//------------------------------// // Lightning Strikes // Story: A Great and Powerful Love Story // by DragonMaster24921 //------------------------------// Shuffle awoken from his peaceful sleep stretched his free arm. The other had been stolen by a certain sleeping girlfriend. He laid there in silence, listening to the soft inhale and exhales of the girl. From an outside perspective, someone would find his whirlwind of a romance fast, unusual, or even doomed to fail. But at this moment, just lying there made everything worth it. Shuffle let out a sigh and was about to fall asleep again when he felt another fuzzy body on his trapped hand. Shuffle laughed silently as the body came to rest in his palm. Greg somehow escaped his cage again. "Don't even know why she tries to cage you bud, you just get out." "Because your mother doesn't like having a rare tarantula crawling about in her home," Another voice piped up. Trixie rolled over, scooping up the spider. "How's Mama's favorite spider this morning?" Trixie cooed at the spider, nuzzling it. "You’re such a weirdo, you know that right?" "Takes a weirdo to know a weirdo. Besides, how can you say no to this cute little guy?" On the spot, Greg pulled out a pink flower and presented it to Shuffle. "How does one train a spider to do what Greg does? Other spiders wouldn't do the things he does. If anything, one would mistake him for an eight-legged cat." "Maybe Trixie is such a good owner that she speaks spider." Shuffle raised his eyebrow. "What? Can you just not accept that Trixie is that great?" "No." Trixie pouted and held Greg close. "Don't listen to the mean man Greggy, you’re just as great and powerful as Trixie is," Shuffle rolled his eyes as he finally got his arm free from under Trixie. "If you’re done stroking your ego Trix, I do believe we had a date today. And we still need to get ready for the day," Shuffle got up and walked to his closet, grabbing a set of clothes. "I'm going to take a shower," With that, Shuffle left the room leaving Trixie alone with Greg. Greg sat in Trixie's hand looking up at her before making gestures at her. "Yes Greg, I did mean everything I said. With you in my act, we have an advantage over any kind of competition in the future. Nothing will stop The Great and Powerful Trixie and Komungus The Wise, as we take the world by storm!" Greg pointed to where Shuffle went. "Yes, Shuffle would be along as well, but that doesn't mean we can't take center stage." Trixie looked towards the door in silent thought. Trixie wonders if Shuffle would like to go on tour with her in the summer. A few moments of silence passed before Greg made a noise to get Trixie's attention. "No, Greg, this isn't like with Him. Trixie feels like she would enjoy having Shuffle along. Now you need to go back into your cage. Don't worry, I'll get you some breakfast in a bit," Trixie got up herself. "First, let’s deal with a certain someone that forgot that Trixie likes taking her showers with that someone." Trixie put Greg back in his cage, locked the door and left swiftly after. Greg sat in his cage until the door shut, then quickly scuttled out of a small hole in the bottom of the cage. She needs to fix that. Greg thought as he hopped down from the table. Greg, using his small agile form, found his way into a crack in the door opening and scaled the wall, heading towards his usual spot in the house. A small entrance allowed Greg to enter the wall. He scuttled in, slowly using the house’s frame to descend towards the corner. There laid another spider in a web. It was a larger than normal spider but the special thing about it was the irregular coloring on her, it had red legs that had white rings around the bends of each leg, the body itself was blue and the web sack had a lotus design on the top, reminiscent of a circus ring. Along with it was a mid-sized sack which was already rumbling with the surprise inside. Greg approached the other spider and gave a chitter of greeting, the other spider reacted with the same sound and the two nuzzled together. Trixie and Shuffle quickly finished their morning routines and left, ready for a day's worth of fun. As the duo exited the house, Shuffle pointed at the walkway. "How about we walk today? It feels great out and we got all day," Shuffle hooked Trixie's arm under his as the two walked off towards town. Unbeknownst to the duo, Greg had made a small parachute and was already in hot pursuit of them, leaving the other spider back home. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew somewhere deep down that something was going to go south, and he was going to be needed. That and the weeks with Trixie had taught him that she gets in fights constantly. Even then, he still needed to give that boy an apology for scaring him. Maybe this time he won't freak out when Greg tried to hug him. With no exact destination set, the duo mindlessly wandered around Canterlot’s shops. The first shop that caught both of their attention was Zecora's. Shuffle held the door for Trixie and the two entered. Familiar scents wafted from the various mixes and reagents made by the local alchemist. From sweet-smelling scents to earthy odors, the shop alone was an olfactophilic's dream. Zecora came from the back room having heard the faint jingle from the door's bell and approached the duo. "Ah, Trixie, it's good to see you again. Here to pick up anything you need?" Trixie hugged the older woman. "No, we're just looking around today, but have you got anything new in stock?" Zecora nodded and pointed towards the back area of the shop. "Over there are some new items from back home. Take a look and see if there are any items that you can use to perform." Trixie moved away from Shuffle and starting looking around the shelves idly, whilst Shuffle's eye had a distinct glint of a gold plated box. Shuffle attempted to open the box but the lid seemed to be sealed shut. Shuffle picked it up and inspected the box looking for a way to open it before his long finger slid along the underside of the lid revealing a small button. He pressed it and the lid made a small POP sound. The lid moved, revealing what looked like slips of cardboard. The cardboard seemed in extremely good condition, even though the box looked ancient. Before Shuffle could remove the lid and look at one of the papers, a voice next to him snapped him from his trance. "It's not wise to be snooping around, Mr. Suite," Zecora said, her hands crossed. Shuffle laughed nervously. "Sorry, it kinda just got my attention," Shuffle replied before giving the box to Zecora. She looked down at the box, noting the lid had slightly moved. Zecora nodded and took the box into the back room. Shuffle quickly moved back towards Trixie's side, not wanting to offend the owner any more than he had already. Once Trixie finished looking, she grabbed a few relics from the shelf and paid for them. The two left shortly thereafter. Zecora smirked and removed herself from the front room and took the items within the gold box. A blackened fang, a small vial of purple goo, a ring with an eye symbol on it. A rainbow-like a veil neatly folded in the corner, a set of red and green spectacles. Along with these items a handful of small blank cardboard cards. "Soon," Zecora said aloud, before arranging each item with a card, leaving three in a small pile off to the side. The hours flitted away for the teens, who stopped into SugarCube for lunch. Trixie and Shuffle had come across the duo of Zero and Twilight inside. The two couples exchanged a small rapport before breaking off for lunch. After finishing, the two said goodbye to their friends and continued their escapade around town. Before long, they ended up at a small bookstore beside the theatre. "Hello, Welcome to Novella's! If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask," The clerk said cheerfully. Trixie, eyes already locked onto a particular area of the store, practically drug Shuffle over towards it. "OH MY GOSH. THEY HAVE IT!!!" Trixie said with glee as she started grabbing a book. Shuffle loomed over her shoulder. "Show Stopper's Advanced Magics Revealed?" "Yeah, he was one of the first stage magicians, second best to Hoofdini himself! He was capable of doing the legendary, "Dancing Flames" trick. No one knows how he was able to conjure up two perfect human forms and having them perform tricks for a solid five minutes straight." "Sounds like stunt actors, in very good protective gear," Shuffle said as he thought about it. "That's what everyone else thought too, but when the entirety of the stage crew was interviewed for this book, no one had volunteered to perform the trick. Show Stopper has been a legend ever since and finally, I can read how he did it!" Trixie replied. "Ya know, for someone who sleeps through a majority of her classes, you know stage magic history very well. Maybe if you put some of that enthusiasm into learning about the quadratic formula, your math grade would be higher, hmm?" Shuffle said playfully as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Trixie giggled and elbowed Shuffle in the stomach. "Sorta like how you can explain that chain link mechanic in that card game you play? And last time I checked mister, your grades in English aren't the best either." Shuffle shrugged. "Look, Cranky has it out for me, I swear. Ever since I and Zero accidentally trashed his picture of Matilda, he's been tryna fail me." "And we all told you two to not be running around the school with water guns filled with hot sauce." "Hey, you thought it was funny too! Don't act all high and mighty," Shuffle shot back, trying to hide a smile. "Trixie didn't, she just has the dignity to know when the joke is meant to stop." Shuffle gave her a look. "Then how about that little ‘Practice Session’, you pulled me into a few weeks back?” It was Trixie's turn to blush, before coming up with a remark. "Last I checked you didn't mind when you were arm deep between-." Beep Beep Beep Shuffle’s phone rang out. He checked it before taking Trixie's hand. "Oh shoot, we got five minutes till the movie start, we need to get going!" Shuffle guided the two out of the store and across the street into the Cinema. Meanwhile Tesla had gotten home from work, Lightning in tow behind her, each carrying a box of supplies in hand. The two head down towards Tesla's home lab. Tess set down her box and made space for Lightning. "Thanks again for the help Light, I was needing these samples for an experiment at home, and hopefully I can get it down pact, especially for Trixie." “Seems like a bit of overkill. What are you even trying to accomplish anyway, Tess?" "Matter displacement or perfect camouflage. Both would be using full for the world, but Trixie is gonna test it out for me when she starts her shows again." Lightning sighed as he watches Tesla putter around her lab. "Before you get lost in your work again, can we at least talk about us?" Tesla stopped mid-stride and turn her attention to Lightning. "What do you mean? I thought we were working out okay, we go out regularly, we don't let it interfere with our jobs, aren't we in perfect form for a healthy relationship now?" "Well, yes, but, the past few weeks have been getting… Stale to say the least. Most of our ‘dates’ are here or running around town trying to find stuff. And when we do go out to eat or do something, you always nose deep in some kind of project or writing notes for something..." Tesla was taken aback from Lightning's remark, but upon reflection, she noticed that what he said has been true. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry Light, I've just been focused on this, and I haven't been considering your feelings… how about this? We go upstairs right now, make some food and have a movie night. Trixie and Shuffle are out so maybe we do other stuff too~..." Tesla replied before taking Lightning's hand into hers. "Actually… That's what I wanted to talk about. I think it would be best for us to take a break, ya know, just so we can focus on our own goals and pick up later?" Tesla's face visibly paled as she let go of his hand. "Oh… Yeah, that's okay, maybe some other time then I guess…" Tesla moved away from Lightning, turning away from the man. "I'm sorry, but I think you should leave, I've got some work to do." Lightning moved towards Tesla who locked up at his touch. "Tess, it's only for a little while, promise," Lightning said as he tried to touch Tesla. "Please, just leave…" Tesla replied in almost a whisper as she quickly grabbed something to busy herself with. Lightning left silently, leaving Tesla all alone. A few terse minutes of silence resonated in the cold lab before she sat down on one of the stools and began to cry. Lightning shut the door to the house and walked to his car. Picking up his phone he called a number. "There, I did as you asked me, now about that promotion…" Lightning pulled the car out of the driveway and back towards the city. It was dark by the time Shuffle and Trixie had gotten home from the movies, having had dinner in the food before walking home. The duo was riding off the high of the day. Shuffle opened the door to the house, revealing it completely trashed with papers and it reeking of alcohol. Shuffle’s stomach dropped as he and Trixie started searching the house for Tesla, finally revealing the woman unconscious in the kitchen, a trail of blood oozing from Tesla's head and arm. "Trixie, call 911, Mom's hurt!" Paramedics came and went, quickly escorting Tesla to the hospital, Trixie's car following behind. By the time Trixie parked in the emergency room area of the hospital parking lot, Shuffle was already out the door and in a full sprint into the hospital. Shuffle checked in with the nurses working there. “Yes, she's already checked in. The doctors are attempting stopping her injuries as we speak, just sit down and we'll call you when we get more information." Shuffle thanked the nurse and moved to sit down at the other end of the waiting room. Trixie entered moments later, sitting beside him. "How is she?" "No one knows yet, they are trying to stop the bleeding now," Shuffle replied in a monotone voice. Forty-five agonizing minutes pass, no response from any doctors. Shuffle had started shuddering from the wait, trying his best not to break down, yet he needed to know if his mother was okay, and crumbling wasn't going to help. By the time it had reached an hour and a half later, a doctor finally came from the back room. "Shuffle Suite, can I speak to you please?" Trixie nodded as the two got up and followed the doctor back to a private room. "There's no easy way to say this son, but your mother's not in the best condition. From what we found, she had major gashes along the side of her arm and a significant amount of head trauma from a fall. That, along with the amount of alcohol in her system, she's very lucky she wasn't in any worse shape. The injuries in her arm looked deliberate, has your mother ever had any suicidal tendencies?" The doctor asked. Shuffles took a deep breath before replying. "No, the last time something like this happened was a long time ago…" Shuffle replied. The doctor nodded, taking some notes. "Well right now, we have her in ICU, keeping her under watchful eyes, at least till she regains consciousness." Before the doctor could add anything more, his pager had buzzed. "I'm sorry, I've got another call if you want to see your mother just ask one of the nurses to point you to ICU. I'm sorry we can't do much more right now." Shuffle went silent from the news. Trixie thanked the doctor for Shuffle, and he left shortly thereafter. He took a few minutes to sit down at the conference table, trying to collect his thoughts. "Shuffle?" Trixie called out. Shuffle silently left the room, completely ignoring Trixie who followed close behind. Shuffle asked a nurse for directions, where he was guided towards ICU, his footsteps heavy from the weight of the last two hours of the trauma he had been carrying on his mind. They reached Tesla's room, and the sight along made Trixie's stomach turn. Tesla's arms from inner elbow to wrist had several painful stitches on her arm, her head was partially shaved with even more stitches, a breath mask on her mouth and nose, and the hospital gown was a mess of wires and pipes. "Mama…" Shuffle said silently as he approached the comatose woman. Tears started welling in his eyes, his mind already triggering the memory from years prior, regressing to a much younger Shuffle. "Shuffle?" Trixie tried to get the boys' attention, but it seemed like words weren't going to reach him. She got closer to her boyfriend, wrapping her arms around him. Finally, the dam burst and Shuffle started to cry into Trixie's shoulder. After a little while, Shuffle finally tried composing himself and gave Trixie a shaky kiss on her forehead. "Thank you," Shuffle said almost in a whisper. Trixie gave him a soft smile before taking his hand again. "We need to call Lightning. I need to know why mom did this, and he would be the best start to try and figure this out," Shuffle said as he walked over to his mother kissing her on the forehead. "Don't you dare leave me alone… please," Shuffle and Trixie left the room and soon the hospital. Sitting in Trixie's car, Shuffle called Lightning a dozen times before the man finally answered. The shuffle had the phone on speaker when Lightning finally picked up. "What do you want, Shuffle? It's almost midnight," Lightning asked in an irritated tone. "Mom was put in the hospital today. She had an accident while drinking, did you spend any time with her today?" Shuffle asked. "Yeah, we were in her lab most of the day, she was fine when I left." Shuffle took a moment to ponder this before another voice chimed in. "What's Wrong babe, did that ex of your come crawling back?" The voice said, obviously female and had a malicious edge to it. "Lightning, please for the love of Faust, you’re not with another woman right now!" Lightning stayed silent as the woman took the phone. "Look bitch whoever you are you might wanna back off before something happens to you, I know people." Trixie stole the phone from Shuffle's shocked handed before he could respond. "YOU EVIL VINDICTIVE MANIPULATIVE WITCH, I SWEAR IF I GET MY HANDS ON YOU I'M GOING TO PERSONALLY INTRODUCE YOU TO THE GROUND!" Trixie's shrieks didn't go unnoticed from the woman from the other side of the line. "Hello Trixella, it has been a while hasn't it?" "Can it! I don't know what you did, but you’re going to pay dearly for this!" "Aw, is that any way to speak to your mother?" "You never have and will never be my mother! You may have given birth to me, but you’re nothing more than the dust beneath Trixie's boot!" "Whatever, you’re nothing to me anyways. Your daddy's money on the other hand, that I would be more interested in, which by the way, as your mother I'm entitled to a cut of it. I helped raise your spoiled ass, now give me what I'm due!" Trixie let out a scream of rage and ended the call before she would attempt to break it. Shuffle on the other hand had been stunned to silence. It made perfect sense. Lightning dumped his mother, then went to another woman not even thinking of the consequences. "Shuffle… I'm…" Trixie started before Shuffle got out of the car and started walking. He didn't know where but he just needed to move.