//------------------------------// // Year 5: Part 3 // Story: Lightning Dust: The Story Of Shadow // by Whooves235 //------------------------------// Lightning’s Barracks As the sun rose in the east, Lightning slowly opened her tired eyes, then turned over to see that she was not alone in her bed, next to her was Sky Striker, who by the looks of it was very much still asleep. She quietly moved out of bed and walked to her cabinet, pulled out her Shadowbolt Uniform, and put it on. She opened the door slowly and walked out, closing the door slowly as to not wake Sky. "Well I better take a lap around the cave to warm up," Lightning thought to herself. She took off into the air and started her laps. As she flew around the cave she recalled back to yesterday, and everything that had happened to her. Nightshade, her Dad, both of them were gone now, and knowing Cinch she probably already had a plan to explain both of them being missing. Lightning stopped mid-air. As she looked outside of the cave, The Crystal Empire seemed to have a shield around it, but strangely it didn’t seem like it was being attacked. Lightning flew to the cave entrance to investigate, only to find Cinch waiting there. "I see you have noticed the shield as well?" Cinch said, turning her head slightly to Lightning. "I was about to sound the alarms when I saw that the city does not seem to be under attack." "Why would they have there shield up then?" Lightning asked. "At the moment, I haven't the faintest idea. However, my Shadowspies will report to me soon enough," Cinch said. "Where is Commander Sky Striker?" "He must still be asleep, should I wake him?" Lightning said, a hint of red covering her cheeks. "No need, you both need your rest. Today you will be receiving your first mission." Cinch turned and started to walk back into the cave. "Oh, and Lightning Dust?" "Yes Ma'am?" "Be on your guard today. This mission will be a challenge for the both of you, and unless you want to end up like your father, I would suggest that you follow the commands I give you" Cinch said, with a stern tone "Yes Ma'am" Lightning said, saluting Captain's Quarters/Throne Room 1 Hour Later "The two of you will go on your first mission outside of the Shadowbolt Base. It is of great importance that you stay hidden, as to not draw suspicion," Cinch said. Lightning and Sky Striker stood in front of her throne, both listening to Cinch's instructions. "As far as Equestria is concerned you are both missing. The only people aware of what you are doing are the few Shadowspies that watched you grow, so you must conceal your identities." "Will we have assigned identities, ma’am?" Sky Striker asked. "Yes, I have personally chosen fake identities for you two to use. You will go by these names in public, you may only use your real names when you are alone," Cinch said, then floated out two ID's using her levitation spell, giving them to Lightning and Sky Striker. "Sky Striker, you will be known as Thunder Charge," she said, "and Lighting Dust, you will be known as Comet Thunder." "Yes ma'am," the two ponies responded. "Your mission is to go to Cloudsdale, take the Wonderbolt Tour, and survey the Wonderbolt HQ so we may know areas to attack it when the time comes." "Ma'am, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I am known by Spitfire and Rainbow Dash, two Wonderbolts who would spot me if I go on this tour." "That is why you, Lightning, will be going on a different mission." "What mission is that, ma’am?" "You are to go to Canterlot. I want to know what is going on that would make the Crystal Empire raise their defenses. After you are done you will both return to the meeting point, the Ponyville Express Train Station, you will both ride the train and meet up, after that you will return to me and report your findings." "Yes Ma'am," the two ponies said. "You may go," Cinch said, and Lightning and Sky proceeded to walk out the door and to their missions. Canterlot As Lightning got off the Ponyville Express she could see the towering city, its white and golden architecture blinding everyone who came with all its beauty. Lightning approached the nearest coach. "Where to, Ma'am?" the pony asked. "The Hay and Stay hotel, and please be quick," Lightning said. "Ok then, that will be 20 bits," the pony replied. Lightning handed him the bits and got into the coach wagon, then the coach wagon started its way to the hotel. She now had to find out how exactly she would be able to infiltrate the most fortified place in all of Equestria without getting caught. "So what do you think about that Friendship Festival coming up?" the coach pony asked. "Friendship Festival?" Lightning asked, "What kind of festival is that?" "You're not from Canterlot, are you?" the pony said. "Yeah, I have been away for a while," Lightning replied, scratching the back of her head. "Yeah, Princess Twilight said that it would be a good idea to have a festival to celebrate Friendship as a whole across Equestria. She even got Songbird Serenade to perform!" the pony said. "It’s all very exciting, and it’s suppose to happen in a couple of months." "Sounds fun, I hope I can attend," Lightning said. "Well, here we are: the Hay and Stay Hotel." "Thanks," Lightning said, then walked over to the entrance of the Hotel. As she entered the door she could see that the hotel lobby was not very well decorated, and there seemed to be a restaurant off to the side of the building where ponies could eat, She walked up to the counter. "Hello, um, I have a reservation here under Comet Thunder?" Lightning said, hoping that her reservations were set up. "Yes, hold on please," the counter pony said, then started to check her list. "Ahh yes, Comet Thunder. I have you right here." The pony floated over her room key. "You are in room 112, on the right." "Thank you." Lightning grabbed the room key, and proceeded to walk to her room. "Well then, it looks like my infiltration is done. Now I just have to find a way to get into the castle."