I concluded the afternoon tea with the princess in a manner that was consistent with how the day had gone. When she told me who the lead weather-patrol mare in Ponyville was Rainbow Dash, well... I stared at her for about five seconds and then keeled over. Yes, I actually fainted right then and there. Long story short she generously let me stay a night in that castle suite before sending me off to Ponyville with a royal guard escort. The Princess and I ended up talking about a lot of things... to say that she left a lasting impression would be disservice to her. As wonderfully comfortable as the castle suite was, I could barely sleep. I finally fell asleep a few hours before dawn, with my special feather pressed hard against my chest.

I had just been thrown the biggest bone I could ever imagine. I could barely even process the blessing and the opportunity that awaited me. One night ago, I was dreaming of a home, some friends, and above all, a chance to once again be in the mere presence of the filly that saved my life. The one who, I dare say, made the last ten years not only bearable, but often times enjoyable. It was impossible to not reflect on my life as I laid in bed that night. Even through all of the sorrow and the strife, the sleeping outside, and thinking of my parents. At the end of the day, when I pulled out that feather and thought about who gave it to me, I could always feel good. I was at peace, and I dreamt of the day that I made it back to Cloudsdale.

Now I have a home and a job. A job that involves a skill of mine that I hope will only continue to move me up in my career. Not in Cloudsdale, but the place where Rainbow Dash now lives- Ponyville. It was visible from my castle suite, and the Princess was correct about it being in a breathtakingly beautiful setting in the valley. At around midnight that night, I got out of my one-night bed and made my over to the balcony. It was dark, but the city of Ponyville was visible in the moonlight, and the night is beautiful in it's own way. I rested myself on the rail of the balcony and stared up at the stars, pondering everything that had taken place.

I thought about what she might look like now. I hadn't seen her in ten years. I am much different then I was; I used to be small, now I'm actually kind of tall. She was just a filly, and even though I was colt, I still perceived her as the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen. I knew that seeing Rainbow Dash was going to be breathtaking sight but I could only imagine it until I saw her, and the anticipation of seeing her again consumed me.

I wondered how she would react when she saw me. What if she has a boyfriend? What if she doesn't remember me? In my heart, I knew it was terrible of me to be frightened about such things after the blessings I had received that day. I still found it hard to believe that I was gazing at the stars from where I was. I really don't care if she has a boyfriend. I just want her in my life. I walked back into the castle suite and noticed a small white cloth on the nightstand; it was made with a rare and delicate fabric and embroidered with colorful painted flowers on the edges. I took my feather and carefully folded it into the cloth with the intention of keeping it there. As I looked at it I knew the pony that gave it to me with the look she did could not have forgotten me.

I didn't see the need for an escort from the royal guard when it was first offered; I had nothing to take with me, and it would have been simple for me to just fly there myself. However the princess insisted so I wasn't going to push back. It turned out to be a good idea considering it hadn't occurred me where to find this place once I got to Ponyville.

It was another uncommonly gorgeous day in Equestria, and the blue skies and white clouds I always loved seemed amplified. I sat in the chariot as it was pulled by two pegasi royal guards through the skies. I had no idea what my new home would look like. All I knew was that it was in Ponyville.

When the chariot came to a halt in front of a large tree with a built-in home, it started to sink in. I sat in the chariot for about five minutes staring at my new house. The guards were silent and attentive, showing little emotion. After some time my emotions started to get the best of me. It was a beautiful home built into a huge, living tree. It's brilliant green leaves shined like gold in the sun, and the decorative outside made it look friendly and comfortable.

I didn't want to get teary-eyed in front of the guards, but I couldn't help it. I stepped off of the chariot slowly so they could head back if they needed to.

"Thanks guys," I offered with my best look of gratitude I could muster, and they departed back for Canterlot. With them gone I was left all by myself to break it in. The only sounds were the melodies of birds and the wind in the leaves. I shut my eyes and inhaled a long, fresh breath of the fine air, the scent of the leaves, the meadow, and life filling my nostrils. When I opened my eyes - and my new home was still before me - I fell to the ground. Here was a place I could call my own, with a bed, a kitchen, furniture... Living off the land and all the hardships that come with it were behind me.

Thankfully I was inside when I got the first knock on the door, rather than having someone come up when I was lying in the front yard staring at the house. That would've been a great way to start off my stay here at Ponyville, I thought to myself as I approached the door. When the knock came, I was still taking it all in - the house that is. It was absolutely perfect. There were not many possessions or things of that sort, save the pots and pans in the kitchen, some flower pots, a bed, a desk, and some books on the shelves. And space. Lots of space.

I galloped over to the door and hesitated for a moment before opening it. Is this my new neighbor? I wondered, excited to meet them. Confidence, Sonic. Confidence. In the back of my mind, I considered the possibility that maybe this knock - who could've been anypony in town - was Rainbow herself. I opened the door carefully and saw quickly that instead it was a smiling, very friendly-looking young mare who had a green coat, golden eyes, a streaky white and grey mane, and a golden harp for a cutie mark. She had some kind of expression of 'delightfully surprised' when she saw me with a glance from head to hoof, prompting me to smile sheepishly.

"Hi there!" I said. She put her hoof on her chest apologetically.

"Hello there!" she said softly but enthusiastically, her face turning into a warm smile. I looked down at the ground and laughed embarrassingly. I tried to say something then I laughed again.

"Are you my new neighbor?" I asked. I hoped so, considering how friendly she seemed.

"My name is Lyra Heartstrings. I saw somepony walking in here earlier, so knowing that we have a new neighbor here in Ponyville, I just ... wanted to say hi," she continued, blushing.

I wondered if it surprised her that I was a stallion her age. Sometimes it's a little odd if I find myself talking to a young mare. I would never want to give them the impression that I'm romantically interested, even if I loved them very much as friends and neighbors. Though I couldn't hide that I was delighted to see that somepony was already here befriending me, and that she had a wonderful smile in her own right.

"Oh, well gosh! Thank you! To tell you the truth, uh, I actually don't really know anypony here in Ponyville, you're literally the first one I've just now met. So I'll definitely remember you."

"Wow, I'm honored!" she declared with a chuckle.

"Well," I said, thinking myself into nervousness offending her. "I would remember you regardless, you seem incredibly nice. I didn't mean it like that," I tried to assure her.

"Well thank you very much for saying so," she said, turning her head with another blushing smile.

"Oh, my name is Sonic. Sonic Rain," I said frantically. She seemed to find it amusing, and started laughing sweetly.

"Would you like to come to a party with me tomorrow? It would be a great way for you to get to know some of the ponies in town, and for them to meet you," she said. I thought for a moment, probably overthinking it. Party, party. I can do parties. Can't I? Yes, I can. Slow down... Then it hit me again. Rainbow will be there, I bet.

"A party? That sounds wonderful actually. Where do you live?"

"It's not at my house, but I'm flattered you would think that," she replied.

"Wait, why did I say that?" I said out loud concernedly, hoping she didn't take it the wrong way but that I only seemed to be amusing her further. I started consciously trying to calm down my thought process and relax more in general. "Oh, I figured I don't know where it is so I was supposed to walk to your house to let you show me where it is. Or I guess you could just come me get here if that works, either one," I continued, talking fast.

"Pinkie Pie is hosting it at noon, she lives in the center of town at Sugarcube Corner. It looks like a gingerbread house, you can't miss it," she said, staring daintily at me. Suddenly I wanted to ask her the question.

"Um... can I ask you something?" She looked surprised and emotion took her over, I'm thinking maybe she was expecting something other than what I was going to ask. "Is-is every pony in town going to be there?"

I hoped the answer was yes, because with the way I asked the question I would know Rainbow was going to be there without having to mention her by name to Lyra.

"Well, I'm guessing not every single one.. but just about all of the younger ponies should be there," she said. My face lit up with excitement, and she reacted with delight. "You'll have fun, I promise. Just don't forget that I was the first pony you talked with!" she said, as she turned around and started walking back in the direction of town. I waved and felt silly, not knowing what to say exactly.

"Uh.. see you tomorrow! Great meeting you!"

I closed the door with a surge of confidence. Tomorrow, Sonic. Tomorrow's the day. I couldn't quite describe how it felt. My heart was pumping fast, and I was breathing heavily. Somewhat surprisingly, I was hardly nervous. Instead a feeling of inexplicable happiness and excitement was coming over me as I pulled out my prized feather and snuggly pressed it against my chest. I had waited ten years for this moment, and it was finally here... Tomorrow I meet the one who I thought about every single day. Tomorrow's the day! I galloped forward up to my bedroom and leapt into the air, flapping my wings until I was hovering over the bed.

"Whooo hoooo!!!!!"

I had so much energy I flew out front door and immediately worked my way upward into the sky, flying higher and higher through the clouds until I nosed dive straight down towards the valley. The wind in my face was so fierce that it forced the water out of my eyes. I came upon the valley floor and soared just above the treelike as fast I could for what seemed like miles, when suddenly I noticed overhead an amazing and magnificent ring of rainbow colors expanding in all directions in an area of the sky, the part I had just flown through. What in the world is that? I landed to a halt in an open meadow and stared in every direction above me at the phenomena, with not the slightest idea. I must have a lot to learn about Ponyville...

I left my home the next day at noon, making my way into town for Sugarcube Corner, the place where the pony named Pinkie Pie was hosting the party. I trotted along the road, full of bliss and spreading a friendly smile. I was even whipping my tail back and fourth. It was another gorgeous day and I as I came into town I made my way down the center of the row of houses and shops. They were either side of me as I trotted along, most of them vanilla-cream-colored with hay rooftops. I had never lived in a city (well, town is the better word, given the usually bigger population attributed to cities) with homes like this before, but they were pretty and unique nonetheless.

I started getting a lot of looks and I got the sense that folks were turning their heads to get a look at the new stallion in town. At first I was a little shaken given all the eyes looking me but once I saw the smiles that everypony seemed to be giving me, any hint of uneasiness scattered away. Elderly mares and stallions were shooting me looks of welcome, and even groups of little foals took a short break from their games like jump rope and hop scotch to send me a wave and a smile. I could hear more than one "Welcome to Ponyville!" and "Stop by later if you can!"

I returned every smile with my own, and some ponies were even waving and smiling at me from the windows. I had never experienced a more welcoming environment in my entire life. Everypony was so amazingly kind that I couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy inside as I skipped my legs back and fourth. I could live here the rest of my life! There seemed to be a twinkle in the eye of every pony I saw, which led to me to believe that truly, this little town in rural Equestria was something special outside of being the home to the greatest mare in the world.

I noticed one thing, though, there were no ponies my age so Lyra must have been right that they were all at Pinkie's party. All of the welcoming attention had taken my mind off what I where I was going and who I was about to meet. That changed when I turned my head forward and stood right before a lonely house in the middle of the street; a house that greatly resembled, as Lyra had said, a gingerbread house.

Time seemed to slow down and it seemed to get further away as I approached it. My smile faded. I couldn't avoid thinking about it anymore. This was it. The love of my life, the comfort of my afflictions - who I hadn't seen in ten years - was in there, blissfully unaware that I stood outside. It was a colossal moment for me, yet I was also terribly excited. I tied to reinforce to myself that parties were meant to be enjoyed, and I fully intended to enjoy this one. So I took a deep breath, walked forward, and put my right hoof on the door and pushed it open.

As soon as the door opened, the typical sounds one might expect to hear at a party could be heard; music, pony voices in all directions, dancing, decorations, and just about everything you can think of. Thankfully as I entered the party did not stop for me; everypony didn't turn their heads in unison and stare at me in silence or welcome me with cheers or some other thing to make me the center of attention. I guess you rarely catch someone coming in the door of a good party.

Now I was deep inside and there were ponies all around me. I started looking around for her, watching for a flash of colors or a light blue coat that matched my special feather. I looked through all the ponies and wandered in a little further, and I felt a tap on my shoulder. After a short heart-jump, I turned around and saw Lyra Heartstrings with a vanilla-colored mare with a pink and blue mane, and what appeared to be candy for a cutie mark.

"Hi Sonic, glad you made it! Did you just get here?"

"Oh, you scared me," I said, laughing though my heart rate still raced. "I just walked in. Thank you so much for inviting me," I said heartily, and Lyra beamed.

"It's my pleasure... I loved our first encounter yesterday," she said, and her friend tapped her on the shoulder with an embarrassed smile. Lyra giggled. "This is my friend Bon Bon. She doesn't like talking to stallions." Bon Bon rolled her eyes.

"I do too," she responded.

"Why don't get a drink and come hang out with us!" said Lyra, pointing to a table of beverages.

"Alright!" I replied. I deeply appreciated her kindness, though my mind was on one thing.

I started to move towards the drink table and slowed down, looking through as many ponies as I could on either side of me and sticking my head over the top of the crowd for any sign of her. I stopped under a doorway. A few ponies in front of me moved to the side, and then...

Time seemed to stop. My heart, my breath... my entire world stopped, with only one thing in my vision. Standing in between a shy yellow pegasus and regal white unicorn, laughing and talking, was unmistakably the being from which my feather gift had come from. The most beautiful mare who ever lived.

I stood there with a gaping mouth and all locomotive functions suspended practically at the point of tears. In all my life... I have never seen anything like you.

Her mane and tail were magnificent; every color of the rainbow, with a bright and brilliant hue to each one. She had the prettiest coat I'd seen on any creature, a wonderful shade of light blue. Her eyes were the same lovely magenta color - just like I remembered - but there were so many more thoughts and memories in them now then there were the last time I saw her. Yet in those eyes I beheld exactly the same filly that I developed the biggest crush on as a colt... a crush that grew every day of my life. In them were the most radiant representations of loyalty, confidence, toughness that one could imagine... and I was so happy I felt like I was going to faint.

My heart pumped and pumped though I stood perfectly still as it was overflowing with pure affection. What do I say to her? I wanted to trot right up to her and tell her everything that happened. How my parents left me, how I lived in some very rough standards, but I never lost joy or hope because I thought about her and the days we spent together as foals and I dreamed every night of this moment. Of being reunited with her.

Then... it happened. I don't know what a heart attack feels like, but I imagine it can't be far off from what I felt when the unthinkable happened; Rainbow Dash's face turned and she saw me through the crowd... our eyes met for the first time in ten years. When she first saw me the smile on her face vanished instantly; her mouth fell wide open and her eyes glowed with fascination. It seemed to me like she was some kind of perplexed, and it looked as though one of her friends could wave a hoof before her face and she wouldn't react in the slightest. She studied and studied me, working through it in her mind. To feel her gaze on me once more was like having every last part of my body chained up; I couldn't move a single muscle. I breathed slowly in and out. Do you... do you remember me?

She stared and stared, and then her eyes lit up with a certain twinkle and I knew right then that she remembered me. I could almost see the memories of us together in her eyes. I could barely conceive it... she remembered me. Not only that but her expression seemed to be filled with wonder and happiness. After ten years all it seemed she knew exactly who I was. A gentle smile came over me as the most magical and enchanting moment of my life to this point began to unfold. She smiled at me.