> My Big Sister Lightning Dust > by BronySis > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A Muzzel of Dreams > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I am so sorry," A kind, maternal voice apologized, she sounded somber. The voice came from a pegasus mare, a light pink mare with a cobalt blue mane and tail, her cutie mark three thunder bolts that is the same color as her mane. She is with a sky blue filly, the filly's mane swept back an array of yellow her cutie mark is a lightning bolt with three stars around the bolt. Thats the only thing the mother and daughter had in common, a lightning bolt in there cutie mark. The small filly had a look of horror, knowing exactly what happens next. The area in which they reside in the sky, but it was wrong. All the clouds were jet black, and the sky was a dark red purple, almost as dark as the clouds. But even thought its the sky, it felt like a enclosed and tight atmosphere. "Mother?" the scruffy little filly's voice cracked, fear resonating. The filly took a step forward towards the pink figure. But the mother took many steps back and avoided the filly's gaze. "I love you my little Wonderbolt, take care of your little sister" The mother called as if she was not going to be herd. The filly took to the sky's and pursued her mother, hoping that this time it will be different. The filly bolted as fast as she can, before she can embrace her. A bright white glob of what it seems like tapioca, the difference being its living and it smelled oddly like a freshly opened bottle of alcohol. The glob slowly engulfed Lightning Dust mother. The filly bounced off the thing like a ball off a trampoline wall. A look of realization hit little Lightning, its not going to be different. She fell to the pure black clouds that seemed to cushion the fall. The filly started crying, tears streaming down her face. But as quickly as the creature came it was gone leaving a tear stained filly, crying her eyes closed out of frustration. Nothing changed, nothing is ever going to change the filly thought. When Lightning Dust opened her eyes shes on the street she lives on. The long dirt road went on and branched out live a tree growing its branches and she is at the trunk. The sky blue filly looked around, surprise filling her face. This is new, she never saw this part in her nightmare. Lightning paused and looked up and saw the twisted, messed up sky she just came from. The filly looked back down not wanting to see that ugly display in the sky. She starts to trot towards her house, all the houses looked the exact same, they all are drooping with depression, all colors gone. The sky blue filly had a look of pure fear across her face, then she thought, what if this is worse than before. Lightning Dust paused, realization hitting her. No I can handle this, I mean I am the fastest pegasus in all of equestria, she thought to herself. But I couldn't save mom what good am. Before she could finish everything started looking strange, everything was blurring as if nasty watercolor was mixing. All except for one house, her home, at least her home in Ponyville. Oddly the little two story building looked normal not at all like the other houses. Filly Lightning trotted up to the door an opened it, the whole atmosphere seemed to change. It felt warm like taking a sip of warm coco. It was welcomed to the distraught pegasus, without any warning the door slammed behind her, she jumped ears go back. She flew backwards till she hit her head on a a rafter.and she went to the floor. After she gave a small grown her head pounding like a drum. Her eyes closed shut from the pain, But when she opened them there was a little black cat curled up next to her. The cat was purring as if she was having of her life. It was a jet black cat with a purple pink collar with the same color eyes, but it seemed off, with closer inspection Lightning Dust saw that the cat was missing a back leg. The filly was shocked and picked up the little kitten and started stroking her, she didn't know why but this cat reminds her of some pony. The pegasus looked around at her surroundings oddly it looked normal. It didn't seem dark or unnatural, everything looked as when she left. Lightning Dust got up still holding the kitten in her front left hoof. "Lets look around," the little filly pitched, the cat jumped a bit, you can tell it was absolutely uncomfortable. "Don't worry, you have the most awesome pony in all of Equestria protecting you," Lightning glared with pride, the events prior to this one not deterring the little pegasus. Because as of now she has something to protect so she has to be the most awesome pony in equestria. The little black fluff ball was definitely on edge. The pegasus decided to fly to get around, just so if she needed to the little filly could quickly fly away. She had an idea to check her little sisters room, so she flew up the stair and there was a hall with two doors to her left and one on her right, she started for the first door on the left, she opened it slowly and glided in. The room looked almost the same as when she left, wonderbolt posters hanging on the wall, her bed (out of the ordinary) was made, and her scooter was propped up against the wall. The cat in her hoof started growling in a low key. Then with a sudden burst the little three legged clawed her way out of Lightning Dust hoof, and ran out of the room. "Wait! Come back!" The filly screamed as she tried to follow the little limping cat, not even caring about her injuries. But by the time she got to the door the kitten was nowhere to be seen. "Fine see if I care, I dont need you," Lightning Dust screamed down the hall in pure frustration. She landed and trotted back in to her sisters room, and had an idea of checking the closet. She walked over to the closet next to the bed and slowly opened the door with her right hoof (do to her left hoof being injured). And inside was something that shocked the young pony. "OK out of all the crazy stuff I see in dreams this takes the cake," The pegasus exclaimed looking into the closet. Inside was a forest? It was so oddball, the sky blue pegasus was almost tempted to go in but when she reached a hoof it seemed like there was a invisible barrier stopping her from the free forest. She pulled back, and out of nowhere a little humming bird came out from the forest and landed and Lightning Dust muzzle. "Hi there little guy you must be lost, thankfully the most awesome pony in all Equestria is here to protect you," the little humming bird looked at her, confusion clear on its face. "Come on lets take a look around," The pegasus proposed. The humming bird seemed to chirp in excitement, it probably did not understand the pegasus but was happy and upbeat anyway. The pegasus took to the sky while the little humming bird flew to Lightning Dust mane. The filly flew out of the room and started for the end of the hall oddly enough as Lightning went down the hall she seemed to age to the present day appearance. She didn't even notice till she walked by a mirror. She looked at it and spoke with confidence. "Yeah, this is more like in me in top form," She flexed her wings for effacement. Her little bird friend flew out not seeming to have aged a bit, flew out and joined Lightning in trying to flex its wings, it failed almost falling to the ground before Lightning catches it and gently set the little bird in her mane again. She looks around and starts going down the hall again. The hall starts getting darker, and darker as she went down it. This didn't seem to deter the pegasus, though she did have thoughts about turning around. It was a little while before the hall was completely pitch black. But Lightning had an idea, she could land and feel the ground to get and idea of where the hay she was. She landed and tapped her hoof on the ground "Its stone," the pegasus remarked, her eyebrows furrowed with confusion. She decided to continue on hoping to find something. Meanwhile the little humming bird was snuggling in hey mane seeming to enjoy the company. The pegasus marched on a stride in her strut as she did so. Eventually awhile later she saw a little light. Lightning Dust eyes lit up like a star happy to see anything other than black. She flew up and darted right towards it, the little light seemed to almost dance as it was going away from the pegasus. Eventually the light got brighter and stopped the light showed they were in a space that seemed to be enclosed with stone, the mare took a quick sniff of the air, mildew assaulting her nose. She walked up towards the light and saw she was at a dead end. "Alright I will go back then," Lightning muttered, frustrated she did all that for nothing. As soon as she was about to turn around a howl was herd and the sound of a lot of paws hitting stone was herd she turned around. But she was attacked he mutt got right on top of her with extreme speed she bucked the wolf right off. The little humming bird tried to get out of Lightning Dust mane but got tangled, pulling at her mane. Lightning turned around and saw a dozen grey wolfs there Lightning tried to back up a bit but she found nothing but a wall. And before the mare could react the Wolf that seemed to be in charge pounced towards the pony. Then everything blacked out. A loud gasp was herd in the candy colored train cart, The barer of the gasp was a light sky blue pegasus with an array of yellow, slicked back mane. The pegasus looked around it was just her on her way back home from the wonderbolt academy. The mare settled back down. "I guess the stress of the day wore me out huh?" the pegasus mumbled to herself. It was sunset, which meant Luna was raising her beautiful moon. The mare stared outside starting to lose herself in thought about what just happened in her dream, until she was interrupted by a stallions voice over the PA. "We will be arriving in Ponyville shortly," Lightning got up and went over to the seat next to her and grabbed a medium sized saddle bag and securely strapped it on her back. About a minute later the train came to a complete stop, and the train doors slid open. With a strut Lightning trotted of the train, finally she was safely in what is almost home. "Hey scoots, guess whos home" Lightning Dust yelled into the house, a couple seconds later a little orange pegasus with a purple pink ruffed up mane came down the stairs, her face beaming in joy. "Dusty!" Scootaloo jumped off her scooter and came rushing towards her big sister. Once she was in reach Lightning Dust noogied little scoots. The two where laughing as if it was the funnest thing that ever happened. It was very clear how close these two are, they are as close as two sisters can be. > Sisters Day Out > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Wake up! Wake up!" a little voice pitched. The little orange pegasus hopped around on a bed holding a sky blue pegasus with a bed head yellow mane. A moan came from the sky blue pegasus, the mare waved a hoof at the filly, which basically meant I am up please get out of my room. The little filly obeyed, she hopped off the bed and trotted out the door. The older mare rolled out of bed, with a big thump she hit the floor. The mare continued the moan for about five minutes on the oak wood floor. Eventually the sky blue pegasus flapped her wings and slowly but surely she flew up to her dresser and prepped herself for the day. About ten minutes later Lightning Dust door burst open with enthusiasm. "Your up!" A little filly squealed with excitement, normally her sister isn't home often due to her older sisters jobs being in Los Pegasus. Also Scootaloo was not expecting her sister to be home, Lightning is suppose to be at the Wonderbolt academy. "Yup, is my tough little pony ready to spend a whole day with there coolest big sister?" Lightning Dust asked even thought she knew what the answer is. Scootaloo shook her head for a reply of yes I want that Scootaloo's purple eyes burning with excitement. The two pegasus head out the door into town. Ponyville is buzzing with excitement due to it being a weekend. The two pegasus sisters are trotting down the wide, and crowded street. Lightning Dust would rather fly but doesn't for her sister. "Hey watch where your going you little twerp!" a older mare with a pink coat and purple mane screamed at Scootaloo because Scootaloo bumped into her. "I'm sorry" Scootaloo's voice cracked. Lightning started changing her posture and looked more defensive. "Sorry? Little brats like you need to learn manners," the pink old mare shouted, at this point pony's from town started looking at the scene. Lightning was about to yell at the pony for daring to insult her little sister. Scootaloo sensed this, even though her eyes were tearing up a little, she put her hoof on her older sisters chest to assure her its OK. But her older sister didn't hide her disgust. The older pony started to hobble on giving the two sisters a nasty look. Lightning Dust started mumbling not so nice names. Scootaloo wiped tears out of her face and gave her older sister a disapproving look. Lightning Dust ignored the look and said. "Come on lets head to that restaurant you wrote to me about, OK?" Scootaloo simply nodded. "You were brave you know," Lightning reassured her little sister. Scootaloo looked up at the mare. "Real...Really?" Scootaloo asked. Lightning Dust nodded, Scootaloo got a large grin on her face. The older sister smiled just to see her sister smile. The two start to head towards a small local restaurant down town. The two are in front of the restaurant its called Un restaurante. The two walked in and were immediately greeted by a pony who escorts the two to a table. Its a interesting restaurant, there is orange and yellow decorations, and wallpaper. Scootaloo in the seat looking away from the door, Lightning sat on the opposite side. A waiter pony comes up to there table and asks. "Welcome to Un restaurante, what can I get you mares today?" Lightning gave Scootaloo the look of, have what ever you want. The little pegasus smiles and says. "Can I have a hay and cheese quesadilla, with a side of carrots?" The waiter nods and looks to the older sister for her answer. "I will have rainbow stew, and egg quesadilla," the waiter nods again and trots off towards the kitchen. Afterwards a waitress brought up the two sisters drinks. "A rain dew water drink, and apple juice," Scootaloo took the dew drink, and Lightning grabbed apple juice with her wing and sipped at it. Scootaloo gave a thanks to the waitress. The mare trotted off to assist another table. "Hey sis?" Scootaloo asked out of nowhere. Lightning looked up at her and responded with a sisterly. "Whats up?" Scootaloo looked away for a bit seeming to be thinking. "I mean I enjoy you being home and all but, your suppose to be at Wonderbolt Academy, what happened?" Lightning started getting a look of anger. "Its pure Cow wash, I did nothing wrong, they just have messed up ideas of what the best should be," Lightning Dust growled in anger at even thinking about the experience. "I'm sorry," The little pegasus seemed somber yet sympathetic. "Its fine I dont need them to be the best," Lightning remarked confidently. Scootaloo gave a eye role very disapproving of her older sisters nature. Lightning completely ignored the role. "So hows your club?" Lightning asked. Scootaloo's ears perked up and her wings extended out. "Well Appleblooms cousin came to town a couple days ago, first she was a bad apple," Before Scootaloo could finish her sister started straightening up. "Did she do anything to you? Did she hurt you or," Scootalo cut off her older sister and said. "Then I learned she was only a bad seed because she didn't want bully's on her, and she went off to start a Cutie Mark Crusader branch in Manehatten." Scootaloo finished. A couple seconds later the waiter brings out the individual dishes. Instead of Scootaloo Lightning gives a honest thanks to the waiter. Scootaloo gave a small smile to her sister. The two finished their meal and went out back to the street, and slowly but surely but surely the two sisters went home. > Will I Ever Fly? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- About two to three weeks go by with Lightning working double jobs in Los Pegasus, letters going back and forth between the two sisters. In that two to three week period the Equestria games location was announced, a new princess is coordinated, plants take over Ponyville, and her amazing little sister being nominated for being Ponyville's official flag bearer. She wishes she could go see her sister preform in the Crystal Empire but it was a very far trip from southwest Equestria to the frozen north, but thankfully she will be able to meet her tough little pony when she gets home. When Lightning Dust gets home after her two jobs in Los Pegasus she was so happy to be in what she considers home. Lightning Dust walks in her door her posture softens, its about a hour and a half before Scootaloo get home from the Crystal Empire. The older sister has a lot to do within that time. First she has to get all the food for dinner, then she has to get Scootaloo's favorite dessert, lastly she has to wrap her younger sisters present. Unfortunately Lightning Dust knew she couldn't be there for Scootaloo the week of the actual Equestria Games so they might as well celebrate two in one. Lightning Dust took to the kitchen and started cooking. "Cherries, and apples," Lightning was talking to herself, she was trotting through town, so that the two can have snacks to nibble on. Hoof-ball games are on tonight its Fillydelphia Timber Wolfs vs Canterlot Swans. Lightning Dust was trotting through town looking for the stands of the items she wants to acquire. Finally she finds the cherry stand, a stallion is running it. Lightning trotted up to is and demanded. "I need two dozen cherries," The stallion looked at the pegasus and replied with. "Alright that will be forty bits," The sky blue pegasus looked shocked and replied with a authoritative. "Twenty four bits," The stallion looks to the mare in shock. He replied with "Thirty bits," The pegasus had a stern look on her face, she was not budging. "Twenty four bits," The stallion behind the counter finally gave. "Fine twenty four bits," The mare softened a little, she got her cherries and left twenty four bits. "Not even a little bit of gratitude?" The stallion asked, now that Scootaloo was not present Lightning Dust ruder half was allowed to run wild. "Oh you want me to kiss you on the cheek and tell you, you did a great job on what your expected to do. You are a full grown stallion you shouldn't need a customer to pat you on the back for doing what you should be doing." She finished and trotted away, leaving the shocked and angry stallion. The now tense pegasus was flying around looking for a apple cart, she finally saw it and she quickly flew straight for it. It was a small little cart with three buckets of apples, and a ripe Macintosh colored stallion running it. With a quick land Lightning makes her way to the little cart. "I need a dozen honey crisp please," The pegasus asked, the stallion gave a hard and stern. "Eup," Lightning smiled a little. Finally something that might go over smoothly. "Five bits please," The stallion spoke. Lightning looked up in shock, that cheap. The mare used her wing to put the apples in a saddle bag, and left six bits. She flew off, she wanted to go home. Its was about ten minutes till Scootaloo gets home. Lightning pondered then decided to head to her room to style her mane. She fly's up the stairs and is at the end of the hall, Lightning takes a quick glance at her younger sisters door. She started to ponder something, then went into the room. She took a look around then she trotted to her destination in the room, she was face to face with a regular looking closet. With a deep breath the pegasus opened the closet. "Welcome home Scoots," Lightning greeted her younger sister with a up-beat attitude. Until she noticed Scootaloo was crying. "Scoots are you OK?" the older pegasus asked the crying filly. Scootaloo got a look of embarrassment, Lightnings not suppose to be home, why today out of any day. Little Scootaloo, her face red with embarrassment and tears, ran right past her sister in the doorway and ran up stairs and slammed the door to her room. Lightning Dust paused and blinked a couple times. What the hay just happened? Lightning decided to pursue her sister. When Lightning flew up to the door she decided to ground herself, she gave a good couple of knocks and asked. "Scoots can you let me help?" no reply came, after a little bit of thinking Lightning decides the best coarse of action. The door slowly opens, Lightning looks inside the room for her little sister. She finds the little filly, curled up on the bed. She quickly trotted up to the bed and flew up on it, and sat right next to the distraught filly. The older pegasus wrapped her wing around the filly trying to comfort her younger sister.Scootaloo looks up at her sisters wing. "Will....Will I ever fly?" Scootaloo sniffed, as she was wiping a few stray tears. The older sister looked down at the filly with a bit of shock, she responded with. "Where did this come from?" "I was sitting on the train back to Ponyville." Scootaloo gave a sniff, then she continued. "Then these two bully's came up to me, they said. I would never fly , that I." Scootaloo stopped it seemed that she couldn't say it. "What did they," Lightning was cut off but Scootaloo, and the little filly chocked. "I am the reason mom and dad are gone, I wasn't meant to be here," Lightning looked down at the filly in shock. Scootaloo still was crying but now, in an embrace with her older sibling. The two sat there for a long while, it felt everlasting to both of the siblings. Without breaking away from the embrace Lightning said. "I don't know, I wish I did but I don't know if your ever going to fly. But what I do know is flying, is not the only way of expressing awesome. It is only one of the ways, I know someday you will find your way of expressing awesome it could be flying or it could be something else. One day when a mark appears on your flank, you will be able to show off you awestruck awesomeness," Scootaloo let that sink in. Lightning began to think then an idea came into her head. "Hey I want to show you something," Scootaloo cocked her head and shrug signing why not. > My Cute Little Mark > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Where are we going?" The little orange pegasus asked to her older sister. The older pegasus was looking around making sure they were going the right way. "A impatient filly aren't you?" Lightning looked to the filly she was addressing, Scootaloo simply ignored it. The two continued on the path around the Everfree Forest. Lightning leading the way with a saddle bag, filled with something.Lightning Dust got a large grin on her face. "OK we are here," Scootaloo looked around and was awestruck, her awe dropped to the floor, it was a magnificent site. The grass was thick, lush, and a weird blue green color that almost matched the color of the older sister. The area it self was surrounded by trees. "Let me show you something amazing," Scootaloo looked to the mare who was talking. Lightning was wearing lights around her hoofs, her head, and her mane and tail. Scootaloo tilted her head in confusion, she looks towards her sister and burst out laughing. Lightning simply ignored her younger sisters mocking and watched the sky's. Its almost time, its almost sunset. The sky was orange turning purple, it is time. Lightning shot up in the sky, a yellow trail following behind her, a cone started to form around the pegasus. Then she started to do a barrel role, the cone getting stronger. Scootaloo was looking up, her eyes are big and doughy. Lightning in the eyes were beaming with determination. With lightning speed the airborne pegasus made a lightning formation. Her yellow trail making it look like a lightning bolt, the lights heightened the effects. The wind from the trick, made firefly's flew up from Night was there at this point and just like Lightning Dust cutie mark the are three shining stars under the lightning bolt. Scootaloo's mouth dropped to the floor with a smile to help, it was a very pretty site. Lightning hovered in the air after that, then she slowly the glided to the grass which softened the fall. she touched town and right when she was on the ground she took off all the lights. Scootaloo ran up to the out of breath pegasus. "That was amazing! I didn't know you could do stuff like that, where did you?" Lightning Dust stopped the filly. The older pegasus was obviously out of breath. "That, that, is how I got my, my cutie mark," Scootaloo tilted her head in confusion. Lightning legs gave way and she dropped to the ground, Scootaloo sat beside her older sibling. "How did you get your cutie mark?" Scootaloo asked. Lightning Dust finally got her breath back and looked down at the filly. "Well I guess its Dusty's story time," Scootaloo's eyes lit up like the moon in the night sky, Lightning continued. "When papa was around, he was sad so often because of mama. I kinda cared, so one night I decided to find something to make him happy. At the time I didn't know I could fly like the amazing flyer I am now. I thought I couldn't fly like mama and papa, but I found this place and started practicing I found I could actually fly unlike most of are family. And then I wanted to go a little higher, then a little higher. So on but then I got the idea of adding lights and it slowly came together," Scootaloo interrupted and asked. "How long did that take?" Lightning paused and looked up to the sky, pondering the question and replied. "Can you keep a secret Scoot's?" Scootaloo nodded her head. "It took me two and a half years, so I was the last filly to get my cutie mark." Scootaloo gasped, her older sister so much like her idol, yet she got her cutie mark so late. "So I came here to tell you something," Scootaloo snapped out of her daze and looked to her sibling. "You are awesome Scoots, you dont need to fly to show your awesomeness. But that doesn't mean you should mean you should limit yourself, maybe you can fly someday. So I brought you here so you can have a safe place to do your awesome thing what ever it will be." Lightning looked up at the sky and commented. "We should probably be heading home," Scootaloo got up and walked up to her sister and pulled her into a embrace. Lighting was not expecting this of her sister, but her sisterly instinct kicked in and Lightning wrapped her wing around her younger sister. "Thank you," Scootaloo voice cracked. Lighting Dust looked to her little sister in understanding. On any other occasion Lighting would absolutely milk as much as she could from a thank you but instead she simply replied with. "Sure," Lighting stared off into space thinking about papa. He never saw it because of when he left, she got her cutie mark by breaking mama and papas rule of. Don't go out after dark, which she did everyday. And she got her cutie mark without anyponys help, and with nopony to congratulate her for her cutie mark besides her little sister. She was raised and think this way as well. Scootaloo snapped Lighting Dust out of her trance. "Do you think you could fly me home?" The older pegasus nodded and picked up the filly and started the flight home. Something are best left unsaid. > Why Didn't You Tell Me? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a nice day in Ponyville, it looks like the weather pegasus did a good job. In town a almost turquoise pegasus with a array of yellow mane was flying above the crowd of pony's below. She is on her way to the school house to talk to her younger sisters teacher about Scootaloo's bully's. As she approached the building the dismissal bell rang letting all the filly's and colts go home for the weekend. Lighting took to the sky's and landed on a cloud, she did not want to be trampled by the herd of fouls leaving the school. She waited for a couple minutes until she heard nothing but silence. After the all clear had been given Lightning went to the ground where she met with her sister. "Dusty!" Scootaloo ran up to her sister, with a simple moment and the older sibling ruffled the younger sisters mane. "Hey Scoot's, head home" Lightning told her younger sibling. With that Lighting went towards the school house, and Scootaloo started home. But on her way half way down the street, a sky blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail walks up to the filly. "Hey squirt, do you know that mare you were with?" Lightning Dust walked into the school house. The pegasus looked for the teacher, and there she was sitting at the desk. Lightning trotted up to the desk and smiled. "Hello you must be miss Cheerilee," the mentioned mare looked up from the papers she was grading. "Yes how may I help you," About eighteen minutes later, yelling came from the school house. "Fine see if I care, I can take care of it all on my own," Lightning yelled as she left the school house. Lightning left the school house anger in her trot and voice. The pegasus takes to the sky's and fly's off she starts towards her home. She was about ten feet from her house. She takes a quick look at the Moo Moo bar, than imminently looks away. She heads to her home towards the end of the street. "I'm home," Lightning said very tiredly. The turquoise pegasus looked around for her younger sibling, but she was nowhere to be seen. "Scoots?" Lightning called again, she starts for Scootaloo's room. When she approached the door to the filly's room she gave a tired knock. "Scoots?" A scream came from the other side of the door. "Go away!" Lightning Dust was taken a back and she tried communicating to her sister again. "Are you OK Scoots?" She older sibling waited for a response. But none came, slowly Lightning raised her left hoof and slowly opened the door. "Scootaloo?" Lightning asked as she looked around for her sibling. Then she saw the little orange filly on the bed, and approached her. But was stopped by the filly. "Why didn't you tell me?" The filly has obviously been crying her voice is more ruffed and cracked than usual. Lightning tilted her head in confusion. "What are you talking about?" "You almost killed five pony's, damaged Wonderbolt academy equipment, and endangered your fellow teammates," Lightning's eyes grew large. How did Scootaloo find out about that. "Rainbow Dash told me," And with that the older pegasus dropped. Her ears dropped and her spirits. "I can explain," Lightning started then she was interrupted by the little filly. "No you cant, if you could you would have done it already," "I didn't want to tell you," Lightning decided to be honest. "Of course you didn't want to tell me, me your sister. Let me guess you thought what you were doing was, Right?" Lightning Dust was starting to tear up, yet she remained silent, Scootaloo continued,"You are so arrogant you a pegasus able to fly amazingly, you waste it on your quote on quote morals. You are just as stupid as mom!" Lightning broke when she heard that, Scootaloo realized what she just said to her sibling. Lightning grew a look of pure anger, sensing the tenseness in the room. Scootaloo quickly trotted out of the room at full speed, and ran down the hall. Lightning followed suit, and exclaimed at the top of her voice. "Fine, see if I care I don't need you! I dont need you or anypony!" At this point Lighting was crying a streams of tears. Lightning ran out of the house in a fit of tears. She stood behind her house sniffling and crying, mumbling swears. And Lightning looked over to the bar and started trotting towards it. She just wanted to dull the pain of the events proceeding her, in her present. This pain was worse than any flight accident, or any strike of lightning. It was the pain of guilt, and the hurt of her sister. > Lets Talk > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Another Thunder Storm," Lightning Dust demanded to the bartender. He simply shook his head. This was her forth drink, and these were not safe if consumed to much, which is why they didn't sell it in stores. The bar was very empty due to the fact not many pony's in Ponyville are either up this late, or dont drink. Only about three stallions, a bartender, and a mare are in the tiny bar. The bartender brought over the drink and said. "Thats your last one," Lightning shook her head and started drinking. "I haven't seen you in a while, where have you been. I mean you use to come in here all the time" the mare which he was talking to looked up to him and explained. "I was trying to not let my little liking not affect those I love. But now," Lightning eyes watered a little bit, she raised her right hoof to drink out of the mug. "I dont think she will ever want to talk to me again." The bartender looked sympathetically at the mare. "I am sorry, but if you dont mind me asking, why did you start drinking in the first place?" Lightning looked up from her empty glass and said. "I was curious on what my mother threw her life out for, now get me another Thunder." At this time a sky blue pegasus mare with a rainbow mane and tail walked in. "I can't you have had the limit." Lightning got a look of pure anger. "Yeah, like Tarturus I have. Get me another one, Now!" The sky blue mare trotted up to the obviously drunk turquoise pegasus. "Hey I think you have had enough." Lightning Dust ears perked, she recalled that voice. Its the voice that crushed her dreams, and hurt her relationship with the only pony that ever bothered. Lightning turned to the pony behind her and growled. "Rainbow Dash," Rainbow Dash replied with a simple. "Look we need to," But before the rainbow maned pegasus could finish. Lightning Dust flew at full speed for Rainbow Dash and successfully punched her across the face. Rainbowdash went to the floor, the sky blue mare looked up and rubbed her jaw with her hoof. The bartender ran to the back. "Shut up," Lightning growled. Rainbow Dash looked up to the enraged and drunk mare in shock. "You are going to leave, I do not want a mare like you here." Lightning stood above Rainbow Dash. "You have to let me," yet again she was stopped but this time Rainbow Dash dodged the hit. "What," Lightning chuckled a bit then continued. "You a coward, come on wheres the courageous pegasus who wasn't afraid to hurt me?" Rainbow Dash did not back down she hit Lightning across the face. Lightning flew back and she rubbed her jaw. The two started going at it, punching and flying into eachother. The stallions in the bar ran out and onto the street. Lightning was yelling at the top of her voice. "I hate you! Why couldn't you leave me alone! I could have been happy!" This continued until Rainbowdash pinned Lightning Dust to the ground. "I want to talk to you eye to eye." Lightning raised a eyebrow at this statement. Then she started bursting out laughing. Now Rainbow Dash's eyebrow was raised and she asked. "Whats so funny?" Lighting still chuckling replied with. "Scoots told you are sob story, right?" Lightning burst out laughing like a hyena. "If so I am disappointed in you, you should be with Scootaloo. Not me I don't need your sympathy." She gave a small hick before continuing. "But your sister needs you. So its a shame you come to a pony you hate oh so very much," Rainbow Dash processed what she said and gave a smile and said. "She does but, Scootaloo told me to check on you. For a filly she is smart." Lightning stopped laughing and asked with a grin across her face. "What did she say? See if my sister is being a donkey?" Rainbow Dash shook her head and told Lightning. "She said, I know my sister was a jerk but she is my sister, which means shes your sister, Rainbow. She has been through a lot, so go check on her." Rainbow looked down at her and got off Lightning and continued. "Here you are drunk off your flank. I know it hurts but better now than later, besides you should have told her." Lighting punched Rainbowdash across. "You sure as Tarturus don't know me. You don't know why I didn't tell her. I had my reasoning. You have no right to judge me and you sure are not my sister." Lightning trotted to the door but was meet with two police mares the mare to the right with a coco colored mane told Lightning. "Hoofs up, do not attempt to struggle, Anything you say can and will be used against you in court." Lighting in her clouded state thought nothing could happen to her because her position. And she thought she was above them. So she did her best to put her hoof up. The police mare quickly hoof cuffed the turquoise pegasus to her front right and back right hoof, and the other police mare with Rainbow Dash the two police mares walked the beat up pegasus to the police carriage and threw the two in the back. "Now be good, and dont beat eachother up," The two police mares walked away to the bar. Rainbow looks at her cuffs and that the cuffs are cuffed to the seat as well as Lighting Dust cuffs. Rainbowdash then looks to the mare curled up on the floor. "She hates me doesn't she?" Rainbowdash's ears perked up and she looked down to the cuffed pegasus. Lightning Dust gave a small chuckle. "I wouldn't blame her, I am a awful pony to have as a big sister. I try so hard to be the best for her, I have to have the best for some pony like her. She deserves the best, I can't do that. She hates me right?" At this point Lightning wasn't cry tears of anger or frustration, but of sadness. Rainbowdash put her available hoof on Lightning Dust back and tried to comfort her. "You can't be the best twenty-four-seven, its just a fact. You can be vulnerable, and you can be wrong. That can teach others around you that its OK once in a while to be weak and wrong. I helps you learn, and I know this is really sappy and it sounds like something Fluttershy might say. But its Applejack honest truth." Lighting raised her head and flash a smile at Rainbowdash. Then without and warning Lightning vomited on the floor of the cart. Rainbow looked down in horror and asked in a urgent tone. "How many drink did you have?!" Lightning got done and said. "I dont know..... four or fiur," her words were slurred and then she continued to throw up. Rainbow Dash with what little room available she flew over to Lighting Dust and brought her up to the seat. "You know what Dash you would be a pretty good sister to Scoots." Rainbow Dash tried to comfort the distraught Lightning Dust. With that she replied with. "That means I would be your sister to." Lightning Looked the rainbow maned pegasus in the eyes and said. "Give us some time and.... sure." Lightning rested her head on the oddly comfortable seat as she slowly lost consciousness. Rainbow Dash quickly flew up to Lightning listening for her breaths. She was breathing normally, Rainbow Dash sighed in relief and sat next to the passed out mare and said. "Time.. I can dig that." With that the two were silent until the two got to the police station. "ugh one of them threw up, Hey Lucky get the intern in here and get him to clean this up."The two pegasus were outside the police station Lightning was still passed out and Rainbow was sitting there contemplating the situation. One of her best friends is the princess, she could ask Twilight to get her and Lightning out of the conundrum. Yes that could work. The same police mare that hollered for the intern talked to the two pegasus. "Alright out, bring the passed out pegasus." With her magic the police mare undid cuffs. And with that Rainbowdash grabbed the unconscious mare and followed the police mare. > A Little Bit of Bonding > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Its dark at the Ponyville jail, in the Ponyville jail two pegasus were sharing a cell. A turquoise passed out mare, and a rainbow maned pegasus pacing around in the cold cell. She called Twilight now she just has to wait. She paced around waiting for either Twilight or Lightning Dust to wake up. About two minutes of pacing later, a moan came from Lightning. Rainbow Dash's ears perked up and trotted over to the curled up mare on the floor. "You OK?" Lighting was groaning on the floor. "What happened?" Rainbow Dash looked at Lightning and asked her. "Well what do you remember?" Lightning still sprawled on the floor groaned. "I was throwing up," "What do you remember saying last?" Rainbow Dash asked, Lightning Dust rubbed her head with her hoof and said. "You asked how many drinks I had, I said..." She scratched her head trying to remember what else happened. "I don't know after that," Rainbow Dash realized that means she doesn't remember the rest of the conversation. Then Lightning got a sudden urge of pain to her jaw, she quickly raised her hoof to it and found that the her left side of her jaw is swelling, bruised, and bandaged. She looked over to Rainbow Dash and saw that Rainbows muzzle is bandaged. Lightning's eyes grew wide and curled back into a ball. And the shame of what she did started to set in, she just got drunk and assaulted a pony. A annoying pony she admitted to herself, but a higher brow pony none the less. The stupidity of what she did last night is setting in. Rainbow was completely unknown to whats happening to Lightning. Lightning Dust realized where she was, she was in jail. She internally started to panic but externally she was massaging her jaw while trying not to hurt her jaw. Lightning slowly stood up, her legs groaned in pain. She had been knocked out a long time. Lightning started trotting around in a circular pattern thinking what was she going to do. Rainbow Dash looked to the mare and said something to ease. "My friend, Twilight, is out in Canterlot, but she is on her way to get us out." Lightning Dust ears perked to the highest degree with hope. Then lowered with a bit of a realization. "Is she one of your friend from Wonderbolt academy?" Rainbow Dash looked to Lightning and realized the past experience of the two had. "Yes, but she will forgive you." Lightning rolled her eyes and simply replied with. "If some pony almost killed me I wouldn't forgive me," "Look she's getting you out so dont be complaining." Lightning gave a larger eye role and raised a eyebrow. "I am not complaining, I am questioning her reasoning." Rainbow Dash got a bit of a pout. "Because shes nice." Lightning grew into confusion. "But what does she gain out of it?" Rainbow Dash got a look of confusion to match Lightning Dust. "She gains, the satisfaction of helping pony's," Lightning stared rubbing her head in confusion. But there's no payoff to that, no way of helping you or your position. If anything helping two pony's who got in a bar fight, one of them highly respected, the other well awesome but would not or ever be able to help you. "So now that your sober," Rainbow Dash snapped Lightning out of thought and then continued. "You know what we did was stupid. You should really think of Scootaloo when you do stuff like you did. Does she even know you ever and are drinking?" Lightning looked to Rainbow Dash thinking of what she should say. She could be honest and say no. Or she could make sure she didn't get close to Rainbow which to her seems like the best choice. After time to contemplate Lightning responded with. "Its none of your business." Lightning turned up her muzzle to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow bit her tongue saying something as bitter would not give the two time to grow. And it would not get information she needed, so she decided to be like Fluttershy. "So no, right? Why do you keep your own sister in the dark." Lightning grew a bitter look on her face. Right now she could be honest and say because Scootaloo might hate her older sister as much if not more than her parents. But the best option in her mind was. "She doesn't need to know." "She is your sister, she deserves to know." Rainbow Dash tried to reason without losing her cool. Lighting simply glared at Rainbow Dash, she was stuck and wasn't moving. Reminds Rainbow Dash of another stubborn pony. "Alright, you two are good. Your rides here." The police mare that took the two in opened the cell to let them go. The two beat up pegasus walked out to the outside to the rest of the town. There right outside the building was a very well known princess. "Hey Twi thanks for the help." Twilight was about to say no problem. But she noticed the other pegasus, and got a bit of shock on her face at the injuries both of the pegasus have. "What in the name of Equestria happened," "Chill Twi I'll explain as we walk." Rainbow Dash tried to comfort her worried friend. "You two are staying at my house me and Spike will take care of you." Twilight had a idea and her eyes lit up and exclaimed. "We can have a sleep over! Oh this is going to be exciting," Rainbow Dash shook her head as Twilight went on. Rainbow looked over to Lightning Dust, who was slowly trotting towards the hotel down the street. "Hey where are you going?" Lightning looked to the mare talking to her. "You wouldn't want a mare like me." Twilight got off her rambling and over herd this she flew right up to the turquoise pegasus and said. "Are you kidding me! I would love to have Rainbow Dash's friend stay with me." Lightning got a surprised look on her face. Friend? She wasn't Rainbow Dash's friend. But again this was a sleep over with a princess. Lightning Dust, unsure looked over to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow smiled and nodded her head, signalling it was OK. Lightning matched Rainbow's smile with her own and happily replied with. "Sounds nice." Twilight beamed with excitement and stared rambling on about check list, and a new report. The three pony's started heading towards the library. This doesn't make the pain of what happen with Scootaloo go away but it gives the two time away from each other to think. And that is what the two sisters need right now. > The Nerd, the Rainbow, and Her > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Check!" the purple alicorn exclaimed in her chipper voice. Its about midnight in the town of Ponyville. Over at the Golden Oaks Library, three mares and a dragon where having a slumber party. The three mares were in the bed room on the floor, while the little purple dragon was in the kitchen. "Alright, now its time for pillow fights." Rainbow Dash eye's lit up, she look over to Lightning Dust who seems to be staring off into space. "Hey Lightning," "Rainbow, can you go check on Scoots?" Lightning asked Rainbow, concern in her voice. Rainbow noticed the tone and thought why not. "Hey Twi, I will be right back." Twilight nodded her head. With that Rainbow flew out of the cozy library for Scootaloo's house. Now its just two mares and a cooking dragon. "So... How do you know Rainbow Dash?" Lightning looked shocked at Twilight. She doesn't remember me from the academy. Lightning thought to herself, as of now she could say shes Scootaloo's sister and be positive with the princess, and be caught as a lair. Or she could be honest and have a princess mad at her for breaking her students trust, and her best friend's muzzle. But she didn't want Rainbow Dash to call her out, so honesty it is. "Well I was Rainbow Dash's flight partner, then I almost killed you. And me and my sister got in a fight, Rainbow went to check on me, I was drunk at a bar. Me and Dash got in a fight, then we got stuck in jail. So in short I have no idea where she got the idea we were best friends....Also I am Scootaloo's older sister" Twilight looked absolutely shocked. Then with a little uncertainty said. "I didn't ask that, I just asked how you two know each other." Lightning realized this. Her face get tomato red, the two are completely silent until, thankfully. A little purple dragon came in with hot pile of his famous nacho's. "Alright, here you go." "Thanks, Spike." Twilight smiled at Spike with a sisterly smile.Spike smiled back and went to go sit right next to Twilight. Twilight put her wing around the little purple dragon. The gesture in Equestria is a gesture of comfort. Lightning grew a smile from seeing this type of bond. Twilight looked over to Lightning and matched her smile. For a moment they had a bit of a stare, the stare that they understood each other. "Well dig in," the three stared eating the amazingly done nacho's. Half way through the pile Twilight thought of something. "Hey Lightning, so your Scootaloo's sister. I never have seen your parents around." Spike stood up and started doing his arms in a, No No motion. Twilight saw the signal and said. "What its not a bad question." Spike slapped his face in, are you kidding me manner. "Well.... I'd rather not talk about it." The tension in the air was thick and tight. But thankfully a sky blue pegasus flew in and cut the tension. "She's fine, but she wants to talk." Lightning Dust eyes grew with fear. She wasn't ready to talk, she isn't quiet even over her hangover. "Look I will be there to make sure nothing escalates." Rainbow Dash tried to comfort, but it didn't to Lightning. Rainbow would take side of Scootaloo for sure. But it will not get to the point where Rainbow has to pick sides. Lightning pauses she want to fix things but she isn't ready for it. ".....OK," Rainbow didn't even feel the discomfort and started pushing Lightning out the door. Twilight felt this but before she could bring it up Rainbow and Lightning were out of the building. Twilight's face grew of concern. "I hope those two will be alright," Spike tried to comfort the alicorn that they are going to be just fine. And they can write in there diary afterwards and everything would end perfectly. > Don't Do That Again > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's about three in the morning, three hours away from Celestia's sun rise. Two mares are trotting through town one a sky blue pegasus with a bandaged nose, and a turquoise pegasus with a hoof to her jaw trying to ease the pain of a fractured jaw. The two walked in total silence on their path to Lightning Dust abode, where a little sister was waiting. The two pegasus mares were hoping for the same thing. Making Scootaloo happy again. The two approached the, warm and inviting home of the two sisters. Lightning stopped a few feet away from the door, fear over coming the mare. Rainbow Dash looked back at Lightning Dust with a curious look. "Something wrong?" Lightning looked up, she didn't want to talk to much it hurt to much. So instead she nodded her head signaling yes I am fine. The two pegasus walked up to the door and slowly walked into the house. The house is the same as Lightning left it a little messy, but your still able to trot around. But over by the stairs was a sofa and on that sofa was a little orange filly who was staring into nothing. Lightning looked at her, guilt stinging her heart. She made her sister like this, and its going to be worse when she tells Scootaloo about why Rainbow's nose is bandaged. Lightning lost a large about of spunk she had before. She walked as if she was shy in nature, her head dropped in guilt. But she forced herself to go over to the couch, Rainbow stayed back to watch but she still was ready for anything. "Hey squirt," Lightning looked at Scootaloo hoping for a reply. But none came, the filly continued to stare off to the wall as if it was infinity. But Scootaloo's ears did perk so she did know Lightning was there. "Listen." She stopped, she didn't want to apologies, she did nothing wrong. Her pride was to large to swallow especially in front of Rainbow. But she also wanted to see Scootaloo happy again. "I... I." She stopped, her pride is stuck in her throat. "I..I...I'm sorry." Scootaloo quickly looked to her older sister in shock, then she got a serious look again. "For what?" the ruffed filly's voice asked, she wanted to make-up with her older sister as much as her sister does. "I.. Should have told you about Wonderbolt Academy." Scootaloo's eyes teared up but she kept it all in. "I'm sorry." Lightning even seemed to be tearing a bit, her anger at her self and her sadness for her sister settling in. She knew what was coming up was going to be even harder. "I think I need to tell you my stupidity of what I did tonight." Scootaloo looked to her sister in confusion. She didn't seem to know what her sister could have done. Lightning let out a bit of a laugh about thinking back to what she did. The other two pegasus looked to each other in confusion. Only then did Scootaloo see the bandaged nose on her idol, then she looked to her sisters side of her face, and saw a matching bandage. Scootaloo's mouth was a agape with shock. "You see, I was being so stupid." Lighting at this point had streams of tears going down her face. "I went to get drunk, and Rainbow came in and I got us both arrested." Lightning was still laughing, and still crying a mix of. Laughing, and sadness tears continued to stream down her red hot cheeks. Scootaloo without any warning pulled her sister into a hug. At first Lightning was a little surprised, then she embraced her sister they both were crying over each others shoulder. For that moment the two held each other and had no intention of letting go. This went on for about five minutes, or six but for the two sisters it felt like time was standing still just for them. But every moment has to end, but it ended with a large amount of closer with Scootaloo whispering in her elder sisters ear. "Don't.. Do that again." The two broke the tight embrace, the two wiped there tears. Lightning looked over to Rainbow who was starting for the door. "Hey!" The other two pegasus looked to Lightning. A thought went through Lightnings head, how about Rainbow stay the night. But then she ignored the idea, it was a stupid idea in her mind. Must be the hangover talking. "Never mind," Rainbow shrugged and left the abode of the two sisters. The two sisters in the house get up from the comfortable couch. The older sister ruffed up her little Scoots mane and said. "Love ya, Scoots." The filly blushed wildly. The two went up stairs wanting to end the day they had to endure. Little do they know the next day is probably just as bad if not worse. > I Have a Favor to Ask > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "And Rainbow went, Swoosh!" Scootaloo was bouncing with joy as she reenacted the scenario on her way to school, with her big sister walking next to her. Lightning honestly hated to hear about the awesome time she has with her other sister, but she enjoys seeing Scoots happy so she smiles and nods. "And then she dived down and," the two had finally reached the school house. Scootaloo started to slow down a bit, trying to delay the inevitable. Lightning kept going at her quick pace getting to the door once she came to the door Lightning looked in. Inside was seven filly sitting in there assigned seats, and a rose pink mare at the front of the room looking through papers. Lightning trotted up to the desk, and knocked on the desk grabbing the teachers attention. It was a success the teacher looked to the pegasus. "What can I do for you?" Cheerilee said, her annoyed tone not even trying to hide itself. "May I talk to you outside for a bit?" The teacher raised a eyebrow, Scootaloo walked into class and sat down at her seat next to a white unicorn with a pink and purple mane and started chatting away. Cheerilee sat up and towards the outside world, with Lightning Dust. "So are we still on for the Cutie Mark Crusader sleep over a Fluttershy's?" Scootaloo asked the unicorn. Excitement radiated through Scootaloo's voice. "Yeah!" The white filly smiled then looked to the filly in front of her. "Right Applebloom?" Applebloom turned around in her seat. "Of course, and this time we are going to get are cutie marks for sure!" "Yeah!" the three said in unison, and they gave a high hoof. Then as if on cue miss Cheerilee walked in with a piece of paper in her hoof, and a huge grin on her face. "Alright class today we are going to learn about weather." A little while later the bell rang signifying the filly's freedom. All the filly's in the room got up and started for there outside life. "Scootaloo, your sister left this for you." Scootaloo grew a look of confusion, she picked up the note and trotted off. She reads the note as she walks. Hey Scoots listen, I have recently learned not to hide things from you so I am going to be honest. A trait I have recently picked up, I maybe brave but I dont think I could do this with you face to face. So Diamond Dust has recently decided he wants you to live with him in the crystal empire. Almost like he didn't ditch us. Now I am going to court far away from here, and I am going to be gone for a week or so if things go in my favor, which they will by the way. He has no case for you, worst case scenario you are going to have to visit him a day or two during the week. I mean when I get back, me knowing you are going to be. First of all angry, second of all have a lot of questions. I will answer as many questions as you have. But I have a surprise for you, Rainbow Dash with a bit of convincing will be letting you stay with her. Now don't give her a hard time, or else it will have to be grounded time for a little orange pegasus. Also dont worry I will be home in time for your birthday. Have a fun week with Rainbow Dash. And do me a favor, continue to be the best little sister ever. And more importantly continue to be Scoots. -Lightning Dust AKA coolest big sister ever Scootaloo got done reading the note, she was upset for sure. But she was full of questions, she trotted along towards her house pondering to herself. But a less than inviting voice came to her ears. "You know I never though even a blank flank like you wouldn't have family like that." Scootaloo knew that annoying little voice. So she continued walking, a bit of a trait she picked up from her older sibling. Just pretend shes not there, like Lightning. "A family of alcoholics, such a disgrace, and a burden for you." Scootaloo stopped and rolled her eyes, like she hadn't heard that one before. "I herd by my mother, you have a unfit guardian. Which pony takes care of you might need to be changed." Scootaloo noticed something important. Where's Silver Spoon? Scootaloo thought to herself. "I can only imagine the life you are forced to live. No cutie mark, parents, or even flight." That was the final straw, that is what got through to Scootaloo, it hurt more than any amount of physical pain. "I am surprised you are brave for you environment. Especially when you have a dad like you did, or even a mother like you did. But I guess the fact you are stuck with a sister drunk off her flank. So." Diamond emaciated the so to make it sound more dramatic. "I guess you a miracle pony." Scootaloo broke, a few stray tears escaped her eyes. And as quickly as she could Scootaloo ran as if her life depended on it towards her abode, her home, a shelter from the storm. When she got to her house Scootaloo was surprised to see Rainbow Dash her role-model at her door. "Hey squirt, are you for the, Best, Week, Ever!" Rainbow Dash emphasized the last three words with pure zealousness. The rainbow maned pegasus paused and asked. "Um.. Are you OK?" I can't let her know what happened, she probably can't help. "Yeah I'm fine." Scootaloo nodded her head trying to hide she wasn't fine. Rainbow didn't notice, instead she smiled and escorted Scootaloo to Rainbows > Battel Scar's > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The train back from the Crystal Empire was a bumpy one. The train had about three carts, a pony or two in each. In the second cart sat a turquoise mare with a lightning colored mane, a blacked left eye. Bruises covered her face and left wing. She was there for custody of her sister. The mare sat there and thought about what happened in that court hearing. It was pretty bad, but she did win and that's what matters.She couldn't have lost though especially to him, a stallion who thinks he is some kind of father. Well he is a kind of father, a father who shouldn't have fouls or filly's. Lightning was thinking of ways to hide her bruises, a sweat shirt would hurt the huge bruise on her leg. She couldn't think of anything else, another option would make it obvious she was hiding something. Lightning rubbed her right hoof on her bruise on her left leg. Lightning Dust hates, THIS. The feeling that she has weakness especially physical ones. But Lightning was on her way home to see her little Scoots. A week went by with Scootaloo having fun with RainbowDash. Scootaloo's sister, out of town trying to keep all she loves. But finally after a long and fun week for Scootaloo, she is directed to go home and wait for her sister, Lightning Dust. Scootaloo went home and waited for her other sister, you know besides RainbowDash. She sang around the house, until eventually. "Dusty!" Scootaloo yelled energetically happy to have somepony to talk to. When Lightning Dust walked in she looked like a mess. Her mane ruffed up, and she had shadows under her eyes, but one of her eyes is blackened. But Lighting is wearing a smile for her sister. Scootaloo's eyes were wide with worry. "Dusty!" She ran up to her sister and wrapped her hoofs around Lightning. Concern in her voice as she started talking in a very panicked tone. "What happened?! How did this." Scootaloo was cut off by Lightning hugging Scootaloo back. "I won," Lightning said, a large grin on her face. She paused and looked down to her little sister. She saw fear, what she just said didn't even register to Scootaloo. "Oh this," Lightning points to her blackened eye with her other hoof. "Its," She paused and then continued "I would rather not talk about it." And while Lightning's hoof was in the air Scootaloo clearly saw a large bruise on Lightning Dust arm. Scootaloo got a stiff face, her concerned instincts taking over. "No! I am not taking that as a answer!" Scootaloo pushed away her sister. Lightning Dust was taken aback, why was her sister not happy to see her home? Scootaloo continued, in a rather authoritative voice. "What happened?" Lightning Dust looked away and started to click her tongue. She is thinking on what to say, should she be honest, or should she do the option that is always their, but it's lying. "I got in a fight with some colts." Scootaloo stared at her sister. Lightning was telling half the truth, unfortunately Scootaloo couldn't see it. "Look I'm exhausted. Tomorrow Rainbow gave me a day off so it will be just me and you. OK?" Scootaloo nodded in agreement, Lightning walked up the stairs and on her way up she starts to contemplate the situation. "Oh, yeah Scoots be in bed by nine." Scootaloo gave a small whine, unhappy bedtime. Lightning proceeded up the stairs, its been a long week, and Lightning felt sore. The next day, Lightning unwillingly, rolled out of bed to get Scootaloo to school. "Scootaloo?" Lightning yelled as she went down the stairs, she looked over to the TV to see a little orange ball of cuteness. Sleeping away, and like any kid would. She didn't listen to the authoritative figure. "Scootaloo." Lightning Dust chimed in a melodic tune. Lightning put her hoof on Scootaloo and shakes the filly. "No!" Scootaloo rolled over, grabbed a pillow, and covered her face. "Scoots, I believe last night I said to go to bed." Lightning paused. Her voice full of joy on how correct she was. "At a reasonable time." Scootaloo groaned under her covers. "Scootaloo, I got pancakes at the table." Scootaloo shot straight up, a grin on her face. With a quick burst of energy Scootaloo cantered to the table in the kitchen where pancakes were sitting. Still warm, fluffy, and overall looking just like the perfect stack of hot cakes. > Side story- Poem > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the bottom of my heart to the tip of my wing I want you to know how much I love From your stubborn ways To the end of your days I want you to know how much I grow From you to me, and me to you I want you to know how much I love you And how I enjoy your company and you passion And the time you and me enjoy relaxation I love you Lighting and I love your cooking Especially your pancakes "I remember when Scoots made me this," Lightning looked down at a pink piece of paper with crayon scribbles. There were adorable scribbles along the edge of lighting bolts. This is the best present anyone had ever given Lighting even now when Scootaloo see's it as sappy to keep it. But Lighting will always keep it. > Chillaxing > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Its a late night in Ponyville and Rainbow Dash decided to invite Lightning Dust over to chillax. Lightning Just told Scootaloo to go to bed, and Lightning went up the stairs to fly out the window only to realize the pain on her bruised wing so with caution, she glided with little movement in her wing. Lightning Dust hated the feeling, the fact she can barely do the things she loves, and be so venerable while doing so. Finally Lightning gets to Rainbow Dash large, cloud mansion. Lightning looked over to the rainbow river and waterfall. Nice place really is like Rainbow, egotistical, show-off, and even a little pret.. No. Lightning thought as she approached the door to Rainbow's house. She gave a good knock at the blue painted door, the effect is to make the door look like cloud. After a couple seconds went bye when she hears a voice with a southern dialect, then the familiar voice of Rainbow Dash can be heard. Finally the door opened and Rainbow Dash spoke. "What happened to you, looks like you got hit by a cart." Rainbow grew a look of concerned for one of her new employees health. Behind Rainbow Dash is a orange earth pony with a cowboy hat, and freckles. It is obvious the earth pony didn't see the black eye. "Well come on in," Rainbow opened the door wider and motioned for the pegasus to come into the house. She did, and looked over to the orange pony. A sour feeling kicked her gut when she recognized the mare. It was a pony she almost killed at the academy. "Howdy, names Applejack." Applejack put up her hoof out, Lightning clearly uncomfortable. Put out her hoof out to meet the cowpony's hoof. Applejack grabbed it, and was about to shake it full of energy, but she stopped when she saw a large bruise on the turquoise pegasus. She gave a small shake, and only once. A bit of awkward silence goes bye until Applejack speaks. "Are we going to the living room or what?" Rainbow Dash nodded. The three mare's started trotting towards the living room, where a TV and a hoofball game awaited them. Its the Hoofington Trotters vs Cloudsdale fliers. That's seems to be the only thing the three mare's have in common, a love to prove each other wrong or themselves right by doing a physically demanding activity. The living room looked surprisingly upper crust material for a weather manager, looks like something you might find in Canterlot except it's filled with trophy's of all of Rainbow Dash accomplishments, and Wonderbolt memorabilia. "The games about to start, I'm going to go and grab some grub." And with that Applejack walked towards the kitchen. Rainbow Dash and Lightning sat on the cloud bean bags and sat in very awkward silence. neither of them having anything to say. "Hey Rainbow Dash if anything happens to me. You must take care of Scootaloo." Rainbow Turned and looked at Lightning with both shock and surprise. "Uhhh.. Sure, of course." A long pause went by again. But the TV blasted with a loud speaker pony speaking faster than lightning. "And now we have a special guest with us today, please welcome, Spitfire." The two pegasus mare's ears perked and looked over to the TV. "So miss Spitfire tell me what does it take to be a successful Wonderbolt?" A rough voice that belonged to Spitfire spoke. "Well you got to have a lot of guts, and a lot of moves really. And if you want to be the best then do your best." "What did I do wrong?" Lightning said to Rainbow Dash in a broken voice. Rainbow continued to look towards the TV for a bit before answering. "You need to consider others in your ambitions." Lighting gave Rainbow a look of please explain so she did. "You need to consider others feelings and more importantly, safety." "But if you do that your just going to either get hurt by them, or slowed down by them." Lightning countered. "Does that include Scootaloo?" Rainbow wondered. "Of course not, she's the reason I wanted to be a Wonderbolt." "That makes no sense Lighting." "I wanted to be a Wonderbolt so I could protect her." Lighting was getting very into the argument she then said with a sneer. "I would probably do better than what we have right now, the only Wonderbolt who doesn't seem to be a idiot is Sorin. And his position is not to high up." "Take that back!" Rainbow yelled. The two mare's glared at each other in anger. They turned away from each other, trying to calm themselves. "Look you have changed so much since the academy, and we both have very different priority's in life. You have really grown, but I will warn you now." Rainbow glared towards Lighting who glared back. "Don't take a step backwards." The two pegasus mare's walked and sat back down in their comfy clouds. But Lighting thought about that for awhile. Eventually Applejack came back with a apple pie, and some apple fritters, Lighting's favorite. When she came in, the cow pony said. "Happy Birthday." Lighting looked in confusion, how did she know her birthday. "Oh, you know that pink pony down town." Lighting nodded. "She told me." a small pause went by before she spoke up again. "By the way Pinkie has a party ready for you tomorrow." "OK, I got something to do before that so do me a favor and stall for a bit." Lighting chuckled out the words. The rest of night was yelling at the TV cheering and booing at the teams stupid decisions. The next day Lighting Dust and Scootaloo walked down town looking for the mane salon. Finally the two arrived at Ponyville's local salon Lighting held the door and Scootaloo walked in. "Ello, Lighting what will it be today?" A pink mare with a blue mane asked in a thick accent. "Can I have a number 12 today?" The mare behind the counter raised a eyebrow. But shook her head and said. "Follow me." "Oh yeah, give Scootaloo what ever she wants." Lightning winked to Scootaloo, as she grew a large frown. "But massages are girly stuff." Lighting shrugged and went back. Scootaloo sat there for awhile until the new pony behind the counter asked Scootaloo. "What can I do for you darling?" Scootaloo sat there for a bit with a frown on her face, then said. "Can I get a massage, and a dip in the hot tube?" "Of course darling follow me." The two mare's enjoyed their respective time getting pampered. About a hour later Scootaloo walks out of her room. Where a mare stood her mane and tail looked different, in a good way. Scootaloo stood there in shock, gazing at her sister. Lighting noticed her and turned around to look at her sister. "You like it?" Lightning dust asked with a bit of pride in her voice. Scootaloo broke from her trance and yelled in excitement. "Is super awsomeness, its perfect!" With that, the two sister's walked towards Sugar Cube corner for Lighting Dust "surprise" birthday. > Side Story:Lightning Flashes > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hey mom!" A excited filly burst through the door yelling at the top of her lungs. She was out of breath, due to the excitement of getting her cutie mark. The cutie mark is a lightning bolt and three stars, the stars are yellow, except the middle one which is a lighter yellow. The filly's wings buzzed with excitement, She looked around for her mother but only heard crying of her baby sister. Lighting ran quickly up the stairs, halfway up the stairs fell out below her. She started, screaming in fear, she flails like a fish out of water. She gives a large thud as she finally lands. She is in a odd place, the sky is a inking crimson red, while the clouds were jet black. This place was all to familiar. Lightning looked around pure panic in her face. Not again, not today, not this. She thought to herself, but at this point it is basically scripted. She looked over to her mother, and there she was same place as always. "I'm sorry," Her mother, Firefly said just on cue. Lightning bolted to her mother as she slowly gets engulfed into a white blob of what looks like slime. She is almost there she can save her mom this time. With a large smack Lightning grabbed her mothers hoofs, mostly because that is all left to grab. Yet the slime kept pulling Firefly and now Lightning Dust into it. Lightning started to sob. At this point the mutated slime started to grab onto Lightning she only then noticed she was older, about twenty or give or take a year. She started to speak. "I, I'm sorry." She mumbled. "Mom, I was there I couldn't save you. I'm sorry." Tears kept streaming down the mares face. The blob was engulfing her arms that held her mothers so dear. "The worst part is I want to let go." Lightning chuckled a little. "I want to let you go and move on, I really do but I can't. I want to fight for you, a unwinnable battle, sure. But I won't be a quitter, I will fight for you. So at the least you can be proud of me." The slime started to consume the rest of her, at this point she couldn't get out. "I tried, I tried to help. I tried to do it alone but I can't . I will do everything I can to carry your legacy." What was that legacy, you may ask? Firefly was great, great grand daughter of the original Firefly. This Firefly was a Wonderbolts coach. "Please, let me let go of you." A scream comes from a hotel room in Canterlot. It comes from Lightning Dust. She quickly looks around. Its just her hotel room, no nightmares here. Lightning laid back down and started to cry a little bit. "I can't let go," Lightning Dust mumbled to herself as she went back to sleep.