> Redemption:Phase 6-A Day at the Beach
>  by Brian Sheil
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A day at the beach
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun is shining brightly. Not a cloud in the sky. With her backpack strapped on, Lightning Dust is all set for a little trip.
“Lightning!” Her mother called out. “Going out to meet Rainbow Dash?”
“Yes, Mother.” Lightning replied. “She asked me to meet her at the beach.”
“Not many people go to the beach at this time of year. But, some people do.”
“That’s right, mom.”
Lightning’s mother is getting very impressed with her week. “I’m proud of you, Lightning. It’s nice of Twilight Sparkle and her friends to help you curb your recklessness.”
“I know.” Lightning replied proudly. “And, I’m making good progress.”
Her mother gives her a small kiss on the cheek. “Have a good time, LD.”
Lightning Dust waved goodbye, and headed out. She was thinking about what she had been going through.
What a week this has been. Lightning Dust thought. Twilight took me to a library, I helped Applejack at her farm, Fluttershy had me join her for a nature day, Rarity helped me be elegant, and me and Pinkie Pie has fun together. I wonder what Rainbow Dash will do to help me.
As Lightning Dust made it to the beach entrance, she was spotted by Octavia.
“Spending time at the beach, LD?” Octavia asked.
“Yes, I am.” Lightning replied. “Rainbow Dash invited me.”
“Thank goodness it’s not crowded this time of the year. Have fun, dearie.”
Lightning made her way through the beach. She saw that her mother was right. Not many people in the area. She saw a romantic couple walking along the shore, and others playing with their dog. Lightning heard the voice of Flash Sentry. “Hey, Lightning Dust! What’s up?”
She saw Flash walking his dog, and replied. “Hi, Flash. Walking Banana on the beach?”
“Sure am. The beach is a great place for dogs to be.”
Banana came to Lightning to lick her face. “Hey, Banana. At least someone likes me.”
Then, she saw who she was meeting. It is Rainbow Dash. She was wearing a sea foam green shirt, black spandex exercise shorts, and sneakers.
“Hey, LD.” Dash called out. “You made it.”
“Hey, Rainbow.” Lightning replied. “I was just saying ‘hi’ to Banana here.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Even when you’re reckless, you don’t hurt any animals.”
Dash noticed that Lightning wore a red polo shirt, blue denim shorts, and sandals.
“I see you’re dressed for the occasion.” Dash said.
“Might as well.” LD replied. “It’s warm enough for the beach.”
“What’s in the backpack?”
“I brought a beach towel and sunglasses since we’re at a beach.”
Rainbow Dash is happy to hear that. “That’s good. I have a spot prepared. Follow me.”
The two girls went to a spot near the lifeguard station. Lightning saw that an umbrella and a rainbow striped towel were set up.
“You has this set up. Didn’t you?” Lightning asked.”
“I sure did.” Rainbow answered. “I figured you and I can spend some time here and relax.”
Lightning Dust took out a deep blue beach towel from her backpack, placed it next to Rainbow’s, got out her sunglasses, sat down, and enjoyed the view of the ocean. She noticed Rainbow Dash sitting on her towel cross legged and with her eyes closed.
“Deep in thought?” Lightning wondered.
Rainbow opened her eyes, and gave Lightning a response. “Just doing a little meditation while listening to the waves.”
“Meditation? Isn’t that what’s done in one of those yoga classes?”
“Sure. Me and the rest of the Rainbooms had a little yoga class lead by Lotus Blossom.”
Lightning Dust was astonished to hear the name. “Lotus Blossom? Isn’t she a yoga teacher from Canterlot City?”
“That’s her.” Rainbow answered.
Lightning was a little confused about this. Dash explained to her about how the Rainbooms got involved with yoga. “One Friday, we got shocked by a surprise pop quiz by Mr. Cranky Doodle. It left us rattled. Especially Rarity and Fluttershy. After school, Sunset Shimmer called Lotus Blossom and told her about what happened.”
“How did Sunset know Lotus Blossom?” Lightning asked.
“I’ll tell you about it later. Anyway, early the next morning, we went to Miss Blossom’s house wearing exercise clothes. She lead us to her backyard. There was an area set up for yoga. She even had mats ready. Believe me. Yoga is an amazing experience. Even for me.”
Lightning Dust was amazed about this story. She figured that while Rainbow is enjoying the sounds of the beach, she can too. They both sit cross legged with their eyes closed, focusing on the sounds.
A little later, Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust we’re walking on the beach, carrying their footwear with them. 
“Peaceful out here. Isn’t it?” Rainbow asked.
“It sure is.” Lightning answered. “So, How did Sunset get you involved with yoga?”
Rainbow gave her an explanation. “Do you remember when you gave her a hard time? Calling her a she-demon and all that?”
“That’s something I now regret.”
“That left Sunset shaken. But, Wallflower Blush came by and advised her that maybe yoga can help her. So, wearing exercise clothes Rarity bought for her, Sunset went to Lotus Blossom’s house early in the morning.
“Sunset and Wallflower joined Miss Blossom for some morning yoga. After that day, Sunset Shimmer took yoga very seriously.”
Lightning Dust was amazed. “I guess Wallflower Blush inspired Sunset.”
“You bet.” Rainbow Dash replied. “And, Sunset inspired Pinkie’s sister, Limestone, to do yoga too.”
“Wow! That’s amazing.”
Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash embraced each other in a hug. Later, back at her home, Lightning stepped out of the shower, slipped on her robe, and started to blow dry her hair when she heard a knock on the bathroom door.
“Are you decent?” Lightning’s mother asked.
“Yes, mom.” Lightning answered grudgingly. “I have my robe on.”
The mother came in to check on Lightning. “How was your day with Rainbow Dash?”
Lightning Dust calmed down a little. “Pretty good. She told me about how my reckless behavior somehow inspired Sunset Shimmer to look into yoga.”
“Funny you should mention Sunset Shimmer. I got a call from her while you were out.”
Hearing that left Lightning Dust thinking one thing. What does Sunset Shimmer have in store for me?


TO BE CONTINUED.....