//------------------------------// // Path of the Sonic Rainboom part 2 // Story: The Legend of Lightning Ace: Childhood // by LightningAce7 //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash had won the race. She landed on the cloud surrounding the finish line. Unfortunately it was no time for celebration. Lightning was missing. He was right beside her during the dive, but at the moment she pulled out of her dive he was gone. Everypony was on edge. Not only had Lightning disappeared, but so too has Flash and Derpy. Derpy, another friend just...gone! Some search teams had been sent, but they all came back empty hoofed. Fluttershy hadn't stopped crying since, and curiously, Cloud had also disappeared. Steel returned from his talk with Rainbow presumed was Lightning's mother. "Alright everypony, back to camp. You all have the rest of the day as recreation. That is all." Steel said. Everypony obeyed, though everypony could tell he was stressed. Rainbow returned to the camp with everypony else. As they all returned to the dorms and Rainbow got inside it hit her. Cloud had also really disappeared. His bunk and table was a mess, like he had left in a hurry. He even left his book on the Sonic Rainboom. But it made no sense. She then decided to ask around about him. She approached a random cluster of foals. "Has anypony seen Cloud?" She asked. "No...sorry." the first foal replied. Unfortunately this was ultimatly everypony's response in her team. She realised then that maybe somepony in the other team might know. She then made for what was Lightning's dorm, hopeful to find any information. She entered and approached a couple of foals. "Have either of you seen Cloud?" she asked. "No I don't think...wait...actually, I think I saw him leaving during the race. He had a couple of colts with him too." the filly said. "Hmmm...thanks for the help." Rainbow said as she turned to leave. This whole thing stank. It was just downright not cool. The mre she thought about it, the more she realised that her training had pushed her away from Lightning. It was seemingly like Cloud was deliberately...it hit her. Like a buck in the face. She was used. NOT cool. Not cool at all. She rushed back to her dorm and immediately started rummaging through the stuff Cloud had left. She needed something-anything to confirm her suspicions. She dug for hours and was about to give up when a small book fell out of his pillow's case as she lifted it. "What do we have here?" Rainbow said to herself, a look of renewed determination on her face. She opened the unmarked book to find perhaps the most horrifying thing ever. In the pages were some disturbing drawings of Lightning, Derpy, and even...herself being....killed...in horrible ways. She could barely see straight now. What in the hay was wrong with this foal!? She dared to look more. Aside from more horrible pictures, there was also a few, what looked like, journal entries. 'Journal entry 1...Today was yet another crappy day. That stupid Lightning Ace... He must pay for making me look like a piece of trash in front of everypony back at school! I just wanted to talk to that stupid eye'd filly...maybe hit her for it...but no. Lightning had to defend her. I'll show him!' Rainbow couldn'believe what she just read. This foal was waaaay not cool. She read the next entry... 'Journal entry2...I can't believe that plan failed! Those stupid foals are useless! Lightning beat them up before I could even do anything! We weren't really gonna hurt the stupid filly...just enough to get Lightning to snap...but NO! He hade to save her AGAIN!!! I'll get him yet though...just you wait...' Did he really mean that? What the buck was wrong with this colt? Rainbow just couldn't believe that her 'friend' Cloud could be so twisted. She dared to read more... ' Journal entry 3...Lightning got back from a trip with his dad...only his dad was not with him. I think he was...crying. I asked around town and eventually learned that he lost his dad...heh...now he's in pain. Serves him right...' She just couldn't read anymore. It was just downright insane! He was insane! It only served to confirm her suspicions...she was used. She was tricked and decieved. She now had second thoughts on even her training. She then resolved to achieve the Sonic Rainboom not for herself, but for her friends...where ever they are. She left the dorm and was flying as she spotted Fluttershy falling off a cloud ring and tumbled through a flag. She landed in a heap infront of three familiar bullies. "Hey Clutsershy!" the first one taunted. "My baby brother can fly better than you!" Another taunted. All three laughed. Rainbow Dash had enough. She immediatly flew down and landed between Fluttershy and the bullies. "Oh look! It's Rainbow Crash!" The leader said. "Get lost! This isn't any of your business Rainbow Crash." "I'm makin it my business!" Rainbow yelled. "And what are YOU going to do?" the bullie sneered. "Keep making fun of her and find out!" Rainbow stomped a hoof to drive her point. "How about you prove something to us?" the bully asked. He had the best idea, he would use a race to insult her. "What do you have in mind?" Rainbow asked. "A race around the track tomorrow. See you then...Rainbow Crash!" they flew off laughing. It was settled. She would defend the honor of her friends in this race. She only wished her friends could be there to see her defend them. to be continued...