//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: Thunder at Dusk 
// by Sterling Sketch 
//------------------------------//

	"Well, everyone," Rainbow said to the group, "I think it's about time Lightning and I took off."
Lightning stirred himself from his comfortable position he had taken on his back. About half an hour ago, they all had resorted to various sprawled positions on the hilltop to allow them the leisure of stargazing as the night pulled itself over them. They had been out for... about three hours, maybe? Lightning didn't know or care. All he knew was that he made some wonderful, adventurous friends who had saved Equestria more than once. He felt privileged to be counted as a friend to them.
They had all taken a liking to him; however, Spike was especially head-over-heels fascinated with him. The little dragon had all sorts of questions that ranged from his fastest flight to his favorite food, and he even asked Twilight about a spell to give him wings! Of course, she said no. It broke his little heart, but he got over it quickly when Rarity intervened.
Applejack was more open to him than he expected. He had thought she might be wary of unknown ponies in town, even if they were a friend of a friend, but she was quite receptive. In retrospect, this was no surprise considering their similar backgrounds. The two had both been exposed to the country lifestyle, and this made it easy for them to relate on a lot of things.
Rarity was a different story altogether. It took a bit longer for the two to resonate with one another, but once fashion was the topic on the table, they both wanted to talk about style. They even got up and flaunted their favorite struts to yield a laugh or two. Rarity even mentioned holding a fashion show before Lightning had to depart... thank Celestia that Pinkie Pie jumped in.
Pinkie enjoyed his neon-colored presence with many smiles and laughs, although she might have acted like that for everypony. Either way, he liked Pinkie and respected her greatly for her desire to draw a laugh or a smile out from all she encountered. He was the victim of many giggles because of her antics.
Lightning shook himself from his own thoughts and regarded his departing company. "It's been nice to meet you all!" He waved goodbye to the group as he caught up with Dash's slow trot. A flurry of responses echoed back his sentiment, though none were quite as bold as the pink pony's reply. Lightning took up an easy pace as he neared his cousin.
"So, what'd you think of them?" She winked to the previously injured stallion.
"I like them!" Lightning spoke, with a little more pitch in his voice than he had planned.
"I knew you would!" She responded, almost being arrogant in her tone. "We're the holders of the Elements of Harmony, for Celestia's sake!"
"That had nothing to do with it," the teal stallion spat. "I just think you all are an interesting bunch."
"Interesting?" Rainbow was slightly taken aback. "Just interesting?"
"Well, y'all are fun too," Lightning explained, "I just thought interesting suited them better."
"What's so interesting?" Rainbow began another interrogation session.
"I dunno. Nothing for everyone. There was a little something I liked about them all."
"In that case, you must have a favorite."
"Yup." Lightning painted a devious grin across his face as he decided not to say anything.
"Come on, tell me!" She shoved him with a weak hoof against his shoulder.
"Tell ya what. Let's have a race back to your house. If you win, I'll spill it. If I win...." Lightning gestured to her as they stopped, fishing for what she would offer up.
"You can have my bed for tonight." Confidence armed her words with sharp edges and they clashed against Lightning's armor of determination.
"You're on." A brohoof sealed the deal and they lined up for their battle. "And this time, no Rainbooms."
Dash whispered a cool rebuttal. "Won't need any. On my mark: 3, 2, 1..."
Storm's coming.
"GO!" The two zipped off into the deep of the night, colliding in streaks of bleeding, competitive color.

The pencil held itself within the bonds of the hazy violet glow. She set it to the paper and began her scribbling down of thoughts and cares.

My friend,
It has been far too long since I have seen you. I pray that one day I can remedy this. I know that you are suffering because of her, and it is my only wish to make sure she knows of her mistake.
She has made it to where we two, who once were inseparable in dream and in care, are placed on either side of a firmament. I cannot begin to count to you how many times I wish I would've furthered my own skills, for this wouldn't be a problem now if I had. I had access to all the materials I needed, but they threw me out before I knew your fate.
You are still my only companion. The only one I choose to have council with. The only one I desire to make my existence with. Pardon me if I begin to sound like I'm terribly obsessed with you. It's a fascination and admiration for a dear friend.
You showed me care while that serpent made herself a queen. You should've been the one they chose. You are the one, and I'll make sure Equestria knows your name upon your return.

Just hold on a little longer, friend.
Shady

The mare clutched the paper and pressed it into a simple fold, taking care in sealing it away. The envelope embraced the message and took its place next to countless others on a banister in her home. She let out a disappointed sigh, remembering her failure and loss all the same. With an awakening shake, she pushed herself back to a pedestal. This pedestal supported a tome of great size which bore various languages and texts that could hold the key to her friend's cell.
Upon attempting to focus on the far-fetched passages, a rumble uttered from her windows, and she reached them in time to see two pegasi rocketing above her home. They caused a tremor that shook her as well as anything unsecured in her hole.
The quakes subsided. She sat herself up again to meet eyes with a scattered and destroyed display of letters strewn across her floor.
A tear welled up in her eye as she rose to assess the damage.

Lightning Flair was falling behind yet again.
He couldn't let her win.
He won't let her win, not if it will mean fessing up about Twilight.
Lightning pushed himself to pulse his wings quicker. He had already recovered well from his crash because of Twilight's miracle spell, so exceeding his own bounds was no issue. She had done something to him that made him feel even more alive than before he was hurt. It was something astonishing to say the least.
A forested area surrounded Lightning and his competitor. He watched as Rainbow kept herself rigid, cutting through the crisp, cool air and rounding a curve between the trees. She had speed, but it wouldn't be enough after tonight. Lightning, taking his newly-recovered power in wing, cast himself toward the familiar cyan blur. The wind resistance lessened, allowing him a drafting pass overhead. Casting a proud shadow over his cousin, he leapt ahead and locked a gaze on his prize: Rainbow Dash's home.
Sorry, Dash. Guess you won't find out about her tonight!
Lightning made himself scarce as he pierced the landing pad of cloud in front of her door. He howled with a victorious bellowing shout that echoed down to the surface. It resounded his victory call as he circled back below to Dash's floating manor.
"How'd'ya like that?" The victorious missile sang, placing his hooves on the mollified platform.
"Yeah, yeah, good game and all that." Rainbow pushed her door open and Lightning skipped behind her, brimming with joy. With perfect timing, Dash swirled around and caught his chin with a hoof. "Mark my words: tomorrow, we'll have another go, and I'll learn who your favorite was. Got it?" Lightning knew not how to respond with his jaw shut for him, so he nodded awkwardly and she let him free. The two entered with a settled happiness that only came from overcoming.
"So, Dash," Lightning began as he sighed himself down.
"Yeah?"
"Where's your bed?" He snickered and she gestured to a room on the second floor. She sat in her living room, annoyed at her loss.
She motioned a warning hoof to him as he ascended. "Tomorrow, I'm only offering up a second share of dinner. Nothing more, you hear?"
"Got it, Dash." He opened her door and waved a goodnight as he retired.
Lightning cast himself onto the cloudy mattress and looked up at the ceiling. His eyelids shut around his crimson and golden eyes and he began to drown his consciousness in his thoughts. Today has been the best. I can't wait for tomorrow... Goodnight... Twilight....