//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: From Nothing To Something // by Rated Ponystar //------------------------------// Lighting Dust wasn’t surprised when Rainbow Dash rushed over and hugged her. She had expected it since it was a common reaction whenever she told anypony what happened that night. Lighting Dust just sat there before she slowly let her own arms wrap around Rainbow’s barrel and let a single tear slide down her face. Even if it happened years ago, and she never thought about it as much as she used too, it was still one of the most painful memories in her life. It was not the fact that she almost died that scared her, she had been through plenty of life or death situations. It was the helpless that she hated remembering the most. Being held down, a victim without anyway of fighting back when she had the ability to. The fact that they toyed with her, treating her like some tool to break. She never wanted to be in that position again. “I’m sorry,” whispered Rainbow Dash as she broke the hug. The two of them realized they were being stared at by the other ponies in the cafe, so the Wonderbolt captain quickly sat back down, blushing. “S-so what happened to those three who attacked you?” “Well, it turns out they were responsible for the deaths of a few other homeless. Since Cloudsdale is one of the few cities that still has the death penalty, two of them got it via lethal injection two years after they were arrested. Not that I’m shedding tears,” answered Lighting Dust, scoffing. “The third one, the unicorn, was underage for the sentence so he got life imprisonment without parole. Although I last heard he commit suicide three years later after his sentence.” “Normally, I don’t approve of the death penalty, but I can make an exception here and there,” voiced Rainbow Dash with a scowl. She then turned into a hyperactive fangirl as she rubbed her hooves together and smiled. “So you managed to actually meet Redstreak?! The Red Daredevil! That’s so cool!” Rainbow Dash then had her smile quickly turn into a frown before she lowered her head. “Oh... that’s right... a few years ago he... sorry.” “It’s okay,” answered Lighting, taking another sip of her coffee. “Dad’s passing... was hard, but I know he’s in a better place.” “Dad, huh?” Rainbow Dash tilted her head. “He adopted you?” “Not necessarily. It was never a fully official adoption, but he was more of a father to me that the one who kicked me out,” answered Lighting Dust. *** The sound of birds chirping near her window alerted Lighting Dust that the morning had come. Yet all Lightning wanted to do was sleep in the master sized cloud bed that Redstreak had given to her for the night. It had been so long since she had slept in something warm and comfortable that she wanted to just lay there for the rest of eternity. Unfortunately, she wasn’t given that luxury as Butter Blue opened the curtains, letting in the accursed sun onto her face. “Rise and shine, Lighting Dust,” the cheerful maid proclaimed as she walked over and dragged off the blankets. “Your bath is ready for you, and Master Redstreak would like you to join him for breakfast this morning.” “Ugh, five more minutes,” muttered Lightning Dust, covering her head with her pillows. “Well considering you’ve been asleep for two days I think, it would be nice to get some food in your belly,” teased Butter Blue. Lighting Dust’s eyes widen as she shot straight up. “Two days?! I’ve been asleep for two whole days!” “Yup,” answered Butter Blue. “You’ve had such a trailing experience that we thought you deserved some rest. But today, the master needs to go over a few things with you if you're going to be living with us.” “L-living?” whispered Lighting Dust, as she began to wonder if she was dreaming or not. “W-why would the famous Red Daredevil want me to live with him? I mean... why would he do this for a complete stranger?” Smiling, Butter Blue walked over and sat down besides the stunned homeless flyer. “You’re not the first pony Master Redstreak has helped out over the years. He’s helped many who suffer from substance abuse, domestic abuse, and runaways from home. He’s helped them get back on their hooves, and they’ve managed to do well for themselves thanks to his help. It’s just who the master is.” “But what does he gain from this?” asked Lighting Dust, trying to see some sort of angle in which he benefited. “He gets the one thing he wants most: company.” Butter Blue sighed. “The master has no family and most of his teammates from his days as a Wonderbolt have passed on. He’s too old to date, and while he has tons of fans, they only see the Red Daredevil. Not Redstreak himself. We’re like family to him, and those he helps he treats the same. I think he’ll want you to be part of us here in the house since... well, you're a special case.” Lighting Dust’s shoulders slumped. “You mean my parents, right?” “Yes,” answered Butter Blue, rubbing the tear eyed pegasus with her wings. “I know what you're going through. My parents and I never talk to each other, we still don’t. They hate me because of who I am, but I had friends and other family members who looked after me and accepted me when I left.” “Why did your parents hate you? Why did you leave?” asked Lightning Dust, rubbing her eyes. “... I was born with a colt’s body,” whispered Butter Blue.   Lighting Dust’s eyes widen as she slowly turned around and looked at the female in front of her. “But... how?” Giggling, Butter Blue answered, “There are some very good magical surgeons in Las Pegasus. Master Redstreak hired me years ago and I was able to save up for the operation. Now I’m happy, employed, I have friends and family who accept me for who I am, I even have a boyfriend.” She pouted. “It doesn’t bother you, does it?” “N-no! I’m not bothered. Just surprised,” answered Lighting Dust. Butter Blue let out a small laugh before reaching over and hugged Lighting. “Trust me, I’ve been down that dark path where it seems all is lost. But if you never give up, and trust those who want to help you, you will find happiness.” A small smile began to stretch on Lighting’s face as she reached over and hugged the maid. Of course, that didn’t last long as she felt the familiar call of nature ready to rip out of her bladder. Then again, two days of being in bed would do that to you. “Um, hate to interrupt this tender and loving moment, but I need the bathroom. And maybe a bath.” Butter Blue got up and motioned her new friend to follow her. *** After a long time in the bathroom, Lighting Dust emerged from the second floor while admiring the mansion she was apparently going to live in now. If only my parents could see me now. Ha! The look on their faces. Lighting frowned as she nearly smacked herself for thinking of them again. All it did was bring back the feeling of being cold, alone, and hungry. I’ll show them. Just like Butter Blue said, I can make it in this world without them if they don’t want to do anything with me anymore! That can be my revenge! Living for myself instead of them or the dead memory of my sister! Lighting Dust soon found herself back in the dining room where there was not only Redstreak, but a second pony she never expected to see again. When she turned around and saw Lightning Dust, the newcomer found herself saluting just like old time. “C-Captain Spitfire, Ma’am!” Dressed in her officer uniform, the captain stared at Lighting Dust with calm and sympathetic eyes. A very different expression compared to the last time they had seen each other. Walking over, Spitfire put a hoof on her Lighting Dust’s shoulder. “Relax, Lighting Dust. You don’t need to salute to me.” “S-sorry, force of habit,” said Lighting Dust, raising an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?” “I thought it would be best to inform Captain Spitfire about what’s been going on since your were suspended from the Academy. She rushed right over to see if you were alright,” answered Redstreak. Although a part of her was peeved for Redstreak telling other ponies what happened to her, she couldn’t find it in her heart to hate the stallion who saved her. “I’m surprised, I thought you hated me, Ma’am.” Spitfire shook her head. “I don’t hate you, Lighting Dust. I think you're talented. Very talented. But you were arrogant and a show off, and I was annoyed by your attitude. But I wasn’t better off when I started out. I was like you in many ways.” She sighed. “My plan was to suspend you so there could be a cooling off moment between you and your other cadets, then work on improving your attitude with some hard training. Had I know what was going to happen to you...” “Don’t blame yourself, my parents are just a bunch of flankholes,” growled Lighting Dust. “You still could have come back to the Academy. I could have done something,” said Spitfire. Lighting Dust was about to say something but Redstreak got between them. “Ladies, what’s done is done. The point is we’re here to discuss Lighting’s future.” “My future?” asked Lighting Dust, raising her eyebrow. Redstreak sighed. “I’m sorry, Lightning Dust. I went to go talk to your parents and tell them about the situation. At least just the homeless part, I said nothing about the attack.” “... I guess that’s fine,” replied Lighting Dust, narrowing her eyes. “Next time ask me.” “Noted. They didn’t seem to care, if anything they seemed to only have one daughter in their lives and if what you told me last night is true she’s been dead for a long time.” Redstreak shook his head. “Some parents are too stuck in the past or in their own grief they forget what’s in front of them.” “So my parents don’t want me. Nothing new,” replied Lighting Dust, rolling her eyes. “Well, you need a place to stay, and with no income you are left with little options,” replied Redstreak before smiling. “Which is why I want you to live here, and work as one of my maids.” Despite knowing this was a possibility earlier, Lighting Dust couldn’t help but open her mouth a bit in shock. “R-really? Why?” “You are in need of help, and I wish to help you,” said Redstreak. “Of course, you will have to earn your keep around her. The other maids will teach you the ropes, and you’ll be given a home, food, and a paycheck with benefits such as sick days. You are free to live here as long as you like until you wish to leave on your own free will.” “I... I... thank you,” said Lightning Dust as she slowly walked over and hugged the stallion. She held back her tears because of Spitfire who was looking at them with a warm smile. “I’ll do whatever I can to pay you back for your kindness.” “It’s okay, Lighting Dust. This is your home now.” Home. It was a home. Her home. Their home. “I’d like to offer you something, Lightning,” said Spitfire, interrupting the moment. “I’m willing to let you back into the Academy to give you another shot. What do you say?” Spitfire raised her hoof and Lighting stared at it. She slowly raised her own hoof to shake it, but stopped. She thought about this chance. Another chance to join the Wonderbolts. She thought of her family, her sister, and everything connected to it. Is this... is this really what I want? For so many years, she had been pushed to be part of the Wonderbolts in memory of her long departed sister. But was that my dream? Or just Vorpal’s? Or was it only my parents? Sighing, Lighting Dust lowered her hoof. “I’m sorry, Spitfire. But I must decline.” Raising her head, she looked into the captain’s confused eyes with her own determined stare. “Becoming a Wonderbolt... I don’t think it was ever my dream. It was something forced upon me when my sister died since it was her dream. I loved my sister, I still do, but I’m not her. My parents tried to turn me into her, but all that did was cause us to drift further apart. My sister’s been gone for a long time, but we’re still holding onto her like we’re trying to believe she’s still here. My parents... they’ve become who they are because they can’t let go. I have to learn to let go, and that means letting go of a dream I may not want.” She bowed her head. “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to try becoming a Wonderbolt anymore. I need to find my own path in life.” Spitfire was silent for a bit before she nodded her head. “Okay. I understand. It’s shame, but I’ll respect your wishes.” “Just one last thing,” said Lighting Dust. “Don’t tell anypony else about happened to me, especially Rainbow Dash. I... I think it’s best if we left things as they were.” “Alright,” replied Spitfire as she made her way towards the exit. “Well, if that’s everything, then I wish you luck, Lighting Dust. Maybe we’ll see each other again sometime.” “I’d like that, Ma’am.” Spitfire chuckled. “You can call me by my name you know.” “I’ll work on it, Spitfire.” With one last nod, Spitfire exited through the front doors and Lighting Dust let out a breath of air she didn’t know she had been holding in. I just let go a second chance at the Wonderbolts. Man, I must be crazy. Redstreak walked over and placed his wing over her body. “You going to be okay?” Lighting Dust sighed, but it was a refreshing one. She smiled and began to feel a balloon float inside of her as she looked at the one she would be working for. “Yeah. I’m sure.”