//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: From Nothing To Something // by Rated Ponystar //------------------------------// “Midflight bombing run away!” cried out a little filly’s voice. Lightning Dust’s eyes instantly opened, but before she could do anything, a little batpony with a blond and lightning streaked mane landed on her stomach. The batpony laughed as the sight of Lightning Dust’s eyes nearly popping out of her sockets while gasping for breath. After recovering herself as quickly as she could fly, Lightning smirked and grabbed the little filly, her squealing laughter echoing in the air. “Well, here comes mommy’s special belly raspberry attack!” cried out Lightning Dust as she dived onto her daughter’s tummy and gave the biggest, and loudest, wet raspberry she could give. Her daughter laughed even harder before asking for mercy. Taking a few deep breaths, Lightning helped her daughter out of her bed before getting up herself. “Now I know you're excited for your first day flight school, but you need to be properly cleaned and fed. Head to your bathroom and take a shower before breakfast is done.” “Okay, Mommy! But let’s hurry up! I wanna prove to everypony that I’m the best flier since you!” Midflight shouted before rushing out the room. “You’ll need to try real hard to beat me!” shouted Lightning Dust. She shook her head before heading towards her own private bathroom. Was I seriously that bad when I was her age? Nah! I was an angel! After properly washing and preparing herself for a new day, she walked through her the enormous cloud designed hallway. Many ponies would often drop their mouths at the sight of such regal and noble design work with nearly endless artistic pieces whenever they entered the mansion. For Lightning Dust, it was as normal as the sun rising from the east. Walking down the hall, her servants greeted her a good morning and, once again, she had to remind them to call her “Lightning Dust” and not “Master”. They had all known her for years, and the whole "Master" thing kinda creeped her out a bit. Making her way towards the grand hall, she stopped and gazed at a large portrait of of an old red pegasus who, despite his balding head and visible wrinkles around his eyes, looked just as fit as a pony half his age. His Wonderbolts dress uniform was covered in medals and ribbons, evidence of a lifetime of achievements. She smiled at the painting, ignoring the tears threatening to well up in her eyes like every morning.  “Morning, Dad. I miss you.” She wasn’t a religious pony, but she like to think that he was still watching over her from wherever those who passed away went.  After a final smile, she made her way towards the dining room, her mouth already watering from the smells of breakfast. Naturally, Midflight was already digging into her pancakes, hay bacon, and eggs. The scattered food bits on the table and floor surrounding her were a sign that it was quite good. “Midflight, how many times have I told you not to eat so fast. The maids have more than enough to clean as it is,” scolded Lightning Dust to which her daughter gave a seepish smile and folded her ears back. “I seem to recall a certain newcomer who was so hungry that she dug in worse than a dragon in a diamond mine,” said one of the maids, a pegasus not much older than Lightning Dust who was of a yellow lemon color with a light blue mane. She placed down a stack of pancakes next to a blushing Lightning Dust and smirked. “Took us two hours to sweep the floors clean.” Lightning Dust rubbed the back of her neck as Midflight laughed. “Yeah, yeah. Rub it in, Butter Blue.” With a competitive gleam in her eyes, Lightning Dust took her fork and knife with both hooves and turned to her daughter. “Bet I can eat more pancakes then you.” “You’re on!” shouted Midflight. With that said, both ponies began to cobble their pancakes up, making funny faces along the way that nearly made the other choke. The maid shook her head at the sight of the two acting like foals, but with a warm smile on her face. She also noticed the amount of leftover bits that were dirtying the once clean floors. Again. “Somethings never change,” muttered the maid, heading for the broom closet. *** Lightning Dust remembered her own first day at flight school. It was one of the few good memories she had of her life before... that day. She shook her head and concentrated on flying, making sure to keep an eye on her girl who was panting on her back. This was a not time for bad memories, but to make a good one. “You shouldn’t have wasted so much energy flying. I thought you wanted to look awesome for all your teammates by flying in with a few tricks?” “I... guess... I was.... to... over... excited...” gasped Midlflight, catching her breath. She cleared her throat and showed a determination that was almost like looking at a mirror for Lightning Dust. “But I’ll show them all! I’m going to be the best no matter what and join the Wonderbolts!” Lightning Dust was now almost double sure she was looking into a mirror and decided it was time to give her daughter a good talk. She landed near a lonely cloud and lifted her daughter down. Upon seeing her confused face, Lightning put a hoof on her shoulder and looked at her straight in the eye. “Midflight. I want you to promise me something.” “What is it?” “I want you to promise me that you won’t show off, be a braggart, or insult those who aren’t as good as you in flying. And to not be jealous of anypony who is better then you,” ordered Lightning Dust, her tone dripping with regret. She could still remember that day as clear as day all those years ago. One of her greatest failures in life. “I made that mistake once and I don’t want you to do the same thing. I want you to be respectful. You remember that word, right?” “It means to treat people fairly no matter how different they are,” answered Midflight. “Good, now I want you to keep that in mind every day when your at school, promise?” “I promise, Mommy!” declared Midflight with a smile. “Now can we go now?!” Lightning Dust grinned and let her daughter get back on her back. “Hold on, Kiddo! We’re gonna get there as fast as lightning!” With a burst of crackling lightning behind her, Lightning Dust burst through the air like a speeding train, pushing through clouds and twirling with ease. Midflight yelled with excitement as they went past building and streets of Cloudsdale. Several poor pegasi who were too close shouted muted curses at them for whipping their manes into a frenzy. After a few more turns, they spotted the big school and obstacle course at the edge of the cloud made city. Grinning, Lightning Dust landed on the front yard with lightning still coursing through her body, making it look like she came from a thunderbolt itself. Nearby fillies and colts were jaw dropped at the sight of such a cool performance, especially when they saw the filly she was carrying get off like it was no big deal. Whispers of the new duo who had gave a dramatic entrance began to spread like wildfire. Even a few teachers were whispering in awe. The mother and daughter looked at each other and hoof bumped. But just as they did, everypony gasped and looked upward. Curious, Lightning Dust looked as well, but her heart nearly stopped upon seeing what it was. It was a pegasi doing corkscrews and flips, even taking a cloud and designing it in the Wonderbolts logo. But that wasn’t what made her breath turn to ice. It was the rainbow colored streak behind her that was synonymous with one pony that almost everypony in Equestria knew. “It’s Rainbow Dash! Holy clouds, it really is her!” somepony shouted and in an instant everypony cheered. Soon enough, Rainbow Dash came down for a gentle landing and waved her hoof at her fans who kept cheering her name. Lightning Dust’s questions as to why she as here of all days was soon answered when she saw a colt, dark blue with a rainbow mane held up by goggles, drop down and land beside Rainbow. A few ponies, especially the foals, wanted to ask questions or get autographs but Rainbow smiled and held up her hooves. “Woah, guys. I appreciate the attention, but I’m just here to make sure my son gets to his first day of class.” The crowd began to disperse, but not before shaking hooves with their hero a few times. Midflight was staring at the two with her jaw still open enough to catch a thousand flies. “She’s... She’s... THE Rainbow Dash! The youngest Captain of the Wonderbolts ever and hero of Equestria! She’s one of the council members of the Kingdom of Twilight! Holy smokes, Mommy! We have to talk to her!” Lightning Dust bit her lip as memories of the last time she had seen Rainbow Dash echoed in her mind. For a long time, she blamed Rainbow Dash for  her own faults when her mistakes were on her own. Looking back at the past, jerkish self, that she once was made her feel just as insignificant as what happened after she was expelled. Another thing that scared her was what would Rainbow Dash do when she saw her. Would she dismiss her? Yell at her? Say something that would make her daughter ask questions? Does she even remember me? Before she could say anything, Midflight already was rushing towards Rainbow Dash and her son. With no other choice, Lightning Dust sighed and walked forward. “That was so cool, Ms. Dash! You were amazing!” shouted Midflight as she squealed upon seeing her hero gaze at her. “No problem, squirt. Nice to see a fan appreciate my work. You going to school here too?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Yeah! Is he your son?” asked Midflight, nodding to the colt. He stepped forward and grinned, holding his hoof out. “Whazzup? I’m Spectrum. And I’m gonna be the best flier in class.” “Oh really?” said Midflight with an equal competitive grin. “We’ll I’m Midflight, and I’m going to be the best flier in class.” ‘Oh? Wanna test that? How about a race right now!?” “Bring it!” said Spectrum, flaring his wings as both ponies looked ready to fly out but Rainbow Dash stopped them by putting her hooves upfront. “Settle down you two,” chuckled Rainbow Dash. “You’ll have plenty of time to see who's better. Besides, it’s always nice to have a friendly rival. Right?” She turned to Midflight and asked, “So where are your parents?” “My Daddy’s at work, but my Mommy is over there!” said Midflight, pointing to Lightning Dust who gave a nervous wave. Rainbow’s eyes widen upon seeing Lightning Dust. She turned back to Midflight and then at Lightning Dust before walking forward. She held out her hoof and said, “Nice to see you again, Lightning Dust.” Her tone was neutral, but weary. Not that Lightning blamed her. Taking the hoof with her own, Dust shook it. “Hello again, Dash.” The two foals looked at each other, confused, before Midflight walked up to her mother and tilted her head. “You two know each other?” “A long time ago,” answered Lightning Dust. She smiled at her daughter. “Why don’t you and your new friend go head inside? I’ll pick you up after school.” “Okay, but I want answers when we get out!” said Midflight, firmly. She then turned to Spectrum and smirked, “Race to class!” “You’re on!” And just like that the two mothers watched their children fly into the school with all the other students. Now alone, the two old partners looked at each other without an expression on either face. Lightning Dust, however, was ready for anything. Yelling. Cold reception. Questions. She was all prepared for all of it. Except for one thing. “Wanna get some coffee?"