1 – The author does not own or have any claim over My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, it's characters and elements

2 – Tale for entertainment purposes only.

3 – Possible spoiler: based on the ending of season 7 – Shadow Play

4 – Please enjoy, reviews more than welcomed

THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR OTHER THAN THE WONDERBOLTS

"My head hurts."

Rainbow Dash looked at the Pegasus at her side, without understanding.

"Come on, you were supposed to be the hotshot. I haven't shown you nothing yet. Over there is… you really are not feeling ok, are you?"

"The… size of Cloudsdale now. The factory with all those… those… what did you called them? Man-cheen?"

"Huh… machines?"

"That." Flash Magnus took off his helmet, revealing his very short mane. "I don't know if I can ever get used to this world."

Rainbow scratched her head.

"Yeah… I got it now. You've being out for a long time, Flash. I will try to slow down a bit. Say… want to rest some at my parents' house?"

Flash blinked some, and smiled in relief

"I'd appreciate that, thanks."

They flew around in silence for a while

"So, the Weather Factory was too much for you, huh?"

"The pegasi are worse."

"How come?"

"How come? How can they fly around Cloudsdale with no armor and no weapons?"

Rainbow Dash laughed.

"Ah, the whole 'tribe of warriors' thing… we're now warriors inside, Flash. You will get used to it. But if you want to see the old Pegasopolis spirit, wait until I take you to the Wonderbolts later. Here's my folks home."

Bow Hothoof was lying on the cloud, holding his aching nose, his wife and daughter around him. Flash Magnus stood there, without understanding. Why did he didn't return the greeting? Rainbow finally managed to shout to the newcomer:

"Why in the flying feather Equestria did you hit my father, Flash Magnus?"

"What? This is what is done when meeting friends' family. I was showing I can hold myself and defend you among enemies. He was supposed to block."

"See any enemy around, Flash? And what would you feel if I bucked your family?"

"I would be sad if you didn't. Good manners are the same for mares and stallions. You should show them I am safe at your side."

"Good manners?!"

Windy Whistles helped her husband to get on his all fours and went to the quarrelling duo:

"Flash Magnus… Rainbow dear… I believe it's all a cultural misunderstanding."

"Yes, bisu'derstadigh. And I do't u'derstad how by dose is in ode piece." said Hothoof, still massaging his muzzle.

"Honey!" Windy sighed "Why don't you show how we greet ponies now, Rainbow?"

"Fine" She raised a hoof on Flash direction, who hesitated, not knowing what to do. Rainbow sighed "remember we toasted with those cider mugs?"

"…yes...?"

"Same thing, without mugs."

Slowly, he let his hoof meet hers, and looked at her for approval.

"There you go, Flash. Before you enter my folks' home, is there any other destructive Pegasopolis' habit we should be aware of?"

Flash Magnus let the water from the cloud shower to run free through his head and body, but was unable to relax. He should be thankful there's peace and harmony between ponies and other species; at the same time, it's a place he does not know how to live in. He looked at his armor, with its mosses, scratches. His own wings, marked with countless scars and marks, all part of the same hieroglyphic tale of pain, blood and sacrifice.

Could he try and write another story?

"Rainbow Dash?"

She turned to see her guest, just to have her wings unfurl in a jolt of excitement. Flash Magnus entered her room, without a single piece of armor, mane and tail still damp from the shower. For the first time, she could see his cutie mark without barriers, a blue feather above a representation of a mountain range. Just then she realized the signal her wings were sending, and quickly closed them. They both blushed a bit.

"I will try hard to be a pony of the future… huh… current era. Can you help me?"

"Flash, you can count on me. Come on, let's help my folks with lunch."

As they entered the kitchen, Flash rushed to apologize to Bow Hothoof.

"No problems, son, we understand things changed a bit on the past a thousand years. Let bygones be bygones."

"Do you like pasta, Flash?" asked Windy Whistles.

"Huh… pash-tah?"

"Yes, pasta, spaghetti." she said, showing the food boiling.

"I… do?… Thanks."

Windy looked straight at him.

"Sorry, Flash. A thousand years, you never saw pasta, let alone ate it, am I right?"

He nodded, relieved.

"Let's make a rule. We both say the truth to avoid further difficulties."

"Deal. So… is it some kind of wet bread?"

Lunch went well after that, with Rainbow and Flash engaging in an impromptu dispute of who has the most heroic and awesome story to tell.

To the moment Flash Magnus was hit by some kind of ray, his hooves looking for his sword and shield that were not there. Any barn in a storm, he held the dinner knife menacingly. Rainbow tried to low his arm.

"Easy, Flash, is just mom taking a photo."

He blushed "Sorry. What's a fool-too?"

"Take a look." She showed the image of Rainbow and Flash, between laughs and tales, looking at each other.

"An instant painting. That's… amazing."

"This goes to the album. First time I see in Rainbow's eyes… nevermind." Rainbow's mother giggled.

"Mom!" Rainbow blushed.

"I will arrange the sofa for you sleep, Flash."

"Sleep?"

"You kids didn't notice you talked non-stop for seven hours, that we leaved the table several times, and that Luna raised the moon long time ago? In fact, it's almost ten o'clock."

Rainbow Dash giggled

"I think we will have to see the Wonderbolts first thing in the morning, Flash."

Flash Magnus stood there, marveled with the device in front of him. A big box, capable to hold winter itself inside. He took another sip from his glass of water. Before, he only could get water this cold when travelling to the Frozen North. Now… it's on every house. How could he ever sleep surrounded by such wonders? Plus… Rainbow Dash. She is so full of spirit, so… He shook his head. No matter how one sees it, it was wrong to think about it. He was a thousand years old, after all. He was out of his time. He was…lost. Without an anchor. Without a

"Can't sleep, hotshot?"

"Oh, Rainbow Dash. I just came for some water."

"Close the fridge."

"Hm? Right." He chuckled "I must look like the fool of fools."

"Nah, I don't mind. We had our share of problems with the Yaks and Griffons culture, too."

"I don't think you told me any Yak story."

"Do you really want to hear it, Flash? It's pretty late."

"Right. I will… try and sleep."

He flew very slowly past Rainbow Dash, and started to get confy on the sofa.

"What is it like?"

"What's what like?"

"Limbo. Spend a thousand years locked up."

He thought for a while.

"I can't explain. It's like… nothing. Nothing to see, to hear, to talk to, it was even hard to think. Kind of the time you are not asleep, but not entirely awaken, you know?"

She nodded.

"I felt my will being used to contain the Pony of Shadows, and was a bit aware of time passing, but when I was brought back I was about to guess six, seven months."

His eyes dropped.

"It was just after bringing back Stygian that I realized everypony I knew is long, long gone. My family, friends, even enemies. Sometimes is hard not to think about them. And to rest."

"Hey, Flamy, that's why I am here. The girls and I will never replace your loved ones, but we can be your new friends… if you allow us."

"I will try, Rainbow. I will really try." He paused for a bit "Flamy?"

"Flash Magnus. Fla-Ma. Also, matches your mane."

He laughed "And what should I call you?"

"How about The Dashinator?"

"I can think about something better. And Dash reminds me of her."

"Her?"

"Nimbus Dash, Fellow legionnaire. She was the fastest of us all."

"With such name, I bet she was."

"Indeed, the fastest. She had the maneuver skills of a rock, but on a straight line, nopony could dream of matching her."

Rainbow sat at his side on the sofa.

"Tell you what. I tell you the Yaks tale, you tell me about Nimbus Dash. Go first."

"Deal. She used to tell she lost her left eye in an epic battle against dragons, but in reality, we were doing a routine patrol over Abyssinia…"

When Celestia raised the Sun, they were still talking, Rainbow's hoof over his.

Next: The second and final chapter

Does this ship have a name? Magnash?