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// Chapter 12: Entering the Everfree Forest 
// Story: Broken Wings 
// by ComradeUncleJoe 
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Chapter 12: Entering the Everfree Forest

Rainbow Dash flew around Ponyville; it was late in the afternoon the day after the little “incident” with Speedster. She had not heard or seen Speedster since he left her home, and, admittedly, she was happy about this. Rainbow Dash was confused; she wasn’t sure how she should feel about her situation. On one hand, she had always really liked Speedster, on the other, she still had strong feelings towards Lightning. She felt wrong for allowing Speedster to kiss her, but the kiss felt…right. She wasn’t sure what to do.

Rainbow Dash shortly found herself in the midst of the apple trees of a friend she knew so well. She continued to stroll through the apple trees until she spotted the large, rickety, red barn. Standing outside the barn, pulling a large wagon full of apples, was Rainbow Dash’s friend Applejack.

“Hey Applejack! Whatcha up to?” Rainbow Dash asked as she flew over.

“Hey there sugarcube. Oh nothin’ just gatherin’ up these apples. What’re ya’ll doing?”

“Nothing, just flying around, thinking about stuff.”
“What kind of stuff?” The orange pony asked as she undid her harness and stepped away from the wagon.

“Just…boy problems.” Rainbow Dash thought she sounded silly when she said it, but it was more or less true.

“Whatcha mean sugarcube? C’mon, ya can tell me anything.”

“Well…Last night Speedster, my friend since childhood, kissed me.”

“What?! What did ya do?”

“I kissed him back.”

“Oh, then what’s the problem?”

“Well, I like Speedster and all…but I also like Lightning.”
“Wait, ya mean Lightning? The pony ya met in Las Pegasus?”

“Yeah him, I…kinda developed strong feelings towards him before we left, but I also like Speedster.”

“Well ya know sugarcube, that Lightning fella came by here the other day…”

“What?! He did?

“Uh…yeah? Wait, you didn’t see him?”

“No! When did he come by?”

“Uh…yesterday, about mid-morning ah think. Came by asking where ya was.”

“What did you say?”

“Told him ah didn’t know where ya was, told him ya was hanging around Sugarcube Corner quite a bit recently.”

“Ohmygosh! I need to find him!”

“Ah suppose…but why didn’t he come find ya? Seems a bit peculiar if ya ask me.”

“I don’t know. Look, I gotta go Apples, thanks.”

“Uh…bye then.” Rainbow Dash flew off before her friend could say anything. She was determined to find Lightning and sort everything out. She was not going to let this opportunity slip by again.

Rainbow Dash flew off to Sugarcube Corner. She hoped she could find something to lead her to Lightning. She wanted desperately to see him again. After a short time of flight, Rainbow Dash landed in front of the small bakery and ran in. She looked around; the bakery was quite empty, only a neon green unicorn sat in the corner. Rainbow Dash walked up to her bubbly friend, Pinkie Pie.

“Oh hey Rainbow Dash! What are you up to?”

“Hey Pinkie. I’m just looking for someone; maybe you know where they are.”

“Sure thing Dash, who are you looking for? Is it Twilight? Oh, what about Rarity? Applejack? Fluttershy? Is it me? I’m right here silly…”

“Uh, Pinkie, calm down. I’m looking for a white pegasus with a golden mane, his name is Lightning.”

“Oh I remember him, he came in here yesterday looking for you Dash!”

“Really? What did you tell him?”

“He came in not long after you had left. I told him you had probably went home and gave him directions.”

“You did? Uh oh…”

“What is it Dash?”

“Nothing Pinkie, thanks.” Rainbow Dash ran off before Pinkie Pie could answer. She began to worry. Did he walk in on her and Speedster? Is that why she hasn’t seen him yet? Rainbow Dash got more and more worried. Where was Lightning now? Who knows where he got to last night.

Lightning awoke curled up under a large tree; his body ached and his eyes were encrusted with dried tears. He had had a terrible night and barely slept at all. The noises of the forest, the terrible dream, Lightning was surprised he had gotten any sleep at all. 

Lightning stood, every muscle in his body ached in protest. He looked around to get his bearings; he was in a dark, intimidating forest. He knew not where he was, nor how to get out. This was a more cause for concern, but Lightning only cared for what had happened the other day.

After much thought, Lightning decided to continue moving. He wanted to find a place he could settle down, start a new life, and get away from all that has happened the past few weeks. So without a second thought Lightning left his perch under the large tree.

The wingless Pegasus trotted along the path leading deeper into the forest; he wasn’t sure where he was going, but he figured he’d eventually make it to another town. The path he followed winded around, leading him even deeper and into the dark forest. Lightning looked around; he could feel the eyes of unknown creatures watching his every move. 

The feeling of being watched at every turn gave Lightning goose bumps. He wondered what sort of hideous creatures lurked in these dark woods. The thought of various horrific, monstrous creatures made Lightning nervous. Or a crazy axe wielding pony could pop out at any place and chop him up to bits. Maybe he should lay off the scary movies.

Thankfully, Lightning didn’t encounter any monsters or crazed axe murders, and he reached the exit of the forests without incident. The bright sunlight of mid-day shone right in Lightning’s eyes. It was so bright that he had to cover his eyes with his hoof. The warmth of the sun felt amazing on the pegasus’s achy body. Lightning took a deep breath and exhaled. He felt…good, or at least as good as one can be after previous events. He didn’t let the thoughts of the past dwell; he decided it was best if he moved on and continued to find his place.

Lightning left he Everfree forest and walked out unto a large plain, as far as the eye could see, there was only the rolling grassy plain. There was the occasional flower or bush, but it was mostly flat and devoid of any plants other than grass. Lightning walked along the grassland; this area reminded him so much of home. As he continued to trek across the vast landscape, Lightning’s thoughts began to wander to the time when he was young, when he lived with his mother and Thunder…

“Lightning! Wait for me!” the young unicorn galloped after his older brother. The two were going to explore the Ash Wood Forest, despite their mother telling them not to.

“Hurry up Thunder! I can’t wait for you all day, we have to get to the secret spot before mom finds out we’re gone.”

“But Lightning, mommy said we weren’t allowed to go into the forest, because it was dangerous!”

“What are you, a wimp? Quit being a baby!” Lightning teased at his younger brother. He knew full well they weren’t supposed to be there, but his curiosity and adventurous spirit kept him going.

The two brothers entered the dark forest, Lightning had heard rumors it was haunted, but he knew those were only old pony tales. Lightning knew better than to believe those silly stories.

“Lightning, what are we gonna do in the forest anyways?”

“We are looking for adventure bro, the forest holds all kinds of secrets.”

“But isn’t the forest haunted?”

“Hell naw, that’s just old stories the townspeople would tell to scare the kids into behaving. It’s all fake.”

“I…I guess if you say so…”

“I do! Now come on! I wanna show you this sweet secret spot I found the other day.” With that, Lightning flew off, deeper into the forest.

“Lightning, wait!” Thunder ran off after him…

Lightning came to from his day dream, he found he had walked a good distance from the forest, but as far as he could see was just green, rolling plains. He kept walking, focusing on the future instead of the past. He had no destination in mind, all he knew was that he had to keep going, to find his place in the world…