//------------------------------// // The last meeting // Story: Hajime no Thunderlane // by Omegafr //------------------------------// It had been a week since I had succeeded in beating Lightning Dust and removing the Olympia Academy from the competition. I didn't feel proud of what I did, but what was done was done, and could not be changed. Light hasn't been here all week, so he phoned Rainbow Dash and explained that he wanted to stay with his fellow boxer to comfort her if she needed it. And although Rainbow Dash is normally in a jealous mood, she knew the turquoise mare's behavior and accepted the situation, hoping to see him again in the final. Light quickly congratulated me on my victory and, after asking him, had no hard feelings against me. He even explained to me that he had made a few enemies at the academy because he was the one who had caused this encounter, both on my side and that of Lightning Dust. We ended up fighting because of him or because of him, and he had no regrets, telling me again and again that he had made the right choice. This victory was so unexpected for me that it caused a huge stir in the world of global sport. To sum up the picture, a Wonderbolt who is forced to fight on the ground manages to beat an Olympia who are known as the greatest champions on the ground in all categories. In other words, many people bet on my defeat and ended up losing their bet. This surely explains the large number of journalists present today in this conference room transformed into an interview room. A week before the match, the various sports television channels organised an interview with the two sides that meet in the final. The elimination of the champion at the beginning of the tournament as well as my victory against the one who had just defeated him are like a star line-up for all boxing fans and channels looking for ratings. That's why today, me and Spitfire are in front of a big desk with a microphone on it, for the sole purpose of talking live on television. Under normal circumstances I would surely have shown myself in front of so many people, but the fact that I'm with my captain and also that I'll have the opportunity to see my opponent in the final makes me remain presentable. I dressed in my only suit and tie and now patiently wait for my opponent and his coach to arrive at their own desk, right next to ours. Spitfire directly calmed the journalists' ardor by not saying a word until the opposing coach and his boxer were there. The wait was finally short lived, and two dragons arrived and crossed the crowd of journalists to position themselves next to us. The first of these dragons is quite small, a bit smaller than Spitfire, which is the height of an adult dragon, but with a smile on its face, surely compared to the many cameras. Its scales were purple and it had no wings. On the other hand, the one who accompanied him was impressive, undoubtedly my biggest opponent in this tournament, even more than most minotaurs, but on the contrary, his coach was very expressive, impassive, as if he were absent. Its body wavered between light orange and dark red and its scales appeared pointed and rocky. I quickly noticed his tiny wings and his horns were cut off, making me feel like he was bald. He steps forward with his coach, who could be mistaken for his little brother, and the journalists start to turn on all the cameras present to get started. All the journalists were starting to come out with something to write about, as if everything else wasn't enough... "Hello to you, first question, how does it feel to make it to the finals?" Asked one of them directly. "Well, there was no doubt in our minds, Randy is a great fighter and nobody could stop him!" Start the dragon on one side. "And we don't intend to bow down to a pony." he ends by turning his eyes to us. The provocative aspect of his last sentence would make me want to blow him away if I could. But between the cameras on one side and especially Spitfire on the other, let this be an impossible thought. I have to let my captain answer until she gives me permission, probably to avoid stupid provocations or some other line I might regret later. "In our case, we're obviously very proud to have made it this far, and keep in mind our main objective, which is to win this tournament," she replies stoically, remaining impassive to the little dragon's unkind commentary. "Did you have any doubts about Thunderlane's rise in this tournament, especially since you entered him so quickly?" "Every coach must have doubts and a share of responsibility for the members of his academy. That's why I can only be happy that Thunderlane made it here," she nodded with a slight smile. "Let me doubt it." commented the decidedly pretentious dragon. "I, Theor, have never doubted my boxer, it shows your lack of understanding of this environment." he says cheerfully, keeping his hands folded all this time and his mischievous smile. Spitfire remained just as uninterested as before, she must have been used to getting light spikes, because as soon as you become known in Equestria or even overseas, you will be criticized no matter what you do. It reminded me of a damaging day when I could have beaten to a pulp a fake fan who only nagged me because he told me that Rainbow Dash was much better than me. Thank you, Soarin, for holding me back that day. "This is the first time that wonderbolts have tried out for competition outside of high aerobatics, do you intend to continue on this path?" Ask for one of them next. "Absolutely not, Thunderlane is a special case and I accepted this change because it has become an important part of the show and is appreciated by the audience." she says. I find myself rather flattered that my captain would say such things about me. She always liked Rainbow Dash despite her few deviations and Soarin was the perfect obedient soldier, which she also appreciated. Before she had that accident, she didn't consider me a friend... not to my knowledge anyway. Now, I don't know if I should break my head with that or if it doesn't matter in the end. It seems that my thoughts made me lose track of the interview, as Spitfire quickly woke me up by saying my name somewhat close to my ears, which made me blink to see the journalists looking at me. "I'll repeat my question, are you boxing today out of spite or is it a real passion for you now?" "Uh, of course at first it seemed a bit... like... not the right way for me, it started with the training I was doing on my own and seeing the other wonderbolts flying free, I almost felt compelled to do it," but I say it as sincerely as I could. "And indeed, this is not your way!" Added the naughty dragon coach between my explanations. Was my audition going well right now or... did I hear that jerk tell me I was wrong? I turned to see him and tried to intimidate him, except that between him and me was Spitfire, which made me understand with a simple look not to answer and to change my attitude. I immediately went back to the reporters to finish the answer. "But since I started fighting in the ring, I felt more and more attracted to the sport. The training sessions became simpler, even fun to do alone, and that's how I ended up there. So yeah, I think it's a passion for boxing that I have now!" Did I answer. Journalists wrote down every word I said, spanking me, wondering if they had really listened to me. Finally, the opposing coach kept his mouth shut this time, so I was happy with the situation. I smile as the bulk of the other questions now go to our competitors. And as since earlier, the dragon boxer didn't say a word, even when the questions were directed at him, and his coach kept strutting around praising his merits for getting here with ease. "Before we finish the interview, we'd like the boxers to shake hands, it's for the cover!" Asked the most reckless of the ponies present. "If Thunderlane agrees, I have no problem with that." Spitfire said, leaving me the choice for once. "That's the way it works for me too." Replicated the purple wrist strap. Spitfire and Theor moved further away from the center to give us some space. I got up and before I knew it, Randy was standing next to me, still staring blankly. He just reached out his hand and I shook it back. The photos were fading in a second as I kept eye contact with him. I smiled until he started to hold me tighter and tighter, as if he wanted to show me his strength. I quickly put away my approving gaze and began to squeeze as hard as he did, bringing the handshake back to an even level, until he withdrew once the shots were finished. "Well, that's not all, but we have to go, Randy has a lot to do before next week." said the dragon in a hurry, taking his boxer as fast as they came. The reporters were starting to turn off and put away all the devices as Spitfire and I were leaving on our side. She didn't seem to notice the muscular handshake I had exchanged, otherwise she would have surely said two words to me. I guess the interview must have bored her, so she probably doesn't feel like talking, which explains the silence of the march. "Hey, wait!!!" All of a sudden, a voice I recognized was heard behind us. I turned around to see Light coming towards us as he waved goodbye. "Hey, Light, what are you doing here?" Did I ask with a smile on my face. "I've brought someone with me who'd like to talk to you, Thunderlane." he says directly, spanking me, knowing who it should be. "She's waiting for you outside on a first-floor balcony." I turned to Spitfire and unintentionally spanked my neck, luckily they didn't seem to hear it. The mare sighed with disapproval. "Hurry up then!" She said to me, crossing her arms, again with that annoyed look on her face. I quickly went where the Light had pointed me, leaving them alone in the empty, dimly lit hallway. "Then..." he began to strike up a conversation, smiling and turning to the mare. "How's love?" ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ First floor balcony, I was finally there, and so quickly that I didn't even think about flying through the building to get there, but whatever. I approached and opened the glass door that separated me from the outside, seeing Lightning Dust from behind, arms resting on the bar. She's wearing the same combat gear we wore in our match, so I know Spitfire would probably forbid it. I waited for her to tell me something, but was silent, so I closed the door and went next to her. She wanted me to start talking given her lack of reaction, or she was angry with me and planned to throw me down any second. I pray it is not the second option. "Uh, hello, Lightning Dust." I say, a little afraid. "Hello, Thunder! You dressed well today," she commented, noticing my suit, which I wear very little. "Yeah, I was on TV today, that's why." "Do you know that every one of our games was recorded in real time?" She asked me, always without really looking at me more than that, preferring the horizon. "Sure, but I can't imagine myself fighting in a ring in costume." he commented with a smile. My comment brought a slight sneer to his lips, which made me feel confident. So I went on about what I wanted to say to him after our game and it was still eating away at me. "So... no... no hard feelings?" "Why would I? We fought and I lost, too bad." Following this response she finally turned to me, letting go of the bar and now looking me in the eye. She smiled at me as if everything that had happened since the incident that got her kicked out of the academy had never happened, as if we had remained friends even though we hadn't seen each other for over a year. And when we meet again, it's to knock each other out... there's a friendlier relationship, but we have to deal with it. I swallowed a little when I saw her so close to me and also so scantily clad, but I finally took the plunge. "Lightning Dust, I think we've lost track of each other a lot since the incident at the wonderbolt academy." I began. "and I'd like us to spend more time together, is that okay?" Did I propose smiling again. My request seemed to have shocked her slightly, at the sight of her reaction, no longer smiling and staring at me even more intensely with her golden eyes, but darker than mine. I guess she didn't understand that I only wanted to be friends, and even though I'd be single, it's not a good time to flirt, as my captain is looking forward to me. So I wanted to clarify the situation. Except something stopped me, something... unexpected. I widened my eyes as I realized that she had suddenly started to kiss me, her eyes had closed and she was letting herself be carried away. Except to me, it was like a red alert what was going on. I only kept contact for a few seconds before I pushed him away with my hands, pulling my lips away from his. She still had her eyes closed and seemed to be waiting for me to come back, it was also me holding her back from falling on me because she was leaning towards me. I was speaking out to really clarify the situation. "Lightning Dust, I already have someone!" Did I formulate it quickly, waking her from her almost disturbing spasm. She started to open her eyes again and suddenly reality hit her. She took a big step back before looking away, which I did as soon as I had the chance. "Uh, I... sorry, I don't know what came over me!" She said then that her face showed the first redness I could see on her. We simply started looking at corners where we knew not to cross each other's eyes, hoping that this would not happen now. She thought I wanted us to be together, and the weird thing is, she jumped at the chance, she'd be in love with me? All this time? After what I did to him and even after the game? "I, uh..." "Who's the lucky lady?" Did she ask as she cut me off, not giving me time to explain. When I heard that she thought I was with a mare, I didn't know if I should correct her or just answer. The second option was a quicker way out of this situation. "Uh... (clears throat) Soarin..." The coming of my answer brought back an unbearable silence, I who only wanted to slip away as soon as I had the chance. And I don't know how to take it, but the reaction from Lightning Dust was a huge one: "HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Was she laughing out loud. I started laughing too, but more out of embarrassment than because I found the situation really funny. She stopped quite quickly, wiping away the only tear that had come out because her laugh was too big. "It's true that *sniff* I always thought he was a mare." she confessed to me when she stopped laughing. I didn't know what to think about it, it's true that he had his ways, but in the end everyone has them, so I didn't take them into account. "But I'm okay, to be friends again, I mean." she said to herself afterwards, still with her back turned. "Uh... cool." but I confessed by ruffling my mane without saying anything else. "I'll give you my number and you call me anytime, okay?" Did she offer me when she took her phone out of her pocket. "Okay." But I say quickly and prepare to write her number down on my own phone. She spelled it out for me in haste, I didn't know if she turned around since I still had my back to her, but she didn't ask me to turn around, so I guess she didn't dare. This Lightning Dust was quite different from the one I had known before and faced in the ring, but hey, everyone is entitled to their share of sensitivity after all. "Well, I'll leave you, good luck for the final." she said in a hurry before flying away, leaving a lightning bolt behind her. I was finally looking at her to see her take off into the skies, which I can hardly do now, so I took advantage of witnessing her speed. She was even faster than when she was at the academy, it's a shame Spitfire banned her from flying competitively, she's easily as talented as Rainbow Dash. I don't really like it when talent is wasted in this way, and it's when I started thinking about it that I started thinking about myself. If I had never had this deformity, I would never have tried boxing and I would still be an important member of wonderbolts shows. I unconsciously looked at my hands as I wondered, these muscular hands connected to my body built by imposing arms, and I wondered if I would ever have reached this state by continuing to fly. I then spread my wings, which made me wince for a second before my body got used to their position. They were always the same as before, they did not change and remained the same as any adult Pegasus despite the problem they were hiding. Would I be happier if nothing had changed? Was my life before really satisfying? More importantly... why am I wondering all this? Instead of just accepting it and moving forward as I have done since my first day as a boxer. I bury all these questions in a corner of my head called a "trash can" as if it were a computer screen, and hoped never to think about it again. Well, Spitfire's going to get really pissed off if I keep her waiting that long, it's time to go, I thought as I was heading back downstairs. I'd be more than satisfied with my life if I win my last game of the tournament. "Watch out Randy, I'm going to beat you." I said out loud, cracking my fingers, which were almost single-handedly cracking the walls in the hallway. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ The following week was the hardest week of my life, and after the Lightning Dust game, I didn't think it would be possible to surpass my expectations of a match. I was training alone as usual, but I was also eating and working alone now, away from the eyes of others. It was fun to see Rainbow Dash, Soarin, Cloudchaser or any other wonderbolt accompanying me in my sprints on clouds that were not very suitable, especially when my stallion could not go more than twenty meters without falling, like me at the beginning. But now there were no more distractions, so I even warned Soarin not to talk to me for the whole week. He's always worrying about me, it must be really weird for him and must surely give him another reason, but I can't afford it. We even stopped our intimate activities a while ago, and they can only be resumed at the end of this tournament, not before. The only thing I have on my mind is that Randy and his bad way of shaking my hand. He wanted to test my strength, he got him, and he gave me the rage to destroy him. Just because he's a dragon and he's three heads taller than me doesn't mean he's going to scare me, at the same time, nothing's scarier than a really rabid Lightning Dust. His greatest strength is not even his size for me, but rather his natural armor made of thick scales that I intend to pierce. That's why I replaced the mittens by banging directly against an old wall that's going to be destroyed soon anyway. Spitfire shouldn't scold me if I do damage, so why not. I did this day after day, every exercise, every break, every meal and every trip between my home and the academy was calculated to the second. Rainbow Dash will never call me lazy again, that's for sure. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ "Uh... (clears throat) Spitfire, do you know why this wall is so cracked?" Ask Rainbow Dash for her captain. She and Soarin and their captain stood in front of a wall about forty metres long and five metres high. The facade was horribly damaged, with cracks over its entire surface. "Yes, it looks like a beast tried to destroy it." Soarin nodded, shivering in her own words. "That's just Thunderlane!" She replied that she was aware of her intensified training. This totally serious statement left the two Pegasus speechless in front of the realization. It was their friend who had done this, when they themselves would be unable to do so even if they spent months doing it. "I think he's ready!" She said, staring at the wall threatening to collapse, smiling. "Come on, hurry up everyone, the game is in a few hours, get ready." she ordered then, blowing her whistle loudly.