might prefer the security of such a decent hotel over possibly traveling with a killer on a train.  I would think being in a place with several ponies might deter a killer from picking me as their target.  Whether this is logical or not wouldn't matter.  Any panicked tourist would think that way.”  Alice exhaled and stretched her wings.

“That’s very smart, Alice.  You have not one, but two possible ways for handling such a situation.  What would you do if Hoofprints is brought into the case?”  Rainbow looked at Alice’s backside with a little extra interest.  She still wanted to hear her answer, but Alice did have a wonderful flank.

“I would keep an eye on the case and only take action if it is very likely they are going to find me.  If I act too soon it would be bad.  If I act too late…  It would be just as bad or worse,” Alice said not noticing Dash’s eyes.

Rainbow’s eyes widened a little in surprise.  Alice’s answer was very close to what she would do in this situation after all her years of experience as a Seeker with the factory.  Rainbow gave a smile as she stretched before then getting ready for bed that night as well.  She really did pick a great mare for this kind of a job she thought to herself.

----Flashback Ends----

While their mission concluded, Rainbow just enjoyed her trip with Alice.  It was very enjoyable for them both.  She felt they got a little closer as friends too.  Rainbow gave a smile as she thought over their nights out and Alice’s lucky streak at the casinos and the fun, the spoils brought both of them.  The green eyed mare was very good at cards, and knew when to get out without getting in trouble with security for “cheating”.

Yes, Rainbow enjoyed the trip a lot. Alice did really well and they had lots of fun.  These two facts made it both pleasant and scary.  Alice wasn't bothered by what she did.  She wasn't extra excited nor was she upset by it all.  This made Alice very dangerous, and made Rainbow apprehensive about the upcoming harvest.

Sure Alice was an excellent Seeker.  But Seekers go after traitors that have their hooves covered in just as much blood as any factory worker.  The sacrifices didn't though.  They really were innocent.  Alice may not have qualms with killing an innocent pegasus, who chose to cower in fear rather than fly off and try to escape her would be rapists and killers like Peach Shine, but that was just one pony… not hundreds.

Rainbow poured herself a drink and took a sip as she looked out onto the floor being prepped for their first arrivals.  However, the thoughts on her mind were about how Alice would react to killing many fillies and colts who were only guilty of failing their flight test.  Some really stood no chance in passing to begin with, but plenty would arrive only because of bad luck or because they didn't want to abandon their friends who failed.

Standing by your friends no matter what, was one of the most admirable of traits a pony could have, but it wouldn't matter here much.  Every sacrifice who was shipped here would end up the same regardless of all else.  How would the new Number Five, who proved she could hold a very talented and smart Seeker’s life in her hooves easily, react to the truth?

Rainbow liked Alice a lot and wanted to get closer to her.  She felt Alice could be the one for her.  The one who she could spend her life with.  Someone she could tell everything too.  Someone who knew exactly what she went through at the factory every day, but Rainbow couldn't ignore how dangerous Alice could be to the factory.  Perhaps Night Chill was right to be interested and concerned about her at the same time.  Alice could hold the very future of the factory in her own hooves.

Alice could be perfectly fine with what they do here, and it might not negatively affect her.  Alice might stay true to the factory and her fellow co-workers if this was the case, or she could end up climbing the ranks and ending all those who escaped and take over control of the factory.  Rainbow wasn't afraid of Alice taking over per se, but she did shudder at the thought of how Alice giving into the darkness might change things here.

Rainbow took a long sip of her drink.  This first thought was bad and a little frightening to her, but the flip-side of how Alice reacted to Harvest Time was even scarier.  If she eventually did decide she didn't like what they were doing and rebelled.  It would be far worse for all involved.

At best Alice’s anger at what they did would be a soul shattering event for Rainbow Dash followed by never ending paper work, and an inquiry about the loyalties of those at the top of the factory’s ranks.  Plus Rainbow would hate to have to end Alice’s life.  The new pegasus seemed like Dash’s last chance at saving herself.  Killing Alice would also kill this last chance and she would sink into the deep darkness like so many others here did.

Rainbow knew her eternity would be a never-ending horror and pain for what all she had done.  If she could find that special somepony, or a way into retirement where all she did was the Ponyville weather while visiting her friends, she would be more than happy and make the best of her remaining time in life.

If she had to end Alice, it wouldn't matter though… Rainbow knew there wouldn't be anything left saving if she had to kill the beautiful dark haired pegasus with the smooth light tanned coat.  Alice was strong.  Alice was the only one that could possibly survive the horrors of this place no worse off than she already was Rainbow felt.  However having to kill her would show Rainbow just how hopeless it all truly was.  Never mind if she was capable of doing said deed.

Rainbow wanted to say it would only be her desperate hunger for love and understanding that might allow Alice to win against her, but Rainbow knew better.  She knew despite what Alice said and did during the first mission the mare was still capable of much more.  She had yet to show what all she was truly capable of doing.  Rainbow wasn't sure if Alice herself knew what she could really do.  This made the newest Star’s reaction much more worrisome.

Rainbow knew Alice wouldn't go quietly if she disagreed with what they do here.  Alice wouldn't just run away and hide while she waited for the end to her life.  No, the dark maned pegasus would do all she could to bring the factory down.  The scary thing was Rainbow could tell she might be able to do it, and leave none alive.  Alice would even kill messengers like Fresh Breeze for their inaction and turning a blind eye to what went on here without a hint of mercy or sorrow.

Alice’s skills were almost equal to her own or better in the parts that mattered.  Sure Alice couldn't do a Sonic Rainboom, or beat her in an all-out straight line race, but if the two fought each other.  Rainbow’s speed wouldn't make much of a difference to Alice in the confines of the factory.  Alice was more agile and had her bursting ability.  The director would bet she already knew how to make best use of that skill, and maybe even improved it since their race.

Rainbow took another sip of her drink.  The strength of the alcohol mixed into it was strong and at the same time soothing without being overpowering.  The director continued to stare out on to the floor, lost in her thoughts.

Rainbow knew in the worst case scenario Alice would destroy the factory and leave no pony alive.  The cyan pegasus knew few here deserved to live a peaceful life and some would be happy to let it all end, but Rainbow couldn't let things end like that not on her watch.

She figured after the factory Alice might even go after Celestia just for letting such a place exist.  It would be Alice’s end most likely.  Or worse yet it could be the doom to all of Equestria because Celestia decides it is finally time for her to pay for sins she didn't commit herself.

Celestia might decide all the good she did for Equestria and the millions of pony lives she saved wouldn't matter simply because of the factory’s existence.  The Sun Princess already felt enough guilt for her actions against her sister all those years ago.  Only the princess herself knew the true extent of the guilt she felt for the Rainbow Factory.

Rainbow gave a dry chuckle as she thought, “Honestly…  If it wasn't for that last part, Alice destroying this place and killing everypony here might be the best way for things to turn out in the end…”  Rainbow gave a sigh and downed the rest of her drink before putting on her dark flight suit.  “Time to make rainbows,” the cyan pegasus said softly to herself before putting on her flight goggles and hood.

She made her way slowly to her door as she thought about how risky and unknown Alice really was.  She knew if she wasn't ready things could get really bad with Alice, but she was aware of this possibility.  Rainbow knew something might happen with the newest seeker and she was ready to end it all hopefully before it started if need be.  She was taking a risk but she needed Alice, even if they were no more than friends.  Rainbow flew to her position knowing the time was near, and soon heard a large door open and many confused murmurs from the containment cell.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice got up for the day inside her new bedroom.  It was her first harvest at the factory.  Alice wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was a little apprehensive about how she would handle it all.  She didn't know what it would be like during harvest time here.  The crazed floor workers were getting really excited, while ponies like Fresh Breeze were being very quiet and some of the others were going on like it was just another normal day.

Currently Alice was eating breakfast by herself in the factory’s cafeteria.  She actually thought the food here was pretty tasty.  Well not the free meal they offered for ponies that needed to save a little cash and couldn't really get out and about.  However the main menu a pony had to pay for was a different story.  There was a delicious and varied selection daily and it was decently priced to boot.

Alice had chosen cereal and toast with juice this morning.  She was advised it might be best if she had a lite and easy breakfast before her first Harvest.  She stared at the spoon she held as she sat at the table taking a small break from eating.  Alice still didn't know how it was she could hold a spoon with a hoof, but it always happened.  She knew other ponies were the same way too, but this further confused the issue.  Alice shook her head and let her eyes roam the cafeteria.

Alice looked over the other Stars and the Top 15 carefully.  She wasn't sure what to make of them really.  Most of the Top 15 looked like they would be all too happy if something unfortunate were to happen to her.

Her fellow Stars on the other hand were different.  She looked at them as she took a bite of her cereal holding the spoon in her mouth as she thought back to her return from Las Pegasus.  The “Welcome New Stars Party” they held once she was back from her double header mission was unexpected, but not entirely unpleasant.

The other Stars were friendly enough, but guarded around her.  She felt a little like an outcast.  She supposed she could understand their actions.  It was one of their own that recently caused an “incident” and she was completely new as a factory employee, yet she reached the position of Star Number Five with relative ease.

Number One, Dark Glow, was quiet and didn't really say anything to her.  Number Two, Night Chill, talked to her a little but seemed to always be watching her and ready to defend himself.  Alice figured this made sense since she held a razor sharp knife to his throat during their match in the Seeker Test.

Number Three seemed to be a little interested in her since she was another burster, but at the same they seemed to feel threatened by her.  Alice knew Number Three never had met another burster and probably wanted to seem like the “Alpha Burster” or something like that.

Number four at least was a rather pleasant stallion and easy to talk to.  The party did little to ease the tension between Alice and the other Stars in the end unfortunately, but at least the food was good.

Alice now had better living quarters than the standard fare Seeker barracks. She now had three rooms to herself.  She had her own bedroom, her own bathroom and her own study.  She could use these rooms for as long as she was a Star even if she had her own home later.  Here she could spend a lot more time preparing for her missions using the information provided to her before-hand as she made up a plan of attack.

The rest of the Stars’ barracks, which was more like a shared house than a barracks, was nice.  There was a large common area they all shared, a decent kitchen for cooking and a nice shared dining room.  The purpose for such facilities was to encourage a certain level of amity among the group.  Alice wasn't sure if that would make much of a difference in her case though.  She gave a sigh to the other Stars and finished her breakfast before going to get ready for her first Harvest Day.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice was now wearing her “Executioner Dress” as she stood on the factory floor waiting.  The other floor workers were wearing white coats of some kind.  Alice asked to wear her dress since it covered her just as well as the coats would, and she knew it wouldn't restrict her movements.  She looked around and soon noticed Rainbow Dash appear in her flight suit as she heard a large door open and confused murmurs from what sounded like several young ponies.

Alice just looked around curiously as the container made its way to the factory floor.  Many of the Factory Floor lifers started to give crazed smiles of anticipation.  Some Messengers and Seekers who had floor duty this time gave expressions of sadness, indifference, or disgust.  Alice knew the looks of disgust were aimed at the sacrifices and not the actual rainbow production process in many of their eyes.  These ponies failed their flight test and were embarrassments to all of the great pegasus race.

As the containers settled down, Alice got a good look at the ponies inside them for her first time.  Alice’s eyes raced with emotions of all sorts as she actually looked over the ponies inside the containers.  She saw a filly that was about Scootaloo’s age with a coat like Fresh Breeze’s and a mane and tail of a beautiful combination of blue and pink.

The filly’s eyes were wide and had tears in the corners.  She looked straight into Alice’s vivid green eyes pleading for mercy.  If Alice didn't know better she would swear the filly saw straight into her soul.

Alice just stared at the filly not sure what to make of this whole scene.  Seeing actual faces instead of just vague embarrassments caused a greater impact than she thought it would.  It was one thing to kill Peach Shine who passed her test, but was too cowardly to evade her would be rapists.

Here she was staring at a bunch of fillies and colts that for all she knew only failed because of bad luck.  Alice always had a soft spot for children.  When she thought about this day, she didn't take into account how young some of them would actually be.

She had no regret for killing Bumby because of this soft spot for children on top of everything else he did.  Sure the kids at Houndsditch liked to make fun of her, but she saw the treatments children went through at Rutledge Asylum.  It was one of her ‘caregivers’ ideas of shock treatment.  Alice’s green eyes grew wider as she saw other fillies and colts look specifically at her.  It unnerved her somewhat, but Alice did her best to remain uncaring despite the sudden flood of deep seated dark memories her brain reached for.

Despite her efforts to harden her heart and be uncaring she knew this moment would change something inside her.  It was one thing to hunt down ponies with the blood of innocents on their hooves.  It was a different thing to actually hear the cries of pony children who still had so much promise in their lives.

These young ponies failed their test once and would never be allowed to try again.  Without warning, Alice thought about the possibilities of how some of these ponies might actually succeed if given a second chance and maybe even become great pegasi.  Alice shook her head and did her best to concentrate on the thought of them being useless ponies that only brought shame to their fellow pegasi ponies and nothing else.

Alice turned away and focused on the lever and buttons in front of her.  She then heard a slightly squeaky voice which seemed to have an increasingly soothing effect on her despite the apparent hatred it broadcasted.  “Listen up you sorry excuses of pegasi ponies!  Welcome to the Rainbow Factory!” Rainbow said aloud.

A colt spoke up in a shaky voice, “What are you going to do to us?!  The guards said we would never see daylight again!  What is going on?!”  The colt had a spiky red mane with a light yellow coat and a pair of wings attached to a cloud for a cutie mark.

“You are all useless and pathetic!  You failed your flight test, you failed your family, and you failed the pegasi race along with Equestria!” Rainbow said, her goggled eyes seemingly filled with a burning hatred.  Alice wasn't sure what the hatred was aimed at though.  It could be the colts and fillies in the container or it could be the factory itself.

Alice just listened as several ponies protested in various ways.  Some claimed they failed because they dived to help out their fellow injured ponies.  Others said they only failed because the judges were a little extra picky on them.  Alice closed her eyes as she tried to drown out the young voices and not think about what was to become of them.

Rainbow gave a laugh that sounded malicious to most ponies.  Alice however could tell it was forced and knew it was partly for show.  She opened her darkened green eyes.  Alice was tempted to look at the container, but she needed to focus on the controls she was told to operate for this harvest day.

Alice started reminding herself it was because of the Rainbow Factory she was able to make a living here.  She tried to think about the importance of rainbows and happiness of ponies mentioned in her orientation.

Rainbow was pacing and glaring at each filly and colt in the container below.  She spoke again, “However, you ponies will be doing Equestria a great service in your final minutes of life despite being the scum of the great pegasus race.  You should all be proud.  You will not only redeem yourselves, but you will also bring happiness to many ponies through your sacrifice.”

Alice knew several of the fillies’ and colts’ eyes had just widened hearing the word ‘sacrifice’.  Rainbow continued, “You all should be happy, because just as the sign here says. ‘You will bring happy smiles to all of the little ponies.’  You are all horrible and unworthy pegasi, but you will help contribute to Equestria in one of the biggest ways through your last moments of life here.”

Alice closed her eyes and focused on her thoughts of Rainbow Dash and the director’s voice as the beautiful rainbow maned pony told the shocked audience about the history of the Rainbow Factory.  Despite the lecture Alice did find her voice soothing to her ears.  She tried her hardest to focus on continuing to live up to Rainbow Dash’s expectations of her.  It helped her focus and start to somewhat drown out the cries of the young ponies in the container behind her further.

After Rainbow finished the history of the Rainbow Factory the machine started running.  The screams and cries increased in volume and as the machine’s monstrous pistons started pumping.  Alice watched as the claw reached into the container and grabbed a filly and suspended her in the air.  The small pegasus screamed with all of her might before the stun gun activated and she suddenly went completely silent as blood trickled from her forehead.

The extraction needle sharply penetrated her in the side and the essence started to flow through the tubing.  Alice couldn't help but be drawn to the brightly colored essence as it pumped through the clear tube.  She needed to focus on something else other than the Sacrifices and the pretty fluid.  Several of the young ponies screamed louder after witnessing this action as if their screams would somehow make a difference now.

The sickening and dark truth was they did…

Some of the life time floor workers gave twisted sadistic smiles and cheers as if the screams were a symphony of the highest caliber to their ears with melodies angels would be impressed hearing.

Alice was torn witnessing this reaction from her ‘co-workers’.  Part of her wanted to rip, tear and slice everypony on the floor for taking such satisfaction in the barbaric orchestra of screams and cries before her.  Another part of her wanted to politely remind them to pay attention to their duties while enjoying their choice of music.  A third part wanted to just do her job and hope Rainbow Dash would be pleased with her.  A final part of Alice wanted to yell at the Sacrifices and tell them to shut up and just accept their inevitable fate and be grateful for it.

The arm next grabbed a colt who tried his best to face what was to come.  Alice was partly tempted to save him.  He may not be a good flyer, but he was braver than most adult ponies she could tell from his eyes.  She didn't like weakness, but if the weakest of ponies had such bravery then she felt they deserved to live and be given another chance.  She might have even shed a tear for him had she any tears left to shed.

In the end, Alice’s will to stand by the rules of the factory and not disappoint Rainbow Dash won out.  She took some very small solace he was sure to be sent to dine for eternity with the greatest of pony ancestors because of his bravery.  Alice pulled her lever and it signaled the essence extractor to do its job as the tube and pistons rotated.  There was a set sequence the levers were pulled in to make sure of equal color extraction, and her lever was now up.

The brave colt’s eyes closed and she knew his immense bravery mattered little now.  Alice’s green eyes turned a little colder after witnessing the scene.  It was a shame his bravery mattered very little as the life was drained from him.  Alice hoped whatever pony was graced with a rainbow filled with his essence would find bravery and live up to his sacrifice.

Alice heard a filly shout at them and call them monsters without souls for doing what they did.  It seemed this filly still had some fire in her, or more likely she was attracted to the colt that was just harvested.  Alice shook her head in disappointment thinking that if this filly cared more about her flight skills and her very essence as a pegasus then maybe the two of them would have lived.

Alice then thought of the frivolity of ‘love’ at such a young age and how it only did harm in her eyes.  Alice knew her thoughts were racing all over the place, but she was happy for this.  It gave her brain something to do while her body just did the simplest of tasks, push buttons and pull levers.

After a few more pegasi, it was finally the earlier shouting filly’s turn.  Alice felt a twisted pleasure that she would soon no longer have to suffer her annoying insults and complaints.  Alice almost gave a sinister smile as she pulled the lever and the needle stabbed harshly into the filly causing her blood to spray on the remaining sacrifices.  A good number of them shrieked at this.  Alice was unfazed.

Alice soon remembered her time at Rutledge and realized how lackluster this place was compared to it.  Alice’s eyes narrowed as she thought about her time in the asylum, and how the ‘caretakers’ took advantage of her madness.

They would strap her down and enjoy her female body.  Her screams of anger were met only by laughs or sneers.  She remembered how she would hear the moans and random screams from her fellow ‘guests’ at Rutledge as she experienced this.  A dark fire lit in Alice’s eyes as she began to mentally scoff at the ‘Sacrifices’.

These fillies and colts knew nothing of suffering.  They were knocked unconscious and given a quick but still slightly bloody death.  They were allowed to escape future pain and suffering.  They were sent to a place where they would know only peace and joy in the afterlife.

They weren't forced to relive the loss of their family and home to fire every night for ten straight years.  Even when Alice went catatonic, her mind still forced her to see those images as they replayed over and over again and again.

Alice remembering her past suffering caused her green eyes to glow darkly in anger.  Her face held a sneer and her left eye even twitched once or twice in anger.  What they were going through was nothing compared to the hell she went through and survived.  They were just weaklings and failures.  They deserved no sympathy from her.

Alice no longer cared for their cries and suffering.  They were given an easy way out.  They would no longer go through pain, suffering, and loss.

They wouldn't have to witness loved ones burning alive in their homes because an idiot stallion thought their sister was playing hard to get, and wanted to be taken despite her obvious disinterest in said stallion’s advances.

They also didn't have to be a frightened and lonely girl of seven years old.  Who couldn't help but hear their older sister, the one they were closest to in their life, be raped by said stallion.

Alice ground her teeth as images of Bumby forced their way into her mind again.  Once again, she heard his gloating over how he conquered her sister and achieved the same with her.  Alice pulled the levers and pushed the buttons subconsciously and on time as her mind thought more about those times.

The Sacrifices had it easy.  These fillies and colts weren't being used as sex toys for twisted perverted adults.  How easy they had it in relation to the kids she knew in London.  Yet they cried and screamed as they went into blissful unconsciousness.  Many she knew, including herself, would have preferred this to the life they had to live and suffer through.

Alice heard two sets of wings start to beat really fast and knew two ponies had escaped the container.  One was a colt and the other was a filly.  These pegasi were probably ones that only failed because of some odd misfortune.  Alice knew her fellow workers could easily take care of them, but she was angry.  She needed a release.  These fillies and colts were refusing the sweet release the factory offered them.

Alice gave a dark grin.  Her job was to take care of ponies who tried to escape the factory.  Alice quickly took off to the sky and used her burst ability to slice one of the filly’s wings causing her to crash to the floor with a sick sounding crunch.

Alice’s blazing green eyes narrowed on the astonished colt as she sent three cards his way.  Two struck true on his wings, and as he plummeted to the ground Alice caught him and set him down gently.  He was higher in the air than the filly was.  Alice knew if a sacrifice died too quickly it would cause their essence to dim.

Alice’s green eyes still seemed to burn as she looked at the container and shouted, “Stop crying!  You think it’s horrible what you are going through right now, but it isn't.  You are allowed to depart from this word mostly innocent.  You won’t have to slowly suffer as everything you hold dear is taken before your very eyes.  You won’t be tricked into doing acts of depraved humiliation just to live!”

The colts and fillies were surprisingly quiet as was most of the staff in the factory as Alice continued, “You have no reason to cry like this.  You won’t be tricked into doing things by the very stallion that took your family’s lives or anything of the like.  You will never see or experience more of the darkness that surrounds this world.  You will soon find yourselves in a wonderful and happy afterlife.”

Night Chill was passing by in an elevated hall as Alice started speaking.  His eyes were narrowed in thought and his face unreadable as he wondered what Alice might have gone through to give her such an outlook on life.

Rainbow Dash was listening carefully as well, but also disappointed the look outs hadn't acted as quick as Alice did to subdue the escaping pegasi.  Alice wasn't on lookout duty today.  She shouldn't have to do it.

“Just accept that fate has dealt you the worst of hands and you are paying for all the wrong you have done now.”  Alice finished before taking her place at the lever once again.

The remaining ponies in the container were stunned and felt even more hopeless after seeing what they had just seen.  But they were quiet now.  They had grimly realized no matter what happened, they were doomed and wouldn't escape.

Once the first container finished, Alice received different responses to her actions.  The more sane ponies were slightly relieved they didn't have to hear the pleadings and cries all day long like usual, but many of the life time floor workers were angry with her.  They wanted to hear more cries and pleadings from the sacrifices, but they wouldn't dare cross Alice.  There was something about her and they didn't wish to press her at this time.

The factory received two more shipments that day and dealt with them.  Alice decided to just ignore the cries from the ponies the rest of the day as her darkened green eyes seemed to be lost in thought.

Truth be told after her outburst earlier, Alice felt just the tiniest bit better.  She then found a way to drown out the cries of the sacrifices and only heard when a few ponies tried and failed to escape.  She helped with some of the ‘hopefuls’ but her fellow employees were more than able to subdue failed colts and fillies.

After the last shipment was dealt with, Alice took her dinner and slowly ate it.  She thought over the day.  Despite the events that happened and her hardened heart she still did feel a slight bit uneasy about what she had done that day.  She wasn't sure why she felt this way, but at the moment she played it off as just getting used to a different aspect of the job.

Once she was finished with her dinner, Alice was summoned to Rainbow’s office.  Alice looked down to the factory floor at the blood splatters and the machines pumping away with different colored essences being compressed to the vats for rainbows.

Alice’s currently uncaring green eyes looked to the bodies that had piled up in the disposal trench.  Tomorrow they would be given a burning ceremony as they were ‘buried’ early in the morning as the sun rose.

Alice thought it odd how the dead pegasi ponies seemed to be duller in color than they were originally.  She could only guess it had something to do with their essence having been extracted.

As Alice made her way to Rainbow’s office, her eyes took in the sight below her more.  Unknown to her the sight did have some impact on her conscious.  Would this have a big effect on her or not, she didn't know yet.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice knocked on Director Dash’s door before she heard a reply to enter.  Alice shook off her rather gloomy disposition before entering the office.  The rainbow maned pegasus gave her a slight smile as she said, “Alice.”  Alice nodded in reply and made her way to the chair Rainbow motioned for her to sit in.

Once Alice sat down, Rainbow asked, “How are you feeling, Alice?  The first harvest day is usually tough to wrap your head around.   Also there was your little outburst too.”  Alice looked down to the ground avoiding her boss’ eye.

Rainbow simply looked at her before speaking again, “I do have to say I was kind of glad you got that first group to shut up like that.  It is hard enough doing what we do without their noise.”  It wasn't the best way to try and uplift Alice but Rainbow had to try something.

Alice gave a sigh and looked to Rainbow, “I am sorry about the outburst…  I have been through worse before and felt they shouldn't throw such fits…  I don’t really wish to talk about it right now though, Rainbow.”  Alice gave Rainbow a soft and pleading look.  Alice wasn't up to talking about her past with Rainbow Dash, and she hoped Rainbow wouldn't press her on the matter.

Rainbow gave Alice a look over for a minute before responding.  “It is alright, Alice.  Just try to make sure it doesn't happen too often.  While it may be a bit of a relief to have silence, your philosophical talks might give some of our workers ideas and cause problems in the future.”

The two sat there in silence for a few moments before Rainbow asked softly, her voice filled with concern, “So how are you feeling after your first harvest day, Alice?”

Alice studied Rainbow for a little bit before answering.  “I am slightly conflicted but it shouldn't cause any issues.  I will still be able to perform my duties to the factory without issue.”  Alice was hoping she wouldn't get in trouble for her outburst.

Rainbow gave her a surprisingly warm look as she softly smiled and said, “It’s okay, Alice.  It was your first harvest day.  If you have any concerns or problems tell me.  I will help you get over them the best I can.   Rarely do any new workers get through their first harvest without some problems.  We help them in any way to make it through.  After all, we wouldn't recruit new employees and then just quickly toss them to the side.”

Alice gave Rainbow a disbelieving look as the cyan pegasus continued, “We recruit the best of the best for this facility.  We are invested in our employees to some extent.  We understand that it can be a bit much for a new employee.  Most ponies have no idea what it means to be a part of the factory, or a full grasp on what we actually do here until their first time working the floor.”

Alice wanted to trust Rainbow Dash with what was bothering her after hearing this, but due to her past she was reluctant to do so.  Alice just gave Rainbow an emotionless face as she said again, “It isn't anything to worry about, Rainbow.  I appreciate the concern though.”

Rainbow wasn't sure of Alice’s claim, but she decided the full gravity might not have settled in yet.  She planned on keeping a close eye on her for a few reasons though.  “Alright.  Just remember I am here if you ever want to talk about it.  I know what it's like.  I too had trouble with my first harvest.”  Rainbow then gave a warm and friendly smile to Alice.

“Thank you, Rainbow.  I will keep that in mind.  May I go now?”  Alice asked simply.  Rainbow nodded to her and the dark maned pegasus left the office and headed to her living quarters.

Once Alice found herself in her bedroom, she thought again on her day and wondered what it was that was bothering her.  She had seen children suffer far worse than death before, yet for some reason it was bothering her more than she thought it would.

She heard a familiar sigh from the corner of her bedroom and turned to look.  “So what is it that’s bothering you, Alice?”  Said a welcomed deep voice from an equally welcomed cat.  The cat had his ever knowing and all too wide grin in place.

Alice, surprisingly, gave Cheshire a smile and sat next to him.  “Oh Cheshire!  I am for once actually somewhat pleased to see your grin.”

The cat gave a deep chuckle.  “Try to deny it all you want little Alice, but you and I both know you severely miss my presence when I take off suddenly.”  Alice gave him a halfhearted frown, which caused the cat to only chuckle more.  “So what is it you wish to ask of me, Alice?  You do know that I am always with you in a sense right?  Even if you may not know it.”

Alice gave a scoff, “If you were always with me, like you say.  I have a feeling it wouldn't be long before I tired of your company, Cat.  However this isn't the case.  You always come and go as you please, and though I do sometimes wish for your companionship.  I more often than not wish for you to disappear altogether.”

Cheshire just grinned before he replied.  “Alice… Alice… Alice.  Getting me completely out of your life is the same as getting yourself out of your own life.  I am surprised you still haven’t fully understood this.  Anyways we digress.  What is bothering you?”

“I am not sure, Cheshire.   I went through my first harvest today and it seemed to bother me a lot,” Alice said with confusion and a little horror in her eyes.

“You are surprised by this, Alice?  You do realize what you are doing here, do you not?”  Cheshire said with a hint of distaste on his tongue.

“I know what my job entails.  I have seen children go through much worse before and it stopped bothering me eventually.  Why would this get to me?”  Alice looked over the Cheshire cat before her as she spoke and noticed his tail twitching slightly.

“I agree the things you witnessed happening to children in good old Rutledge are far worse than a painless death, but you are overlooking one key fact here, Alice.”  Cheshire looked to her with his eyes narrowed.

“What would that be, Cheshire?” Alice asked.

“At the asylum you weren't responsible for their suffering.  Even when you were at ‘Houndsditch Home for Wayward Youth’ under Bumby, you weren't the one actually causing the children harm.  You were witness to their suffering and knew what was happening at some level, but your only crime there was your silence.  Here you are the one that actually pulls the lever, which kills the fillies and colts,” Cheshire said to Alice with an unnervingly solemn face.

Alice grimaced and refused to believe this, and defended herself.  “They don’t feel anything here.  I am saving them from suffering far worse as they grow up.  It isn't the same, Cheshire.”  Alice deep down knew this wasn't true, but she would squash that voice and continue on her way.

Cheshire’s tail started twitching more fiercely as he gave Alice a glare.  “Clearly you aren't willing to listen to that voice inside you that knows the horrible truth.”

Cheshire stood up and gave her one last look before saying, “Lie to yourself all you want, Alice.  Eventually the truth will hit you harshly and it will make the idea of being skinned alive by tiny razors seem like heaven in contrast.  When that time comes, you will have to choose whether you do something about this situation, or if you allow this darkness to swallow you as it has so many others.”

Cheshire faded from existence leaving only his mouth as he gave a few last choice words.  “Think carefully on that day, Alice….  Your decision will have a far reaching effect beyond your comprehension.”  The cat’s mouth then disappeared leaving Alice alone in her bedroom.

Alice’s green eyes stared at the corner where her constant companion recently departed from.  Alice tried to blow off the cat’s words with a scoff.  She then tried to dismiss his warning by saying, “Stupid cat….  I should have known he wouldn't be helpful.”

Alice got ready for bed knowing tomorrow was going to be an even busier day, since they were having multiple shipments coming in at the same time.  She was going to be spending a little time on the floor working the levers and buttons again for the experience, but most of the day she would be on lookout duty.

When they had multiple containers arriving at once they used the extra arms and extractors, but they also had Seekers and messengers on lookout duty.  Many of the sacrifices thought their odds of escaping were better with more around and got ideas.  Her job would be to prove them wrong.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice was in her official flight suit today.  She preferred her “Executioner Dress” but when Seekers and messengers were on lookout duty they had to wear the uniform.  Alice had little problem doing her job at the start of the day when she was working the floor.  She could tune out the cries and moans easier when she could focus on the levers and buttons.

However being a lookout was harder on her than she thought it would be.  Alice had no choice but to hear the sacrifices and watch as the machine did the work.  She gazed over the floor with cold green eyes that managed to frighten some of the other lookouts who dared look at them directly.  She even made Night Chill uneasy with the atmosphere around her.

Alice did all she could to stomp out that annoying voice Cheshire talked about that was telling her this was wrong.  It still pestered her even though she wasn't actually pulling the levers and pushing the buttons now.  Alice’s cold green eyes panned around the floor.  She was mentally daring and pleading some pegasi would try something.  She needed to do something instead of just stand here and watch.

Alice finally got her wish as a total of ten ponies started to take flight at the same time.  Before any of the other lookouts could do anything she zoomed in and slashed a couple of ponies sending them back to the ground hard, but keeping them alive.

Alice’s green, blue, and purple butterfly trail followed behind her as she subdued two more would be escapees.  The first one was a filly with a light purple coat.  Alice broke one of her wings and heard the filly scream in pain and agony as she fell to the floor.

Alice then looked at the colt with a brown coat as she threw her Vorpal blade and struck his side.  The colt yelled aloud and fell quickly to the ground with a trail of blood behind him.

Alice’s green eyes darkened as she looked at the filly below her.  Alice almost wondered what the filly’s life was like before she failed her flight test.  She even wondered if the filly was forced to take it before she was ready by her parents.  She seemed so young.  The terrified filly looked into her eyes wondering what was about to happen to her.

Alice shook her head as she went and lifted up the pony before depositing her back in the cage by dropping her.  “She is a sorry excuse of a pegasus and deserves nothing.  She failed her flight test and her fellow ponies as well as Equestria.” Alice thought to herself to try and get back into it all.  Her little self-reminder worked in a way.

Alice’s cold dead green eyes looked over to the colt she nailed with her knife.  One of the top fifteen, a gruff looking stallion, picked up the colt and tossed him back into the container.  The stallion then went back to join the other lookouts and Alice made her way over to him.  “Thanks for that,” Alice said to him.

“Just doing my job,” He replied simply in a deep voice.  The two then watched as Night Chill took care of two other attempted escapees and the others from the recent spree were rounded up as well.  Alice’s eyes looked over the area and she saw a pony that was about to try and escape.  Alice narrowed her eyes at him and got herself ready.

{-} {-} {-}

Rolling Thunder looked around the horrible nightmare factory.  He couldn't believe rainbows were made here.  It seemed so sickeningly wrong to him.  How something so beautiful that usually stood for hope could be made from such a nightmarish process, was beyond him.  He had already puked three times in this place.

Rolling Thunder was a dark blue pegasus with an alethic build.  He had a dark green mane and a thunder cloud Cutie Mark.  He was very good at sky hoof ball and would have likely gone pro in the future he would never have.  Despite being a jock he was still actually a likeable stallion to most.  His father and mother had always taught him that respecting other ponies was important regardless of their social status.

He was always a gentle stallion to the mares as well.  It was because of this he was here now.  He saw an idiot shoot a spit wad at a mare that clipped her wing and sent her crashing into a thunder cloud pillar where she was shocked during the test.  She then started to plummet to the ground and he took to the air quickly after her.

He was fast and managed to catch her before she hit the ground.  They both were well out of bonds and he got a bad cramp from his sudden pursuit, so he couldn't get too far before he had to rest on a bottom safety cloud.  One of the proctors told him if he couldn't get back up he would fail.  He couldn't make it.  He had done what he could to save her life at the time.  However, shortly after coming here he saw her killed by that machine before his very eyes.

Rolling Thunder decided it was time he left this place.  He had worked out the cramp by now.  He vowed to escape here and tell those he could about this place and bring an end to it.  He no longer cared about going pro in sports or anything like that.  Ending this place for good was more important to him.

He was one of the fastest flyers in his class.  He knew if anypony stood a chance it was him.  He got ready and soon took off into the air faster than ever before.   Several of the other ponies cheered for him.

He was just past the container now.  He kept thinking to himself, “Just a little further!”  He was always defying the odds for his school’s team.  He saw this as no different.  He was fighting to save Team Equestria now!

He was making his way and saw a pipe he knew he could fit in and then he would show these monsters what it was like to fight a real pegasus that could fly better than even them!  He smiled as he put on more speed.

His eyes widened as he saw cold dead green eyes above him, and right away he heard a blade sing through the air.  He gasped as he felt a wing of his fall off and felt warm liquid spurt from the joint.  Rolling Thunder started to fall back to ground.  He heard several cries from the other ponies in hopeless disappointment.

As he fell, his eyes just stared at the dead green eyes in front of him.  He had two questions in his mind.  The first was how she had beaten him like that.  The second was why did she have to have such beautiful green eyes and do something so horrible like working in this place.  He took some solace in the fact he knew it would be over soon.  He was falling too far and too fast to survive the impact.

Rolling felt a pair of hooves catch him and slow his descent.  Rolling Thunder cried hot painful tears of frustration and sorrow to this.  Why couldn't they just let him die already?  He had saved a mare only to watch her be ‘harvested’ and now he wasn't even allowed to feel Death’s cold yet inviting embrace.

When the claw later grabbed Rolling, he couldn't help but say aloud, “Thank you!  Thank you!  Finally, it is over for me.”  He smiled as the stun gun readied to fire and soon he felt no more as he slipped into the inviting unconsciousness followed by death.

Alice looked down over the factory floor from her perch once again.  She felt deadened to the harvesting now.  She was happy that she would have two days off after today.  She wanted to visit Cloudsdale or anywhere but here.

It was rather bleak and harsh working on harvest days.  She didn't know how Rainbow did it.  She knew Rainbow Dash had to be there for all of the harvest days to oversee operations.  She had to give that speech over and over again as well.

Alice shook her head again and once more reminded herself that these were ponies that failed their own people.  It sort of worked for her; yet as she did this she couldn't help but think back to that last colt.

He had a gift.  He could fly well.  There was something about him that few other ponies had she just knew it.  She wondered how he ended up here as a sacrifice.  She quickly shoved those thoughts a way into the back of her mind.  If she dwelled on them, it would only make things worse for her already blackened soul.

{-} {-} {-}

The Sun outside Cloudsdale was setting.  The beautiful colors of twilight provided the city in the clouds a very warm and romantic glow.  Several families were out and about going to different restaurants and shops.

Some pegasi were flying around the track laughing with each other.  A group of fillies and colts were practicing and getting ready for their big flight test that was soon to come.

Down below the city in the deepest parts of the most secretive of facilities, the last container was now empty and the floor cleaned.  Some pegasi were preforming quick maintenance on the factory equipment and the lookouts were relaxing before leaving for the day.

The factory was completely silent now.  A massive contrast to what it had been only an hour ago.  One could only hear the mutterings of the floor workers as they recounted the day to themselves and the other full time floor workers.  They were getting ready for tomorrow’s shipments.

Alice spent most of her time that evening in silence as she recovered from her day.  Alice decided it was much harder to be a lookout.  She did eventually get somewhat used to it, but it still wasn't easy.  She also secretly feared the toll this day would have on her very soul.  She now had a darker appreciation for what Rainbow Dash told her once ‘The Rainbow Factory.  Where not a single soul gets through’.

Alice enjoyed her meal quietly that night with a few other equally quiet Seekers.  She couldn't help but smile a little to herself despite everything though.  She was off for two days now.  It would be a very welcomed break, even if she had only worked a little bit of the harvest.

Alice knew she needed this time to absorb what all she had done and get over it.  She went to sleep a little uneasily that night, but she did eventually sleep.  She was used to horrible and sleepless nights, so it didn't bother her too much.  Besides at least here, the nights were peaceful and quiet.
> Some Much Needed R and R
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alice woke up a little later than normal on her first day off.  She made her way to the cafeteria for a late breakfast.  She couldn't help but hum herself a happy tune as she made her breakfast selections.  After she had her first meal for the day, she spotted Fresh Breeze sitting at a table in apparent deep thought.  Alice made her way over to the rose pink and yellow striped maned pegasus.

“Hello, Fresh.”  Alice greeted the light green pegasus.  Fresh blinked a few times and tried to smile, but it didn't spread far.  “How are you today, Fresh Breeze?” Alice asked hoping to coax an answer from her friend.

Fresh gave a heavy sigh and answered, “As good as expected on a day I work harvest.  It’s my first day working harvest this season.  This day is always the toughest day for me.  All of the days are still tough, but not as bad as the first day.”  Alice placed a hoof on her back and lightly rubbed her in sympathy.

Fresh gave a small smile in appreciation for the kind gesture before asking, “Why do you seem to be in a good mood today, Alice?”  She then looked at Alice with concern before adding, “You aren't enjoying harvest are you?”

Alice gave a shocked look as she answered, “Heavens no.”  Fresh seemed to ease hearing this response.  “I have today and tomorrow off.  I have already spent time working both the floor and Lookout duty.”  Alice’s green eyes dimmed as she said, “Neither was easy for me.”

Fresh gave Alice a sorrowful look and said, “Sorry you have already gone through such a day, Alice.”  Fresh then gave the light tanned pony a smile and said, “It’s good to hear you have time off though.  What do you plan to do with your break?”

Alice gave an excited smile as she answered, “I am going to spend time looking around Cloudsdale.  I haven’t really done so yet.  I am originally from Lonpony, so this will be my first time seeing the pegasus city in the clouds.”  Alice gave a thoughtful smile for a few seconds before sighing and saying, “After my two days off I will be working a good bit on the harvest again.”

Fresh was smiling at Alice as she talked about Cloudsdale, but frowned in confusion hearing Alice would be working a lot more factory time.  “Why is that, Alice?  I thought Seekers spent a good deal less time working the factory like us messengers, especially the Stars.”

Alice nodded, “Yes that is usually the case, but since I am new here I have to spend a good deal more time working harvest than the others.  That way I can better appreciate the benefits and privileges that come with my rank in the future.”  At least that is what they officially said to her.  Alice had a feeling it was another way to test her and see if she was cut out for the job or not.  She didn't take just anything she was told about the factory at face value.

{-} {-} {-}

Once Alice finished her meal and Fresh Breeze made her way to the factory, Alice went to enjoy her time off.  Alice squinted into the bright blue sky as she used the employee exit.  It was a warm partly cloudy day with a slight breeze.  Alice thought it was perfect.  She brightened up and stretched her wings before taking flight.

Alice smiled happily as she flew around in the sky above Equestria.  She didn't have to do anything today besides enjoy herself.  She had forgotten how free she felt while flying like this.

She finally started her tour of Cloudsdale after she spent a good bit of time flying.  She found the cloud buildings to be very enchanting.  She eventually made her way to a park with a rainbow colored waterfall.  She stared at it with a blank expression and thought it seemed a bit excessive given the rainbow making process, but then again there did seem to be a decent amount of sacrifices already and they were barely in the start of the harvest.

Alice shook her head and admired the park area as a whole, instead of focusing on one aspect of it.  She smiled warmly as she looked around.  There were cloud sculptures all around it and a beautiful yellow colored cloud walk way that circled the whole park.  There was a small gazebo with pink cloud pillars and what looked like a cloud fountain in the center.

Alice followed the trail through the park taking in the sights and sounds.  It helped her focus on the grand scheme of things.  She watched as a few young pegasi fillies and colts played around a rainbow fountain as their parents either hovered above or rested on a nearby cloud bench.  Alice discovered seeing the young ponies playing helped ease her mind.

Alice continued touring Cloudsdale after the park.  She saw the coliseum.  She saw several of the buildings and pegasi monuments scattered throughout the city.  Her favorite was the one of Private Pansy and Commander Hurricane for founding the cloud city shortly after discovering Equestria with the leaders of the Earth Ponies and Unicorns.

She also enjoyed the master post office as well.  While at the post office, she almost ran into a grey pegasus with a blonde mane and odd eyes which Alice found interesting.  The pegasus introduced herself as Derpy Hooves, and even offered Alice a muffin.  Alice bowed and politely accepted her kindness, wishing she could return the favor.

Derpy simply smiled and said, “Don’t worry about it!  I love Muffins!  Everypony should have a muffin!”  The mare then flew off with post office saddlebags.  She apparently had to make an overnight delivery from a smaller pony town to Cloudsdale.

Next Alice found the Weather Factory.  She thought it would be a good idea to take the guest tour of the place.  She wanted to see the whole operation instead of just the rainbow production side.  She was technically a weather factory employee, even if she was a secret employee.

Alice thought it would be good to have a better understanding of the whole process to help make her cover more believable.  She wasn't a fan of the weather lab coats though.

The dark maned pegasus joined a tour group just as they were about to start.  Their first stop on the tour was the cloud storage bays.  The clouds were made at a different facility nearby and sent here for holding before distribution.  They were grouped by function and sub grouped by size.

The second stop was the snowflake production area.  Alice thought it interesting how they were each specifically hoof crafted.  She found herself actually looking forward to winter and snow after seeing how lovely the snowflakes looked.  She wondered a little what it would be like to have a job like this, one that only involved joy and happiness using something simple like snowflakes.

Alice was intrigued when the guide told the group they were going to the Rainbow Production Pools next.  She was eager to see and hear about the face side of her facility, and the ‘official’ explanation on rainbow production.

On the way there she saw a group of three stallions walking by the tour group.  One of them, a dark pegasus with a sandy colored mane and a dumbbell cutie mark, gave her a cat call and said, “Looking good there, babe.”

She guessed they were just passing through the rainbow pool area because she didn't recognize them.  Also If they were rainbow factory workers they wouldn't be cat calling her.  Everypony there knew about her Seeker test and most were a bit wary of her.  Though she guessed they could hire completely different ponies for the face side of rainbow production.

They entered the production pool room and Alice had to admit the face side of the operation was very impressive and beautiful.  There was a tall vat in the back of the area where multicolored liquid poured into a series of large bowls before ending in the bottom sunken pool network.

Alice listened as the guide explained to them all the liquid was concentrated and saturated with pegasi weather magic, and only a select few knew how to safely transfer the proper amount of magic to the liquid.  The guide then talked about how each bowl further mixed and concentrated the liquid before it was deposited into the holding pools.

He told them when a rainbow was made for order a pair of white clouds were filled with the liquid and a pair of weather ponies took the two clouds to the desired location.  Once at the destination, the clouds were kicked simultaneously and the ponies used their weather magic to determine the arc and height of the rainbow to meet specifications.

The explanation was satisfactory and mostly true.  However Alice knew more of the story.  The tall vat in the back of the room was the final holding cell for the final product and all of the other bowls and pools were simply for show and didn't really serve any other purpose.

The liquid first came from the essence and the vats deep below.  Once each color vat was filled, the liquid was piped to larger holding tanks thanks to wind magic where it was then dumped carefully into the mixing tanks.  Once a mixing tank was finished, the liquid went to holding vats before it was then pumped into the tall vat in the back of this room.

Once the tour guide led the group to the gift shop, Alice noticed a grey pegasus stallion with a dark green and light blue mane.  He had a winged black bowler hat for a Cutie Mark.  Alice knew him by name because it was exactly what it showed on the tin.  Alice looked around and noticed no other ponies in the area.  “Bowler?” Alice said questioningly.  The stallion was ‘mixing’ one of the bowls at the moment.

The stallion turned to look at who called his name and gave a smile as he said, “Alice!  What are you doing here?”  He was a mostly cheery pegasus, but when needed he was cool and collected.  He paused his stirring and hovered down to Alice’s side.

“Well I had some time off and decided to take a tour of the famous weather factory.”  Alice gave a smile to him.  “I found their explanation of rainbows rather intriguing.”

Bowler gave a hearty chuckle as he said, “Well the rainbow process is rather complicated to explain as you know, Alice.”

Bowler was actually Bowler Hat and number four in the Stars.  He was the previous number five but after the last ‘incident’ and the recent round of testing he advanced a rank.  He lucked out when Alice was defeated by Night Chill, though this didn't mean he wasn't a very skilled Seeker as well.

He usually told everypony to call him just Bowler.  When Alice had smiled and jokingly called him ‘Just Bowler’ at the ‘New Stars’ party he got a real good laugh out of it.  The two then became decent friends, especially since the others were quiet and distancing themselves from Alice.

Alice gave a giggle and said, “Indeed so.”  He gave another chuckle as Alice said, “I must say the setup here is very nice.”

“Well presentation is key to success in this case.”  Bowler then looked Alice over with an appraising eye as he said, “I don’t think white lab coat is your style, Alice.  No offence.”

Alice gave a laugh as she said, “I dare say aesthetics were the least of their concerns when making a work uniform for the weather factory, Bowler.”

“I think you are right about that.”  Bowler gave another laugh before then sighing and saying, “Well I better get back to ‘mixing’.  It is a very important task.”  He said the last part with an over the top fake snobbish voice.

“Yes I am sure it is.  Better hop to it, Bowler,” Alice said giving him a smirk.

“I have lunch in an hour would you care to join to me, Alice?  I would like the chance to get to know a fellow co-worker better,” Bowler asked her.  Alice smiled and nodded her head in answer.

Bowler hovered back up to one of the bowls to stir again as he said, “Great!  See you then.  Meet me at the cloud ring track.  It is easy to find.  Not too far from here.  I know a great place near there for lunch or really any meal.”

“Alright see you then.”  Alice then trotted off to the gift shop quickly.  She was ready to get out of this lab coat already.  She would have flown, but there was a strict employee only flying rule and even then only in designated areas.  Workers could hoover up to ledges and such but not much more unless needed.

{-} {-} {-}

Once Alice left the Weather Factory, she saw the same trio from earlier still in their factory coats.  Alice walked by and they stopped her.  “Hey you’re that babe from earlier.  The one taking the tour with the others.”

Alice gave a pleasant smile and answered.  “Yes that is the case.  I found it very interesting, especially the part about the rainbows.”  Alice then started walking.

The trio followed her or rather the Dumbbell pony and his two lackeys did.  She wasn't sure if their group counted as a trio or even friends.  Alice decided she would call the supposed leader Dumb-Bell, since she didn't really care for his name at the moment and he hadn't bothered to share it.

Dumb-Bell walked next to her and conspiratorially whispered to her, but still loud enough his two friends would hear as well.  “You know we work in the factory.  I know a lot about it.  I even…”

He looked side to side and the tall one gave a goofy sounding laugh.  Dumb-Bell continued, “I even know the secret to making rainbows…  If you want I could tell you about it.  All you got to do is just go on a date with me tonight.”

Alice paused.  She doubted his words, but she figured it was her duty as a Seeker to find out any possible leaks about the factory’s information she came across.  Dumb-Bell gave his two friends a nod and smile.  “Is that so?” Alice asked.

He gave her a smirk and nodded.  “Well that is interesting, but I am not so sure I am willing to go on a date just for that reason alone,” she said with a smile.

He had a thought and seemed to have confidence in it as he smiled and said, “Tell you what…  Let’s have a race at the cloud track.  If you win I will tell you what I know.  If I win you go on a date with me tonight?”  He gave his friends a smile as they laughed.

Alice thought it over for a bit and took a closer look at him.  He didn't seem familiar so she doubted he was that amazing of a flyer compared to her.

Alice then gave a teasing smile.  She would get two birds with one stone here.  She would find out if he somehow did actually know anything about the factory, and find where the cloud track was.  “Oh I don’t know if that sounds entirely fair.”

The two lackeys failed to hide their chuckles as the leader gave a confident smirk and raised an eye brow at her.  “You might be right.  I'll go easy on you.”  The two friends of his laughed harder at this.

Alice’s green eyes glowed with amusement and she gave them a confident smirk of her own.  “I was meaning it wouldn't be fair for you.”

The two friends gave a couple ‘ooohhhs’ to this.  Dumb-Bell smirked more as he said, “I like you.  You got spunk, babe.  Let’s go.”

The three friends took to the air with Alice leisurely behind them.  She wasn't going fast enough for her trail to appear even, but she knew they weren't going very fast either.

{-} {-} {-}

The group finally arrived at the cloud track and Alice learned the leader’s name really was Dumb-Bell.  She mentally sighed once again at how ‘descriptive’ pony names could be.  Soon a few of the nearby ponies gathered to watch Alice and Dumb-Bell, since they were obviously going to race.

“Alright let’s keep this race simple.  We are just going to use the top rings here.”  Dumb-Bell panned a hoof around the area pointing out the top level rings.  “Ten laps.  First one to finish wins.  Our early lunch break won’t be long enough for any more, since we still have to eat.  Sound good?”

“Sounds perfect to me.”  Alice answered as she took her position on the start/finish line.  She was going to have fun in this race.  Dumb-Bell might even be a decent flyer, but Alice was pretty sure she had the race won already.  She wasn't going to be too harsh to the stallion once she won.  He may be a little arrogant, but he wasn't too bad of a stallion for all she knew.

“Hoops here will start the race and Score here will take the finish line photo if needed.”  The taller pegasus hovered in front of them in the middle with a flag in his mouth, and the other pegasus took out a camera and stood off to the side of the of the line ready to take a picture.

The leader of the trio took up a spot on the line just to the side of Alice and got into his starting position.  Alice noticed that he did seem to have an idea about how to race judging from his starting position.

The two flyers waited for the flag to start them.  Hoops waited a couple of seconds and then waved the flag with his head.  Alice and Dumb-Bell both shot off the line and past Hoops.  They were currently neck and neck as they entered the first ring and rounded the first corner.  It was a tight squeeze but they made it through the first five rings together.

Dumb-Bell had to admit the mare was a pretty decent flyer.  He gave a smirk and put on some more speed.  He started to pull away from her.

Soon after he pulled away, she caught up and pulled ahead.  He then pushed a little harder and pulled ahead once more.  The two racing ponies kept going back and forth in position for the next three laps of the race.

On the fourth lap, Dumb-Bell pushed himself even harder and managed to hold on to a decent lead for half the lap.  However, he soon saw a streak of green, blue and purple butterflies shoot pass him.  He stared in surprise for a while looking at Alice’s tail as she raced in front of him.

Dumb-Bell shook his head and got into the game again.  As much as he wouldn't mind starting at her flank he wanted to win this race.  Dumb-Bell flapped his wings with all of his might and speed.  He managed to catch up and stay with Alice through the end of the lap.

However after the second turn of the fifth lap Alice turned to him gave a beautiful smile as she said, “How about we turn it up a notch?!”

Dumb-Bell just played it cool and nodded with a fake confident smirk.  He was acting as if he still had something left.  He was surprised when he ended up being able to get a little more speed and he felt proud of himself.

His moment was short lived however.  Alice smiled, turned to face forward and narrowed her eyes.  She kicked it up to what she gauged was about seventy percent of her max speed.  Alice pulled ahead now and didn't stop.  Dumb-Bell slowed just a little bit as he gasped at Alice’s new level of speed.

Dumb-Bell kept going, he may have lost the race but he was going to finish it.  Alice wasn't anywhere near him after she “turned it up a notch”.  By the time he was on his seventh lap she was half the course ahead of him and not slowing down.

Once his ninth lap rolled around she had caught up to him a little before he finished the lap and passed him.  She crossed the line and finished!  There were cheers from the watching ponies and Dumb-Bell stopped.  He didn't feel like finishing the lap after she overlapped him.

He came to a stop at the finish line and tried to catch his breath.  “Damn….  You weren't kidding…  You really are fast.”  Alice gave a smile to him.  After he took a couple of breathes he spoke again.  “I think the only pony I have seen fly faster than that was Rainbow Dash at the Best Young Flyers Competition.  When she performed the Sonic Rainboom!”

Alice actually blushed a little at the praise.  She then smiled and said, “Thanks.  You weren't too bad yourself actually.  You probably could win against several pegasi.  Unfortunately, I am not one of them.  So what is this secret you know about rainbows?” Alice asked trying not to appear too interested.

Dumb-Bell gave a nervous laugh as he said, “About that….”

He took in a deep breath and spoke.  “I don’t really know much more than what the guide told you all.  I just know the room is a pain to clean up if there is a spill, and if you toss anything into the rainbow bowls it either dissolves or causes a rainbow colored explosion.  I was mostly trying to use that as an excuse to get you interested in a date with me.  Sorry…”

Alice gave a small smile and shook her head at him.  “I figured as much.  I still was curious if you knew something else about them though.”  Dumb-Bell felt relieved she wasn't too pissed at him.  She wasn't anywhere near as exhausted as he was currently, which said she could go even faster than she did.

Alice’s smile grew a little more as she said, “Thanks for the race anyways, Dumb-Bell.  It was fun.  I haven’t given my wings a good stretch in a few days.”

Dumb-Bell gave a sigh to this.  He then shook his head as he said, “Really though…  I think you could be a decent match for Rainbow Dash if she didn't use the Sonic Rainboom.  You were fast!  She is the only other pony I have seen with a trail behind her as she flies apart from you.”

The two then heard a good-hearted chuckle and hoof clap from behind them.  A voice then spoke up that Dumb-Bell and Alice both recognized.  “Well, D-Bell.  That is why when Rainbow heard rumors about a fast flying mare in Canterlot she checked it out, and they did race each other.”

“You’re joking right?  They raced each other?  Bowler?”  Dumb-Bell asked as he looked between the two.  When he was met with only silence, he shook his head in a ‘just my luck’ way.  “Who won and by how much?”

“Rainbow won of course and by a good bit.  She used her Sonic Rainboom in our race.  She later told me she felt it was the only way to win the race for sure.  She was lucky our finish line was on a straight away.  If it wasn't I would have easily won before she could recover from her Rainboom.”  Alice answered.

Dumb-Bell just shook his head and decided he was never going to try and show up a mare again.  First Rainbow Dash does pull off the Sonic Rainboom when he bet she couldn't, and now Alice swept the floor with him in a race.  “Well anyways…  It was nice racing you…  Wait I never got your name?”

Alice gave a sly smile as she said, “That’s because you never asked for it.  I am Alice Briddell.”  The pegasus mare then gave an aerial curtsy to him and his friends.

Dumb-Bell, Hoops and Score weren't sure what to make of her introduction.  They decided to say their names and give a nervous bow to her.  Their actions gave Alice a little giggle.

Dumb-Bell spoke again, “Anyways nice racing you, Alice Briddell.  Now if you’ll excuse me…”  He hovered back over to the track and sighed as he said, “I have another lap to complete.”  With that he took off as fast he could.

He lost the race and was overlapped by a mare, but he was still going to finish his last lap and in style.  He gave a little smile as he thought to himself, “At least she’s a beautiful mare.”

{-} {-} {-}

Once the crowd had cleared and Alice was following Bowler to where they would have lunch, he asked her with a smile.  “Did you really think Dumb-Bell knew something secret about rainbows, Alice?”

Alice gave an over exaggerated humph and said in a volume only he would hear her, “I felt it was my duty to make sure there weren't any leaks about information.”

Bowler raised an eyebrow at her and Alice let out a sigh.  “Okay I didn't really think he knew something.  I wasn't sure how to get to the cloud track so when he challenged me to a race at said track I decided to go with it.”  Bowler gave a friendly laugh as he continued to lead the way to their destination.

“What do Dumb-Bell and his friends do in the weather factory, Bowler?” Alice asked.

“They are sort of go to stallions for anything you don’t want to do yourself, or if you need an extra set of hooves.  D-Bell is a bit arrogant but as you saw he admits when he is proven wrong and doesn't hold a grudge or get angry.  He is decent enough and Hoops and Score follow him without question.  He is the brains in their little group, but when the others know more about something than he does.  He listens to them,” Bowler answered.

Bowler then gave a quick laugh as he said, “He used to be a lot worse back at flight camp I hear.  He and Boss Dash bumped heads several times, but back then he didn't care if he was right or wrong.  He would never admit he was wrong and still make fun of her and honestly she did the same back most of the time."

Bowler gave a smile and continued, "However, he got better as he grew up like ponies usually do.  He still makes fun and thinks himself better than others, but he will admit when he is proven wrong and he has a better understanding of where to stop before causing trouble.”

Bowler gave a laugh, “Unfortunately get him in a room with Boss and he forgets all of that stuff.  Mind you he always loses to Rainbow Dash now, but he still tries.  Childhood rivalries huh?”  Alice just shook her head.  She couldn't really understand such things.  Bowler then smiled and said to her, “Look, here we are!”

Bowler was pointing to a sign that read “Air Time Café!”  Alice looked around and thought the place seemed nice.  She liked the idea of the hovering clouds which pegasi sat on to eat what looked like a wide selection of foods.

Bowler nodded to himself as he said, “My wife owns the place.  I have promised her if I get to retire I will help her run the place.  She still charges me so don’t expect any discounts, Alice.”

Alice gave a chuckle, “She sounds like a rather practical mare, Bowler.”  Bowler nodded as Alice looked the place over.  “I do have to say this place as a certain charm.  She must put a lot of work into it.  Does she do the cooking?  I guess it is too busy for her to do all of the cooking alone maybe she just comes up with the recipes?”  Alice would have asked more questions, but Bowler started laughing so she stopped.

“She does put a lot of work into it.  She used to do all of the cooking, but as it grew more popular she needed others to do that.  She makes the recipes and spends time with the customers.   She likes hearing what they think of the place, both good and bad."  Bowler gave a love filled smile as he looked over the place.

"Also working out here allows her to keep the service quality high.  The wait staff won’t dare slack off with the boss around.  Her brother helps keep the cooking staff in line in the back for her so she doesn't have to worry about them,” Bowler finished.

“Ohhh… so it's a family business!  How lovely.”  Alice’s green eyes were a light with happiness.

Bowler grinned as he said, “Yep and if things go well it will stay that way for a good while.  Our oldest daughter got her Cutie Mark working here.  I have been discouraging her from taking the flight test for obvious reasons, and so she can help out here.  Flight School isn't mandatory despite being the norm.  However, I think I might only be able to hold her back another year, two at most.”

He would have continued but the hostess called for them and placed them on a high cloud table.  “I hope you know what you are doing, Bowler.  You know how Lilly gets.”  The mare then looked Alice over.  Alice just gave her a confused look as Bowler dismissed her.

A few seconds later a golden colored mare with a dark red and pink mane flew up to them.  She had dark blue eyes and a recipe book with wings for a Cutie Mark.   “Hello, Bowler.  How are you this afternoon?  May I ask who your guest is here?”  The mare gave Alice a distasteful look.

Bowler smiled and said, “Hello, Lillian.  This is a new co-worker of mine.  She started recently and had a couple of days off and bumped into me while taking the guest tour.  I invited her to lunch to get to know her a little better.”  Lillian was still staring at Alice, but blinked as Alice got up.

Alice gave an aerial curtsy and introduced herself, “Greetings, Ma’am.  I am Alice Briddell.  I just got here not too long ago and started working at the weather factory with the rainbow pool division.”  Alice then looked up at the other mare.

Lillian actually gave a little smile now.  Alice definitely had manners and Lillian couldn't help but believe that they really were just co-workers, even if she was a young pretty one.  Lillian gave her a curtsy as well and her attitude improved substantially.

“I'm, Lillian Skyy.   Most just call me Lilly, you may as well.  It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Briddell.  I don’t think I have ever seen you around Cloudsdale before.  How long have you been here now?” the owner mare asked.

Alice took her seat again and smiled as she said, “I haven’t been here long at all.  Until recently I was in Lonpony, but I took a little bit of an Equestrian tour.  I finished by spending a good bit of time in Canterlot before finally coming here and taking the job at the weather factory.”

“I find it odd that you are new and already have a couple days off.”  Lilly turned to her husband and asked, “Is the new training regime really that difficult?”

“She is training in the backroom currently.  It is very taxing.  In that stage, they are given extra time off to help with recovery,” Bowler said in answer.

Lilly just nodded and turned back to Alice. “So you just spent some time in Canterlot.  Did you make it to the royal wedding?”  Lilly’s eyes shown with interest.

Alice sighed.  “Unfortunately I had some problems traveling at one of my earlier stops on my trip, so I just missed the wedding.  It was such a shame.  I heard it was quite the affair.  Regardless, I am just glad I ended up here at my last destination on time for starting my job.”

Lilly nodded and smiled as they looked over their menus.  She was about to ask Alice another question but Alice spoke again before she could.  “You know, Lilly.  I have to say it is rather refreshing to meet another pony who doesn't have a very descriptive name.  When I hear some of the pony names I have to wonder why their parents called them what they did.”

Lilly gave a delightful laugh as she said, “I hear you there, Alice.  I have a waitress on staff named Service Smiles.  She is a wonderful pony and very good at her job but still… Service Smiles.”  Lilly gave a sigh and a slow shake of her head.  “I almost felt sorry for the dear, but she says she likes her name so it doesn't matter I guess.”

“I agree with you two on that, though I like my name too.  But still Alice here met Dumb-Bell earlier today and I can’t help but wonder what kind of parents would name their colt after a piece of exercise equipment,” Bowler said.   Both mares gave a little laugh and shook their heads.

“So do you two know what you want?” Lilly asked them.  Bowler gave her a questioning look.  Lilly gave a half frown.  “What?  I can’t wait on my wonderful Husband and his friend?  I won’t bother you two that much, since I'm sure you will talk shop, but we are a little busy so I am helping out with taking orders.”

Bowler just gave a smirk and raised an eyebrow, “I don’t have any problems.  I always love your special service.”  His smirk turned just a slight bit lecherous.  Lilly blushed and gave a little head shake to him, but she said nothing and the two actually gave each other a little laugh.

Lilly then straightened up and asked, “Anyways what would you two like?”

Bowler placed his order, but Alice gave a thoughtful look and bit down just a little on her lip as she asked, “Does it really have to be Tuesday to order the Tuesday special?  I didn't see it listed on the regular menu.  I always thought it wasn't very nice to show all of the daily specials on a menu, but not offer them any other day.  It is just plain mean and teasing.”

Lilly blinked a couple of times.  She had never really been asked that question before.  “Huh.  I've never really been asked that before.  Usually ponies see something they like on the menu and just think to come again on the day the listed special is offered if they really want it."

Lilly rubbed the back of her mane and said, "I guess it doesn't have to be on a Tuesday only, but I couldn't give you the special price.  Is that an issue for you?  Realize I would have to try and figure out a fair price so it wouldn't be something firm.”

Alice thought for a moment and decided she was okay with that.  She had an idea about what price it would be judging from the other items on the menu, which would probably be the same cost.  “Since I really like how it sounds I think that will work.  If you would be so kind and it isn't too much of problem for your staff that is.”

Lilly smiled, “It won’t be.  We have those ingredients on hoof already and the chiefs know how to prepare it.  Since we were going to redesign our menu soon anyways I think in the future I will list a regular price for the specials next to it.  In case anyone else really wants something like the Tuesday special on a day other than Tuesday.”  Lilly finished taking their orders and left them.

“So…  How was your first time working those two parts of the job Alice along with everything else?”  Bowler asked her quietly as he casually surveyed the other ponies near their table and made sure no pony was overhearing them.

Alice thought for a moment before answering equally quiet, “Well it was tougher than I thought it would be, even with all of the warning Rainbow Dash, Fresh Breeze and others gave me.”  Alice just stared at the table and took a deep breath.

“But…  I am pretty sure I will manage.   I am glad Rainbow has been there for me like she has been.  It is nice to know she cares so much.  She has told me to come to her for anything and likes to check up on me to make sure I'm alright,” Alice concluded.

Bowler gave a little smile and said, “That is good to hear, Alice.”  Bowler once again remembered how Boss Dash had indeed taken a special interest in Alice.

Rainbow Dash was always a good boss, even if a little strict sometimes, but she rarely took so much interest in one employee.  It was difficult to get close to someone at the factory.  Rainbow is always there for them mostly, but she still keeps a little distance which leaves no mistake she is the boss of everypony there.

Alice sighed, “However besides you and Fresh Breeze, most of the others are guarded around me and don’t really seem to like me that much.”  She knew they had their reason for this behavior and despite the cold distance, she still did feel a quiet support curiously.

Alice just wished she had more friends like so many of the others did.  Alice had spent plenty of her time alone and used to think friendship was a waste of time, but after getting close to Rainbow and having a friendship with Fresh.  She found herself very much liking this friendship business.

Bowler gave a little smile and said, “Well after what happened on your test day it is understandable I would think.  Though I have to say you have garnered attention from almost everypony there, and it isn't the best kind of attention.”

Alice looked at him with her brilliantly shocking green eyes that held that common darkness and then something a little more in them.  It did unnerve him a little bit, but he still mostly liked Alice despite this.

“I think with time things will get better,” Bowler said trying to get her gaze to lessen in intensity.  Alice gave him a raised eyebrow and he sighed.

“It will, Alice.  Until one of us turned against our group; we always did stick by each other in some fashion.  It isn't always apparent, but it is true nonetheless.  Even Dark Glow and Night Chill won’t think less of anypony unless they turn their backs on their duties.”

The two were silent for a bit and their meals arrived.  “Alright here you go, Alice.  One Chief’s eggplant and flower salad for you.”  Lilly placed the meal before Alice.

The meal was a salad with grilled eggplant, different flowers, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, a hard-boiled egg already sliced and the house dressing.  In addition, it had different sliced fruits along the edges.  Alice’s eyes glowed in wonder at the master piece of a salad before her.

“Here's your regular, Honey.”  Lilly said to Bowler.  She placed a grilled cheese and daisy sandwich with a side of hay fries and some fresh fruit before Bowler.

Bowler couldn't help but smile and gave his wife a peck on her cheek before she could get back to work.  Lilly giggled and gave him a soft hoof jab to his chest.  “I expect an extra more personal thank you once you get home.”  Bowler gave a wide grin as she left to go help others.  She promised to talk to them later if she had time before they left.

Alice was about half way through her meal when she decided to ask something she had been wondering.  “So Bowler how often do others work in the rainbow pools area?”

Bowler took a couple more bites of his meal before wiping his mouth with a napkin and taking a sip of water.  “Well you know how those in the back room in our position are given extra privileges and such.”  Alice nodded to him.

“Working the pools is one of those.  It may be tedious and boring, but it is nice to work out front instead of the backroom.  The others like us still have to report during their normal hours for assignments and be ready in case something comes up though.”  Bowler took another sip of water.

Alice looked at him with a confused look.  Bowler leaned in closer so Alice met him.  He then carefully whispered to her.  “We are also used to help out with sticky situations from time to time.  Just like how your friend Fresh has her extra royal duties we do as well.  Those that have proven their selves are used to help out Equestria when our special talents are needed.”  Alice gave an ‘ohhh’ face and the two quickly pulled back.

Alice gave a little sigh as she said, “So I guess I have more time with D-Bell and crew to look forward to then?”

Bowler gave a chuckle.  “Yah but they aren't that bad.  They know better than to interfere with your job.”

Bowler then gave a smirk as he said, “Though I would count on being asked out a couple more times and maybe asked to lunch and to hang out with them.  Other than that things shouldn't be too bad for you.  Unless he learns how close you are to Boss.”

Alice gave him a flat look and asked, “What do you mean?”

Bowler couldn't help but chuckle.  “Well he might try to win you from Dash, even if you two are only friends.  But once you set him straight he will back off most likely.  Then again he might not cause any fuss after you beat him in that race by over lapping him.”

Alice gave a sigh as she twirled a mushroom on her fork.  She still found it mesmerizing every time she held utensils with her hooves.  She shook her head and said, “I don’t know about that.  I could see him being the type to start really training harder and try to challenge me again.”

Bowler gave a snort to this and raised an eyebrow.  “You really think he could win against you sometime, Alice?”

Alice stayed silent for a couple of seconds before giving a wide grin that Cheshire would have been proud of and spoke.  “No.  I can see him getting a lot better than he is, don’t get me wrong there.  He has the potential.  But I was racing him at about seventy percent my max speed currently, and I won’t slack off on my training either.”  Bowler gave a shrug.  He supposed she was right about Dumb-Bell.  The stallion was still young.

Alice then gave a devious smile.  “If he did right, I could see him being capable of doing our job speed wise.”

Bowler spit out some water to this.  “Do you really think that, Alice?!”  Alice gave a small nod.  “I would have never thought he could do what we do.  I didn't think he had that in him.”

Alice gave a smile, “I did say speed wise.  Mr. Bowler.  I didn't say he had the other aspects.  I don’t know if he does or not.  Regardless, that is only his potential.  Whether he reaches it or not is entirely up to him.”

Bowler sighed to this and mentally made a note to pay extra attention to what words and in what order Alice said them in the future.  “If you say so.  Still.  I never thought he had that much potential.”

“Well I do say so,” Alice said with a familiar ever knowing look on her face that only she and a certain cat would recognize.  After that, the two continued their meal making small talk.

Sometime later Lilly found time to sit with them as she had her own lunch break.  The three talked about several things and Alice felt she could call Lilly a friend once they had to part company and she paid for her own bill.

Alice paused as she counted out her money.  She hated to ask this question, but it was bothering her greatly.  She knew this wasn't really an issue in her own world, where a woman rarely paid for anything besides groceries, but here mares were very independent and dare she say, dominant.

She had to ask, “Do I pay you a tip, Lilly?”  When she got a questioning glance from the owner of the restaurant she clarified, “What I mean is.  I know one usually pays their server a tip, but I was wondering if you accepted tips yourself since you own the restaurant.”

Lilly gave her a sweet and motherly smile as she said, “Oh Alice dear.  You don’t need to worry about such a matter.”  Alice gave her a determined look.

Lilly’s smile grew as she said, “Usually I split my tips from the day with the kitchen staff or put them aside for when I give them a little something in thanks for their hard work.  I own the place so I don’t need tips, but I will use them to make sure my workers are happy in some manner.”

Alice nodded and gave a tip that equaled about twenty percent.  She really had enjoyed the food and Lilly was very helpful.  She was also very pleasant company when she sat with them.

Alice couldn't help but feel a little excited and happy as she paid for her own food with money she earned herself.  It wasn't the first time she had done so, but each time she still got a thrill, because to her it showed just how much better and equal this world was in her own eyes compared to the London she came from.

The little group then departed from each other’s company.  Lily went back to working for her restaurant.  Bowler went back to his job of stirring at the rainbow pools.  Alice went on her way to enjoy more of Cloudsdale.

Alice spent a good bit of time just relaxing under the sun on a cloud while she watched a group of fillies and colts race each other as they practiced for their flight test.

Alice smiled at the scene and choose to think of them just playing rather than practicing.  If she thought them practicing, her mind and heart might wander to places she would rather them not.

{-} {-} {-}

Once the sun lowered in the sky, Alice made her way to the factory and waited for the next day.  She wasn't sure what she would do the next day, but once she stepped inside she ran into Rainbow Dash in the halls.  “Hey, Alice!” Rainbow said in her voice that Alice was starting to enjoy hearing more each time.

Alice gave a beautiful smile, “Hey, Rainbow.  How are you tonight?”

Rainbow gave a wan smile as she answered, “Much better than I was today.  We were very busy.  Anyways, how was your first day off?”

Alice smiled and told her about her day as they made their way to somewhere they could sit and talk to each other.  Rainbow listened intently.  She wasn't usually one for long stories, but she liked hearing about Alice and she also loved Alice’s voice.  That accent was wonderful music to her ears.

Rainbow laughed at the part where Alice kicked Dumb-Bell’s flank in a race.  She also smiled when Alice talked about all of the sights she saw in the Cloudsdale.  Rainbow gave a little giggle at Alice and the thought of her taking the Weather Factory Tour.

She then gave a sheepish smile as she said to Alice, “Yah.  About that….  I guess I forgot to tell you that you will get your official tour and be told about your Weather Factory duties you'll be assigned to keep up your face side of the job.  Usually you would have had it by now, but you had your first mission and then harvest came around and the board ordered me to have it postponed until after harvest, since it is your first one.”

Alice gave a nod and said, “Okay that helps fill in some gaps I had after talking to Bowler earlier at lunch.”  Alice then talked about her lunch with Bowler and the rest of the day she had afterwards.  Rainbow would have loved to talk about her day as well, but it would have felt wrong to casually make talk about the sacrifices like that at this time.

Rainbow Dash and Alice talked about other things afterwards and then Rainbow got an idea.  “Hey Alice.  Do you have anything planned for tomorrow late afternoon or early evening?”  Alice shook her head.

Rainbow smiled, “Would like to come with me to a Bar-B-Que then?”  Alice gave her a puzzled look which made Dash feel like she had unintentionally crossed a line or something.

Alice then asked, “What is a Bar-B-Que?”  Rainbow’s jaw dropped and she just stared in disbelief at Alice.  Alice blushed feeling a little embarrassed.

Rainbow shook herself out her stupor and said, “I guess they don’t have them in Lonpony.  I would have thought you would have heard of them.  Do you know what a backyard grill is?”

Alice gave a nervous laugh as she said, “Sorry I don’t, Rainbow.  I lived a very sheltered life growing up.”

Rainbow then nodded in understanding.  The rainbow maned pony figured this was something that made Alice feel uncomfortable and didn't want to dwell on it, so she explained.  “You see sometimes ponies who are friends or at least know each other decently well have a little get together where we grill up or Bar-B-Que vegetables and burgers and stuff like that you know.”

Alice looked a little puzzled.  Burgers sounded like something with meat and as far as she knew ponies didn't eat meat.  Now that Alice thought about it, she found it odd she hadn't found herself wanting to eat meat while she was here.  She figured it was because of her new body.  Ponies didn't eat meat, and since she was now a pony why would she want it herself.

Rainbow decided she should explain burgers better.  “You see there will be a portable broiler there as well for the burgers.  Even though all of those mashed up beans are held together by egg whites and other such things, homemade ones aren't very sturdy so they fall apart on the actual grill if you flip them.  Anyways there will be lots of different vegetable and sauces there for them along with buns and cheese and all of that good stuff for the burgers.”

“I was thinking you might like to go.  I know you can’t like being cooped up in here during your time off.  Since you haven’t been here for long, I thought it would be a great way for us to have some more fun as ponies instead of Director of Operations and Number Five Seeker.  Plus, you could meet some other ponies as well.  I'm sure you know how important it is to be sociable in your field,” Rainbow said to Alice.

She was really hoping Alice would agree to this because she wanted to have a chance to see Alice with her guard down a little.  Rainbow might get closer to her and Rainbow might also be able to figure out if Alice really was alright like she said she was in the office a couple of days ago.  She also really did want Alice to make some friends.  Friends helped a pony out here in the factory.

Alice gave a smile and said, “Sure!  I would love that, Rainbow.  I really want to try one of these burgers you talked about.”  Alice actually felt a little giddy about this Bar-B-Que.  She wanted a chance to meet new ponies and ‘hang out’ with Rainbow as Rainbow Dash.  They did this a little while in Las Pegasus, but Alice was still thinking about her mission some at the time so she couldn't enjoy it as much.

Rainbow smiled and said, “Great try to be back here at about 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.  We should be finished with our shipments for the day by then.”  Alice nodded and the two went their separate ways.  Alice went to get some supper and Rainbow left for the day.

Alice spent the rest of her night wondering about Bar-B-Ques and what one would be like.  She would have asked for more details from some of the other Stars, who normally stayed in the factory, but she still felt like they didn't really feel comfortable with her there.  She eventually picked up a book to read in the middle of the common room as a way to say I am here and you had better get used to it.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice woke up at just the right time for the day considering she would be going to a Bar-B-Que with her boss and the mare that had the most beautiful mane she had ever seen, Rainbow Dash.  Alice was all too proper to let it show, but she really hoped something exciting would happen at this social gathering between the two of them.  In the end though, she would be perfectly happy if they grew closer as friends if nothing else.

Alice somehow made it through her breakfast.  She only remembered once again contemplating how it was a pony could hold a spoon with hooves.  She might have to just ask a pony about the spoon thing in the end along with glasses of juice.

Alice was pacing in her room wondering if she needed to dress for this occasion or not.  Once the clock in her room told her it was half an hour before she needed to leave, Rainbow knocked on her door.  “Come in!” Alice answered.

Rainbow gave a chuckle as she entered the room.  “Hey ya Alice!  Are you about ready to go?”

Alice sighed and plopped her haunches on the bed.  “I'm not actually, Rainbow.”  Alice said with a worrying tone in her voice.  Rainbow gave her a concerned look and soon Alice spoke again.  “I don’t know if I should wear something or not for this occasion.”

Rainbow gave a beautiful laugh as she answered in her wonderful voice.  “Don’t worry about it, Alice.  This is a casual affair.”  Alice gave her an incredulous look.

Rainbow continued, “I don’t know what that means in Lonpony, but here that means you don’t need to wear anything.  If you were to wear something it would be no more than a hat.  Otherwise you would be over dressed.”

Alice gave a sigh of relief.  “I am glad to hear that.  I still have to get used to customs outside of places like Lonpony and Canterlot.”  Her green eyes then looked onto Rainbow’s rose colored eyes as she smiled.  “I do sincerely hope you will enlighten me on such matters, Rainbow!”

The factory director couldn't help but give a little giggle to Alice in response.  “Maybe I will.”  Alice’s eyes glowed green with amusement.  Rainbow gave a little smirk.  “You know I can’t just give that information away for free right?”

Alice gave a seductive and teasing smile as she asked in a slightly deeper voice.  “Oh?  What is the price I have to pay for such an honor?  I am not opposed to such things.  In fact…”  Alice’s green eyes glowed with just a hint of teasing lust as she said, “I might actually enjoy the price more than the information.”

Rainbow, despite her usually non-girly attitude, blushed a strong crimson in response as many thoughts raced through her mind.  She finally recovered despite Alice’s musical giggle, and said, “My My Alice.  Do you really wish to spoil such a wonderful surprise?”  Rainbow then gave a very enticing smile to the green eyed pegasus Seeker.

Alice gave a slight blush this time and a nervous cough.  “I suppose not.  So long as it is a pleasant surprise.”  Alice’s vivid green eyes darkened with a hint of warning as she concluded.  “I am not very fond of non-pleasant surprises though.”

Rainbow’s smirk grew wider as she said, “Oh trust me, Alice…  The last thing I want is to give you an unpleasant surprise.”

Alice gave a beautiful and sweet smile as she said, “Well then I look forward to it.”  Alice then gave a little twirl and said, “I am also ready for the Bar-B-Que.  Do be so kind as to show me all such an event has to offer.”  Alice then said breathy in conclusion, “If you would be so kind, Rainbow Dash.”

{-} {-} {-}

Alice and Rainbow finally departed from the Factory through the secret employee exit and were now on their way to the Bar-B-Que.  Rainbow explained how they might see some other factory workers, but it was a Weather Factory friend of her’s that was hosting the party so there would be Pegasus ponies that didn't work in the factory there.

Alice was excited by this proposition.  Frankly, she didn't like most of the factory ponies besides Bowler Hat, Fresh Breeze, and more obviously Rainbow Dash.  Alice could already smell some wonderful smells in the air as they closed in.  “That smells wonderful and delicious, Rainbow!” Alice said as she closed her eyes momentarily and focused her brain on the smell alone.

Rainbow gave a chuckle as she said, “That is one Lime Jelly’s talents.  Not her special talent mind you.  She has a cutie mark with a couple of umbrellas and works on clouds at the Weather Factory.”  Rainbow then lowered her voice conspiratorially as she said, “I also heard she sometimes helps with the Wonderbolts Academy, but that is just rumor I think.”

Alice gave a little chuckle to this and only smiled, “Regardless, if she can ‘Bar-B-Que’ well enough I can smell it from here I have to wonder why she isn't working at Air Time Café or someplace like that.”

Rainbow gave a knowing smile.  “She actually did before she got her weather job.  She always talks about how she loved her job there, but in the end it didn't pay well enough for her to make it her career she felt.  Once she started working with clouds at the factory, she didn't want to do anything else in her life.”

Alice gave a pleasant smile to that.  She hoped she would get to speak to Lime Jelly today and hear what it is like to work in the Weather Factory.

Rainbow turned to Alice and said, “You can tell her a little about your Rainbow Pool cover if you want, Alice.  She can give you a good understanding about the Weather Factory in general.”

{-} {-} {-}

Once the two factory employees landed and started mingling, Alice was surprised how friendly all of the ponies really were.  They may never be really close friends or anything, but she could tell they could easily become good friends.

She met many ponies that day, including the hostess herself.  Lime Jelly was a lime green pony with a light lavender mane and tail.  She was very friendly and made sure all of the ponies had food to eat.

Alice finally had her first taste of a burger at the Bar-B-Que.  She thought the burger tasted very close to meat and she really enjoyed the taste it had.  She ended up gorging herself by having two of them with mayonnaise and cheese on lightly grilled buns with lettuce and pickle.  She found the pickles to be very delightful and had extras.

After the burgers, she had two of the mushroom kabobs and some “Potato Chips” as they called them.  She had heard of these delights while in London but only barely.  As far as she knew, it was something one of the “Savages” in the Americas came up with to please a customer.  The chip soon caught on and became fairly popular on the other side of the ocean.

Alice learned a good deal about the Weather Factory from Lime and many others.  They were all too happy to share their thoughts when Alice mentioned she was a trainee in the Rainbow Pools area.

One of the many nuggets of advice she got was.  “Make sure you use Dumb-Bell and his crew in any way you want.  They may want a ‘date’ but that will be all.  They are very useful.”  She received a lot of different pieces of advice as well, most of it was just common sense Alice thought, but she appreciated the tips anyways.

Alice was asked by lots of the ponies, “What do you do to make rainbows?  They never really told us that during orientation.  It seems to be one big secret.”  Alice just gave a small knowing smile as she told them it was in fact a secret and she wouldn't risk losing her job just for sating their curiosity.  Most of her audience grumbled to this but didn't say anything else on the matter.

Once the party had been going on for a good hour, Rainbow finally came over and spent the rest of her time at the party with Alice.  Alice really enjoyed this.  The two of them joked with each other and talked about many things privately as well as with other ponies.  Once it grew late, Alice was confident to say she had made a few acquaintances and friends at the party and she had tasted some rather delicious foods.

{-} {-} {-}

It was getting to be evening and the sun was low.  Alice and Rainbow were sitting on a couple of clouds that had a perfect view of the sunset.  Alice smiled happily as she said, “I think this has been one of the most enjoyable days in my life.”  Rainbow looked to her wondering about this.  Alice smiled at her and her smile was contagious, soon even Rainbow Dash found herself smiling just as much and mentally agreeing with her dark maned friend.

“I really want to thank you for inviting me along.  I don’t think my day would have been anywhere near as wonderful as it was otherwise,” Alice told her in a serious tone that never the less conveyed her happiness about the day.

The cyan pegasus blushed and said softly, “Awww.  Come on, Alice.  I'm sure you would have found something fun to do today.”  Rainbow liked the compliment but hearing Alice’s tone and seeing her smile made it almost seem a little too much.  Alice simply kept giving her that warm smile before looking to the sky again.

It was shortly after night fall when one of the two flyers spoke again.  “I do love the nights here, Rainbow Dash.  They are very pretty.”  Alice spoke before then motioning to the sky above them with a hoof.  “The moon is lovely along with the many bright and beautiful stars, and we are above the ground so buildings don't surround us."

“Yeah, Luna definitely knows how to make a lovely night sky, and she barely spares anything to bring it to us.  I often think the night sky is far more beautiful than the daytime sky,” Rainbow said as she looked over to Alice.

Her companion seemed to be speechless and staring in awe at the night sky.  Rainbow was a little concerned with this.  “Ummm…. Are you ok, Alice?”

Alice cleared her head and answered, “I am okay, Rainbow.”  She gave a light laugh that sounded like bells to Rainbow.  “Even knowing Princess Luna is in charge of the night sky completely, I sometimes find it very amazing one pony, even if she is an Alicorn Princess, is responsible for both the stars and the moon in the nights.”  Rainbow didn't say anything in response.  She just nodded and the two kept admiring the night sky.

{-} {-} {-}

It was later in the night now and Rainbow finally stretched her body as she told Alice.  “Well I think we should head back to Factory now, Alice.  I am not going to try and make it to my home in Ponyville, so I'll be staying there as well.”

Alice gave a disappointed sigh as she whined, “Do we really have to go back, Dashie?”  Alice then continued without whining, “I do wish very much there was a way I could just stay out here tonight.  Is there no way for that to be possible?  I mean the weather is perfect tonight and the stars and moon are so very wonderful.”

Rainbow looked to the sky for a moment before she gave a smile that caused Alice’s heart to flutter a little.  “Well there is one way, Alice.”  Vivid green eyes looked to her imploringly.

"We could… if you wanted to… make a night cloud.  As long as we make it to work on time tomorrow, it won’t be an issue.” Rainbow didn't dare say anything like Rainbow factory or Harvest right now.  The moment was too beautiful to ruin it with such words.

Alice gave a larger beautiful smile.  “That sounds lovely, Rainbow!  I find that most agreeable.  You don’t mind do you?”

Rainbow blushed a little as she said, “I don’t mind but it is usually considered very intimate to share such a cloud at night.”  Alice looked downwards, her cheeks flushed with a little color.  “Not to say it has to mean something like we are a couple or anything like that, but it means at the very least we consider each other very close friends.”

Alice’s cheeks lost a little of their redness and her heart felt mixed about this piece of information.  She spoke softly, “I-I don’t mind, Rainbow Dash.  I-I would be happy with that.”

Rainbow blushed a little though Alice didn't notice.  “Alright then….  If you are sure…”  Alice didn't say anything she just started hovering where she was.

Rainbow felt a little giddy at the prospect, and she soon made a decent sized night cloud.  She had always wanted to do this with somepony she really liked, and she was very happy about it.  However Rainbow made sure it was plenty big.  She wasn't sure what Alice’s thoughts about her were, and she didn't want to press her into anything.

Rainbow was usually very fast in all things life had to offer including relationships at first.  As time went on, Rainbow was more likely to go at a comfortable speed with other ponies when it came to relationships and romance matters.

When it came to Alice, she wanted to make sure things were going really good and she only tested the line a tiny bit at a time.  She wasn't the reckless filly wanting to escape the haunting memories of the Rainbow Factory anymore, so she was careful with such things now.

{-} {-} {-}

Once the night cloud was finished, Alice landed on it and gave a soft smile to Rainbow.  Alice thought it was very fluffy and she was a little apprehensive about being so close to Rainbow Dash for the night.  Still she was happy with this arrangement, and it was supposed to be a decent night, weather wise.  Sleeping on a cloud under the night sky was something she had always wanted to do secretly.

Rainbow Dash was happy, but also a little nervous about this as well.  Sure, they weren't going to be doing anything as far as she knew.  There was still something about sharing a cloud with Alice under such a beautiful night sky never the less.  Rainbow only hoped she didn't snore tonight or anything like that.  She also prayed to Luna she didn't do anything else that might embarrass her with Alice tonight.

Alice finally settled down and hoofed at the cloud just a little bit before laying down on it and looking up to Rainbow Dash and saying.  “Thanks, Rainbow.  This means a lot to me.”

Alice then patted to the spot next to her as she continued, “Come on now.  I wouldn't want to inconvenience you to the point you feel you must hoover the whole night.”

Rainbow nodded and settled in next to Alice.  She couldn't help, but take in Alice’s scent as she tried to seem cool with this whole situation.  She caught Alice looking her over in the corner of her rose colored eyes.  She just kept staring up at the stars.  She felt happy Alice was looking her over to such a degree.  It meant she had interest.

Alice looked over Rainbow and felt something stir inside her as she did so.  This wasn't the first time she had felt this way, and she was concerned at first by these stirrings.  After overhearing other ponies, she felt more at ease.  Others had talked about how love here wasn't restricted so much by gender.

She knew Sunset Daisy and Twinkle Star were lovers and together, but still she wasn't entirely sure about such things herself because of her etiquette training as she grew up.  She acted and told herself it didn't matter, but she did find it a little hard to wrap her head around at first.

Alice took in the sight of Rainbow Dash next to her.  She loved Rainbow’s mane and tail colors.  She also loved her cyan coat.  The fact Rainbow hoof picked her for her job, and how welcoming her voice was to Alice, and how Rainbow made her aware that she was there for her if needed.  All made it really hard for Alice not to grow close to her and want something more than just friendship.

Alice had always wanted to be close to other people, or in this case ponies after the asylum, but none of them seemed to be able to understand or care much for her besides her body.  Rainbow however was very kind, friendly and glowed with loyalty.  Alice knew this was most likely because she was the Element of Loyalty, but still it comforted Alice.

The light tan pegasus really wanted to have friends and something more with others that weren't imaginary, but her past made this extremely difficult.  She didn't want to trust anyone.  She decided everyone would try and take something from her and then leave her alone once more.

Rainbow on the other hand didn't seem like this to her.  Sure Dash was her boss and most likely treated all of her employees similar to Alice at first, but Alice didn't care about that.  Rainbow was still the first person or pony to treat her so well since she left Rutledge Asylum.

Alice took in Rainbow’s scent and smiled as she slowly exhaled and looked up at the stars.  She wasn't sure if Rainbow noticed her looking her over like she had, but if the cyan beauty did notice she didn't care to make a deal out of it.

Rainbow noticed Alice looking into the night sky once more and she decided to return the favor.  She looked Alice over in detail.  Rainbow took in every detail of the beautiful green eyed pegasus next to her and took in a deep breath and smiled.  She really did like being around Alice, especially today.

Despite all of this there was still one big thing that got to Rainbow.  Was she allowed to actually find and love such a wonderful pegasus?  Rainbow had always wanted to find her special somepony, but still she often felt she didn't deserve such things like that.  It didn't stop her from trying, but it did more often than not put a damper on things.  She wouldn't quit her job and turn her back on Equestria despite how horrible and tough it is, but was she allowed such a simple yet difficult thing like love?  She didn't know.

Rainbow shook her head of those thoughts, and decided no matter what she wasn't going to let this night be wasted on thoughts like that.  She didn't know what would happen in the future, but when you work a job like hers you never took life for granted anymore.  It may be horrible and very twisted, but she felt she needed to live on for those that couldn't anymore.  Even if she, herself, was the one that condemned them to death.

The two pegasi enjoyed the night as they laid down on their night cloud and gazed at the stars.  They shared pleasant topics with each other and talked while they looked up to the sky.

Alice decided she would tell Rainbow about her past soon.  Well at least part of it.  She wasn't sure what Rainbow would think about her being an alien species from a different planet or time more or less, so she was going to omit such details.

She knew Dash would either think her being from somewhere else was really awesome, or she would see Alice as a threat and act accordingly.  The latter was something Alice really hoped wouldn't happen.

However, tonight was not a night for such things.  Tonight was a night to just enjoy and love.  It was a night to keep her mind and Rainbow’s empty of such worries.  Princess Luna went out of her way to make a lovely night for all the ponies.  The least they could do was enjoy it for what it was worth.

Alice turned to Rainbow Dash and their eyes met.  The two smiled to the other and then talked a little longer before finally giving in to sleep.

Alice had a curious but wonderful dream that night.  In her dream, she and Rainbow Dash were visiting her Wonderland.  Wonderland was now once again a beautiful and safe place, even with the hints of twisted darkness here and there.

In the dream, Rainbow seemed oddly confused and curiously aware of her surroundings, but Alice didn't pay much attention to this.  She just continued to slumber happily as did the cyan pegasus next to her.  It was something to ponder at a different time.
> A little Change of Scenery and a small Surprise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alice sighed as she finished another somewhat harrowing day of Lookout duty.  She had put a messy end to fifteen failures’ dreams of escape today.  She wasn’t good at bringing them down without causing some serious harm it seemed.

She knocked one down to the floor harshly as he tried to escape.  He would have died soon after, but a floor worker saw this and he made the downed young stallion the next victim of the process.  Alice thanked him at lunch and paid for his meal.  She didn’t want to find out what would happen if she killed a pegasus and their essence dulled before they were harvested.

Alice had grown a little harder in these last couple of days at the factory.  She really had no choice if she wanted to keep her job.  Alice started to see most of the sacrifices as numbers with indistinguishable features without any issue.  She had mixed feelings about this change in her.  It made lookout duty easier, but she felt as if darkness grew inside of her as a result of this.

Yesterday wasn’t as hard on her.  She worked the floor again and this time with Fresh Breeze right next to her, even if in silence.  Alice felt a little saddened seeing the darkened pink eyes of her friend as she mechanically pulled levers and pushed buttons, but even so having someone she knew and liked there by her side she felt a little stronger.

Once their lunch break came, Fresh seemed to be running mechanically as she went to the café to get something to eat.  Alice followed her and the two ended up eating in silence.  Regardless there was still some small relief to this action.  Alice just hoped Fresh felt it as well.

As they ate quietly, Number Five of the Stars looked around at her fellow Factory workers again and noticed the different types of responses to everything going on around them.  She found this factory to be very odd.  You had three different ways of handling the darkness which surrounded this job: excitement, indifference or quiet acceptance.

“These different approaches shouldn’t work together and coexist like they do, yet here in the factory they do just that,” Alice wondered.  In the end, she figured these opposing outlooks worked together, because they were all bound by the innocent blood they spilled while working.

The afternoon went by a little quicker for her and Fresh, since they only had two more shipments that day.  Afterwards, Alice followed the still mechanical Fresh Breeze to the café to rest and recover before she left for the day.  The two friends sat for a good bit in silence, but knowing the other was there with them.

Alice was a bit surprised when her friend suddenly hugged her and started to cry.  Alice rubbed her back soothingly and secretly prayed she wouldn’t have to be hunting her friend down because she tried to escape the factory.  At the same time, a part of Alice was grimly preparing for just that scenario.

“I’m sorry, Alice…  It’s just that today I had to harvest a young mare I knew from back home…  She was actually a good flyer, so I know she only ended up here because of bad luck,” Fresh Breeze sobbed into Alice’s coat.  Alice gave her a tight brief hug letting the messenger know she was there for her.

“She recognized me too…  I saw the look of betrayal, disgust and hatred in her eyes…”  Fresh looked down at the floor and sobbed a little more.  She spoke again after a few sobs.  “She got her Cutie Mark at one of our Mid-Summer Breeze Festivals…” Fresh sighed and tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling.

“She got her Cutie Mark, the happiest day of her life, at a festival I started…”  Fresh bowed her head and held it in her hooves.  “It was because of me and my gift to our home she got it…  And yet I was the one that pulled the lever that ended her life…”

Alice didn’t know what to think about this.  She wasn’t sure what she would do in such a situation.  She just kept trying to comfort her friend.  Fresh forced a laugh after a few moments of silence, “You must think I am weak….  Like everypony else here does.”

Alice sat her friend up and looked into her eyes as she said, “No.  I don’t, Fresh Breeze.  I think of you as a friend.  I wouldn’t think of you as weak because you cried later after harvesting a young pony you knew personally.  I’m not sure what I would do in that situation.  It is one thing to hunt down traitors that escaped from here, but it isn’t the same working the floor.  That doesn’t even count actually knowing the pony you help harvest.”

Fresh sat up straight and calmed down as she asked, “How are you handling this so well, Alice?  This is your first harvest, yet you seem to be taking it better than some veterans.”

Alice gave a sigh.  “You only say that because you weren’t here for my outburst on my first day.”  Fresh looked to her with some curiosity, but didn’t press.  Alice sat back and let loose a deep sigh as she said, “It isn’t easy for me really.  When I’m on the floor, I focus all I can on pulling those levers and pushing those buttons.  When I am on lookout duty, I think about doing what I can to make Rainbow Dash proud of me.”

Fresh gave her a small smile.  “You really hate to disappoint her, don’t you Alice.  I don’t think you have to worry about that.  She seems to like you.”

Alice raised a hoof to the ceiling, contemplated it, and said, “Yes, I do have to worry about it.  I think of her as a friend and she did hoof pick me to be a Seeker.  I don’t want her or anypony else to think it was a mistake for me to be appointed a Seeker.”

Fresh gave a little chuckle despite everything.  She was really enjoying this current somewhat normal conversation.  “I think it is more than just that, Alice.”  Alice turned to her and raised an eyebrow.

Fresh Breeze grinned.  “I think you really like her, and not as just a friend.”  Alice turned away and blushed a little bit to this as Fresh giggled more.

Alice wanted to deny it outright, but she remembered the Bar-B-Que she went to with Rainbow and then the night under the stairs they shared afterwards.  Nothing happened between them that night, but being out under the night sharing a large cloud with Rainbow was something Alice really enjoyed.  She got a look at Rainbow Dash the pony that day, and not Rainbow Dash the Head of Factory Operations.

Once Fresh stopped laughing at her lack of answer, the two mares spent the next couple of hours talking like normal ponies would with each other.  It was all in all a wonderful day for Alice despite her duties.  Alice brought her thoughts back to the present as she went to her quarters for the night.

{-} {-} {-}

It had now been a week and a half since her first discussion about Rainbow Dash with Fresh.  A few other similar discussions happened since then at Fresh’s insistence.  Alice mostly just humored her during the talks.  She didn’t like sharing her private thoughts about the rainbow maned pegasus so openly.  The truth was her friend always smiled when they talked about these things, so Alice did take some pleasure in the action as well.

Tomorrow was going to be the last day before a two week lull in activity.  Alice wasn’t sure what she would do with herself during this time.  She thought she might try touring some more pony cites.  Maybe even pay a visit to her so called hometown, so she would actually seem more believable when asked about Lonpony.

Alice thought it a little strange she cared so much for establishing such a deep and rooted background, but she did anyways.  She used it as practice for when she would be on missions and needed to have a sort of character while hunting her target down.  Plus, she did need to have a ‘home’ she talked about from time to time or ponies might start questioning where she's from really.  She doubted they would figure out she was actually a human from a distant world that stepped through a portal she indirectly helped make, and then became a pony.  She obviously would still rather avoid any attention to her real background.

The last day before the harvest lull seemed normal to Alice.  Well, as normal as any day in the Rainbow Factory was.  However, Alice found it a little unsettling that her time here during harvest was becoming routine to her so quickly.  She wasn’t as bothered by the screams and cries from the sacrifices who awaited their fate as she was those first couple of days.

Alice was sitting alone in the cafeteria with her head down as she absorbed this realization.  She might have stayed like that for a really long time, but soon a cyan hoof touched her shoulder and Rainbow’s voice filled Alice’s ears.  “Are you ok, Alice?”

Alice looked up into Rainbow’s beautiful rose colored eyes and gave a weak answer.  “Yes… Yes…  It is just well… all of this… you know…  But I will be fine in a little while no worries.”  She wasn’t really sure about this, but she would do what she could to seem brave and adjusted to her job for Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow’s eyes narrowed and focused on Alice’s vivid green ones.  She saw a small fear of realization in them.  Rainbow gave her a softer look and smile as she said, “I know what you mean, Alice.  On the bright side though, we have a two week lull.”  Alice gave a weak smile to that.  “What do you plan on doing for your two weeks?  Or well actually a week and a half.  We need all ponies to get back here half a week early as we make preparations for the big shipment after the lull.”

Alice sighed, “I don’t know, Rainbow.  I don’t have anything planned.”

Rainbow smiled brightly at her.  “That’s great.  I was going to ask you if you wanted to come and spend the time in Ponyville with me.”

Alice blushed for a couple of seconds before her blush cleared from her cheeks.  “Is there anything happening there in particular?”  Alice then gave her a teasing smile as she asked in a lower voice, “Or do you just want me all to yourself that badly?”

Rainbow gave her mane a nervous scratch.  “Well, I like spending time with you and all you know, but the main reason is, I thought you'd like to see Ponyville and experience Sweet Apple Cider Season.  It really is amazing!”

Alice gave an amused smirk as she said, “Even though you usually don’t get any cider, Rainbow?”  She heard a lot about cider season from Rainbow over the weeks she had come to know her.

Rainbow gave a mock pout, “It’s still lots of fun.”  She then gave a smile.  “It will be a great opportunity for you to meet some new earth ponies and unicorns.  Being here in Cloudsdale you don’t meet many of them.  It will also help you with recovering from your work here and fully taking it all in.”

Alice saw Rainbow’s logic here.  She mostly knew and saw pegasi around here.  If she did go to Ponyville, she would see different types of ponies that love and benefit from rainbows in addition to pegasi ponies.  Alice gave Rainbow a smile and stood up next to her.  “I would absolutely love that, Dash!  Do I need anything?  Like a cloud to sleep on or something like that?”

“Nah.  I have an extra cloud bed you can use in one of the guest rooms at home.  It will be a little like a sleepover,” Rainbow said.  She gave a sheepish smile when Alice only raised an eyebrow to her offer.

“I guess that will do.  As much as I enjoyed sleeping out under the stars that one night, I think it would lose its novelty after a week if not sooner, even with you as company,” Alice replied with a smile.

“Great!  I have to do some paperwork in the early morning here.  We can meet mid-morning and head to Ponyville.  Sound good to you, Alice?”  Rainbow asked cheerfully.  She couldn’t wait to give Alice a tour of Ponyville and introduce all of her friends.  Rainbow also thought Alice could use a Pinkie Pie party as well, even if she did keep insisting she was fine.

Alice nodded and said, “That sounds lovely, Rainbow.  I will see you in the morning then.”  Rainbow Dash nodded and the two mares parted company.  Both of them were excited about the upcoming trip, and Alice was very thankful she now had something to do during the lull.  She planned on making great use of this time with Rainbow Dash.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice hummed to herself as she packed her saddlebags with some of her personal items she might need during her trip.  She didn’t really have much to pack.  She figured this was due to her not having to worry about clothes, because of that incredibly useful pocket space thing everypony seemed to have.  Then again most ponies didn’t really wear clothes in the first place.  Add to this her being used to living with few belongings in the first place and she didn’t require too much luxury while traveling.

The dark maned pegasus waited until it was about mid-morning to meet Rainbow Dash.  Their plan was to have a little breakfast before flying to Ponyville.  However, she was surprised when a messenger came up to her and told her to meet with Rainbow in her office.

Alice knocked on the door to the office and entered when prompted.  She was a little nervous wondering if something had come up to delay their trip as she asked, “You wanted to see me, Rainbow?”  Alice looked around quickly to see if anything stood out, but all she noticed was Rainbow finishing up some paperwork.

“Alice.  Have a seat.  Just give me a second to finish this up,” Rainbow said.  Alice did as instructed and gave a mental sigh.  She was new to having a real job, but she was pretty sure being told to sit down by your boss was usually followed by something you didn’t want to hear.

Rainbow finished what she was working on and told a messenger to deliver a bundle of papers to the board.  Rainbow picked up a folder and hovered over to Alice.  “Well it seems you have a little job while we are in Ponyville, Alice.”  Rainbow gave her the folder and an apologetic face as she continued, “I really didn’t want you to have an assignment during Cider Season, but the higher ups insisted on it.”

Alice hadn’t looked at the folder yet as she asked, “I don’t like the idea of taking care of an escapee while we are visiting your home and friends, Rainbow.  Is there really no other way?”  She knew Dr. Hooves lived near Ponyville and she feared he might pick up on there being something off about her.  She would try to handle him if she needed, but there was something about him that just said he wouldn’t be a pony she wanted to face.

Rainbow gave her a small smile, “It isn’t an escapee, Alice.”  Alice opened the folder hearing that.  “He’s a traitor to Equestria that managed to get his hands on some classified information.  It isn’t too damaging fortunately, but it could still cause problems if it got out.”

Alice looked to her and asked, “Wouldn’t this be more of a Royal Guard problem?  Don’t get me wrong, I will do my job, but I am curious.”  She looked back over the information.

“You would think so, but in the middle of Cider season in Ponyville two guards alone would still cause quite a stir.  This needs to be handled carefully and away from other ponies.  Ponyville’s Cider Season has become widely known, so you get ponies from all over Equestria and even sometimes foreigners.  In matters like these, because of our connection to the Royal Guard, Seekers are often asked to assist.  We are good at this kind of thing after all,” Rainbow said to Alice.

In the folder, there was a picture of a dark yellow Earth Pony with a blue green mane.  There was a picture of a Cutie Mark with folders and a red stamp that read “INFORMATION”.  Alice guessed he was probably a filing clerk or something along those lines.  She was a little surprised he could get away with classified information in the first place though.  She guessed only the factory had protection that would destroy any such info if it left the premises.

Alice’s green eyes blinked a few times as she looked over his name and asked, “You mean to tell me no one was suspicious of a pony named Info Seek?”  Rainbow shook her head to this.  Maybe she was just being paranoid, but Alice figured with a name like that it was obvious they would try snooping around even if they weren’t a spy in the first place.

“He’s an idiot, who got in over his head.  Celestia doesn’t like using the dungeons in the castle anymore, and he is guilty of treason.  He has been smart enough to use public transportation for his escape, because he figured the Royal Guard wouldn’t want to make a scene.  However, because of the timing and how he is seemingly feeling confident, he has decided to take a little breather in Ponyville shortly into Cider Season.  This actually might be a half way decent plan if he wasn’t already in the Royal Guards’ sights.”  Rainbow explained.

“Where exactly is he planning to go?” asked Alice.  It didn’t really matter.  She would make sure he didn’t leave Ponyville, but her curious nature demanded to know.

“He’s planning to meet with members of the Screaming Skies in the Griffon Nation.  They are a small, secretive, but kind of powerful group that believes the Griffon War shouldn’t have ended like it did.  They believe they should rule over us because they are predators and we are not, even though Griffons don’t hunt ponies,” Rainbow said to Alice.

Rainbow sighed, “The truth is.  Worst case scenario he will be killed on the border by either the Royal Guard or the Griffon Border Patrol, even if in public.  Neither nation wants another war with the other.  However, if he gets that far, it might give Screaming Skies ideas Equestria is ripe for picking again already.  They would use their vast resources and help any enemies of Equestria they could to bring us down and possibly start another war.  We know they can cause large problems.  Their last attempt was aiding the Changeling Queen in replacing Princess Cadance.  The Queen then led the Changeling Invasion on Canterlot during the wedding.”

Alice simply nodded in her understanding before finishing the information in the folder.  After that the two ponies went and shared a nice brunch before taking to the skies and making their way to Ponyville.  Alice was more excited for this trip now.  Not only was she going to see Ponyville and meet some new friends, she had a job that would help Equestria.  She already had a plan forming, but knew she had a couple of days before Info Seek would be in Ponyville.  She would be on the lookout in case he got there sooner just to be safe though.

{-} {-} {-}

Outside it was nice and beautiful as two trails streaked through the sky.  Rainbow and Alice were both giggling as they started flying in some kind of choreography with each other and occasionally looking behind to see their trails intertwine with each other.  It was a beautiful sight, and pegasi taking a rest on clouds along the skyway to Ponyville would cheer at the display.

“Awwww yeah!  That’s right we’re awesome!” shouted Rainbow Dash when she heard cheering ponies.  The cheers as always gave her a sense of euphoria.  Alice would just give a laugh and maybe an occasional shout of excitement.  She was mostly just taking thrill in flying around outside once more.

It took them more than three hours to reach Ponyville, but that was because they were enjoying the flight and would occasionally throw an impromptu show for some traveling pony families.  It was Rainbow’s idea.  She said the skyway was a lot more crowded than usual because of Cider Season, and all of the ponies provided a chance to show her awesomeness and bring cheers and smiles to young ponies.

When they landed on Dash’s front porch, it was into the afternoon already.  Alice gave it a look over and couldn’t help but smile at its beauty.  Dash knew how to make a cloud home, that was for sure.  Alice took the view into consideration this time.  When she was last here, she had other things on her mind.

The house was a castle styled tower made of clouds with three floors and a dome roof.  Alice noticed a couple of rainbow ponds and fountains and an ever present rainbow behind it.  The scenery around it was beautiful as well.  Dash currently had it only about fifteen to twenty five feet in the air.  Alice knew Rainbow could raise it if she wanted, but Dash usually stayed within loud shouting distance of her grounded friends.

Once they entered the house, Rainbow gave Alice the grand tour.  Finally, they got to the top floor of the house; it was just the master bedroom and bathroom along with the guest bedroom and bathroom Alice would be using while she was in Ponyville for Cider Season.

“So what do we do now, Rainbow?” Alice asked.

“Well, do you want to go into Ponyville for lunch or have something here?  I don’t really think I have anything here to eat though,” Rainbow said with a sheepish grin.

“It doesn’t sound like we have much choice then.  Ponyville it is,” Alice replied while playfully rolling her eyes.

“Okay…  Just be ready…” Rainbow said as she made her way downstairs.

“Be ready for what?” Alice asked.

“Pinkie Pie…  She is friendly, but very random and hyperactive.  She has this ‘new pony sense’ or something as well.  Even with all of these ponies here for Cider season she will still find and greet each and every one of them faster that a Sonic Rainboom and she pops out of the most unlikely of places,” Rainbow said in all seriousness.

Alice was intrigued by this and part of her looked forward to meeting this Pinkie Pie in such a manner.  She still had some doubts, but Rainbow was serious, so she gave her the benefit of the doubt.  Either way she was really getting hungry now and they needed to go eat.

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow and Alice were walking into Ponyville.  Alice thought this odd, but figured it was Rainbow’s way of letting her look around and realize just how many ponies there were.  It was quite the sight for her.  She saw earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi all over.

“Wow…” Alice said quietly as her green eyes took everything in around her.  She remembered back to her time in Canterlot, but here there seemed to be a lot more ponies in general, especially earth ponies.  She thought the town seemed more alive than Canterlot did outside of the bars and inns at least.

After a few minutes of walking the town, they got to a restaurant.  Alice ended up ordering a Daisy Deluxe Sandwich with fruit on the side.  She was in the middle of enjoying her sandwich when she saw a pink earth pony climb out of a large glass and stand on it from an empty table nearby.  Alice blinked and casually asked herself aloud.  “Did I somehow find my way back into Wonderland?”

Rainbow Dash looked up from her BLT (Beet Lettuce and Tomato) sandwich with a side of hay fries and eloquently asked, “Huuhhh?”

The pink pony seemed to be looking for something or someone, and held a hoof above her eyes while turning her head more than it should feasibly turn.  “It’s just that a bright pink pony climbed out of an empty glass…” Alice answered looking the pony over with interest.

Rainbow looked to see where Alice was gazing.  “Oh that’s just...”  She was cut off before she could say anything.

“Hey, Dashie!” shouted the pink pony, which was suddenly right in front of Rainbow.  Alice and Rainbow both blinked a couple of times at her sudden appearance.

“Hey, Pinkie Pie,” Rainbow said with a somewhat exasperated voice.  She was expecting to hear a delayed gasp or a scream of surprise from Alice.  She thought it was a blessing Alice wasn’t twitchy or Pinkie might find herself on the opposite end of a blade from the sudden and improbable movement.  When Dash looked around Pinkie to her friend, she was surprised to see a look of quiet contemplation followed by a shrug instead of what she feared.

Alice was thinking about how it was that the pink pony just disappeared from atop a glass only to appear right in front of Rainbow.  “She must be part Cheshire cat, or somehow she has mastered the art of using ‘pocket space’ as a means of transportation,” Alice told herself mentally.

While all of this was going on, Pinkie had started rambling about all of the new ponies she greeted and friends she made.  She then started talking about muffins, cakes and other treats and how she wanted to make a different set of cupcakes themed after each of her best friends.  She then paused as if trying to remember something she was going to say, but just went back to how “superuberfantasicallyoverexcited” she was to see Dash again.

Alice just calmly took a sip of her lunch tea and listened to the pink pony going on and on and on about all kinds of random topics.  She was beginning to think Pinkie had somehow escaped from her Wonderland into this world.  She half expected her to smoothly slip into using alliteration to describe tasty treats at any second.

Alice couldn’t help but give a bright smile to the pony’s antics, especially with the way Rainbow was just listening to her until she finally calmed down.  The truth was the dark maned mare felt a sense of nostalgia being near this pink pony.  Alice’s green eyes seemed to shine with sentimental happiness as she remembered her earlier treks through Wonderland back when she was still a girl before everything happened.  When she made friends that loved nonsense and enjoyed many things, despite the meaner residents.

Rainbow saw Alice’s lips look like they were about to start twitching.  She feared after this introduction, Alice would want to stay away from Pinkie and by extension her.  However, the beautiful light tan pegasus gave a warm smile and oddly enough Rainbow could have sworn there was a small sense of something around Alice.  It seemed close to innocence, but Rainbow doubted that is what it was.

Pinkie was going to tell Dashie all about her excitement for Cider Season when her pinkie sense went off in the strangest of ways.  She actually froze up and felt a strange sensation apart from her pinkie sense.  She felt a longing, as if she was close to a place where she truly belonged.  It was as if she just needed to turn around and she would see some incredibly wonderful place with candies and plenty of friends that could really relate to her.  It would be a wonderful and strange place all rolled into one.

Pinkie’s bright blue eyes grew wider and she slowly turned around to see a pretty pegasus pony giving a wonderful smile as she sipped elegantly on tea.  She then gasped real loud and almost shouted, “That is why I was looking for Dashie!  I was wondering about this new pony in town I heard about that was walking around with her….”  She described a few more things while Alice just listened and gave a warm laugh.

“My name’s Pinkie Pie everyone just calls me Pinkie or Pinkie Pie!  Who are you pretty pony?”  Pinkie Pie asked with a smile as her tail seemed to almost wag with happiness.

“I am Alice Briddel.  Pleased to meet you ‘Miss Pinkie Pie everyone just calls me Pinkie or Pinkie Pie’.  That is a really long name,” Alice said with a giggle, which Pinkie Pie joined.  Alice then gave a thoughtful frown and said, “I’m surprised you have already heard about me being in town.  I haven’t been here long.  Well you know in Ponyville long.  I mean of course I haven’t been here in this actual place long, because I haven’t even had time to finish my lunch yet.  I have however been in Equestria for a good long while.”

Pinkie nodded and said, “Now that you mention it, that is a long name.  Well of course you got a lot of attention already.  You were with Rainbow Dash walking after all.  I haven’t been here here all that long either, but I have been here for a few years now in Ponyville, and been in Equestria for all of my life!”  Pinkie then started bouncing around and looking at Alice from many different angles and even lifted up one of her wings for some reason.

Alice nodded to Pinkie and said, “Indeed Rainbow’s mane does get attention.  I think it’s beautiful, but it is what it is.”  Alice then placed a hoof thoughtfully on her chin.  “I guess it would be odd seeing Rainbow walking anywhere.  So you work in a bakery with cakes and such?”

Pinkie nodded as she brought out a magnifying glass and inspected one of Alice’s Hooves and then an ear.  Rainbow just stared at her random friend’s behavior.  “Yeah it’s called Sugar Cube Corner.  Do you like sweets?”

“It honestly depends.  I do like cake, but if I have too much of it I feel like I’m fifty times bigger than I should be.  Fortunately, that feeling doesn’t usually last.  Also, I have noticed some mushrooms make me feel the same way when I eat a certain side of them.  I once had a mushroom that made me seem too big for my friend’s house.  We weren’t friends at the time, but we became good friends later.  I do hope you don’t have any mushroom cakes.  I would fear how big I would get after eating one of those,”  Alice said.  She felt she somehow already knew how to talk at Pinkie’s level.  It must have been because the pony reminded her of Wonderland residents so much.

Pinkie was in deep thought before she said, “I don’t think I have ever had a mushroom cake before.  I wonder if that would be any good.  Hmmmm….  Maybe I will try one sometime.  I’ll make sure I’m not in any houses when I try it just to be on the safe side.”

Pinkie then scratched her chin with a hoof and asked, “What do you know about hats or cups of tea or eye patches?”  Rainbow was still just watching the ponies not sure what was going on, but looked to Alice expecting an answer.

“I know a lot about hats.  You always have to make sure you have the right hat for the right occasion, if a hat is called for or rather required.  I don’t think you can actually call for a hat.  I guess you could call for one, but I doubt it would answer you.  I might have to try calling one to see.  Sometimes it is a good idea to have more than one hat with you in case the situation changes, though top hats are usually all around useful and proper,” Alice answered.  She didn’t have much hesitation or bewilderment in her voice.  Pinkie was sitting there nodding sagely to her words.

“As for tea, I love tea!  There are so many flavors, but just be sure you always ask for either a full cup of tea or a bottom half full cup of tea.  If you just say half a cup, you might get just that, half of a cup.  As for eye patches, well they can be useful and some ponies find them exotic.  I prefer my green eyes though,” Alice said.  She then took a sip of her tea and a bite of her sandwich.

Pinkie was nodding and writing on a notepad before pulling out a hat with words written on it saying “study hard”.  She then looked up and gave a smile as she said, “I prefer my eyes too.  But I still hide eye patches everywhere in case of an eye patch emergency.”  Pinkie’s blue eyes twinkled as she said, “Oooooohhh I should do that with hats too.”  She then frowned, “But it might not be the hat for the right occasion.”  She then gave a serious thinking face.

Alice seemed to be thinking about something as well.  She finally spoke in complete seriousness, “Well then I guess you have three options.  You can put multiple hats of different types in the same places together.  You could just not wear a hat, or you could just take every hat you might need with you.  I mean I always have my full wardrobe accessible if I need it.  I don’t see why you couldn’t do that with hats.”

Pinkie smiled big and cheered, “Of course!  You’re right!  I know what to do now!”  Pinkie then shot off in a cloud of smoke before backing up and saying, “Oh and it was nice to meet you, Alice.  We are friends, right?”

Alice gave a friendly smile, “I would think so.  We both know all about hats now and the importance of eye patches.”

Pinkie gave her trademark smile and said, “That is super amazingly fun and awesome!  Ohhh and thanks for warning me about tea!”  She then zipped off again as Alice calmly continued her meal with grace and elegance.

Pinkie soon appeared again, this time from under the table to the side of Rainbow and Alice as she said, “Also I’m soooo going to throw you a ‘Welcome to Ponyville Rainbow Dash’s friend named Alice Briddel who knows about hats and tea!’ party.  You better come because it will be super fun and terrific!”

“Will it be a tea party of sorts?”  Alice asked.

“Of sorts for sure!  It will be a party and it will have tea!  Anyways see you two later!”  Pinkie then ran off again.

Rainbow Dash just stared at Alice with her jaw on the table.  Alice hadn’t freaked out around Pinkie Pie.  Actually the two seemed to keep up with each other, almost as if they were kindred spirits or something.  Rainbow finally closed her jaw and asked, “How did you do that, Alice?”

Alice took a sip of tea and nonchalantly asked, “Do what, Rainbow?”

“Keep up with Pinkie?!”  Dash almost shouted.  She blushed when some ponies nearby gave her a look.  “I mean she is a great friend and lots of fun but still…  No one could keep up with Pinkie like that.”

Alice gave a little laugh.  “I can see that.  I can only keep up with her conversation wise though.  I can’t do the randomly appearing thing like she does.”  She again thought Pinkie must somehow be related to a Cheshire cat.  “I think I can keep up with her because I used to know someone a lot like her.”  Rainbow just shrugged as the two finished their meals.

{-} {-} {-}

Once they finished lunch, the two headed over to the library.  Rainbow decided they should see Twilight next.  She thought the egghead might bore Alice if they waited too long to meet her.  Rainbow wasn’t sure what Twilight would do if Alice started playing with her Vorpal blade in boredom.  She didn’t think Alice would likely do something like that, but if she was bombarded with fact after fact about something most ponies don’t really care about, she might feel she was waiting at the training grounds in a boring line again or something.

They were making their way to the library and Rainbow still couldn’t get over how Alice was able to keep up with Pinkie Pie like she did.  The most interesting part though was Dash could sort of follow the flow of their conversation a little bit as well.  This caused the rainbow maned pegasus to think she might one day be able to keep up with Pinkie while maintaining her sanity.

As they kept going on their way, Rainbow hoped to find an excuse to take wing again as they kept touring.  She decided after visiting Twilight they would go find Applejack at the farm.  This would allow them to fly once more.

When they arrived at Twilight's place, Alice looked at the building before her and kind of fell in love with it.  She had seen many things in both real life and in her hallucinations, but a tree that also severed as a library was something unique to her.  The green eyed pegasus felt as if she was seeing the true wonder of this world’s magic in this building.  She liked it.

Rainbow Dash knocked on the door, and was a little surprised when Spike answered it.  Twilight usually made a point to answer her door.  “Hey RD!  How are things going?”  Spike asked her.

“I’m doing great, Spike.  How are you doing?” she replied.

Spike’s eyes seemed to have hearts in them as he said, “Wonderful!  I was just on my way to go visit R-R-Rarity!”

Rainbow Dash hid a giggle as she looked at the baby dragon.  “I wanted to see Twilight.  Is she in?  Also this is a good friend of mine Alice Briddel.”  She pointed to Alice, who gave the small dragon a pleasant smile and curtsy.  Spike thought she was beautiful, but Rarity was most definitely more so in his opinion.  No pony matched up to her in his mind.

After looking Alice over, Spike gave a sorrowful frown as he said, “Sorry, she’s at Sweet Apple Acres right now.  In fact she didn’t open the library today because of that, she said something about needing to speak with AJ about Cider Season this year.  It might take the whole day to get things sorted out though.”

Spike then looked from left to right and placed a hand to his mouth as if he was telling a secret.  “Personally, I think she is wasting her time.  AJ doesn’t like sharing important family business with others as you know, RD.  That one time with those two unicorn brothers was a very big exception.”

Rainbow nodded to this.  “Thanks anyways, Spike.”  She then gave him a smirk and encouragingly said, “Go and have fun at Rarity’s.  Make sure you impress the hay out of her like always!”  Spike smiled back to her, bid the two ponies farewell, and went back to getting ready to meet with the most beautiful and ladylike pony in all of the land.

Once the door closed Alice asked, “That was a dragon?”

“Well, Spike is just a baby dragon.  He is still a dragon though, so yeah, that was a dragon,” Rainbow said with her trademark grin.  Her grin then grew further as she said, “So it looks like our next stop is Sweet Apple Acres!  Finally!  I can fly again!”  Rainbow then took off into the sky.

Alice gave a giggle before she too took off into the air, leaving her blue, green and purple butterfly trail behind her.  She didn’t notice the eyes of several ponies widen and a few whispering about the fast mare.  She also didn’t hear many patrons from the inns of Canterlot comment on how they recognized her as a mare who was the life of any inn she visited.

These patrons' comments and excitement about her being here in Ponyville for Sweet Apple Cider Season got the attention of one pony in particular.  This one pony had a big event planned for mid-way through the season, and he gave an amused smile as he decided to add one more guest to his list.  He knew he could just send Rainbow Dash the invite, and he hoped the amazing head of weather and Element of Loyalty might actually come this year with her friend.

{-} {-} {-}

It didn’t take long for Alice to catch up to Rainbow, even if she did purposefully hang back to admire her backside for a little bit.  Rainbow soon gave her a knowing smirk and looped back around to be side by side with Alice.  “This is great flying with you again, Alice.  Plus we'll get to meet two of my friends at the same time!”  Rainbow had a wide grin and Alice couldn’t help but give a big grin herself.

“I do have to warn you though, Alice…”  Rainbow said with her eyes turning serious.  Alice listened to her intently.  “Applejack is the Element of Honesty and she can tell when a pony lies.  She won’t press you if you ask her not to do so, but still I think it would be best if you don’t try to lie to her about being from Lonpony.”

Alice froze mid-air with her jaw hanging open, and started to fall to the ground.  Rainbow quickly turned and darted for her before catching her and pulling her to the nearest cloud she could reach.  The cyan pegasus cursed herself for what she said to Alice while they were in the air.

They were now safely on a large cloud without any ponies nearby.  Alice looked at Rainbow warily as she asked in a low and threatening voice.  “How long have you known?”

Rainbow threw her hooves into the air and said, “Easy, Alice!  I’ve known for a good while now.  I am the head of the Rainbow Factory.  Do you honestly think I would hire a pony without looking into their past sometime?”  Alice shook her head with her eyes narrowed and her blade now in hoof.

“Look, I don’t care where you’re from Alice.  I still like you a lot and think of you as a wonderful Seeker.  I haven’t told anyone, but I think Celestia knows there is something off about your past, even if you haven’t spoken to her yourself.”  Rainbow may have her hooves up, but she already figured out how to hopefully turn the situation around with Alice before resorting to violence.

Alice took a breath and relaxed as she asked, “How come she hasn’t done anything then?”

“You’re a Rainbow Factory employee, Alice.  As far as she’s concerned, you’re still one of her beloved little ponies taking on a horrible burden.  So long as you don’t do anything that would cause too many problems, everything is cool,” Rainbow said.

Alice gave Rainbow a hard to read look, but relaxed completely.  “Look, Alice.  I didn’t say anything about it because I know what it’s like to want to keep things to yourself.  I don’t want to cause you any pain.  I was warning you about AJ, because I want things to go well when we meet her.  She might press a little bit, but she won’t go overboard.  Just be careful of what you say to her and everything should be alright.”

Alice looked into Rainbow’s beautiful rose colored eyes and knew she was telling the truth.  It was at this point Alice decided she actually did love Rainbow.  She wouldn’t tell her yet though, because being in love with another female was a new concept to her.  If she was back in Victorian London, she was sure she would be thrown out of society for this, if she was a part of it in the first place.  However, this wasn’t London and she only cared what Rainbow thought of her.  She didn’t care if other ponies frowned upon them or not if they did end up having something in the end, but she wasn’t sure about how to proceed.

To Alice, the most important thing was that Rainbow Dash had accepted her despite knowing she had lied about her past.  It was to her the most monumental display of affection she had ever been shown.  She gave Rainbow her biggest and most lovely smile while blushing.  The dark haired pegasus vowed she would do something special for Rainbow to show her appreciation.

Rainbow blushed as well and praised Celestia she had met Alice in the first place.  The two ponies might have done something like a hug or a kiss, but they did need to be somewhere and Alice wasn’t ready for such displays of affection yet.

{-} {-} {-}

Once the tense moment was over, the two flyers made their way to Applejack’s.  Rainbow was surprised to see Fluttershy there as well.  She was a little relieved she could knock out three introductions at once.  “Wow!  Is this a friend convention or something?” Rainbow said aloud to the group of ponies.  All three gave a laugh.  Fluttershy gave a barely audible laugh, but it was still a laugh… it was just fun sized.

“Something like that, RD.  How ya doing?” Applejack answered.

“Good.  I was looking for Twilight and Spike told me to come here,” Rainbow smiled.   “Anyways, I wanted to introduce you three to a friend of mine.”  She then moved so they could see Alice.

Alice gave a curtsy and said, “I am Alice Briddel.  It is a pleasure to meet you all.  I hope we can become great acquaintances if nothing else.”  She gave them what she hoped was a friendly smile.  She also thought it wonderful how she was meeting an earth pony, unicorn and pegasus all at the same time.

Once again, she realized just how many different and lovely ponies there were in Equestria.  It was her job to help make sure they kept their smiles thanks to wonderful rainbows.  The thought almost made her feel as if maybe there was hope after all, and the Rainbow Factory actually had a purpose despite its dark nature.

Rainbow smiled as she introduced her Ponyville friends.  “Alice, this is Twilight Sparkle.”  She pointed a hoof to a lovely lavender coated unicorn with an indigo colored mane and tail with dark pink and violet streaks.  Alice had to admit if she wasn’t really into Rainbow she might go for her.  Twilight gave a beautiful, warm, and friendly smile as she greeted her.

“Fluttershy!”  Rainbow said as she pointed to a butter yellow pegasus with a light pink extra-long mane and tail.  The pony seemed to be cowering behind her mane as she gave a timid wave.

Alice returned the gesture and tried not to show any disgust to her.  She knew about Fluttershy because Rainbow had talked about her, since the two were foalhood friends.  Still, if Fluttershy was really as timid as she seemed.  Alice knew it would be tough for her not to try and get the pony to take the flight test, and properly dispose of her because of such weakness.

“And last but for sure not the least!  Applejack!  She is probably the only pony in Ponyville who could challenge me to a competition and I would take her seriously,” Rainbow said.  Applejack gave a blush and smiled at the praise.  Applejack was a lovely orange coated pony with a blonde mane and a strange hat that still had a certain allure to it.  Alice could tell this pony was a hard worker that deserved every bit of praise she received from others.

“Well howdy, Alice.  Ah must say that is a lovely name even if it is different from normal names here,” Applejack said.  Alice could sense no ill intention and actually admired the farm pony more for that.  “Anyways, Ah’m guessing you are here for Cider Season.  I hope it works out for you.  Cider is in high demand after all.  So, welcome to Ponyville and the Apple family farm!  I hope ya’ll enjoy yer stay.”

The visiting Cloudsdale Pegasus found the accent strange, but she liked it and felt it suited Applejack.  “You are correct in your guessing, Miss Applejack.  Rainbow keeps going on and on about Cider Season, despite her usual ineptitude in acquiring said Cider.”  The three ponies gave chuckles while Rainbow gave a small pout.

Applejack might have been confused hearing some of these words, but she had spent lots of time around Twilight and Rarity.  Applejack started to think Alice might be one of them highfaluting ponies, but felt she wouldn’t demean other ponies like most of them would.  “So where are ya from Miss Briddel?”

Alice looked to the Element of Honesty and quickly fought down her automatic answer of Lonpony.  “I am currently from Cloudsdale.  In fact, Rainbow here helped me get a job in the Weather Factory.”

“Ohhhh?  Where do you work there Alice?  If you don’t mind my asking….”  Fluttershy said in a small voice, still hiding.

Alice gave a friendly smile despite her grimacing internally.  She really hoped Fluttershy wasn’t actually this timid and… weak…  “I was lucky to be selected by the proper ponies to be allowed to work in the illustrious rainbow production department.”  Alice gave a proud but still pleasant smile.  Fluttershy looked to her with wide wondering blue eyes.  Twilight seemed to radiate with curiosity and Applejack seemed to be giving her extra attention.

“I have read all about Rainbows!” Twilight said as her lovely purple eyes glowed with curiosity.  “I got a tour of the Weather Factory with my friends, thanks to my cloud walking spell and Rainbow Dash.  Is it true that Rainbow production is really a closely held secret?”

Alice gave a smile, “Yes, it is Twilight Sparkle.  I might tell you more about it, but it is a very secretive process.  So you will have to forgive me if I am not very forthcoming with information regarding it.”  Alice gave a half frown as she said the last part.  She hoped it wouldn’t be seen as a lie by Applejack.  She really would talk all about making rainbows if it wasn’t such a horrid and harrowing process.

Applejack gave a smile as she said, “Well Cloudsdale really is a wonderful place, but where were you before that Miss Alice?  If ya don’t mind my asking that is.”

“Before that I spent a little time in Canterlot shortly after the Royal Wedding.  Previously to Canterlot I would rather not talk about.  I am sorry if this disappoints you fair Applejack, but my past is not something I easily share with others,” Alice said with a serious and somewhat sorrowful expression.  Applejack wondered why she didn’t share, but she respected a pony’s privacy and didn’t ask anything more on the issue.

“Alright Miss Alice, Ah understand.  Regardless, welcome to good old Ponyville.  Mah family actually founded this here town, and we love it more than anything else.  So if you ever need help with anything here in Ponyville feel free to ask.”  Applejack had a grin on her face that Alice couldn’t help but fully trust, even if she wouldn’t ever ask for help if she could avoid it.

“So what are ya’ll doing here anyways?” Rainbow asked.

Applejack sighed as she answered, “Twilight here keeps insisting all of ya’ll help us out again here in a couple of days with Cider sales.  I really don’t like asking for help, even from friends.  It is the Apple family that first planted apple trees and other crops here, and we ain’t gonna ask anypony to help us unnecessarily.”

“But Applejack….  If you let us, your friends and ‘extended’ family, help out it isn’t anything to worry about.  You will make so many more ponies happy and more sales,” Twilight said hoping to convince her friend to accept their help.

Fluttershy voiced her agreement, but continued to cower behind Twilight.  The butter yellow pegasus was trying to hide behind her light pink mane.  Alice might have thought the pony cute and beautiful, but she couldn’t get past her cowardice.  She would put up with the pony for Rainbow Dash’s sake, but really she deeply hated Fluttershy.  Actually, it was how the yellow pegasus reminded Alice of how hopeless, weak, and pathetic she herself used to be in the past that she hated.

As the day continued, the dark maned pegasus managed to keep a calm and relatively friendly disposition about her.  Mentally she was fighting hard not to twitch an eyebrow and grind her teeth when Fluttershy squeaked something.  She wanted to like Fluttershy, but the pegasus, while incredibly cute and pretty, really irked her in how timid and cowardly she was.  Alice sincerely hoped there was some kind of hidden strength to her, but she had her doubts about this.

Alice really tried her hardest not to take out her hatred on the kind pony.  She knew it was her own fault she felt this way and not Fluttershy’s.  She would find a proper way to deal with it all later maybe.  Fortunately, she spent a good bit of her time learning all about Apple Orchards, and almost everything about friendship and magic from Twilight.

The Rainbow Factory Seeker really enjoyed talking to Twilight and Applejack.  She might have even enjoyed talking to Fluttershy, but all she did was mumble and, “Eeeep” for seemingly no reason.  Rainbow did her best to try and show Alice the ponies, including Fluttershy, were wonderful and would be really good friends of hers if she gave them the chance.

It wasn’t easy, but Alice managed in the end, and even enjoyed herself.  She still wasn’t sure about this Fluttershy pony, but for Rainbow’s sake she would do all she could to befriend her.  Alice sighed mentally as they had dinner with Applejack’s family.

Alice hated the concept of love right now.  She was tolerating the weakest and most pathetic pony she had ever met in her life, just so she could hopefully find a way to like Rainbow Dash’s most important friend for Rainbow’s sake.  She knew if she ever hurt Fluttershy it wouldn’t matter if Rainbow liked her or not, the mare would be angry and probably attack.

Alice really wanted to force Fluttershy to complete her Flight camp test, just so she could be rid of the sorry excuse of a pegasus that rarely left the ground.  However, she knew Fluttershy was a good pony and filled a very important role in Ponyville with the animals, and Equestria by being an Element of Harmony.

Personally, Alice would rather introduce her to Cheshire and her Vorpal blade, or maybe even her teapot cannon, and be done with Fluttershy.  Alas love makes a mare put up with the most trying of circumstances, whether the other pony knows this or not, so she kept from using her blade.

The thing that really got to the number five star seeker was how if Fluttershy got over her weakness she would be one of the most powerful and dangerous ponies in Equestria.  Alice thought what it would be like to face a pony that could enlist the aid of almost any animal and fight.  She found this alternate interpretation of Fluttershy ever so intoxicating and seductive for some reason.  Unfortunately, the real animal lover would rather cower than meet her true and ultimate destiny.

Twilight on the other hoof was something else.  She knew more than almost anypony Alice knew.  Twilight regrettably had a penchant for giving masterful and complete lectures on anything you wanted to know.  Alice learned this by asking her about the differences between living in Ponyville from living in Canterlot.  Alice would have sworn the lavender unicorn belonged in Oxford as a star doctorate student or possibly as a Professor under her father’s proud eye.

After a while though, it was obvious she would have to take Twilight in small doses before getting really friendly with her.  The unicorn would remind her too much of her tutors from when she was younger otherwise.  At the same time, she knew if she wanted to know about anything, even something rather obscure, she could just ask Twilight.  Plus, it was kind of cute the way she lit up when she was lecturing.

Applejack seemed to be a pony anyone could rely on, even in the worst of circumstance.  She may be a bit prideful, but she was a pony that you could stand by through even the worst of days.  Alice could see why Rainbow was at one time attracted to her.

Alice was attracted to Applejack herself.  The farm pony had a lovely accent, even if it was a little hard to make out sometimes.  Her orange coat seemed so warm and she had a body to die for, but Alice still preferred lovely cyan to light and warm orange.

Alice took a mental double take as she once more realized she was attracted to female horses.  Sure she was a pony as well, but it didn’t change the fact.  She liked stallions, but mares were lovelier she thought.  Also mares seemed to be very plentiful, whereas stallions were harder to come by in Equestria.  Regardless, it was still a mental trip when she realized things like this, but the shock was lessening each time.

“So what do you think of Ponyville so far, Alice?” Twilight asked, breaking said pony from her personal thoughts.

“I like it a lot.  I have never been to a friendlier place, or a town with such a lovely charm and feel,” Alice said with a smile.  She gave a thoughtful look and continued her thoughts.  “I will say Pinkie is a little weird, but I have always liked weird, and she reminds me of someone I used to know.  Plus, your library is really something, Twilight.  I will have to stop by and see it at least once before I head back to Cloudsdale.”

Twilight gave a small blush as she smiled.  The librarian loved it when ponies talked about her wonderful home.  She also loved it when ponies came by for a book.  The lavender unicorn wondered if Alice was an “Egghead” too.  She could tell the dark maned pegasus was decently educated, if a little old fashioned.

As the meal continued, everypony had plenty to eat and enjoyed more pleasant conversation.  Alice was careful never to say too much about her past, but still remained as truthful as she could be.  It was finally time she and Rainbow Dash headed back for the night.  “Looks like the tour will have to finish tomorrow, Alice,” Rainbow said.  Alice nodded as they flew in silence.  It was a lovely and warm night with just the right amount of a breeze.  Alice and Rainbow both agreed it was the perfect end to a mostly perfect day as their wings beat in rhythm and they flew to Rainbow's house.
> Invitations, Deals and Bets!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alice woke up and stretched her whole body including her wings.  She was happy to have actually spent the night in Rainbow’s house, even if nothing happened.  Alice felt happy because she now knew Rainbow knew she was hiding some of her past, but the cyan flyer didn’t care.  This fact alone meant more to Alice than almost anything else could.

Rainbow Dash was pleased Alice spent the night in her house.  It didn’t matter if they did anything or not.  The fact they had stayed together was more than enough for her.  She was enjoying just knowing she had time off to spend with Alice.

The cyan pegasus was surprised when she heard a knocking on her door.  She hadn’t expected anypony today.  She went and answered the door.  “Derpy?!  What are you doing here?” Rainbow asked.

“I have a message for you,” Derpy said to Rainbow.  The mail mare searched through her bag before retrieving a letter.  She then smiled as she handed the letter to Rainbow Dash.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

I, Filthy Rich, hereby cordially invite you and a guest to my Sweet Apple Cider Seasonal Party.  As you know, I hold this party every Cider season and you usually decline my invitation for whatever your reasons may be.

This year I hope things will be different.  I also hope you will attend with that new friend of yours everypony has been talking about.  No doubt you realize this party represents an opportunity for you and her to make new friends with ponies who are part of the high society, and can help you wonderful ladies reach for your dreams.

I am not sure what your friend wants, but I will say I happen to know a pony with close ties to the Wonderbolts will be there this year.  I do hope you will choose to attend this year.  The dress code is the same as always.  You have received enough invitations you should know it by now.

Yours Truly,
Filthy Rich

After reading the letter, Rainbow Dash was very tempted to rip up the invitation as always.  This time she paused before doing just that though.  The letter was right about the party being a good chance for Alice to make new friends, and maybe practice skills that could come in handy for higher profile targets on her missions.

Truthfully, Rainbow liked the idea of bringing Alice to such a party for a few reasons.  The first reason was it allowed her to spend some time with Alice off duty in a situation the light tanned Pegasus excelled at in Canterlot, even if only as a friend.

The second reason was to allow Alice some field practice that may help with her job as a seeker.  She did well socially in Canterlot, but outside of the capitol might be different.

The final reason depended very much on Alice’s cooperation.  Rainbow had an idea in her head, but further thought on the subject could be held off.  It was now time for breakfast.

{-} {-} {-}

After an enjoyable breakfast, the two pegasi made their way to their first destination for the day.  Half way there Rainbow spoke up.  “Hey, Alice?  Can I ask you something?”

Alice turned to her and gave Rainbow a quizzical look.  “I would say something along the lines of ‘I don’t know.  Can you ask me something?’ but that seems like something he would do…  So instead I will simply say that will depend on what you ask of me, Rainbow.”

Rainbow gave a nervous chuckle as she scratched the back of her mane.  “As you know, we are on our way to meet Rarity.”

“Yes, your ‘socially refined’ friend, or as you sometimes call her ‘stuck up Canterlot snob wannabe’.  But what of this?” Alice asked.

“Well… she is a good friend of mine, despite what I may call her, but she is uptight and obsessed with the elite culture of Canterlot,” Rainbow said as Alice rolled her beautiful green eyes.

During her time in Canterlot, Alice came to know many of the so-called ‘Elite of Canterlot’.  Some were actually good company, but most reminded her a lot of Bumby, except without the child prostitution.  There was some of that going on, but it was just to the scale of any upper crust society.  This meant using their children to form alliances with other powerful families through marriage of their children in the future.

“Anyways.  The thing is Rarity is one of the best ponies you could be a friend with, and she does live up to her element with little trouble.”  Rainbow would have continued, but Alice interrupted her.

“How exactly does she live up to being the Element of Generosity?”  Alice said in a voice that might have come off rude to some ponies.  “I don’t doubt she does.  I just lack understanding in such a matter.  From what you have told me she seems to value her appearance more than anything else.”

Rainbow sighed.  “Well she does some interesting things to help others.  One example is how she made super awesome and amazing dresses for all of us when we went to the Grand Galloping Gala a while back.  Another is how she did things she hated for the sake of making her little sister happy.  Also she has made more dresses for us and others simply because she got an idea.”

Alice wasn’t sure what to make of this information.  If she didn’t know better, she would say Rarity was buying her friendships with the others.  The green eyed Pegasus knew this wasn’t the case though.  She also thought it rather counterproductive for a business savvy pony.  She had heard a little bit about the white unicorn’s business from others a time or two.

“So what is it you were planning to ask of me, Rainbow?  I don’t see much reason to turn down whatever it was you wanted to ask me, but I do need to know details,” Alice said with a warm smile.  Truthfully there was very little she wouldn’t do for Rainbow, but she wasn’t going to let anyone know that, if she could help it.

“Well you see, Rarity always goes on about how ‘uncouth’ I and some of the others are.  She doesn’t usually wish to sound mean about it.  She usually wants to help us learn ‘proper manners’ as she puts it,” Rainbow said.

The two ponies were away from other ears, so Alice listened as her friend continued.  “Usually I don’t let it show her words are getting to me, but they do.  I mean it does kind of insult me a little on the professional level, since I have had to infiltrate high class parties before for a mission.  I want your help to end this, Alice, if you don’t mind.”

Alice stepped closer and the two were almost muzzle to muzzle.  “What do you want me to do?  Why do you need my help with this, Dash?”

“Well, I know there is some truth to her words because I was usually overlooked for such missions, since I am not the most well trained in ‘proper etiquette’.  Also I think it would make for a wonderful small prank if you were to ‘teach’ me etiquette as a small wager between me and her,” Rainbow said with a conspiratorial smile.

Alice’s green eyes glowed with a little mischievousness.  “And how will this… grand scheme of yours go exactly?”  There had to be more to it.  After all, once Rarity met Alice in her usual Equestrian public behavior, the white unicorn wouldn’t take the bet.

Rainbow gave a toothy smile as she answered.  “You see, there is this party being held by a pony named Filthy Rich.  He throws it every year towards the end of Cider Season and always invites ponies to it.  Being an element I get an invite every year, but I have never gone to the party because it was too ‘high class’ for me.  This year he sent an invite again and asked I bring you along.  It is a very classy event, and I would be too ‘uncouth’ for it unless Rarity taught me how to behave.”

Alice looked at Rainbow with slight interest.  Rainbow’s grin grew.  “I want us to go to her place and for you to… downplay your beautiful and sophisticated elegance around her.  I will then get her to challenge me to see if I can learn proper etiquette before the party from you.”

Alice was interested, but she was a little concerned.  “Why do you want to do this?  I mean, it doesn’t seem right to fool a good, kind and generous friend of yours like that, Rainbow.”

Rainbow gave a small frown to the question.  “It may not be, but Rarity has unfortunately alienated herself from other ponies besides us due to her behavior.  It is only a small part of her, but most ponies outside of our friends think she is way too stuck up, and don’t wish to approach her because of it.  As a result, she is lonely.  Rarity is one of the few ponies I know that deserves her dreams.  Rarity’s dreams more or less boil down to mean find a ‘Prince Charming’ and marry him.”

Alice’s eyes softened hearing this as Rainbow gave a sigh.  “You know what I have done in my life, Alice.  I want to do well by my friends.  Helping them reach their dreams matters to me, but there is only so much ‘Equestria’s best flyer’ can do for her friends.  If this works and we can get Rarity to come down a peg or two, without her losing who she is, she would easily find the romance she craves so much.”

Rainbow gave another sigh, “You are probably wondering why she just doesn’t move to Canterlot if she loves it so much.  She won’t move to Canterlot, and leave her family and friends behind her.”

“She may not always get along with her parents and little sister Sweetie Belle, but she will never move too far away from them either.  If she was willing to get covered in mud, sweat and momentarily forget her manners, just to make Sweetie Belle happy at a local farm event, despite her hatred for such things, it is obvious she will never leave her family alone just to be a part of the society she dreams about in Canterlot.”

The cyan pegasus gave a thoughtful smile.  “That is how she usually ends up living up to her element.  She may be extremely vain and care about her reputation more than almost anything in Equestria, but when it comes down to it she will throw aside those things for her friends and family.”

Alice felt a little nostalgic hearing Rainbow’s words like this.  It was a stretch, but parts of what RD said made the light tan Pegasus think of her own sister Lizzie.  Lizzie cared deeply about her little sister and the rest of their family, but didn’t care so much about her social standing.  This actually ended up making Lizzie one of the most desirable women to those who knew of her.

Alice knew Lizzie could have easily joined the rest of the upper crust society and found a very rich and maybe even noble family to wed into if she wanted.  However, Lizzie was a free spirit and cared too much about her precocious and ‘odd’ younger sister to do such a thing.

Rarity seemed to be similar in the little sister department.  Alice would observe, but she had a feeling there might be some parallels with Sweetie Belle and Rarity, as there were with Alice and Lizzie.

Alice also liked the idea of this little prank Rainbow Dash came up with.  The fact there was a chance it would be beneficial for Rarity as well made it all the more appealing.  However, there was one thing Alice wanted to add to it, for her own reasons of course.

“Alright, Rainbow.  I will go along with your fun…” Alice said as the cyan pegasus gave a beautiful smile.  “But…”  Rainbow’s smile faltered a little bit here.  “There is one condition.”  Alice gave a grin in the same vain as Cheshire’s for emphasis.

“What is it?” Rainbow asked a little uneasily.

“We actually have etiquette lessons,” Alice said with her unusually wide grin.

Rainbow narrowed her eyes, but deep down she liked the idea because it meant she would get more personal time with Alice.  “Why?”  She still wanted to know more, even if she did like the idea of ‘Teacher Alice’.

Alice’s grin didn’t falter as she answered the question.  “Well, you said it was a problem for you in the past that kept you from some missions.  I know you are high up now, and don’t usually take such missions anymore.”

Rainbow nodded absently to this.  “But it couldn’t hurt to learn anyways.  Plus when I am done, you would be able to fit in with royalty here if needed from what I have seen.  Also, what better way to fool her than to seem natural in environments similar to this party?”

Rainbow thought about this deal for a little while before answering.  “Alright!  Sounds good!  Do you think you can pull off your act though, Alice?”  Alice simply gave a smile in response as Rainbow shook her head.

{-} {-} {-}

The two rainbow factory workers arrived at a curious shop in Ponyville.  It was a white, two story building that resembled a carousel, it was just missing the actual seats.  Alice was immediately fascinated by it.

Thoughts of going to a faire with her family when she was younger flooded Alice’s mind as she looked over the exterior.  She gave a pained smile as she looked over the building.  She sorely wished it had fancy seats on poles that circled the building.

Alice shook her head of those thoughts as she tried her best to get in the character of a less refined pony.  She found it with little effort and thought it wouldn’t be any problem to don the mask for Rarity.  She only hoped her speech patterns wouldn’t get in the way.

“Think in simple words…  Not to the level of a dock worker, but not to the level of someone as well educated as Lizzie and myself,”  Alice thought as they stepped closer.  Rainbow gave her a reassuring smile before opening the doors.

As they entered the shop, a bell chimed and a voice similar to a high society American said,  “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique and magnifique.”  Shortly after that a unicorn with a beautiful white coat, immaculately groomed and slightly curled indigo mane and tail, with a three diamond cutie mark stood before them.  The pony had medium blue eyes and perfectly done makeup as well.

“Oh, Rainbow Dash!  Darling!  It is so wonderful to see you again.  How are you doing?  Have you put anymore thought to letting me give you a ‘Rarity makeover’ yet?” Rarity said with a beautiful smile that no doubt caused many a stallion hearts to beat faster.  It might have even caused a few mare’s hearts to flutter as well.

“Oh!  Is this a new friend of yours, Rainbow?”  Rarity said before Dash could even speak.  The white unicorn was now looking Alice over with the eyes of a designer searching for a new model.

“Hmmmm… she has a slim, but still healthy build,”  Rarity said as she then looked into Alice’s eyes.  “OH MY!!!  These green eyes!  They have so much more depth than any other pony’s I have seen.”

Alice blushed, she had never come across anyone like this before.  She was both flattered and at the same time a little scared.  She was even ready to draw her knife if the pony got a little too touchy feely with her.  It reminded her a little bit of a certain ‘Good Doctor’s’ plans for her.  She was feeling as if she was on display.

Alice hadn’t minded Pinkie Pie’s closeness because she was warned about it in advance.  Also the pink pony reminded her of the good things in Wonderland for some reason.  However Rarity looking over her so closely, did bother her some but she wouldn’t let it get to her.

Rarity then withdrew a little bit and said, “I like your tail and mane.  It isn’t easy to pull off straight hair, but you, darling do so wonderfully Miss…”

“Ummm… Alice Briddell.”  Alice answered in her accented voice.  Rarity’s eyes seemed to sparkle to it, and Alice mentally cringed.  She was hoping she hadn’t blown Rainbow’s plan already somehow.  Alice shifted a little bit so her posture wasn’t as graceful, just to be safe.

Rarity did take notice, but didn’t seem to be bothered by it. Alice panicked as she tried to think of how to be ‘uncouth’ for Rainbow’s prank.  It was harder than she thought.  Rarity was intense and flowing with beauty and elegance.  It made Alice feel like she was in one of her many etiquette classes again.

Before Alice gave herself away, Rainbow answered her questions from earlier.  “It is good to see you as well, Rarity.  Sorry I didn’t meet you yesterday, but I heard you were busy with business.  It’s good to hear things are going so well for your shop.”

Rarity gave a wonderful and perfect, small and relaxed smile.  “Thank you, Rainbow.  I love working, so it has been simply grand with all of the business!  I never knew so many ponies were interested in bringing a little fashion to Cider Season.”

Alice gave a smile as Rainbow did the same and spoke again.  “Anyways Rarity, this is Alice Briddell.  She’s a friend from the weather factory.  She’s originally from just outside of Lonpony.”

Rarity’s smile faltered a little bit hearing this.  “Oh…  Is that so?”  No doubt she was thinking Alice would be similar to Applejack.  Alice was secretly offended by this, but didn’t let it show.  Though really, Applejack wasn’t near the worst sort manners wise she had met before.

Regardless, Alice took this opportunity to try and come off as ‘uncouth’.  “Yeah that sure is the truth.  I am from just outside Lonpony in the country.”

Alice blinked a few times as she tried to make it seem more authentic by adding, “I sure am new here and all….  And I heard you have a certain sophistication and eye for elegance in the area, Miss Rarity.  Rainbow here has said some… mighty wonderful things about ya.”

Alice cringed mentally, thinking she might have blown it and added a, “Ya’ll are mighty beautiful I simply must say.”

Rainbow gave a nervous chuckle to Alice’s poor attempt at being unsophisticated.  Rarity blinked a few times and smiled as she said, “Well thank you kindly for such a wonderful compliment, Miss Briddell.”  She wasn’t sure about this Alice pony, but she withheld her judgment for the moment.

No matter her final decision, Rarity would try to reach out to Alice nevertheless.  Internally though, she did feel a little disappointed Alice wasn’t from Lonpony proper.  Rarity loved her friends, but she felt a little out of place being the only one of their group that knew how to act around high society ponies correctly.

“Also, I hate to break it to ya Rarity, but I ain’t going to get a makeover anytime soon most likely.  I still don’t get why you bother with all that high class hoity toity stuff.  It seems rather lame and boring to me,” Rainbow said in a casual voice.

Rarity bristled at her friend’s words a little, but she tried to calm down and not get overly excited about it all.  Instead she gave a loud “humph!” and turned her head upward as she said, “You just simply don’t understand, Rainbow.  Not that I expect you would.  I swear, you and Applejack don’t have the slightest appreciation for such matters.  Not that it matters.  You couldn’t cut it in such a setting at all period.”

Rarity gave a little laugh as she said, “I doubt you could fit in at one of Filthy Rich’s parties even.”

Rainbow appeared to bristle a little at these words.  Rarity cleared her throat and quickly said, “It doesn’t really matter too much though, Rainbow dear.  I still love you as a friend, and doubt anypony else would be able to do the amazing flying you can.”  Rarity tried not to show it too much, but she really felt bad thinking she might have hurt her friend’s feelings.

Alice felt a little uncomfortable in this situation.  She didn’t want this little prank or bet to get out of hand, so she added her own two bits which seemed to actually make a bigger difference than she thought it would.

“Well my…  MA… and PA…”  Alice had trouble using such terms for her parents, but continued anyways.  “Always said many different types of ponies were needed for the world to work, and most usually excelled at something unique, and this all made for a…. pretty picture….”  She just knew she had to be blowing the whole thing and sighed to herself.

Rarity and Rainbow both gave her looks for a second before Rainbow said.  “I don’t know how hard it could be to fit in with such ponies really, or why you would want to do so.  But I bet you I can, because I am just that awesome!”

Rarity recovered from the odd insight Alice had, which seemed to be far too deep for a simple rural pony in her opinion.  “Ohhh?  How quickly do you think you could do that, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow gave a smirk and cockily answered, “One day, maybe two.”  Rainbow had a smile full of confidence as she spoke.

Rarity gave an elegant and beautiful chuckle, which Alice adored.  Alice decided if she wasn’t into Rainbow, and Rarity was into mares, the green-eyed Pegasus would have given up the act and done what she could to impress the white unicorn.

Rarity gave a beautiful smile as she said, “Ohh.  Rainbow.  I will take you up on that bet, but since you are my friend I give you until Filthy’s party, and I’ll let you even find a tutor to prove me wrong.”

Rainbow smiled as she said, “Alright!  I will take you up on that bet.  If you win I will let you teach me proper etiquette, and I will let you give me a ‘Rarity Makeover’.  I will even keep it going for two weeks!”

Rarity smiled at the thought and asked, “What if you win Rainbow, Darling?  Though I am not sure where your confidence comes from.  However when a wager is on the line both parties must offer up concessions.”

Rainbow smirked at her and answered, “When I win, you have to give up your hoity toity high horse mentality for two weeks!”

Rarity looked aghast as she said, “I will not drop to your level, and act barbaric because of a simple bet, Rainbow!”  Normally Rainbow might have said something about being described as barbaric, but she decided to let it slide this time.  Setting up the bet was more important anyways.

“I don’t mean that.  I just mean you have to stop acting like you are better and more sophisticated than most ponies in Ponyville.  You can still be all proper and stuff, but you have to loosen up and stop acting like you are better than everypony else,” Rainbow said.

“I do not act that way!” Rarity said in defense.

Rainbow sighed before saying, “What I mean is that you stop going on about how so many of us are ‘uncouth’ and such, Rarity, and give other ponies a chance despite how goofy they act in some place like Canterlot.  It will only be for two weeks.”

Rarity sighed and weakly said, “Alright…  I accept.  It isn’t that I mean to be that way or anything…”

Rainbow placed a hoof on Rarity’s mouth and said, “I know.  You’re still my friend, but you just got to stop going on about Canterlot elite and sophistication, and that stuff and give ponies like Big Mac a chance is all.”

This caused Rarity to blush a little more, but she soon recovered and said, “So who will this teacher or yours be, Rainbow Dash?  If you don’t mind my asking.”

Rainbow smiled and answered.  “You will see when the party comes.  To be fair though, is there anypony you want off limits as my etiquette teacher?”  Rainbow already had Alice as her teacher, but figured she might as well give Rarity the satisfaction of limiting her choices in possible teachers.

The white unicorn gave a smile as she said, “Well other than Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, and the Richs and…”  Rarity continued and listed a few more.  Alice was surprised and impressed how much thought Rarity had put into this bet already.

Alice really hoped things would work out in the end even though she was sure they would.  She also wanted to get to know Rarity better as well as the rest of Rainbow’s friends.  If things went sour with this bet that would make reaching this goal difficult.

{-} {-} {-}

After the bet was made, Rarity went to make some tea and insisted they stay for a little while to chat.  Alice smiled as she sipped on some tea.  “I much prefer this kind of tea party to the ones Hatter throws, even if they are interesting.”  Alice sighed as she once again remembered Wonderland.  “Despite everything there the place will always be special to me.”

Her green eyes watched as Rainbow Dash and Rarity talked.  Rarity would scold Rainbow about her manners every so often.  The Cyan pegasus was not pleased with this, but she let it slide.

Alice took another sip and thought to herself once more.  “I do hope once this bet is over, Rarity won’t hate me too much.  I would so love it if we became good friends.”

Alice really liked the idea of making friends with the white unicorn.  She thought they could become great friends if allowed.  They were both well-mannered and sophisticated even if Alice wasn’t currently showing it.  She liked the idea of having a friend like Rarity to enjoy a wonderful afternoon tea with or something else.

Alice gave a warm and beautiful smile as she watched Rarity and Rainbow talk to each other while joining in the conversation as well.  She decided she could get along with all of the Elements of Harmony in some manner.  Except for maybe one of them… Fluttershy.

Twilight was really into books just like how Alice was when she was younger.  Pinkie Pie reminded the dark haired Pegasus of her Wonderland friends with the crazy antics.  Applejack was hard working and cared for her family, just like how Alice was hard working and cared for the other orphans despite their behavior towards her in London.

Rainbow Dash was an amazing flyer she could kind of keep up with, and an all-around wonderful pony even taking into account her horrifying job.  Rarity was elegant and sophisticated and knew how to have a proper tea time, even if she could still learn a few things.

Fluttershy was the only Element bearer that would be tough to get along with for Alice.  She simply didn’t get how the pony could be that weak.  She would try to get along with her for Rainbow’s sake.  Even if she only saw the yellow Pegasus as a weak and too shy for even her shadow’s own good pony.

Once their tea was mostly finished, Rainbow and Rarity spoke for a good bit while Alice looked around the shop.  She was honestly impressed with Rarity’s shop.  The unicorn had an eye for fashion and owned her own business already.  Alice knew the white unicorn was older than her, but still for her age it was impressive to have your own business and make a living from it.

Alice noticed one dress in particular that caught her eye.  It was very much like her “Executioner Dress” except without the blood stained white apron.  Alice looked at it closer and wanted to buy it, but felt she was unworthy of such a clean version of her favorite dress.

“See something you like, dearie?” Rarity asked from behind Alice.

“I was just looking.  I couldn’t help but wonder how you get so much business.  Most pony folk just go around naked,”  Alice said.  She was still trying to sound ‘uncouth country’, but felt she was failing at it.

Rarity gave a deep and dramatic sigh.  “You are right about that.  It is mostly because of orders from out of town, and fancy events I can sustain my business.  I do receive a steady stream of orders for things such as cute-ceañeras and balls like the Grand Galloping Gala, but I have to be careful with my expenses to make it through the year without much problem.”

Alice nodded and said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if you received several orders from ponies in Canterlot.  Your dresses are beautifully crafted and more importantly, affordable.  I do imagine you would be quite successful in Canterlot if you had a shop there.”  Alice thought of a few ponies she could even speak to about such an investment, if Rarity wanted her to do so.

Rarity looked at Alice with a strange expression for a minute before answering.  “I would love to do something like that.  However I could never leave my friends and Sweetie Belle.  I almost lost her a few times, and I would never allow myself to do so again in the future.”

Alice gave Rarity a sincere smile as she said softly, “Family is really important, and the bond between sisters is something sacred…”  She then cleared her throat and added, “Or well at least that is what… ma and pal… always say.”  Alice frowned internally and hated being this way with Rarity.  She decided to try and keep a safe distance without being too distant until the party.

Rarity gave her a pleasant smile as she said, “Those are wise words, Alice.  I only wish I had heard them sooner and taken them to heart.  I almost lost my sister Sweetie Belle when I was blinded by my job.  I fought hard to get her back and I won’t let it happen again.”

Alice just gave her a smile before going back to looking at the many dresses.  Rarity really did have an eye for fashion and detail.  The dark haired Pegasus really wanted to place an order for a dress, but she knew it would have to wait.  She also knew she would do what she could to get on the white unicorn’s good side once Rainbow’s bet was over.

Rarity seemed to be very strong and independent to Alice, despite her ‘dramatic’ moments she had heard about and seen earlier in the day.  To Alice, the concept of a female owning her own shop and it being in such a wonderful state was still rather impressive.

She knew this world was dominated by mares, but still she liked the idea of females owning their own shops in such wonderful ways.  There were some in London she knew that ran the shop, but usually it was a man that owned it.  Here things were different and better she felt.

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow Dash and Alice had just left the Carousel Boutique, when Alice turned to Rainbow and said.  “I am only pulling this prank with you on Rarity because you showed me how it could help her if she lost, and I picked up on what you were talking about while meeting her.  I already kind of like her and hope she won’t be too upset.”

Rainbow gave a sorrowful smile, “If she gets really angry about it, I will tell her I put you up to it, Alice.  But I don’t think it will get that bad.  At worst, she will keep to herself for a couple of days.”

Alice felt just a slight bit better hearing this.  “Either way I really appreciate you doing this with me Alice,” Rainbow said with a smile.  Alice turned to the cyan Pegasus and she couldn’t help but get lost in the smile.

Rainbow then stretched her light blue wings and gave her mane a shake.  “So do you want to do anything in particular, or do you want to look around the town on your own for a little bit, Alice?”

Alice thought for a moment and then gave a nod to herself and said, “I would like to look around a little on my own.  I am sure the queen of awesomeness and head of weather in Ponyville has to do some work today.”  Alice then gave a chuckle and teasing smile as she concluded, “Even if she would rather find a nice cloud to nap on instead.”

Rainbow blushed and gave a halfhearted frown as she replied, “Tch…  Yeah yeah… I know….  Anyways I will see you later, Alice.”  Rainbow then took to the sky as Alice laughed.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice had herself a pleasant lunch with some unlikely company.  First of all Pinkie Pie popped up behind her asking if she was eating lunch before then sitting at the table next to Alice and smiling.  Shortly after that a gray Pegasus with gold yellow eyes that looked in two different directions crash landed next to them.

Alice wasn’t sure what to make of this “Derpy Hooves”, but the mare was nice enough and decided to just order her own meal and eat with her and Pinkie.  Derpy said it was lunch anyways and she was there, so if they didn’t mind her company she might as well eat.

Alice might have been a little reluctant, but Pinkie cheerfully stated, “The more the merrier!”  After that the three ponies talked and Alice learned Derpy had two daughters.  One was her’s by birth, and the other was adopted after losing her family to a horrible storm.

Alice couldn’t help, but have respect for the gray Pegasus, and was glad she had either passed the flight test or not taken it.  She would have hated to see this mare as a sacrifice.  Alice grimaced to that thought, and told herself to not think about that.

The green eyed Pegasus came close to dwelling on if she had somehow squashed a pony that would have done such great things in the future.  There was so much promise for some of them, but still a lot of them were failures of the pegasus race.

The lunch was enjoyable enough until Derpy finally invited Alice to have tea with her and her family sometime after Pinkie had left them.  Alice was happy about this until she heard Derpy talk about her Hubby.

“My Hubby would be happy to have you over for tea, Alice.  Lots of ponies call him ‘The Doctor’ or ‘Dr. Hooves’, but to me he is just hubby!  And to our girls he is daddy!” Derpy said with a wide grin on her face.

“He is known as the Doctor?”  Alice asked, trying to hide the small flag this sent up to her.

Derpy smiled and happily answered, “Yes, he is called the Doctor by many or Dr. Hooves.  He is very smart and seems to know a lot about what is happening around him.  He has a brown coat and dark brown mane.  Also he has an hourglass cutie mark.  He says it is his understanding of all things timey wimey or something like that.”

Once Derpy described her husband, Alice knew things might get to be really complicated at this tea party.  However, she had already agreed to attend it, and knew it was bad form to back out now. Alice just hoped ‘The Doctor’ didn’t remember her from Canterlot.

Once Alice finished lunch, she decided to head over to the public library and maybe look up a book for teaching etiquette.  She also liked the idea of maybe getting to talk to Twilight again.  She liked the Purple unicorn, even if she was prone to giving lectures to ponies without warnings.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice calmly entered the Golden Oaks Library, and was a bit surprised to see books, quills and scrolls floating through the air in a magenta aura.  She then heard a slightly panicked voice shout.  “I must study, Spike!  I have to get this report finished by Thursday next week!”

Alice noticed the baby purple dragon give a sigh as he grumbled, and he went back to his business of placing books back on their shelves. It was a couple of moments later the dragon’s eyes glowed as he said, “Heya, Alice!  What brings you here?  Are you here to see Twilight or look for a book?”

Twilight muttered to herself as she busily scribbled something on parchment.  Spike then gave a little chuckle as he said, “I think Twilight is a little too absorbed in her studies again for visitors.”

Alice gave a musical giggle as she said, “Don’t worry, Spike.  I won’t bother her if she is really busy.  I was just wondering if you had any books on teaching a pony etiquette.”  Alice glided into the center of the room easily and gracefully.

Spike couldn’t help, but stare in awe for just a couple of seconds before saying, “Ahh!  Yeah, I think we have some I can get them if you want.”

Alice gave him a warm smile.  “That would be lovely, Spike, and you would have my gratitude as well.”  Spike gave a large grin and went to work.

“Wait right here, Alice,” Spike said.

Twilight muttered a few words about the power boost a unicorn can achieve from properly aligned stars.  Alice couldn’t help but listen in on Twilight’s mutterings.  She also found a mix of amusement and insult in how Twilight seemed unaware of her surroundings and company while studying for something not due until next week.

Alice gave a little giggle and crept closer to Twilight.  She couldn’t help but say aloud, “You know I have been told if you study too hard you won’t really learn anything, Twilight.”

Twilight gave an “AHHH!”  once she heard her name from a pony nearby.  Twilight looked around breathing fast and saw a laughing pony next to her.

“Alice?!  Don’t do that to me,”  Twilight said to the friend she made yesterday.  “You almost gave me a heart attack.”  Twilight took a deep breath and let it out as she calmed down.  “Are you here for a book?  You haven’t been waiting for too long, have you?”

“I am here for a book or more than one, but Spike is helping me.  I’m sorry if I interrupted you, Twilight.”  Alice gave an innocent looking smile as she apologized.  Her innocent smile didn’t fool Twilight though.

“Oh please…  Don’t try to act innocent like that, Alice.  If you weren’t Rainbow’s friend I might have believed it,” Twilight said as she playfully rolled her eyes.

Alice just gave a small laugh before saying, “Alright, I won’t.”  Her smile then turned a little mischievous, which caused Twilight to blush.  “I was serious though, Twilight.  You shouldn’t study too much like that.  Especially for something due next week.”

Twilight gave a sigh.  “So I have been told many times before…  But when I get an assignment from Princess Celestia directly, I get ‘nervecited’ as Pinkie calls it.  Or something like that at least.”

Alice’s green eyes widened a little to that.  “I’m sorry, Twilight Sparkle.  I didn’t know you got assignments from royalty.  I won’t bother you again.”  Alice then took a few steps away as she waited for Spike to get more books.

Twilight frowned to Alice’s words.  She didn’t like their tone.  “Don’t be like that, Alice.  It is alright.  I get assignments from her a lot, because she taught me magic personally.”

Alice wasn’t sure what to make of this.  She didn’t see how getting assignments from royalty could be something so casual for a librarian in a town like Ponyville.  She also was impressed to hear Twilight was trained directly by the Sun princess in person.  Rainbow told Alice Twilight studied at Celestia’s school and under the princess.  However Alice thought she just meant in a large classroom.

“Wow!  That really is amazing you were trained by Princess Celestia, Twilight!”  Alice said in disbelief.  “Are you royalty yourself or maybe nobility?”

Twilight gave a small blush as she quietly said, “Ummm…  Nobility…”

Alice’s eyes widened a little more.  She was about to curtsy and apologize, but Twilight quickly said, “It doesn’t mean that much to me!  I mean my family doesn’t like to be treated any differently from normal ponies!  Please don’t behave all formally and act distant, Alice!”  The lavender unicorn seemed to be almost panicking as she spoke.

Alice gave an uneasy smile as she said, “If you say so….”  Twilight seemed to relax to these words.

The dark haired pegasus gave Twilight a look and said, “I find it hard to believe you aren’t spoilt and some egotistical pony, Twilight.  Don’t get me wrong!  Its good you aren’t, but how are you not….  I mean how many ponies can say they are nobility.  Let alone personally taught by royalty.”

Twilight gave a frown.  “My family follows Celestia’s example!  She wants to be in touch with her ponies and she is really fond of the younger ones.  We of the Sparkle family try to be the same way.  We aren’t like those ‘elitist’ ponies.”

Alice found this description of the princess’ behavior curious.  She couldn’t help but wonder if it was some way Celestia tried to make up for allowing the Rainbow Factory to exist.  More importantly she found Twilight even more curious.  At the same time, her respect for Twilight and her family grew a lot.  Nobles that treated others as equals were rare in Canterlot or anywhere.

“That is very admirable of you and your family, Twilight.  If only more nobles acted the same way.  But really… You were trained by Celestia in magic personally?”  Twilight nodded to Alice.  “You must really know a lot about magic then.”

Twilight gave a huge smile and neither pony noticed Spike place several books on a table near Alice.  The baby dragon however said nothing and just listened to the two ponies talk.

“I do know a lot about magic.  I love learning about it as well.  Plus, my special talent is magic!  I’m natural at it!  Princess Celestia taught me a lot about controlling my power too.  She said she hadn’t seen any other pony with as much rare power as me,” Twilight said with bright purple eyes, but suddenly they looked a little saddened.

Alice gave her a sympathetic look as she said calmly.  “That must have been lonely.  It must have alienated you from other ponies.  I guess that is what they mean when they say a great gift can also be a curse.”

Twilight nodded.  “I was lonely… still am a little bit at times.  When I was studying in the castle it didn’t really bother me much, because I focused on my studies.”

Twilight’s purple eyes grew a little darker as she said, “Even now it still alienates me sometimes.  Apart from the other Elements of Harmony, most ponies just treat me with polite indifference.  I have tried to make other friends, but most ponies are intimidated by my status.”

Twilight gave a frown as she kept speaking.  “I tell them it doesn’t matter to me.  They still try to stay away from me, but not too far away.  I am thankful for that, but I can’t talk about magic with other unicorns that would know a lot about magic, because of my status.

Alice was about to say something, but Twilight answered her unasked question.  “Don’t get me wrong, I can talk to Rarity a little bit about it, but not much.  She is amazing at control and precision for her job, but she doesn’t know much beyond that.  I know I may not find another pony at my exact level in magic proficiency, but I wish I could at least make friends with a unicorn that knew something more about magic.”

Twilight gave a sigh, “Do you know what I mean by that?”

Alice gave a slow nod to her.  “I understand in a sense, Twilight.”  Twilight looked up to her with a questioning glance.  “I don’t know much about magic, but I do know what it is like to want to be around ponies at least close to your level in something.”

Alice gave a smile.  “As far as I know, there is only one pony that can keep up with me when it comes to flying.  Even then they have to limit their speed some to do so.”

Twilight’s mouth opened a little bit to this.  Alice nodded, and said, “Rainbow Dash is the only Pegasus I know that I can fly with at my level.  There might be others, but I have yet to meet them.”

Alice gave a warm giggle as she said, “In fact, I first met Rainbow when she challenged me to a race.  It was actually close until the final straight away and she used a sonic Rainboom to beat me.”

Twilight’s mouth was still hanging open before she finally spoke, “That sounds a little extreme for a friendly race… even for Rainbow Dash.  I wonder why she did that.”

Alice shrugged her shoulders.  “She simply told me it was because she couldn’t lose to me.  Needless to say once she used the Sonic Rainboom, the race was over.  She was better at the straight a ways than me, but I had her on the corners.  So I have a small hint about what you mean, Twilight.”

Twilight shook her head and gave a little laugh.  “It sounds to me like you know exactly what I mean, Alice.  Still I can’t believe you are able to actually fly with Rainbow Dash like that.  I have to see you two race before you head back to Cloudsdale.”

Alice gave a laugh, “Knowing Rainbow Dash there is a very good chance you will, Twilight.”

Twilight joined Alice in the laugh.  The two ponies continued before a baby dragon cleared his throat and said, “Hey, Alice.  I found those books you wanted.  They are on the table here.”  He pointed to a sizable stack next to him.

“That is more than I thought there would be.  Thanks, Spike.”  Alice gave him a smile, and the baby dragon swelled with pride.

“Well, he is my number one assistant,”  Twilight said with undisguised pride.  This caused Spike to blush.  Twilight then gave a giggle and asked Alice, “What were you looking for anyways, Alice?”

Alice debated what to tell Twilight.  She decided part of the truth would work.  “I am going to teach Rainbow etiquette for Mr. Rich’s party.  She made a bet with Rarity.  Please don’t tell Rarity I am teaching Rainbow though, and don’t tell Rarity I am actually fairly well-mannered either.  It is kind of a secret.”

Twilight gave a laugh to those words.  “Ohh trust me, I won’t tell anyone that.  I will tell the others not to tell Rarity as well.  I wish you the best of luck though.  Rainbow isn’t exactly known for her manners.  If you pull this off, then I will lighten up on my studying for two weeks.”

Alice gave Twilight a knowing grin Cheshire would be proud of, and caused Twilight to have some second thoughts on her promise for a split second.  “Well then we have ourselves a deal.  If I fail this task, then I will do as you say for two weeks within reason.”

Twilight gave a nervous laugh, but agreed to the terms anyways.  Spike was just shaking his head at Twilight.  He wasn’t sure why, but he had a feeling Twilight would lose this bet.  At the same time though, he was rooting for Alice and Rainbow.  If Twilight let up on her studies then that meant he would have a bit of break for those weeks.

Alice then went through the pile of books and picked out three she thought would be the most helpful.  “Anyways.  Thanks for the books, I will return them before the party.  Also it was nice getting to talk to you, Twilight.”  Alice smiled and Twilight returned it.

It wasn’t long until Alice was back at Rainbow’s house and started to look through the books.  That night Alice would find out just what she needed for Rainbow’s lessons. From there, Alice would do her best to get her rainbow maned friend to the point she could even fit in with pony royalty at an extravagant feast.

She spent some time skimming through the books, but soon she was bored.  She decided to do a little homework for her mission.  She could start looking into where Info Seek may end up staying or see if he might actually be in town already.  It felt nice as she stretched her wings and took off for Ponyville once more.
> Duty to the Nation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alice felt good.  She now had her mind once again set on a mission.  She was more interested in this mission, because she was going after an earth pony this time instead of a pegasus.

It was also nice not having to think about the pressure she secretly felt to get along with Rainbow’s friends.  Nope, right now she only needed to worry about her mission and what she could do about it today.

The first thing Alice needed to do was to check the trains at the train station.  Info Seek’s train was due to arrive tomorrow, but last night she was told to meet with a contact at the train station through a late night letter delivered to her at Rainbow’s.  The contact was working long hours for the next three days at the train station so the two had a good window to meet.

Alice took to the air and flew at a decent pace, for herself, to the train station.  She was on her way to the new train station actually.  The old one had been in use until recently.  In the last year Ponyville had grown and so had the use of trains as long range transportation.

Alice soon spotted her destination.  The station was still small compared to the ones she was used to seeing.  It wasn’t some one building station, but it wasn’t much bigger than that.  She landed nearby and trotted her way up to it.

The first thing she noticed was the rather large number of attendants, but she supposed they were mostly part time employees for Cider Season.  She casually made her way on to the actual platform without much fuss.  She looked around at the different attendants and the information board with many different advertisement spaces.

She hummed to herself as she saw the adverts about the different inns.  She made a mental list of the possible top choices he would go for given what she learned about his personality and his patterns.

He was staying here to relax a little and hopefully throw any ‘pursers’ off his trail, by not automatically making a scramble for the border.  It was too bad this would be his last stop since Alice was enlisted to take care of him.

It wasn’t long before a unicorn mare with a pink and brown mane, wearing an attendant uniform, spoke to her.  “There aren’t any trains arriving for a little while, miss.  May I help you with something?”

Alice gave a look of concentration as she said, “I am simply gathering Info before I seek an inn to stay for cider season is all, ma’am.  I was hoping for there to at least be five inns, and maybe one that boasted about star treatment and rainbows.  I could have wandered around, but I figured the train station would have more information about them, plus I like train stations.  Not always too fond of trains, but the train stations are different.”

The uniformed mare leaned in a little closer and said quietly, “So you are number five of the stars then.  His train is 5473 from Horn Hollow.  It is still on time, and you can look up the info on it already.”

Alice nodded and then said, “Thanks for your opinion.  I think I will look into staying at the famous Handy Reins Inn.  I would just stay with my friend, but if I were to spend time with a nice stallion I met in one of the bars or inns she might not like it.”

“Well you know at this time of year finding a place can be hard if you don’t make a reservation.  Fortunately most innkeepers are more than happy to tell you if they are filled or not.  Plus they won’t say no to a customer that just wants to visit their bar area,” the unicorn mare said.

Alice gave a chuckle as she said, “You know, you’re right, I think I will just stay at her place and just find a way to go somewhere private just out of town near the forest for some privacy.  I always thought it would be romantic, and a little thrilling enjoying such activities in that kind of a setting.”

The unicorn nodded to her.  “I do like the sound ‘of nice and quiet’ away from others.  Plus from what I know, you pegasi like to be able to see the sky if you aren’t up in the clouds.”

“True.  I prefer the clouds myself, but earth ponies and unicorns don’t.”  Alice then gave a half teasing half sultry grin as she said, “And unless all you want is quick and fast paced fun, a mare has to be willing to visit the ground.  I mean unicorns have that magic and earth ponies have stamina.  So I have heard at least.”

“Not all earth ponies have that.  Some may have earth pony strength, but that still varies from pony to pony.  In fact, I know this one earth pony that mostly handles files for a living and he is on the weak side for earth ponies.  Still stronger naturally than a pegasus or unicorn, but he isn’t by much.  Boy does it get to him.  If a mare knew how much it got to him they could use it to manipulate him a little.  If they weren’t too obvious about it,” the station attendant said to her.

Alice chuckled again, “I’ll keep that in mind, when I visit the bars for some fun.  I can be subtle, I just usually don’t like to be too subtle.  Anyways, I really should go.  You did say the Inns were full.  I want to see them anyways.  Find out which ones will have the best nightlife.”  Alice then gave the unicorn mare a smile and bow of her head in gratitude before taking off.

As she left a stallion nearby gave a whistle and said, “I like her.  She is all polite and stuff if she bows in thanks to ponies.  Why can’t you be like that, Blissful Service?”

The unicorn mare just gave a scoff and said, “Maybe I am, Luggage Cart.”  She then gave him a sexy smirk before sticking out her tongue.  “Just not to you, Lug.”

Luggage chuckled and said, “Alright.  Alright Bliss, so you say.  But one of these days.” He then gave a smirk and pointed a hoof to him and then her.  “I will get you out on a date or something.”

Blissful giggled to him.  “We shall see.”  She then got back to work while Luggage blinked at her a few times.  She had never almost said “maybe” to him when it came to asking her on a date.  He then gave a smile and went back to his own work.

Blissful Service was a little amazed at how the information trade with Alice went.  She felt a little giddy about it all really.  She always dreamed of an exchange like that.  It felt like something from a novel to her.

She was at first bummed when she joined the Royal Guard Intel Division and was assigned to Ponyville.  She knew she was low ranking and wouldn’t get an exciting place like Manehatten, Fillydelphia or Baltimare.  Still it did seem kind of extra boring to her.

Once Twilight moved here from Canterlot a few years back things got more exciting, but she mostly sent updates about the situation to command.  After all how else could Celestia respond as quickly as she did when she wanted to for whatever reason?

This was the first time she had actually been in the middle of a covert operation though.  Especially with a factory seeker.  Most of the Royal Guard didn’t really know about the place, but she knew a little bit being from the Intel Division.  Not much mind you, but a little bit.

The thing that amazed her the most was how natural Alice worked.  She really did seem like a tourist looking for information about the local inns and enjoying the sights.  Their conversation was done in a manner that anyone who overheard it would think Bliss was just helping out another pony.  Even if they had a discerning ear they wouldn’t figure out what really was being said.  Bliss now knew all she needed to know.  She knew Alice’s plan more or less and had told her to make sure she can be seen in case things got too dicey.  It was a good day.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice managed to look up the time and get a magic train card from the ticket stand.  It would list the trains for the next few days and she could actually tell the card what train to look up.  It usually costs a good bit of money, but Alice used the “society lessons” Bumby taught her to get a real good discount from the ticket desk stallion.

She was still surprised how useful those lessons were in her life now, especially seduction.  Bumby wanted his “special” clients to be treated really well after all.  She wasn’t to be some common prostitute.  Alice was to be a special treat for them if things had worked out his way.  Instead the "good" doctor ended up dead.

She also noticed the mare working the other window roll her eyes.  When that happened the stallion got a little nervous.  Alice gave him a wink and went to talk to the mare.  It wasn’t long until the mare was smiling and even blushing a little bit.

Alice liked how open mares and stallions were here.  She had a feeling it would make her job easier, since she was also open minded as well.  The dark maned pegasus made her way to her next order of business.

Her second order of business was to scout out the inns in Ponyville.  She knew Info Seek would prefer one if possible.  He liked to be out in the open during his trek at times where open action from the guards would cause problems.  It was actually a pretty good strategy given how Equestria preferred the darker parts of government operations to be kept in the dark and away from the public at large.

Alice felt a little concerned though.  There were only three or four inns in Ponyville.  She figured they would fill up fast.  If that happened he would then have to find another place to stay.  This would mean using one of the small houses, which would sometimes take on paying customers if they had a bed to spare.  The wise course of action might be to go with one of these places right off the bat, but Info wouldn’t.  He was overconfident and would want to stay at an inn.

{-} {-} {-}

She tried the Handy Reins Inn first.  She found a rather large four story building with architecture similar to the rest of Ponyville.  She couldn’t help but smile as she entered the building.  The main lobby was amazing in her eyes.

It was medium sized and very professional looking.  But on either side of the main desk there were grand stairwells leading up to the second floor.  There were ornate benches on the sides with cushions and a beautiful tiled floor.  It seemed a little upper class without being gaudy.  It almost was as if it said.  “We know we are an inn and travelers want a nice room instead of some grand lobby.”

She looked around and smiled as she saw just beyond the benches and main desk there was a restaurant on the left side and a bar on the right side.

Alice walked up to the front desk and a stallion unicorn with a classy, but not too classy suit stood behind the desk.  He had a nice brown mane and a red coat.  “Welcome to Handy Reins, Milady!  I’m Proper Rest.  How may I help you?”

Alice gave him a nice smile as she said, “I just wanted to know a few things about the inn, and if you had any rooms still available.”

The stallion’s smile slipped a little at that.  “I’m sorry to say we’re full.  Not even because of booked rooms not yet filled.  We have ponies already staying in every room.  Do you still want to hear about the inn, ma’am?  I wouldn’t want to waste your valuable time.”

Alice gave a small dejected sigh.  She then smiled again and said, “Sure.  If you don’t mind customers in the restaurant or the bar that aren’t guests with a room.”

Proper brightened up at that.  “Are you kidding me?  Of course we love customers of all kinds so long as you don’t cause too much trouble.”  Alice gave a half frown to his comment.  The innkeeper chuckled good heartedly.

“Sorry Ma’am, I didn’t mean any offense.  All of the inns here in Ponyville accept customers of all sorts.  Hay, if you don’t have both a bar and restaurant open to all, you won’t be successful in Ponyville.  We don’t usually get a lot of guests in this town.  We do have some important times such as Zap Apple Harvest, Cider Season and a couple of other holidays that bring in ponies from afar, but not much otherwise.”

The stallion gave a small smile and said, “This town isn’t exactly a tourist place.  Though I will say with Twilight Sparkle and the other Elements, things have been more exciting here lately, and we get thrill seekers and recent history buffs that come through.”

Alice smiled at him.  “I imagine you also do get some guests from large cities wanting to experience a small town’s life style.”

Proper chuckled.  “Yes we do, but not too many.  Anyways.  We have a bar with a great selection of alcohol.  As well as a nice restaurant, which is considered high class for Ponyville.  Fortunately, there is a sound dampening charm on the bar so the two can coexist.  Also we have had famous ponies stay here before.”  He gave a toothy grin as he waited for Alice to ask who.

Alice mentally rolled her eyes, but kept smiling on the outside and went along with him.  “Ohh?  Who are you talking about, sir?”

Proper Rest smiled widely as he said, “Well believe it or not we have had the famous designer Hoity Toity stay here. He was scouting out our beloved and wonderful Rarity for business.  That was a disaster at first, but it worked out in the end for her.”

The host then gave a dreamy look as he continued, “We also had the amazing and talented Sapphire Shores stay here one night while resting on her tour.  We had the Rock legends Hoofing Stones stay here before they went super big time.  They really complimented us on our bar selection…. Multiple times.”

Most of the names didn’t really mean much to Alice, but she played along like she was really impressed.  She even shifted her body just so to seduce him just a little bit while making it seem like she didn’t know she was doing so.

Proper Rest grinned widely as he continued, “I will also say we once had Princess Luna stay here.  It was during her first Nightmare Night here.  She stayed because of our wonderful rooms, and also because she didn’t want to leave her new friend Twilight so soon after the night of festivities.”

Alice’s eyes did genuinely widen at that.  She was surprised to hear that.  “Wow… Really? Princess Luna?”

The stallion nodded to her.  He then gave a dreamy expression as he said, “Yes, the Princess of the Night herself.  That was really an experience for me.  Royalty here at my inn!”

Alice smiled and said, “That sounds wonderful!  Maybe sometime in the future I might try to book this place for a night or two.”  She then sighed as she said, “Though I imagine such a bar requires a lot of bits for a cover to enter.”  She then gave a slight frown.

Proper Rest gave her a thoughtful expression before smiling and saying, “It isn’t that bad, Miss…”

“Briddell.  Alice Briddell,” she answered.  Proper’s eyes bulged just a slight bit.  He had heard about her from a cousin of his in Canterlot.  His cousin said she frequented his place before she moved to Cloudsdale, and she was quite the life of the inn when she visited.  Even helped take care of a few unsavory customers.

He gave her a warm smile as he said to her, “You know, Miss Briddell. I am in a generous mood today, and feel rather sad we didn’t have a room for you.  The cover charge isn’t too bad really, but instead take this.”  He then handed her a slip of paper.

Alice looked it over and her eyes lit up in surprise.  He smiled at her and said, “It is a one-time use ticket which will allow you to use the Very Important Pony entrance on the side.  I do hope you wish to visit our bar while you are here in Ponyville.”  Alice nodded to him and left with a beautiful smile on her face.

She would make a stop there.  Maybe even tonight if she was feeling like it.  Right now though she had a few other inns to check out.

One inn she checked out was Candy Land Suites.  It was a much more family oriented place with a colt and filly friendly family restaurant.  It was also booked solid for the past three weeks.  So even it Info Seek did book an Inn in advance it wouldn’t be here, plus it didn’t seem like a place he would choose.

The next inn she visited was simply called Ponyville Inn.  The place was booked solid and seemed like a standard inn.  She was allowed to look at the bar, and it was a sort of mediocre, but still pleasant place.

Alice decided she might visit here as well.  She really did like visiting bars of all kinds in inns.  She was surprised when after saying her name the owner’s eyes seemed to light up a little bit, and she asked Alice if she would like to visit the V.I.P section sometime.

Alice gave a sweet smile and nodded to the innkeeper, Cozy Sheets.  Cozy Sheets was a mare that while ‘ordinary’ looking, seemed to have a certain allure.  There was just something about here that drew the eye of anypony.

Cozy wasn’t some outstanding beauty like Rarity, nor was she adorkable like Twilight.  However, a mare or stallion would be happy to have Cozy as company.  It was hard to understand how it was Alice knew this, but she did.  It was something about the… aura… around Cozy, plus the name might have something to do with it as well.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice had one last inn to visit.  This last place was called the Rusty Bridle.  It was an inn that seemed to have a certain rural vibe to it.  Alice figured most would call it a Western feel, but she was from London so to her Western meant the west coast or the United States of America.

Regardless, once she entered, it seemed like a place where the Applejacks of Equestria would go, or well the ponies that wanted an Apple family lifestyle vacation or something.  It did have a charm of its own she decided.  She took some time to look around the entrance Lobby.

The place was very open really.  There was the main desk, and not too far from it was the bar.  It had a fancy decorated wooden shelf behind the bar with lots of different types of whiskey and other “Stallion” liquor bottles.

She noticed the bartender had a long sleeved white sturdy shirt on underneath a fashionable and fancy black vest with a matching black satin tie.  The stallion wore a nice derby hat and sported a thick, but stylishly groomed mustache.

Alice next looked over the waitress as she helped a few customers at a pool table.  The waitress wore a rather lavish and slightly risqué red and black dress that showed off just the right amount of tail.  She also wore cross stitched stockings on her back legs, and lacy leggings on her front legs.  The waitress even had a nice black feather in her mane.

Alice actually blushed a little at the dress.  She kind of liked it.  She noticed the mare turn and give her a sweet smile and a wink.  Alice shook her head once the mare turned around to help another customer.

The factory seeker next looked to the front desk and noticed a stallion with a black mane who wore a black hat like Applejack’s.  The stallion had a confident and attractive smirk that infuriated her, but at the same time she found it agreed with him.  Alice made her way to his desk.

“Well Howdy, ma’am.  My name is Southern Welcome, most just call me SW.  I’m the owner of this here inn.  How may I help you?”  He then gave her a knowing smile as he said in a stage whisper, “You know, if you're all done with checking the waitress out.”

Alice blushed and would have responded, but the stallion gave her a friendly laugh.  “Don’t ya worry none, missy.  Southern Comfort there has that same effect on all of our customers.  It don’t matter none if they’re mares or stallions.  Are ya’ll maybe looking for a room or sumthin?”

Alice gave him a look as she said, “Oh?  Does this mean you actually have rooms available?”

Welcome gave her a friendly nod.  “Yep, we sure do, ma’am.  This inn here is rather new, truthfully.  We all three came from a pony town south of here called Appleloosa.”  The stallion swelled with pride at the mention of his home.

“We knew this place could appreciate a truly western inn and bar.  Salt Lick back there is the bartender, and if you're real lucky he might cook up some of his famous Bar-B-Que Veggie Surprise.  He only does that when we ain’t too weighed down running the bar though,” he finished.

Alice looked around with fascination in her green eyes.  She was really warming up to the place, plus after all the inns she checked, this was most likely where her target would end up staying.  “So how has your business fared? If you don’t mind my asking?”  Alice questioned with a smile.

SW smiled with more pride as he spoke.  “Been pretty good if I say so myself.  Most of our business comes from the locals in the bar.  Since we three are from Appleloosa we know what it’s like to work hard in a field or orchard all day.  Most of the locals appreciate that greatly.  Hay, part of the reason we got together for this here venture, was because we wanted a bar of our own where those who ran it knew what it was like to work hard under the sun all day, but didn’t actually do so anymore.”

The owner took a breath.  “It’s nice to talk to somepony that knows what it’s like without being exhausted their self or old and stuffy like.  With us being one of the few salt bars in town, that also helps business.”  He gave Alice a wink.

Alice gave a giggle, “I’m sure that does help out some.  I do have to say I’m sure your choice of décor makes it even better.  I have yet to see a place themed like this, and it feels very friendly.”

SW gave her a grin again and said, “Yep, it sure does.  Plus we got ourselves a great chef in the kitchen called Cookie!  Don’t let his name fool ya though.  He specializes in cowpony foods.  Cookie is a term used for the old timey chuck wagon cooks on cattle drives.  Even if cattle can talk they usually need us ponies to provide them with direction when going long distances on hoof.”

Alice gave him a smile and wished to stay here longer just talking to the stallion about his adventures he had surely  been on.  Unfortunately, she still had some business to attend to.  “That really is fascinating.  I really could listen to you talk all day, Mister Welcome.”

He gave a chuckle.  “I suppose so, missy.  Anyways can I get you a room?”

Alice gave a frown.  Southern Welcome’s smile faltered just a little bit, but he didn’t let it take him down too much.  “I’m sorry, but I’m not really looking for a room, sir.  I was just checking out the local inns is all.  What are the hours for your bar?”

Welcome gave a small sigh, but smiled regardless.  She wasn’t a guest, but maybe this mare would be a patron.  “Doors open at 11 AM and last call is at 2 AM.  We usually encourage non-guests to leave by 2:30 AM.  Night Server and his staff like to leave about then.  We usually have bands playing from 5:30 PM to midnight.”

Alice gave a weak but still warm smile.  “That sounds lovely.  I’m dreadfully sorry that I wandered in here without needing a room, Mister Welcome.”

The owner gave a smile as he said, “Ain’t nuttin to worry about, ma’am.  By the way, I never did get your name.”

Alice smiled.  “I’m Alice Briddell.  I’m visiting here for the famous Cider Season.  I would probably stay here, but I'm staying with a good friend of mine at her house.  Anyways, it was wonderful meeting you sir.  I promise you I will visit you at least once while here, maybe more.  I really like the feel of this place.  I might even bring some friends of mine with me.”

Welcome gave her a smile, and tipped his hat to her.  “I would sure appreciate that, ma’am.  Come back now ya hear?”  Alice gave a nod of her head and left the place.

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow sighed as a pegasus mare in front of her desk grinned nervously.  "Just make sure it doesn't happen again...okay?"  The nervous weather team mare gave an embarrassed smile as she quickly trotted out of the office.

The Ponyville Weather team needed Rainbow's help on a lot of different issues lately.  She blamed the problems on Cider Season excitement.  Some ponies slacked a little around this time of year because they were too focused on their plan to get cider this year.  Others were just over-excited about Sweet Apple Cider Season in general, and as a result made amateur mistakes that often spiraled out of control.

Then to top things off, there was Cloud Kicker.  That pony needed to learn how to reign in her apparent sexiness.  It didn’t help when several ponies on the weather team were too focused on her flank.

Rainbow honestly didn’t see the appeal in Cloud, but then again the factory director was from a different world.  Also as far as she was concerned, few ponies could match up to her standards, even if Alice seemed like a very high hopeful.

Rainbow sighed as she stretched out her wings and shook out her mane.  The day had been busy, much busier than she thought it should be. "I could really use some Sweet Apple Cider right now," she mumbled to herself.  On the plus side, this work was morally much easier and lighter than her real job.

Rainbow looked out the window of her office.  She gave a sigh of contentment as she watched fillies and colts play under the watchful eyes of their parents.  She also noticed the couples that were scattered throughout as well.

She wondered how Alice’s day had gone.  Rainbow also wondered what etiquette lessons with the green eyed pony would be like.  She trusted Alice to teach her and get her “ready for royalty” as the dark maned pegasus proclaimed, but she wondered if the road would be tough or not.

Rainbow smiled as she took a step outside the weather office, and waved to Fluttershy as the yellow pegasus led a group of ducks safely through the middle of Ponyville.

That was one thing that concerned Rainbow Dash.  She feared how Alice and Fluttershy would react to each other, or rather how Alice would react to spending time with Fluttershy.

"I really hope those two can get along some how.  They are very different.  Fluttershy is scared of flying and hates drawing attention to herself, but is the kindest pony you could ever meet.  In fact, she is too kind for her own good and ends up coming off as a doormat."  Rainbow thought to herself.

Then there was Alice.  "Strong flyer, confident in herself, beautiful, and seems to not mind attention from other ponies.  Not to mention she seems to take the whole Pegasus Pride thing too much to heart at times."  Rainbow shook her head.  Alice may be a factory employee who dislikes weaklings, but surely she is professional enough to not act rashly regarding Fluttershy.

"The only problem is if they spend too much time together one of the two might snap.  Then the other would in retaliation."  Rainbow shuddered at that thought.  She had seen Fluttershy snap and was sure if Alice snapped wouldn't be pretty either.

The captain of the Ponyville Weather team finally stepped outside and took to the sky to make her way home.  She didn’t want to dwell on things like Fluttershy and Alice right now.  It was too much to think about especially after her day.

It took Rainbow no time at all to get home.  The first thing she noticed was the collection of books on the dining room table.  She could tell they were books on etiquette training from the titles alone.  She then called for Alice, but received no reply.

“Alice must still be out and about Ponyville I guess,” Rainbow Dash thought to herself.

{-} {-} {-}

It was now early evening and Alice still hadn’t shown up yet.  Rainbow sat at the table and felt a little upset.  She had expected Alice to be back hours ago.  She actually expected Alice to have been waiting for when she finally returned from the day’s work.  Rainbow knew it was a little selfish, and that she was underestimating Alice’s social skills, but it didn’t change the fact at all.

Finally she heard a knock on the door before a light tanned pegasus entered the home.  “Where were you, Alice?!”  Rainbow asked aloud.  Her question came out a little more forceful and accusatory than she meant it to come out.

Alice gave a frown and answered.  “I was out scouting the inns for my mission, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow gave a small nervous chuckle.  Now she felt a little stupid.  She knew that, but with everything going on with the weather team today it slipped her mind.  “Sorry, Alice.  I didn’t mean to come off as angry or anything.  I was just wondering… So how did it go?”

Alice gave a sigh as she sat down at the dining table.  “Rather well…  This whole mission still feels extremely easy, Rainbow…. Are you sure there isn’t something more to it?”

Rainbow gave her a soft smile.  “There isn’t, Alice.  Missions like this usually go smoother than you would think.  You are a very skilled Seeker.  Targets like Info Seek don’t expect or see us coming for them usually.  It’s the escapees who cause trouble.  They are also very skilled and know a seeker will come for them eventually.  So what did you learn?”

Alice took in a deep breath.  “I know he is an earth pony that is below average strength earth pony wise, and it does kind of get to him.  I also know what train he will be arriving on and…”

Alice raised up the magic train card for Rainbow to see.  “I have a way to keep tabs on when he will arrive.  I also figured out what inn he will most likely be staying at.  I do plan to find a way to hopefully follow him without drawing too much attention to myself… But that might be harder than I originally thought.”

Rainbow looked at her questioningly.  “Why do you say that?”

Alice sighed.  “It seems I am sort of well-known already…”

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow.  “How?”

“Well when I was in Canterlot I did frequent the nightlife locations including inns a lot.  It seems while doing this I became well known in some ways.”  Alice said as she gave a small frown.

“How bad is it?”  Rainbow asked.

“Bad enough… I was given one use VIP passes for two of the inns here in Ponyville by just telling them my name,” Alice said.

Alice had mixed feelings about this.  On one hoof, she was popular for the right reasons.  On the other hoof, she didn’t like ponies she never met knowing of her in towns she had never visited.

Rainbow gave a laugh.  “I guess that explains why Filthy Rich was so adamant about you and I going to his party in that invitation.  He did mention some good reasons for us to go, but still.  I don’t see how that is so bad, Alice.  This means you have a reputation that will help keep suspicion from you on missions if you play it right.”

Alice smiled to Rainbow’s words.  She hadn’t thought about it that way.  “I guess you’re right, Rainbow.”  After a couple of seconds of silence Alice spoke again, “Do we have anything for supper?”

“Nothing too fancy, but I have something here you might like.”  Rainbow said as she quickly made them a meal of hay spaghetti with veggie meatballs covered in marinara sauce.

Once the cyan pegasus finished, the two started eating their supper.  While they ate, Rainbow grumbled about work a little and in particular the newbie mistakes her team was making.  Later they talked about other more enjoyable topics, such as the excitement of Cider season and their plans for Filthy’s party.

{-} {-} {-}

Once they finished their supper and had spent a little time talking, Alice had discovered where to start on Rainbow’s etiquette lessons.  At the moment though, the seeker had other ideas on what to do.

“So I was thinking about going to one of those inn’s bars tonight.  I was wondering if you wanted to come with me, Rainbow,”  Alice said.

Rainbow sighed, “Sorry, Alice.  I have something planned with my Ponyville friends here tonight.  You can come if you want, but it's kind of a more intimate gathering.  I’m not sure how it will go with you being new here.”

Alice gave a frown.  The statement, while she was sure was truthful, did hurt her a little bit.  “I understand your Ponyville friends are important and I did just meet them.  It isn’t like we are an item or anything like that, so we can do our own thing.”  Rainbow felt her heart sink a little bit to Alice’s words.

The light tanned pegasus gave a wan smile as she said, “Maybe one day I will be close enough with all of you ponies to be included in such gatherings.”

Rainbow wasn’t sure what to make of that, but tried to smile.  “Maybe.  Anyways have fun and watch out for yourself, Alice.”

Alice raised an eyebrow.  “Really, Rainbow Dash?”  Rainbow just gave a confused look.  “You are telling me to watch out for myself…  You may be older than me, but I am hardly a foal.  I can take care of myself.”

Rainbow looked a little distressed now.  She didn’t want to make Alice feel too young for them to be close or anything.  “Hey I was just saying to make sure you don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.  Also flying after a few too many drinks is not fun…  I know… I’ve done it before.  Twilight and Applejack still tease me sometimes and call me ‘Rainbow Smashed’.  They claim I was 'soooo fast' I looked like I was standing still before I crashed into the ground hard five feet below me.”

Alice gave a giggle.  “If I were to get that bad I would walk back, and probably yell for you to help me up into the house.  I don’t think that will be a problem though.”  Alice smiled at Rainbow who gave a chuckle.

{-} {-} {-}

The two parted each other’s company.  Alice tried not to let it show, because she knew it was silly, but she felt a little hurt that Rainbow was going off to meet with her friends alone.  Alice knew she had no right to get upset, but she still did just a little bit.  Either way they still went their own ways.

Alice was now standing in front of the Very Important Pony entrance.  She was wearing her Misstitched dress.  It was just as colorful as ever, but somehow it was in better condition and cleaner.  The Peach colored blouse with vertical turquoise stripes was bright and her skirt was black with intersecting straight pink lines.

This version of the dress didn’t have an apron on it.  Alice was curious about this, but didn’t let it get to her.  Her bright pink bow on the back of the skirt still had a doll’s head center piece, but it was a pony doll face and intact.  It made for a very unique outfit.

The dress’ improved condition made it much prettier, and was getting her some interested looks as a result.  Alice didn’t mind the looks.  She was here to have fun tonight, and she knew she could handle anything that happened to her.  It also helped that Alice liked this dress a lot.

Alice had no problem getting inside the bar, even considering she had the pass.  The factory seeker figured the door attendants would still give her some lip for not being “on the list”, but they didn't.

Inside it was surprising to see different types of ponies in the VIP section.  Some seemed like your average ponies.  Others were obvious high class.  Most of the ponies in this section were in clothes of some kind.  There were a couple that only wore a necklace though.

The VIP section had a band playing some pretty interesting and fun music.  It seemed to have a lot of brass instruments and every so often a pony would sing.  Most of the ponies in this room were really feeling the music.  Even the stuffed up high class ponies didn’t seem to care so much about decorum back here.

Alice went to the bar and asked the bartender for their specialty.  “Sure thang, Suga!”  The mare responded in a sultry voice before getting to work.  The mare had a lovely pale persian blue coat and a subtly styled mane with amber colored hair and light blonde highlights.  She was a pegasus with a cutie mark showing a sun with a cloud in front of it.

“Here you go honey.  One High Flyer Cloud Kicker just for you.”  The bartender then gave a wink.

Alice gave a smile in thanks.  She tasted the drink.  “Amazing!” Alice said aloud to herself.  She would almost swear she had never tasted something as wonderful as this before.  It had a citrusy and tangy taste to it.  She liked it.

Alice sipped on her drink and soon started to dance just a little from where she was standing.  Shortly after that, she started talking to several of the different ponies in the VIP room.  It wasn’t long before she asked for another High Flyer Cloud Kicker.  Her good mood was starting to catch and then spread.  Eventually, some of the very different ponies were talking and enjoying the night together.

{-} {-} {-}

“I love Sweet Apple Cider Season!  I came all the way from Baltimare for this!”  An earth pony stallion with a monocle and dark green mane said to a unicorn mare wearing some kind of spike necklace thing.

“I remember when I was just out of flight school.  I raced another pegasus, and only just barely won.  I then decided despite the other pony losing they were much faster than any pony walking on the ground.  That is when I started Winged Distribution,” a pink coated pegasus in a light blue dress said to a grey coated mare.

“What happened to the pony that lost?” asked the grey coated mare.

The pink pegasus gave a smile and said, “He is my fastest and best pony in the company!  He’s the one that made the legendary flight from Cloudsdale to the Griffon capital city!  Apparently he took his loss hard and used it as fuel for training.  He is much faster than me now.”

“That’s amazing!” was all the other pony in the conversation could say.

The different ponies were thoroughly mingling now.  However, Alice and the bartender seemed to still be the closest to the center of attention.

The dark maned pegasus was ever so good at mingling with other ponies.  She knew what the ‘upper class’ ponies liked and what the ‘middle class’ ponies liked.  She also knew what it was like to be a ‘commoner’ due to her time after the asylum.

Alice also knew it was part of her training under Bumby as an ‘escort’ that allowed her to mix with ponies at all levels.  She once again hated Bumby’s name for what he did to her, but she was damn sure to use her acquired ‘talents’ to their fullest.  It was even more important because of her job as a seeker and the missions she would be assigned outside of the factory.

Alice gave a pleased giggle as she told them about how excited she was about her first Sweet Apple Cider Season.  A few ponies gasped and a couple overly dramatically tried to soothe her, and went on about how unfortunate it was she hadn’t experienced the joys of Sweet Apple Cider Season before.

Everypony finally broke off into very mixed groups talking with each other.  Alice finally got to get herself another drink.  “I want another one of those High Flyer Cloud Kickers!  Where did the name come from anyways?”

The bartender gave a smile as she said, “I named it after myself.  It’s a drink I first mixed for my friends.  They told me I needed a name for it and so I went with something rather simple.  Do you like it?”

“Like it?  Of course I like it!  I usually play it safe with drinks, but I’m glad I didn’t this time,”  Alice said with a smile.  Cloud Kicker gave her a smile and went about making the drink.

“You know, Alice.  I really have to say you know how to bring life to a bar.  I’ve been to VIP rooms before, including this one.  Never have I seen it so well mixed!” a mare said from Alice’s side.

Alice looked her over and smiled.  The mare was a little taller than most ponies, and a unicorn.  She had a lovely dark pink and green mane with curls in it.  The mare also had a dark gold colored coat with a cutie mark showing a compact mirror under a couple of bits.

Alice then gave a smile.  “Ahhh…  Posh Bit!  I didn’t think I would see you here in Ponyville.”  The mare smiled.  Alice then gave a frown and said, “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you earlier, but all of those different ponies….”

Posh gave an elegant chuckle.  “I know what you mean, darling.  As always you attract a lot of attention, when you aren’t trying to avoid it.  I’m actually surprised you remember me period.”

Alice gave a smile.  “Of course I do!  You’re one of the ‘Canterlot elite’ I can actually stand being around for a long while.”  Alice and Posh both laughed to this.

The bartender gave a laugh as she handed Alice her drink.  “I have to agree with Posh here, Alice.  I’ve never seen this VIP room so lively and fun!  Plus it was nice to not have it so heavily focused on myself.”

“Is that so, Cloud Kicker?”  Alice asked with a smile.

Cloud Kicker looked a little shocked.  “You know my name?  I don’t think I told you what it was….”

Alice gave a giggle.  “Well, you did say you named this drink after yourself, and I saw the cloud on your cutie mark.  So I took a bit of a risk in guessing.”

Posh giggled to Alice.  “I’m surprised that is how you guessed her name, and not because she has a reputation here.”  Posh stuck her tongue out at Cloud Kicker, who laughed.

Alice giggled as well.  “Now that you mention it.  I do think I’ve heard about her, Posh.”

“No doubt!”  Posh then raised her glass for some reason, and Alice toasted it before taking another sip of her drink.

Cloud Kicker gave a look of mock concern as she asked, “Ohh?  What have you heard of me, Alice?”

Alice giggled again.  “Rainbow Dash told me all about how distracting you are to the other ponies on the Weather team last night.”

“You know Rainbow Dash personally?”  Posh and Cloud Kicker asked together.

“Yep, I sure do.  She’s a friend of mine.  I actually partly owe my job at the Cloudsdale Weather Factory to her.  But yes, I know her!  As far as I can tell, she is the only pony that can beat me in a flying race,”  Alice said.

She then grinned only a little smugly as she said, “Even then she did bust out her signature move to beat me in our race on the final lap!  She says she didn’t need to do so to beat me, but I think she did.  Or at least I like to tell myself she needed to.”

Cloud Kicker and Posh Bit both stood there with mouths open.  Cloud Kicker spoke first, “Really?  She beat you using a Sonic Rainboom?”  Alice nodded.  Cloud Kicker gave a whistle.

“Wow!  I knew you were fast from all of the rumors in Canterlot, but still….  That’s impressive.  Even if she really only used it for the shock and awe aspects.”  Posh said.

Alice smiled.  “I know she did, but still… I like to make it sound like she needed it to beat me in a race.  The truth was I had her on the turns, but she had me on the straight a ways.  Of course, I want to race her again to see if I have improved any since then.”

Cloud noticed Alice finished her drink and made her a fresh one.  “On the house, Alice.  Hay I think the owner wouldn’t mind letting you drink free tonight considering how you really got everyone here into the spirit of things.  I haven’t poured this many drinks in a really long time.  I’m just glad the owner finally called in some others to help.”

Posh ordered her own drink, and once it was filled she said, “Get a drink on me, Cloud Kicker!  I say we toast Alice here!”

Cloud Kicker smiled as she said, “If you say so!”

Alice looked at Posh quizzically.  The Canterlot unicorn smiled and said, “A toast!  To the ‘second fastest’ flyer in Equestria.  She may not call herself that, but either way she brings the life to any party or bar!”  The mares each giggled and clinked their glasses.

Alice then gave Cloud Kicker a smile as she asked, “Why are you working as a bartender if you have a job on the Ponyville weather team?”

Cloud gave a smile, “I just do it sometimes for fun really, when my schedule allows it.  Plus the extra bits really come in handy at times and…”  Cloud Kicker gave Alice a sultry look as she continued in a slightly deeper voice.  “I get to meet interesting ponies like you, Alice.”

“You know I can kinda see why they say such things about you, Cloud Kicker…”  Alice said before the three dissolved into giggles and enjoyed their night.  Cloud Kicker even got off a little earlier than normal that night, but she stayed with Alice and Posh before they all eventually called it a night together.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice gave a groan as she woke up in an unfamiliar but luxurious bed.  The green eyed pegasus looked around with heavy lidded eyes.  She noticed the sun was peeking in through the curtains.  She looked to the clock, and saw it was shortly after noon.   She was just glad she miraculously didn’t have a hangover, and that Info’s train wasn’t arriving until four that afternoon.

Alice stretched her body and wings.  Her fore hooves reached for the ceiling, and she felt her back pop in relief.  She let out a soft and long moan.  She then felt a body near her move under the covers.  She looked down and saw a tuft of dark pink and green mane shift a little.

The dark maned pegasus then heard a deep intake of breath followed by a slow exhale.  Alice looked and saw an amber colored, and much disheveled mane pop up.  She took in another deep breath and let it out.  Last night was a very odd blurred and mixed bundle of feelings.

She then heard a dry chuckle from the other pegasus.  “You know.  I have… experienced a lot of sex with ponies of both sexes and all races, but last night…. That was something else…”  Cloud Kicker said with a lazy smile.

Alice gave a dry sounding giggle as the events of last night came together clearer.  “Yes it was…  That was the first time I’ve ever slept with two other ponies at the same time,”  Alice gave a sigh of part contentment and part small regret.

Her heart was kind of set on Rainbow, but they didn’t really have anything going officially.  Also she had to admit sex was great, but only when it was on her terms.

Cloud then gave a satisfied smile.  “Well I'm glad I was lucky to be selected for such an honor.”  She then gave a small laugh.

Alice would have said something, but then they both heard a yawn, and noticed their unicorn lover had joined them in the waking world.  Posh then let out a groan. “As much as I enjoyed last night, remind me to never drink that much, and use magic to ‘enhance’ the experience.”

“Well for what it’s worth.  I have never had such a wonderful time with a unicorn before,” Cloud Kicker said with a saucy smile and wink.  Posh actually blushed to this, and Alice giggled.

After the three very tired mares finally got up for good and had something to eat, Cloud Kicker went to report to the Weather office for her late afternoon assignments.  Posh Bit went to enjoy more of Ponyville, and Alice went back to Rainbow’s place.  She hoped she wouldn’t be in too much trouble for whatever reason.

{-} {-} {-}

Rainbow gave a yawn as she finally made it back to her home.  Pinkie Pie had thrown their little group of friends yet another amazing and all-nighter party.  Well mostly an all-nighter.  Rainbow did slip out at about three in the morning.  She was surprised to come across a group of stallions who were singing a drinking song of some kind, while they passed a bottle of something around.

It wasn’t so much the sight of a group that seemed off to Rainbow Dash.  It was the fact a couple were obviously “elite” upper crust ponies.  Another one was the stallion who owned the Quills and Sofas in Ponyville.  The last couple of ponies were farm ponies.  The group was talking and singing like they were old friends.  She heard something in their song about a mare whose eyes alone showed you heaven, or something like that.

She was happy to see the group of ponies, but a little puzzled.  Rainbow decided maybe it was all of the booze, and treats she had at Pinkie’s party getting to her.  The cyan pegasus yawned, and gave the group a lazy, but friendly wave.  They happily returned it.

Soon after the encounter, she finally made it to her house.  It was dark so she went straight to bed.

After a few hours of sleep, the cyan pegasus woke up with a slight headache.  She then called, “Alice?” but received no answer.  Rainbow frowned and thought, “Alice must still be asleep.”

She might have tried to wake her friend up, but decided against it.  Rainbow looked to a nearby clock.  She noticed it was early afternoon already.

“Good thing I don’t have work until later this afternoon…”  Rainbow said quietly to herself.  She half expected to hear some kind of witty comment from Alice, but none came.  Rainbow stretched, and was about to go and pound on the guest bedroom when she heard a knock on her front door.

She opened and was immediately assaulted by the slight mixed scent of booze and sex.  Alice gave a nervous giggle.  “Sorry, Rainbow…  I sort of didn’t come back last night…”

Rainbow felt a little upset by the scents on Alice knowing what they meant, but she couldn’t bring herself to really get angry…  Celestia knows she had her share of drunken nights of sex in the past.  “Just… Next time shower before you return, Alice…”

“I’ll try to more control myself in the future, and take a shower like you said, Rainbow.  It was just that well I had a few drinks, and really enjoyed myself in the Handy Reins Inn’s VIP section,”  Alice said.  She at least did fly through a couple of clouds with moisture in the hopes of rinsing off and waking up.  Apparently it wasn’t enough.  She still wasn't completely used to the whole shower concept.

“Woah!  You got a VIP pass to the Handy Reins bar?”  Rainbow asked.  Alice nodded.  “Damn….  That is pretty amazing.  That place is pretty well known.  Is this one of the places you only told the owner your name and got it?”

Again Alice nodded.  Rainbow stood there for a few more seconds before letting the mare enter the house.  Now Rainbow kind of wished she hadn’t needed to attend a party with the other elements.  Only kind of though, really it didn’t matter where you were if you had your friends with you. It was guaranteed to be a good time.

“Well I need to get to work.  I guess I'll see you later.  Are you going to take care of your job tonight?”  Rainbow asked as she got ready to leave.

“Yes.”  Alice answered plainly.  Rainbow nodded and left.

{-} {-} {-}

Once she had washed up and ate some food, Alice made her way to the ground.  She looked around to make sure she was alone.  She then asked aloud.  “Cheshire….  Can you talk to me?”

It took a couple of minutes, but soon she heard a familiar sound.  “And what is it you wish of me, Alice?”

Alice gave him a hug which surprised the cat.  “It is good to see you again.”

Cheshire gave a rumbling laugh.  “That seems to be one good thing about this new world.  You are actually happy to see me here.  What is it you wanted?”

“Well, I need a little help…”  Alice then told him what she wanted him to do.  The cat grinned a mischievous grin, and nodded to her instructions.  Once he had his orders he disappeared again.

Alice gave a sigh of relief.  She then spread her wings and took to the sky.  She was glad it was a partly cloudy day today.  It would be very handy for the next part of her plan.

The dark haired pegasus made her way to the train station with a decent sized cloud she snagged on the way.  She made sure it was solid enough she could dive into it without it breaking apart.  She would prefer to stay on top of the cloud while she observed the trains, but she was very sure any pegasus passengers would want to stretch their wings right off the bat.

{-} {-} {-}

Trains came from all over bringing ponies and other citizens as well.  Alice poked her head out just enough not to be noticed, and without obscuring her view.  She was excited to see a couple of griffons come out, and right away take wing before heading to Ponyville.

“I wonder if Gryphon would have loved this place,” Alice thought to herself.  “Hmmmm…  I miss him,” the pegasus said quietly under her breath.

She started to think about her mission again.  “Why didn’t they just make the information exchange on the train or something…?”  Alice thought.

After remembering the information wasn’t that critical, and this was being used as a way to test Equestria’s strength.  She almost felt sorry for Info Seek.  He thought he had a gold mine, but he was just being used.  “Also he won’t live to see another single day with me on his case,” the seeker thought as she continued her surveillance.

{-} {-} {-}

It was finally time for train 5473 from Horn Hollow to arrive.  Her train card said it was still on time.  A few minutes after checking it one last time Alice saw smoke coming from the horizon.  Soon the train was in sight.  With a screeching of the brakes, the train come to a rest at the platform.

Alice felt her heart race a little.  She wasn’t going to act yet, but it was still exciting.  She was getting excited about her assignment.  She would succeed in her mission and celebrate tonight.  Hopefully with Rainbow Dash this time.

Alice narrowed her eyes, and watched as ponies disembarked from the train.  A group of pegasus fillies quickly took flight as their chaperons rolled their eyes.  Alice grimaced hoping these fillies wouldn’t decide it was a great time to do some cloudbusting.

When she heard a few giggles and wings fold she sighed in relief.  She could possibly work with them laying on her cloud.  It wouldn’t be easy though.

“Relax Cheerful Wings…  I’ve heard the Cloudsdale flight test isn’t really that bad.  Besides if you fail I’m sure they will just retrain you a little and let you retest,” A small light blue filly said to a bright yellow one.

“ummm… are you sure about that…  I’m not very good at flying…”  Cheerful said, not sounding very cheerful at all.

“Yah…  I’m sure… my cousin told me.  Besides we will all still be friends,” a brown filly with a light blue mane said.

“Really?”  asked Cheerful.  She seemed more like her namesake now.

“Of course!”  said a fourth filly.

Alice shook her head and rolled her eyes at them.  “Why comfort a failure of a pegasus pony?  Her test is after cider season.  If she doesn’t have it down now, she is doomed.”  A small part of her was hoping the filly would pass.  She wasn’t sure how she would handle her job if it involved a filly she knew the name of.

After a few more minutes, a mare on the ground threatened to get the town guard to come and gather them up.  One filly made a rude remark about their sitter, an earth pony, coming up and making them land.  The others giggled.

When the fillies saw two pegasi guards flying in from most likely Canterlot, they quickly landed on the ground.  Alice was grateful because it was right at that moment she saw her target leave the train and make his way into town.  She could now continue with her mission easily.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice knew where he would go, but she followed him just to be certain.  By evening, Info Seek ended up at the Rusty Bridle.  Alice smiled as she waited a few minutes and entered the inn.

“Well howdy there again, Miss Briddell.  I hadn’t expected to see you again so soon, missy.”  Southern Welcome greeted her as she walked inside the friendly place.

Alice gave a smile and subtly scanned the entrance hall.  She saw the tables were full and Info Seek was sitting at one close to the main desk.  “It is good to see you again, Mister Welcome.  I kept thinking about that Veggie Bar-B-Que surprise you talked about.  Plus I really do like the feel of this place.  It isn’t too late for me to get something, is it?”

The owner gave a chuckle.  “It sure ain’t.  Southern Comfort and Cookie took care of most of these ponies already.  Not many interested in drinking or salt right yet.  Let me ask good old Salt Lick 'bout the veggie surprise.”

He then turned to bartender and said, “Salt Lick, you mind making some of that Veggie Surprise of yours for the lovely lady here?”

Salt Lick gave a nod and headed to the back, as a second bar tender pony took over.  Welcome then turned back to Alice. “The only problem is you will have to find a table to share.  But I’m sure a lovely mare like yourself can handle that.”  The green eyed pegasus gave a smile, and pretended to look around for a possible table.

She eventually came up slowly and asked Info Seek, “I hate to bother you, but would you mind if I shared this table with you, sir?”

Info Seek blinked a few times, looked around, and noticed indeed most of the tables were taken.  “S-sure…  I guess.”  Info wasn’t used to mares wanting to sit with him at random like this, but he decided there wasn’t any harm in it.

Alice gave him a smile and sat down.  “My name is Alice Briddell by the way.  What is yours?”

Info smiled as he said, “Info Seek.  Nice to meet you.   Are you here for Cider season as well?”

The mare gave him a nod.  “Yes I am.  I heard so much about it.  A friend of mine in the area told me I should come this year.  I’m staying with her.”

“Then why are you here at this inn?  If you don’t mind my asking,” Info said.

“Well I have always loved inns.  You meet so many interesting ponies at them.  Most of which are usually friendly too.  And the stories they tell are amazing!”  Alice said with her green eyes lighting up.

The dark maned pegasus nodded as Southern Comfort gave her a glass of water.  “One time in Canterlot I met a pony who writes travel books.  He’d seen so many places all over Equestria, and even other countries as well.”

Info smiled as he said, “I wish I had traveled that much.  Until recently I was stuck at a dead end boring government job.  I finally quit, and now I’m seeing some of the sights before I head off for my next gig.”

Alice would have said something, but it was at that time her order arrived.  “Here you go, Hon.  Salt Lick’s special dish just for you,”  Comfort said with a wink.

Info gave a chuckle.  “The bartender made that?  I thought the chef’s name was Cookie?”

Alice nodded as she looked the dish over.  “It is.  But when I was checking out the different inns yesterday I came here at a slow time, and Southern Welcome told me all about Salt Lick’s special dish here.”

Alice managed to pick up her utensils again.  She didn’t get how she could do that, but by this point she had mostly stopped questioning it.  Her dish seemed to be kebobs of some kind wrapped in thin slices of radish soaked in some kind of sauce.

She noticed Info Seek was staring at her intently as she took a bite.

Her eyes lit up again, and she took in a deep breath as her wings popped out before then folding back in on themselves.  She quickly took another bite, and let out a soft moan of contentment.

Info was blinking and blushing a little bit.  This caused Alice to blush as well.  She then cleared her throat, and gained control over her own blush.  She then said aloud, “This is simply wonderful!”

Salt Lick gave a chuckle at her reaction while he cleaned a glass behind the bar.  At the same time, several other ponies asked if they could have what she was having.  Salt Lick gave a loud laugh as he said, “Fortunately because of the recipe I have to cook a good sized batch.  So everypony, we have some more Veggie Bar-B-Que Surprise... if you want it.”

Southern Comfort shook her head as she got to work taking more orders.

Info looked at the dish intently.  “Is it really that good?”

Alice nodded and offered him a bite.  Info took a bite and had a similar reaction to her.  As Info took another bite, Alice asked him, “So are you staying here?”

Info still in ecstasy of the food nodded and said, “Yep, room 305.  I was lucky this place still had rooms.  Next time I’m going to book a place in advance.”

Just like that Alice had a key piece of information for her plan.  However, she was good at her job.  She didn’t leave right then and there, and instead continued their conversation.

“Well Mr. Welcome did say they were fairly new.  I imagine after this Cider Season they will get more business in the future for events, which bring in ponies from out of town,”  Alice said.  Info nodded in agreement.  If there was a place that could make such a lovely dish, it deserved all of the business it could handle.

{-} {-} {-}

As the evening went on, Alice did what she usually did.  She enjoyed herself, and fit in fairly well.  She did spend most of her time with Info Seek.  Really she thought it a pity he was a traitor that stole secret national information.  He wasn’t really that bad of company.

Alice giggled as she excused herself to the little fillies’ room.  She made Info promise not to go anywhere on her.  He gladly complied.

Once in the restroom, she took care of her business.  Alice then checked the other stalls, and made sure no other ponies were around.  “Cheshire.”  She said quietly.

“Yes, Alice?”  She soon heard his deep voice reply.

“Room 305.  You know what to do.”  Alice answered simply.  Cheshire chuckled and disappeared.  Alice smiled and made her way back into the bar/lobby/restaurant at the Rusty Bridle.

{-} {-} {-}

Cheshire materialized into room 305.  He smirked as he looked around the place.  “All too easy,” he said to himself.  The cat was really happy.  He had a wonderful mission to do, and the poor fool of a stallion made his entrance even easier than it would have been.

Info Seek left a little crack in the curtains to his room.  This allowed the cat to simply materialize into the room.  He was ready to use his claws on the window, but he didn’t need to do this.

“Well, Well… time for a little fun.  I much prefer this aspect of Alice’s new career to the other,”  Cheshire said to himself.  He then grinned and got to ‘work’.

{-} {-} {-}

In the bar back below, most ponies were talking in smaller groups now.  Alice had gotten to know a few different ponies that day.

Info Seek had decided if things kept going like this.  He could really enjoy stealing secret information and going places for a living.

He also found this Alice pony to be something else.  She mixed in real well with the different kinds of ponies.  He felt lucky that she was spending a little extra time with him.  He had to ask though, “So how come you aren’t with your friend tonight, Alice?  Not that I mind your company or anything.”

Alice sighed and her ears drooped a little.  “Well, my friend, Rainbow Dash, is from here in Ponyville.  She is a good friend and all, but she already had a tight knit group of friends here.  You know how things like that get, I’m sure.”

Info nodded as she continued.  “They are great mares, but they all know each other really well already, and despite how they are doing their best to make me feel welcome, I still feel like an outsider.  I’ve felt that way plenty of times, and don’t much care for it.  I think that is part of the reason I love visiting inns as opposed to local taverns and bars.”

Info nodded and added to her words, “Everypony here is an outsider of sorts, and even if some are with family, many are on their own, or just with a couple of friends.  They are more likely to open up and you won’t feel out of place.”

Alice gave a soft, seductive smile.  “Yes you are right about that.  Plus my friend’s group of friends are all mares.  So being around them isn’t exactly the best way to meet... stallions.”

Info gave a laugh and blushed a little.  “So have you met a lot of stallions here?”

Alice blinked before she gave him a gasp and said, “I have only been here a few days.  I haven’t met any stallions in this town.”

Info gulped thinking he might have really angered her.  “I didn’t mean anything bad about it, Alice…  I was just wondering is all…”

Alice sighed and Info relaxed.  “I have been with other ponies before, but not that many.  However, I guess it does make sense to wonder that.  I do seem to have a knack for fitting in socially at inns.”

Alice then gave a chuckle.  “I actual became fairly well known in Canterlot.  I stayed there for a good while before I got my job in Cloudsdale at the Weather Factory.  I actually bumped into a few ponies here that knew me from there.”

Info gave a smirk as he jokingly asked her, “Speaking of being with ponies before…  So, Alice.  Have you ever been with an earth pony?”

Alice blushed and looked to the side before answering.  “No…  I haven’t.”  She then looked back at him with a sexy smile and said, “I’ve heard they have more strength and stamina than any others.”

Info knew this was being extremely forward, but he went with it.  If nothing else he could blame it on the salt and alcohol.  Plus it was nice being seen as strong for once.  “Well maybe I can show you how true those rumors are.”  He gave her a wink.  Alice giggled.

“Want to go for a little walk with me, Alice?  I’ve heard pegasus ponies, especially mares, love to be out under the sky.”  Info said in his attempt at a dashing voice.  He actually pulled it off fairly well.

Alice blushed and shifted a little bit.  “Sure…  If you want.”

He nodded and said, “I need to drop by my room to get something real quick.  If you don’t mind.”  Alice nodded and agreed to wait by the front door.

Info Seek wanted to double check his room to make sure the guards hadn’t sent someone to sneak into it and get the files.  He put them in a secret hidden area, but he needed to be careful.  He opened his room and his jaw dropped.

He looked around his room and noticed it was a mess.  The place looked like it had been ransacked.  Info panicked, and searched the room.  He breathed a sigh of relief when he found the files, and made sure they were still there.  He thought quickly on what to do.

His eyes then raised in realization.  He couldn’t stay here tonight.  They might try something.  The Royal Guard was clearly getting desperate.  However, Alice provided him a somewhat solid backup plan.  She seemed too well known to just disappear, so they wouldn’t try something with her around.  Ponies would notice she was missing he had a feeling.

He recognized the name Rainbow Dash, her friend.  She was an Element Bearer.  So surely a friend of the elements wouldn’t be seen as acceptable collateral for a mission.

Info also knew the elements weren’t involved in any secrecy of the Equestiran Government.  They were civilians called upon when needed only.  He knew this meant they wouldn’t take well to being told to stay silent if they were to have a friend 'disappear'.

He quickly tossed some things into his saddle bags including the files, and regained his composure before meeting with Alice.  He was still a little nervous though.  At the same time, he wasn’t going to change his plans with her, or his mission.  He thought it better to not let them get to him.  They would want him to panic.  They would want him to make a mistake.

Alice gave a relieved smile as he returned, “There you are.  For a second, I thought you were going to stand me up.”

Info Seek gave a nervous laugh.  “Sorry, Alice.  It took me a little longer to find what I was looking for.  Anyways let’s go.”  He then left with her.  He still felt a little nervous and sighed mentally as he noticed Alice looking at him with concern.

“Is everything alright, Info?”  Alice asked, her beautiful green eyes showing concern.

“Yes it is…  Just a little overwhelmed is all.  Nothing to worry about.  I rarely have such a wonderful mare as company like yourself, Alice.”  He answered her.

Alice blushed.  She had to admit he was pretty good for a file clerk.  Plus his compliments were nice.  She was a little excited herself as well, but she then focused on her mission again.

{-} {-} {-}

After a little while, both had calmed down and were now near the edge of the Ever-Free Forest.  Alice gave a little gasp.  “This is the Ever-Free Forest.”

Info raised an eyebrow.  “Does that mean something?”

Alice nodded.  “It’s supposedly a very spooky place.  It also surrounds the old castle where Princess Luna was freed from Nightmare Moon by The Elements.”

Info gulped a little, but kept calm.  “Well the excitement will just make this even better.”

Alice blushed.  “I can see that.”  The two sat down and looked up into the night sky.

Alice took a moment to breathe it all in.  It was unfortunate what she had to do on such a lovely night.

Info Seek moved in closer to Alice, and gave her a soft nuzzle on the cheek.  He next kissed her cheek, and she turned to him with her eyes closed.

Info didn’t notice Alice summon her Vorpal Blade silently.  Right when he was about to kiss her on the lips, he felt something stab him deep in the side.

His eyes widened as he looked down, and saw a beautifully engraved blade withdraw covered in his blood.  It then stabbed him again before he knew what was going on.  He coughed and asked, “Why?”

He looked up and saw the coldest, but still beautiful, green eyes he had ever seen.  “You shouldn’t have stolen National secrets to trade for money.”  Before he could react he heard the blade sing through the air and slash his throat.

Alice frowned at him.  It almost seemed like she really was sad to take his life.  “If it is any consolation.  I really did like you.  If you hadn’t been a traitor we would have enjoyed such a nice night together.”

As he choked on his own blood trying to stop it with his hooves, Alice spoke again sadly.  “The sad thing is you were being used just as a way to test Equestria’s strength by the Screaming Skies.  Regardless you wouldn’t have made it.”

Info Seek’s vision slowly darkened along the edges.  The last thing he saw were two Night Guards land on either side of Alice.

The last thing he heard was one say, “Good job, Seeker Alice.  Your mission is a success.”  With that the life left Info’s eyes, and he gargled one last time before dying.

Alice’s expression was still cold.  “I believe he has the files in his saddlebags.”  Even if he was a traitor it was sad to take his life like that.

One of the guards looked through the bags and found them.  He nodded to the other.  “We'll take care of the body and everything else now, Alice.  Thanks.  Also thank you for letting us know your plan in such a manner.  Blissful Service was excited by your exchange at the train station.”

Alice blinked.  “You mean I don’t have to take care of the body?  I don’t have to go and finish up at the Rusty Bridle either?”

The two Night Guards smiled at her, but it was a familiar voice that answered instead.  “One of the perks of working on jobs for the Royal Guard is they’re allowed to help out.  In fact, only a select few interact with us on such missions.”  Rainbow silently landed near Alice with a rain cloud nearby.

“After all, we still keep dealings of the Rainbow Factory secret, but some guards, like the ones here and the Intel Division, know of our existence, but that is all,” the Factory manager said.

Alice smiled at her and said, “I still think this job was way too easy.  Though it was sad he needed to be killed.”  Alice frowned as the Night Guards took the body away.

Rainbow flew up and tapped the rain cloud she brought with her.  Alice watched as the rain washed the blood away.  Once the cloud was finished, Rainbow spoke, “Want to help finish cleaning up here, Alice?  I know you know how to kick up a little controlled wind.”  The Rainbow maned mare gave her smug grin as Alice gave a smile.

It took them no time at all to whip up some wind that would scatter the droplets of water from the field shower.  “Well done, Alice.  You completed your first official mission for the Equestrian Throne.”  Rainbow said as they landed on the ground.  “How did you get him to bring you out here though?  I mean sure seduction is powerful, but not that powerful.  He most likely would have taken you to his room if anything.”

Alice gave a self-pleased grin as she said, “I had a little help.”  Rainbow looked confused, but then Alice called, “Cheshire?”

The Factory director was confused with what was going on.  She then noticed the air seem to shimmer next to Alice.  As Dash tried to focus on the pocket of air by Alice, she let out a “Gahhh!” when a demonic looking large cat creature appeared.

The cat looked bony, but still seemed to have an air of strength about him.  The thing also had yellow eyes that seemed to glow in the night’s darkness.  It had some kind of markings all over his skin, and his wide grin showed a set of teeth with flecks of blood.

It was what happened next that really startled Rainbow though.  “You called, Alice?”  Rainbow’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open.

“Yes I did, Cheshire.  Good job on your assignment.  Did you finish it?”  She asked.

The creature chuckled darkly as he said, “Once those two lovely guards look in his room, or whoever is in charge of cleanup does, they will find the room spotless.”

The thing then sighed and lounged on the ground.  “I much preferred the first part of my job though, Alice.  Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity.  I haven’t been allowed to let loose like that in a loooong time.  If you ever need me to ‘ransack’ a room again feel free to call.”

Rainbow’s brain finally started to function again.  “That thing can talk?!  What are you?!”

“Indeed I can talk.  That is what the action of forming words for the sake of communicating with others is called.”  Cheshire gave a grin.

Alice gave a little giggle.  “He is a Cheshire Cat.  His name is Cheshire or sometimes just Cat.  He's a friend of sorts.”

Rainbow started looking at the creature with some interest.  Sure the thing was scary looking, but she did find him interesting.  Besides they did have things like Ursa Minors and Manticores around, why not Cheshire Cats as well.  “So are you from the Ever-Free Forest, or somewhere like that?”  The mare asked as she looked and tilted her head to get a different view point.

Cheshire chuckled before lazily answering, “Somewhere like that.”

“Where did you meet him?” Rainbow asked.

“It’s a long story….”  Alice said as she looked to the ground for a moment.

The cat let loose a laugh as he said, “Really, Alice?  You trust your friend here enough to introduce her to me, yet you won’t tell her your whole story?”

Alice frowned at the cat.  “I think meeting you is enough of a shock for one night, or maybe even a week.”  The cat grinned and his tail twitched a little.

Cheshire then gave a stretch and yawned.  “Regardless, it was nice meeting you, Rainbow Dash.”  The cat then disappeared mostly.  His mouth gave one last smile before saying deeply.  “See you around, Rainbow.”  It then gave a laugh and completely vanished.

Rainbow considered herself a brave pony, and she usually wasn’t creeped out by things anymore after working at the factory.  However, the way that cat thing’s mouth hung in the air, and spoke to her sent a chill down her spine.

She turned to Alice, and was surprised to see the pegasus merely roll her eyes.  “I know what you’re thinking.  Don’t worry about him suddenly popping up on you when you are alone.  He won’t do things like that until you have gotten used to him.  He just likes to ham it up a lot.”

Rainbow gave a nervous chuckle.  She hadn’t really thought about that possibility, until now.  “If you say so, Alice.”  She then cleared her throat and pretended not to have just met the freakiest creature ever as she asked, “So what are you going to do now?”

Alice gave a smile and answered, “Well I think after meeting Cheshire you could use a drink or three.  Want to go to a bar?”

Rainbow nodded.  “I could use a drink, that is for sure.  But why don’t you come with me to meet the others?  Pinkie is throwing a Day before the day before Cider Season Party for a few of us.  It won't just be our small group either.  Also Applejack won’t be there because she’s busy.”

Alice looked to her questioningly, and Rainbow answered. “Twilight finally convinced her to get help for Cider sales, but AJ says she won’t get us to help out yet.  She was going to ask some of her cousins visiting from Appleloosa to help first.  She figures that will be more than enough help.  Plus, since it is family tradition to wait for their trees to season a bit before the first cidering, or whatever they call it, her family could use the practice anyways.”

Alice nodded.  “That sounds good.  Can I take a shower at your place first?  I did get some blood on me after all.  Even after the impromptu shower you gave me I could use another.”

Alice really just wanted to take yet another hot shower.  She really had become fond of them after the one she had earlier that afternoon.  Rainbow smiled and nodded.  The two made their way to Rainbow’s house to wash up, before heading to Pinkie’s for a party.
> Parties, Cider and Cheshire Cats
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After showering, Alice felt refreshed.  She was now humming as she dried herself off.

Rainbow was waiting in the other room and still secretly trying to come to terms with having meet Cheshire.  Dash very much wanted to go to Pinkie’s party to get her mind off of the encounter with the odd creature.

She really hoped it would help get her mind off the disturbing exit he made.  She also wanted to celebrate Alice’s successful mission.  Plus, this way she could make sure that if anypony went to bed with the green eyed mare it would be her!  This time…

Rainbow sighed as she thought back to earlier that day.

----Flashback starts----

Rainbow had all of the afternoon and early evening weather team lined up.  All except for one that is.  Cloud Kicker finally managed to file into line.  Rainbow approached her and immediately she could smell the booze, sex, and more importantly Alice on Cloud Kicker.  The scent wasn't too strong at least.

Rainbow still felt jealous.  She knew she didn't really have any claim on Alice, but damn it she wished she had been there last night.  She decided after today she would no longer just playfully tease Alice.  It was time to let the mare know she was interested in her.

Regardless of her thoughts, Rainbow needed to focus on work now.  The weather team captain gave a sigh and said, “Geez, Cloud Kicker…  Late again…  I mean damn, girl.  I can smell the sex and booze on you.  Take a shower before coming after such a night at least.  I don’t even understand how you managed to hook up with Alice…  She only came here yesterday.”

Rainbow shook her head and added casually, “Control your lust and hormones… you aren't a teen anymore.  Heck you’re the same age as me.”

Cloud Kicked blushed lightly as a few of the ponies laughed.  Rainbow always got on Cloud’s case like this.  And Cloud always retorted with…  “Hey I can’t help it that everypony wants me.  I think you’re just jealous.”  The mare gave a smug smile.

Rainbow sighed and then another pony spoke up.  “Why do you care so much if she’s late anyways, Rainbow Dash?  You’re probably the laziest of us all, even if you are the best and in charge.”

Rainbow gave a frown.  “Why do I care?”  She looked at them each hard in the eyes.  “Ponies!  It is Sweet Apple Cider Season!  I won’t let anything get in my way this year!  Not Pinkie Pie, and for sure not slacking on Weather Patrol!”

The others blinked as Rainbow continued.  “How can you ponies slack when all of that sweet, glorious, thirst quenching drink of pure ecstasy is just around the corner?!” Rainbow was drooling at this point as were all of the team except one.

“Sorry, Rainbow Dash.  But compared to the things I experienced last night….”  Cloud Kicker said with a lazy, but still awed smile on her muzzle.  “Not even Cider can compare for me…”  Cloud Kicker’s eyes then glazed over in memory for a second as she quietly added, “Alice Briddell.  There is one hay of a mare.”

The others were surprised by this.  They all knew Cloud Kicker was just as into Cider as Rainbow was.  They even came across the two trying to summon some god of Cider Season to aid them in their quest for the drink.

Also Cloud really got around.  There wasn't much in the sex department that would surprise her, much less impress her.  She still really enjoyed it, but never this much the day after.

Rainbow cleared her throat.  She knew if they didn't stop her here, Cloud Kicker would probably go into detail about her night without really knowing it.  Rainbow half wanted to hear the details, but also half wanted to discover it for herself one day… hopefully.  “Anyways hit the showers, Cloud Kicker.  We can’t have you doing weather smelling like this.  I’ll give you your assignments once you’re ready.”

Rainbow handed out assignments to the other ponies as Cloud Kicker went to the showers muttering something about how she already took one earlier.  Rainbow just rolled her eyes and waited for her to return.

Once Cloud came back smelling clean, Rainbow had to ask, “Really though, how did you already meet Alice?”

Cloud Kicker smiled and said, “You know how I bartend some nights when my schedule allows it?”  Rainbow nodded.

Cloud Kicker continued, “Well I was one of the bartenders at Handy Reins last night in the VIP section.  Really though, Alice knows how to make a bar lively.  I’ve never seen the ponies of different classes mix so well before.  They even had to bring on a few extra bartenders in the VIP section last night...  That never happens.”

Rainbow nodded and let out a breath.  “Yep.  She’s very good at fitting in and mingling when she wants to be.  Usually she doesn't do so much when she’s around others that already know each other really well though.  Anyways here’s your assignment for today.”

---- Flashback ends----

After hearing that, Rainbow decided she needed to be just a little more aggressive with Alice.  Sure they knew each other better and in ways few others would, but if Alice was too eager and tempted to go down the lots of sex road to escape the stress of working the factory then Rainbow would just have to make sure she was the pony for that.  Maybe she was also just a little bit jealous she missed out, and Cloud Kicker got there before her.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice was finally dry and ready to go.  “So do I need to wear anything to this party?”

Rainbow shook her head.  “Rarity will probably be the only pony wearing anything, if she even bothers.  It’s just a casual get together with some of our Ponyville friends really.  It also won’t just be us, the Elements.  There will be some others so you can meet some new ponies.”

Alice nodded and felt relieved to hear it wouldn't just be Rainbow and her inner circle of friends there.  “Good to hear…”

They quickly made it to Pinkie Pie’s house after leaving.  “For some reason I was expecting it to be at Sugar Cube Corner,” Alice said as the arrived.

Rainbow gave a laugh.  “Yah most think she lives there.  The truth is she lives right next to it.”  Rainbow then pointed to the sweets shop with a hoof.  “She does throw a lot of parties there even if they are more personal get togethers.”

Alice looked to Rainbow questioningly.  She answered, “She says it’s one of the perks of being an employee there.  I think it’s more along the lines of a perk for being such a great employee really.  Pinkie is the party organizer for Ponyville pretty much.  She usually books Sugar Cube Corner because it has a decent amount of space and everypony can find it easily.”

Alice nodded as the two walked inside Pinkie’s house.  The light tanned pegasus was surprised when she saw the place.  It was rather impressive for Pinkie to have her own place Alice figured.

“Pinkie is older than me actually… even if she doesn't always act it.  I guess having your own place really isn't as astonishing of an accomplishment here as opposed to London,” Alice thought to herself.

“Well, hello my darling Alice!” a rather exaggerated accented voice said aloud.  Alice blinked at the pony who just spoke, and soon found a rather wonderful smile spreading across her face at the oddly welcomed sight in front of her.

Alice saw Pinkie wearing a very fine black top hat, mustache and fake monocle.  Pinkie gave a smile to the pony she felt oddly closer to than usual.  It wasn't long before the smile spread further than any sophisticated noble pony’s would.  Pinkie didn't care though.

“So what do you think?!”  Pinkie asked in her usual overly cheerful manner before continuing without waiting for a response.  “I hope you and all of the other ponies love it!  I even made up a special reserve tea just for this party!  I’m sure it will be fantastical!”

Pinkie gasped and said, “But what if it’s so fantastical that everypony always wants it?!”  The pink pony looked horrified for only a second before smiling again.  “Oh well!  I guess that will just show how amazing, awesome, radical, wonderful, tasty, and delicious it really is.  I can always make more of it anyways if needed, and then the Cakes can sell it at Sugar Cube Corner and everypony will be happy!”

Alice nodded and said, “You’re right about that, Pinkie.  But only if they are just happy and not superoverlylovingly amazed by it.”  The dark maned pegasus silently giggled.

Pinkie’s eyes lit in comprehension as she said, “oooooo!!!  I hope they are superoverlylovingly amazed by it!”

Her blue eyes then turned serious as she pointed a hoof at Alice and said, “By the way, where is your top hat, Alice?  This isn’t a costume or themed party, but I was so sure a master of hats like yourself would have one ready!  Make it fun and festive!”

Alice giggled and then placed a hoof to her chin as she gave a look of deep concentration.  Rainbow Dash shook her head at the two ponies, but she was deep down happy Alice seemed to already get along well with one of her friends at least.

Alice then stood on her back hooves and placed one fore hoof in the other before exclaiming.  “Aha!”  She then closed her eyes and suddenly there was a little poof.  As the smoke that came from somewhere cleared, the green eyed pegasus smiled and then pointed a hoof up and asked, “Will this work?”

Pinkie gave a huge gasp and floated in the air for a few moments.  She then said excitedly, really there weren't many other ways she spoke, “Of course that will, Alice!  Wowesies!  A black top hat with long erect bunny ears?!”  Pinkie examined the entire hat in a few seconds and asked, “Why didn't I think of that?!”

Alice gave a giggle that Rainbow secretly wished had lasted longer.  The green-eyed pegasus then spoke.  “Well, no offense, but when it comes to top hats I do have more experience on the matter than you, Pinkie.”

Pinkie nodded to this.  Alice gave a warm smile and continued, “I’m sure before long though you will be just as versed in such matters before finally surpassing me.”

“hmmmm….  Surpassing…”  Pinkie said while nodding knowingly.  “That is the ultimate job of the student is it not? Oh, master of top hats.”  Pinkie then bowed to Alice.

Alice gave a mock serious face as she said. “Arise!  Apprentice Pinkie!”  Pinkie did just that looking more serious than she had since facing Discord.  Alice then extended a hoof and nodded.  “Yes….  You will one day become Madame Pinkie of the Hats!”

Alice then giggled as did Pinkie.  Alice felt like she did in Wonderland except happier around Pinkie.  The party pony on the other hoof once again felt like she met a kindred spirit or somepony more around Alice.

The two ponies then smiled wider as they heard Rainbow give a little giggle.  She decided she could get used to hearing Alice and Pinkie interacting like this.  Pinkie was always a riot, but give her a pony that can keep up, and the fun was sure to be “Doubled”… or given Pinkie, squared and then quadrupled.

“Anyways.  It is good to see you, Alice,”  Pinkie said with a happy smile.  It then turned to a slight frown as she said, “Sorry I haven’t invited you to a party sooner, but you know I had to make sure Dashie here got a ‘Welcome back to Ponyville and your Friends even though you were only gone for a couple of days’ party with just us.”

Alice gave a soft smile.  “I understand, Pinkie.  Rainbow really is lucky to have such wonderful friends.”  There was a hint of sadness to Alice’s words despite her smile.  Pinkie picked up on it, and immediately took action.

“Here you go, Alice!”  Pinkie said as she handed the light tanned pegasus a glass of punch from thin air, a cupcake from somewhere, and much to Alice’s surprise, a quick hug.  The party hostess then smiled and bounced away to visit with the others as she said, “Enjoy the party!”

{-} {-} {-}

After talking with Pinkie, Alice went and talked to Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, and a few other ponies as well.  Rainbow kept kind of close to her, and while it was enjoyable, she couldn't help but notice Alice seemed to be steering clear of Fluttershy just a little bit.  Rainbow wasn't happy about this, but she supposed it was better than what could have happened.  Regardless, the party seemed to be a lot of fun and Alice was enjoying herself.

However, one butter yellow pegasus was concerned.  “Ummm…  Twilight… Can I ask you a question?  You know, if you don’t mind.”

Twilight turned to her friend and smiled.  “Sure, Fluttershy.  You know you can ask me anything.  What’s bothering you?”

“Well… ummm it isn't really bothering me, as much as maybe panicking me…  Have I done something to offend Rainbow’s friend, Alice?  I would swear she was avoiding me…  Though I suppose she could just be really ultraly busy with other ponies… but she has spoken to all of you girls except for me,” Fluttershy then frowned.

The butter yellow pegasus wanted to be friends with Alice because she seemed like a really great pony, and she already was friends with Rainbow, but she did have some concerns.  One of them was her conflicting opinions about Alice’s top hat.  On the one hoof, it was a really pretty hat, but on the other hoof it had bunny ears on it.

Fluttershy was scared they were real.  She always really felt for her animal friends, but even with that she did usually put ponies first, even if only by a little bit.  This wasn't the only thing though.  The pink maned pegasus thought Alice didn't like her.

Fluttershy didn't like it when ponies didn't like her.  She was the element of kindness after all, so these things really got to her.  She didn't mind it if bad ponies or bad griffons, or bad any kind of creatures didn't get along with her, but Alice didn't seem bad.

Twilight scrunched her face as she thought over things.  She finally gave a worrying smile to Fluttershy as she said, “You might be right, Fluttershy, but I don’t think she completely hates you.  I get a feeling that if she does dislike you, it’s because of something else rather than you as a pony.  Sometimes when a pony seems like they don’t like somepony it’s because that pony reminds them of something they really dislike about their self.  This can be something presently they hate about their self, or it can be something from their past instead.”

Fluttershy had been nodding to Twilight’s words, but now she seemed to be a bit confused.  Twilight mentally frowned at herself.  “Why is it I still can’t help my friends without going into lecture mode…”  The lavender unicorn thought as she frowned again.

Twilight sighed and said, “I guess what I was trying to say is to give it time, Fluttershy.  She may seem to be avoiding you, but I don’t think it will last.  I mean you are Fluttershy.  No one with a heart can hate you forever.”  The librarian pony gave a small smile to her friend.

Fluttershy’s head drooped hearing these words.  “Sure… ummm I guess you are right, Twilight…  Sorry I took up your time.”

Fluttershy then suddenly gave a determined look as she said, “I will give her some time, but if that doesn’t work then I will show her we can be friends!  Sometimes it takes a lot to make friends with a pony.”  The element of kindness then stomped the ground in determination (it was barely any louder than her normal steps) before shaking her head, blushing, and going on her way to enjoy the party.

{-} {-} {-}

“I hate doing this…” Alice thought to herself as she spoke to Rarity some more.  “I’m doing this for Rainbow Dash, and Rarity’s own good.”  She tried to remind herself.

“Ummm ya…  I sure do like this here… partay...  Ma and Pa never thrown something so fun and the like compared to this,” Alice said as she mentally cringed.  She was just glad the other ponies who knew her at this party kept to themselves or played along, like Pinkie Pie.  No doubt most ponies thought it was some kind of party game.

Pinkie watched as several socially refined ponies emulated Alice, and pretended to be unrefined to the point of a cliché.  Other more humble ponies did the opposite and acted snottier than the worst of Canterlot before bursting out in laughs.  Pinkie Pie of course joined in the fun of this impromptu game Alice and Rarity unitentionally started.  The party hostess even changed roles with different ponies.

Pinkie almost frowned when she noticed there were a couple of tense moments.  She did what she could to try and keep things fun.  Fortunately there were only a couple of instances where ponies got a little upset, and once the misunderstanding was cleared up things got better and many ponies made new friends.

The pink hostess pony took a little break from her rounds and talked to one of her donkey friends, “This is such a super fun awesome, riot of a party!  Don’t you agree, Matilda?”

“Yes it sure is, Pinkie.  You always know how to throw a great party.  Add in that game you and Alice chose and everyone is having fun.  Many seemed to have learned something from the others as well.”  The donkey said with delightful laugh.

“Ohhh!  Sorry Matilds!  But it was all Alice walice’s idea. I don’t know why she started it with Rarity, but she did and from what I can tell the two intend to keep it going until the end of Cider Season.”  Pinkie said with a seemingly puzzled face.

“Is that so?” Matilda asked.  She found it odd, but ponies always did odd things from time to time.

“Yes it is.”  Pinkie said with a normal smile.  She then looked to her friend and said, “So please don’t do anything to spoilly spoil there funie wunie time.  Okay?”  Pinkie asked with pleading blue eyes.

Matilda nodded and headed over to get more refreshments.  Pinkie smiled widely to herself.  She was happy to help out her friends in keeping their cover for this bet.  She thought it rather stupid really, but she also saw some good in it.  Also Twilight did ask the others not to interfere with this little wager Rainbow and Rarity had going, even it was kind of fixed from the start.

Pinkie right away agreed to do so and she even Pinkie Promised not to get in the way of it.  It was a rather strange request, but who knows.  Besides Twilight was their friend and asked them not to get too involved.  In the end, Pinkie and the others decided to go along with it.

{-} {-} {-}

Rarity gave a half frown to Alice.  She loved the dear, but really.  “You know with you as Rainbow’s etiquette teacher I feel as though I'm taking advantage of you two.  I really hate to do such things, and feeling like I am is just as bad.”

Alice gave her a look and said rather eloquently, “You know there is a saying for such matters, Rarity.  I believe that saying is something to the effect of ‘don’t count your chickens before they hatch, or…”

Alice blinked a few times, coughed, and went back to her horrible excuse for a simple country pony accent.  “Or well ummm ya’ll know… some fancy smancy saying to that there effect.”  She hoped she had managed to lose any possible suspicion due to her moment of slight eloquence, even if the saying worked coming from a farm pony.  It wouldn't do for Rarity to have any hint she was more refined than she appeared to be.

Rarity blinked her beautifully perfect moderate blue-green eyes.  If she didn't know better, she would think Alice was actually acting around her.  The seamstress shook her head and decided it must be Pinkie’s party punch getting to her.

Rainbow was nearby talking to a different pony, but she was paying half her attention to Alice and Rarity.  She mentally sighed in relief that Rarity seemed to be buying Alice’s act.  Deep down the cyan pegasus was grateful cider sales would be starting soon, and shortly after that was Filthy’s party.  Once the party was over, one way or another they wouldn't have to keep this act going.

Alice gave an uneasy laugh as she once again almost let it slip there was much more to her than she made it seem when Posh Bit came and talked to her.  Apparently her and Cloud Kicker met up again last night, and the two were actually considering a relationship of sorts.

“Ohh!  That is simply wonderful, Posh Bit!  You won’t mind the move to Ponyville will you?  I know your business in all things appearance has been very successful in Canterlot.  Though I suppose Cloud Kicker could easily make the trip there and back every so often.”  Alice said with a bright smile.

Posh gave her a hug and answered, “I actually already had plans to open a small store here in Ponyville.  This small town has really grown lately, and more ponies are wanting to keep up appearances even here.  Also the simple yet elegant and beautiful look has really been taking off lately.”

Posh giggled and then gave Alice a friendly nudge with a fetlock. “No doubt you have played a small role in that.”

“Please…  Posh you can’t expect me to believe that I have had any sort of monumental effect on anything fashion or otherwise,” Alice said with a smile and roll of her eyes.  She had forgotten about keeping up her act in front of Rarity.  Fortunately said unicorn was too busy holding her mouth open in surprise to notice.

Posh gave a giggle.  “Not anything big, Alice.  However, when any popular mare sports a look of some kind that suits them they are bound to make an impact of some kind.  It was already becoming very popular, but when a certain pegasus mare, who was often the life of bars and Inns, was seen with just the simplest of make-up certain ponies noticed.  A few other socially important mares tried it out, and then it caught on!  Ponies now realize make-up, fashion, and beauty can still be functional in everyday life.”

Alice gave a smile.  She was glad to hear that she was only a small part that sort of pushed the trend over the edge without too much impact.  She then heard a sharp but still somehow elegant intake of breath.  Alice’s eyes widened for only a second before she cleared her throat and said, “Well that there is some mighty fine news, Miss Posh Bit.”

Posh laughed.  The golden coated unicorn thought Alice was once again engaging in the game she had started with Rarity.  She would have said something, but then there was a loud gasp once more.

“You're Posh Bit!!!  The make-up artist of Canterlot?!!!”  Rarity said with excitement that caused her to slightly loose her couth and proper accent for only a moment.

Posh was taken aback by this but nodded to Rarity.  “It is such an honor to meet you!”  Rarity said once again in her ever refined and wonderful accent as she shook hooves with Posh.

“You're Rarity, right?”  Posh asked a bit concerned.

“You KNOOOW me?!”  Rarity asked before her eyes filled with stars.  The beautiful white unicorn smiled brightly to this.  Posh couldn't help but give a giggle to her antics.  Alice was just glad that she had somehow seemingly avoided raising the fashionista’s suspicions yet again.

“Why yes I do actually, Rarity.  Hoity Toity had my company do the make up for his fashion show after he visited Ponyville a couple of years ago.  He has since used my company for many of his fashion shows,” Posh said.

Rarity was speechless and her mouth seemed to fall open even further.

“In fact, I believe he told me he wanted to do business with you again after Cider Season this year.  If you’re interested, I'll tell him your answer when I head back after this week,” Posh Bit said hiding some small excitement.

Posh was actually a little bit excited to meet this Rarity pony in person.  She had never met her before, even with the other times she had passed through Ponyville.  At the same time, she had heard about her from other ponies in the fashion business.

Rarity’s eyes grew as she asked, “Hoity Toity!  Wants to do more business with me?!”

Posh nodded to her.  Rarity gave a great big smile, and momentarily forgot all of decorum as she squealed and clapped her hooves together.  “Of course I would love to do business with him again!”

“Okay then I'll tell him your answer, and we’ll get together and set up our plans.”  Posh said.

Rarity then squealed again, getting some looks from the other ponies.  Some cheered for her as they toasted her happiness, even if they weren't sure what just happened.  Rarity then promptly fainted.  She would have hit the ground, but as always her couch managed to appear and stop her fall.

{-} {-} {-}

Fluttershy took a swig of Pinkie’s Party Punch.  She needed just a hint of liquid courage before facing Alice.  She looked at the dark maned pegasus again.  Fluttershy blushed as certain thoughts ran through her head that she never shared with anypony.  She then took another swig of the punch.  “Might need two hints of liquid courage this time… Maybe three…” she thought to herself.

Fluttershy now had a total of five hints of liquid courage as she slowly approached Alice to speak to her.  “Ummm…  Alice…  I was, you know wondering… if maybe you would possibly tell me why you don’t seem to like me…  if you want to that is…  Actually you owe me an explanation!”  She said with all the volume of an angry butterfly flapping its wings.

“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch…”  Alice said to Rarity using a rather horrible sounding imitation of a country accent.  The two ponies didn’t seem to notice the Element of Kindness at all.

Fluttershy shrank back and quietly said, “Ohh… you're playing that game as well… I am sorry if I bothered you…”  The pink maned pegasus then backed up slowly and decided to help herself to some of the party food.

Fluttershy had noticed many ponies playing that game.  Even Twilight was playing it with a southern earth pony, who had a beaker and lab coat cutie mark.  However, their discussion had quickly changed into a reasonable and respectful debate on the practicality of Dr. Gemstone’s Rock Musical Tonality Theorems.

Fluttershy couldn’t really follow what they were saying, but she did hear something about quantum singularity movements being added into the conversation as it shifted again.  The butter yellow pegasus decided to just hang out by the edge of the party for a bit.

It wasn’t long until Fluttershy’s favorite cyan pegasus came over to talk to her.  “Hey Flutters!  How are you doing?!”  The shy pony could smell a little alcohol on her friend’s breath, but her company was welcomed anyways.  Later she might realize it was the alcohol on her own breath instead.  She did have five strong hints of liquid courage.

“Ohhh ummm I am ok… I guess…”  Fluttershy said.  Rainbow was about to give a smile and talk about something else when her friend spoke again with a small sniff.  “Actually… I’m not okey dokey lokey…”

Rainbow more or less sobered up and looked to her longtime friend with concerned rose colored eyes.  “What’s wrong, Fluttershy?”  She then looked around with anger as she hovered in the air and asked her friend, “Did someone make fun of you again?!  They aren’t worth horse apples if they did.  Hay, you and the rest of us have worked together and saved this land who knows how many times.  Don’t let any stupid bullies get you down… Let me at them if they did.”

Fluttershy felt a little warm hearing her first friend say that.  “No, Rainbow.  It isn’t that...  I think…  Well you know… your friend Alice doesn’t really like me… I think she might even hate me…”  The yellow pegasus gave another sniff and hoofed the ground.

Rainbow landed next to her and tried to give her a reassuring smile as she spoke.  “Alice doesn’t hate you…  I don’t think anypony can truly hate you, Fluttershy.  She just has…”

Rainbow tried to look for the right words.  It took a little time, but she found them.  “A complicated life and past…  She will eventually warm up to you, I’m sure.  If you don’t force it.”  Rainbow then mentally added, “Hopefully she will…”

Fluttershy sniffed twice more, but she soon smiled, “Okay Rainbow, if you say so.  I believe you.  Still I wish I knew what it was she didn't like about me…”

Rainbow almost said it was her weak flying skills, but she kept from doing so.  Fluttershy always took it personally when somepony mentioned her flying skills, or lack thereof.  Don’t get her wrong, the shy flyer was getting better, but still she would have trouble passing the Cloudsdale flight test.  Fortunately, her friend didn't ever think of trying to go and pass it after she found her cutie mark.

Fluttershy eventually cheered up, and had a fun time at the party as well.  She never got to speak to Alice though, even after 8 hints of liquid courage.  Nevertheless she had fun and the party was a hit for all of the ponies attending it.

However, soon all things had to come to an end.  Rainbow was excited she managed to go to bed with Alice, but the two just curled up and fell asleep.  Still neither of them would complain about this outcome.

{-} {-} {-}

It was finally Cider Time!  Well actually it was the night before Cider sales, but still everypony was excited about what was to come.  Once again many ponies decided to camp out the night before.

“Damn it all to Tartarus!” Rainbow shouted aloud.  She wasn’t happy at all.  She thought that maybe this year she would get more than one or two cups of cider.  They were going to spend the night waiting in line, but stupid Pinkie decided to have an overnight Cider Camping trip again!  Once she did that, several other ponies did as well.

Alice had an unreadable look on her face as she thought of how to help out with this predicament.  Green eyes scanned the group of ponies and rested on an odd family of sorts that she recognized.  She came to a conclusion, and smiled deviously.  It may have been a little underhoofed, but it would work.  Hay, she might as well make use of her social talents and connections.

“Don’t worry, Rainbow.  I have an idea.  It may not be the most morally sound idea, but it should work I believe.”  Alice said with confidence.

Rainbow looked to her friend with a half frown.  Alice gave a sigh and said, “I will only do it this one time, Rainbow.  Best make use of it.”  Rainbow wasn't sure about this, but she went on along with it.

Alice went to a nearby pony who had a tea kettle cutie mark.  The mare even had a little stand she opened up for cider season.  She had the Apple’s permission to sell her wares to ponies so they wouldn't "die of thirst", for a small share of the profits.

“Hello, Lemon Tea,” Alice said with a smile.

Lemon Tea blushed as she saw Alice.  Lemon Tea was a light brown mare with a green mane.  Despite her coloration it really seemed to work for her, and she was fairly sought after.

“Well hello, Miss Briddell.  How may I help you?”  Lemon Tea asked with a smile.

Alice returned the smile, but her’s had a hint of lust to it.  “I’m doing fine, Lemon Tea.”  She then dropped her voice just a little bit.  “It’s good to see you again.  After that one night in Canterlot, I was saddened that I may never see you again.”  Lemon Tea blushed a little more to her words.

“I was just there for a convention and some small business,”  The mare said to Alice.

“I know, but the two of us had soooo much fun,”  Alice gave her a smile and wink.

Rainbow wasn't sure where Alice was going with this, but she just watched for the moment.  She was a little on edge, but when the two mares burst into giggles Rainbow relaxed.

“We had so much fun teasing other ponies in good fun,” Lemon Tea said.  Alice giggled more.

“Yes we did.  Fortunately, you knew when to stop so it was all in good fun.  Are you here on just business?” Alice asked.

Lemon let out a long sigh.  “I am unfortunately…  I love cider just as much as any pony, but this is just such a golden opportunity, you know…”

The factory seeker nodded to her and smiled weakly.  “That's good news about your business at least.  If I get some cider I'll buy you a mug or two.  Sound good?”

Lemon’s eyes lit up, but then she looked at Alice and asked, “And what do you want in return for this favor, Alice?”

Alice gave a sweet smile that only fooled Lemon Tea a little bit.  “Not much, just a kettle of that famous tea I told you about that you made afterwards is all.”

Lemon Tea gave her a clever smile.  “Is that all?”  Alice nodded and looked to her questioningly.

Lemon gave a laugh as she said, “I have no problem with that.  Your recipe turned out to be a huge hit.  I’m relieved you don’t want half my business or something like that.”

Alice smiled, “You're the one that actually makes it, and runs the business.  Also I’m rather happy with my job and living conditions as is.  So I guess that is a yes?”

Lemon Tea nodded to Alice and handed her a good sized kettle as she said, “Earl Greymane Tea.  Usually this stuff costs a good bit, but for you, honey…  It’s on the house.”  The two mares then giggled as Alice took the tea kettle.

Rainbow watched everything with curious rose colored eyes.  When Alice came back with just a tea kettle she had to ask, “What is with the tea kettle?”

Alice gave a mysterious smile as she said, “We are going to share it with one of my oldest acquaintances in Equestria.”

“Ummm… Okay…”  Rainbow said.  She fluttered slowly behind Alice as they made their way to a family with a young unicorn filly and a slightly older unicorn daughter that didn't quite look to belong with the others.  It was obvious they were all a family, but the older unicorn seemed just a little bit out of place.

“Hello Dr. and Mrs. Hooves.  How are you this fine day?”  Alice asked pleasantly.

The stallion in the group gave her a look over and his eyes shown with just the slightest bit of caution.  His wife on the other hoof swooped over and grabbed Alice and Rainbow both into a big hug.  Fortunately, the tea kettle wasn't harmed in the hug.

“Mommy?  Who are these two?!”  Said a small filly who was an exact duplicate of her mother apart from being a unicorn instead of a pegasus.

“Friends of mine!  I crashed into Alice here a few days ago on my lunch break.  Rainbow Dash here let me help decorate for when Applejack went to that pony rodeo I told you about, Little Muffin!  I still don’t know what went wrong though…”  She said the last part with some sorrow, but soon smiled again.  It was a lovely day and she did get a wonderful muffin for breakfast from her Hubby after all.

“Pleasure to meet you again, Miss Briddell.  I trust life has treated you well, and you have had time to visit your home near Lonpony, since we last met, yes?”  Said the stallion known by most as the Doctor, but known to Derpy as simply Hubby.

Alice gave a nervous chuckle that caught Rainbow by surprise.  Fortunately, the Factory Director didn't let her surprise betray her.  Alice spoke, “Unfortunately I haven’t, good sir…  I also seem to have been very overwhelmed by my new job at the Cloudsdale Weather Factory, so many details of the place have slipped my mind…”

Alice hoped that somehow this doctor would show her some mercy, and not expose her for lying about where she came from.  She knew he was really sharp, and the earth pony put her on edge.

The doctor gave a friendly smile and simply said, “Well that can happen when a pony finds something new and exciting.  To what do we owe the pleasure?”

Sparkler the older unicorn daughter simply stayed quiet and watched the others.  She wasn't too happy to be here with her family for so long.  She wasn't a fan of camping, even if it was for glorious Sweet Apple Cider.

Rainbow Dash gave a smile and scratched the back of her head nervously.  She still didn't get what Alice was up to.  She also wasn't sure about being around Derpy and her family.  Rainbow did care for the walled eyed pegasus, but still there was such a thing as too much Derpy in her mind.

“Ohhh not much really.  Rainbow Dash here is usually very unfortunate when it comes to cider season, and rarely actually gets some.  So I decided to try and possibly bribe you and your family into sharing your spot in line with us.  If it causes you any problems then we will find another way,” Alice said in a polite and friendly manner.

The Hooves gave her a curious look as the light tanned pegasus swung the pot of tea ever so slightly. It released just a hint of the aroma to the tea within.  Rainbow’s jaw fell open at Alice’s audacity.  She never thought the pegasus would openly admit to cutting in line and bribing.

Sparkler gave a chuckle, but her nose picked up on the scent and she actually stared at the tea kettle longingly.  Her adoptive father did the same.  Derpy gave a smile as well.

Dr. Hooves gave a smile as he inhaled the scent.  It was Earl Grey… or well the Equestrian equivalent of such.  Alice continued to smile pleasantly as she said, “Also your lovely wife here did invite me to tea time with this wonderful family of yours.”  Derpy nodded her head to this.

The doctor gave a chuckle.  He then asked, “Is that what I think it is?”

Rainbow was confused by this question.  Actually, she was confused by the whole situation.  She didn't see how this could possibly work.

Alice nodded and answered, “It’s Earl Greymane.”

The doctor chuckled.  He was a bit wary of Alice, but he couldn't say “No” to offered tea.  It was rude and just plain wrong.  Besides, even if he was here in Equestia, his new home with his family, he could find a way to take care of Alice if need be.  However, it seemed that wasn't the case at the moment at least.

“Well I must say you at least know which tea to bribe with, Alice.  I wouldn't usually condone such actions, but why not this time?” The doctor said with a hint of giddiness.

Despite everything, he had a possible opportunity to talk about things to a rather infamous ponified person in a rather friendly setting.  Also he could find out something that had been bothering him, even if he knew it was foolish to worry about.

Alice smiled.  Derpy cheered as her youngest, Dinky, did as well.  Sparkler was completely surprised by what was happening and decided to find a way to procure this Earl Greymane tea for future dealings with her father.

Rainbow was surprised that Alice’s trick had worked, and none of the nearby ponies seemed to care or take notice.   “Things are really looking up now!”  Rainbow thought to herself.

Alice gave a smile to the gathered ponies, and poured both Derpy and ‘Hubby’ a cup of tea.  She was glad, surprised, and concerned that her simple and obvious plan seemed to have worked.  She really hoped she didn't give this doctor guy any reason to come after her while talking over tea.  She wasn't sure what the outcome would be if that happened.

{-} {-} {-}

The before cider sales tea party with the Hooves was going rather well.  Everypony seemed to be having a good time.  Derpy spoke up again with a question.  “So Rainbow Dash!  What really did go wrong that one time before Applejack left for the Pony Rodeo?”

Rainbow gave a nervous chuckle as she thought of the best way to phrase it.  She really didn't want to upset and accidentally guilt Derpy.  “Well… You see…”  She started.

Derpy’s honey yellow eyes seemed to shine with interest as she waited for the answer.  Rainbow then got an idea on how to respond.  “It turns out the town hall had a serious case of termites.”

“Ohhh… That explains why it took so long to get it up and going again.”  Derpy said.  Alice nodded as the grey coated pegasus stage whispered to her, “Insurance ponies can be a real pain in Celestia’s Plot.  Always trying to find a way not to have to pay.”

Alice nodded to this.  She wholeheartedly agreed with Derpy on this matter.  The dark maned pegasus was sure they tried extra hard to deny Derpy any claims.  Alice did also notice the Doctor looking her over every so often carefully.

The group continued to enjoy their little tea party and Rainbow regaled tales of her Awesomeness much to the younger ponies’ delight.  “And that was how I curb stomped those idiot bully ponies in a race.”  Dinky cheered and Sparkler laughed a little and shook her head.

{-} {-} {-}

That night Rainbow went and retrieved a cloud bed big enough for three ponies.  Derpy insisted on joining them for the night.  The blonde pegasus said she never had a sleepover before in her life.

Once her Hubby assured them she was a sound sleeper and didn't toss and turn much, Alice and Rainbow Dash decided it was the least they could do for their new friends.

Dinky and Sparkler both wanted to sleep in the cloud as well.  It broke their hearts when Derpy said, “Until Twilight comes up with a really long lasting cloud walker spell you two can’t…”

She then gave a deep frown as she said, “Sorry, lovelies…”  The two daughters weren't happy, but they accepted it.  Derpy then smiled and said, “Tell you girls what!  Tomorrow night I’ll sleep with you two!”

Dinky was really happy about this.  Sparkler wasn't as enthused though.  Derpy then said, “And once Cider Season is over we’ll go to the spa, Sparkler!”  Sparkler cheered up and even gave her mother a great big hug.

She even said, “I love you, mom!”  Derpy smiled hearing those words.  Usually Sparkler only said them in the solitude of their home, and nowhere else.

Dr. Hooves smiled at his family.  He then motioned for Alice to follow him a little bit away from the others.  Alice wasn't sure about this, but she saw no reason not to go with him.

{-} {-} {-}

Once Dr. Hooves and Alice were a good bit away from other ponies, the stallion with the time turner cutie mark turned and looked to the mare with intense eyes.  “I don’t want any trouble, Alice Liddell.  If you leave my family alone I won’t get in your way.  Do you understand?”

Alice’s jaw fell open as she heard her full true name.  All she could do at the moment was ask, “Who are you?!”  She then brought out her knife as this Doctor just stood there, but looked ready to defend himself if needed.  Earth Ponies were really strong after all and he was quick.

“I am simply known as the Doctor.  I know who you really are, Alice.  I too am not originally a pony.  I’m usually up for a challenge and adventure, but I refuse to let my family here get into any danger,”  The doctor said.

Alice looked him over.  He wasn't armed or anything, but there was something about him that told Alice to approach with caution.  She eventually asked, “How do I know I can trust you not to tell anyone else the truth about me?”

The doctor managed to give a charming smile, despite the situation, and said, “Simple.  I'm more than capable of defending myself and protecting my family from most anything.  I'm here however, for some much needed peace.  With how this world works and it's guardians I don't really see much reason to act unless you give me a reason to act.”

Alice narrowed her green eyes at him as he continued with a rather off putting and relaxed smile.  “Plus I really would rather not mess with a girl who can warp reality to her bidding.  I saw Londerland, Alice.  And I usually save reality warpers for the third Wednesday every four months.”

Alice’s eyes grew in surprise at his words, but she mentally decided to play along as she answered, “That is very wise of you, Doctor.  What is it you want of me?  Perhaps we can come to an agreement.”

“Leave my family alone.  I don’t know what you are doing here, but I'm wisely cautious, and like I said wanting some time off to be with my family when I am here.”  The doctor said.

Alice mentally sighed in relief, but it didn't show.  “Okay I can agree with that.  Do you want me to not even befriend them?  More precisely what are your requested limits?”

“My lovely wife seems to like you, Alice.  I can tell you are rather enjoyable to be around.  So long as you don’t get my family involved in whatever you’re doing here, and don’t bring harm on them, I can be at ease,”  The doctor said.

Alice was extremely happy to hear his words.  Derpy was too old for flight school and had somehow managed to pass it long ago, or didn't bother to take it.  The two daughters were unicorns, so there weren't any problems there either.  Also she really would rather not get on this pony's bad side.

The pegasus didn’t let any of her relief show on her face.  She slowly gave a nod and said, “I have no reason, nor wish to be at odds with your family.  Besides, I oddly think I could come to see Derpy as a friend of sorts.  I think we will be okay, Doctor,” Alice said with a smile.  With her smile, the two ponies had come to an agreement, and made their way back to the camp for the night.

{-} {-} {-}

“Come on!  Wake up, sleepy heads!!  It’s Cider Time!”  Rainbow shouted to everypony in the area.  It took a second, but Alice shot up to attention before yawning and stretching.  She noticed it was still dark outside.

“Rainbow…  Isn't it a little… early?”  Alice asked.

“It is already 4 AM!  If we don’t wake up now then somepony like Pinkie Pie might steal our Cider mugs!”  Rainbow said as if that made perfect sense with the line and all.

Alice shrugged her shoulders.  It was only 4 AM…  That meant she had only had two or three hours of sleep last night.  She looked around, and was surprised to see that Derpy seemed to be perfectly awake along with her husband.  The kids were still asleep though.

Rainbow was about to shout at the two sleeping fillies, but then a grey hoof covered her mouth.  Rainbow was then spun around and came face to face with the fiercest golden yellow eyes she had ever see, including Cheshire’s.

“My muffins will sleep as long as they want after last night,”  Derpy said in a no nonsense voice.  She then narrowed her eyes and said, “Understood?”

Rainbow nodded vigorously.  Derpy then was back to being all smiles and even offered both Rainbow and Alice a muffin.  They took her offer.  Rainbow said she needed it for fuel in the upcoming War for Cider.  Alice simply took the offered muffin, because she wasn’t fond of missing breakfast, even if it was absurdly early.

{-} {-} {-}

It had been a couple of hours since the Apple family opened for sales.  So far, Alice had learned that waiting in line with Rainbow involved hearing all about the glories of cider and how unfair it was that Pinkie always bought like 50,000 mugs of the stuff and still managed to carry them all.

Alice knew her friend was exaggerating, but still seeing the Pink pony walk by with 15 mugs of cider and not spilling a drop was very impressive. Once Pinkie left, Rainbow started reciting a thesis about cider and all of its glory again.  The worst part was the cyan pegasus was relentless, even telling Rainbow she had only managed to grab a couple of mugs in her whole life didn't do anything to stop her.

After hearing Rainbow’s theories, Derpy and the two fillies decided that the answer to everything in the universe was Sweet Apple Cider.  They even came up with valid arguments in favor of their choice in opposition of the Doctor’s answer to everything being 42.

Finally, Alice and Rainbow came up to the Apple’s stand.  Alice easily and happily bought six mugs.  She was going to give two to Lemon Tea in thanks.

Rainbow on the other hoof stood there in awe.  “Ummm… no offense Miss Dash, but are ya gonna buy some Cider or not?”  Asked the cute yellow earth pony filly.  Alice knew she was Applejack’s sister, Apple Bloom.

“One does not simply buy cider.”  Rainbow answered as her eyes started to shine at all of the barrels behind the stand.

“Ummmmm… Okay… If ya say so, Miss Dash…  But I’m pretty sure they do just simply buy cider...,” Apple Bloom said again.  She was hearing some ponies starting to grumble behind the cyan pegasus.  A few did however, chant something about the glories of cider and the sweet blessed love of Celestia on such a treat.

Alice gave a sigh and was about to break Rainbow from her revere, but the multi-colored maned pegasus snapped out of it.  After buying six mugs herself, Rainbow finally came over to Alice.  She giggled a little in embarrassment.

“Sorry about that, Alice…  But I've never made it to the end of line without them running out of cider!”  The light blue pegasus started to hoover as she smiled broadly at her friend.

Alice gave a smile.  “Let me give two of these mugs to Lemon Tea and then we can have a toast.  Sound good, Dash?”

Rainbow smiled and followed Alice.  Once they made it to the tea stand, Lemon was extremely happy to see them again and almost bounced to the moon when Alice gave her the two mugs.  “As thanks, Lemon.  If it wasn't for you we probably wouldn't have been able to buy cider for ourselves.”

The three ponies then toasted and gave a cheer.  Pinkie watched from behind and had a strange look on her face.  She wasn't sure how it was that Alice could just give over two mugs of gloriously wonderful cider.  She was even further surprised when Dashie handed one of her last two glasses to Alice and the two toasted again.

Pinkie wasn't sure what to make of this.  She knew that friends were important and so was sharing, but cider was cider.  It was the “most stupendous, amazing, tasty, cidery, drinkable drink ever!”  If some pony didn't get all of their own cider it was their own fault.

However, in front of her she watched as two friends enjoyed a drink of cider together.  Rainbow didn't seem to care that she had given up a cider to Alice.  The two pegasi were even singing a little song together.

The song started out low, and then grew.  Other ponies started to sing as well and more ponies offered a mug of cider to different ponies.  Pinkie wasn't sure what was going on.  It looked fun, but how could it be…  They were giving up cider to complete strangers they never knew.

“Maybe Cider Season isn't about packages and drinks!”  Pinkie said to no pony in particular.

“Maybe it doesn't come from stores with tags and… tinks!” she said again.

“Maybe… just maybe this time has a deeper reason behind it.”  Pinkie said with a smile.  It was said down in Ponyville the pink party pony’s heart grew three sizes that day.

This actually really confused the residents because they didn't see how Pinkie’s heart could grow any bigger than it already was.  Also the pony wasn't sure where it was those words had come from.  She then gave a couple of her extra mugs to ponies in the back of the line.

Soon enough the first day of Cider sales was over and done with.  Almost everypony got at least one glass of cider that day.  The Apple family felt proud of themselves, and rightly so.

“Well everypony!  That does it for today’s sales of Apple Family Cider!”  Shouted Applejack.  There were only a couple of grumbles, but not many.  “Feel free to come back tomorrow for some more ya’ll!”  Once she was finished, the ponies peacefully departed for the night.

{-} {-} {-}

The next day several ponies were once again waiting for more Cider.  Alice and Rainbow however, were more than prepared for this situation.  The two pegasi decided to once again spend the night in the line.  They both enjoyed being with the other and the weather was really nice for Cider Season as it should be.

Rainbow sighed in contentment as she lay on her back in a cloud next to Alice on the last day of sales.  “That really hit the spot.  I don’t think I've ever seen a cider season with so much Cider for everypony.  They usually run out before all of the ponies even get to have a glass let alone more than a glass.”

“Applejack did say something about them taking extra precautions this time from prep, didn't she?”  Alice asked as she looked over Rainbow with a smile.  It was fun seeing the beautiful pegasus so relaxed and happy like this.

“Yah, but still…  They seemed to have worked it out perfectly almost.  I mean they had just enough for each of their family and helpers to have their own private after party from what Apple Bloom said as they closed for today.”  Rainbow answered.

“Well Twilight did say something about Big Mac actually being very good with math including estimates to maximize profit margins while at the same time meeting client expectations.”  Alice stretched before then lying next to Rainbow.

“I have sometimes wondered what it would be like if he went into business on his own.  He has a keen sense for it really.  That’s why the Apple Family is actually fairly well off.  Only thing that keeps them from having everything AJ dreamed about back during the Gala is their own stubbornness,”  The cyan pony said with a snort and a shake of her head.

“How so?”  Asked Alice while she looked up to the sky.

“Granny refuses to admit she needs a new hip or that she has really aged.  Big Mac insists their plow is just fine and the rust only adds character.  AJ still tries to do much of everything on her own.  Apple Bloom will probably figure out what she wants to be stubborn about after she gets her cutie mark.”  Rainbow ended with a chuckle.

Alice smiled as she said, “You sure seem to know the Apple family really well.”

“Well I am friends with AJ and shortly after I first started out at the weather factory I found myself spending a lot of my free time with Big Mac.  So yah, I’ve known them for a while,”  Rainbow said with a nod.

“What was Applejack like as a filly?  I can’t really imagine her as anything other than how she is now from what I’ve heard.”  Alice asked.

“I wouldn’t know about her filly days.  I know she spent some time with her Aunt and Uncle in Manehatten.  I heard they’re like super sophisticated upper class ponies.  The kind that would have Rarity giddy and fainting from how classy they are,”  Rainbow answered with a small laugh.

Alice found it really hard to believe AJ would spend time in a place like Manehatten.  Then she shook her head as she realized it could be possible.  She was a lot different from how she was as a child herself after all.

Rainbow enjoyed the silence for a bit before she carefully asked, “What were you like when you were young, Alice?”

Alice gave a sigh and then a giggle as she thought back to her earlier childhood days.  The days where things were nice and lovely.  She figured it was the mood and atmosphere of her surroundings that actually allowed her to answer that question.  “Quite the naughty little embarrassment for my mother at times and a bit of an annoyance to the tutors my dad got for me and… my sister…”

Alice sat up but still looked to the sky above them.  It kept her calm for some reason.  “I had a very active imagination and far too much energy for my mother.  I also liked to act clever to varying degrees of success.  I got into all kinds of trouble around the house.  My mother on more than one occasion claimed she would ‘expire’ because of me.  It was her way of saying I was giving her grey hairs.  She also said I was ‘two times too reckless’.   She loved me, but society and position were very important to her as well.”

Rainbow actually laughed as she imagined a filly Alice zipping around her mother’s head in the kitchen or something like that.   She had a feeling that wasn't what it was really like, but she loved the thought nonetheless.

Rainbow then gave a small frown and asked, “What’s your sister like?”   She thought this might be a touchy subject, but felt she could press her luck this time.

Alice gave a fond smile in memory.  “She was the greatest in the world!  My childhood was actually very lonely.  My dad was a pretty important and well known member of society where I'm from.  My mother was less so, but she felt it was her duty to live up to others’ expectations because of who she was married to.  My dad didn't care about that, but she did.  She loved us, but did what she could to bring us up properly.”

Alice took in a deep breath.  “I was sort of kept away from most children my age.  So my sister was also my best and only friend, as much as she could be at any rate.  She was ten years older than me, but still she played with me when she could.  Everyone who knew her came to love her.”

“She was also a bit rebellious as well.  I thought it made her even… cooler.  She wouldn't let others just have their way with her.  She would tell me all kinds of stories and many other things.  She pretty much fulfilled the role of fun in my life.  She loved me more than anyone else.  It made for quite the struggle to her many suitors…”

Alice frowned at the last part.  She remembered once more in full force what she had learned of the night of the fire.  Rainbow thought things were going really well until she could feel how heavy the atmosphere suddenly got.  She was a bit alarmed, but felt easy when things seemed to get more bearable.

“She died when I was… nine years old, though…”  Alice said.  She wasn't sure where to go from there in her talk to Rainbow.  The cyan pegasus didn't seem to really know either.

“Hmmmm…”  They heard a deep voice say from next to them.

“AHHHH!!!  You again?!”  Rainbow said as she saw the demonic looking creature between her and Alice holding a mug of cider to his mouth.

“I don’t taste much alcohol in this drink and I know you couldn't have had too many to drink.  Still you are being surprisingly forthcoming about your past, dear Alice,”  Cheshire said ignoring Rainbow’s outburst all together.

“Where did you get a mug of Cider, Cat?”  Alice asked as she gave the creature a half frown.

Cheshire grinned as he said in his usual tone, “I have my ways…  You should know better than to ask, Alice.”  He noticed her eyes narrow at his answer.

He gave in to her look with a smaller grin.  “You really are no fun at times, Alice.  I merely found where the Apple family was having their little after party and procured myself a mug.”

Rainbow recovered from her earlier shock and looked the cat over closely.  She was trying to figure out how he was able to stand on the cloud next to Alice like this.   She almost asked him if he could get her a mug as well or tell her where to go specifically to get one.

Instead she asked, “How are you even up here?  Only pegasi, griffons, and other ponies with the aid of a spell can stand on clouds.”

Cheshire’s grin grew to its usual too wide size again.  Alice knew what was coming and shook her head.  She wasn't going to interfere this time.  She was actually secretly grateful he arrived when he did.  Things were getting tense in a way she wasn't ready for at this time.

“Simple… I’m a Cheshire Cat.”  He answered as if that was the answer to everything.

Rainbow gave him a look as she narrowed her eyes.  “You know if you keep saying that you might one day come across somepony who knows all about Cheshire Cats or they'll go and find out that you're either lying to them or you're the last of you kind.”

“And that matters why?”  Cheshire answered smoothly.

“You might get more than you bargained for, buddy,” Rainbow said.

“Still not sure what you are talking about, dear Rainbow Dash.”  Cheshire took another sip of his mug and sighed in contentment.   This Cider stuff was really good, he thought.  He might have to find a way to get some more.

“I dare you to tell Twilight Sparkle that whenever she first sees you and asks what you are and then demands more details after hearing that answer.  We would normally keep her in control, but if you keep it up, I won’t bother and I’ll tell the others not to either,”  Rainbow said with a grin of her own.

Cheshire took another sip and replied, “If you are trying to threaten me, than I don't think you are very good at it.”  Unnoticed by him Alice actually gave a shudder to Rainbow's threat.  She had heard the stories of Twilight's moods.

“Because she is very persistent when she wants something,” Rainbow said as if that was enough of an answer.  For anypony that would be more than enough of an answer, but Cheshire wasn't just anypony.  He wasn't even a pony.

“Then I’m sure her attempts will be very amusing for me,” Cheshire said with a wide grin.  Again he didn't noticed Alice as her eyes showed signs of panic at the thought of Twilight investigating him.

Rainbow looked at him with a half frown.  “I don’t think you realize what you are getting yourself into with that thought, Cheshire.”

She then sighed, “Even if I would find it funny to watch.  I feel I must give you a fair warning.  She's very persistent.  It took her weeks of intensive study and a near death situation before she decided to just accept Pinkie defies all logic.”

Cheshire merely raised an eyebrow in response.  “Then it will be a very exciting adventure as she tries to figure me out.”

Rainbow’s frown deepened.  “She used what’s a simple spell, according to her, and caused a Ponyville wide disaster Celestia had to personally fix.  You know the Alicorn who controls the sun every day?”  She narrowed her eyes in annoyance at his lack of panic.

Alice decided to help out Rainbow and said, “You told me Twilight cast the spell because she thought she was late to turn in a friendship report.  She decided the best answer was to cause a friendship problem so she could solve it and write the report.  It sounds like she can really go overboard with something at times if she is focused on it.”  Rainbow nodded to Alice.

“She sounds like my kind of girl then,” Cheshire said with a grin.  “I’ve always loved a little trouble and chaos to mix things up.”  He didn’t however show that he wasn’t so enthused to have that chaos aimed at him specifically.  Still he had to keep up appearances and he wasn’t about to give up yet.

Alice blinked dumbly for a couple of seconds before she sighed and shook her head.  She knew what Cheshire was doing now and thought she might have to step in and stop things before they got too far.

Rainbow gave a quick shiver as she thought this cat thing and Discord would probably make for best friends and she feared what they might get up to together.  She shook her head and continued her argument.  She wasn't about to give up yet either.

“She braved Tartus alone as she led Cerberus back there with only the aid of a rubber ball.  You know the place where the worst of the worst are banished to for punishment.  Cerberus is the guardian and he was loose and she took him back there on her own…”  Rainbow said as she gave the cat thing a flat look.

“Really??  Wow…” Alice said eloquently to that.  She hadn't heard that tale about the purple unicorn yet.

Cheshire was a little uneasy at this, because Alice sounded impressed.  That was something Alice never really sounded.  Still he wasn't going to let it end here.  This was too much fun.  He was about to goad the cyan pony on some more, but Rainbow didn't let him.

“She can also cast a time travel spell.  She hatched a dragon from its egg with her magic alone.  She then later followed said baby dragon into the middle of a massive group of dragons to make sure he was okay.”  Rainbow said.

Cheshire blinked at that and thought to himself.  This purple unicorn is powerful, persistent, extremely curious, and fairly fearless.  “I think dealing with Alice is more than enough for me,” he thought to himself.

The cat decided he would try his best to not face this Twilight Sparkle ever.  If he had to then he would…  Actually answer her questions the best he could instead of playing his usual games.

“She still sounds rather interesting,” he said with a deep purr.  Just because he had decided to avoid and then cooperate with Twilight completely, didn't mean he was going to actually admit to it and lose in this little game he and Rainbow were playing.  He was very certain that the cyan pony didn't think it was a game though.

Rainbow’s mouth was open a little and she was about to continue, but she saw Alice roll her eyes at Cheshire and motion for Rainbow to leave it alone.  Rainbow closed her mouth and shook her head at the cat thing.  She wasn't going to keep going on with their argument and possibly annoy Alice.

Cheshire grinned and was about to gloat, but he felt Alice’s eyes on his back so he decided not to carry on.  “You know…  I have to say this Sweet Apple Cider stuff is really amazing.  Next season I will have to find a way to procure more.”  It was time to make peace he decided.  He knew how much the cyan pegasus loved the stuff, plus it was wonderful.

Rainbow smiled widely as she and Cheshire got into a discussion about the wonder that was Sweet Apple Cider.  She was glad that the cat seemed to have refined taste in that department at least.  Alice would just smile and sometimes giggle at their more enthusiastic comments.  She was able to add in her own thoughts as well here and there.

{-} {-} {-}

It was evening time as Alice and Rainbow finally made it back to the house.  They were both giggling a little and very pleased with their day.  As the two got ready for bed, Alice spoke to Rainbow.  “So tomorrow is Filthy’s party, right?”

“Yep.  Time to end this bet once and for all.”  Rainbow said with a sigh.  She had been taking some lessons from Alice during their private hours the past few days.  It wasn't that bad really.  Alice helped her refine and then improve her own manners she had learned for past missions.

“Finally this awful bet will be over with,” Alice said with a sigh.

“I'll be glad when it is over too.  I think I might have gone overboard with this one.  I just hope it'll work out like I want it to.  I really would like for her to have to come down a peg and finally see the ponies around her as more equals, than she does.”  Rainbow said as she reminded herself why she made this bet in the first place apart from everything getting out of hoof that day and taking offense to her pride for no real reason.

“Like I told you, Alice.  She sees a lot of us as friends and she doesn't really hate anyone here.  She really needs to see herself as equal to the ponies here and not above them, though.  Do you think you'll be ready for this, Alice?”  She asked the other pony.

Alice nodded in reply.  “I just really hope she doesn't hate me for my part in this bet.  I really would like her as a friend I could do more refined things with.  I told you I didn't really have many friends apart from my sister growing up.”

Rainbow gave her a hug and said, “Don’t worry.  I’ll make sure that if she gets mad at anypony it will only be me.  Try to have fun at the party still and meet some other ponies.  Filthy isn't really that bad of a guy.  He’s very rich so he doesn't always understand certain problems others have, but he and his family have always done right by others.  They have especially here in Ponyville.”

Alice nodded and the two gave each other another hug before Alice left to go to the guest bedroom for the night.  She was excited about tomorrow.  She wanted to see what an After Cider Season Sales party was like.

She also wanted to see what a non-Pinkie Pie party was like as well.   She was sure Pinkie’s were better, but experiencing something different was nice.  Also the bet would finally be over after the party and maybe she could find a way to make amends with Rarity if needed.  Alice gave one last stretch before she drifted off to sleep.