//------------------------------// // A Path to Rainbows // Story: Lightning's Bolt // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// Night shift. Again. Lightning hated being on the night shift. She hated having to team up with slower ponies who couldn’t corral clouds in a tenth the time she could. She hated listening to them complain when she flew ahead to handle a region all by herself. She hated when they struggled to get the right amount of rain from thunderheads when she could do it with a single kick. She hated having to explain to them how to utilize clouds to capture heat and warm the region, protecting it from the chilly Everfree winds. She hated that she was working with amateurs. She hated that she had to be accommodating to their lack of ability. But above all else, Lightning hated Rainbow Dash for making her do all of it. Every day she reminded herself that she was going through all of it for Keen. Every night she tucked the filly into bed and reminded herself, again and again, that Keen was her obligation. But every time she found herself working sixty hours a week – only to spot that smug blue bucker lazing about with her dumb coltfriend – Lightning’s fury would come back full swing. Rainbow’s shifts were short. Rainbow flew alone. Rainbow could work as fast as she wanted. She spent more time assigning tasks and communicating with Cloudsdale couriers than actual weather service! Then there were the Wonderbolts. Oh, they never came to a backwater little place like Ponyville, but Rainbow was always getting messages from them. Assignments for a Junior Wonderbolt, invitations to attend races, sometimes even an offer to compete. Her occasional departure should have been satisfying, except that her right-hoof mare, Cloud Kicker, was always left with plenty of instructions to keep Lightning in line! Every time she saw one of those letters in Rainbow’s hooves, Lighting fumed. Every time Rainbow dropped a new task on Lightning’s head rather than take it on herself, Lightning steamed. Every time those stupid foals called Rainbow a hero, with their doting praise and glowing eyes, Lightning wanted to buck them into the stratosphere! Lightning had flown ahead of her slowpoke night shift ‘wingponies’ ages ago, needing some time alone to fume. They would complain, but she didn’t care. If they didn’t appreciate Lightning taking her anger out on the clouds and doing all the work, that wasn’t her problem. She needed to fume, and fume she did, lashing out all night long at every cloud she could find in the Ponyville sky. When there was no more of those she flew to the Everfree Forest and raged against the wild winds. No matter what she tried, though, her anger wouldn’t fade. So long as that damnable pegasus wasn’t getting her just desserts, it never would. Something had to give, and soon. Lightning was getting more and more snippy with Keen, and though the filly gave her some comfort just by her soothing presence Lightning knew it wasn’t enough. There was only one way Lightning was going to be satisfied, and that was to get all her frustration out of her system, so when she headed back to the Weather Team Office in the morning light her mind was set on doing exactly that. She still had some time before Rainbow came in for work, though, and Lightning didn’t want to go to Rainbow’s place for this; it needed to be public. That way everypony would see her get creamed! With a goal in mind, Lightning decided to lie in wait on a lingering cloud outside the Weather Office. She observed the ponies below coming in for work, lips pulled back in a sneer. Such loyal little ponies, always so quick to praise Rainbow for her ‘bravery’ and ‘skill.’ Rainbow wasn’t half the pegasus Lightning had been in her heyday! If it weren’t for that changeling ruining her wing… They’d see. When Rainbow showed up Lightning would pound her into pudding! She wouldn’t appear so heroic then, would she? Lightning closed her eyes and grinned at the image, relishing her planned vengeance. She would be respected again! But there was one problem, and closing her eyes suddenly made that clear. She rubbed her face, her lips forced open by a long yawn... “Lightning?” She shook her head, eyes flitting open as a shadow passed over her face. She winced at the sunlight and peered up to find a pony hovering over her. “Hmm…? She here yet?” The pegasus dropped a little closer, revealing a familiar pink coat and orange mane. “Did you fall asleep up here?” Fall asleep? Lightning jerked awake, almost whacking Airheart in her leap. “Whoa! W-what time is it?” She looked up and saw that the sun was already high in the sky. It had to be close to noon! Airheart floated a little closer, chuckling off the near-miss. “Guess the night shift was rather intense, huh?” Alarm mixing with her frustration, Lightning shook the innocent pegasus. “Where’s Rainbow? I was supposed to get Rainbow!” “Sh-she’s o-off t-tod-day.” Airheart caught Lightning’s legs to stop the shaking, her eyes swirling. She shook her head as if to clear it. “Didn’t you know?” Lightning’s jaw dropped. “W-what?” Airheart took advantage of the moment to pull away from Lightning’s hold, brushing her mane back into place before offering an uncertain smile. “Did you need her for something?” Lightning ground her teeth; buck Rainbow for making her look foalish again! She was going to find that blue jerk and teach her a lesson if she had to search all of Ponyville! “Where is she?” Airheart winced at Lightning’s tone. “I don’t know. What are you—” Lightning let out a frustrated shout and launched, ignoring Airheart’s call and heading for Ponyville. She couldn’t believe this! She’d spent all that time waiting, and not only was Rainbow not coming in at all, but Lightning had fallen asleep! How could she have been so stupid? If she’d thought ahead just a little she’d have known to wait a day or two. Why could she never plan ahead? Fueled by anger for herself as well as for Rainbow, she moved from place to place over the town. She scoured the heads of the townsponies, seeking out that absurd rainbow mane. She wasn’t going to let her anger go to waste, her sanity couldn’t take it! Another day or two of this and she would end up hurting somepony anyway, so she might as well hurt Rainbow now. She kept pounding her forehooves together as she searched, just to relish the feel. Oh, what she wouldn’t give to pound them on a certain pegasus’ skull! Rainbow, she saw a rainbow! She jerked to a stop and turned just in time to see the familiar multicolored wake fading between the buildings. She let out a snarl and pursued. Rainbow Dash was at the Carousel Boutique talking with one of her friends. Lightning dove to land right behind the unicorn, her four hooves slamming the ground. The impact made both Rainbow and her friend leap up with matching shouts and turn to face the newcomer. “Good heavens!” The unicorn set a hoof to her chest. “Don’t you know it’s not right to sneak up on ponies like that?” To Lightning’s fury, Rainbow was actually laughing. “Lighten up, Rarity! Lightning’s only having a little fun.” A growl from Lightning silenced the laughter. “No, Rainbow, I’m not having any fun at all.” “Lightning?” Rarity raised a haughty eyebrow. “Ah, so this is the ‘eternal headache’ I’ve been hearing about.” Lightning shook her hoof in the unicorn’s face. “You’re about two seconds away from a broken jaw. Get outta my way!” Rarity’s eyebrows rose at this threat and she obediently stood aside, clearing the way to Rainbow. “My, she’s a real ruffian, isn’t she?” Rainbow was leveling Lightning with a glower, but had nothing to say. Lightning stepped forward, wings flapping eagerly. “You and me, Rainbow. Right here, right now.” Rainbow facehooved with a groan. “You want another race? I already beat ya once.” “Not a race,” Lightning hissed, lowering into an aggressive pose. Rainbow considered her, lips set in a taught frown. She glanced at Rarity as if looking for some sort of confirmation. “I don’t believe this. You’re doing this? You want to fight, right now?” Lightning reared her head back to shout at the sky. “Yes! How can you be so stupid?” “Forget it.” Rainbow shook her head. “What good would it do?” Lightning stamped both front hooves with a snarl. “A lot! I get to give you a pounding and finally get a little satisfaction.” Rarity was backing away, watching the scene with a pouty, unpleasant frown. “I can see this is going to get out of hoof quickly.” “It always does when it involves Lightning,” Rainbow grumbled, eyes not leaving her rival. “You wanna fight that badly, right here in the middle of town with everypony watching?” Lightning’s eyes shifted to note the small crowd of ponies, who were watching the exchange with a mix of alarm and curiosity. Her lips curled up in a wicked grin. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I want! Everypony needs to see you get what’s coming to you.” “What’s coming to me?” Rainbow jumped to hover in the air. “What the hay did I do?” The fire in Lightning’s mind flared. “What didn’t you do? You’ve humiliated me, treat me unfairly in everything I do, shoot me down no matter how good my work is.” She reared back to pound her hooves together. “Admit it, Rainbow, you’re out to ruin me. Ever since you got me booted out of the Academy my life has been a bucking waste. I can trace every problem I’ve ever had back to one pony: you!” Aggravated sounds came out of Rainbow’s throat as she rubbed her face with both hooves. “LD, you are without a doubt the most frustrating pony I have ever met.” “I’m frustrating?” Lightning jumped up to match Rainbow’s height, pointing an accusing hoof. “You’re the bucker who won’t leave me alone! I came to you looking for help, and you’ve made me regret it every single day since.” “I haven’t done anything!” Rainbow threw her hooves high in exasperation. “The ridiculous hours?” Lightning pressed, flying close to poke her rival in the chest with enough force to knock her back. “Teaming me with crappy fliers for humiliation’s sake? Lazing around while I work my tail off? Jumping my rump when I do my job efficiently? Everything I do leads to you snapping at me, and you want me to believe you don’t have it in for me?” Rainbow rubbed her chest with a scowl. “I gave you a fair chance and this is how you repay me?” “A fair chance?!” Lightning was shaking with fury. “That’s it!” She flew forward with a shout, but Rainbow dropped to the ground, easily dodging the lunge. Lightning flew a tight circle, ready for the counter… but it didn’t come. Rainbow wasn’t even facing her. Lightning pounded her hooves, knowing this was some kind of trick. “Come on, stop playing around and fight me!” But Rainbow didn’t move. She stood firmly in the road, back to Lightning and head held high. She was being ignored! Lightning let out a furious scream and dove. Rarity shouted the warning and Rainbow deftly stepped aside, leading Lightning to harmlessly zoom past. Lightning slid to a stop, her hooves leaving dirt tracks in the grass. She couldn’t believe this, she was being humiliated again! She let out a snarl and turned to face Rainbow, steam snorting from her nostrils. Rainbow eyed her coolly, then turned away from her without a word. Lightning felt her eye twitch. “What are you doing? Fight me, for buck’s sake!” Rainbow refused to answer. Lightning barely stopped herself from launching a third time; she wasn’t going to fall for it again. She stomped her hooves a few times to vent her frustration. “I can’t get my revenge if ya won’t face me!” What good was it to pound Rainbow in front of all these ponies if Rainbow wasn’t fighting back? That wouldn’t prove anything! “Come on!” Lightning reared back and gestured at Rainbow. “What are you waiting for? I know you’ve been wanting to do this just as badly as I have! Now’s your chance!” Still, Rainbow wouldn’t respond. Lightning glared at the back of the pony’s head, her hooves trembling with rage. “Damn it, stop ignoring me!” At last, Rainbow spoke. “I am not going to fight you, Lightning.” “Why not?” Lightning flew forward, attempting to move around to Rainbow’s front, but Rainbow followed the motion and kept her back to Lightning. “Come on, don’t ya wanna put me in my place? What is wrong with you?” She flew circles, but Rainbow closed her eyes and refused to acknowledge her antagonist. Lightning’s fury was fading to frustration. She wasn’t even going to let her have the satisfaction of a proper fight? “Stop being a coward. Take responsibility for what you’ve done to me!” Rainbow’s head lowered, her lips pulling back in a fresh sneer. “You’re one to talk.” Lightning slammed to the ground with a snarl. “What the buck does that mean?” Rainbow opened her eyes to peer at Lightning for a second, but wouldn’t respond. She merely turned away yet again. Lightning’s anger was slipping. She couldn’t fathom the reason, but losing her anger scared her. She glanced at the crowd surrounding them and felt something welling within her. Was it… panic? “C-come on. Face me! You have to let me do this!” “No I don’t,” Rainbow countered with her back still turned. “I never had to do anything for you.” “But… I…” Lightning stomped. “Damn you, give me something to hit!” “I’m right here.” Rainbow gestured to the back of her own head. “Go ahead and hit.” “That’s not fair!” Lightning dropped to her haunches and let out a frustrated shout. “I don’t want to beat you, I want to defeat you!” She paused at her own words, an intense sorrow coming over her. She stared at the back of Rainbow’s head, silently begging her to turn around and give her what she wanted. Why wouldn’t she do that? “Don’t do this, Rainbow. Don’t just ignore me. Fight me!” Rainbow raised her head high and remained silent. The quiet hung heavy in the air, weighing down on Lightning like a thick blanket. She lowered her head, trying to understand why her heart was stuck in her throat. She needed Rainbow to look at her, to acknowledge her! But it wasn’t going to happen, and if Lightning attacked now… She eyed the crowd, suddenly very aware of all the attention she had. She spotted Airheart amongst them, watching with sad eyes. Lightning saw those eyes and felt small. So very, very small. Lightning spread her wings and left the ponies behind with head hung low. She’d had such high hopes for this moment, and instead she was looking like a foal. Rainbow had played the game perfectly; nopony would respect Lightning for this. Lightning’s humiliation couldn’t have been worse even if Rainbow had beaten her. Now what was she in the eyes of the others? She just wanted to find a deep, dark hole and hide. “Come with me.” Lightning looked up to see Rainbow flying past her, eyes sharp. Her tormentor flew for a large cloud formation just outside of town, but Lightning wasn’t in the mood anymore. What was the point of fighting now? Everypony had already watched her make a foal of herself. Even so, she found herself slowly following. It took a few minutes for her to get to the clouds. She found Rainbow sitting on one, her expression grim. Lightning landed before her boss – probably former boss, come to think of it – and sagged. For a long time they said nothing, Lightning staring at her own hooves and feeling pathetic. At last Rainbow sighed. “LD, what am I going to do with you?” Lightning’s eyes rose to meet those of her hated rival. Rainbow was solemn, but the question seemed oddly sincere. Lightning considered it for a few seconds, ruminating on everything that had happened recently. She remembered the crowd just now, and getting stuck in the cold front. The humiliation of having to be rescued. And before that, before she ever came to Ponyville. Foal Mountains. She’d tried her best to help her friends. She spoke to everypony, searched high and low, never even knowing what to look for. She’d been as useless then as she’d ever been, even having to rely on Fine Crime to save her! And Gulfstream… poor Gulfie, her precious cousin colt. That moment would be seared in her mind forever… Fighting Sombra. Rainbow and Lightning had worked together, like a real team. She could still recall dodging the tyrant’s magical attacks together, flying about the castle in a furious duel for the city’s salvation. In the end, none of the crystal ponies were aware of what Lightning had done. All they’d seen were the two rainbooms. To them, Lighting was a hoofnote in the battle. She could just see the history books praising Rainbow for her glorious achievements, and when they got to it Lightning’s entry would simply read: “She was there.” Going back even further, to when Lightning was roaming Equestria. Her life had been so meaningless. Just one more failure after another, traveling from town to town in a desperate effort to outrun her shame. Her time in Appleloosa came to mind; the fire, the tornado, her Wonderbolt Academy failure being brought up for everypony there to mock. And the Academy. Everything started with the Academy. “Give it back.” Rainbow’s ears perked. “What?” “My future.” Lightning sniffed down her sob. “Give it back.” Rainbow cocked her head with a frown. “Umm…?” “Give it back!” The despondent Lightning sunk low again, misery filling her as the words just came out. “I used to be respected. I used to be somepony. I was going to be a hero, a Wonderbolt. The best flier in Equestria! Now look at me. I’m pathetic. Ever since the Academy, ever since I met you, it’s all fallen to pieces!” She looked up at her rival, not bothering to wipe away her tears. “You took my future. Give it back!” Rainbow’s eyes shifted thoughtfully, her face expressionless. She made no attempt to respond, and after a while Lightning dropped to her belly with a sigh. She rested her head on her hooves and gazed into the clouds, basking in her own misery. “I would give anything to be respected again…” There was a long pause between them. It had the terrible sensation of making her feel cold and vulnerable. “So why are you doing all the wrong things?” Lightning shook her head. “What am I supposed to do?” She looked up at Rainbow imploringly. “I keep trying. I work so hard!” Rainbow facehooved once more. “But you’re working hard at all the things you’re not supposed to be working hard at!” “Stop acting like you understand.” Lightning looked away with a pout. “It’s not like you actually care.” Rainbow's wings flared and there was heat in her tone. “You moron. You really don’t get it, do you? Everything I’ve done was for your sake!” Lightning raised her head to glower at her. “You’re joking, right?” Rainbow’s eyes grew deathly serious. “Shut up and listen. I told you when you first asked for the job that getting the kind of pay you wanted was going to be hard. The only way I could convince the head honchos in Cloudsdale to give you the wages was if you worked longer hours and acted as one of the backups. If you don’t work longer than everypony else, they’ll know it and they’ll force me to dock your pay.” Lightning blinked, looking around as if expecting to find some pegasus official peering through the clouds. “They’re watching?” Rainbow sighed and shook her head. “I’m not the only pony reporting to headquarters, Lightning. Even if I didn’t tell the truth, somepony else would. Every time somepony sends in a complaint about you I have to intervene on your behalf.” Lightning sat up to stare. “You’re doing that? For me?” Her old rival cringed as if to hold her frustration back. “I’ve been doing it since you got here! I’ve been putting you with weak fliers because I’m trying to teach you to look out for them.” Lightning threw up her hooves. “But if I get all the work done early—” “—you’ll get ponies fired.” Lightning paused, hooves still raised high. “What?” Rainbow sat and scowled. “You think reporting in the numbers at the end of each shift is for fun? Cloud Kicker has to write a report every week about the work my team’s doing, with stats for every pony. If a pegasus’ numbers suggest she’s not earning her part, headquarters docks pay. If a pony’s numbers get too low, I’m forced to fire her! I have bosses too, y’know, and they’re watching me like gryphons.” Lightning scratched the back of her head, trying to figure things out. “But if I’m doing really good, and my numbers are high... that’s bad?” “Yes!” Rainbow bowed her head for a moment, sucking in a long breath and exhaling it with equal dedication. “There are only so many clouds in the sky. You doing everything quickly leaves no room for everypony else to do anything, which means they have bad numbers, which makes my team look bad. “Think about Airheart,” she added, gesturing towards Ponyville. “You know she’s paying both her parents’ cost of living and has a little sister at an advanced school in New Horseleans? Her numbers have been plummeting since you got here, and if it continues I’ll have to reduce her wages.” Lightning flinched. “B-but she’s not responsible for—” “No,” Rainbow snarled, “you are! If she’s paid less, it’ll be because you took all the work away from her. So when she has to choose between pulling her sister out of school or sending her parents to a nursing home, make sure to give her your opinion on the matter.” Lightning wilted and couldn’t meet Rainbow’s eye. She thought of Airheart, who had been nothing but kind despite Lightning's attitude. “I… I didn’t know that.” Rainbow crossed her hooves, sitting tall with an authoritative glare. “Didn’t take the time to find out, did you? You need to stop and think about how your actions affect everypony else. That’s the whole reason I keep teaming you with those ponies. Being on a squadron isn’t just about being the best, and that’s something you should have learned at the Academy. Every pony on my weather team has to know how to work together and you’re blowing it big time.” Lightning hesitated. She wanted to find some kind of argument, but all she could think of was how she suddenly felt like a total jerk. She’d never intended to hurt anypony – well, aside from Rainbow herself – but suddenly all Rainbow’s actions towards her made a scary sort of sense. Had Lightning been misinterpreting everything? Rainbow peered at her for several seconds, her wings fluffing in agitation. Lightning had no idea what to say, so she just kept quiet. She was half-afraid that anything she’d say could make her look dumb. She already felt pretty bad, after all. Why couldn’t she learn to think ahead? No wonder nopony respected her anymore… At last Rainbow spoke up. “Y’know what? Forget about Airheart and the weather team. There’s somepony else far more important that you should be worried about.” Lightning frowned and considered this. Somepony else? “Like who?” Rainbow leveled her harshest glare yet. “Keen. I bet you were supposed to pick her up hours ago, weren’t you?” Lightning’s jaw dropped just a little. Come to think of it, she was. She’d been so hell-bent on her revenge… Rainbow understood Lightning’s expression. “So what excuse are ya gonna use for Twilight?” If Lightning didn’t feel shamed before, she most certainly did now. She drooped and chewed her lip, trying to think of something appropriate to say, but all she could manage was a feeble “I…” Rainbow sneered. “Do you even care about that kid?” “Of course I do!” “I’m not so sure.” Rainbow shook her head, anger set in her eyes. “As far as I can see everything’s you, you, you. Your glory, your revenge, your fame. If you don’t want to take responsibility for her you should just say so!” Lightning’s anxiety faded at Rainbow’s accusations. She stood to her full height and shot the pegasus a glare. “I do care about Keen! What would you know about taking care of a foal?” Rainbow’s counter came quick and strangely calm. “What do you know about loving one?” Lightning’s argument got caught in her throat. She blinked, not sure what to make of Rainbow’s response. Why were her cheeks going hot? “I… what?” Rainbow nodded. “Yeah, you heard me right. You’re supposed to be raising that kid. Foals need more than just a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs; they need attention and love. I thought you were offering that to Keen, but now I think even that’s just something to make you feel good about yourself.” Lightning felt as if she should be enraged by that statement, but instead she just felt her shame coming back. “I… It’s not just for me. I mean…” Why couldn’t she say anything? “Then why?” Rainbow raised her eyebrows in a haughty expression. “Why did you choose to take Keen in?” Lightning stared, the question running through her mind over and over again. She swallowed to clear her throat and thought on the filly. Not just on her, but on the entire orphanage. “B-because… because I’m responsible for what happened. Because I want to make it right, even if—” She paused, setting a hoof to her lips; the thought that had come to mind hurt. It hurt a lot. “Even if I don’t know what I’m doing…” Rainbow lowered her head in thought, though her eyes didn’t leave Lightning’s. She considered the response for some time, eventually turning her eyes to the surrounding clouds. Eventually she lost her angry expression; her ears folded back and eyes softened. “Look, I know it can be tough. It’s not the same thing, but I’ve got my own little filly to look out for, a surrogate sister. She looks up to me, and I try to do things with her in mind. I think that’s where you’re messing up, LD.” Lightning tilted her head. “I don’t follow.” Rainbow’s eyes were sad as she leveled them at her. “Scootaloo is a very important factor in everything I do now. From what I’m seeing, you haven’t made Keen an important part of your life.” Lightning felt something akin to a sting in her heart. “I have too! Why do you think I’m putting up with y—” She paused, fighting down the words. “I mean… I’m still here because of her.” “I don’t think you are.” Rainbow's quiet tone was more damaging to Lightning’s confidence than the anger had ever been. “I think you look at her as more of a burden than anything. If you were in it for her, you wouldn’t have put on that display just now.” Lightning bowed her head with a sigh. “I was just trying to regain a little respect.” “By getting into a brawl with your boss in front of the whole town?” Rainbow shook her head. “Don’t you realize what ponies will think? ‘Lightning’s violent.’ ‘Lightning’s mean.’ ‘Lightning gets pissed about everything.’ Even if you did win the fight, you think they’d celebrate your ‘glory’?” “I…” Lightning looked away. “I didn’t think of it like that.” Rainbow nodded. “Somepony out there will. Now everypony’s seen you act like that and they’re all going to be wondering if a foal living with you is going to be safe.” Lightning turned on Rainbow. “I would never hurt Keen!” “Wouldn’t you?” Rainbow countered. “They don’t know you. You haven’t given anypony a chance to. They just know what they saw, and what they saw wasn’t good.” Lightning had to admit she had a point. What if somepony did some investigating and decided Lightning wasn’t fit to raise Keen? What if some civil service know-it-all showed up to take Keen away? Keen would end up in another orphanage. The thought sent shivers down Lightning’s spine. “Good Goddess, what have I done?” Rainbow nodded sympathetically. “You’ve put yourself in a really bad spot, that’s what you’ve done. Everypony in Ponyville’s gonna be watching you for your next big mistake. Gossip has already spread all over town. Your image is pretty low.” Lightning’s stomach twisted as she turned to gaze out at the town behind her. “B-but they can’t take Keen. They don’t understand how sensitive she is! I can’t let that happen.” “That’s not all,” Rainbow added. “You’re also on thin ice back in Cloudsdale. I’ve been covering for your butt, but I can’t do it forever. Eventually you’re going to be putting my job on the line too. If your performance doesn’t improve, and improve right now, you’re gonna lose the job I helped you get.” Understanding dawned upon Lightning like a storm cloud hovering over her head. If she was so close to losing Keen, losing her job would seal the deal. Keen needed her and she was spending all this time being a selfish jerk! She could just see the filly cowering under the covers, jumping at every little sound. How long would she last under those conditions? She wasn’t doing her job as Keen’s guardian… and that made her feel empty. She sagged, fear and sorrow merging into something new and terrible in her heart. “What am I going to do…?” Rainbow appeared at her side, setting a sympathetic hoof to her shoulder. “That’s up to you, LD. But if you really want my advice?” Lightning said nothing, so she pressed on. “Stop everything. Stop trying to beat me, stop thinking of me as the enemy, stop looking for ways to glory. Keen’s your path to glory, now.” Lightning blinked and gave her rival a questioning look. The smile that graced Rainbow's face was surprisingly warm. “They say raising a kid is a great adventure. Ponies will know you by how you raise Keen, and what she does will forever be tied to you. Think of how you’ll feel when she grows up to do great things! You’ll be able to say ‘that’s my kid’. Keen can be your greatest achievement… or your biggest mistake. It’s up to you.” Glory… through Keen? “It almost sounds as though I’m using her.” Rainbow facehooved. “Yeah, thanks for ruining my attempt at stirring emotion.” “No, I think I get it.” Lightning turned back to the town, mind slowly grasping at Rainbow’s meaning. “What’s good for her is good for me… right?” “That’s a much better way to put it,” Rainbow said with a relieved sigh. “You just focus everything on Keen. Let everypony know that you want to be with her and that you care. No more raging over the past, okay?” That was easier said than done. Lightning wasn’t sure she had what it took; she’d never been confident in her ability to raise Keen. How could Rainbow look at the future with such optimism? Lightning never thought ahead partially because the future was a scary, dangerous concept. But at the same time, looking back wasn’t proving any brighter, was it? Keen’s future was as murky and unknowable as a winter storm. If Lightning made the wrong choices… Rainbow sighed and lifted off. “Look, take tonight and tomorrow off,” she instructed, hovering just off the edge of the cloud. “You’ve got a lot of thinking to do. When you get in the next day I’ll let you pick a pair of wingponies.” “Wingponies?” Lightning looked up at her boss, not sure she heard that right. “You mean I’m going have a more permanent team?” Rainbow nodded. “A little extra responsibility, so that I can tell the big wigs back at headquarters something positive about ya. If it works they might shut up, but it’s up to you to make it work. Got it, LD?” Lightning stared at her, feeling a strange mix of shame and hope. It was like she was seeing Rainbow Dash for the first time, and it was an eye-opening experience. “Yeah… I got it.” “Good.” Rainbow turned and started to fly off, but Lightning stepped to the edge of the cloud and called out. Her boss zoomed a quick u-turn and paused a few feet away, raising an eyebrow. Lightning scuffed a hoof on a cloud, blushing as she averted her face. “Th-thanks, Rainbow. I’m sorry I’m such a pain in the flank.” Rainbow studied her for a few seconds, her lips gradually turning up to a big smile. “Ah, don’t worry about it.” She was gone once more, a streak of colors shrinking in the distance. Lightning watched it fade, a strange sense of appreciation filling her. She sat on the cloud for several minutes, turning over what she’d been told today and wondering about the future. For the first time since before she could remember, she thought there might be a bit of light shining through the fog. For reasons she couldn’t comprehend, she felt eager to see Keen. She launched from the cloud and made her way for the Golden Oaks Library, hoping her filly wouldn’t be too worried about how late she was. It was Spike who answered the door, and he looked very relieved to see Lightning. To put it one way. “Thank goodness you’re here.” He hurriedly ushered her in. “Ya gotta help me get them out of here!” “Help you?” Lightning followed, worry abruptly filling her. “What happened? Is Keen okay?” He showed her into the library’s main room, eyes wide with alarm. “I’m not worried about her, I’m worried about me!” “Pull!” The moment Lightning entered the room, a mass of scrolls flew through the air and blinded her. Spike hid behind her as she covered her head against the falling rolls of paper, the distinct sound of a rapidly-firing magical laser filling her ears. When all the scrolls fell there was smoke rising from several spots among the debris. Lightning gaped at the sight of Twilight roaming among the rolls of paper, a quill and notepad hovering over her head as she attentively checked each tiny column of smoke. And there, sitting on a chair with her horn smoking and a grin on her face, was Keen. “Ten out of ten!” Twilight clapped her hooves as the quill marked the count. “That’s five in a row!” Lightning glancing at Spike with a raised eyebrow. “What the hay is going on here?” “Lightning!” Keen bounded off the chair, kicking up paper as she ran to hug Lightning’s leg. “I learned a new spell!” For just an instant Lightning saw those big, wonderful blue eyes and felt an elation like she’d never felt before. This was her kid, and suddenly that thought made her happier than she could ever remember being. She beamed and caught the filly in a tight embrace. “That’s great, kiddo! But, uh…” She looked around at the mess. “…what exactly does this spell do?” “Oh, it’s just a basic laser spell.” Twilight gathered up all the scrolls in one place with her magic. “Every little pony has to learn it in magic kindergarten. You’d be amazed how useful it is.” Lightning stared at the mage with wide eyes. “Isn’t it dangerous to teach weaponized magic to foals?” Twilight chuckled. “It’s hardly a weapon, Lightning. It’s practically harmless.” “Could’a fooled me,” Spike grumbled as he stepped out from behind Lightning. He displayed a small burn on his tail with a glower. Keen winced. “I said I was sorry…” Lightning glanced around, noted a few extra burn marks on the walls and found she was in agreement with Spike. “Yeah, just promise me you’ll be careful with it, okay?” Twilight caught where she was looking and waved dismissively. “What, those? Those were just misfires from when she was learning it. Perfectly natural.” “Don’t worry, Lightning.” Keen rubbed her cheek on Lightning’s chest with a big smile. “I’ve got the spell figured out.” “Good.” Lightning lifted Keen so she could nuzzle her. The act felt surprisingly good, and for a second Lightning had to wonder at the light feeling in her chest. She found she didn’t want to let go of the filly and she wasn’t sure what to make of that. She noted Keen’s curious expression and coughed self-consciously. Seeking something to distract, she nodded to the pile of scrolls in the center of the room. “But what’s with the mess?” “Oh!” Keen squirmed so that she was turned around in Lightning’s hooves. She waved eagerly at Twilight. “Can we show her, please?” Spike let out an alarmed “No!” The filly’s entire body slumped. “Aaaw…” Twilight shot her assistant a sour look before nodding to Keen with a grin. “Of course we can.” Spike let out a snort and stomped for the back room. “We’re going to be late for the picnic with Jimmy and Rarity and I’m gonna get the blame.” “Don’t be ridiculous,” Twilight assured him with a roll of her eyes. “We’ve got time for at least one more demonstration.” Keen let out a gleeful cry, hooves already kicking the ground as Lightning – grudgingly – set her on the floor. She ran to jump back into the chair, turning to face the center of the library with a big grin as Twilight used her magic to spread the scrolls out all over the room. Lightning backed up to the doorway so as to be out of the way. Her ears lowered as she recalled Spike’s burnt tail. “This isn’t dangerous or anything, right?” Twilight chuckled as she moved to the center of the room. “If it was, would I be allowing it in my own home?” Lightning had to concede the point. “Ready, Keen?” Keen turned to Lightning and made an inviting gesture. “You can’t see what I’m doing from over there.” “Oh, right.” Twilight waved to the filly. “Why don’t you stand behind her chair? You won’t get it if you can’t see what she’s doing.” Lightning hesitated, but at Keen’s big-eyed, imploring face she relented and went to stand just behind her. Keen gave her another quick nuzzle from over the back of the chair before sitting properly once more. “Okay, now I’m ready.” Seconds passed in silence. Twilight was in a low stance with a wry smile, eyes locked on Keen. Lightning shifted, wondering just what this was all about. It wasn’t some kind of waiting game, was it? “Pull!” Twilight shouted the word and raised her head, horn shimmering. The scrolls all glowed purple, except a few that were glowing green. Then they flew into the air, tossed wildly about the room in random directions! Lightning barely had time to register the event when a series of tiny blue beams fired from Keen’s horn. They flew out into the scrolls, so fast that they almost appeared to be firing at the same time, but not quite. An instant later and the scrolls were on the floor again, Keen’s horn smoking and Twilight still standing at the center of the room. Lightning looked around, noting the small columns of smoke once more. Twilight immediately began roaming the mess, lifting up green-glowing scrolls as she did. “One, two, three…” Lightning rubbed the back of her head. “I don’t get it.” “Ten out of ten!” Twilight beamed at Keen, approaching with ten scrolls floating over her head. The green aura around them was already fading. “Keen, you are a marvel of precision.” Keen bounced in her chair with a grin. “See, Lightning? I’m really good!” Lightning didn’t understand… until Twilight showed the scrolls to her. Each one had a tiny black spot on the seal where Keen’s laser had hit them. “Whoa. You mean she can find and hit all those every time?” “It’s incredible!” Twilight marked the success in her notebook. “I want to do some more tests, see just how good she is. I’ve never seen anything like it! I don’t have that kind of accuracy now and I certainly didn’t have it at her age.” Lightning stared, trying to process this news. “Does that mean she could be better at magic than you?” Celestia’s prized student chuckled at the suggestion. “She’s learning fast, but not that fast. It’s the accuracy that’s amazing. It’s not related to the magic, it’s just something she’s really good at. In fact—” she sidestepped and tapped her own cutie mark with a wry wink, “—it might be important for her future, if you catch my meaning.” Lightning caught it all right. She grinned and turned to hug Keen with a delightful sense of pride. “That’s great, Keen! My little filly’s got skills.” Keen giggled and eagerly returned the hug. “She most certainly does,” Twilight agreed. “And the speed at which she acquires a target is astounding! She’s like a bolt of lightning. I need to come up with some new tests, though; I’ve only got so many unused scrolls and I do sorta need them.” A bolt of lightning. Lightning studied Keen for a moment, thinking on that phrase. Keen Arrow. Arrow. Bolt. Bolt of lightning. Huh. “Oh my goodness.” Twilight was at the window, eyes on the sky. “Look at the sun! We’re going to be late, why didn’t Spike say anything? Spike!” The baby dragon was already marching into the room, a picnic basket held under one arm and a bemused expression on his face. “Yeah, yeah, I’m here.” “We’ve got to go.” Twilight snatched the basket from the dragon with her magic, the force of her tug toppling him onto his belly. “I’ll see you later, Keen. Bye, Lightning. Spike, stop loafing and come on!” Spike stood and dusted himself off, following at a walk. “Told ya she’d blame me.” Lightning watched them go with a raised eyebrow, wincing as the door slammed closed. There was a moment of calm and silence as Lightning and Keen stared at the door, surrounded by a mess of scrolls. Keen looked up at her guardian with a tilted head and strangely innocent expression. “Time for us to go, too?” Lightning turned to consider the filly. Now that they were alone, she was abruptly reminded of her recent conversation with Rainbow. Keen was the key to her glory, huh? Why did that seem to make so much sense just now? For the first time in a while, she came to wonder just what the filly really was to her. How was she supposed to define her? A daughter? A sister? A ward? What was Keen? The filly’s tilted head righted and her expression grew curious. “You’re real late. Did something happen?” Lightning blinked; had she been so obvious? But then… she glanced at the scrolls on the ground, recalling the impressive display of accuracy. Maybe Keen could target a pony’s thoughts in the same way? Or maybe not thoughts… Lightning didn’t know how to describe what she meant, but it was an interesting idea all the same. Keen moved to the edge of the seat. “What’s wrong, Lightning?” “Nothing.” Lightning lifted her up in another hug. “I just… Y’know what? Don’t worry about it. I’ve got some time to kill. Wanna go flying?” Keen hesitated. “I dunno, last time was kinda cold.” “Oh, right.” Lightning chuckled and set Keen on her back. “Well, what would you like to do?” The filly considered. Her eyes lit up and she licked her lips in anticipation. “Can I get a drink at Nye’s?” “I don’t think his place is open yet.” Lightning noted Keen’s pout and cringed. “I guess we can try anyway.” Keen gave a little bounce and hugged the back of Lightning’s neck. “Great! I promise to only drink one, though. No tummy aches for me!” That hug felt… good. Lightning trotted to the door with a beaming smile. “I might ask him to whip up a few extras to put on ice. You can have one every couple of days or so, as a reward for being the most awesome filly in Equestria!” Keen’s face broke into a broad grin. “Really?” Lightning chuckled as she went outside, making sure to close the door behind her. “You bet! Hold on, Little Bolt, we’re going for a ride!” Keen laughed as Lightning launched, darting her way through the buildings. Lightning didn’t understand why, but that suddenly seemed like the most beautiful sound in the world.