The Return of the Dark Lightning Menace

It had been almost 2 weeks since Eternal Flames had defeated Thunder Drum and recovered from his injuries. He had started going out with Sunset Shimmer every now and then, whether it was going out to eat, watching a live performance by Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich, or just enjoying the evening, staring at the night sky. There were some occasions when they just spent the night with each other enjoying their passionate love-filled lust. The only problem was trying to keep it down.

However, Eternal knew all too well that his victory wasn't going to last too long as he knew Thunder Drum was still out there, training to get stronger than ever. Eternal Flames needed to prepare himself for when Thunder Drum had returned so he started training his physical strength and his powers.

It was a Wednesday afternoon and Eternal was in the backyard, doing "hay bail squats" using 3 hay bails. He did this for a good hour until finally it was time for him to train his phoenix god powers. So he threw the hay bails off of his back and began to close his eyes, getting ready to concentrate his powers. His trapped himself in his mind in a dark and endless abyss and began to feel the flames intensify around him, strengthening him gradually. But it was all interrupted by splash of cold water.

"Hey! What the hell?!" Eternal shouted, before shaking off the water.

"Forgive me, Eternal, but it looks like something came in the mail." Tidal Wave said, showing the letter wrapped up in a red band.

"Looks like it's a letter from mother and father. Open it up." Eternal says. Tidal Wave proceeds to open it up read the letter.

"Here ye, Here ye

Her grand royal highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot on the 17th of September. Furthermore, her royal highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, cordially extends an invitation to Eternal Flames plus 6 guests of honor."

"Grand Galloping Gala? What the hell is that?" Eternal asks with a raised eyebrow?

"I'm not sure myself." Tidal Wave replies.

"It's a special kind of party that comes around once a year in Canterlot." Heat Wave said as he walks out to the backyard. "From what mom tells me, it always gets interesting every year. What do you say, bro, can we go?"

"I'm not exactly too fond with parties involving snooty stuck-up ponies. But since mother has invited us, I suppose we could check it out to see what it's like." Eternal says with a shrug.

"Wait hang on. Mom says there's a dress code for this event." Heat Wave explains. "Every stallion has to wear a tux while every mare has to wear a nice dress."

"Which is pointless to tell me, since I already have a suit of my own." Eternal says. "What about you Tidal Wave, do you have a suit on you or should we ask Rarity to tailor one for you?"

"No need to worry, I brought my own suit when I moved here with you and the others. Of course, I had Rarity make a few adjustments to it since it was getting worn out." Tidal Wave explained.

"We'll have to let the others know about this. Otherwise, this trip can't happen." Eternal says.

They walked back inside the house and upstairs. They knocked on each door, minus their own, and explained the situation about the Grand Galloping Gala, luckily all the stallions had their own suits. All except Ground Dasher.

"Sorry guys, but I'm way against fancy parties. They're no fun. It's just a bunch of business chit-chat and lets face it, those Canterlot citizens are just plain snooty and uptight. Give me one good reason why I should go with you guys." Ground Dasher says, lying on his bed, with his eyes locked on the ceiling.

"I'll make some nice, tasty food for you to stuff your face silly." Hurricane Blitz said.

"And if I remember correctly, Twilight recieved HER invitation and she's bringing the girls, including AJ." Spark Wave explains. Ground Dashers eyes then flung wide open.

"Okay, you convinced me, where can I get a monkey suit?" Ground asked.

"Well, we can either buy one, or ask Rarity to make one for you." Eternal answers.

"Hmm, I think it's best if I ask Rarity, since they'd probably charge me double at any other clothes store." Ground says.

"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's go, the Gala is in 4 days." Tidal Wave says.

The guys made their war to Carousel Boutique and asked Rarity to tailor Ground Dasher a suit for the upcoming event. With Spike's help, they managed to complete it in just a a few fours. The front of the vest was apricot colored while the back was all black. The undershirt was a long-sleeved red shirt acompanied with a black neck tie. Ground Dasher tried it on and immediately took a liking to it. Ground Dasher had paid Rarity the money and thanked her with a hoof shake.

In order to stay ahead of schedule, Eternal decided to pay his mom an early visit in Canterlot. 10 minutes after arriving there at blazing speed by flight, Eternal walked up to his mom, who was sitting on her throne, doing paperwork.

"Mother, can I talk to you?" Eternal asked.

"Hmm? What brings you here, son?" Celestia asked.

"You see, since the Gala is coming soon, I need to ask you for a favor."

"Well ask away."

"Would it be okay if Hurricane could help out with setting up the food? I have a feeling Ground Dasher might go on one of his hungry rampages if he can't eat "good food" as he puts it."

"Well, I suppose I could let him help out in the kitchen, but are you sure Ground Dasher's "hungry rampage" is that bad?"

"Trust me, it's a lot worse than you think."

"Alright, I'll let him cook. If he actually does a good job, I'll let him do it again."

"Great, thanks mother. Listen I gotta head back, but I'll see you here at the Gala."

"You're welcome, son, take care."

Eternal then waved good bye to his mom as he sored back to Ponyville at blazing speed.

--

Meanwhile, in the Everfree Forest, Thunder Drum was locked in combat with 5 timberwolves and a Manticore. The stallion wasn't even showing a hint of fear, but more of a look of disgust.

"Is this all this damn forest has to offer me? I've met stronger HOUSEPLANTS THAN THESE FUCKERS!!!" Thunder shouts, blasting them all away with one swish of his hoof, striking them all with his lightning. They get blown back, without even a scratch on any of them. "I might as well end their suffering by sending them all to oblivion." Thunder Drum then wrapped his predators with lightning covered black mass suffocating them from their necks to their tails. He then slammed his hoof onto the ground and crushed their bodies, turning all the timberwolves into pups as they run away, while the manticore had left only with a lifeless head, leaking blood from underneath where it's neck was. "This didn't even feel like a practice round, but by the time I find meet Eternal Flames, I'll make him suffer for humiliating me. But I think it'd be better to torture him then to kidnap his pathetic little brother..." Thunder Drum then laughed to himself. "Yes...IT'S PERFECT!" he continued to laugh, this time, more louder and more evil.