Follow a young pegasus colt as he battles bullies, explores ancient ruins, tries to survive Flight Camp, and many more adventures. This is my first fic so constructive criticism is very much wanted. Rated teen for violence. Note: this fic takes place during the foalhood of the mane 6.
It was a chilly tuesday morning as a small blue pegasus colt with a dark brown mane and tail began to stir under his warm covers. The warm spring sunlight began to invade his room as he pulled his blanket over his head to escape the unwanted light. The door to his room began to open. The noise it generated made it all the harder to try to sleep. His mother, a sky blue pegasus with a white mane, poked her head in and smiled as she looked upon her son.
"You're going to be late for school, Lightning." She said as she nudged the door open more.
"Five more minutes!"Lightning complained as he buried his head under his pillow.
"Five more minutes and you're going to miss registration for summer flight camp!" his mother exclaimed.
"Thats TODAY!?" Lightning said with a worried and suprised look on his face.
With that he flopped out of bed and flew over to his calender. His eyes scanned it for the current date. Much to his delight and dismay, his mom was right, today was the day. He looked at his clock and saw that it was seven in the morning. He wasn't going to be late, he instead fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book for getting lazy little colts out of bed. As he started to preen his wings his stomach started to growl angerly at him. He finished grooming his wings and made his way out of his room and to the edge of the top of the stairs leading to the livingroom and kichen."Mom what's for breakfast?" Lightning yelled as he made his way down to the kitchen.
"Your favorite!" his mom replied as she transfered some fried eggs to a plate. She then retrieved the now finished toast from the toaster and presented the plate to Lightning in a slightly childishly comical manner. It always made him giggle. He took the plate in his mouth and trotted to the dinner table and nearly dropped it as he tripped on a ripple in the rug that the dinning table sat on.
He managed to catch it with his hooves as his wings spazed to keep him from face-planting into the table. He put the plate on the table and then realised his wing was too close to a chair. In a panic he tried to hover away but his wing got caught on it and he lost control and face planted into the table, narrowly missing his breakfast. He fell backward off the table onto his haunches, laughing."Are you OK?" his mom asked.
"I'm fine!" He said back as he climbed into the chair to eat his breakfast.
"I'm going to school mom! Bye!" Lightning yelled as he started out the door.
"Bye son! Love you!" His mom yelled back.
"Love you too!"Lightning yelled as he took off.
It was an amazing day in Cloudsdale as the young colt flew around town. He was still rather young and didn't learn much more than the basics of flight. Though he, like most pegasi, idolized the Wonderbolts. Though nowhere near as much as Rainbow Dash. Still, he was inspired to learn to fly better and today he was gonna sign up for Summer Flight Camp. Thoughts of epic flight manuvers filled Lightning's head as he began to stray from his path, not noticing the grey filly with a blonde mane flying in his direction.
The two collided and landed in a heap on a nearby cloud. "Are you OK?" the walleyed pegasus said as she helped him up.
"I'm fine." Lightning replied. "Are you as exicited as I am about Summer Flight Camp Derpy?"
"Yep!" She chirped, cutely bouncing on the cloud.
"Come on were gonna be late for school!" Lightning said as they took off in the direction of the school.
It wasn't long before they reached their destination. The school it self was situated in the western end of cloudsdale. Purposefully placed near both SFC and the Weather Factory, ment to inspire young colts and fillies of just some of the possibilities that awaited them when they grew up.
The bell began to ring as dozens of ponies gravitated to its front doors. Most of them clamouring to get to the sign up sheet. It was chaos as everypony started trampling each other to get in line. Naturally, Rainbow Dash somehow managed to get to the front of the line. Where as Lightning Ace and Derpy only made it to the middle of it. It would be a looong wait till they would finally get to the desk the teachers set up for this. It wasn't long before bordom struck. "What'd you have for breakfast?" Lightning asked Derpy.
"A muffin! A blueberry muffin, It was amazing!" the grey filly excitedly said. "What'd you have?"
"My usuall, though I wish my mom wouldn't wake me up sooo early." Lightning groaned.
The line moved at a very slow pace for what seemed like an eternity. Though they inched ever closer to the signup desk. Excitement contiued to build as the line got shorter and ponies who finished signing up passed them, making their way to class.
"Finally!" Lightning exclaimed as he approached the desk."Please fill out a form." A staff member said in a stereotypically monotone teacher voice.
"What's your problem? You were a blank flank once." Lightning shot back at the bully. The bullies response was to shove Lightning to the floor.
"Leave him alone!" Derpy sternly said as she stomped a hoof.
"Look everypony! Wall eyes is trying to defend blank flank!"He said with a devious giggle.
"He's my friend and I-" She was cut off by getting shoved to the ground. By now the situation had attracted a crowd. The teacher trying to calm the situation.
"Leave her out of this!" Lightning yelled, getting up. "What did she ever do to you?!"
"Awwwww is Derpy gonna cry?" The bully teased.
"I said leave her out of this!" Lightning yelled as he helped Derpy up.
"Get behind me!" He commanded her. Without hesitation, she limped behind Lightning as he turned to the bully.
"That's it Lightning! Your gonna hurt for helping wall eyes!" The bully threatened as he charged the young colt and filly. Lightning braced himself for the inevitable fight. Derpy now fearing for the safety of both herself and her best friend. Lightning grabbed Derpy and jumped over the bully, who continued charging into the desk.Papers flew in every which direction as the bully struggled to get up. Growling with anger he snorted as he prepared to charge again. Lightning once again turning to face his adversary with Derpy behind him.
"What is your problem!?" Lightning asked in frustration as the bully charged him again.
"THAT IS ENOUGH!!!"The teacher bellowed, stumping her hoof between the quarreling colts. "Cloud Breaker, were going to have a talk during recess! Lightning, Derpy, are you two OK?"
"Derpy's hurt Mrs. Sky but I'm fine." Lightning replied.
Derpy limped off with the teacher to the school nurse as Lightning helped another teacher pick up the paper mess."This isn't over!" Cloud snarled at Lightning. "You and me after school!""You really think I'm gonna fall for your ruse?" Lightning retorically asked. Continuing to help with the mess. Though Cloud had already left. Cloud was right though.
Lightning Ace was in fact a blank flank. He didn't know why, especially since he was of age and had a few good talents that any of which could be a special talent. Art among them. Yet his flank continued to mock him with its vacancy. Though he had read and heard that some ponies would only get their marks when not skill, but fate would determine where, what, and when a cutie mark would appear. Lightning Liked the notion that his mark maybe fate driven, so he usually didn't fret over it too much. His mom always just told him to be patient and that it comes naturally.
Meanwhile Derpy and Mrs. Sky arrived at the nurses office, Derpy still in a limp. Though it could of been ALOT worse if Lightning wern't there to protect her. They had met when they were even younger, way back in kindergarden. It was a similar instance to what just happened, some bullies had cornered Derpy at the edge of the cloud the school sat on and were harassing her for her eyes. Just like today, Lightning came to her defense. After the event had passed they had fast became best friends. She could always count on him to accept her for who she was.
"Don't worry Derpy your going to be fine." The nurse assured Derpy. "Your leg is only bruised. Just be careful and you'll be fine.""Thanks for helping me!" Derpy chirped happily."Your welcome Derpy. Now get to class. I'm sure your friend is worried about you." The nurse said. With that Derpy hovered awkwardly out of the room.
The rest of the day went relativally uneventful. Though Lightning couldn't help but think about his impending fight after school. He knew Cloud was smart enough not to start it on school clouds. So it was likely going to be an ambush. His thoughts also trailed of with epic imaginings of Summer Flight Camp. Potentially even maybe getting his cutie mark! Todays lesson had been a boring one. More or less the history of some far off country that somepony this age could really care less about. The day seemed to stretch on forever as Mrs. Sky droned on about the something in the thing back in the day of the stuff.
The bell finally rang as every pony flooded the doors to leave to go home and such. Derpy had left to go to the bathroom, but nopony had seen her since. Lightning didn't worry too much, Derpy would often disappear or wander off. So he set off for home. He only got halfway before getting plowed into a nearby biulding.
"I hope you didn't forget our 'meeting'!" Cloud Breaker sneered, as he dug Lightng's face into the cloud. "Me and my friends want a word with you!"
With that, Lightning felt a heavy blow to the back of his head followed by nothing. He awoke to find himself at ground level, Cloudsdale in the sky above them. Cloud was standing 20 feet or so infront of Lightning. At his flanks were a few more colts that he couldn't recognize. One of which had a familiar looking filly tied up near him.
" What is this?!" Lightning demanded."Isn't obvious?" Cloud said sinisterly. "We've decided to make this more interesting blank flank. If you don't fight US, we're going to hurt wall eyes here!"
"Leave Derpy out of this!" Lightning yelled. "And what do you mean 'us'?!"
"We all have a beef with you blank flank!" Cloud said.
"Let Derpy go!" Lightning yelled, stomping his hooves.
"There's only one way!"Cloud Breaker exclaimed. "Have at em boys!"
The two thugs jumped Lightning immediately. Lightning, like in the last fight jumped above them. Allowing them to slam into each other. The dark brown thug got up first and unleashed a flurry of hoof-punches upon Lightning while the light green thug recoiled from a head injury. Lightning managed to block most of the thug's blows and gave a strong buck to his side. After what felt like a wing breaking, the thug tried to take off to do an airial strike, but his now broken wing sent him into the ground instead. The light green thug, now recovered from his head injury from the start of the fight, renews his attack on Lightning. Lightning waited for the right moment to strike. The thug rose up into the air to rush Lightning. At the last second he jumped in the direction of the thug,, using his wings to position himself he extended his left hind leg. The connection of hoof and target rang in the valley as his opponent landed on the ground unconcious next to the first thug.
By the end of the fight Cloud Breaker had already left back to Cloudsdale. Lightning trotted over to the scared filly and untied her.
"Are you OK?" Lightning asked Derpy, helping her up.
"I'm OK!" Derpy assured, hugging him.
"Let's go home." Lightning said as the two made their way back to Cloudsdale. Back on the ground a few hours later the thugs woke up to the sound of a thunderstorm. "You've got to be kidding me!" One of the thugs yelled out as they both comically got drenched. Back at home Cloud Breaker got to deal with a VERY pissed mother who had just finished reading a teacher report that arrived earier in the mail.
"Mom I can explain!" Cloud Breaker pleaded.
"Explain this!" His mother yelled, dropping a wet rope with blonde hairs and grey feathers stuck to it.
"I ah umm... you see I..." he studdered.
"Well?!" She impatiently said.
"It's it's Lightning's fault! He always has to be there to save that freak! And he's no better! Being a blank flank and-"
"ENOUGH!!" His mom cut him off. "Go to your room immediatly! and you can forget about Summer Flight Camp!" She yelled, sternly pointing a hoof in his rooms' direction.
Lightning and Derpy had returned to his house after a long and tiring day. It was getting late, with the sun nearly fully set, with the moon starting it's rise. The moon sporting it's all too infamous mare-shaped surface. Lightning looked at the moon on occasion, often with a sense of ominous and ergence. Like he could feel a storm coming. He couldn't help but recall the old legend of The Mare in the Moon. As he stared at it, Derpy started prodding Lightning's side.
"Are you OK Lightning? You've been staring at the moon for an hour!" Derpy exclaimed.
"Im fine...just fine." Lightning replied.
"What's on your mind?" Derpy asked, eyes moving in opposite directions.
"It's the strange thing on the moon. It always has this...stare or something. Like the Mare in the Moon is watching us or something."
"Arn't you two gonna come in and eat dinner?" Lightning's mom said. "Come in, both of you! it's cold out here."
"OK!" They both said, entering the house.
Lightning and Derpy entered the dinning room as various sweet fruit and bread smells filled their nostrils.
"What's for dinner?" Lightning asked, entranced by the apple scent.
"Apple pie!"His mom smiled warmly. "I picked up the ingrediants from Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville earlier today! There's just this cute little filly that lives there that I know you'd get along with." she said, continuing to finish making the pie. " You'd get along with her brother too! They're real friendly! Too bad they're too far to visit often. Anyway, Eat up!"
Without hesitation they dove into the pie, delightning in the apple goodness. Though it didn't take long for Lightning's mom to notice the scuff marks on his and Derpy's fur. "What happened to you two?" His mother said worriedly.
"Some bullies at school kidnapped Derpy and used her to force me to fight." Lightning said.
"Lightning saved me!" Derpy exclaimed, followed by a squee.
"Anything else?" His mother asked.
"It was Cloud Breaker and some of his friends." Lightning replied. "They kidnapped Derpy and forced me to fight them! If I had done nothing...I..." tears started to biuld in his eyes. "They threatend to...to hurt her..."he couldn't hold in the tears any further, as he sank in his seat and sobbed. Derpy put her foreleg around Lightning with a look of both worry and comfort. She onew all too well that had he done nothing, they would have likely hurt her bad. Though she wished that the fighting wouldn't have happened in the first place. Lightning soon succombed to Derpy's hug and sobbed into her wing. Soon his mom joined in the hug to comfort him."Just, please be careful son." Lightning's mom said as she nuzzled him with her snout.
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.
It was a cool summer morning as Lightning began to stir under his warm covers. He stretched his light blue wings and legs as he slid out of bed. He trotted over to his bedroom window to catch a glimsp of Cloudsdale in the morning light. He peered out the window to inspect the nearly picturesque scenery. Under Cloudsdale was a seemingly endless sea of cloud with the occasional flash of lightning and soon followed rumble of thunder as the clouds themselves ebbed and flowed like an ocean's tide. Lightning remembered hearing the other day how a thunderstorm was scheduled for today for the area under the city. He always felt...drawn to thunderstorms. Like the dance of lightning longed for him as it's dance partner. The sound of thunder filled his heart with pride and something he couldn't quite explain. He stared at the storm clouds below for several minutes, entranced by the serenity that such a display brought him. He managed to pry himself from the spectacle to finish his morning routine. After he finished preening his wings he made his way over to his calender. It had been two days since school got out, and Flight Camp was nearly just around the bend.
"Are you awake yet my son?" The voice of his mother came through the door, sonewhat startling him.
"Yes mom." Lightning replied with a sign of sleepiness still present in his voice.
"Would you like some breakfast son?" His mom said, opening his bedroom door.
Of course the question was retoricle. She already knew his answer before he could even move his mouth to speak. But he answered with a nod with a grin anyway. With that the sky blue mare turned and left his room with her white tail quickly leaving the doorway. His gaze returned once more to the window as he made his bed. But before he could let himself be further entranced by the storm below his stomach reminded him that breakfast was soon.
Lightning trod down the stairs to the kitchen to get breakfast but his eyes met with a familiar face sitting at the table with his mother. "Dad!" Lightning squeeled as he flew into his waiting forelegs, followed by a heart felt hug. His father had a darker blue coat than Lightning with a mane and tail the color of dark thunder clouds.
"Hey son!" His voice, powerful like the storm below, "How are you doing? I heard you signed up for Flight Camp!"
"Yes Dad! I'm so excited!" Lightning exclaimed.
"Breakfast is ready boys!" His mother said in a melodic manner. She brought the plates over to the table where two hungry maws lay awaiting for their meal. Without not even a second passing Lightning dove into his food, nearly inhaling his breakfast whole. His father simply stared in suprise as Lightning's plate emptied faster than he could even get past his second fork full.
"I see he has my appetite!" Lightning's father said. "I see your cooking has been amazing as ever Sky Breeze." He said.
"Only cause you taught me Thunder Ace." Sky said back, with a slight blush on her face.
Thunder replied with a kiss to her forehead before turning to speak to Lightning. "Lightning I have an important question to ask you..." he looked at his wife who simply nodded back at him, "How would you like to come with me on alittle excursion?"
"What do you mean?" Lightning asked.
"Come with me son." Thunder said as he motioned his son to follow with a foreleg. Lightning, riddled with curiosity, got down from the table and followed his father to a dusty room in the back of the house. the entryway was covered in dust and cobwebs that broke away as Thunder opened the musty old door. Inside was his old private study. Or rather an organised chaos of a study room. It was lined with bookshelves and glass cases filled with dusty old tomes and strange artifacts. The room itself looking rather odd as far as Cloudsdale Architecture was concerned. The floor here was wooden unlike the cloud floors throughout the rest of the house. The walls were somewhat short but the ceiling rose up slightly higher in the middle with a few lanterns dangling in the center. Thunder entered the room first and lit them, illuminating the dank room further. He motioned to Lightning to enter as he pulled out some dusty scrolls out from under a table that sat centered in the middle of the room. "There is something I need to tell you..." he said as he grabbed one scroll in particular with his hooves.
"What is it?" Lightning asked.
"I believe you are old enough to learn something of our lineage." Thunder said as he unrolled the scroll on the table. "This is a map of Equestria. Can you recognise it?" He asked.
"No...everything is in weird places. What does this mean?" Lightning asked.
"That's because this map predates Equestria. This map pretty much shows the locations of several ancient cities." Thunder said as he flattened the map out more. There is one ruined city in Ghasly Gorge that I must investigate. I thought maybe you'd like to accompany me."
"Of course dad! It could be fun!" Lightning chirped.
"Don't worry we'll be back in time to see you off to Flight Camp."Thunder assured. "Now go pack your things, we leave in an hour."
With that Lightning went off to his room, thoughts of exploration and adventure flowing through his mind.
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.
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.
Lightning bolted up with a cold sweat expecting the worst but thankfully he was safe. Though he doesn't remember having the dream before, he couldn't help but feel like something was haunting him, tracking his every move. He sat still in the bed for several minutes before finally calming down. After all it was just a dream, right? He looked over at his father's bed but he wasn't there. Though he heard voices outside the inn room. He looked over at his friends, who were still peacefully sleeping. After ten minutes of deliberation, he decided to finally get up. He carefully got out of bed and trotted quietly to the door, not wanting to disturb them. He slowly opened the door and slipped through, the door only making minor creeking noises.
"You're going to leave so soon?" The innkeeper asked.
"Yup!" Thunder answered. " We need to get an early start to get as much ground covered as possible by nightfall."
"Wouldn't just be easier to do a flyover?" The innkeeper inquired.
"The ruins won't likely be visible from the air. Besides if we fly we might attract a dragon or something. And we definatly don't want that." Thunder said.
Lightning trod down the stairs and approached his father. "When are we leaving?" Lightning asked.
"Very soon actually, Please go get your friends up. We leave in a half an hour." Thunder said.
"OK Dad!" Lightning responded. With that he trotted back up stairs and opened the door to find Derpy in his face.
"Do you have a muffin?" She asked, clearly still half asleep.
Lightning anticipated this and had a muffin ready. Before he could even brandish it Derpy's eyes shot open, her ears perked up and her eyes focused as her nose caught a whif of muffin on him. Without warning she jumped Lightning and wrestled the muffin from under his wing. Content with her prise she dove into the muffin, completely obiterating it. The commotion woke Rainbow Dash as she stumbled out of bed. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Lightning on the floor with Derpy perched upon his back munching on a muffin.
"OK kids time to go." Thunder said to the trio.
The three got up and nodded as they then got their stuff together. It was very early as the small band of adventurers left the inn and made for the edge of the Everfree. The sun's light barely coming over the trees, casting long shadows over the road that stretched before them. The Everfree only seeming becoming more ominous as they approached it. The road seemingly consumed by the wild forest's gapeing maw, ready to consume the ponies that stood before it. Lightning however, felt compelled to go in, as if something were calling to him from deep in the forest's heart.
"Are you alright son?" Thunder asked. "You've been very quiet all morning."
"I'm fine...just...fine..." Lightning trailed.
"You don't look fine to me." Rainbow said.
"I'm just thinking is all." Lightning assured.
"Well then we better get started then. awe have alot of ground to cover between here and Ghastly's Gorge, so lets get to it." Thunder said.
With that they entered the forbidding horrorscape, taking extra care to avoid the poison joke that often grew close to the edge of the forest. The last thing they needed was ridiculous 'jokes' plaguing them on this journey. They navigated the tough terrain for hours, avoiding ravines and pits with thorn covered vines in them. They heard an occasional Timberwolf but thankfully non showed up. They eventualluly made it to the ruins of the old kingdom's castle, which used to be home to the princesses along time ago. Thunder motioned them to cross the rickety old bridge before crossing himself.
"This is as good a spot as any to camp for the night." Thunder said, taking off his saddlepack. "I'm gonna cut the bridge loose. That way we won't have to worry about some of the predators tonight. Son, can you please get my dagger?"
"One minute." Lightning replied, digging out a sheathed blade out of his dad's bag. He trotted over and hoofed over the blade. Thunder took the blade from him and hovered to the flimsy old bridge, drew the dagger in a hoof, and swung at he rope. A satisfying snap resounded as the bridge fell and came to smack the other side of the ravine. It swayed for a moment before coming to a stop.
"Kids, Get the camp stuff unpacked. we're staying here for the night." Thunder said. The foals started to unpack as the sun started it's descent in the sky. Thunder kept vigil, even with the bridge destroyed he knew they were still in danger. Both Cockatrices and Manticores had wings, but it was Timberwolves he was most worried about. The sun finished setting as the forest came to life.
Only the little fillies were sleeping at the moment, Thunder keeping watch and Lightning unable to sleep. Lightning constantly found himself gazing into the ancient castle's ominous entry, as if the ruins were welcoming him. His legs were moving on there own, Lightning was drawn to the old castle, as if something was meant for him and him alone. Without anypony noticing, Lightning entered the ruin, determined to find out why he felt so compelled to go into the ruin in the first place. The floors and walls were a dark marble, as if they were once brighter but then tainted by some dark energy. None of the windows had glass in them anymore, and parts of the ceiling were collasped throughout the castle. Lightning cautiosly made his way across the main entryway chamber, closing the distance to the other side of the room. Upon reaching the other side he walked into a large stone object. He bounced backward on impact as overhead clouds cleared away, allowing the moon's light to illuminate the chamber. Lightning lost his breath as he beheld a sight that made him relive his dream in an instant. He realised then where he was, he was in the very temple from his dreams! A chill immediately went down his spine as he gazed upon the five giant marble spheres attached to the larger statue. He felt something within the spheres, or maybe in himself, it was hard to tell. He fluttered up to the statue and placed a hoof on a random sphere. He felt a strange tingly sensation as he ran his hoof across it. He also felt what he could of sworn was Rainbow Dash's presence, but he couldn't see her anywhere. Starting to get creeped out by the ruins, he started to hover away from the statue.
Unbeknown to Lightning, several sets of eyes were watching him. Lightning heard a weak noise and spun around, his senses completely on overdrive. A dark sillohette flashed by a window, followed by another two. Lightning was wheighing his options now, he could bolt to the exit or face whatever was in the room with him. It only took seconds to decide as he made a beeline for the door. Just as he was about to make it felt a violent tug on his tail followed by getting thrown nearly accross the room. He looked up to cone face to face with a dreadful Alpha Timberwolf. It beared knarly teeth as it swiped a wooden claw at him. He rolled out of the way and tried to get airborn, but was pounced upon by another, though lesser, member of the pack. He rolled for several feet then slid to a stop as the two ferocious beasts began to approach. Lightning looked for anything he could use around him. To his left was a long old spear, though it looked too heavy for his little foal forlegs to grasp. To his right was an ancient pony skeleton, which had a sheathed rusty dagger on it. Seizing the opportunity, he dove for the skeleton, hoping to get the dagger. The wolves lunged, hoping to sink their wooden teeth into pony flesh. Lightning pulled the rusty blade out and thrust it out, it meeting the resistance of wood and twig. It was followed by a yelp of pain, then nothing as the beast convolsed to the floor, the dagger still through it's chest. Lightning's victory was short lived though, as the snarling noises reminded him that the Alpha was still alive. With no weapon he was truly helpless now. Backed into a corner and nowhere to run, he screamed at the top of his lungs.
Thunder was half dozing when he heard the tell tale sound of wooden feet on the ground. Instinctively he drew his blade, he would defend the foals. No matter what. Several eyes started to appear around the camp. Too many. "I cut the bridge...why are they? No...the castle!" Thunder said, realising the likely point of their origin. On cue the wolves began their attack, as one by pne they lunged from the undergrowth. He met them with steel, as chunks of wood began to litter the camp. "Derpy, Dash, get up! We're under attack!" He yelled, followed by impailling one wolf then severing another's limb, spraying dark sap everywhere. The fillies snapped awake to find themselves under attack by a pack of Timberwolves.
After another five wolves killed the rest of the pack backed off. But just as Thunder was about to speak he heard a foal's scream coming from the ruins. "Is that!?" His eyes shrank. "Lightning!" Thunder took off and blazed into the ruin. To his horror was his son backed into a corner by a ferocious Alpha Timberwolf. "Hang on son!" Thunder yelled, blade extended.
"Dad!" Lightning yelled.
The beast lunged at Lightning, Lightning bracing for the worst. The beast was stopped by a hard kick to it's side, sending it through a window and over a cliff. "I'm so sorry Dad!" Lightning started to cry. The two embraced as Derpy and Dash watched. Thunder's eyes on the window, like his gut was telling him it wasn't over yet.
The rest of the night passed uneventfully as they all got much needed sleep. Lightning, though shaken by both the fight and the old castle, was also able to sleep at last. The morning eventually came as rays of the sun's light crept over the tree tops, signifying the coming of the new day. Derpy was first to stir in her sleeping bag, as she poped her head out and let out a loud yawn. She got out of her sleeping bag and made her way to the food bag, determined to get her hooves on her most favorite food. She burried her head into the bag and shoved her snout around, hoping to catch a whif of the sweet, baked goodness. After five seconds or so, her nose hit the jackpot. She dove completely into the bag and after a minute of struggling she emerged victorious with muffin in hoof! She returned to her sleeping bag and started to devour the muffin.
It wasn't long before the others got up and joined her in breakfast, as last night left them all with empty stomachs. Thunder started a camp fire as Lightning got some eggs out of the magical cooler. Rainbow Dash had decided to sleep in a tree, and was now discovering the consequence of doing so, as she was now coverd in tree sap. "About last night..." Thunder began. "What happened in that castle before the Timberwolves showed up?"
"I'm not sure...for some reason I felt drawn to it. Like I was supposed to go in there. But when I got in there I found this big statue thing. It had five large ball shaped things on it. When I touched one I felt like...like Rainbow Dash was there...only she wasn't. I felt like there were four others there too, but I couldn't recognise them. Yet they felt familiar to me. Like I've known them my whole life." Lightning said, starting to shake alittle.
"It's OK son...I'm here." Thunder said, hugging his son. "Though this statue of yours is a huge mystery to historians and researchers alike. The only known reference to this place is a book called The Elements of Harmony." He continued. "Oddly, the book is quick to reference another tome, called Mare in the Moon. If your interested son I've got a copy of The Elements of Harmony back in my study at home. Though you'll have to go to the royal library in Canterlot for the other book."
How much farther to the ruin Dad?" Lightning asked.
"Ghastly's Gorge starts just after the ruins of Old Canterlot, which we camped in. So we are less than an hour away." Thunder replied.
Lightning got up. "Hey guys we're almost there!" He cried with joy.
"This is so awsome!" Rainbow said. "This is gonna be such a cool story to tell at Flight Camp!"
"Everypony it's time to pack up camp!" Thunder said. "We're almost there and if we leave now we could be done and back home by tonite!"
The foals' ears all perked at the sound of that. The rest of the morning was quiet as they finished breakfast and pulled camp. The only impact on the site being the destroyed bridge over the ravine. The foursome circled around the ruined castle and before them was the infamous Ghastly's Gorge. As they peered over the edge they saw a deep ravine into the ground filled with razor sharp rocks and mutiple thorn covered plants of various kinds. Thankfully for the adventurers they were pegasi and could fly over it all. They flew a mile in and quickly found themselves surrounded by ruins that, while structurally less damaged than Old Canterlot, look far more ancient.
"This is it guys!" Thunder exclaimed proudly, "We'ved arelrived at the ruins of the lost pegasus tribe: The Thunder Cloud Tribe."
"Who are they?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"They were a pegasus tribe that predates even the pegasus tribe led by Commander Hurrican." Thunder continued. "They were a peacful tribe that practiced weather control to an art form. In fact they achieved such a level of mastery that they discovered ways to control aspects of the weather without clouds."
"woah" The foals' jaws hanging.
"So what happened to them?" Derpy asked.
"Apparently nopony really knows that still lives to this day. Since they even predate the royal sisters themselves." Thunder answered. "But, a popular belief is that at the hieght of their power, Commander Hurricane rose to power in Pegasopholos. He caught wind of this proud, powerful tribe and personally hunted them down. Even going as far as to kill every last stallion and colt, and capture all the mares and fillies. He then indoctrinated them into Pegasopholosian society, thus ensuring the end of the Thunder Cloud Tribe. Some even say that the Windigos were actually an apperation created by the Thunder Cloud Tribe as an act of revenge on Hurricane and everyone whose heart was as cold as his. But now we will know the truth! Come on everypony! It's time we solved this mystery once and for all!" With that they approached the forbidding entrance.
They entered the ruins as the sun reached the high noon mark in the sky. The sound of hooves on stone echoing off the walls of the gorge. The ruins were layed out like a labyrinth, confusing and twisting. They passed by many large structures, but they only had small slits in them. After an hour of finding their way through the twisting maze, they finally reached the cobweb covered entryway of the inner ruins at last. As they looked in the hallway was seemingly engulfed by darkness as it extended into the wall of the gorge. The stone was all a dark marble with worn gold molding and crowning, indicating that they could of been perhaps as sophisticated as Canterlot is today. "Be careful everypony." Thunder said, voice with worry. The four of them trotted close to eachother as they approached a large dark marble door. As they stepped closer a pattern on the floor beneath them glowed a faint purple. The mysterious light followed the markings of what looked like a warrior standing before a series of obstacles before him. The light converged on a lightning bolt crest at the top of the door as the sound of stone grinding on stone echoed throughout the large entry chamber. Bolts of lightning jumped across a series of lengthed raised ledges on the walls as they came ablaze with a purple-white flame, illuminating the room.
"Wow!" Was all the foals could mutter as the once dormant ruins now came to life. As the lights banished the darkness away their feelings of aw quickly turned to shock as in the corners and against the walls were many ancient armor clad skeletons. Thunder approached one and examined the armor.
"They have been here for probably at least two thousand years..." he muttered to himself. He took a closer look. "It can't be...this armor belonged to the armies of Pegasopholos." He backed a little. "If they really were here than the legend was right."
"Dad! The door is opening!" Lightning said as the light around the door faded as it started to open. Dust fell out of the space around the door as it lowered into the floor. More lightning caressed the next chamber as more large torches and ledges came to life.
Thunder left the skeletons and joined the others as they beheld the next chamber. To their astonishment, the walls and floor here were different than the entry. Instead of the lavish marble there was fine cut stone instead. Derpy took one step in and the tile under her hoof depressed into the floor. To her suprise a metal spear jutted out of the wall to her left and stopped about two feet to her right. She looked up to see the spike just inches over her head. Clearly a trap meant for a grown pony.
"I said be careful!" Thunder said sternly. "We don't know what we're dealing with here so stay on the lookout!"
"Maybe we can just fly over it?" Rainbow suggested. She hovered about ten feet in before a strange orb on the ceiling cast a familiar purple glow on the airborn filly. One second later a wall opened up revealing an array of small holes.
"Get out of there!" Lightning yelled, causing Rainbow to turn just in time to avoid the rain of small spikes being launched from the wall. Rainbow quickly returned to the group as the wall closed and the spear retracted back into the wall.
"I guess we can't fly in here." Lightning said. "What should we do Dad?"
"Well for starters this is getting way too dangerous for little foals to tag along. I need you guys to go back outside and set up camp till I'm done here." Thunder said.
"You won't hear argument from me!" Lightning said with a hint of fear.
"Or me!" Derpy said.
"Then it's settled. You guys go set up camp while I-" Thunder was cut off by the sound of the heavy marble door sliding back into place. "No...No!" Thunder yelled as he slammed a hoof into the door. He turned to face the foals. "Now listen very closely. It appears now that the only way out now is forward. Everypony stick close and be very careful where you step."
They nervously proceeded across the room, eye peeled for more traps. Thunder, having explored many ruins before, knew what to look for when it came to traps. Before Dash could take another step, Thunder barred her with a foreleg. He used a wing to point at the floor. She had almost triggered a sudden pit trap, which would of pulld the floor out from beneath them like a rug. Below that was likely a spike pit. "Clever..." Thunder thought aloud.
"What do you mean Thunder?" Derpy asked.
"A trap meant for earth ponies in a room where a pegasus is grounded by wall traps. It's the perfect combo. Too perfect in fact." Thunder replied. He helped the foals over the trigger and they proceeded to the next room. However they were too focused on the traps to notice the wolf like shadow trailing them closely.
The next room was even more imposing than the last. This one was a series of open chambers with narrow corridors connecting them. They entered the first open chamber, a large room with small platforms suspended over a deep spike filled pit. Like the previous room, this one was also made of the same dark fine cute stone as before. The four adventurers cautiously neared the edge of the ledge. "Looks like we need to jump across..." Thunder said. Lightning jumped first, landing on the first platform with uneasy balance. After a moment of collecting himself, he turned to face the others.
"It's seems stable!" Lightning yelled to the others. He then jumped to the next one. The others followed suit as they crossed the chamber. Upon reaching the other side, they landed on a pressure plate that activated a series of automated traps. Included were swinging axes, horizontal columbs covered in spikes that spin, and various other overkill traps. Everyponys eyes grew to the size of dinner plates at the sight of so many death traps.
"This looks impossible!" Derpy said, her eyes trying to track the motions of the traps.
"Wait. Theres a carving on the wall...instructions maybe?" Thunder looked closely at the carving on the wall. It depicted a warrior before a bunch of traps with looked like a lever at the other end. The next part showing the lever pushed down and no more traps. "This is crazy!" Thunder said. "The only way for us all to get through is for somepony to go through and pull that lever at the other end."
"I'll do it." Lightning said.
"No son, I can't let you and-"Thunder was cut off by Lightning.
"With my small size I will have better luck. Please let me try." Lightning pleaded.
"Just please be careful son." Thunder said. With that Lightning stood before the complicated array of traps.
Lightning watched the axes for a few seconds before heading towards them. He let the first one swing before passing it and standing on his hinds between it and the next one. He repeated this until the axes were behind him and a series of large rolling pin like spike traps spun before him. Many were on fixed positions but a few were moving on tracks on the walls and floors. He unfurld his wings to fly but several dome like structures on the ceiling dissuaded him from doing so. He once again studied the trap for a few seconds before heading into it. He dodged the first pin and rolled under the next as he barely missed it by an inch. He quickly got up and lept through a small opening in the pins, only to catch a cut from one as he passed through. He landed and held a hoof to his side as a small trickle of blood ran down his light blue coat. He then found himself before a combination of the last two. He again studied it followed by entering it. He tried his tactic that worked on the first set of axes but just as he tried to enter the 'safe zone' between axes a row of metal spears jutted out of the wall, nearly impalling him. He twisted his body and threw himself around the next axe, barely making it through. As he passed the axe another spear jutted out. It's blade nicking Lightnings left foreleg. He made it through though, but now he was starting to wish he hadn't volunteered for this. He banished that thought as he faced the final trap, a narrow corridor lined with holes and the floor lined with strange tiles.
This trap was different from the others, as this one wasn't active. Though Lightning learned otherwise as he stepped on a tile. In less than a second a spear jutted from a hole in the wall, it's head stopping shortly after where the tile was. After a few seconds the spear retracted. Curious, Lightning took a bone off the floor and threw it onto another tile. Like before, another spear came out. But this time it didn't retract. He pressed another tile but instead of a spear it was a jet of flame instead. He then took a closer look at the tiles. On them was a depiction of three different things. A spear, fire, and what looked like an arrow. He pressed an arrow tile. There was a burst of arrows from the wall. He made a mental note to definately not touch arrow tiles. He thought of the cliche tipe puzzle floor trap in storys like Daring Do, but all the tiles here had no safe path. All of them were trapped. He then had an idea. Biuld a path out of spears. He gathered as many loose objects as he could and biult his bridge spear by spear, going between the tiles and the objects like a relay. He was halfway through when he accidently dropped a rock on a flame tile, nearly burning himself to a crisp. After more relaying he finally arrived at the other end of the corridor, The lever before him.
Lightning took a deep breath as he placed his hooves on the lever, it slightly shifting under his hoof. The only way out was forward however, and so after gathering his nerve he pulled down with all his strength. With a few hard tugs, the lever gave, as it slid down into place. Once the lever reached the down position, it locked into place, causing many grinding noises to eminate from the walls and floor as all the traps grinded to a halt and retracted into the walls. The way was opened and Lightning motioned everypony to get over to join him at the other end. Thunder embraced his son. "I did it! I did it!" Lightning excitedly cheered.
"Impressive son! I'm so proud of you! Now lets get out of here!" Thunder said. As they left the room, a wolf like shadow trailed closely behind. As the four of them left the room, an eriee light started to follow the groves around and away from the lever. The light made it's way to the main entry chamber, where it collected in a nexus on the ceiling. It then shot a bolt of purple lightning at a pegasopholosian warrior's skeleton. After a moment bright purple light burst forth from it's eye as it's skeletal form began to violently shake as it arose from the ground. It's body contorted as energy biult within it's rib cage then released, slowly giving movement to the long dead warrior. Upon setting it's hooves on the floor, it grabbed up it's rusty old sword and start lumbering towards a now open small door in a side wall. The dark magic then struck the other skeletons strewn about the entry, reanimating them one by one until all of them were awoken.
Rainbow Dash was about to say something before hearing what she could of sworn was the sound of several dozen hooves on stone. "Did anypony hear that?" Rainbow asked.
"Hear what?" Lightning asked back with a strange look.
The noise got slightly closer.
"That! There it is again!" Rainbow said.
Lightning listened closely, but heard nothing. For some reason though a low amount of fear slowly started to grip him. "Dad, are we near the end yet?" He nevously said.
"Whats wrong son?"Thunder asked, seeing fear in Lightning's eyes.
"I...I don't know, I feel like we really need to get out of here." Lightning said.
"There it is again!" Rainbow said, feqr now starting to get to her as well. The group looked down both ends of the hallway but saw nothing. Lightnings heart was starting to race now as he too could now hear the sound of several hooves besides those around him.
Suddenly the walls and floors started to shift as the whole hallway started to change completely. Lightning tried to reach his father but a wall with some barred windows came between them as the shifting came to a stop. The walls opened as several dozen undead warriors poured into both chambers. Thunder drew his blade as he turned to face the dark beings. Lightning and his friends backed up against the wall as the shambling armored skeletons slowly approached. "What are th-they?" Lightning asked through the bars, now visibly trembling with fear.
"They must be the skeletons we saw when we entered!" Thunder said, still facing the horde of death thirsty skeletal abominations. "This place must of brought them back to life to protect something. Lightning, take my spare dagger and get your friends out of here! If my suspisions are right than the tunnles they came out of should lead back to the entrance!" He swung his sword at a skeleton as he tried to continue. "Get out of here son!"
Just as Rainbow started to tug on Lightning's wing to get him to leave, a knarly scar'd up Timberwolf entered Thunder's chamber. "Lightning! Go now!" He yelled as he destroyed another skeleton. The horde started to crowd around the foals as Lightning tried to see his dad. Derpy and Rainbow started to grab Lightning as the Alpha Timberwolf lept upon Thunder and bit down on his foreleg. He let out a cry of pain as another wall started to come down between Lightning and his dad, this one with no windows.
"No Dad! NO!" Lightning yelled as all.he could hear was the sound of fighting as the wall came to a stop, putting even the fighting noises out. The skeletons around them crumbled as he heard a shrill howling throughout the dungeon, followed by silence. Rainbow and Derpy helped him outside as he collasped to the ground in tears.
Lightning lay on the ground sobbing as Derpy and Rainbow Dash could but look upon Lightning as he dispared over what had just happened. The situation replayed in his head ahundred times over. He tried to think of ways he could of maybe turned things around or even prevented it. But to his dismay he had no choice but to leave him behind withe the undead and the wolf. Every time he thought of that last moment he saw his father tears welled up in his eyes again. That crushing moment of failure to save him. He could still be alive...right? After all he heard fighting after the wall came down. But then he heard that horrible howl, as if the Alpha had be reveling in victory. No! Thunder was strong! He wouldn't die like this! But what if he did? This argument continued to rage in his head for hours until the sun had nearly set. He looked at the dagger his dad threw him. He never even used it. The undead had collasped before even trying to harm him and his friends. He cried more as he pulled the sheathed blade close to himself, it now all he had to remember his father with. Rainbow trod up to Lightning and placed a hoof on his shoulder. He couldn't take it anymore as he turned to Rainbow with eyes heavy with tears.
"I'm here for you Lightning." Rainbow said, embracing him. "I won't leave you hanging."
Derpy went over and offered her muffin to Lightning. "If it helps," Derpy said with tears in her eyes,"you can have my last muffin."
The three foals then couldn't hold it in any longer. They cried in eachothers forelegs as they mourned Lightning Ace's father. After a while of grieving they decided it best to return to Ponyville for the night. It was a long, silent, and cold flight back as the trio made it to the town limits of Ponyville. They entered an apple orchard in search of somewhere to sleep as it was getting too late and dark for them to safely fly the rest of the way back to Cloudsdale. They searched until coming across an abandoned treehouse in a secluded part of the farm. With nowhere else to go they decide to sleep there for the night. They entered the cobweb filled structure as fatigue set in on all three of them. Before falling asleep Derpy turned to Lightning, "I think he lived. I believe he defeated those awful things and got out." Derpy said.
"Maybe your right." Lightning said as he turned over to face her. "I mustn't dispare. He'll likely escape and adventure some more. Some day he'll come back home. But...what-what if he...he..." tears began to fill his eyes.
"We're here for you Lightning." They both said. They cried themselves to sleep that night as a warm breeze wafted through the small room. For a moment, Lightning could feel his dad's embrace once more as he fell asleep. The breeze gently flowed through the leaves of the tree the clubhouse was built in. The leaves rustling like a soft lulliby. The sky was clear that night, filled with what seemed like brighter than normal stars. The little animals of the undergrowth were even quiet this night, as not to disturb the foals within the treehouse. Lightning's sleep was filled with the happy memories of his father raising him and spending time with him. Thunder would bring Lightning to small, long overgrown ruins and tell him about them. He'd then joke about why somepony would build such a small structure in the first place. Lightning would laugh. His memory turned to seeing his mom and dad together. They loved eachother very much. They'd sit outside and watch sunsets and sunrises, they'd fly around Cloudsdale together. And they loved Lightning more than anything else. The dream continued all the way until dawn, when the sunlight crept upon him and woke him, like Princess Celestia herself had come to sooth his heavy heart. He woke with a newfound determination today, he was no longer taking anything for granted. He would live on for his father, Thunder Ace. And so Lightning and his friends returned to Cloudsdale with Flight Camp once again at the front of their minds. Lightning now more determined than ever to make the most of it.
Lightning finally had the strength to get out of bed and preen himself as he still was distraught over what had happend. He had told himself to move on, but he knew things would never be the same. For the sake of his mother Sky Breeze he decided to try to believe that perhaps his father wasn't gone and would one day return. It was a happy thought, though somewhat hollow concidering what he saw. Lightning did have one other thing to remember him by, his study. Thunder had told him about the Thunderstorm Tribe, and their link to the Elements of Harmony. About how they could control weather without clouds. Like gods. It all sounded far fetched to Lightning, but two things kept bugging him. The first thing was what had happened in Old Canterlot in the Everfree Forest. How he felt some sort of connection to the strange statue. Especially how he felt the pressence of not only his friend Rainbow Dash, but four complete strangers as well. He also felt a really strong connection to one in particular, but he couldn't put his hoof on it. It also felt like something, or somepony was missing. Like it was hidden. He needed answers.
So Lightning headed to Thunder's private study, to read The Elements of Harmony, hoping it might hold the key to his mystery. He entered the dusty room and flew up to the bookshelf that the book he was looking for sat on. He struggled to get it down and managed to get the heavy tome onto the table. He studied the book for hours as it pratically led him in circles. By the end of the book he really only learned that there was something called "the spark" and a redirect to "Mare in the Moon". He decided that he would go to canterlot after Flight Camp and before school to read it. He would solve this mystery for dad. To finish what he started. "Lightning! Your going to be late for Camp!" came his mom's voice from down the hall.
"Coming!" Lightning yelled back. He closed the tome and carefully put it back. Before leaving the room he looked back into it. In the study, he felt almost like Thunder was still there. He closed the door and flew down the stairs and past Sky. "Bye Mom! I'll write!" All Sky could manage was a wave, as Lightning was already out of earshot.
It was an average day in Cloudsdale, generally clear sky, little to no wind, warm, a typical day. Lightning met Derpy and Rainbow Dash halfway, then they flew the rest of the way together. "You ready for a summer of awsomeness?" Rainbow said.
"You know it Rainbow!" Lightning chirped cheerfully.
"What's with the large bag?" Rainbow asked.
"I...I'm not going back home after camp." Lightning said.
"Why?" Derpy asked, a confused look on her face.
"I...I just can't. I need to..to think. I don't know. My Dad was trying to solve something and I feel like I need to finish what he started. A book in Canterlot might hold the key." Lightning explained. "I'm doing it for him."
"Well more power to you Lightning."Rainbow said. "Look! We're almost there!" She said, pointing a hoof towards the Flight Camp itself. As the three of them passed over a ridge of cloud the camp started to come into view. It's dominant feature, the runways, were sitting on a large cloud surrounded by several smaller clouds that had biuldings and.small take off platforms. At several points around the camp were small cloud rings positioned at various points that formed a course of sorts. As they got closer more details came into view. Lightning could make out the start line, complete with bleachers and flags. Around the main runway were a few large biuldings with a few tall flag polls with large red flags. As they started the final approach, they were greeted by a rep from the camp. She was a slender mare that wore a hat bearing the logo of Summer Flight Camp. She had a clipboard in one hoof and a pencil in the other.
"And you three must be the last of the newcomers!" She said excitedly. "Welcome to Summer Flight Camp! If you'll follow me I'll take you to the others. They should be on the runway now waiting for the opening orentation." She then led them down to the others who had already gathered on the runway itself. The four of them landed on the hard road like surface as the mare trotted over to the coach. The coach was a tall and strongly biult stallion that sported a coaches hat and whistle. His cutie mark was a checkered flag, indicating that he may have been into racing before he was a flight camp coach. His coat was light grey and his short mane and tail were dark grey. His eyes were a light yellow. He trotted up and down the crowd of foals before him, essencially sizing them up. He made his way to a spot were he could see them all and turned to face them.
"Welcome everypony to Summer Flight Camp!" The Coach said. "I am Coach Steel Wings, but you can call me Coach Steel!" The crowd looked eager to start as he looked upon them. He knew it would be a long summer.
As Coach Steel trotted down the line, He saw nothing but true determination. In all but one pony. In the back row was a rather thin looking pegasus foal with a light yellowish coat. She had a long pink mane and tail that had a natural grace to them. Like Lightning Ace and Rainbow Dash, she too was a blank flank. She was seemingly very timid, and was cowering behind a larger foal. Steel payed it no mind though, as there was always a nervous foal or two every year. Derpy saw the pitiful filly and approached her, eager to try to befriend her. It only resulted in the filly shying away more. Derpy fell to her haunches with a sad, disappointed lpok on her face. Lightning and Rainbow went over to Derpy. "Well she's shy." Rainbow bluntly said.
"I wonder why?" Lightning asked.
"She looks like she needs a friend." Derpy said.
"Attention everypony!" Steel shouted.
"Looks like it's time to get back." Lightning said. The three of them returned to the crowd before Steel.
"Once again welcome to Summer Flight Camp! You have come to the right place to hone your flying skills! Now. I will go through your names once more now that all of you are here!" Steel announced then cleared his throat. "When I call your name, just say 'here'. First name is Derpy Hooves."
"Here!" Derpy chirped.
"Blossomforth." Steel continued.
"Here!" She said.
"Thunder Lane."
"Here!" Thunder Lane said.
"Cloud Breaker."
"Here!" Cloud said. Lightning felt a lump in his throat as Cloud was announced.
"Rainbow Dash."
"Here!" Rainbow shouted.
"Lightning Ace."
"Here!" Lightning said, his eyes watching Cloud.
"Fluttershy."
No answer.
"Fluttershy!" Steel said a little louder.
"...here" came a soft, almost whisper of a voice.
"I can't hear you!" Steel said in Fluttershy's direction.
"I'm...here." Fluttershy said, it just barely audible.
Steel continued down the list over the course of the morning hours. He was taken off guard by Fluttershy's somewhat extreme shyness, but he dad dealt with her type before. All he had to do was help her build some self esteem...right? At any rate he decided to leave it be for now, as he still had to oreintat the foals in where they will be staying. Among other things. "Now, off to your left you will see a few structures." He continued. "I will be splitting you into three groups." This news sent a chill down Lightning's spine. "You see the three flags? I will call each of you to a flag. Each is color coded to represent a team. This will determine where you will be sleeping, among other things. Now I would like you all to get a sheet that has your team rosters. Use them to find your team." With that there was much movement as everypony made there way to their team flag. Much to the horror of Lightning, He got split from Rainbow Dash. He ended up with Derpy though, so it wasn't all bad. But what worried him was that Cloud Breaker was in Rainbow's group. The super shy filly was in Lightning's group as well. "Now that you're in teams, go to your designated dorms. They have your team flag so finding them should be easy." Steel said. "Good luck to all of you and see you all in the morning. Dismissed!" The crowd dispersed after that.
Lightning and Derpy found their dorm, which was near the edge of the Flight Camp. It was a simple structure, yet not too shabby. "Well, it's not so bad." Lightning said to Derpy.
"Why did they separate us?" Derpy asked.
"I don't know Derpy, but we might as well settle in." Lightning said.
"Will we still get to hang out with her?" Derpy asked.
"I hope so, I really don't like the idea that Cloud is in her group." Lightning said.
They entered the bunkhouse. It was a simple and functional structure. It had a long row of bunks along both sides of the room. Lightning and Derpy trod over to the rear of the long room, to where their bunks were. Lightning wasted no time in personalizing his spot. He half unpacked his bag and set up a few things on his bunkside table, picture of his parents among them. The sun was going down, and everypony knew tommorow would be a long day. Lightning climbed into bed and fell asleep.
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.
Lightning shot up in his bed with a cold sweat as his eyes frantically searched the room. Making sure that the nightmare wasn't real. After what felt like hours Lightning's nerves finally calmed down. He slid out of his bunk and made his way to the bathroom. Most everyponyelse was still asleep, so he took extra care not to wake anypony. He entered the bathroom and approached the sink. After preening himself he left the bathroom to return to his bunk. By now more foals have woken up and were conversing about various things. Derpy was also now up, and was cutely munching on a muffin.
"Where did you get that muffin?" Lightning asked Derpy.
"I found it!"Derpy squeed. "It's even my favourite flavor!" She continued to munch on the muffin.
Lightning facehoofed. He then looked out the window. It was a typical summer morning, as the sun rose above the horizon. Lightning gazed upon the track that encircled the whole of Flight Camp. Suddenly, a camp rep entered the dorm. "Everypony should head to the main structure for breakfast." She said. "If you'll all follow me." She motioned to the foals to line up behind her. Once they lined up she led them out the door and then to the cafeteria. All but one foal took to the air, the shy light yellow foal with the pink mane and tail. Lightning noticed her.
"Fluttershy! Are you coming?" Lightning asked.
She hoofed at the cloud. Lightning looked back at Derpy. "Go with the others. I'm gonna see if I can help fluttershy." Derpy nodded and flew off with the others. Lightning then turned back to Fluttershy. He trotted over to her and sat on his haunches. He decided to try the diplomatic approach to get through her shyness. Even though he heard her name on the first day, he reintroduced himself anyway. "Hi, I'm Lightning Ace, It's nice to meet you." He said.
She slightly shy'd away. Though Lightning wouldn't be defeated easily. "Sooo...where do you come from? Are you from around here as well?" He asked.
She only answered with a nod. 'Yes!' Lightning thought, 'I'm in!' "I mean you no trouble if that helps." Lightning said. As he looked at her he couldn't help but feel like he already met her.
She brushed her mane out of her face and looked into Lightning's eyes. Lightning suddenly felt unable to move, but he didn't feel alarmed. It was like she was peering into his very soul, discerning his very essence. This continued for a few minutes until she suddenly stopped and broke eye contact. "My name is Fluttershy. It's nice to meet you Lightning!" She suddenly opened up. Her expression changed to a sad and forgiving on. "It's OK Lightning...I know the feeling of loss hurts but you'll be fine." She said.
Her words hit right at home in his mind, tears now forming in his eyes. 'How does she know?' He thought, unable to speak. His thoughts were broken by Fluttershy hugging him, his sorrow somehow lessened by her kindness. 'Kindness' the word echoed in his mind. He allowed himself to cry for reasons unknown. "Thank you Fluttershy." Lightning said. "I needed that. But we really should get to breakfast." Fluttershy nodded and the two of them flew to the cafeteria.
Breakfast was already underway as Lightning and Fluttershy entered the cafeteria. They went over to the serving area and got their food, some fried eggs and toast. They took the food and made for the table that Derpy was sitting at. "Hey Derpy, where's Rainbow Dash?" Lightning asked.
"I think she's with others from her dorm." Derpy replied.
"Oh...well I'd like you to meet Fluttershy. Fluttershy this is Derpy." Lightning said.
"Hi Fluttershy." Derpy said. "Do you like muffins? I love muffins! Especially blueberry muffins!"
"Umm well I..." Fluttershy studdered.
"Um Derpy..." Lightning was interupted.
"And banana muffins!" Derpy continued.
"Derpy!" Lightning said.
"Oh...sorry Fluttershy." Derpy said.
"It's...fine." Fluttershy said.
They then ate breakfast as Lightning told Fluttershy how he met Derpy, and how he's been there to defend her. He was about to start about how he lost his father but breakfast time had ended. Steel had entered and was about to announce today's activity. "Good morning everypony!" Steel said. "Today we're going to test all of you to see what you've all got. This will help us to give you all the best experience we can offer. If you'll all follow me." With that everypony brought their empty trays to the serving area, then lined up behind Coach Steel. They exited the building and all ascended to a cloud overlooking the main cloud the runway sat on.
"First the red team will be tested." Steel said turning to Rainbow Dash's team. "First on the list is Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow Dash trotted up to the edge of the cloud and flexed her wings. She then coiled down and launched, leaving a rainbow trail in her wake. This suprised Lightning as the only other pegasi to leave a trail were the Wonderbolts. And this was the first time she had ever done it. It left everypony in aw, as the only explanation was in the old mares tale of the Sonic Rainboom. It were as if she had tapped into a deep well of power that was never before touched. She circled the platform then landed.
"Next up, Lightning Ace of the blue team." Steel said.
Lightning approached the edge and looked back at everypony. 'How can I possibly measure up to THAT!?' Lightning thought. He took a deep breath and took off, trying hard to give his own take off as much flair as Rainbow Dash. Unfortunately he was only average. For most ponies this would suffice...but not for Lightning! Before landing he bolted upward. Steel stopped himself from giving chase, he wanted to see what Lightning would do. Lightning flew high enough that he could see all of Cloudsdale below him. He looped twice then flew straight down, gaining intense speed. At this point there was no turning back. Everypony was watching. Though even he didn't know what he was attempting. As he gained speed a mach cone started to form upon him. He had gone too fast. For a split second, a small arc of lightning issued from his body, but his small form could take the speed no more. He needed to stop, and fast. He knew that at this speed not even the clouds would slow his descent. So he started to pull up. Still at near mach one, he slowly managed to pull out of the nose dive. If he could get horizontal, he could try to slow himself using gravity. As he got level the mach cone dissapeared. 'At least I'm not at mach one anymore' Lightning thought as he quickly approached Flight Camp. Though he nearly lost complete control, he had at least partially sold his point. He landed completely worn out but in front of a nearly speechless croud. "Impressive." Was all Steel said. "Next up is Fluttershy."
Fluttershy was now nearly frozen with fear. The first two ponies to go were unbelievable. Rainbow Dash now leaves rainbow vapor trails and Lightning nearly did a sonic boom. How could she possibly compete? She nervously approached the edge and peered over, the cloud below seeming farther than usual. Her vision started to blur as her shyness and fear of heights got the better of her. She was rooted to the spot, as she could feel all eyes on her. Steel simply pushed her off the cloud. She flailed for a second, then plummited to the cloud below, where a croud of foals had gathered. She impacted the cloud, leaving a small crater in her wake. She lay completly still. All eyes were on her. Then, just as things couldn't get any worse, "FLUTTERSHY, FLUTTERSHY, FLUTTERSHY CAN HARDLY FLY!" They chanted. They repeated it again and again. Lightning was now disgusted with himself. Had he not tried so hard...he couldn't take it anymore. He flew off back to his dorm in tears.
Rainbow Dash was in awe of what she did. Not very many ponies could leave a trail as they flew. The wonderbolts being the only known pegasi to be able to do so. She stood tall and proud of her accomplishment, absorbing the attention and basking in the glory. Lightning was next as he was called to step up to the ledge. He took off and flew extremely high. She had to squint as he did a loop high up then entered a nose dive. She was then distracted by Cloud Breaker who was trying to get her attention. "Hey Rainbow!" He yelled. "Can I have a word with you?"
"Wait, what about the tests?" Rainbow asked.
"We've already been tested Dash. Besides, what I want to show you is important." Cloud said. "It has something to do with your new rainbow trail."
"That was awsome! I'd love to hear how I was able to do that!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"Then follow me." Cloud said, as he gave an evil grin as they trotted away from everypony. As they left Rainbow Dash could of sworn she heard what had sounded like chanting of some kind. "What was that?" She asked.
"Nothing Dash...lets keep going." Cloud said.
She followed him back to their dorm. They entered it and he led her to the chest next to his bunk. He opened it and pulled out a small book. He hoofed it to her. "'The Sonic Rainboom'?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"It was passed down by my family." Cloud boasted. "It is an account of all pegasi who have the ability to perform a Sonic Rainboom. The last was my great great uncle."
Rainbow was hoofed the book. She immediately opened it. She fliped through several pages until she reached the tale itself, then read it without delay. Her eyes grew large as she finished it awhile later. "And you think I could pull it of?" Rainbow asked.
"It'll be hard work, but you can do it. The ability to do it is in your blood. This talent was for you to unlock and you alone." Cloud said.
"When do we begin?" Rainbow asked.
"Now if you like, Dash." Cloud replied.
"Then what are we waiting for? Lets do this!" Rainbow enthusiatically said.
"Then we have much to do!" Cloud said, " Follow me." 'This was just too easy!' he thought to himself as he led her to the edge of camp. 'Once Rainbow Dash does the Sonic Rainboom, Lightning will be outright crushed by defeat!' Once they arrived the training started without delay. He knew they couldn't be gone for long so they trained during the time between events.
A few days had passed since training started, and Cloud had just gotten Dash's hooves wet. He was then able to show her the proper way to lock her wings during the descent. It took her a few tries and another few days of practice but she managed to get it down. But she still had more training to do. Soon days turned into weeks, and the training was getting more intense. The whole while he had to keep her training a secret, especially from Lightning. Lest his grand scheme be ruined by the pegasus he hated most. Every day Dash got stronger, faster, and she started to develop a bit of an attitude. But she pressed on non the less. Soon a whole month had passed, and Cloud thought it was time for a test. He led her to their usual training cloud. "Rainbow Dash, it's time to see how far you've come." Cloud said "Fly up high and do the routine as practiced." With that she took off and flew straight up. Soon the whole of Equestria was beneath her. She did a couple of loops then went into a nose dive. Cloud was at the ready to catch her with a large cloud. He knew she wouldn't achieve the Sonic Rainboom on this run, but he needed to see the progress non the less anyway. As Dash continued her rapid descent, a small cone started to form in front of her. She then got too tired to maintain the speed. She lost the cone and shortly after crashed into the cloud. "Not bad Dash!" Cloud said, "A little more training, and you'll be doing Rainbooms in your sleep!"
Training then resumed after that, Rainbow Dash now pushing harder than ever to be strong enough to prove the legend true. She wanted nothing less than to BE a legend. Another couple of weeks of training and Dash was becoming a faster, more agile flier. She often out flew everypony in almost all the events. Her only challenge coming from her friend Lightning Ace, to whom she had become a rival of. Every event and exercise usually came to the same climax. Rainbow and Lightning would outfly everyponyelse. They would then often finish the event with a photo finish, literally winning by a nose. The wins would go back and forth, Lightning then Dash, Lightning then Dash. And this only hardened the rivalry more. Rainbow Dash didn't care though. Training was the only thing on her mind now.
Lightning Ace had failed to protect his new friend Fluttershy. He had ran. He just couldn't take it. He flew as hard as he could back to his team's dorm in tears. His failure stung unlike any wound in a fight. He simply just layed there, tears flowing. What could he have done differently? He reran what had happened over and over. He could of just done a normal take off. Or just shyed away. But envy overtook him. Rainbow Dash had a bucking rainbow trail. How could he...anypony possibly measure up to that? He had tried to do a sonic boom, to try to impress everypony. But would they even care? How could a plain sonic boom even possibly hope to best something as extravagant as a very literal rainbow trail? He had of course heard the tale of the Sonic Rainboom, from his father. He had a copy in his study. It didn't matter now though. He failed, and now it crushed him entirely.
A light yellow hoof rested on his shoulder. Lightning turned to see Fluttershy, who had looked like she too had cried out her pain. She gave him a forgiving look that melted his burden of failure away. "Are you OK?" Fluttershy asked. Her voice a soothing, almost motherly voice.
"I...I..." Lightning choked up, not even being able to speak. Only more tears ran down the sides of his face. "Ple...please..." he could barely even look her in the eyes. "Please forgive me...I didn't mean to...to..." Lightning sobbed more.
"It's OK Lightning, I forgive you." Fluttershy said.
Lightning finally calmed down, wiping the tears away with his foreleg. He got off his bunk and faced his new friend. "Thanks Fluttershy. I really am sorry if I-" he was interupted by what sounded like somepony being chased. Only, it didn't sound happy or playful. Lightning's gut feeling told him that trouble was occuring. He bolted out the door and headed around the corner to see what was going on. It was a couple of foals Lightning had seen before...It hit him like a rock. They were Cloud's thugs from back when he threatened Derpy. And now they were chasing somepony he didn't know. The foal was a colt with a bright red coat that had a yellow, neon orange, and navy blue tail. Lightning delayed no longer. He clearly needed help. He took off and persued the thugs. They weaved through biuldings and other obstacles as Lightning had drawn closer. As he approached he could tell they had already fought. Though the wounds on the other red foal looked worse. He clearly put up a fight. Lightning put more power into it and closed the gap, tackling the green thug and draging him down to the clouds below. Who ever the stranger was seemingly read Lightning's mind and did the same. He too grabbed a thug and sent him crashing below. The stranger foal landed next to Lightning as the thugs got back up. "Well well what do we got here?" the green thug said. The thugs inched closer. Lightning and the stranger were backed to the edge of the cloud, nowhere to run.
"Looks like we fight." Lightning said to the colt.
"We can take 'em" the colt said boldly.
"Heh heh...just try it loser." one of the thugs said.
"Gladly." was all Lightning said before rushing him. Lightning flew fast and low at the teal thug and plowed his hoof up into his chest. But before he could land another blow he got grabbed from behind by the green thug. The thug only grinned as he held Lightning still. The teal thug got back up and went up to Lightning, now captive by the green thug. The teal thug laughed as he pummeled away at Lightning. He took several painful blows in multiple spots as the thugs relished in his wimpers of pain between flurries. After several cycles of beating they let Lightning drop to the cloud. The colt had enough. This colt had tried to save him, a complete stranger from these bullies. And he got the hay beaten out of him. His wings shot out and he plowed his body into the green thug. As Lightning watched his vision started to blur, then all was dark.
He awoke to Derpy staring at him at close range. "I helped!" She chirped.
"What happened?" Lightning asked. "Where's that colt?"
"I'm over here!" He excitedly said. "My names Flash Firestorm. And you are?"
"I'm Lightning Ace...why were they after you?" Lightning asked.
"I'm not sure actually." Flash said, "I think they just wanted to beat somepony up. You almost acted if you know them. Do you?"
"This was not our first fight no. They were the ones who tried to hurt Derpy." Lightning answered. It was starting to get late now and other foals were now starting to enter the dorm.
"Thanks again Flash. Maybe you should stay here! To you know, watch eachother's back and all." Lightning said. Flash agreed, and the four foals stayed up late telling stories and past experiences. Tomorrow would be hard though, but now he had a new friend. And he now knew what he must do. He fell asleep as the others did the same. Soon, tomorrow would come. A new day.
It had been a month and a few weeks since Lightning had met Flash. They had become fast friends, always hanging out. Derpy and Fluttershy couldn't possibly be in safer hooves, the bullies dare not make fun of them now. Lightning was now locked in a bitter rivalry with Rainbow Dash, which left Lightning asking why. Not to mention how. It was obvious that she had become much more competetive, but something felt off about the whole thing. Today was a special day though. Today the coach had put together a race to test everypony as to how good they've become at flying.
It was now breakfast as everypony gathered in the cafeteria. Lightning and company had sat down. "I can't wait for the race!" Flash said.
"I can. I just know what will happen. Dash will once again out fly everypony but me. It always comes down to us two." Lightning said, on the brink of ranting. Suddenly, Lightning found that a muffin was rammed into his mouth, effectively denying him the ability to rant.
"Thanks Derpy" Flash said. Derpy squeed in response.
"He needed a muffin." Derpy said.
After breakfast all the foals made their way to the track. It was midmorning now, and the top fliers of all three teams had moved up to the line. Steel himself had taken position at the side of the start line with a flag propped against his foreleg. The crowd was quiet with anticipation. They already knew the two ponies that would wind up neck and neck. The racers had taken their positions. The track now before them. Among the racers were of course Lightning Ace and Rainbow Dash. They simply gave eachother a blank stare, like they expected eachother to say something. "On your marks..." Steel yelled. Lightning could feel the adrenaline. "Get set..." The foals coiled, ready for launch. "GO!" With that the little racers took off.
In the starting stretch the pack quickly thinned as Lightning and Rainbow neared the first turn. Meanwhile Flash and the others cheered him on as he passed them. A quarter through the track and the pack had thinned out to only a few ponies. The rest were still rounding the first turn. At the halfway point most of the racers had fallen way behind, it was now just down to four. As they made another turn through the next cloud ring one of the two foals in back crashed through the ring while trying to pass the other. Now there were only three. The final turn and it was down to Dash and Lightning. They swooped down into the final stretch at full speed. The final stretch was essensually a long, steep nose dive. Both Dash and Lightning entered the dive. Both Lightning and Dash started to dive faster as everypony watched in anticipation. Suddenly a very small mach cone started to form on both of them. There was no going back now, it was crash into the ground or follow through with a sonic boom with enough altitude to break the dive. The Sonic Rainboom came to mind. In the legend, during the few precious seconds following it, it is said that unlike a normal sonic boom, the Rainboom allows you to pull turns that would snap the spine of anyponyelse. Neither one could do it, so timing was now everything. One wrong move and somepony wouldn't be flying for months. Assuming they survive. Their speed only increased as the ground started coming up at an alarming rate. The time was now. They both started to try to break the dive.
Only, something went wrong.
"My wing!" was all Lightning could yell before a shooting pain radiated from his right wing. He then remembered the beating he got a month or so ago. They had nearly broken his wing. And now a month of wear had taken it's toll. Rainbow Dash had already broken her dive, and was climbing back up towards the finish. Lightning's right wing was now entirely in pain as it started to cramp up. "No...No!" He cried as he continued to fall. There were few clouds at this low altitude, and he instinctly aimed for them using his still functional wing. He managed to hit them but it only slowed his descent. He was running out of sky fast.
"Lightning!" Flash yelled as he spotted the colt free falling towards the ground. Without a second thought he dove straight down. He flew as fast as he could but was unfortunately too far away to catch him in time.
Lightning had perhaps one last option to save himself. He had to try to use his good wing to attempt to half glide. It was a long shot but it was his only option left. He stretched his wing as far out as it could extend an tried to lean into it. The plan worked, but it would not be a safe landing.
By the time Flash got to him, Lightning lay limp and unconcious on the ground. There was blood on his coat and running down his face. "No! Lightning! Get up!" He yelled. Derpy had now joined him as they looked in horror at the crippled form that was Lightning Ace.
"Lightning!" Derpy cried. They needed to get him help fast. He was quickly losing blood. "Get help! I'll stay with lightning!"
Flash flew up and quickly scanned the horizon. The only town for miles was Manehatten. And there was no way in Tartarus they would be able to fly him all the way back to Cloudsdale. Flash flew back down. "The only place around is Manehatten." Flash said. Derpy got under Lightning and tried to stand. Flash helped and they managed to get him off the ground. Now they seperately needed to stop the bleeding. Derpy still had a towel from camp...though nopony knew why she had it. Still it was perfect for the current situation. Lightning was on Flash's back, he used his wings to keep Lightning from falling of. Derpy tied the towel tight to Lightning's wing. The bleeding stopped. After a sigh of relief, they faced their next daunting task, getting Lightning to Manehatten.
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.
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.
Lightning woke up shaking in what looked like somepony's room. It was still light out, but it was fadeing fast as evening turned into night. He scanned his surroundings to try to surmise where he had winded up. He now realised he was in a bed. A soft bed. Definately expensive! Distracted. He lifted the covers and saw that his wing had been tightly wrapped like a tightly tied rope. His wing throbbed but overall it was no longer unbearable. He got out of the posh bed and went up to the door. He could hear voices. Some he recognised, he could hear both Derpy and Flash. They were talking to somepony who had a clear farmfilly accent. There were also the voices of what sounded like two adults.
"Will he be ok?" Flash asked. His face had a look of worry upon it. Derpy had also the look of worry on her face.
"We're actually baffled the little colt survived such a fall!" The stallion said with a clear 'rich' accent. "To survive such a fall he must really be remarkable."
"That's my friend Lightning for you!" Derpy excitedly said.
"Well you should be proud to have such a strong friend." Said a mare, who also had an accent that spoke of riches. "I wonder how the young colt is doing...Applejack, please be a dear and check on our young guest."
"Yes ma'am." The little orange filly said in a clear southern accent. She started towards the bedroom door.
'Someones coming! ahhh ummmm...' He was clearly nervous, considering he just woke up in a strange bed in someplace he didn't know, with strange voices on top of that. Out of instinct, he froze, waiting for...some kind of inevitable...something. But he wasn't prepared not even by a long shot for what was on the other side of the door. The very door whose handle was turning. He was unable to move as the door opened. It was like a hoof to the face as he saw her. It was her. He could outright feel it. The one from the dream...the orange energy that had felt so calming and welcoming....was now standing before him. He was utterly speechless before her.
"Well y'all are standin now...how y'all feelin?" The orange filly asked. Lightning couldn't stop looking at her. Her bright orange coat, that blonde mane and tail... "Y'all feelin alright?"
Lightning wanted to say something, but quickly found that he could not. It was as if a thousand words were attemping to escape at once.
"Ya sure are ah shy one ain't ya?" The filly said. "Well, the names Applejack! Glad to meet y'all uhh...?"
"I...I'm...Lightning. Lightning Ace." He managed. He felt warm. Real warm. Like hot summer day warm. His good wing started to stand on end. He now realised it. He now had a crush. He could feel an invasive warmth upon his face. The orange filly smiled shyly and looked to the side.
"Uhhh...My folks, the Oranges, wanted to speak with y'all. I...uhhh...need to get ready for ah dinner party." Applejack said as she passed Lightning to get into her room.
'Into her room' It then hit him that he had awakened in her bed. He then turned even redder as his ears fell and wing now entirely outstretched. He stumbled into the livingroom to great his apparent hosts, the Oranges.
"And there he is now dear. He is simply darling." Mrs. Orange said.
Lightning was instantly attacked with hugs by Derpy and Flash. They tackled him to the ground, laughing. Lightning was then introduced to the Oranges. He told them his story of how he fell from Cloudsdale. Flash then told his half, of how they got Lightning to Manehatten. "It wasn't easy." Flash started. "After me and Derpy got to Lightning, we had to tend to his injuries. He was bleeding and Derpy thankfully had a towel with her. Don't ask how or why she had it. Anyway after we somehow managed to stablize him we got him on my back an started the long walk here. We had to somehow get him across a few rivers and other natural obstacles. Eventually we finally made it here to Manehattan."
"So that's where we are? Manehattan?" Lightning asked.
"Yup." Flash continued. "And that is when we crossed paths with Applejack. She offered to help us and had us bring Lightning here to you guys. If you ask me...I think she may have a crush or something on him." He laughed a little. At hearing this Lightning soon found himself embarrased again. Outstretched wing and all. Just then the door to Aj's room opened, and Aj was now dressed in a rather cute filly sized fancy outfit. Lightning simply sank through the floor.
"We would love it if you three would join us tonite at the dinner party." Mrs. Orange said.
"That's ah wonderful idea Aunt Orange!" Applejack said. She faced the now collecting himself Lightning. "Will y'all come? Please?" Lightning simply sank to the floor again.
"Of course we'll come!" Flash said, as he looked at Lightning. There was no escaping it. Lightning was going to a dinner party with a cute farmfilly that he now had a heavy crush on. It would be a long night.
It took awhile, but Derpy and Flash finally managed to get Lightning into a suitable outfit for the dinner party. Flash simply laughed as Lightning gave everypony in the room a death glare. His outfit was elegant yet simple, looking like a simple pegasus' tux, with embroidled holes for the wings. For a foal, it looked rather handsome. Thankfully it was easy to move in, and that he did like. Just as he was starting to collect himself the door to Applejack's room began to open. Applejack trotted out wearing a very nice looking outfit. At this point Lightning once again found his good wing completely outstretched, his face entirely blushed. Flash nudged Lightning toward Applejack. "Come on Lightning, tell her how she looks." Lightning stumbled from the nudge and fell in front of Aj. He got back up to find himself no more than a few inches from her face. He blushed more.
"Ahhhh...ummm...I..." Lightning stuttered. Aj could tell he was nervous. She gave him a moment. Lightning Collected himself best he could and tried again. "Y...you l...look...beautiful." he finally managed.
"Why thank ya Lightning!" Aj said as she hugged him, causing his wing to shoot out again. Aj blushed at this, after remembering pegasus body language. She blushed and let go.
"Alright foals it's time to go...aaaawwwww... don't they just look adorable together? Quick honey, get a camera!" Mrs. Orange said. Before Lightning and Applejack could react, there was a bright flash. Once that was over with everypony went outside and got on a large carrage, that pulled them towards their destination.
Lightning was speechless as they were pulled down mainstreet. He could just feel the energy as all the lights and sounds of the big city was all around them. Flash and Derpy were also just as speechless as Lightning. Applejack had already been living here for a month now so she was distracted more by Lightning than the city.
Applejack couldn't explain why she couldn't stop looking at Lightning, his light blue coat was starting to lull her into a sense of calm like a clear sky on a spring's morning. She also couldn't help but love how soft his wing was...she then realized she was actually rubbing and stroking his wing, which had actually put him to sleep. He had then leaned into her, and was now peacefully snoozing on her side. Flame and Derpy couldn't help but d'aww at the scene quietly.
They finally arrived at their destination, a posh restraunt in the really expensive part of town. Unfortunately this ment no more d'aww time, as Aj had to wake Lightning to tell him that they had arrived at their destination. Upon waking, all Lightning could see was orange fur. His eyes snapped open as he realized who he had fallen alseep up against, causing yet more blushing. They all got off the carrage and approached the door greeter.
"Ahh yes, ze Oranges. And these are your guests I presume?" he said.
"Yes, we have a reservation. And these foals are with us." Mrs. Orange said.
"I see...yes, you are here for ze dinner party no? And what have we here?" The greeter said as he spotted Lightning and Applejack standing close to eachother. "Ahh...young love...perhaps I should have a small table for two set up?" He jokingly asked. Both Aj and Lightning blushed, causing Flash to break out laughing. Derpy simply sat looking around, still taking in the sights of the city around them. The oranges simply chuckled.
"It would be a good idea to set up a table for the foals." Mr. Orange said.
"Of course, now if you'll all follow me." The greeter said as he motioned them all inside. Flash had to drag Derpy in, who was still distracted by the city.
"Look at all the lights and stuff!" Derpy exclaimed as Flash tried to push her inside.
"Come on Derpy, we need to go inside now..." Flash said as he tried to push her along. "Come...on...waaaa..." He fell forward as Derpy got up.
"OK Flash." Derpy said as she went inside, leaving Flash face down on the sidewalk. He got up and quickly trotted in before the door closed.
The group was led through the common area of the restraunt. Most of the seats throughout the room were full of posh, uppercrust ponies. Many tables had expensive fine meals of rare delicacies and divine, over the top desserts. The room was abuzz with the chatter of multiple coversations of things like money and idle compliments on eachother's accomplishments and achievements. Eventually, after manuvering their way through the maze of tables and guests, they finally reached the stairs. They ascended multiple flights until they reached the floor that had their party on. He led them down a long corridor and stopped at their door. "And here we are. Please enjoy the party." He said, motioning for them to enter.
All eyes were on the foals as the group entered the room. The room was long with a high ceiling. Hanging from the ceiling was a fancy chandolier. Two tables were set up in the room. The main table was long and ran the lenth of the room, under the chandolier. The second table was slightly lower and was round. It was set up next to a window to the side. Both tables had extravagant white table cloths draipped over them. set on the tables were candles and very fine silverware. The plates were just as fancy, as if they were on loan from Canterlot Castle itself. The carpet was a striking light purple with gold bordering. Soon the foals were escorted to their little table, and were seated on the fine, almost plush seats. They were then givin menues to look over. Lightning, Flash, and Derpy's eyes were blown by the expensive foods.
Not a single foal could choose as everything on the menu was to die for. After much deliberation, they decided on a little of everything. Thankfully, the Oranges had offered to hoof the bill, so they went all out, and got everything. After making their orders, the foals couldn't resist drooling over the amazing things they had ordered. Things such as gourmet chef mac n cheese, gourmet daisy sandwiches, the finest hay from only the most fertile fields. All the while Applejack was simply watching them gawk over foods that she herself found hollow. "Ah hope y'all enjoy the food. But where y'all goin? Are y'all lost?" Applejack asked.
"We're from Cloudsdale...Flight Camp more or less." Flash said, looking down.
"I was in a race, I think it was a test or something. Anyway because of a fight I was in a month ago my wing, that is the one you wrapped up..." Lightning blushed at the last part. "I...it broke as I tried to slow myself out of sonic speeds. I lost control and fell. If it weren't for you three, I'd probably be dead. So once again thanks!"
"What are friends for? Least we could do was save you." Flash said. "Though there is some bad news."
"What?" Lightning asked.
"Well...the doctor who came to help said that your wing is broken." Flash said.
'Wait what? No...' Lightning thought, now trembling.
"According to the doctor your not flying anytime soon." Flash continued. " In other words, I don't think we'll be returning to Flight Camp...or Cloudsdale...anytime soon."
"We'll ah suppose y'all could stay with me for ah spell ifin mah folks the Oranges don't mind." Applejack said. She turned in her seat to face Mrs. Orange. "Is it alright ifin mah new friends stay with us overnight? ah don't think they've got anywhere to go. Please?"
Mrs. Orange turned from her posh friends. "Of course Applejack. Considering the circumstances, they are more than welcome to stay." Mrs. Orange said.
Applejack turned back to her friends. "Y'all can stay."
"Thanks Applejack." Lightning said. Just as he finished thanking her the chefs came out the door from the hallway bearing mountains of food. The very literall buffet was laid out before the foals upon their table. After the chefs were finished setting the table the foals wasted no time diving into the sea of rich food. Applejack, who had been pratically forced to eat in a couth, very civilized manner suddenly found herself digging in herself. Everypony was staring at the foals but they weren't in the least bit concerned. They were now in food heaven, and nothing would distract them now. That is...until they finished. They had somehow managed, to the astonishment of everypony in the room, to completely consume every last piece of food from what had been a mountain of delicacies. Soon after the others got back to their posh dinner party, the sounds of deftly clinking plates and silverware returning. "So Applejack...umm...what brings you to Manehattan?" Lightning asked.
"Well...ah suppose ah wanted to live the high life..." she looked down.'wanted' she thought. "Ah didn't want to stay on mah farm mah whole life. Ah wanted to see the big city, to live like...like..." a tear started down her cheek. "Ah'm sorry Lightning...ah guess ah kinda miss mah family."
"I understand...I recently lost my dad. I miss him so much...I..." Now Lightning was getting teary eyed.
"Ah'm so sorry Lightning, ah'm sure he was a good stallion." Aj said.
"He was an explorer, an archeologest. He explored ancient ruins. He had a really cool study too." Lightning said, fighting off the tears. The party was starting to wind down now as attendees started to trade goodbyes.
"Come on my little ponies, it's time to go." Mrs. Orange said. The foals, now full with rich food, complied and left. They also left a huge mountain of dishes behind, much to the dismay of the dish colt who went in as everypony left.
The ride back home was quiet, as all but Derpy had fallen asleep. She was of course still entranced by the sights and sounds of the city. She was transfixed on every little detail that they passed by. Light posts, neon signs, lanterns, other ponies goinig about their business, it was hard not to see why Aj wanted to live hear. Eventually though the late hour had finnaly taken it's toll on her, and she finally dozed off. When they arrived the Oranges carried the foals inside and put them in guest beds. They then went to bed themselves, wondering how in the hay that three foals could possibly eat so much.
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.
Lightning woke up to Derpy's hoof in his mouth. Somehow her hind hoof found it's way into his mouth in the night. He got it out and fell off the bed, which proceeded to wake flash. "Wha...huuhh...what? Lightning..." Flash mumbled, sitting up. "Lightning what in the hay?"
"How did her hoof get in my mouth?" Lightning asked.
"How am I supposed to know?" Flash asked.
"Hhrrrmmm...mmmm..........m...mmmufffinn..." Derpy mumbled as she turned over. It then dawned on them what the cause of her invasive hoof.
"Ha ha ha haaaa!!! She must of thought you wanted a muffin!" Flash said.
"Ohh shut up." Lightning said, crossing his forelegs in annoyance. This only made Flash laugh harder. Lightning left the guest room to preen and heard what sounded like crying coming through Applejack's door. He approached her door. "Hey Applejack, are you ok in there?" he asked.
"I...I...come in y'all..." Aj said between sobs. Lightning trotted in and found her looking out the window, staring out into the horizon.
"Are you ok?" Lightning said as he joined her at the window.
"Ah'm really homesick Lightning." Applejack said as she wiped some tears out of her eyes. "Ah just left them..."
"Who did you leave?" Lightning asked, as he now also was looking out to the horizon.
"Mah family. Big Mac and Granny Smith...all so Ah could come to live here..." her sobing returned. She looked at Lightning with tear filled eyes.
"I...I..." now Lightning was sobbing. He then hugged her, which caught her of guard. But after the initial shock she embraced him, sensing the honesty of his emotions. After 5 minutes of embracing eachother, there was suddenly an extremely loud explosion that rocked the entire country. Both Aj and Lightning looked up as a massive shockwave of seemingly every color of the rainbow issued forth from over the horizon. Soon after a very bright, almost neon rainbow streaked accross the sky in the direction of Ponyville. Both Aj and Lightning were speechless as to what had just occured. Aj now had a look of newfound determination.
"Let's go to Ponyville, mah home town." Aj said, a tear going down her cheek. "Ah now realize what I really wanted all along."
"I'll get the others." Lightning said as he started towards the door. He felt happy for Aj, but he knew what that explosion likely was. It was a signal that Cloud had done it. He had succeeded in training Dash in the legendary Sonic Rainboom. He wouldn't go home now. He couldn't go home now. Dash will be a legend now, and Cloud would use it to smother Lightning's name. His home would now need to be Ponyville.
"Guys," Lightning said as he entered their room, "We're going with Applejack to Ponyville. I obviously can't fly, and Aj seems determined to return to her home. Not a one of us knows how to get there, so I think we should tag along."
"I need to go back home" Derpy said. "My parents will be worried about me."
"I'm not letting you go this alone, Lightning. Count me in." Flash said.
"You're leaving Derpy?" Lightning asked.
"We'll still get to hang out, my family often visits Ponyville." Derpy happily chirped.
"Then let's get going, I'll get Aj." Lightning said as he trotted back to Aj's room. He entered to find her packing her bag. "We've decided to come with you, Applejack. Though Derpy is returning home. I wasn't going back home anyway."
"Y'all are gonna continue yer father's work, aren't ya." Aj said.
Lightning nodded.
They then left the Oranges' place and started for Ponyville. Derpy said her goodbyes and left for Cloudsdale. They were not, however, traveling alone. In the shadow of the trees a shadow of a pegasus was following at a distance...
It was quiet as the trio was walking down the dirt road. The city of Manehattan now distant, the mountains before them. The mountains seperated them from the greater valley that contains their destination. Before them was Foal Mountain. Getting over it would put Canterlot in view. First they had to skirt around Hollow Shades. This had them pass just north of Fillydelphia. Though not a particularly huge mountain, Foal Mountain was huge to the three foals as they looked up at the foot of the mountain. "You sure we need to climb this?" Flash asked.
"It's the fastest way to Ponyville." Lightning said as he studied the map. "Canterlot is also on the way, and I need to get a few books from there to continue my dad's work."
"Fair enough." Flash said.
"If we start our climb now we should-" Lightning was interupted by rustleing in a nearby bush. "Who's there!?" Lightning demanded. He was answered by what sounded like hastedly retreating hooves.
"What was that?" Flash asked.
"I don't know...but I think we're being followed." Lightning said, his eyes scanning the thick undergrowth.
"What's going on y'all?" Applejack asked.
"Lightning thought he saw somepony in the bushes over there. To be honest, I've been hearing things around us since we left Manehattan." Flash said.
"Alright. It looks like whoever it was has left." Lightning said. "Let's get started up the mountain. We'll camp it out halfway up, then it's up and over tomorrow."
"What er we waiting for? Let's get movin!" Applejack said, already halfway up the trail.
"Hey wait up!" Lightning said as both He and Flash galloped after her. Once they left the the clearing at the base of the mountain a weathered pegasus wearing a robe with wrapings on her face emerged from the bushes.
The mysterious pegasus pulled out a scroll. Written on the scroll were orders to prevent Lightning Ace from discovering what his father almost did. She then pulled out a strange crystal stone from her bag. It glowed with an unatural, unsettleing glow. After a few minutes she put it back. She had been trailing them since Manehattan. She would of struck then but it was too crowded. It needed to be done in secret. She had also been ordered to kill any who got in her way. She of course had her suspicions as to why her superior wanted him dead. He was of the accursed bloodline. He possessed potential. She also had her eyes on the one she diserned as Flash. She then started up the trail. Tonight she would strike.
The sun was setting as the three foals made it to a flat clearing halfway up the mountain. "Alright. Let's set up camp." Lightning said as he set his saddlebag down. The other two nodded as they began to unpack. Thankfully the weather was on their side as it was a mostly clear sky tonight.
"What about whoever's been following us?" Flash asked.
"It's like Lightning said," Applejack said. "Ah'm not worried. Now lets try to get some shut eye., It's been a long day."
Lightnings started to drift off to sleep when the feeling of cold steel was upon his throat. "Don't move a single muscle, thunderling." said a femine voice. His eyes shot open and he got only a look of her out of the corner of his eye. "It was a lot of trouble tracking you down. I'll make this qui-" she was cut off by a buck to her side by Flash.
"Get away from my friend, freak!" Flash shouted, taking an aggressive stance.
"You pathetic little fool!" The stranger said. "You'll die for interfering in my affares!" She then held her katana towards Flash and lunged at him. As she rushed at him something happened within him.
"Nopony hurts my friends!" Flash yelled as embers started to form around his wings and hooves. "NOPONY!!!" He had then snapped. His body then became engulfed in flames as he rose up and looked down upon her. Applejack was awoken by the intense heat of Flash's power.
"Wha...what in the hay...!?" Applejack sleepedly said. She then saw Lightning off to the side stareing up at Flash. The assassin took advantage of this and bucked Lightning hard in the side. "Lightning!" Applejack yelled, galloping to his side.
"Guess I'll have to deal with you too..." She wore an emotionless face as she raised her blade.
"NOOOOOO!!!" Yelled Flash as he unleashed a firestorm from his body, engulfing the whole area in fire.
All was then quiet as Flame fell back to the ground and collasped to his side. On his flank was now a cutie mark. It was a swirl of flame. As he got up Lightning and Applejack emerged from behind a rock. Aj had managed to drag Lightning out of the blast radius just in time. Immediatly they looked around for signs of their assailant. All that was left was a length of her face wrap on a tree outside the blast area and her katana, now stuck in the ground. "What was that?" Lightning finally managed to say, still in partial shell shock from earlier.
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.
The trio had finished dinner and had checked in at a local hotel. It was a relatively posh hotel, complete with super soft beds and over the top decor. They wasted no time getting comfortable. "Ah gotta thank mah aunty Orange for givin us that money. Otherwise we'd be on the street." Applejack said, getting into her bed.
"One day we'll get to thank her. Lightning, why are we in Canterlot again?" Flash asked.
"To make a visit to the royal library." Lightning said. "A book I need is hopefully there, and maybe they can help identify who attacked us on the mountain." Lightning then got in his bed. "We'll go in the morning....hhhmmmmhhh." He yawned.
"Night everypony." Applejack said, also yawning.
"Night...Aj..." Lightning managed before falling asleep. 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.
Applejack was woken by Lightning's violent tossing and turning. She got out of her bed and made her way to his bed. She could see that he was in a cold sweat and had managed to buck off his covers as well. "Lightning!" Applejack yelled as she gave him a shake. "Lightning!" She shouted again. But he still slept, thrashing about as if he were being attacked. She then threw herself onto him and tried to restrain him. "That's it y'all" Applejack said as she held him tight with her forelegs. He continued to struggle as she then tried a new tactic: rubbing his wings. 'It worked in the carrage ride to dinner' she thought, blushing. She then snuggled up to Lightning, who was still struggling, and managed to get a wing into her hooves. She then started to rub it. Slowly but surely, Lightning began to calm down, and relax into her embrace. 'What was that all bout' ' Applejack thought as he finally relaxed. She then realised that she couldn't move without disturbing his now peaceful sleep. Applejack was still tired still though, and succombed to her need for sleep. Her eyes closed as she relaxed into Lightning's side.
The sun began to rise as Flash woke up. He rubbed his eyes as the invading sunlight encroached onto his face. "Hmmmnn" he muttered as he sat up. As he was getting his bearings, he then looked at Applejack's bed to see it empty. "Whats huh?" He uttered as he then looked at Lightning's bed. He then noticed not one, but two pony sized bumps in the covers. He took a closer look and saw the front of Lightning's head, half hidden by the plush covers. Flash then moved around the bed to see the other side to discover the cause of the other bump. He looked closer to see two orange forelegs wrapped around Lightning. "D'aaaawwwww." Flash said out loud.
At last the invading sunlight reached Lightning's face, which caused him to stir. As he started waking up he began to recall his restless night turned pleasant. He remembered having a familiar nightmare followed by a calming, warm embrace that washed the nightmare away and brought him into a state of peace. It was a familiar sensation...such as during that ride to dinner back in... It then hit him, making him blush as he then noticed a pair of orange hooves and forelegs secured snuggly around his sides. He then felt somepony's breath on the back of his neck. It only took him a second to guess who it was. It took every nerve in his body to resist letting his wings turn ridged. His face and neck began to turn a bright red, his light blue coat betraying him to his embarrasment. His breathing turned fast paced, his heart now racing. It then hit him that at some point in the night, the filly he has a crush on had climbed into bed with him and fell asleep cuddling him.
Not long after Lightning woke up, Applejack had also started to awaken, only to find herself with Lightning in her embrace. There was now no hiding it. Her stiffened tail said it all. Thankfully it was under covers. She also could feel Lightning's wings tightening, like they were attempting to spread. She then realised he was awake, and likely aware that she was there. This only made her blush more. The worse part, was she now had to tell him. She couldn't lie. She was terrible at lying. So she figured the only way to go, was to tell him how she felt. "L...Lightning? A...are y'all u...up?" Applejack finally managed to say. She felt his body get even warmer.
"I...uhhh...yea..." Lightning said, barely able to talk straight. His every hair in his head and coat nearly standing on end.
Lightning processed this for a moment...His crush, in bed cuddling him, just confessed to liking him. There was only one thing to do... "Applejack..." Lightning sat up and turned to face Applejack. "I...I like you too..." Applejack then hugged Lightning.
Meanwhile Flash could no longer hold it in. He drew in a deep breath... "AAAAWWWWWWWWW!!!"
The group left the comforts of the hotel to make their way to the Royal Canterlot Library. It was a long but uneventful trip, considering how safe Canterlot is. After nearly getting lost three times, they finally had the library in sight. And it was definately a sight to behold. It was a large tower in the middle of a statue garden, replete with a small winding pond with a bridge over it. there were also a few shady trees around the area as well. All together it made for a very tranquil scene. The group then proceeded inside to find a mountain of books. Also there was the sound of magic nearby. "Maybe it's the librarian...I'm gonna ask if they can help us find the book." Lightning said. Lightning then trotted up to the mountain of books. "Umm...excuse me, but I was wondering if you could help me find a specific book." The magic noise persisted for another few seconds then ended. Coming around the mountain of books was not an adult librarian, but a filly, no older than himself or Applejack. She had a lavender coat with a purple mane and tail with bright magenta highlights. On her flank was a magenta six pointed star with sparkles around it. She then just stood there, like she were studying them. "Oh, I'" Lightning said.
The filly studied him for a moment. "Hello, um...the librarian is out right now...but maybe I can help you!" The filly excitedly.
"My name is Twilight Sparkle. How can I help?"
"I'm Lightning Ace. This is Applejack and Flash Firestorm." Lightning said.
"Howdy, Twilight." Applejack greeted.
"Yo." Flash said.
"Anyway, I'm looking for a book called 'Mare in the Moon'. Is there a copy here?" Lightning knew it was a dumb question.
"Of coarse, Lightning. It's on the top shelf next to the window." Twilight said.
"Thanks Twilight...uhh...why so professional?" Lightning asked.
"I just got into the magic school for gifted unicorns! Isn't it amazing!?" Twilight said, getting more excited.
"Err...congratulations..." Lightning said.
"YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES!" Twilight exclaimed as she bounced around the room. The display of joy lasted for another moment before finally calming down.
"We'll anyway, about that book." Lightning said as he lined up the shelf ladder with the shelf that contains the book in question. He climbed up to it's shelf and started looking for it. Meanwhile Twilight had already left, and the librarian herself had returned. Lightning had then found the book he had come all this way for.
"What is this book anyway Lightning?" Applejack asked.
"Are you familiar with The Mare in the Moon?" Lightning asked, returning to the floor off the ladder.
"That's an old mare's tale y'all, how's it gonna help us?" Applejack said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, it's one of very few books that reference the Thunderstorm tribe." Lightning said. "It involves the accounts of surviving members of the bloodline."
"What does Nightmare Moon have to do with the Thunderstorm tribe?" Flash asked. "I thought they were wiped out by Commander Hurricane during the rule of Pegasopholus."
"Let's see..." Lightning said as he started flipping through pages. "Hmm...well, it seems that Hurricane wasn't able to hunt all of them after all. The rule of the Princesses ensured that Hurricane couldn't finish what he started. After the Windigos froze most of his army to death, he tried for years to hunt the remaining tribes ponies down, but he couldn't find anymore. Chances are the Princesses granted the survivers sanctuary within what is now old Canterlot in the Everfree forest. When Hurricane returned the Princesses sentenced him to life in prison for mass murder. As far as the tribe's connection to Nightmare Moon goes, apparently when Luna and Celestia went to war with one another, Luna convinced the leader, Thundara, to side with her."
"Wait, who's Thundara?" Flash asked.
"Thundara was the final leader of the Thunderstorm Tribe. She was an alicorn like our Rulers, only she could control more than just weather without clouds. She had also found a way to control elements as well, like fire. It says she had many foals, many of qhich were taught how to control said elements." Lightning said.
"So I could be a decendant of this 'Thundara'?" Flash asked.
"Maybe. But it isn't something to be proud of, after all she did sid with Nightmare Moon." Lightning said.
Lightning then trotted over to the Librarian, who had been cleaning Twilight's book mess. "Excuse me ma'am but may I borrow this book?" Lightning asked, holding up 'The Mare in the Moon'.
"I don't mind, in fact you'd be doing me a royal favor actually. I've been ordered by Princess Celestia herself to see that a copy of that book be made availible in ponyville. You may borrow it if you bring it to the owner of the library of Ponyville, Mr. Knight. He has a son your age actually, who is a budding scholar. If I remember right his name was Moonlight." The Librarian said.
"I'll do it!" Lightning said. "I have one more question though." Lightning said to the Librarian.
"What would that be?" The Librarian asked.
"Any idea wjat this is?" Lightning asked as he showed her the metal clasp.
"Hmmm..." The Librarian hummed as she looked it over. "Cant say it's anything I've seen before...but Mr. Knight in Ponyville is a scholar of some reknown, Im sure he can help."
"Well, y'all have yer book, let's get to mah hometown! A've got sooo much to show yall!" Applejack excitedly said. With that the group left the library with the book in a protective case and made for the train depot. Though they were not alone.
The group had finally reached the train station. Applejack was most eager of all to get to Ponyville, as it is her hometown. The group entered the station in search of the ticket booth. Upon reaching it a couple of royal guards stopped them, causing them to feel a little nervous. "Don't worry little foals, we're not here to arrest you." The first guard said, noticing the foals' nervousness. "We are here on orders to see you and the book safely to Ponyville."
"Umm...pardon m...me but m...might I ask why?" Lightning nervously asked.
"There has been made a threat to the city by the cult Sons of Pegasopholus, and yes, the Princess knows about the fire on Foal Mountain. We believe they intend to make an attempt on your lives. Just know that we're here to keep you safe."
"Sweet! It's like we get our own bodyguards!" Flash said excitedly. The guards found this amusing.
"One more thing, you need not worry about tickets for the ride. You are on official royal bussiness and all costs are already taken care of." The second guard said.
"Thank ya kindly sir!" Applejack said to the guards.
"Yeah, thanks for the warning too." Lightning said.
"ALL ABOARD THAT'S COMIN ABOARD!" the train conducter announced.
After the announcement was made the group made their way on board and found their way to their seats. Meanwhile at the rear of the train three foals entered the train followed by a couple of robed adults. After the group sat down the guards took positions at both doors in the car. A loud whistle signified that the train was about to leave. "We might as well get comfortable, it's a three hour ride. I don't know about you two but I'm going to take a nap." Flash said. "Wake me when we get there." With that Flash curled up and dozed off. Lightning was looking out the window when Applejack put a hoof on his shoulder.
"Ah can't wait to show y'all around mah hometown! Applejack excitedly said. "Ah just know y'all ol love it there. But Ah do have one question, when are y'all going home?"
"Aside from my wing being broken, I made a promise to finish my dad's work." Lightning said. "He was on the verge of solving a major mystery about my familys history but he died on our last exploration..." Suddenly the event played before Lightning's eyes. Getting cut off from his father, the legions of undead, the alpha timberwolf, the blood curtling scream as Lightning ran as his father held the beast back. Once the flashback had ended a tear rolled down Lightning's face. He then found himself being hugged by Applejack. The hug calmed him down. "Anyway I don't know where I'm staying. I actually didn't think of that part."
"How about being my roommate? It'll be AWSOME!" Came a familiar voice from behind. Lightning turned around to find the voice belonging to his friend Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow!" Lightning said. "Wait...isn't Flight Camp still going on?"
"I...dropped out." Rainbow Dash said, looking at the floor.
"But your dream..." Lightning said.
"After I heard about what happened to you during that race I decided to do some investigating into my 'friend' Cloud Breaker'." Rainbow said. "After rummaging through his things after he mysteriously disappeared shortly after you left I found some disturbing books in his saddlebags."
"What's this about books?" Lightning asked.
"It was his journal, and a strange book with an equally strange emblem on it." Rainbow said.
"Wait a minute...emblem?" Lightning asked, getting a sudden chill. "Before you go on I need to show you this thing we found during our journey from Manehattan to Canterlot." Lightning then buried his head into his saddlebag for a moment and then reemerged with the clasp from the assassin in his mouth.
"What is that?" Rainbow asked.
"We're actually not sure. It came off of an outfit worn by an assassin that tried to kill us. The emblem on it is a pegasus with crossed spears behind it. Take a look." Lightning said as he hoofed it over to Rainbow.
"This looks just like the emblem on the book I found back at camp!" Rainbow said.
Lightning then had an idea. "Hey uhh, guard!" Lightning called, to which one of the guards trotted over.
"Yes my little pony, how may I help?" The guard asked.
"Can you tell me what this is?" Lightning asked pointing at the clasp that was in the hooves of Rainbow Dash.
"Hmmm..." The guard levitated the clasp to eye level, then examined it. "What you have here is a clasp that is common on the robes worn by assassins of the Sons of Pegasopholus." The guard said. "How in Equestria did you get your hooves on this?"
"We were passing over Foal Mountain when a stranger in wraps attacked us. After Flash well, exploded she was gone. All that was left was her sword and this clasp." Lightning said.
"The Princess is aware of your friend's pyrotechnical display, but what astounds me is the fact that you three survived her attack." The guard said. "By the way, call me sargent Thunder, or 'Sarge' if you prefer. No offence but being called guard' by someone you've been ordered to guard gets old. That and I like to get to know other ponies."
"Fair enough to me, Sarge." Lightning said. He thought on Sarge's name for a moment. It was the same name as his father, but it wasn't him. For starters he was a unicorn. And he had a white coat and dark brown mane and tail. Lightning's eyes were drawn to his brilliant armor as well. Gold in color with it's crest bearing the emblem of the Princesses in cast gold. "You have the same name as my late father." He said to Sarge.
"The Princess has informed me. Wasn't he a famouse archeologist?" Sarge asked.
"Yeah...he was amazing. He was so much more than just an explorer, he was my dad."
Meanwhile towards the back of the train, a pegasus colt was donning his new cloths. "Are you absolutly positive this is the path you want?" said one of the robed pegasi.
"If it means ending the life of Lightning Ace...then I'll do whatever it takes..." The foal said.
"Of course I'll be your roommate, Rainbow Dash! But you still didn't tell me why you dropped out of flight camp." Lightnin said.
"I was getting to that." Rainbow said in a sarcastic tone. "I left to try to track down Cloud. Lightning I think he intends to kill you!"
Meanwhile back in the back of the train the two other foals had donned there robes as well. "We're ready to take the oath..." the lead colt said to the adult pegasi.
"Very well, little foals..." The first pegasus said. "Repeat after me."
The three foals stood ready.
The first robed pegasus began. "I give myself to the nation of Pegasopholus..."
"I give myself to the nation of Pegasopholus..." the foals repeated.
"I am their foreleg, lance and shield..."
"I am their foreleg, lance and shield..."
"Even to our dying breath..."
"Even to our dying breath..."
"Death to the thunderlings! Long live Pegasopholus!" The robed pegasus finished.
"Death to the thunderlings! Long live Pegasopholus!" The foals finished.
"Welcome to our ranks. I shall now introduce myself. I am Spear Wing. A hunter. You three are from now on to follow my commands. For you have now become a part in our war with the cursed ranks of our ancient enemys, the Thunderstorm Tribe. We need to be careful with these thunderlings, as one of them has...awakened."
"Awakened?" the foal asked.
"Awakened, yes. It's classified, but not long ago one of our top operatives tracted this very group in the Foal Mountains. But when she was about to strike the target down, the other one, whom we thought was just an ordinary pegasus, lashed out with a fierstorm, which nearly killed her, not to mention burn the whole forest down." Spear said.
"Is she OK?" the foal said, looking up.
Spear smiled at this. Too many of his brothers and sisters had too much hate. "Yes. She will be fine. For one who wishes one dead...you still have some kindness to you after all. And before you say anything we know about your life before...Cloud Breaker."
"You know my name!?" Cloud said, suprised.
"We know far more than that...but for now, we need to move. this train is now approaching the midway point in it's trip. We strike now." Spear said. He then turned to his fellow robed and those on the car, who had been preparing the whole time. "The time to strike has come brothers and sisters! Slay anypony who gets in your way but remember who we're here for!"
'All the ponies in this car are Pegasopholusians!?' Cloud thought as everypony was taking out swords and daggers. "FOR PEGASOPHOLUS!" Spear cried out.
"FOR PEGASOPHOLUS!" everypony cheered back as they started to make their way towards the front of the train.
"What can I get you, sir? Some punch maybe?" A drink server asked a pony in the back of the car.
"That sounds good and-" he was cut off by the roaring noise of the approaching crowd.
The server turned around to address the issue. "What in Equestria is going on...hggnnn...ehhh...ahehh...uhhhhh........." She only could issue blood from her mouth as multiple blades entered her flesh repetedly. All the drinks on her back fell to the floor as her lifeless body was tossed to to the side. The stallion in the seat was now drenched in the server's blood, his eyes filled with bewilderment as the atteckers turned to him next. Without hesitation they immediatly began swinging their swords at the scared stallion, who soon joined the server on the floor. The attacking masses the swept the remainder of the car, killing any in their path or grabing them and placing them in binds as prisoners. This process repeated in every car until they reached the final few cars.
"Alright everypony listen. I want three of you and the new member Cloud with me. The rest of you I want you to detatch the rest of the train behind us and prepare the prisoners for transport back to Pegasopholus." Spear said. "Alright everypony, this is it! We attack on three!
"Sir! We have a situation here!" The guard yelled to Sarge.
"Whats going on!?" Sarge asked.
"The train is under attack!" The guard responded. Suddenly there was heavy pounding on the door accompanied by yelling. I'll try to hold the door! Get everypony out of here!"
"What are going to do!?" Flash asked in a frightened tone.
"Leave it to me." Sarge said, putting a reassuring hoof on Flash's shoulder. "Everypony listen up! I need everypony to move into the forward cars now! We are under attack and they're trying to get in now! There's no time for possessions, just get to the front!" Though everypony was fearful, they complied and left the car. As the last pony left, several swords pierced the door and impailed the guard holding it closed. "I hope you two know how to use those swords you have! It looks like we're gonna have to fight!"
Lightning gulped as he nervously drew his father's short sword. He could hear the blood lust filled cries of the murderous masses as they tore apart the door. Time then slowed to a crawl as the door exploded in a rain of glass and splinters as the sheer force of the raiders plowed throgh the door. They first turned to the still breathing guard, who tried to defend himself. He managed to block two or three blows before he was overwhelmed by shear numbers, his cries of pain drowned out by their battlecries. After they finnished him off, they turned to Sarge and the foals, whom they had slain and captured so many to find. Without hesitation the foal among the cultists rushed Lightning, sword extended. Out of instinct Lightning managed to block the colt's blow. Meanwhile Flash and Sarge had their hooves full with the remaining four. Applejack was at the moment defensless. In the corner in her eye was the spear that belonged to the now dead guard. She then saw one of the attackers break away from the fight and started making a move on Lightning. "Oh no y'all don't!" Applejack yelled as she plunged the spear into him with all her strength.
Meanwhile Lightning and the colt were locked in a struggle. As Lightning tried to push him back the wrappings on the colt's face came loose. "Cloud!?" Lightning yelled, suprised. Cloud only grinned.
Lightning managed to break free of the struggle and skidded back. "Why are you doing this!? What did I ever do to you!?" Lightning shouted at Cloud, who's only response was to continue his attack while still wearing his sadistic grin. The fight continued for another few minutes before Lightning finally started to gain the upper hoof.
"Lightning, grab your friends and get to the front with the others!" Sarge said, parrying another blow from spear. "This is no place for foals! I need you to detach this car! Keep the others safe!"
"What about you!?" Lightning asked, entering another struggle with Cloud.
"Don't worry about me! I'll meet up with you in Ponyville when I can! GO! NOW!" Sarge yelled as he impaled the first enemy, ripped his sword out then threw it at the other remaining enemy with magic. Now it was just him and Spear with Cloud.
Without hesitation Lightning broke out of his fight with Cloud and made a gallop towards Applejack and Flash, who were waiting by the door. Lightning looked back once before closing the door behind them. His eyes were upon the connection release controls.
Meanwhile back in the other car Sarge had managed to back Spear and Cloud to the opposite door, which caused Spear to smile. Sarge could only manage a confused look as Spear grabbed up Cloud under his wing and bucked out the door. "We'll meet again..." He said as he lept out the back, using his free wing to safely land out of sight. At that point he then heard athe telltale mechanical sound that alerted him that his car had been released.
"Ohhh BUCK!" He galloped towards the other end only to behold the rest of the train already speeding away. Sarge then just stood there. "Guess I'm on my own now." At least he could breath easier knowing that the royal guard knew this might happen, and were in route to rescue the rear half of the train. He then wished he could join his grounds in that fight, but he had an assignment, he had to protect Lightning and his friends, and see that book to the Ponyville Library. Which, in a sense, he had done. Mission accomplished? No! there could be more! He had to get back to them! Sarge then jumped the back as the car slowed then started down the track in the direction the car was slowly rolling in.
Back on the train things were still tense as everypony was still shaken by the attack. The tense silence lasted for several minutes until a Royal Guard pegasus entered the car. "Attention everypony!" The pegasus started. "The situation has been brought under control. We have liberated the passengers from the rear half of the train and they are going to arrive in Ponyville five hours after this train. This is to give our medics and healers time to tend to the wounded. The attackers were routed and were driven off. The princess has authorised the guard to arrange all trips on this train fully paid for to compensate for the trouble. All will be refunded upon reaching the Ponyville station. I will remain on board until we reach town, both to keep watch and to answer any questions you might have. That is all."
Everypony was still silent but many fears were assaged at the good news. Over time everyone started talking and relaxing again. Applejack then sat next to Lightning, who was now simply watching the countryside. "Hey Lightning...y'all owe me one fer earlier." She said.
"Wait what? I...owe you for what?" Lightning said, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"Back durin' the fight, one of those crazy cultists was 'bout to try somethin', but Ah stopped em. So now y'all owe me..." She scooted closer. "...a date." She then put on her most cutest face yet.
Applejack reacted by hugging Lightning. "Ah can't wait to show y'all around town!" She excitedly said.
After fightning down his blush, Lightning turned to Rainbow Dash. "What was it you asked me before the attack?"
Rainbow Dash was taken off guard. "What...oh that! Anyway, did you want to be my roommate? since we're both well, homeless, we should get a place in Ponyville. Isn't you're plan to stay anyway?"
"Yeah, I'm staying in Ponyville as of now I guess. I can't go back literally for a month, and after what happened here, well...I don't want my mom involved." Lightning said. "There's another reason I'm staying though..." He said as he looked over at Applejack.
"Lightning's in love!" Flash butted in.
Rainbow just stared for a moment. "Wait...when did you find a fillyfriend?"
The question hit Lightning like a ton of bricks. "I...I...well...it's a long story. I'll tell you later." Lightning said, hoping she would back off for now.
"Ehh...fine. It can wait. Anyway, do you want to be my roommate?" Rainbow Dash said.
After awhile the train started to come into view of Ponyville itself. It's beautiful thached roof biuldings sprawling with some larger biuldings among them. Even at this distance the town's landmarks were already visible. The first one in view was the town hall, which is one of the biggest structures. It was tall and had several flags adorning it's dome like roof. Then the most eye catching one came into view as the train started it's final stretch of track between it and the Ponyville Trainstation. Apple trees. Hundreds of apple trees for miles. None onboard the train were as excited to see this as Applejack, who could barely contain herself. Lightning couldn't help but feel happy for her, for she was just moments away from getting home. And now this town would be his home too.
Author's note I finally have a laptop!!! As a result, I am no longer limited to 1000 or so words per chapter like I was when I did it all on my phone. Congrats to everypony who was able to endure the short chapters and the rushed plot that came with it. No more "parts" from now on.
It was mid afternoon as the train pulled into the Ponyville Trainstation. Everypony was eager to get off the train and get some fresh air and reunite with their loved ones. As everypony disembarked from the train they made their way through the checkpoint set up by the royal guard. It had been set up to pass out refunds to all the passengers, though it also served to catch any Sons of Pegasopholus trying to hide among the crowd. Lightning and his friends were led out through another area, to ensure that both them and the book safely made it into town. A guard went up to Lightning. "Sorry you had to experience all that on the train." The guard said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Anyway, I highly suggest you get the book to the library as soon as possible."
Lightning looked up at the guard. "Where is the library?" He asked.
"It's that way, towards the center of town." The guard said, pointing down the road with a foreleg. "It's a giant tree so you can't miss it."
"Thanks!" Lightning said to the guard, then turning to his friends. "This town is amazing!" Lightning said excitedly. "Guess I need to get this book to the library."
"I'm going to find us a place to stay." Rainbow Dash said.
"I'll go with you, besides I want to look around town! This could be fun!" Flash said, a look of excitement on his face.
"Hang on there, Lighting." Applejack said, grabbing Lighting before he could leave. "Y'all owe me a date! And besides, Ah want you to meet mah family!" She then started to push Lightning down the road. "It's not like that book is goin' anywhere on it's own anyway. Ah just know mah family will like ya!"
As Lightning was pushed off Flash couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Rainbow Dash then interrupted him. "Our house isn't going to find itself you know. So let's get looking!" Rainbow said.
"Point taken...still, Lightning...in love! Ha! This is sooo rich!" Flash said. They then took off and flew over the buildings, Flash slightly struggling to keep up with Rainbow.
"Are you OK back there?" Rainbow said looking back at Flash. "You look a little tired."
"I'm fine it's just I haven't flown much since Lightning broke his wing a few weeks ago. I'm a little rusty is all." Flash said, nearly panting.
Just as they came to the edge of town something in the sky caught their eyes. They could only gasp at what was in front of them. Just a few hundred yards away from them was an old abandoned cloud house. They began to fly towards it full speed. As they closed distance with it, it's features began to come into view. Overall it was a decently sized house, and it was even of Cloudsdale style columbs and all. As they got closer more was visible, such as that it even sported a few rainbow fountains, though from the look of it they were in disrepair, and that they let out little more than a trikle. At last they set hoof on the soft cloud of the edge of the house. Many of the windows were broken, and some parts of the walls had evaporated away, indicating that this house was definatly very old. The door was missing, and it was dark inside. Very dark, with an occasional flash accompanied by a low rumble, giving the hint that this old house was starting to break down and turn into a thunderstorm. "So..." Flash said, looking into the darkness. "Wanna look around?"
"I don't know Flash...this place looks like it's ready to rain out at any time." Rainbow said, looking inside.
"Oh come on. Besides, this place doesn't look like it'll cost us anything to move in." Flash said, taking a few steps inside. "All this place needs TLC."
"Tender love and care? Or totally lost cause?" Rainbow said, following him in.
"Well...first we need to stop this lightning. Let's go to the basement." Flash said as he trotted in deeper. Using the light of the lightning to find their way through, they cautiously moved down the hallways, being careful not to knock anything over. They also had to dodge the occasional stray bolt of lightining that occasionally arced between walls. As they got closer to the basement stairs the thunder got louder. As the two reached the stairs they saw the source of the problem. The basement had already broken down into thunder cloud. "Soooo...any ideas?"
Rainbow looked at the dark cloud and thought on it for a moment. "Well...we could knock out some cloud underneath and drain it out...but that would take an entire weather team." She said. "And theres no way we could pay for it."
Flash then remembered when he heard a jingle in his saddlebag. He still had a lot of money from when the Oranges gave him and his friends the money for travel expenses. "Maybe we do have a way." Flash said as he started digging through his bag.
"Unless you randomly have a few hundred bits on you, how in the hay are we going to pay a weather team help us with this?" Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow.
"Because I do have a few hundred bits!" Flash excitedly said as he pulled out his coinbag. "Applejack's aunt gave us some money to help us on our way."
"That's so awsome! Now we need to find the local weather station!" Rainbow exclaimed, bouncing on the cloud.
They then left the house and flew off in search of the Ponyville Weather Center. They decided to start their search in Ponyville Town Hall. "So who should we ask?" Flash asked as they landed and canterted up to the door.
"I'd think the receptionist?" Rainbow sarcastically said.
They then entered the building into it's main chamber, a very high ceilinged round room with a small stage at the opposite side. Along the walls were many doors with gold plates two thirds high, with words engraved into them. The hall was really busy, as ponies of all types trotted across the large central room as they went from room to room, going about their business. They had to hover over the crowd to get close enough to the doors to read them. Eventually they found the receptionist's room, and managed to slip inside. "Can I help you? I'm afraid we're not answering walk ins today. Are you aware that tomorrow is election day? If you have official business, get in line." The receptionist said. She then looked over her desk to see two foals. "Oh forgive me I'm terribly sorry. For a moment there I thought you were another politician. What can I do for you?"
"I'm Flash Firestorm and this is Rainbow Dash, and we're looking for the Ponyville Weather Station. Do you know where it is?" Flash asked.
"It's a cloud building that sits over the west side of town...but might I ask why you're looking for it?" The receptionist asked.
"We're just curious is all. Thanks!" Rainbow said as they left. The receptionist just shrugged and went back to work. Rainbow and Flash then made their way back outside and then took off west. The building the were looking for was not hard to find. Considering that besides the house they wanted to find it was the only other cloud building in Ponyville. They found it in no time, and immediately sped towards it. When they arrived multiple teams of pegasi were coming and going. Some were headed in the direction of Cloudsdale while others headed over to Ponyville. Overall this place was really mostly a weather planning and weather pony rest station. The weather itself was made in Cloudsdale and imported to stations like this to help with weather distribution. Flash and Rainbow entered the lobby of the station.
"Can I help you?" The reception pony said.
Ugh...another receptionist. Rainbow thought as they approached her. "I'm Rainbow Dash and this is Flash. We were wondering if you guys did weather requests." Rainbow said. They both then crossed their hooves.
"Yes we do...but um...this isn't for a prank is it? I know how you foals can get..." The receptionist said, giving them a dead pan.
"No we uhh need help with a thunderstorm." Flash said.
"UGH. I knew it. you want a little thunder cloud to scare somepony with, don't you!?" She said, getting riled.
"NO!" Rainbow yelled. "We need one removed!"
"Oh...um...yes well...we can do that. Though it's three hundred bits for thunderstorm removal. It's dangerous work after all." The receptionist said, relaxing.
"And we just so happen to have that much." Flash said, taking out his coinbag. "Three hundred bits." He dropped the bag onto the desk, the bag making a jingle as it lands.
"Where is this thunderstorm?" The receptionist asked.
"It's part of an old house on the edge of town." Flash said.
"Oh finally! Somepony finally want's that hazard taken down!" The receptionist was now bouncing up and down behind her desk.
"Actually we just want the house made safe to live in." Rainbow Dash said.
"Oh. Well as long as it's no longer a flying hazard then we'll do it. I'll let the manager know." The receptionist said as she darted off. They then heard excited voices behind the manager's door. A few moments later she came back out. "We will need you to lead us to the house. Since it became a rogue cloud it tends to drift around that area, and we haven't been tracking it since it started to break down into a full fledged storm. Lead the way for the team and they'll have the house in shape in no time."
"We have a home! I can't wait to tell Lightning about it!" Flash said.
"So awsome! Our own place!" Rainbow said. They then left the lobby and found the team. "Alright everpony, Follow me!"
Flash and Rainbow took off and flew off towards the house with the weather team close behind.
-----//////////-----
Lightning had been pushed across the entire town before they reached the edge of Sweet Apple Acres. "We're almost there Lightning!" Applejack said as she continued to shove him down the road. She then finally stopped, causing Lightning to face plant into the road. "Opps, sorry Lightning..." She said as she helped Lightning up. "We're here!" She announced. But before they could go any further, Applejack stopped in her tracks. Her eyes grew large and her ears perked nearly enough to explode off her head. She then took off into a gallop towards two ponies who were seemingly waiting for her at the front entry. Tears of joy flowed from her eyes as she flew into their embrace. As she nuzzled them a bright light began to form on her flank. Within seconds there was a small flash followed by three white shapes arranged in a triangle appeared on her flank. After another few seconds the white light started to fade as they started to take on a red hue. On the top of each of the three red shapes there was a small amount of green in the shape of a leaf. They were apples.
Lightning then galloped up to the trio. "Applejack! You got your cutie mark!" He said as he hugged her.
"Who's this now, Applejack? A new friend?" Said the first pony, an old mare with a light green coat and grey mane. On her flank was a pie.
"This here's mah colt friend Lightning Ace. He's from Cloudsdale." Applejack said, putting a foreleg around Lightning.
"Hello everypony. I'm from Cloudsdale but I can't go back, considering I broke my wing." Lightning said as he turned so they could see his cast.
"Eeyup." Was all the large red colt said.
"Anyway, this here is Granny Smith, and Big Macintosh." Applejack said pridefully, pointing at them. "And this is Sweet Apple Acres!" She then motioned at the farm. "Come on Lightning Ah want to show y'all around!" She then grabbed him and dragged him first to the house.
Lightning looked up at the house. "Woah...nice house Applejack! It looks like it has a few stories of it's own to tell." Lightning said, his eyes looking things over.
"Eeyup! There sure are some stories to tell, but Ah don't know any...you'd haf ta ask Granny Smith about it. All Ah know is that it all started because of our world famous zap apple jam." Applejack said. Ah'll show you the inside! Come on!" She then cantered up to her house, then stopped at the door to wait for Lightning.
Lightning then cantered up to the house as well, then followed her inside. The inside of the house had all the charm of a country house. Hard wood furniture with plush cushions, warm colors, and a cozy fireplace for winter. She then led Lightning to the kitchen first. The first thing to catch Lightning's eyes was a jar sitting on the kitchen table. "Is that zap apple jam!?" Lightning was suprised. "I've actually never had any. But I've always wanted to."
"Did y'all want some? It's the last jar from this year's batch, but Ah don't think anypony will mind." Applejack said.
"I'd love to have some!" Lightning said excitedly.
"One zap apple jam sandwich comin' right up!" Applejack said as she got out some bread. She then spread some jam on the bread and put another slice on top. "Here y'all go...the best jam in the world!" She said as she hoofed the sandwich over to Lightning, who took it without hesitation. She then made one for herself.
Lightning then beheld the sandwich before him. Sandwiched between the soft slices of bread was the world famous zap apple jam, the tastiest fruit in all of Equestria. He then without delay took a huge bite. His tongue was in complete bliss. Then something started to happen. Lightning then felt a tingling sensation throughout his body. Like the feeling he got whenever he was close to a thunderstorm. Only the feeling was fleeting, and did not last. He wrote it off as part of the jam's flavor. "That was the most amazing thing I've ever eaten! Thanks Applejack!" Lightning said as he hugged her then finished the sandwich.
After lunch Applejack led Lightning upstairs. "And up here are the bedrooms." She said as she led him to the first door. "In here is mah little sister's room."
"You have a sister?" Lightning asked.
"Eeyup! though she's only a month old. Her name is Apple Bloom. Isn't she cute?" Applejack said, giggling.
Lightning could't help but d'aww. "She's so adorable!" He exclaimed.
"Isn't she?" Applejack said as she closed the door to Apple Blooms room. She then led him down to the end of the hallway to the final door. "And this here is mah room. Now come on, there's more to show y'all!" Applejack continued as she once again pushed Lightning along. "And this is our barn!" She proudly exclaimed as she pushed open the large wooden door.
"It's huge in here!" Lightning said as they went inside. The inside was spacious, high ceiling, and had numerous piles of hay scattered about the room. On the walls were various tools for different farm tasks. "You guys must really work hard around here." Lightning said as he admired the tools.
"Well, mah brother works hard. After mah parents got an offer to start a farm way out west, we had to hire a few farm hooves to help out round here." Applejack then walked over to a window, the evening sun now coming through. "Ah'm inheriting the farm once Ah'm old enough, Lightning."
"Is that why you left? That sounds like a lot to bear." Lightning said.
"It...it was..." Applejack studdered, looking at the floor. "Ah just couldn't do it yet. Ah then heard about mah relatives livin' the easy life an Ah just took the idea and just ran with it."
"So what changed your mind?" Lightning asked.
Applejack then turned to Lightning. "When you came to Manehattan...Ah remembered why Ah loved mah home. Then that rainbow we watched that led us here. It all just made sense at that point. Ah realized what Ah had to do. Ah had to go home." She said. The setting sun the reminded them as to how late it was. "It's gettin' a mighty bit late...maybe y'all should set here for a spell."
"Well I've got nowhere to go so I suppose I'll stay for the night. Though I wonder how Rainbow and Flash are doing." Lightning said, looking back out the window.
"Ah'm sure they're fine Lightning. The guest room's this way." Applejack said as she led Lightning to the room across from hers. "Night Lightning." She said to Lightning as he went in.
"Good night Applejack." Lightning said as Applejack closed the door. He turned to get a look at the room. It was a charming country bedroom, with warm colors and soft looking furniture. The bed quickly caught his eyes as he grew tired. It had been a very long day, and the bed was the most welcoming thing he's seen all day. Well, almost the most welcoming thing. As he slipped into the bed and drifted to sleep, the last thing on his mind was an orange filly with a blond mane and tail.
It took them all night, but with the help of the weather team Rainbow Dash and Flash had managed to remove the invasive thunder clouds from the rogue house. The next daunting task was to get the house back to it's original location in Ponyville. "Sooo...any ideas?" Flash asked as everypony was looking at the house from a nearby cloud.
"Do you?" Rainbow asked Flash in a sarcastic tone.
"My only idea is to...uhhh...push." Flash said, hoofing at the cloud.
"What else CAN we do?" Rainbow said.
Meanwhile the weather team was resting from the previous task, and were completely wiped from getting rid of the storm cloud. It had been a difficult task, but they had done so before. It is a simple yet hard process, starting with bucking a hole on the bottom of the storm. Then they need to drain the rain water out to lighten the cloud so that they can see while inside if it's a building. Then comes the most dangerous part. Removing the built up electrical energy within. Thankfully in the task at hoof nopony was injured. The process involves installing grounding wires beneath the cloud, then flying them up to the cloud to insert the receivers into the cloud. Once the wires are attached the lightning naturally follows the cables to the ground harmlessly, which in turn removes the energy from the cloud.
Flash then had an idea. "We could use rope..." He suggested.
Then one of the weather ponies trotted up to Rainbow and Flash. "We could get the rope from Sweet Apple Acres." She said.
"Where is the farm?" Flash asked.
"Right below us. We must of drifted over it over night after we finished draining and grounding the house." The weather pony said, pointing down at the farm below.
"Than what are we waiting for? Let's get that rope!" Rainbow dash commanded as she took off and bolted towards the farm below. Everypony but a few followed.
////////////
The light of the morning sun began to invade the guest room of the Apple family home as Lightning began to stir under the plush, soft covers of the guest bed. He emerged from the covers to stretch to suddenly find the morning sunlight dimmed. Must be a cloud or something. Lightning thought as he slowly made his way to the window. He looked out and up to see a large cloud hovering over the farm. He then returned to the guest bed to preen himself. As he was preening he could not get Applejack out of his mind. But he didn't want her out. instead he only thought about her more. He was nervous all the same though, considering he owed her a date. Once he was done he made his way to the door only to be greeted by the orange filly.
"Rise n shine Lightning! Ah've made a little something for y'all and..." Applejack was interrupted by a sky blue pegasus crashing in through the window and into a shelf. "What in the...Rainbow Dash? What in the..."
"No time to explain! We need rope! And lots of it!" Rainbow said as she got up and shook off the dust from the was-once-a-shelf.
"Might Ah ask what for?" Applejack asked, raising a brow.
"We're moving a house!" Said Flash as he entered through the window.
"...House? What do you mean a house?" Lightning said, finally recovered from the shock of Rainbow's entry.
"We found an old house at the edge of town. It was in rough shape but thanks to the travel money Aj's aunt gave us we now have a home!" Flash said excitedly.
"Sooooo...y'all need rope to move the house?" Applejack said as she pictured them trying to move a house across the ground in a comically failing manner. She then let out a little chuckle.
Rainbow Dash deadpanned. "Ugh. We found an old cloud house. We need rope to move it back to it's original area."
Applejack fought down anymore laughter. "Well, that makes a lot more sense. How much do y'all need?"
"Enough for an entire weather team." Flash interrupted.
"Well that shouldn't be a problem. Alright y'all can borrow mah rope." Applejack said to Flash and Rainbow.
"I wish I could help..." Lightning said as he looked at his wing, still in a cast from a month ago.
"It's alright Lightning." Flash said with a growing mischievious grin. "You still owe Aj a date..." At that both Flash and Rainbow laughed as they both left for the barn. Leaving Lightning alone with Applejack with his good wing now standing on end.
Applejack blushed at what Flash said. "Ah almost forgot in all that..." Applejack said, her blush now lessened. "Ah made you something...Ifin y'all follow me to the kitchen." She said, motioning Lightning to follow.
Lightning followed Applejack down to the kitchen to find a massive breakfast set up across the table. Laid out on the table were pancakes, waffles, frenchtoast, eggs, and just about everything else somepony might find at a breakfast buffet. Lightning's eyes widened as the aromas from the table wafted through his nostrils. "All this...is breakfast?" Is all LIghtning could get out.
"Yup! Figured A'd thank y'all fer helping me realize why Ah wanted to come back home. That and Ah could hear yer stomach from here back to Manehattan." Applejack said as she pulled out a chair for Lighting to sit in. She then pulled up another chair and sat in it. She then looked over at Lightning. "Ah won't bite y'all." She said, letting a shy grin out.
Lightning then fought down his overwhelming shy feeling and got into the chair at the table next to Applejack. The breakfast feast was now before him, with many enticing smells and vibrant baked apple foods lay before him. At this point all table manners went out the window as he dived his muzzle into his plate. Causing Applejack to watch for a moment before shrugging and diving in herself. By the end of the breakfast feeding frenzy they were both on their backs in the chairs with expanded stomachs and looks of food induced bliss. "What y'all think?" Applejack asked, looking over at Lightning.
"I didn't know you were so good at cooking!That was probably the best breakfast I ever had!" Lightning Exclaimed. He then recalled the apple pie his mother had brought home for dinner the evening Derpy was over. It then dawned on him who likely baked the pie, causing him to become a little blushed. Much to his dismay Applejack had noticed.
"Y'all ok? You look a little warm..." Applejack said. She then realized why his face was red. "Ah get it now...yer embarrassed..."
Lightning knew he couldn't hide it anymore. "I uhh...have had your cooking before..." He said.
"How...Ah was in Manehattan until you met me." Applejack said.
"My mom had visited this place many months ago and brought back an apple pie from here. She said it was baked by well...you before you left..." Lightning said, still embarrassed.
"Glad y'all liked it! Ah made it for yer mother as a thanks fer helping us on the farm. She helped with a stray fog bank that was making the harvest hard for the farm hooves. Ah'm glad y'all liked it!" Applejack said, blushing slightly.
After that Lightning helped clean the kitchen, then they left for town.
///////////////////////
The rope was returned to the derelict house as the early morning sun rose higher into the sky. The weather couldn't be more perfect, as there was no wind or a single cloud to be seen for miles. Which was exactly how Rainbow Dash, Flash, and the weather team wanted it. It took several hours but they finally managed to secure the ropes to multiple areas of the house. "Alright everypony listen up!" The weather team manager said. "We need to move this house carefully! There may not be any clouds in our way but if we move too fast we might pull it apart! Now take up the ropes and follow me!"
The crowd gave varying conformations and then took up the ropes. They then took position behind the weather team leader and waited for her signal. After a moment she gave it, which in turn caused the team to begin towing the house. Despite the house being made out of cloud it was still rather heavy, as everypony was beginning to feel the strain. Rainbow and Flash joined in as well. With everypony pulling, the house finally started to move. It was slow at first, but picked up speed as it gained momentum. Once it reached a favorable speed, it became a task of steering and keeping the house on course. The destination was on the other side of town, and due to the few tall structures that happened to be in the way, they had to take the house slightly of course to avoid a collision. After only a few minutes, they had moved the house very close to its destination. "Alright everypony! We have arrived at the destination! Now slow the house slowly!" The lead pony said as the team started to pull the ropes in the opposite direction. The house start to shift slightly as it came to a stop. The team worked hard to keep it stable as it came to a complete stop. "Now anchor it!" The lead pony said. The team then worked to anchor the house to the area. It was a simple task which involved using local winds to 'root' the cloud house into place. Though it was a simple task, it was also tedious. Flash then noticed something on the horizon.
"What's that?" Flash asked to nopony in particular.
"What's what?" Rainbow asked, landing on the cloud next to Flash.
In the extreme distance there was an eruption of what looked like confetti and streamers.
"What's huh?" Flash said as he squinted to get a better look at the approaching...something. As he looked closer he saw a wagon of sorts being pulled by a small pink figure. There was another burst of confetti from the wagon as it came closer down the road.
"...Is that some sort of mobile party or something?" Rainbow asked Flash, to which he responded with a shrug. The wagon then came to a stop only a few hundred yards away, and suddenly the small pink pony was simply no longer there.
"What the...where did the..." Flash was interrupted by a burst of confetti followed by nothing but pink in his face.
"HI!!!!" The pink pony said, no less than an inch from his face. The surprise had Flash in a state of total shock. Before even a second had passed, the pink filly was now in Rainbow's face. "HI!!! I'm Pinkie Pie!!!" The pink filly said to Rainbow, who was in almost as much shock as Flash. All either of them could see was pink. All pink except for her eyes, which were a vibrant sapphire, and her cutie mark, which was a few balloons. Two of them were blue with a yellow one in the middle. With the manner she came, it wasn't hard to figure out what her special talent was.
"Hi...um..." Rainbow was starting to talk before Pinkie started to talk.
"I'm moving to Ponyville to live with the Cakes! They hired me as an assistant due to my awesome ability to throw parties and bake and give everypony smiles!" Suddenly she drew in a huge breath, like a huge prolonged gasp. She rose up off the cloud as she did so, as if mocking the very laws of physics themselves. "We should have a PARTY!!! A welcome to Ponyville-I just made friends-I just moved to Ponyville-you're all great party!!!"
Flash and Rainbow Dash could only watch as the pink filly essentially rendered physics useless. There was then a burst of more confetti followed by Pinkie hoofing them each an invitation to the party. "The party will be at Sugarcube Corner! Seeeeeeee you guys there!" Pinkie shouted. Before they could say anything the party pony was already gone. They looked over to where the wagon was but it was gone as well. Just then the Weather Team leader landed on the cloud.
"Who was that?" She asked.
"Nopony we knew till now. Her name I think she said was Pinkie Pie." Flash said.
"How did she stand on this cloud? Shouldn't she of fallen through?" The weather pony asked, a clear look of confusion on her face.
"I...I just don't know." Flash said.
"Anyway...the house is ready for...uhhh...what is your plans for this house anyway?" The weather pony asked.
"It's gonna be our house...we hope." Flash said, looking at the house.
"Good luck to you guys then...well we've done our job! Good luck fixing it up!" She turned to the team, who were relaxing on nearby clouds. "We're done here! Everypony back to the Weather Station!" With that the weather team took off and headed back across town, eventually disappearing out of sight.
With the house now in place, They then took a moment to look it over, before descending towards Ponyville in search of Sugarcubecorner.
//////////////////////
Lightning Ace and Applejack had been exploring Ponyville for awhile now, even watching the cloud house get towed overhead for a while whilst drinking soda from a nearby stand. They then decided to finally deliver the book, which Applejack had conveniently brought along. It took them awhile, but they found the Library, which was a very large tree. Without hesitation, Lightning knocked on the door. The door then opened, revealing a small violet unicorn colt with a light brown mane and tail. His eyes were a dark brown with a hint of green. "Dad! We've got visitors!" The little colt yelled into the library. He turned back to face the visitors. "Hi uhh can I help you two?" The unicorn asked. His eyes on the large tome in Applejack's saddlebag.
"We have a very important delivery to this library." Lightning said. "We need to see the Libraria-"
"Some visitors! Do come in, I swear by Celestia my son is too shy for his own good." The Librarian said as he motioned the foals inside. After they entered he closed the door. "I'm the Librarian, Mr Knight. Renowned researcher and philosopher. How may we help you?" Mr. Knight asked, looking down at the young guests.
"We have a delivery from the Royal Library. A tome called The Mare in the Moon. You wouldn't believe the trou-"
"Trouble, yes I believe you would be considering the news about the attack on the Friendship Express that has already spread to every corner of Equestria." Mr Knight interrupted Lightning. "That book is said to answers to many a prophecy." He said as he trotted over to the window next to the door. "I also heard there is a vastly powerful unicorn in canterlot...and that she nearly destroyed the entire School for Gifted Unicorns. I also heard that there was a firestorm on Foal Mountain."
"How...how do you know all this?" Lightning asked, having a look of confusion about him.
"I receive letters from the Princess herself. I am her royal researcher after all." Knight said, looking out at the streets of Ponyville.
"Wait...how do y'all receive letters all the way from Canterlot?" Applejack asked, just as confused as Lightning.
"By green Dragon Fire. Green Dragon Fire is a magical fire that can engulf nearly anything and turn it to ashes. The ashes then rise up into the wind and are then carried to the place you want it to go. I am honored to have been a part that research. It was made possible by the hatching of a baby dragon in Canterlot." Knight continued, continuing to look out the window. "It was hatched by the powerful young filly. Evidently there was a massive explosion outside that startled her, causing her to temporarily unleash her apparent raw magical power. Only Celestia intervening stopped her from destroying the school. At any rate the baby dragon possesses the rare magic flame. I do believe that the dragon is being taught how to live like anypony else...perhaps he is to become a citizen? It's not my place to say and-"
"Father!" The young colt interrupted. "You're rambling again!"
"Oh! Umm...sorry everypony...it's just as a researcher and all..." Knight said sheepishly. "I suppose you want to meet my son?"
Lightning and Aj looked at one another and shrugged. "Sure." Lightning said.
"Go on, son. You need to do more than read books all day. A good book is fine now and again but remember that having friends is always nice too! Now run along son...and have fun." Knight said as he trotted up stairs.
There was a moment of awkward silence as the three foals stood just outside the tree library. A few minutes passed before Applejack was about to say something as an eruption of confetti and streamers suddenly burst from seemingly out of nowhere. Before anypony could get their bearings there was suddenly what sounded like an entire band dedicated to what sounded like a party dance number. Following the odd party music was a small pink filly with a puffy mane and tail. Before anypony could say anything she suddenly let out a huge gasp. After about five seconds of exaggerated gasping, she appeared in front of the young unicorn colt. "HI!!! I'm Pinkie Pie!" She shouted as she then popped up from behind Lightning. "Who are YOU!? You see, I just moved here and I want to meet all kinds of new friends but you probably already knew that but come on..."
"Umm.." Lightning tried to say, to no effect.
"I want to be friends with EVERYPONY! And not just everypony here but I mean all of Ponyville! But not just Ponyville but all of Equestria! So I came up with this totally amazing idea while meeting some other ponies and..." Pinkie continued.
"Ahhh...Pinkie?" Applejack said, attempting to get the hyper fillies' attention.
"...And I decided to throw us all a PARTY!!! And your all INVITED!!! Won't it be the greatest day ever!?" Pinkie finally finished.
Both the unicorn and Lightning were still recovering from Pinkie's onslaught of words. "We'd love to come y'all...uhhh...Pinkie Pie was it? Anyhow, where is this party gonna be held?" Applejack asked.
"At Sugarcube Corner! It's where I live. You see I left home to find a place to PARTY but my old home wasn't big enough so I moved out and came here to live and party so I looked around and found out that the Cakes were looking to hire a live-in-assistant so I thought that maybe I should apply so I did and now I have a place to live and party! Soooooo...that is where the party is!" Pinkie Pie finally finished, not even out of breath. She then hoofed out several invitations. "Can't wait to see you there!" She said before hopping off cheerfully down the street, leaving in her wake three confused foals.
"I guess we uhhh...are going to a party?" Lightning asked, still overwhelmed by Pinkie's self introduction.
"Well it would be a good way for y'all to meet new friends here...and besides...y'all still owe me a date...sugarcube." Applejack said to Lightning, making him blush.
"I...I guess...sure. Let's go to this party. I guess it could be fun. Hey! How about you uhh...we haven't even got your name..." Lightning said to the violet colt.
"I'm Moonlight Knight...but please just call me Moonlight." Moonlight said.
"Pleasure to make yer acquaintance Moonlight." Applejack said, shaking his hoof.
"Well we might as well head over to Sugarcube Corner for the party. Though I wonder where Rainbow Dash and Flash are?" Lightning asked.
"Who is Flash and Rainbow Dash?" Moonlight asked.
"A couple of good friends of ours. Maybe Pinkie has "met" them as well." Lightning said.
"It's very likely sugarcube. Now let's get. It's gettin' close to party time." Applejack said.
////////////////
The evening was starting to come as everypony Pinkie Pie invited started to show up at Sugarcube Corner, which looked like a large gingerbread house with a cupcake on top. It's doors and windows bordered with oversized candycanes and the unmistakeable smell of freshly baked goods and all things sugary issuing forth from it's many open windows. From inside everypony could here party music starting as they filed in through the front door, eager to get the party started. Ponies of all ages from young foals to older mares and stallions were in attendance as they partook in the very well organized party. There was dancing and cake and pin the tail on the pony. One couldn't go far without tripping over something to do. At one of the tables was Lightning and his friends...with Applejack sitting very close to him. They were sharing a shake and a platter of cupcakes. Flash and Moonlight were getting to better know one another, and Rainbow Dash was telling others how she got her cutie mark, to which she got much appraise for. Pinkie was dancing in the middle of it all, seemingly in total bliss as everypony was having likely the best time ever.
When suddenly Pinkie popped up between Lightning and Applejack. "Sooooooo...what do you think? Isn't this the best party ever! It's my first party since I discovered parties but still this is the best party ever because I just threw the best "Welcome to Ponyville" party ever!"
"I actually must say you really out did yourself Pinkie. This really is a really awesome "Welcome to Ponyville" party. Especially since I'm also new to town." Lightning said.
Pinkie gave out a really huge gasp. "You're also new to Ponyville!?" the pink filly exclaimed in seemingly legit surprise.
"Err...ummm...yes?" Lightning said, now regretting mentioning the fact that he's new to town.
"This calls for a..." Pinkie Pie started.
Please don't say speech Lightning thought.
"Speech!!!" Pinkie said as she grabbed Lightning and dragged him out into the middle of the room, then cleared her throat. "Attention everypony! We have gathered here tonight to celebrate us being new to town and wanting to meet new friends! Beside me is one of my new friends: Lightning Ace!"
How did she know my name? I didn't even intro... His thoughts were interrupted.
"He has friends too! Which are now my friends too! Applejack, Flash Firestorm, Rainbow Dash and Moonlight Knight!" Pinkie continued.
"It's just Moonlight..." Moonlight shyly said.
"Soooo...welcome us Ponyville to Ponyville! WOOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!" Pinkie yelled as the crowd then proceeded to party harder.
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Before anypony knew it they had partied the whole night away, as the sun was starting to come up as the last of the guests left the house totally wiped and partied out. Pinkie waved goodbye to everypony and then went back inside to clean up. Meanwhile Lightning and his friends started off in the direction of Moonlight's house to drop him off. After that they split up, Rainbow and Flash flying up to their new home and Lightning walking Applejack home. After Lightning bid Applejack goodmorning, he then trotted back to the cloud house which was now his home as well. He yelled up for a lift and then they dropped down a rope ladder for him to climb up. The house wasn't very livable yet but it served it's purpose well enough. It had three spacious bedrooms that were furnished with hastedly carved cloud furniture. Lightning, after saying good morning to his roommates he went to his room and went to bed. As he closed his eye's to fall asleep his thoughts drifted onto a certain orange fillies' face.
Lightning and the others had enrolled at the Ponyville schoolhouse, as school time had come. The season had grown late, and the trees reflected this as their leaves began to change colors. The air started to carry a very slight chill to it, signifying the approach of the famous 'Running of the Leaves' in which a race is held to assist the leaves in falling from the trees. Lightning's wing had made a full recovery a week ago, and he had to practice for a while to get his right wing to be as strong as his left again. Rainbow Dash and Flash helped him, and as that week went by he eventually was back to his former glory. Pinkie had become the life of the group, and Moonlight had become the group's go-to for information. To pay for the up keep of their new home, they had to get jobs around town. Flash and Rainbow Dash had joined the Junior Weather Team, and had the job of helping clear the sky of small clouds and remove fog when necessary. Lightning had gotten a job at Sweet Apple Acres as a farm hoof, though with his small size but flight power he was relegated to doing high-up high dexterity jobs and minor repair jobs.
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Lightning woke up to the sound of rain hitting the side of his bedroom window. He got out of bed and trotted over to look outside. The clouds weren't very high above their house, so he couldn't see very far out his window. It was unfortunatly a school day, and he had been up all night doing homework. He packed his school stuff into his saddlebag and went downstairs to find the others doing the same. One could just feel the enthusiasm as the three gave each other some heart felt deadpans and then left for school. As usual Flash and Rainbow went to get Moonlight as Lightning went to get Applejack. They all met at a crossroads that led up to the school house itself. They talked about recent events including Lightning's ability to one again fly as they got to the school. As they entered they beheld a filly dressed in a rather fancy get-up. It was encrusted in jewels of various kinds. She had a white coat with a dark purple mane and tail that had a curl to them. On her flank were three light blue jems arranged in a triangular pattern. Everyone in the room but Flash and Lightning knew her.
"How are you, Rarity?" Moonlight greeted the upper class filly.
"Not too bad though I do wish it weren't raining it does wreck havoc on my mane." Rarity said as she prodded her mane with her hoof.
"I'd like you to meet my new friends, Rarity." Moonlight said. He then motioned to Lightning and the rest of the group. "This is Lightning Ace, Flash Firestorm, Applejack and Pinkie Pie...wait when did you...or rather how did you get here?" Moonlight asked Pinkie Pie, who was hopping up and down in place.
"I walked here silly!" Pinkie said in her usual playful tone.
"Anyway umm...these are my friends." Moonlight continued.
"Nice to meet you everypony. My name is Rarity, and I'm destined to be Ponyville...no...Equestria's premier clothier!" Rarity said. And with an outfit like the one she had on, it was hard not to believe her.
"It's nice to meet you Rarity. I'm new and..." Lightning was interrupted.
"You and your friend Flash are just perfect for the school play!" Rarity suddenly said.
"Wait what?" Lightning and Flash said at the same time.
"You see I was put in charge of costumes for the play and with my talent now obvious to me I know I'll just make you all dazzled! And you two are just absolutely perfect for the pegasus roles! You must be in the play! You must! You must! YOU MUST!!!" Rarity begged, wrapping her forelegs around Flash's foreleg.
"Well I suppose we could but..."
"OH THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! You won't regret it I promise you!" Rarity said, interrupting Flash.
Lightning had a look of shock on his face. "What h...have you d...done!? Me...in a PLAY!? I uhh..." Lightning then started having a panic attack. "Me on s...stage...with everypony staring at me!?" Lightning was getting histyrical.
"Just thought I'd help you find your inner...actor!" Flash said. "After all you ARE still a blank flank. Maybe your special talent is in acting?"
"Are you kidding me?!" Lightning protested. "Even back in Cloudsdale I was and still very much am stage fright."
"Oh don't worry about it darling."Rarity said. "You'll do just fine! This month's play is a recreation of a rather historical Grand Galloping Gala, in which two young stallions thwart a plot to shut the gala down and at the same time find their true loves!" Lightning's face started to implode with embarrassment as thoughts of the cliched lovers kissing at the end came immediately to his mind. "And just wait until you see who is playing the lucky mares! This will be the best play ever!" She finally finished.
Lightning then left a burning trail towards the message board and quickly looked it over. As his eyes scanned the main character area his heart sunk through his chest, all four of his legs started to give and his wings stood straight on end. His vision somewhat blurred as he took a step back as he tried to wrap his mind around it. It was Applejack. The filly that he had a crush on, and has even admitted it to her. He then turned around to find himself face to face with Aj. "Oh ah...ummm...so yeah...you're in the play too..." Lightning nervously said, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Rarity saw your stage fright face and thought that Ah would be a good addition to the play. So she asked the teacher if Ah could also be in it to help..." Applejack's face blushed at the thought of the ending scene. "Ah...also didn't realize that Rarity had arranged for me to be the main filly character..."
They both then blushed at the thought, causing some classmates to chuckle, some even chanting "Lightning and Applejack sitting in a tree..." Which caused them to blush a little more. Thankfully the teacher intervened and returned order to the class. A maroon filly with a pink and light pink mane and tail then turned to Lightning.
"Your welcome, Lightning." She said
"Wait what? Who are you?" Lightning asked the filly.
"I'm Cheerilee! Someday...well I'm not sure what I want to do just yet." Cheerilee said as she looked at her blank flank. "I'll figure it out someday though. Anyway it was me who got the teacher to stop that little display. But I must admit..." Cheerilee giggled. "You two DO make a cute couple."
This only made Lightning blush a little more.
The rest of the day was rather uneventful, besides the occasional crazy antic by Pinkie Pie. It was getting late as Lightning and company found themselves once again at Sugarcube Corner. They were about to enter as they heard a huge crash coming from inside. In a panic Pinkie swooped into her home to find a massive mess of muffin crumbs and empty muffin boxes strewn about the main business room. In the middle of the mess was a small mountain of muffins with a small grey pegasus filly with a familiar set of offset eyes and several bubbles as her cutiemark.
"DERPY!!!" Lightning exclaimed as he tackle hugged her to the floor, both of them laughing and hugging one another. As the two foals were greeting each other as if they haven't seen each other for years the rest of the group was simply standing there watching the event unfold.
Rainbow Dash then joined in herself. "Derpy! It's been awhile!" Rainbow said as she also hugged the grey filly, sandwiching Derpy in the middle.
"Hi Lightning! Hi Rainbow Dash!" Derpy finally said, returning the hug to both of her friends. Meanwhile the Cakes were now busy cleaning the mess that the little grey filly had caused.
"What brings you to Ponyville Derpy?" Lightning asked.
"My parents decided to move here after you disappeared from summer flight camp." Derpy replied, with both eyes focused on the muffins still on the floor.
"A...Any news on m...my mom?" Lightning asked, he was afraid for her after what happened on the train.
"Oh! Ummm...I was supposed to give you this..." Derpy said as she pulled out a letter from her bag that was resting against the wall.
"A letter?" Lightning asked. Flash and Applejack were also curious about the letter
Derpy then hoofed it over to Lightning, who then opened it.
"Whats it say Lightning? Who's it from?" Applejack asked.
"It's from my Mom...it say's... Dear Lightning,
I recently received a letter from Princess Celestia stating that there was an attack on the Friendship Express while it was inbound to Ponyville, and that you were on it during the attack. What in the name of Celestia where you doing on that train in the first place!? Why did you run away? Did it have something to do with the attack? I'm so worried about you. I'd help you but the Princess said it would be best for you to stay away from me to keep me safe from whoever attacked you. She also said she'd send us both Dragon Candles, so that we can write to each other without the terrorists tracking us. Please write to me as soon as you get your candle. I have mine as of writing this letter so you can send yours right away. I love you my son!
Your mother, Sky Breeze.
..." Lightning started to tear up after reading the letter aloud to his friends.
Applejack then placed a comforting hoof on Lightning's shoulder. "Yer Mother sounds like she cares a lot 'bout y'all."
Lightning wiped the tears from his eyes. "She cares for me more than anything in Equestria. I'm happy that she is okay."
"I'm sure as apple pie that she's very proud of y'all." Applejack said as she hugged him.
"Thanks Applejack." Lightning said, returning the hug. Lightning then noticed how dark it had gotten outside. "Did we have school tomorrow?"
Flash then thought for a second. "That would be a resounding...yes."
"BUCK!!! It's sooo late! I need to get my homework done!" Lightning freaked out. "Aj, did you want to be flown home? I need to get back home to get my homework done!"
"Sure...wait what?" Applejack said as Lightning wedged himself under her and lifted her onto his back. "Are y'all sure yer wing is healed enough for this!?"
Lightning turned to Rainbow and Flash. "I'll meet you guys back at home! Later!" With that he staggered outside and then flapped his wings a couple of times before taking off, with Applejack clinging to Lightning for dear life as he sped through the street as he tried to gain altitude. Once he was in the air it was a relatively short flight to Sweet Apple Acres. After dropping of Applejack and saying good night to her, Lightning essencially left a burning trail to his home, to which his homework awaited him. After several arduous hours of study he finally went to bed. He cringed at the thought of being in a play once more.
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Another month later...
It was getting colder out now as fall continued it's course. The Running of the Leaves now behind, leaving bare trees in it's wake. However things were heating up at the Ponyville Schoolhouse. The time of the play had come...much to Lightning's dismay. Even Applejack was getting nervous as to the ending of the play. Like the previous two plays, Rarity had been put in charge of designing the costumes. Unlike last time, these costumes had to be essentially gala outfits, considering that the play was about the gala. All the preparations had been made, and the eve of the play had arrived. Everypony's parents had come to see this and the school had to enlarge the audience area to accommodate the impending crowd. As the evening fell ponies from all over Ponyville began to quickly fill the area designated for them. The crowd was talking amongst itself as the lights overhead began to dim, quieting the crowd. Stepping forward on the stage as the curtains opened was Cheerilee, dressed in a cute little gala-esk outfit. It was a dark red, meant to accent her coat. She looked out over the expectant crowd, as she was gathering the nerve to begin her part as the narrator of the play. She looked at the floor for a second and then looked back out and cleared her throat.
"It was mid-summer as the Grand Galloping Gala started it's opening ceremony. Everypony had attended this year as it was rumored that several royal families had received invitations from the princess herself. Two of which, the Sky family..." As Cheerilee pointed a hoof at stage right a light came on illuminating five pegasus foals, dressed in fancy Gala get-ups. Lightning and Flash among them. "...And the Summer family..." Cheerilee pointed at stage left, and another light came on, revealing another five foals, though all earth ponies, Applejack among them, dressed in similar garbs." These two families in particular were not too fond of one another, and were not told that each other was attending. Nopony could even begin to come up with reasons as to why Celestia would invite the quarreling ponies but even further still nopony would see what else was coming." Cheerilee finished as the spotlight over her head dimmed out and more lights came on, revealing the rest of the stage and set. The set was a basic resemblance to the main dance hall in Canterlot Castle. Though the set work was crude, it was well enough to convey the feeling of the dance hall, which was pleasing to the eyes.
Scene one was now under way as the party guests were mingling and the musicians were playing a somewhat catchy background music. On the strings instrument was the music student Octavia dressed as a Royal Musician. On the piano next to her was a unicorn who was not amused with this style of music at all. Her name was Vinyl Scratch. Beneath her fake stage grin was a burning desire to "spice up" the music and make this party a party. Unfortunately for Vinyl she had no chance here and continued with playing the music.
Lightning's time to enter the stage had come. "It's your turn Lightning...just do your best." The teacher said as she nuzzled Lightning onto the stage and into the 'dance guests'.
Lightning, or 'Brisk Sky', as was his character's name, entered the dance hall. He was dressed in a dark blue suit that had silver trim and buttons adorning it. To say he looked like he belonged in a royal family was perhaps an understatement. He was the son of the head of the Skys, who's name was Ice Storm Sky. Flash,or 'Ice Storm', who was renowned (and feared) for his brutal methods of controlling his domain, was dressed in a similar outfit to Brisk but his was more lavish. As the Gala droned on the other family made it's entrance: The Summer Family. Among them was Applejack, who was playing the part of Golden Summer, sister to the orphaned heir to the Summer Royal family.
"What do we have here?" Ice Storm said as the Summers entered the dance room.
"It's just the Summers and-" Brisk tried to say, but was interrupted by his father.
"If only you knew...the Summers could never match our power." Ice proudly boasted.
"All you ever care about is power, father, and I..." Brisk again interrupted.
"I hope everypony is enjoying the Gala." Princess Celestia said. Celestia was being played by a pegasus foal with a fake horn attached to her head. Though Celestia normally doesn't wear a dress to the gala, for the purpose of the play she did. Though for size the teacher had to find a highschool student to fill her role. She then turned to the Summers. "I hope the Skys arn't giving you any trouble."
"Of course not!" The young heir noble said to the Princess. "We Summers are above such nonsensual behavior such as stooping as low as the brutish Sky family." At the remark Celestia only shook her head.
Celestia had known that bringing these two families together would most likely end in fighting, but she had to find a way to end their squabbling. Harmony had to be restored...even if it involved some...tricks. And so the Devious Princess withdrew from the conversation and into the crowd, where she was then pressed into greeting guests. Though she kept an eye on the two families, hoping she would find a way to bring them together and end the feud.
Ice then rudely nudged his son. "You still don't have a mare yet...do you?" He said in a teasing and sarcastic tone, causing Brisk to look away from his father. "You know it's up to you to continue our line...our reputation"
Brisk only looked away.He didn't care for his father's ambitions, and his mare would be his choice...not Ice's. With that he trotted into the crowds of mingling guests. He was aimlessly making his way through the crowd until he collided with a random mare, causing the two to wind up in a heap on the floor. The crowds around them continuing on as if they didn't exist. Flustered, Brisk quickly got up off the mare. "I...I'm terribly sorry Miss...I really should pay more attention and...wait..." Brisk studied the mare. "YOU! You're a member of the Summers..." Brisk said with a dying angry tone...as the young mare shied from him a little. He then was entranced by the mare for a few seconds, then managed to break the locked stare. Both ponies then left the center.
Meanwhile Celestia had been watching. Hmmm...this could be the way...why didn't I think of it earlier?! The Princess thought to herself as she watched the two part ways. All I have to do is distract the heads of the two families and these two will likely run into each other again. Celestia then withdrew into the crowd again, disappearing as a food server passed in front of her.
Ice was about to once again chastise his son as mythical hair then started to drape around from behind him. With a startle he turned around to find himself no more than a meter from Celestia. "Oh...um...Princess! What brings our fair ruler over to somepony like me?" He nervously said as the imposing figure stood before him, her power causing him to slightly tremble.
With his father out of the way, Brisk once again wandered into the crowd. He didn't want to admit it, but he was hoping to come across the mare again. If anything to apologize for earlier. After a few minutes of wandering, he once again found himself in front of the mare from the summer family. It was an awkward few seconds before Brisk managed to speak. "I uhh...I'm sorry about earlier...let's start over..." Brisk composed himself, barely able to keep eye contact with the mare before him. "My name is Brisk..." He thought for a moment. "It's just Brisk."
The mare finally spoke up. "I'm Golden Summer...but..." The mare looked away. "You're from the Sky Family...Aren't you?" She asked Brisk, still looking away.
"...Unfortunately...yes. I won't hide that my family is a pain at the very least. I'm at least sorry for what my family has done to yours. I'm not like my father...I really hope you don't see me as being like him." Brisk continued as he and Golden went to sit down at a nearby table.
"No! Of course I don't see you as your father. You, at least are talking to me...and why are you looking at me that way?" Golden wouldn't admit it but she couldn't take her eye's of Brisk either.
Celestia meanwhile was still trying to keep Ice occupied long enough for Brisk and Golden to spend more time together.
"Well this has been an...interesting conversation Princess but I really need to find my son and-"
"I'm sure your son is having a good time...just let him be. And besides...um..." Celestia needed a diversion, and fast. After some fast thinking, Celestia knocked a bowl of punch off a nearby table sending the punch flying into Ice's face, which cause a few guests to look over and chuckle. Which also brought a short laugh from the audience.
Ice was about to yell at Celestia before realizing her station. "I don't suppose you have a nearby bathroom?" Ice asked under a low growl.
"Right this way...if you'll follow me..." Celestia said as she led Ice out of the party room. She then stopped by a guard. "Lead him to a bathroom...but take the long way." She whispered to the guard, who then bowed before leading the still soaked Ice down the hall and away from the party. One down...one to go... Celestia thought as she returned to the party to seek her other target.
The troll then found her mark, the head or rather the heir to the Summer Family. She knew she had to work fast, as she was slowly but surely making her way towards the table that Brisk and Golden were sitting at. Just as she was about to breach the crowd and discover who Golden was talking with, a cascade of magic mane flowed around her, startling her. "I'm so sorry Miss...Summer." Celestia lied, as she pulled out another secret weapon, an expensive dish of food. "I just thought I'd surprise you with this complimentary dish to show you how much I appreciate your coming here." She hoofed over the dish. "Now let's find you a spot to sit down." Celestia said as she led the mare to the other side of the room. After she got the mare's table set up she turned to the chef. The chef was played by Pinkie Pie, who was wearing a chef's hat and coat. "Make sure she always has more to eat." She whispered to the chef.
"Oke doke loke!" Pinkie said as she hopped off to the kitchen.
Meanwhile Ice had managed to lose the guard. His only goal was getting back to the dance room, for he had heard rumors from some passing guards that the son of the Skys was sharing a meal with the sister to the hier of the Summers. He galloped for what felt like hours as he frantically searched hallway after hallway for the entrance to the party. He eventually found a door with lights under it and burst into the dance room...to find Brisk and Golden in the middle of the dance floor in a slow dance, causing his jaw to drop through the floor. Before he could say or do anything to disrupt the harmony between the two young love struck ponies, Celestia's mane started flowing around him.
"Gotcha." Was all she said into his ear, causing him to take a few steps back and trip over a chair leg, sending him into a nearby mare.
He got up off the startled mare and then realized it was the hier to the Summer family. Before he could speak again Celestia then levitated him then placed him in front of her.
"Never in a thousand years have I gotten true harmony to bloom between your family and the Summers, Ice." Celestia said to Ice. "Who knew they'd even fall in love?"
Just as she was finishing her retorical question Brisk and Golden then moved in closer to eachother. Unaware that all the lights except the one above them had been dimmed, they then started to nuzzle one another. Everypony was entranced at the very thought that this was even happening, and before long everypony in the room was watching. They then kissed as Ice's eyes pretty much exploded out of his eyes to what he was seeing.
The curtain then came down as Cheerilee once again took center stage.
"And the rest of the Gala went on as it usually did...except for two young ponies who had found eachother from the most unlikely of places. And as for the families? Ice returned to his home without his son in tow, and the hier to the Summer family no longer had to worry about her sister wanting her power. And as for the new couple...they decided to stay in canterlot and start a new noble family. One that follows the way of harmony and drops the intolerant ways of the families of old."
And with that the ending music started to play as the curtain rose back up to reveal the cast standing in a row, bowing to the audience. The crowd now erupting with appluase as the curtain eventually closed for one final time. Behind the curtain the teacher was telling the class of what a good job they did. Lightning and Applejack however were still red in the face from their big scene.
"AHHHAhaHAHAhahahahHAAAAA" Flash was hysterical with laughter at witnessing them kiss on stage.
"Give them a break, darling." Rarity said to Flash, who was still laughing uncontrollably. "What they pulled off took ALOT of guts. In fact they pulled it off a little too well now that I think about it...just the thought of romance makes me feel all warm inside."
Derpy then wandered into the back stage and simply sat down as the group continued it's conversations. As time went on she reached to somewhere out of sight and brought out a muffin...then ate it. After everypony was done getting out of costume and winding down, they all went back to their homes.
After Lightning got home after the longest night of his life, he got into bed with only the thought of how kissing Applejack felt. The many different thoughts of how kissing her felt. As his eyes closed she was all that was on his mind...except for one nagging thought. Or rather the bare feeling on his flank. He then drifted off to sleep.
Lightning did not want to get up today, It was the same as any day: He would try to live a normal life among everyponyelse but they would quickly remind him of his still unremarkable blank flank. He had tried everything in the book and out of the book to get his mark. He discovered that he was good at a few things and not so good at others but not a single action of his ever would result in his mark finally appearing. It was a rather dreary spring morning to top it all off. The sky was cloudy, there was still a faint chill in the air and it all seemed certain that it would rain. He was about to give up and go back to bed as some flashes in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres then caught his eyes. Like when he was just a little pony, he was still mesmerized by thunderstorms. It then hit him. His mark must have something to do with lightning...or thunder. Anything storm related. It had to be. He then came to the conclusion that perhaps if he lived up to his name, Lightning Ace, it would lead to his mark at long last. Just before Lightning could leave the house, he was stopped by his roommate, Rainbow Dash.
"Where are you going? There's a nasty lightning storm out there." Rainbow said.
"I'm tired of being a blank flank Rainbow." Lightning said as he looked off at the distant storm, which had by now grown in size. "But now I know what I must do to get it." Lightning said as he turned to Rainbow. "No matter what happens, I don't want you to stop me. I need to do this." He looked back at the storm.
"Wait a bucking moment...you're not thinking of flying into the storm...are you?" Rainbow said with a hint of concern in her voice.
"I'm sorry Rainbow Dash..." Lightning said as he took off and flew towards the storm, trailing tears as he flew.
"NOOOOO!!! LIGHTNING!!!" Rainbow shouted as he became little more than a blue spot against the clouds of the storm.
Flash was awoken by Rainbow's shouting. "Rainbow...what in the hay is going on?" Flash mumbled as he rubbed his eyes with his foreleg.
"It's Lightning! He...he flew off into the storm..." Rainbow then fell into a sob.
"What do you mean?" Flash asked, confused by her sobbing. After not receiving an answer he looked out towards the storm.
//////////////////////
It didn't take long for Lightning to reach Sweet Apple Acres. After arrival he stopped to look up at the storm. It was an unusual storm, with far more lightning and much closer to the ground. He recalled Applejack telling him about their zapapple trees, and how the weather is connected to their fruiting season, but he had never seen them turn ripe in pony. Without another thought, he flew up into the storm itself. He thought that if he could dodge lightning, maybe it would get him his mark at long last. After all, his name is Lightning Ace. He broke through the clouds of the side of the storm and was immediately nearly struck by lightning. Using everything he learned he weaved between lightning strikes with flips and rolls. For the next two minutes he successfully dodged multiple bolts. In excitement of the moment he broke his concentration to check his flank, only to find it still bare. But before he could go any further a rogue bolt struck him on his opposite flank. He let out a scream of pain before another bolt struck him in the other flank. Now half stunned by the strikes upon him, he further attempted to dodge the lightning in an attempt to escape the storm. He had, however, lost track of where in the storm he now was. Panic started to settle in as he dodged a couple more bolts as he frantically searched for the edge of the storm. Three more bolts found their mark as Lightning started to lose feeling in his left wing. He strained to continue dodging the lightning but was struck several more times in the flanks. All the while, on his flank where the lightning was striking a pure white, glowing lightning bolt had started to appear. His mane had started to change as well, as his mane and tail were now starting to sport a single glowing pure white lightning shaped streak. Now losing all feeling in his wings, he began to fall from the sky as the storm began to dissipate around him. The trees below him now covered in vibrant rainbow auroras.
His now limp yet conscious body fell from the sky and passed through the strange aurora while it was red shifted, causing the still glowing marks on his flanks and the streaks in his mane and tail to take on the red color. He then hit the ground and skidded to a stop under one of the trees, which now had ripened zapapples hanging from their branches. The glow on his new markings began to fade as he began to lose consciousness. Before losing all cognition a familiar orange mare began to lift him from underneath and place him onto her back. He then lost all feeling and fell limp. All was dark.
He was in a dark forest within an equally dark temple structure. There upon a pedistol 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 familiar 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.
