//------------------------------// // Dreaming Big part 3 // Story: The Legend of Lightning Ace: Childhood // by LightningAce7 //------------------------------// The heart melting moment lasted for a few moments until Derpy randomly squeezed herself out of the hug and started for the door. "Thanks for dinner Mrs. Wings!" She exclaimed as she exited the house. Lightning got down from the table and headed for the bathroom for a much needed bath. After filling the tub he flinched as he entered the hot water. He remembered then that he had though not taken many hits, he did get tripped a few times and had a few scrapes as a result. His hooves were also sore, having been used in both school and two fights. His thoughts turned to what hollow promises and rewards Cloud told his 'friends'. Though it wasn't long before his thoughts trailed off to thinking about where the apple pie came from. He recalled his mother mentioning it came from Sweet Apple Acres, and for some unknown reason the name sounded nice. Like home nice. His bath concluded, he brushed his teeth and made for his bed. What a long day. Lightning thought as he drifted to sleep. Late into the night Lightning began to get restless in his sleep as he began to toss and turn, his eyes moving frantically in his shut eyelids. He was in a dark forest within an equally dark temple structure. There upon a pedistal stood a strange statue that had five strange stone orbs adorning it. For some reason he couldn't help but approach the statue. But before he could reach it, there was an evil presence in the room. Before him was an amorphous black-as-night form that had an erie similarity to it. Before he could do anything, six lights of various colors entered the temple. The darkness then said some undissernable things and vanished with the orbs. He was then in the forest again, though he was in control of his body now. Before him now was a vaguely famililar pony among three other pegasi that were wearing darkened, twisted versions of what the Wonder Bolts wore. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he found out soon enough when all four of them attacked. He tried his best to fend them off but he was eventually overwhelmed. As they reared for the final blow, he began to scream. Everything became a blur as their hooves came down on him. Lightnig shot up in his bed and froze with fear with a cold sweat across his whole body. His eyes frantically searching his room for his assailants. He laid still for what felt like hours before finally falling back asleep. The rest of the night went uneventful as he entered a dreamless sleep. Morning came, signified by the intrusive morning sun. Lightning was slow to wake as he had gotten little sleep that night. He was silent for the better part of his morning routine while thoughts of his nightmare loomed in his mind. It was not really so much fear at this point as it was curiousity as to what this nightmare could mean. For that matter why he had such a dream in the first place. He contimplated this for the greater part of the day as a normal day of school came and went. The nightmare eventually was forgotten as spring started to give way to summer. Instead thoughts of Summer Flight Camp quickly flooded Lightning's head as the school year came to a close. The final class had been a welcome sight to both Lightning Ace and Derpy, who had endured what had been unpleasant at best school year. Cloud Breaker and his thugs never made it easy for them either, Starting fights whenever they could. Oddly Lightning and Derpy had caused enough ripples in the school to get noticed by Rainbow Dash. For she had recently started defending the two of them from Cloud and company. It wasn't long before she befriended them, and soon grew rather loyal to them. Lightning had never seen such loyalty and commitment to another pony before. The only other he knew of was himself, having put his own life at risk multiple times to protect Derpy from bullies and brutes. Coincidentally the three ponies got placed next to one another in class, which only served to further strenghthen the bond between them. But now the final class between them and Summer Flight Camp had arrived. "Alright class, for those of you who signed on for Flight Camp, stay in the room." Mrs.Sky continued."Those who didn't goodbye and have a wonderful summer!" She returned to her desk. "Camp starts in one week everypony, so be sure you're ready by next thursday! Any questions?" A few hooves went up. "Derpy." Mrs. Sky selected. "Will there be muffins? I love muffins!" Derpy chirped. "OK...um...Lightning Ace!" Mrs. Sky said. "What should we bring?" Lightning asked. "You all should get a item list on your way out of the classroom." Mrs. Sky replied. "Everypony should also take a general info sheet on their way out. It should answer any remaining questions you may have." The room erupted with noise as everypony made for the front of the classroom to get an info sheet. It takes awhile but Lightning, Derpy, and Rainbow Dash manage to get a sheet and squeeze out of the crowded room into the relatively vacant hallway. "I can't wait for Summer Flight Camp!"Lightning exclaimed. "You and me both!" Rainbow Dash said as the trio exited the classroom. They started down the hall as three young colts rounded a corner. They formed a blockade as Lightning, Derpy, and Dash made their way down the hall. "Oh look! It's Rainbow Crash!" The leader of them taunted. "Don't tell us your ACTUALLY going to Summer Flight Camp." "Oh I'm going!" Rainbow Dash shot back. "We're all going."Lightning interupted."Why? You have a problem with that?" "Wait a minute...your that Lightning aren't you..." The lead brute said. "You beat up Cloud Breaker. Well stay out of our way!" the leader said as they forced themselves through Lightning's group. Lightning started to tense up as the bullies rounded the next corner."Let them go." Derpy said, putting a hoof on Lightning's side. He lightly grinded at the floor with his hoof then untensed. "I'm sorry Derpy. It's just, I don't want my friends to get hurt is all." Lightning said to Derpy. Derpy hugs Lightning. "Your my best friend!" The three of them leave the school and return home to prepare for Flight Camp. One thing was certain. This would be a long week.