The Seventh Element

          Ever since I was a kid, I was known for sleeping in. So when I had my mother shake me awake, screaming, "You're going to be late!" , I wasn't surprised. I bolted straight up. "Is Mist awake?" I asked her. She nodded. Flying out of bed, I made my way to my closet. I slammed the door open and flung on my yellow jacket. Shaking my blue and gray striped mane into a more presentable shape, I grabbed my suitcase. It was crimson, matching my coat.

"Lightning Strike!"  My mother yelled. I stopped and turned towards her.

"Yeah, Ma?"

"Forgetting something?"  She held up the object in her hoof. My eyes widened. I grabbed the pair of aviator's goggles she held and kissed her in the cheek.

"Thanks, Mom. Bye."   I walked down the hall and stared at a framed photo of a purple-coated, lime-maned pegasus stallion with a constellation Cutie Mark and hunter green eyes. I kissed my hoof and touched it to the picture.

"Bye, Dad."  I whispered. I turned and looked into a small version of the stallion in the photo.

"Ready to leave, Mist?"  My little brother nodded.

"We're going to have to run to the station, y'know that, right?"  Mist raised an eyebrow.

"Then what are we standing here for?!"  I said jokingly. "Let's get a move on!"

            We were sitting on a train to Canterlot for a specific reason. One day I had gotten an elegant looking scroll in the mail. Unrolling, I had a little trouble reading the intricate calligraphy stating the presence of Lightning Strike and Mist Chaser as the audience of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I had rejected the thought at first, a little worried at what would await me in Canterlot. I often got into fights in Manehattan.

          My mom, Cloud Cover, convinced me I was being an idiot. So, I accepted. Me and Mist both. Everything was prepaid, surprisingly. So, there I was, sitting in the VIP section of the train to Canterlot. It was torture. There I was, hoodie, goggles, long hair. A gaggle of snorts and sneers could be heard in our direction. I didn't care, but I managed to look down at my hooves the entire ride. They were naturally gold-plated, which I was told was rare all too often. I turned to Mist, who was sleeping. It was a long ride, so it would be a good idea to get some more sleep, I decided.

I woke up with my face slamming into the back of a seat as the train jerked to a stop. I yawned loudly and got up, stretching.

"C'mon, Mist, let's go."  I nudged the colt. He mumbled something incoherent.

"Wassat?"

"Do we have to?"  He groaned.

"Yes. Now get up."

"Alright, whatever."  He grumbled, stretching as I did. We got off of the train and looked up at the palace.

"Let's go find out why we're here. Right, Mist?"

Mist nodded.

"Definitely."