//------------------------------// // Chapter Two - Decisions // Story: Dust in the Wind // by Foxes33 //------------------------------// "What? You can't accept that!" Frost exclaimed, her mouth gaped. "Yeah, your no war pony Lightning. Your only sixteen! You can't be considering it. Sure yeah, your maybe the daughter of a bad ass general, but you have friends. What about your adopted parents? You will break there hearts! Do they even know?" Tawny added. Lightning had made her way to the skate park after talking with Sketch. She just cringed as her friends began to exclaim loudly at her. Normally her friends would be chill, but now they seemed like ticking time bombs. She glanced down at her hooves, looking for the courage. She remembered what Sketch had told her. How the soldiers kept falling. She knew that if they failed to protect Equestria, they would be doomed. The troops of Faren would enter and take this land by force. Life as they knew it would be gone, shattered in fact. However she also knew of the scarring memories she may received. Lightning knew of the blood and terrible carnage, she knew that not everyone could be saved. She let out a quiet sighed. Something about Sketch's words just made her believe him. Lightning's head finally lifted and she looked at her friend's eyes. "What if it is true? What if they need me? I know my friends are here, but if I don't go, Faren's troops could make it here! I know I could die, I know I will have those terrible memories, but if I can save our life here, so it didn't have to change. I would be willing to do that. I don't want you two to get hurt," Lightning paused a moment before going on. "If I don't leave, we might all be killed. I know you two would die saving us, but I would feel guilty. This may sounds selfish, but I don't want to die thinking what if. What if I had gone and I could have saved us? What if I gone and Faren never touched a hoof further then he has? I have to go." Lightning argued, getting louder at the end. Her friends stood there, speechless. They looked as though they wanted to say something, but couldn't find the right words. Tawny and Frost stared at their hooves, they were both uncertain. Frost soon lifted her head and smiled. "You gotta do what you gotta do. If you do go, kick some ass." Frost encouraged. Tawny just glared at Frost. Frost just met his stare and soon looked away in a sassy way. She smirked as he made a small growl. Tawny then looked at Lightning and released a long sigh. He frowned, and closed his eyes for a moment. When they opened there was something else, bravery and support. "What she said." Tawny encouraged, "Just don't come back in a million pieces." Lightning laughed, "I won't." "Now lets shut it about this crap and have some fun! If this is your last day here, we should make it the best day ever!" Frost exclaimed, plopping down her board. She stepped onto it and began to wheel away for ramps. Tawny took off his glasses and put them in his saddle bag. He replaced them with goggles, and did the same. "Come on slow poke!" He mocked. "Hey! Who won that race?" Lightning retorted. She grabbed her board and went after them. She hoped it was true and her last day would be the best. Lightning made an effort not to think about going to war. She went towards the ramps. She jumped on her board onto a dark blue rail, sliding down. She landed firmly on the cement and continued to go towards a large ramp. She rocketed towards a light brown ramp. With her speed, she went airborne, feeling a current of wind. She could feel it through her mane and when she landed, she only was hungry for more. She looked around and saw her friends pulling off fancy tricks. Tawny was doing midair flips while Frost ducking under rails. Lightning knew what she would do after and stopped to watch. Frost continued down, going into a large round bowl. She watched as Frost went around the outside about five times before she cut through the middle. Using her remaining speed she went airborne and twirled her board. Her and her board spun until getting near the ground, where she slid to a stop right in front of Lightning. "How do you like that move?" Frost boasted, puffing her chest out. "Not bad, but I bet I could do better." Lightning replied. "Oh really, then show me!" Frost challenged. "Okay I will!" Lightning accepted. With that she put down her board and got on. Lightning was smiling widely as her wings began to flutter speedily. She was already feeling wind enter her mane as she rushed down the track. She jumped as her board slid under a rail. Lightning landed gracefully back onto it. The tunnel was in her sights, she had the perfect trick. She just needed the speed. Down the ramp she went, the tunnel drawing closer. Her wings were feeling tired and she could feel her heart beating. Her breathing went faster as she drew closer. That was when she entered the tunnel at a fast speed. Her right hoof grabbed the bottom of her board, just avoiding the wheels. She went to the side and began to spiral down the tunnel. Lightning went around and around. She felt like she was defying gravity, when really it was her wings keeping her clung to the roof as she went around. "Whoa!" She cheered. That was when something distracted her. "Lightning Strike!" Yelled a pony. Her wings stopped and she slammed back first into the bottom of the tunnel. Her helmet protecting her head from the fall. From where she laid she could see her mom at the other end of the tunnel. She looked as made as a hornet! Lightning slid her board off of herself and stood to her hooves. "Uh, hi... mom." She mumbled, a nervous smile on her face. "You are in big trouble young lady! You can't act civil for two seconds. Why were you skating on the sidewalk! You should also watch where your going, you crashed into Mr. Jabber. You want to know what I had to do? I had to pay for his groceries!" She yelled. "I am sorry mom," Lightning cringed. "I have about had enough of this nonsense!" She exclaimed. "Well I have something to tell you anyways." Lightning whispered, sliding off her helmet. Her mother gave her a horrified looked, as though she already knew. She could tell by the expression in her daughter's eyes. "No. They came." She breathed, tears welling in her eyes. Lightning nodded, knowing who they was. She watched as her mother cried. She watched as her mother's teal coat got stained with tears and how her black mane with a navy streak seemed to fall. "You don't have to go, it is your choice." She cried. "But mom, if I don't, something bad could happen here, they need me." Lightning answered. "Alright then. Never mind what I was going to say, just enjoy yourself. When are you leaving?" She asked. "Tomorrow." Lightning mumbled. Her mother's mouth gaped as though to say something, but closed. She just nodded and walked away. Lightning turned to find that Tawny and Frost had seen the whole thing. Lightning didn't move, just sat and looked at her paws. Soon she heard hoofsteps and turned to see Tawny and Frost at her side. "Tough, huh?" Tawny guessed. "Yeah." Lightning answered briefly. "Don't think about. We all need to relax." Frost encouraged. "I don't think I am going to stay much longer. I need to spend time with my parents, even if I am adopted. You both know that to be true." Lightning sighed. Tawny just nodded and walked away. However lightning already could hear him muttering, but couldn't hear the words. She just sat there in sighed. "Don't mope. We need to make this the best day ever!" Frost encouraged, smiling the best she could. Lightning's head lifted, "Your right," She admitted. Lightning stayed at the skate park for a hour before heading home. She walked down the sidewalks alone, her friends needed sometime to think anyways. A frown crept onto her face as she walked down the sidewalk. She was scared, in fact she could hear her heart beat. "Bad day kid?" A familiar voice asked. Lightning lifted her head to see Sketch. The dull green stallion was still wearing the same cloak. She just nodded. "Where are you going anyways?" Sketch asked. "Home, why?" Lightning answered. "I need to talk to your parents. Mind if I tag along?" Sketch asked. "Its fine," Lightning answered quietly. "Listen, you don't have to go. I am sure the General will understand. Besides, I have to have a talk with him anyways." Sketch explained. Lightning just stared blankly at the sidewalk and didn't answer. Sketch just rolled his eyes. Once again they walked in silence until they came to a home. The house was a light grey color with a darker tile roof. A stone path led up to the dark wooden front porch. The twosome walked up the steps to a dull grey carpet. Sketch knocked on the white door. The doorknob jiggled and soon the door opened. Her mother appeared at the door way. "I am guessing you are the messenger," She sighed. "I wished you waited." "I am not a messenger. I am a Field Officer. I don't know why the general sent me, but he did." Sketch corrected. Her mother just nodded. She looked concerned, as though she didn't want to talk. Then again, who did at this time? "Lightning, stay outside. I think we need to talk alone." Her mother demanded. Lightning nodded and sat on the chair outside. She watched as Sketch walked into the house. This made her more nervous. Is this how it feels to know? To know I am leaving for war. Perhaps to never see my friends and family ever again. Every second I feel my heart beat loudly. I feel everyone can hear it, not just me. I am the daughter of General Dash, not the daughter of Shining Lily and Hazel Lights. However I still feel they are my parents. They are, I love them, but why? Why did my real mother leave me here to be a secret weapon? She added this pressure, does she know how bad I feel? Is she watching me as an angle? I no longer know what to think. I need rest. I need to be ready for the long flight a head. I am going. I will travel with Sketch and head to the West Unite. Lightning thought. The door opened and out came Sketch. He didn't say good-bye, just walked away down the road. Lightning watched him leave before going inside. Her mother was facing the window, just staring blankly out of it. "How did it go?" Lightning asked her mother. "Well, I guess." Lily answered quietly. "Mom, I have to leave." Lightning whispered. "I know," Lilly sighed. "Tonight you can have a special supper, you deserve it for being brave." "Thanks mom. I will miss you." Lightning assured. "I will miss you too honey." Lily cried, tears coming from her eyes. "Don't worry mom. I will be okay." Lightning lied, she wasn't sure. "I hope so." Lily choked. Lightning hugged her mother. She felt like she couldn't let go, what if this was the last time?