The GGG
15 Years Later
Lightning stepped into Canterlot castle with Moon Gem and Sunset Breeze. After so many favors and bribes, she and her closest friends were finally at the famed Grand Galloping Gala. She flicked her dress with her tail, sending a cascade of sparks down its length.
Getting the dress made was not easy. The main problem was trying to keep it from exploding into flames during ignition. The sparks inside the dress were too hot and the dress material was too flammable. Lightning had had to call on the best dress makers from the greatest Equestrian cities, including Canterlot and a little town called Ponyville, where a master dress maker named Rarity created amazing designs for all seasons. Rarity had been able to create (or as she called it, divined) a highly flame-proof cloth that cost a pretty bit. But with money as no object, the dress makers collaborated and made an astonishing dress that, when irritated, would send a shower of sparks from the top to the bottom.
Lightning continued down the hall of the castle and stared at all the decorations and fancy ponies. She herself was a 15-year-old mare with a medium dark red coat, yellow mane and tail, and mustard yellow eyes. Her mane was normally straight (although for the Gala, it was in a bun) and had a bang that was shaped like a lightning bolt. Her tail style was similarly shaped. Her cutie mark had four small lightning bolts connected at one end in a circle. The most unique feature was that the cutie mark glowed white when its owner was in danger. Lightning said she liked being unique, but secretly, she hated being the center of attention. She liked seeing a large crowd of ponies, and galloping over to see what was so interesting.
“Lightning? Hello, you awake?” Lightning snapped out of her trance to find Sunset Breeze lightly shaking her.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry,” Lightning said slightly embarrassed.
“Come on, you two,” Moon Gem called out excitedly, already way ahead of the others. “I don’t want to waste a single moment.”
Lightning and Breeze smiled and followed Moon farther into the elegantly decorated castle. As far as Lightning could see, smartly and beautifully dressed ponies. Of course, this is Canterlot, she told herself. Eager to get going, Moon had disappeared into the dense crowd. Lightning and Breeze stuck close together and soon found a less packed part of the castle.
As the two sat down, Lightning glanced over to see Moon Gem pulling a red-coated stallion pegasus by the tail toward their table. The pony had brown eyes, black mane and tail, and a film reel for a cutie mark. He was only wearing a black vest. When Moon finally let go of him, he stood up and straightened his vest.
He cleared his throat before bowing and introducing himself. “Good evening, ladies. My name is Flash Film, or just Flash. May I have the pleasure of knowing your names?”
Sunset Breeze just about fainted. “H-hi. My name is Sunset Breeze, but you can just call me Sunset,” she said seductively, moving up to Flash. Lightning quickly covered her mouth with her hooves to keep the laugh from bursting out. Breeze spun her head toward Lightning and flashed daggers at her. Lightning just chuckled and moved to introduce herself to Flash.
“Good evening, sir. My name is Lightning Aura Strike. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She curtsied deeply. Flash bowed again. “It’s nice to meet you Ms. Strike. I say, I really like that bang you have.”
Lightning reached up and realized the lightning bang had slipped free of her bun. She tried to slip it back into its place, but it just fell right back out. Flash chuckled and moved over to Moon, with Breeze following right behind.
“Greetings ma’am. I am Flash-” He was cut short as Moon shoved her hoof into his mouth.
“I know who you are. You’re a film director. You did that film of the Equestian prisoners last year and why they should be spared the death penalty. Do you realize what they did to be put behind those bars?” She turned to Lightning while grabbing Breeze, who desperately tried to seize one of Flash’s hooves. He lifted his leg and she lost her grip.
“This is the reason I got a poor grade in that psychology class. I had chosen a topic on why the Equestrian prisoners, including thieves, muggers, killers, rapists, are piling up in the prisons and should be given the death penalty to convince others to give up their life of crime. It’s only a matter of time before they’re caught.” She turned and glared at Flash, who was visibly sweating. “This one,” she spewed, pointing at Flash, “said in his video, that all ponies deserve another chance. Prison is just a wake-up call, and that’s all they need. He gave no other arguments. I wrote six pages proving my point was better, and I got a D+!” At this point, Moon was positively fuming. Lightning decided that now would be a good time to leave before Moon unloaded her rage and killed Flash.
“Well, Flash,” Lightning said, pulling Moon back, “It’s been nice talking with you, but I know you’re busy.” Mouthing so only he could see, she said Get out or she’ll kill you. He got the drift. Flash turned and half-walked, half-galloped out of the Gala. Breeze gave a whimper of wanting.
Moon let go of both of her friends and Breeze immediately bolted in the direction that Flash had vanished.
“Let her go,” Lightning told Moon. “We can enjoy the gala, and she can enjoy chasing Flash. It’s a win-win situation.”
Moon humphed and followed Lightning to the buffet table, where they grabbed some food and headed to the dance floor. A giant gold alicorn statue stood off to one side and the music group across the room. It was composed of Frederick Horseshoepin at the piano, Octavia Melody at the cello, Beauty Brass on the tuba, and Parish Nandermane with the harp. Lightning let the music drift into her ears without really paying attention to it.
Everything went well for about another ten minutes, until Lightning realized she wanted some fresh air. She started toward the balcony, until she heard something; a name she knew all too well. She walked closer to listen in.
“Yes. The demon-child was named Lightning, if I remember correctly,” a brown stallion said to his friend and mare companions, who laughed at his remark. Lightning’s eye twitched and her heartbeat sped up. She felt adrenaline flood her body when she heard the next thing the hateful stallion laughed out, “That bitch, Glimmer, never knew what hit her.”