//------------------------------//
// A Little Detour part 2 
// Story: The Legend of Lightning Ace: Childhood 
// by LightningAce7 
//------------------------------//

             There was only silence as the three foals packed up what wasn't destroyed and moved on. Flash had kept the sword, which he now had on his back. His strange ability had not shown itself again since the fight with the strange assassin. They also had taken the cloth that was draped on a tree branch. Upon it was a metal clasp, which was adorned with a strange seal. The seal was a pegasus with a pair of spears crossed behind it. It also wore a set of armor not worn by today's guards and soldiers. Lightning looked at it as they continued on.

"Any idea who that was?" Lightning asked.

"Other than the fact that she tried to kill us, no." Flash said.

"And just what was that during the fight? The fire, I mean?" Lightning asked.

"I don't know. It just...happened. I've tried to do it again but I can't." Flash replied, a tone of disappointment about him.

"Maybe it's a gift?" Lightning suggested.

"Maybe..." Flash said.

"Ah don't mean to interrupt, but we're almost around the mountain y'all." Applejack said.

"The sooner we get this mountain behind us the better!" Lightning said.

"Agreed!" Flash said.

"I miss Derpy...she would of said something random and funny." Lightning said, looking at the ground.

Applejack put a hoof on Lightning's side. "It's not like y'all will never see her again. She did say she visits Ponyville often. So don't y'all fret, trust me when Ah say you'll see her again."

Lightning felt like there was definate truth to her words. "I believe you, Aj. I  don't know why, but I believe you." Lightning then hugged Applejack. "Thanks."

The decent down the other side of the mountain was much easier as it was a downhill climb. Before them was now Canterlot Mountain. Perched on the side opposite to them was Canterlot itself. Their plan now was to stop in Canterlot, then take the train to Ponyville. However, they still had to find a way up. Lightning took his map out.

"Looks like there's three ways up. The first is obvious if you're a pegasus. Unfortunately my wing is broken and Aj is an earth pony. The second way is by train, but obviously we're on hoof. The only option open to us is the carrage road on the east side. Thankfully we're on the east side." Lightning said.

"So all we have to do is look for the road." Flash said.

"Exactly." Lightning said.

It took a few hours, but the group finally found the road. It then took them most of the afternoon to ascend the winding road. The sun was starting to descend as the trio found themselves at the front gates of Canterlot itself. It's massive gates and towers giving both a sense of beauty and safety, yet intimidating at the same time. The gate then began to open, slowly revealing the magnificent city behind it. The trio wasted no time entering.

Canterlot was even more amazing on the inside. The three foals were in awe as they gazed up at towering spires and towers. As their gazes returned to ground level they noticed quickly how posh everypony was around here. Many mares and stallions alike were adorned in vibrant, highly extravagant outfits. They continued to explore the streets as the sun began to set behind the towers, which drew their attention to one of the tallest towers on the castle itself. Standing on it's balcony was a figure who was faceing the sun. It's wings spread wide. It took a moment, but Lightning realised it was none other than Princess Celestia herself, lowering the sun to bring in the night. The group's looking at the city was interrupted by the rumbling of their stomachs.

"Ah think we should grab a bite to eat y'all." Applejack stated.

"Y'all took the words out of my mouth, Applejack." Lightning said.

"See anyplace good to eat at?" Flash asked.

"How bout' that place?" Applejack asked, pointing at a nearby restraunt. The sign above it's entry reading 'Donut Joes'.

Their stomachs rumbled once more. "Donuts sound good, but shouldn't we have something more...meal like?" Flash said.

"Aww fine. How bout there?" Applejack said as she pointed at a common restraunt. Everypony nodded in agreement and entered.

to be continued...