//------------------------------// // chapter one // Story: Lightning Strike // by Nytaza //------------------------------// Lightning strike Chapter one The mare looked up as the blue mare fell from the skies wailing for help as her wing had been broken. No other pony was around and Lightning knew she was the only one who could save that rainbow mare. She looked at her wings as Dash fell getting closer to the ground. She knew it was right to save Dash from the potentially deadly fall but something in her mind stopped her... It was a cold winter night as a little black filly appeared into the world, in a cave in the snowy mountains. At that moment one single flash of lightning shone bright but no thunder followed. Her parents knew then that their child was destined for greatness. Their child was to be known as Lightning Strike. It was hard living in the mountains, both of Lightning's parents were jobless so each day all three of them would fly (before she could fly she rode on her father’s back) to the forest to gather food. Some nights they came back hungry and some they were lucky and managed to find something to eat. Lighting was not told that there was a better life style in the world so she loved the adventure. One morning Lightning Strike woke up before her parents and quietly flew out of the cave and sat on a rock watching the sun rise. Her eyes started to tear up as she watched the colors flood together, pinks and reds fusing behind the white mountains. It was a sight she will never forget as she wiped the tears off her face smiling and sniffling. She jumped as her mother messed up her mane as a good morning. "Mommm why do you mess up my mane every morning," Lightning said jokingly and partly serious as she ran her black hoof through her bright mane. "So that you remember to brush it, and because you are still my little filly.." she trailed off not wanting to talk about the day when her little filly would fly away on her own. The mother jumped a little as she felt a larger figure brush against her, turning around she was greeted by the sight of her husband. "A good morning to the two most amazing mares in all of equestria," the dad happily sang as he hugged them both. He looked at his wife, they nodded at each other. "Lighting," her mother began, "When your father and I were young like you, our parents got us once special meal before we left our parents..." she stuttered at the end trying not to tear up. Her parents hugged as Lightning didn't know what to think as she sat there in front of her parents. After what seemed like forever they looked at her smiling and hugged her. "We shall be back with a special meal Lighting," her father said as the two adults flew off. (Lightning still didn't have her cutie mark so was obviously young) Lightning collapsed yawning as she watched her parents fly off. Mixed emotions ran through her head. Leaving her parents and facing the world...her thoughts were interrupted by a roar. Lightning got up her wings spread looking for danger. High above her a dragon flew by, she didn’t know what to think as it flew in the direction of her parents. Lightning, now shaking retreated into the cave and watched the dragon. As she found it in herself to get calm her heart suddenly sank as she saw her parents flying back with a sack full of food for her unaware of the dragon. She lost it as she flew out of the cave toward her parents screaming. They looked back with worry as all went still, the only noise was three sets of small wings and one giant thundering pair of wings behind Lightning. Time seemed to freeze as the food fell to the ground far down, after a minute there was a slight thud as the food hit the ground. Lightning gulped, too afraid to turn back as the look in her parents eyes was enough to know she was in danger. Her father suddenly flew straight up climbing the skies as the dragon followed fast. Her mother almost tackled Lightning in the air as she rushed her to the cave. The dragons tail whipped back and forth as it chased the father, as the tail whipped back it struck Lightning’s right wing full force. She screamed as she heard a snap and stalled for a few seconds before falling. Her mother rushed under her child barely able to support her weight. She climbed to the cave, Lightning ran inside and her mother collapsed right outside the cave. She was barely able to say anything, but somehow mustered the strength to say: "Lightning, dear, stay in that cave. Do not come out. I love you... my little filly." Lightning stood in the cave her wing bent over in a lot of pain but she ignored it. She and her mother were staring into each others eyes, Lightnings teal eyes full of worry and fear for her mother who lay out in the open. Her mother looked back seeing a mare with a broken wing and cuts along her wing, Bloodstains all over it, but she looked further and saw Lightning Strike and what she was meant to be, she smiled knowing that her daughter was strong and would do well in the world. Above them a roar sounded followed by a scream as the dragon appeared out of the clouds. Lighting looked but regretted looking as a torn up corpse was in its mouth. She screamed for her mother to run but her mother only looked back smiling. The dragon landed on the edge of the cliff, blood on its jaw and claws. It threw the corpse of Lightings father against a rock on the ledge. The dragon and Lightings eyes met, she stared into large, evil red eyes and the dragon looked at puny, teal eyes. He roared and Lightning ran to the very back of the cave where she was physically safe and plugged her ears and closed her eyes shaking and crying. To be continued....