"I trust that you were welcomed kindly to the Ponies Intelligence Agency, Rainbow Dash?" asked Lighthouse.

"By some ponies, at least," said Dash, glaring at Stormcloud. He rolled his eyes and slouched in the chair.

"Good. I hope you understand that it was necessary for your protection and for the protection of the PIA that you were brought here without your initial knowledge," said Lighthouse.

"I've been told," said Dash.

"We bring you here only because we must. If there was any other way, we would have left you out of it," began Lighthouse.

"Out of what?" asked Dash. She was tired of nopony explaining what was actually going on. "I was taken out of my house in the middle of the night, brought here and told a bunch of gibberish that everypony but me seems to understand! Can you please tell me what's going on?"

"All in good time," said Lighthouse.

"Stop beating around the bush and get to the point!" said Dash impatiently. Her head throbbed again and she rubbed it with her hoof.

"It's not that simple, Rainbow Dash," said Lighthouse, placing her hooves on the table. "There is a lot to be explained, and you look like you have a headache. Maybe we should adjourn after you have rested."

"No! I'm fine. Just tell me why I'm here," said Rainbow Dash. She tried to ignore the pain.

"As you wish. You have already met Agent Stormcloud and I see you are well acquainted with Agent Hooves. Agent Hooves has been working for the PIA for years now, and through her faithfulness toward this cause and her continued support, she has made her way to top agent here. You may have noticed that she is constantly in the background of your adventures. She is our best surveillance agent. Recently, she has been away on a top secret mission of sorts. That is neither important, nor relevant, to this mission. Agent Stormcloud has been with the agency for almost as long as Agent Hooves has. During this mission you are about to embark on, Rainbow Dash, Agent Hooves will be watching your progress from a distance and you shall be partnered up with Agent Stormcloud."

"What!?" shouted Dash and Stormcloud simultaneously, jumping out of their chairs.

"This is unacceptable," complained Stormcloud. "There is no way I'm going to be partnered with some inexperienced filly with an overgrown ego!"

"Excuse me, but I'm pretty sure you were the one who attacked me in the first place! There is no way I'm going to be working with you, you arrogant little…" The two continued to yell at one another while Derpy tried to intervene.

"Silence! I will not have this. I expect more from you Agent," she said, frowning at Stormcloud. "As for you, Rainbow Dash, you don't have any say in the matter. Now, sit down and I will proceed." The two ponies glared at one another again and sat down, slowly turning their attention back to Lighthouse.

"As you all know, Rainbow Dash's father once worked for the PIA. In fact, he was the most highly respected agent that this agency has ever had. He was involved in a multitude of classified missions," said Lighthouse.

"What does this have to do with my father?" asked Rainbow Dash quietly. The last day that Dash had ever seen her father was the day that it was decided that the Equestria Games were not to be held in Cloudsdale. She held back tears remembering her father. She closed her eyes for a second to make sure she wouldn't crack, even a little bit. She opened her eyes and her face fell into a scowl.

"As you know, your father disappeared many years ago. He left in place a series of clues and a note. Agent Dash was one for codes. For years, we have had various intelligence ponies trying to decipher the codes, but to no avail. Even the note itself was written in some sort of code, but we managed to decipher it. This is why you have only been called in now, and not earlier. We fear that Equestria is in danger, and you may be the only pony capable of saving it. Will you help us, Rainbow Dash?" asked Lighthouse. Rainbow Dash sunk back into her chair, stunned with what she had just heard. Were they really going to make her relive her painful memories? She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

"You may have the rest of the day to sort your thoughts. In the meantime, I'm sure Agent Stormcloud would be willing to give you a tour of our agency," suggested Lighthouse. Stormcloud moaned and put his head in his hoof. "You may have until tomorrow morning at 9am to make your decision. Now go." Lighthouse motioned at the door and her horn glowed a bright white. The door swung open and Rainbow Dash, Derpy, and Stormcloud left the office.