//------------------------------// // Lightning strikes part 1 // Story: Thunder and Lightning // by Star-fire //------------------------------// As the day progressed, Lightning found it harder and harder to get Rainbow Dash’s attention. Everywhere the pony went huge crowds followed; after all, she was the best flyer in all of Clouds-Dales. Supposedly. Lightning soon give up hope and tried to focus on his flying; yet he couldn’t. Something, or somepony, was on his mind. He couldn’t stop thinking about Rainbow Dash’s friend, Fluttershy; he thought that’s what her name was. He remembered how beautiful she was, he never really noticed that sort thing before; but she was an exception. Of course, with this filly playing at his mind all day, he wasn’t flying very well; and Thunder noticed this. Lightning was crashing, falling and not flying in straight lines. Thunder began to worry about him. “Look Lightning, I know you’re a big fan of Rainbow Dash, but please just focus on your own flying. I know she’s very good, but she’s more for show; attention. Why don’t you practice on making a show that even she can’t ignore.” pleaded Thunder. “You’re right, as usual. I’m sorry. I just don’t know what’s wrong with Me.”, replied Lightning. That was a lie though; he knew exactly what was wrong with him. *** Later that day, a race was being organised; something to kick the new term off. All those who wished to partake simply had to put their names forward and then would be placed into heats; a maximum of fifty students could put their names down. There were five places to play for, so that meant five heats; ten per heat. Once Lightning had heard about this, he raced over to where the organisers were. “Name?” asked a rather old looking Pegasus. “Lightning” replied the nervous young pony. “Ah, our new student” she said with a hint of excitement. “How has your first day been? How’s your brother keeping?” “Oh, my day has been fine. Um... Thunder, he’s alright I suppose.” “Well, keep up the good work; I’ve heard promising stories about you two. Good luck for the race!” “Thank you” said Lightning, heading back to his brother. As he was walking past the queue to sign up for the race, a pony beckoned to him. “Hey Lightning! Lightning!” somepony shouted. Lightning decided to see who it was; he recognized the voice. When he walked past a pony that was blocking his view, he gasped in horror; it was Rainbow Dash. But that wasn’t what scared him, it was the beautiful, cream-coloured Pegasus standing beside her that made him nervous; Fluttershy. “Signing up for the race Lightning?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Um... um... what?” spluttered Lightning, unable to keep his gaze off Fluttershy. “I said, are you signing up for the race? Silly” she replied. Fluttershy glanced over at him and noticed him staring; Lightning broke off immediately. “Yes, just... signed up there now... Rainbow.” Lightning said her name nervously; he didn’t know her after all. “Well good luck!” Hope you make it to the final five!” she said. “Um... thanks. You too” replied Lightning. He turned and began to walk away. “Good luck Lightning” came another, softer voice. Lightning stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face the voice. Fluttershy was looking at him with a smile upon her face. Lightning felt his knees trembling. “Thanks Fluttershy” he said eventually. The queue began to move forward and so did the two Pegasi. “Oh, gotta go here Lightning. See ya” said Rainbow Dash. “Bye Lightning” said Fluttershy. “Yeah see you later. Bye Fluttershy.” Without another word Lightning galloped off back to the training fields. “You know Fluttershy.” said Rainbow. “I think he likes you.” Fluttershy blushed and giggled. “Oh don’t be silly Rainbow. He’s just shy because it’s his first day.” “Do you think I’m blind? He was staring at you the whole time.” “No he wasn’t, he was talking to you.” Fluttershy blushed even more. “I’m telling ya Fluttershy, he likes you.” said Rainbow Dash. “Just write your name down” retorted Fluttershy. *** Lightning’s heat was a gruelling race; all the Pegasi in his race group were huge. Lightning was terrified. “Listen Lightning” his brother had said. “Just because they’re big, doesn’t mean they’re better. You are quicker than them, ok?” “Right ok, I can do this.” Lightning had replied. But he didn’t feel like he could do it; especially with all those ponies watching. “Do your best; that’s all you can do. Good luck.” Thunder had said before retreating to the stands. Lightning thought his best wasn’t good enough. What if he lost? Everypony would laugh at him. Clouds-Dale would think they made a mistake and kick him and his brother out. These were the thoughts going through his head when he was at the starting line. But the worst thought he had been: What if Fluttershy sees me? She’ll never like me if I lose. When the flag came crashing down to start the race, Lightning was left behind by the other Pegasi. He knew it was coming. What did he expect? He was small, weak and useless; while these Pegasi were all strong, big and amazing flyers. He managed to pull himself up to fourth place by the third and final lap; but he knew he would never make first. Then on the final straight, Lightning spotted Thunder in the stands; cheering him on. In that moment, something came over Lightning, some force that he had never felt before and he shot forward like a bullet; leaving all the other ponies behind in a cloud of smoke. When Lightning crossed the finish line, his body was covered in bolts of electricity and his mane was spiked right up. Sparks were erupting from the end of his tail and everypony looked upon the tiny Pegasus with awe. Never before had any Pegasus flew so fast that they conducted electricity! And so, Lightning was awarded a place in the final five. *** The final race was scheduled two days after the heats; giving each contender a day’s training. This was a miracle for Lightning for he did not expect to win this race; or even finish it for that matter. Five laps of intense racing and obstacles just to top it off. Lightning didn’t waste any time and straight away began training; once Thunder had managed to get the last bolt of electricity off of him. “What in equestria happened up there? I mean, I know you can create Lightning after flying around in circles at great speed; but how did you do that?” he asked. “I don’t know. I just... I... just... um. I don’t know” he replied. He genuinely had no clue what had happened: One minute he caught sight of Thunder, next minute he had crossed the finish line. Still he wasn’t complaining, he won, and he got through to the final five; on his first day! His confidence was slowly getting stronger. *** “You should have seen him, Rainbow, it was amazing” exclaimed Fluttershy as the two of them headed towards that training grounds. Unsurprisingly, Rainbow Dash had won her heat; so she was also in the final five. “I doubt it was that amazing” replied Rainbow Dash. “I think somepony’s jealous” said Fluttershy with a grin. “Oh yeah! Well I think SOMEPONY fancies Lightning!” retorted Rainbow. Fluttershy’s grin faded straight away and was replaced with A Slight frown. She began to blush uncontrollably and lost her recent confidence. “And... who would that be?” The question was stupid; she had given the game away long ago. “YOU!” shouted Rainbow Dash, attracting some unwanted attention. “Rainbow, ponies are looking at us” said Fluttershy, recoiling from her friend. “Just admit it Fluttershy, you like Lightning don’t you?” she demanded, moving closer to Fluttershy; while Fluttershy backed away. “Um... well... you know... I mean...” stammered Fluttershy nervously. “DON’T YOU!” shouted Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy looked away from Rainbow Dash and cowered before her. “Yes” she whispered. Rainbow Dash definitely heard her; she just liked to push the boat out. “What was that Fluttershy? I didn’t hear that” she said in a sarcastic tone. “I said, yes, yes I do” she sighed. “Aha!” said Rainbow Das. “I knew it. You have a crush on Lightning.” Fluttershy guessed what was coming next; she knew Rainbow Dash too well. “You have a crush on Lightning! You have a crush on Lightning!” she said in a sing-song voice; she was clearly enjoying herself. “Ok, Rainbow Dash, I get the point” said Fluttershy rather sternly, as they entered the training grounds. They just had to be there, didn’t they? Off in the distance were Thunder and Lightning. “Hey look shy, there he is. Come on let’s say hello” said Rainbow Dash with a huge grin across her face. “Sure... ok” replied Fluttershy. Just play along, she thought to herself, it won’t be as bad if you just play along. But could she play along, or would her feelings get the better of her? *** “Ready!” shouted Thunder. Lightning braced his body and tightening what few muscles he had; for about the hundredth time today! “Set!” shouted Thunder. Lightning fluttered his wings into a good position to get the best possible start; every second counted. “Go!” roared Thunder. Lightning kicked off with all his strength; flapping his wings as fast as he could. He zoomed past Thunder and he had to stable himself encase he fell due to the force of Lightning’s passing. Lightning’s eyes began to water, his mane was right back and his wings were flapping like a fish caught on a line; but he loved it. The feeling was sensational. The air through his mane, the speed, and, until recently, the bolts of lightning that seemed to appear around him. Ever since the qualifying heats he had started producing lightning without having to fly around in circles like he used to. Instead, he merely flapped his wings and there it was, lightning! He crossed the finishing line and skidded to a halt. He flicked his tail and sparks came off the end; he thought it looked awesome! “Yes! That was two seconds faster that last time!” shouted Thunder as Lightning made his way back to Thunder, he landed beside his brother and high-fived him; electrocuting him in the process. “Waaay tooo gooo” said Thunder. “Oh... sorry Thunder” said Lightning, recoiling from the high-five. Thunder shook off the last spark. “You have to be careful with this whole lightning thing.” “I will” said Lightning. “But it looks so cool.” “Well even I can’t argue with” that replied Thunder. Just promise me you’ll be careful and keep it under control.” “I promise.” “Wow, that was amazing!” said a soft and delicate voice. Lightning froze in horror, not wanting to face the owner of the voice; he knew who it belonged to. “Oh hello Fluttershy” said Thunder. “Hi Rainbow Dash.” “Hey Thunder” said Rainbow Dash. “That’s some fancy flying there Lightning. Where did you learn to fly like that?” she asked. Lightning turned on the spot and immediately looked at Fluttershy. She met his gaze and blushed; Lightning had never seen anything so cute. “Um... Thunder taught me most of what I know today” he said to Rainbow Dash, keeping his eyes on Fluttershy. She give him a smile and his heart skipped a beat. “I saw you racing in your heat, you were amazing” said Fluttershy sweetly. Lightning walked closer to her. “It wasn’t that good Fluttershy” he said. Thunder looked over at Rainbow Dash and shot her a confused look, she giggled and flew over to Thunder; neither Fluttershy nor Lightning noticed her. “What’s up with those two?” he whispered to her. “I think they like each other” she whispered back. The pair of them watched the other two just looking and smiling at each other. “Hey Fluttershy. We gotta go; I’ve got training to do!” Rainbow shouted over at her. Lightning and Fluttershy nervously broke off, looking away from each other. “It was nice to see you Lightning” said Fluttershy as she walked past him. Lightning caught her heavenly scent and forgot where he was. “Oh... yeah... you too Fluttershy. Bye” he eventually said, trying to shake the intoxicating aroma off. “Bye-Bye” she replied, joining Rainbow Dash at her side. Lightning waved his hoof at the Pegasi. “Good luck for tomorrow Lightning!” shouted Rainbow Dash. “You too!” he replied. He couldn’t stop watching Fluttershy as she walked off. “Do you have a thing for Fluttershy, Lightning?” asked Thunder. “What! No!” retorted Lightning. “Oh come on Lightning, do you think I’m blind? Look I don’t mind if you do. Just make sure she doesn’t come in the way of your flying, ok? I mean, great things could happen if you do well in this race.” “Don’t worry bro. I won’t.” “Keep practising. I need to speak to a few teachers.” As Lightning watched Thunder fly off, he couldn’t keep Fluttershy off his mind. Everything about her was amazing: Her sweet voice, her beautiful smile and her heavenly smell. Lightning began to smile just thinking about her. Lightning just knew that she was going to come in the way of his flying; but he wanted her to.