• Member Since 20th Aug, 2014
  • offline last seen Yesterday

libertydude


Aspiring writer, Steve Magnet disciple

T
Source

Ponies attain redemption different ways. Some do community service for the less fortunate. Others visit estranged relatives to sort out the troubled past. A few even go on grand adventures across Equestria, saving the innocent and weak from terrifying monsters and villains.

Lightning Dust didn't need any of that. She didn't bow and throw herself down in pitiful humility, begging for a second chance or whipping her back. She took her life by the reigns and steered headlong into the dangerous stunts her flight coaches told her never to do. With a little luck and a lot of skill, she managed to build a crew that attracts record crowds and can go head-to-head with the Wonderbolts.

But when the rival that sent her into this tailspin of success appears at her show, she learns time doesn't heal all wounds. Sometimes, it just makes them deeper.


Takes place before and during "The Washouts".

Editing by zalla661 and Darkswirl.

Now part of the Endings collection.

Chapters (4)
Comments ( 14 )

why does this story end here?

9757189
Because this was the moment that really decided Lightning Dust's fate as shown in "The Washouts". We all know what happens to her after she accepts Scootaloo onto the team, so showing anything else afterwards is effectively pointless. This story's all about knowing how she got to that decision.

I think this is actually a pretty interesting read.

10290479
Glad you find it that way! This was an interesting story to write, and I'm always happy to see somebody like my work.

Ahh, a cornerstone to every good antagonist, they have to fully believe they are in the right.

10294671
Yes, this was something I felt was very important when I wrote this story. Lightning Dust couldn't just be one-dimensionally cackling as she toyed with Rainbow Dash; she needed to believe that this was the completely correct and proper action to do against Rainbow. I think that is the fundamental tragedy of Lightning Dust as a character: her potential for greatness is overwhelmed by her own self-centeredness.

10294694
Considering Spitfire's previous actions I always find that amusing.

Self centered, compared to the supposed commanding officer who routinely broke law and protocol to make herself look good, compared to the person emulating the behavior of said officer with none of the consequence free do-overs.

The bartender snatched the coins up like he worried somepony would nab them any second.

He’s basically like mr. krabs.

For a moment, Lightning Dust considered just nodding. Just keep the helmet on, let her never know she enjoyed the work of the mare she ruined. There’d be an irony there Lightning could savor for the rest of her days.

That’s what I would have done.

Dash’s eyes narrowed. “That ‘little twister’ almost made my friends fall out of the sky.”

Didn’t she make the twister with Lightning Dust?

Lightning Dust looked up and expected to see Short Fuse gritting his teeth in barely contained annoyance, or some other sign his thanks came as a reluctant attempt to suck up to his boss. However, all she saw was warm admiration in his eyes, the first time in a while she’d seen him this way. Thunder similarly took on an appreciative look, nodding her head to the rhythm of the popping spring bubbles.

Aww, Lightning Dust has friends.

That little voice couldn’t help but speak up. “No, stop,” it ordered. “You got your digs into Rainbow Dash. You got the idolization of her sister. You’ve even got greater loyalty from your teammates than Rainbow will ever get from her friends. Go any further, and there will be things you can’t control. This little filly won’t last a day with these stunts. She’ll get hurt, all because you couldn’t let your vendetta die.”

It’s nice to know she thinks a little bit.

10449672

Didn’t she make the twister with Lightning Dust?

Yeah, but she clearly held regrets toward doing it and only did it because she thought it was implicitly what the Wonderbolts wanted in their squadmates. Lightning Dust acted real blase about the whole affair and justified her actions when Rainbow confronted her about it. Rainbow's not blameless, but she at least tried to fix the problem by saving her friends and calling Lightning out. Thus, I didn't think it was unreasonable for Rainbow to put more blame on Lightning than acting like they were both equally at fault.

Never mind the Elements had no business flying that close to a training site. It’s Wonderbolts property, after all. Would some silly colt flying into the Rainbow Factory be considered a poor soul when he fell into a color vat, or would they get rightfully scolded for going into such a dangerous environment?

Nah they'd be only INTENTIONALLY dropped in there

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