//------------------------------// // The Ruin part 2 // Story: The Legend of Lightning Ace: Childhood // by LightningAce7 //------------------------------// After Lightning left the room Thunder continued to examine the scroll, making sure that his plans for this excursion were not going to turn into a wild goose chase. He proceeded to unroll more scrolls and open a few dusty old tomes as he searched for the information he needed. He flipped through the old pages, being careful not to tear them. He eventually came across what he was searching for. It was a curious mark that vaguely resembled his own cutie mark: a thunderstorm. A look of excitement started across his face as he stashed the tome in his saddlebag. He then grabbed a few maps and sttashed those as well. Satisfied with his preperations he put out the lanterns and left the dusty study to go to Lightning's room. Lightning's room was now a disaster as he flung stuff left and right looking for things to bring on this trip. Just as he was putting the final object into his saddlebag, there was a knock at his door. "Are you ready to go son?" Thunder asked. "I'm ready Dad!" Lightning returned. "Then head downstairs. Mom wants to see you before we go." Thunder said. "OK" Lightning said, as he exited his room and headed downstairs. As he started down the stairs he started to hear a familiar voice coming from the dinning area talking with his mother. "Thanks for the muffin Mrs. Breeze!" The voice said. "Derpy!" Lightning squeeled as he flew over to her and hugged. "Hi Lightning Ace! I heard your going on an adventure! Will there be muffins!?" Derpy asked. Just as she finished saying 'adventure' there was the sound of a small jet followed by a crash in the livingroom. "Did I her somepony say adventure?" Asked the cyan pony with a rainbow mane and tail. "Yup! Me and Dad are going to explore an ancient ruin!" Lightning answered. "Oh! I have an Idea! I'll ask Dad if you guys can come too!" "That sounds awsome!" Rainbow Dash said. "Yay!" Derpy chirped, bouncing excitedly. "I think that's a brilliant Idea!" came Thunder's voice from behind. "Are you two sure though? Once we get started we wont be back until the end of the week." They both nodded. Lightning went over to Sky, who was waiting to speak to her son. "Please be careful son. Ruins can be dangerous. And please take good care of your friends, Their parents were really nice to let them go with you on this adventure." "I will Mom."Lightning said. "I love you son." With that she gave Lightning a loving hug the nudged him towards his waiting father and friends. "Now run along son, I can't wait to hear how it went when you return!" "I love you too Mom! Bye!" Lightning yelled into the house. With goodbyes out of the way the small party of adventurers began their long flight to their destination. The sun was starting to set as they reached the edge of the rolling thunder clouds below. The storm was now starting to weaken, having shrunk to nearly half the size it was in the morning. They were passing over Canterlot now, it's white gold towers and brilliant gold tower peaks glistening in the evening glow of the sun. They continued past Canterlot and soon they were flying over vast expanses of countryside. Eventually rolling hills started to reveal their first destination on their route to the Everfree, Ponyville. Thunder motioned for the three foals to follow as he started to descend towards the large village below. Once they reached street level the four of them started towards the nearest inn. His plan entailed entering the Everfree in the morning, lest they run into some of the nastier things that are on the prowl at night there. It was bad enough that they would likely need to camp for one night at least while in the forest as is. Thunder turned to the foals after they entered the inn. "Lightning I need you and your friends to double check our supplies while I check us in for the night." He instructed. "OK" Lightning Acknowledged, giving a childish salute. He turned to his friends, who were fiddling with a length of rope. "Hey guys! My Dad needs us to check our stuff!" Derpy and Dash trotted over with the rope and put it back on the floor with the other supplies. Lightning spilled the contents of the saddlebags to the floor as Derpy took out a clipboard. She doodled a few muffins while waiting for Lightning and Dash to sort the supplies out. They went over the stuff for hours making sure that they didn't forget anything. They went down the list: Tents, rope, lanterns, sleeping bags, pillows and numerous other camping gear. There was also alot of exploration gear as well, the maps and scrolls among them. Satisfied that everything was in order, the trio packed it all back up and made for their comfortable inn beds. They closed their eyes as fantasies of adventure filled their young minds. All but Lightning, who was starting to become restless. To be continued...