The next morning. Lightning stretched, rolled out of bed, and straightened the blankets. She stretched her legs and her one wing, and looked out the window. It was a cloudy day, which meant the weather control pegasi were preparing for rain within a couple days.

She joined Twilight and Spike in the first-floor reading nook for a breakfast of fresh fruits and a daffodil salad. Even this early in the morning, the purple unicorn still had her nose in a book. Lightning asked about it as she chewed on some flower petals,

"Is that a journal?"

Twilight answered, "Why yes, it is. This is my friendship journal. I'm working on it together with my new friends here."

Lightning got permission to read some of it, and her eyes widened in awe at their crazy adventure in the Everfree Forest. She ate a peach absent-mindedly, her eyes on the pages. When finished reading this adventure, she glanced at Twilight's notes about her new friends in Ponyville. It all seemed on point.

"Wow, it sounds like you were dealing with some dangerous stuff. All of you seem very brave. What, exactly, are these 'elements of harmony'?" asked Lightning.

Twilight looked at the shelves, and levitated a massive, heavy book to the floor. It landed with a dish-rattling thunk, and was magicked open to a dog-eared page.

Lightning read the caption below a drawing of six magic artifacts, "The Elements of Harmony. Little is known about these mythical items. Legends about them are few and far between. A stained-glass window in the old castle reads in ancient runic language, 'Gather here ye six of great virtue. Those who are chosen may peek beneath the waves and see the true depths of reality.' It is unknown what this saying means, but the consensus is that magic has depth and scope to it beyond our modern understanding."

Twilight chimed in, "Isn't it interesting, Lightning? It seems to imply that everything, all we know, is just the tip of an iceberg. I know the castle in Canterlot has spellboook archives you aren't allowed to visit without permission and a good reason."

"Well I'm not even a unicorn, but that is interesting. Do you think it has anything to do with pegasi magic?"

"I don't really know. I've done a lot of reading on magic theory, and nopony seems to agree whether or not the magic of different races is related. Anyway, let me show you something."

Twilight got up from her chair and closed her eyes. Her horn began glowing with a fierce purple energy, and she popped out of existence. She reappeared in her room, where she grabbed a wooden box. She teleported back to the first floor, startling Lightning, who sloshed a bit of tea on the floor.

The box was set on the side table and opened with an unlatching noise. Twilight explained,

"It's magically locked from the inside. You have to memorize the combination to unlock it."

Within the box were six gemstones of various colors, each set into a necklace. One of them--which Lightning noticed was shaped exactly like Twilight's cutie mark--was set into a tiara instead.

Lightning was speechless at this physical display of mythical ancient objects. She spoke softly,

"So these gems allowed you to reform Nightmare Moon? And they just happen to be shaped like your cutie marks?"

"No," answered Twilight, "when we first found them they looked like these weird rocks in a circle. They only changed when we all managed to spark them--by Celestia. That means... that means, we were chosen by the ancient magic."

They both sat in silence as this soaked in. Twilight continued,

"No, that's too contrived. That's a common cliche of fictional stories. We can't be the 'chosen ones'. No way does magic work that way. Magic is just a fundamental force of our world which can be studied and explained."

"Well," said Lightning, gesturing in front of her, "explain this. The Elements of Harmony are real, and sitting right in front of us."

"That's a point." admitted Twilight.

"Hey, this is actually really interesting. Let me know if you learn anything else, okay? I need to get a move on to Fluttershy's place."

"I'll do that. It was good meeting you Lightning, will you be back tonight?"

"I don't really have anywhere else to go," she said in response.

She talked to Spike for a while, curious about his ability to teleport scrolls. That could badly affect the jobs of messengers if it were a more common magic and not endemic to dragons.

Lightning walked out into Ponyville, with a stop in mind before visiting Fluttershy. The curious stares were less frequent now and her balance was better. She took the time to enjoy the warm weather and the scenic, cozy little town as she walked south to where the businesses were.

Past the downtown stretch and at the start of where the houses were, Lightning found Rarity's place. It was a building shaped like a carousel, with statues of ponies placed around it. On closer inspection, these were mannequins behind windows, all displaying different attire.

She strode up to the door and knocked with a hoof. A moment later, the white unicorn opened it with magic and greeted Lightning, asking how her morning was.

"Oh, I'm fine," said Lightning, "staying with Twilight at the library. Lovely town you have here."

"Yes, Ponyville is a delightful place. Now don't you mind Twilight, I know that pony can prattle on and on for hours about her reading."

"Oh no, I really found it interesting how much she knows, what with the spells and ancient magic and such. What about you, Rarity? How did you find the adventure with Nightmare Moon and all that?"

"Well come inside, darling, and I'll tell you all about it."

Lightning stepped in. The building was precisely as anticipated. Racks of various clothing and accessories, yards and yards of material, very clean and organized. A fluffy white cat meowed at her from on top of a wardrobe.

Tea was offered, but politely declined. She had already had a couple cups.

Rarity grabbed a measuring tape and started getting measurements as she told her perspective of events,

"Well, it was certainly reckless. I may not be the strongest unicorn or skillful like Twilight, but I am going to be there for my friends. It was a magnificent endeavor. Now that Luna is safely returned to us alongside her sister, I believe that Equestria and the wide world beyond shall be a safer place."

"Oh? How so?" asked Lightning as Rarity finished her measures, and noted them telekinetically onto a blackboard with chalk.

Rarity answered, "Well darling, Princess Celestia by herself is already frightfully powerful. She often protects the land from foul monsters. With Luna by her side, nothing could possibly pose a threat to Equestria."

Lightning agreed with this assessment. She followed Rarity to her shelves full of various material.

"Now then, a cloak for you. Here I have various silks, have your pick dear."

"Rarity, may I request a more durable cloak for the outdoors? I'm considering spending some time alone to think over things. I have a lot on my plate."

"Oh certainly, Lightning. How about a waterproof waxed canvas cloak, with a wool lining? I can also fashion an excellent pack for you, with many pouches and pockets."

"Could you make one with more weight on my left side? I keep losing my balance without... my wing."

"Why yes, I can. Now then dear, you were saying you need time for some soul searching? I believe everypony does from time to time."

"Well, I'm not really a pegasus anymore, am I? From now on, I am Lightning Ridge, the earth-pony. I have to learn how to reconcile that, somehow. I have to find my calling."

"I fully understand. I didn't find my place in the world as a fashion designer until years into being a grown mare. As a young filly, I had dreams of being in the Royal Guard--but that takes a great deal of brawn, you see, and my magic is not all that strong."

"Is it true that unicorns tend to have unique passions and skills in life, which coincide with their magic?"

"Well dear, that is a real chicken and egg question. Personally, I'd have to say that any unique aspect of magic a unicorn is born with does a lot to shape their direction in life, but I know of some who have followed a strong passion even with magic that does not directly relate to it."

"How about you, Rarity?"

"My magic is more precise and controlled than average. I never thought much of it. A doctor, perhaps? But I haven't the stomach for that line of work. It wasn't until I visited Canterlot for the first time and learned the nuance and effect of various clothing that I realized how practical my magic could be for sewing."

"Well I must say, your shop and home here is very lovely. I can see you put a lot of passion into your work."

"That's just it dear, this is my passion!"

Rarity had Lightning relax on a couch while she gathered the materials and set to work on the cloak. She demonstrated a flickering, but precisely controlled, pyro spell with which she applied gentle heat to set the wax in place.

They enjoyed a lunch of vegetable and rice stuffed mushrooms as it cooled and set. Lightning then tried on her new cloak. Rarity gave a bit of exposition on cloak design, how for earth-ponies it buttoned through loops at the side so it could be clasped with the mouth, and for unicorns it was a clasp at the chest which could be handled with magic.

She daintily forgot to mention cloaks for pegasi, which had slits for the wings and a drawstring to tighten them against the wind.

Lightning looked herself over in the mirror, wearing the brown canvas cloak.

She commented, "It's a perfect fit and oh-so comfortable. You do amazing work, Rarity."

The unicorn offered a slight blush and chuckle, "Why thank you, I'm glad you like it. It's not the most fashionable piece, but with the hood up you should stay dry in severe weather. Now the wool lining is magic in nature. The sheep who reside on the Apple's land for free are enchanted in return for that. When it is cold, the wool becomes warmer. When it is hot, the wool cools you down."

"Amazing!" exclaimed Lightning.

Rarity gave her a jar of wax with instructions to apply every several moons and let set into the garment next to a fire. She said the pack would take longer to make and she had other orders to fill, and to come back the next day.

Before leaving for Fluttershy's, Lightning asked how many bits for the cloak.

"Take it, darling, it's a gift," was the response.

"No way, this is the finest item of clothing I've ever owned!"

"And that compliment will suffice as payment. Shoo now, and tell Fluttershy hello for me."

Lightning went her way with a grateful and curious look at this unicorn.

Trotting down the dirt and cobblestone streets in her comfortable new cloak, Lightning felt like a real adventurer. For some strange reason, everyone seemed wary of her, and ducked into shops as she passed. When she took down her hood to get a better look around at why this was, she had this reaction less.

With her missing wing hidden, she had the confidence to talk to ponies and explore some of the shops in town. She gave a chuckle at a place called "Sofas and Quills". She did buy some quills, parchment and an ink vial, but didn't need a sofa.

On to the southwest side of town as it became gardens and houses. A wooden sign had "Everfree Lane" painted on it in white.

Lightning walked through the soft, poofy dirt until she reached the cabin of Fluttershy. The sturdy and imposing captain of the wonderbolts was already there, sitting on the front porch with tea. He was marveling at the way this soft-spoken pegasus hovered by a blooming magnolia tree and inspired a couple young birds to fly.

The birds managed a few moments of flight before falling. Fluttershy caught them, and gently set them back in the nest.

"Ah, Lightning!" said Ragged Edge, trying to keep his voice down so he didn't scare the animals, "I've been talking with your friend here. Equestria needs more pegasi like her."

Fluttershy blushed as she alighted on the ground, and made a sweeping motion with her front leg. "Hello again, Lightning," she said cheerily.

The three of them relaxed on the front porch to chat. Fluttershy lie propped up on her side on a cushioned porch swing, with Lightning sitting next to her. Ragged Edge sat on a bamboo mat on the porch. A flask next to his teacup did not go unnoticed by Lightning. With all he'd been through, it was no surprise he needed a stiff drink.

Ragged took a drink of this spiked tea and then stated his business, "Very nice cloak, Lightning. Now then. Since you were injured in service to Equestria, I am here to offer compensation pay. The full cost of a house here on the ground will be provided for, simply let us know where you wish to settle down. You will also receive a stipend every couple of moons until you find work. Take as long as you need, there is no hurry."

Lightning nodded and said thanks.

"I have another surprise for you too, Lightning Ridge. Wait here."

He stepped off of the porch and out of the garden. He took off into the sky, and returned shortly with a number of dots in the distance. These dots were all pegasi, and as they pulled up for a landing on the dirt path, Lightning saw they were the members of Division B.

Lightning ran over to them. Ragged Edge said,

"They'd like to thank you for what you did."

The pegasi all spent some time chatting with each other, going over the battle and all that had happened. A female pegasus who wasn't a Division B member walked over to Lightning, and gave a bow. She said,

"I am Windbreaker's wife. I wanted to personally thank you for risking your life and well being to save him from the hydra. I know this is a hard loss for you, but just know that it wasn't for nothing and we all appreciate it."

Everyone in division B voiced agreement, saying that it wasn't even really her fault that the tan pegasus had prevented her from getting reinforcements.

Ragged Edge had this to say, "One of the weather control reserves members was flying low enough to see you charge after Wildspirit. He told me what had happened. You flying through dense trees at tremendous speed. Tackling her and doing what you could to stop her."

"Did he see who it was that saved me?" asked Lightning.

"Well, yes, but I'm thinking he wasn't in his right mind with all conditions considering."

"How so?"

"He saw who scooped you up and flew you out of danger. But it wasn't a pegasus. She was a griffon."

The silence in the air was palpable.

"That doesn't, but, how? Everfree? I need--I think I need to sit down for a bit."

The reception stayed grounded, all the pegasi conversing with each other and catching up. Lightning returned to where Fluttershy was. They didn't say a word, but exchanged looks which said everything, and cuddled up together on the porch swing. Fluttershy had a comforting wing over Lightning's back.

Lightning said incredulously, "Ragged says I was saved by a griffon."

After a moment of silence, Fluttershy quietly said, "Griffons are very scary, but I'm sure not all of them are bad. Maybe a few sour apples make all of them look bad?"

"I guess so." said an amazed Lightning.

The pair watched as the highly skilled pegasi gracefully took off into the gray skies until they had all left except for their captain, who walked back to the porch.

"Do you have a place in mind to settle down at?" he asked of Lightning.

"No, not yet sir. I've had a couple days to think, and I'd like to spend some time alone in the mountains. I really need to figure out my place in the world now, as an earth-pony."

"In that case, I'll give you a stipend now to assist with costs. Let me know by messenger when you are ready to find a house somewhere. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Well, all my things are in my old home up in Cloudsdale. I heard there was a hot-air balloon in town and I suppose I could use that, but,"

"Now where would we find a troop of skilled pegasi to move a cartload of furniture down to Ponyville?"

"Oh, right," said Lightning sheepishly. She then added, "If my things could be brought to the town guest house? It's the library too, this big magic tree thing. Can't miss it. I'm staying there for now with Twilight."

"Consider it done. Alright, I need to get back to base. Again Lightning, thank you. You saved the life of one pony, gave everything you had to save a second one, and stopped the most dangerous beastie of the lot. You will go down in history as a legend, you know that?"

"I don't really want the attention or anything..."

"Fluttershy, take care of her for me. She badly needs a shoulder to lean on. You're the best friend she could ever ask for. I'm off."

He took a backwards leap off the porch, snapped his wings open, and accelerated into the sky upside-down.

Both Fluttershy and Lightning watched him leave, then gave each other a puzzled look. Fluttershy thought of something, perking up one ear in thought.

"I think I know a good place for you to go, Lightning. Let me see if I can find my old maps."

Author's Notes:

Rarity has no idea how wrong she is. It will be a couple years til they meet Discord for the first time, at least.