• Published 10th Feb 2013
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Flightless Dreams - Edensola



Lighting Dust reflects on her life after unfortunately getting kicked out of Wonderbolt's Academy. Can she rise out of her depression and soar once more? Or will she remain stuck in a never-ending loop of despair; forever flightless?

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Chapter 2: Broken Promises

CHAPTER 2: BROKEN PROMISES

Lightning Dust awoke the next day, still in her room upon her bed. She looked tired, unmotivated to do anything. She gazed around, once again looking at all her posters, pictures, books. She couldn't help but feel a slight sense of irony, even though she was kicked out, at least it wouldn't end up like the last time she'd graduated. She recalled flight school, every pegasus had to go through it when they were fillies.


Lightning Dust zipped through the sky, even as a filly she was fast. She flew through the cloud rings flawlessly as many of her peers watched, the young filly almost mesmerizing. As she passed through the finish line and halted, everypony just stared in awe, she landed with a slight blush and embarrassed smile.

Her teacher soon approached, a wide grin on his face. "That was excellent Lightning Dust, a 10/10 easily! You got a bright future ahead of you!"

Lightning Dust's expression brightened as soon her mother approached, standing beside her daughter. "Well she is my little Lightning, she's the fastest flier there is!" She smiled, looking down at her daughter.

The teacher nodded as he gave a slight smirk towards Lightning Dust, rubbing the top of her head gently "Well you sure do got a lot of talent Lightning, you should go check out the pegasi grand prix, I'm sure that'd inspire you."

Lightning Dust's expression lit up, "Oh wow, can we mom, can we?! I'd love to go check that out!"

Her mother smiled giving a nod of approval "Of course sweetie."

The little filly cheered happily "Yes!"

"Wait, one second sweetie." Lightning Dust's mom then joined her teacher as they went to conversate a little ways away.

As Lightning Dust remained in her spot, twirling her hoof, suddenly some of her peers trotted up to her. "Hey! Don't think just cause you got a 10 it means something!"

Another continued "Yea, you're just a showoff!"

Lightning Dust lowered her head a bit, as she then looked at them with a hint of defiance. "Y-You guys are just jealous."

One of the other pegasi laughed, pointing a hoof at her "Hah! Jealous? You think we'd be jealous of you, in your dreams!"

Lightning Dust trembled somewhat as her mother came rushing towards her. "Hey! Get away from her, go on, get out of here!"

Lightning Dust's peers chuckled as they fluttered off. Lightning Dust remained, looking at the ground, sniffling. Her mother lowered her frame to look her in the eyes "Hey, what's wrong sweetie? What did they say?"

Lightning Dust looked at her with wide eyes, tears swelling up within them "They said that I'm just some showoff...how come none of them like me?"

Her mother smiled at her gently comforting her as she stroked her mane softly "Don't listen to them sweetie, they're just frustrated that they're not as fast as you. You will encounter a lot of ponies throughout your life who want to prove they're better than everypony else. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just, you can never let them put you down. You have the talent, I know you do, you just have to stay confident, and show that you can be just as good as they are, if not better."

Lightning Dust looked at her mother, an affectionate smile spreading across her cheeks. She nuzzled into her softly as her mother caressed her gently. "There there, it's all better."


The next day at flight school, her mother wasn't present but Lightning Dust didn't come off as a nervous little filly either. As she finished her lap, she stood firm, composed, happy, confident.

Suddenly the same group of peers approached her, all of them smirking as one crossed his hooves "Still showing off I see."

Lightning Dust smirked back at him "Still jealous I see."

They gasped as one replied "Didn't we already tell you, we're not jealous!"

Lightning Dust rolled her eyes "Just because I'm better than you doesn't mean you should get angry. Not everypony gots talent, that's just the way it is."

They all looked at her infuriated as another snapped back "Well, you're just cocky."

Lightning Dust chuckled, a humored expression upon her filly face "Yea, so?"

They all gasped once again, who was this new Lightning, where was the defenseless filly they used to poke fun at? They all looked highly upset as their teacher approached, the group of peers dispersed as he smiled at Lightning Dust.

He raised a brow curiously "So, what was that all about?"

Lightning Dust gave him a sly smile "Oh nothing teach, they were just giving me some advice."

He smiled at her "Oh that's great! Well; anyway just wanted to say you can head home now Lightning Dust, you've completed your daily recording."

Lightning Dust gasped as she forgot all about the time, "O-Oh right! Later teach!" She then bolted off into the sky, leaving.

As she arrived home eventually, she ran into her mothers hooves and hugged her affectionately. "Mom, mom! I stood up for myself, a lot better today, they were speechless!"

Her mother patted her head affectionately as she smiled "Good for you sweetie, I knew you could do it."

Lightning's father scoffed, as he remained in the living room "Hah! Bet they probably made good points though!"

Lightning Dust scowled at her dad as he looked at her as if surprised, she then continued to nuzzle into her mother.

Her mother looked to her husband with a smirk, then stuck her tongue out at him.

Surprisingly he laughed a little, smiling, as if impressed with his daughter.

Lightning Dust's mother smiled as she also tilted her daughters head up to face her "Also sweetie, guess what I got. Tickets to the Pegasi Grand Prix."

Lightning Dust's expression lit up as she cheered, hugging her tightly.

As the day of the pegasi grand prix came, Lightning Dust and her family sat in the crowd. The pegasi were racing through a large sky course while everypony cheered at them from the stands. As she sat cheering for her favorites, her father went off to go get some food, Lightning Dust continued to stare in awe at the racers.

As her father was absent, surprisingly another male pegasi came and took her father's seat. Her mother didn't do anything however, actually, she welcomed the male pegasi? The male smiled at her mother, as they began whispering into each others ears. Lightning continued to focus on the race but she attempted to eavesdrop on some of what they were saying, she could only pick up on small pieces. "That your daughter? How's the husband? When's the next time I'll see you?"

Lightning Dust glanced back ominously, she couldn't help but notice how happy her mother was. She'd never seen her mom smile so intimately, so naturally, not even with her dad, not even with her. Lightning Dust winced her eyes somewhat, she was confused, but she still didn't have a good feeling about this guy, in a way, she was jealous. She spoke in a curious yet annoyed manner "Hey mom, who's this?"

Lightning's mother blinked a bit, as she blushed somewhat, laughing and rubbing her daughters head. "Oh, just a friend sweetie!"

The male pegasi nudged her softly with a wink "Friends? Riiiiiight."

She chuckled and tapped him softly, muttering "Oh stop it." After a few minutes she shooed him off, her husband returning as the male pegasi playfully flew off, winking at her before doing so. As her dad took his seat, he gave them each their food as he was completely unaware of what just went down. Lightning felt she should tell him, but respected her mom too much to do so, in a way, not even she knew what exactly she'd witnessed. Little did she know, it was the beginning of probably the worst time in her life. She then continued to enjoy the pegasi grand prix, happily.


As the rain poured heavily over Cloudsdale, it seemed the pegasi were having trouble with the weather system. It didn't matter, this sort of atmosphere fit the situation perfectly. Lightning Dust as a little filly was sitting at the door that led out of the apartment, her eyes were wide with shock, she blinked a few times before muttering "What do you mean you're leaving?" She had asked, her voice shaking somewhat.

Her mother wore a scarf, and even had a suitcase with her. She avoided eye contact with her daughter for a few brief seconds before giving her a soft smile with saddened eyes. "I'll be close by sweetie, I'll be right over in Fillydelphia, I'll make sure to visit often."

Lightning Dust smiled widely as she shook her head "I can just go with you, then we can-"

Her mother cut her off, raising a hoof "N-No sweetie, I need you to stay here and take care of your dad."

Lightning looked at her wide eyed, puzzled, confused as her dad entered the scene.

He leaned upon a wall towards the back, immediately cutting in with an annoyed look "Why don't you stop lying to her, listen kiddo, mom don't need you to take care of me, and she sure as hay ain't planning to visit. She's ditching us, ditching you, ditching me, you really wanna know why you can't go with her? Because you're just bad memories, just like I am, she's moving on to a better life. And in order to do that, you gotta leave behind all connections to your past, ain't that right, darling?" He laughed somewhat with a smug expression "Tch, we're just hindrances, if you went with her, you'd just be a living reminder of how bad her life was."

Lightning glanced back at her father, tears swelling in her eyes as she'd then peered back up at her mother. She continued to look at her wide eyed, observingly, searchingly, looking for any sense that those brutal words weren't true.

Her mother looked at her for a few seconds, as she to, looked speechless. She then glanced at her husband, she winced her eyes infuriated with him, even snarling somewhat as she gritted her teeth. She wanted nothing more than to waltz right over to him and slap him in his smug, pathetic face, but, she didn't. She quickly removed all sense of rage from her expression, she sighed heavily before lowering her frame in front of Lightning, running her hoof through her mane affectionately. "Listen, none of what he said is true sweetie. I love you, I've always loved you, I just- I don't know, I promise though I'll visit as much as I can. I'm sorry about this my sweet little Lightning. Just, always remember, stay confident, never let others bring you down, I wasn't kidding when I said you were the best, I know you are." She then stood as she gave one last glare of discern at her husband.

He then shook his head "Tch," then proceeded into the kitchen.

She took one last glance at her daughter, sorrow filled her expression as she turned to leave, opening the door she made her way out.

Lightning Dust grabbed her mothers tail, pleading "WAIT!"

She stopped in her tracks, looking down.

Lightning Dust smiled as she managed to hold back her tears, "P-Promise me one other thing mom!" Her mother remained silent, listening to her daughter's words "Promise me, you'll also make it to my flight school graduation?"

Her mother trembled somewhat, she spoke, her voice hazy as it trembled with each word "O-Of course sweetie, I'll see you there." She then proceeded moving again, her daughters grip on her tail sliding gently off as she then hurried down the hall and stairs, suitcase in mouth.

Lightning remained there for a few seconds, wide eyed, staring at the big empty space where her mother once stood. Her hoof was still raised from when she was holding onto her tail, she slowly lowered it, placing it back upon the ground. Lightning Dust remained silent for a brief moment before shutting the door gently, she turned around slowly, making her way to her room when suddenly her dad called to her from the living room.

"Were just hindrances kiddo! Even though you hate me, guess what? I'm still going to take care of ya, because unlike your selfish mother, who walks out on family, I don't! No matter how annoying ya get, I won't abandon ya, because I'm a good father!" His words were slurred, raspy, he was obviously getting drunk. Lightning Dust just closed her eyes halfway, a look of utter sorrow on her face, but she didn't cry. She trotted slowly to her room, shutting the door behind her as she did so.

As the day of graduation came, Lightning Dust stood on the podium along with all her peers. The crowd cheered at the young ponies, finally they'd be graduating from flight school, a touching achievement for every pegasi. So many of the other ponies seemed anxious, excited, happy about this day, this moment. Lightning Dust however; wasn't, she just stared at the floor practically the entire time.

As the ceremony progressed, the announcer smiled crossing off another pony's name "And we congratulate Swift Wing for his grand achievement of flight school graduation! Will his parents please stand to put on his honorary pin?!" Eagerly two pegasi fluttered over to their son, proud expressions on their faces, tears in their eyes, they stood beside him as they put on his flight school pin. The crowd cheered in congratulations, as Lightning Dust couldn't help but glance at them, her expression was blank but one could see that hint of jealousy in her eyes.

Lightning Dust then proceeded to stare at the ground as the announcer finally called out "And we congratulate, Lightning Dust! For her grand achievement of flight school graduation! Will her parents please stand to put on her honorary pin?!" As he said this, the moment loomed on for a few seconds, Lightning Dust remained focused on the ground, a blank expression on her face. The announcer took a deep breath for a second before laughing nervously, he repeated "Will her parents please stand to put on her honorary pin?!" After nopony approached the filly a second time, the crowd began mumbling amongst each other, looking at her with pity. Hurriedly her teacher rushed to the stage, he quickly gave a quick wave to the crowd and grabbed the pin, placing it on Lightning Dust. She remained silent as the announcer peered around, he took a deep breath with a slight laugh, it was obvious he felt awkward about the entire thing. He then yelled "Well uhm, cheers for Lightning Dust!" The crowd cheered and stomped their hooves as her teacher remained for a few seconds.

He lowered himself to whisper in her ear "Lightning Dust, where's your mom?" Lightning remained silent, she just stayed this way until the ceremony had ended.

As the ceremony was over, it was sunset. The sky was a bright orange color as the clouds were a soft yellow and white. Everypony else had already gone as Lightning Dust was preparing to leave, her head lowered as she trotted sluggishly towards the edge of the flight school area. Suddenly her teacher called out "Hey, Lightning Dust, I wanted to talk to you, about the ceremony earlier!"

Lightning Dust sighed "It's okay teach, thanks for going up there for me. It's nothing, really, please don't worry about it." Tears were running down her cheeks as she looked utterly broken, defeated.

Her teacher couldn't see her expression from behind, he simply raised a brow "You sure?"

Lightning Dust nodded "Yea, go back to your family, I'm going to head home now."

He began to turn with a somewhat hesitant expression "Well alright, but if you ever need anything, my doors always open Lightning."

He began to trot away as Lightning Dust called to him "And teach! T-Thanks, for everything..." She then flew off as he looked at her fly away, he then turned, proceeding towards the flight school building.

As Lightning arrived back home, shutting the door behind her, her erratic mane, she'd looked tired. As she trotted slowly down the hall, as expected, her dad called out to her "Hey, did mom make it? Let me guess, nope! I told ya kiddo, all broken promises from that mare, but hey, I didn't make it either, listen, glad you graduated though! Honestly."

Lightning Dust kept her head lowered as she made it to her room, she replied to him "Thanks dad..." She shut the door behind her, went over to her bed and climbed on sluggishly. She laid down curling up into a ball, falling asleep, sniffling.


As Lightning Dust drifted back to the present, she then flapped her wings somewhat, getting out of bed, then heading over to her cloud desk. She then opened a drawer, pulling out a old picture, it was of her and her mom, back at the pegasi grand prix. She ran her hoof gently over the picture, then smiled with caring eyes.

"Sorry mom, seems I messed up again, looks like I wont be becoming a wonderbolt. Heck, maybe you'd even show up to that sort of event. I haven't seen you since you left, but, I love you, and still miss you."

She laughed a little, shrugging somewhat as she rolled her eyes.
"Dad is still the same, but, I'm taking care of him like you asked."

She then stared at the picture for a few seconds longer before placing it back into the drawer. She then thought back on how she was so overconfident, such a jerk to Rainbow and her friends, even put other ponies in danger. "And I'm sorry, I misinterpreted your lessons, I guess I see that now."

Lightning Dust then proceeded to her door, giving one last reflective look at the desk with her mothers picture in it, she smiled at it as she put on that same confident expression she always had. She then shut the door behind her, leaving her room, and everything there, once again.