Fallout Equestria: Operation 6011

Operation 6011 chapter 6

Thunder

"...formally invites you to the marriage of Princess Mia'more Cadenza and .... MY BROTHER?!?"

Explosions filled the air as I expertly dodged around in the sky. I needed to keep their attention on me. Especially the big boss.

Bullets whizzed by me, as a missile flew past me and detonated. The air was hot with the heat from the bullets and explosions. The wind pulled at my mane, adrenaline pumped through my veins.

An explosion erupted next to me, almost knocking me from the sky.

That was close.

I wish Rainbow was with me. This would be a lot easier.

I mentally kicked myself again.

I need to stop thinking about that, IM BEING SHOT AT.

To prove my point, a bullet tore into my left hind leg.

I bit my lip, and tried to ignore the burning sensation in my leg.

I dove under an explosion, and checked how my friends are doing. They were almost done.

I hope this works.

It better, it was MY idea.

A ball of erupted in front of me. It singed my coat and mane as I flew into it. I emerged toaster than usual.

Celestia fuck me sideways with a missile launcher. Mr. Boomer is using incinderary missiles. I dodged right to avoid another midair BBQ.

Come on! What is taking them so long?!? The baddies are starting to become better shots, I can't do this forever.

I saw a glint on a nearby hill, that had a ton of big boulders at the top of it.

I flew over the hill, and they followed. I put my pipbuck up and tilted it, so it glinted light towards my friends when the mercenaries were almost at the top of the hill.

I saw another glint on the opposite hill. I smiled.

Finally, let's hope this works.

I flew low over the hill and of course bullets and explosions followed. The terrain rocked as the shockwaves from the explosions weakened it's resolve. My leg burned with pain.

So this is what it feels to be shot. I hate it.

I landed on the boulder that sat in front of all the others, and cleared my throat.

"YOU GUYS ARE THE WORST SHOTS I'VE EVER SEEN!!!" I pointed a hoof at the big boss. "ESPECIALLY YOU!! WHO TAUGHT YOU HOW TO FIRE THAT THING?!?"

That did it. I know because eight missiles were headed my way. I waited ..... The missiles were halfway to their target..... I waited..... They were almost there.... I shot into the sky, just as explosions rocked the hillside, creating a huge avalanche that proceeded to obliterate the mercs.

The big baddie was taken off guard, and had to....Take flight? What! He's a pegasus?!?

"Oh no you don't" I muttered to myself as I shot after him.

I wanted answers. I slammed into his back, bringing us both down to the earth below.

He was strong. He kicked and fought, but I managed to pin him down, despite the burning pain in my leg. I bit down on his metal helmet pulled it off him. My eyes widened. The helmet dropped from my mouth.

His cyan eyes grew wide with mine.

"Thunder?!?"

"Lightning?!?"

Now I had even more questions.

Like why is my brother heading up a bunch of baddies and trying to kill me? Before he could talk, I began my Interrorgation.

"Why the hell are you trying to kill me?!?" My face was red hot with anger.

"I didn't know it WAS you, I was just doing a bounty."

My face must have been steaming.

"YOU KILL PONIES FOR MONEY!?!?"

My friends came up from behind, with concerned looks on their faces.

"Well it IS a honest work-"

"KILLING PONIES IS NOT A HONEST LIVING!!!" I retorted.

"What would mom say?!? Is she even still alive!?!"

"LIGHTNING!"

I stopped and looked at him.

"Mom is alive, but how is dad?" I saw the concern in his eyes.

A wave of sadness washed over me.

He doesn't know.

I whispered, "He's dead."

He didn't hear. "What?"

"HE'S DEAD!!!! HE KILLED HIMSELF BECAUSE YOU AND MOM LEFT!!!" I screamed it at the top of my lungs.

I began to cry, a shocked look appeared on his face.

"So you've been alone all these years......" His guilt was evident in his voice.

Polaris put a hoof on my shoulder.

"I believe you know something we do not."

I wiped a tear from my eye.

"This is my brother... Thunder."

Their jaws dropped.

"So your broth'r is th' one who, blew up our camp, and chased us five miles tryin' t' blow us up?" I turned to Red and sighed.

"I guess...."

I turned back to Thunder. Confrontation time. This couldn't wait, I have to ask him something that's been itching me for years.

"Thunder... Why did you and mom leave? I thought you were my B.B.B.F.F?"

He sighed.

"It wasn't because of you..-"

"It was because of the enclave right? Well unlike you, when I left," I pointed a hoof at Polaris." I brought my friends with me, instead of leaving them behind."

He stood up, with a downcast look on his face. He dug into his saddlebags and produced a box. He set it down infront of me.

"Open it Lightning, you need to see what's inside."

I opened the box, and what was inside nearly made me cry.

Inside was a picture of me as a filly with him, and our parents. Next to it was a picture of us big smiles on our face, and in my hoof writing "I love you B.B.B.F.F!!".

He missed me this whole time.

I tackled him, tears rolling down my face.

"I missed you so much!!!!!" I cried.

He wrapped his fore hooves around me, with tears rolling down his face.

"I missed you too little sis."

I could hear somepony crying. The pony wasn't in sight, but I still knew who it was. I'd recognize that scratchyish  voice from anywhere.

I pushed him back and looked him on the eyes.

"You have to promise me something, or I won't forgive you for almost blowing me up."

He smiled.

"What ever you want."

I returned his smile.

"No more working for bad ponies, and you only take jobs to kill bad ponies." I stated.

He laughed and rubbed the back of his head with a hoof.

"Fine. Do you forgive me?"

I grinned.

"I do. Now you just have to convince my friends."

He turned to my friends.

"I'm sorry I blew up your camp... And chased you for five miles.... And tried to blow you up, or shoot you...or...-" Polaris interrupted him with a hug.

His eyes widened. When she finished, she explained.

"I can see it in your soul. You truly love Lightning. I forgive you. Thank you for showing Lightning that she is not the last of her family."

A look of realization spread across my face. So THAT'S why she stared into my eyes so intently, the first time we met.

Red patted Thunder on the back.

"Hell, I forgive ya too."

Soundwave joined in.

"I forgive ya too."

Gumdrop popped up on his head.

"I forgive you too Mr. Thunder."

I'll never know how she manages to do that type of stuff.

Bubblegum gave him a smile.

"I forgive you too."

               **** *** ****

We all sat around the campfire, exchanging stories. Polaris had given me a healing potion earlier. The potion, well, healed me. What else would it do?

"...you should'ev seen the looks on their faces, it was hilarious!" I finished my story, and everyone laughed.

However, Thunder's laugh was a bit weak. Soundwave nudged him.

"Cheer up Thunder, you don't have to be serious 100% of the time. In fact, you gotta have some good stories to tell." Thunder laughed nervously, I nickered.

I patted him on the back.

"Come on Thunder, you aren't still afraid of telling stories right?" I gave him a taunting grin.

He blushed, then pulled me back and whispered in my ear, "I thought I told you never to mention that if front of hotties!!" I gave him a questioning look, and he nodded towards Polaris.

I chuckled, he gave me a inquisitive look.

"You DO know she is a star right? As in twinkling light above type star." I whispered in his ear. His eyes went wide, and his face turned pale.

"You're kidding, right?" I smiled and shook my head. He kicked a rock and frowned. I patted him on the black.

"Hey don't be sad B.B.B.F.F, now why don't you tell us a story?"

He sighed, then nodded his head. "Okay."

He cleared his throat, then began.

"This story is about how I got my guns......"

            00000000000

A Lightblue Pegasus, with a dark grey mane, entered the room. His cutie mark of twin thunderclouds ,who's thunder bolts were light blue, went well with his black and blue combat armor. His grenade launcher battle saddle gleamed in the light of the lamp.

The room was small, with a table in the middle, which had a huge map on it

"Hey Thunder, you made it!" an all to familiar voice called from the table.

The voice belonged to Crimson Beam, a crimson unicorn mare, with a jet black mane that had a red-orange streak in it. She also wore combat armor that was a firery red. She also had a large tri-beam magical laser rifle.

She was also his partner.

He smiled.

"Glad I could make it, did you get the things I asked for?"

She returned the gesture.

"I got more, since I know how much you like to go overkill on these things."

Thunder grinned.

"You know me so well."

He walked up to the table, which had a map of the area around stable 64. Stable 64 is a known raider base.

A big, well armed, one. Also the location of their next target.

"This is costing us one pretty cap, but if we succeed we will gain two pretty caps." She held the list of "necessities" in her magic. "200 mercs, one, erm, two vertibucks, and one mortar launcher."

He gave her a huge kiss. He has no idea were she finds this stuff, sometimes he imagines Celestia herself supplies her. Another reason she is his marefriend as well.

"You are amazing. Where did you find the mortar launcher? Or TWO vertibucks?" She gave him a sly grin.

"My secret." She turned and stroked his face with her tail, "Now shouldn't we go address the troops?"

"Yea, but first I need to go see my sis...."  He replied slowly.

She nodded her head understandingly. He walked over to the door on the other side of the room, and opened it. He shut the door behind him, and flicked on the light. On the wall in front of him, was a picture of him and his little sister, Lightning, when she was just a filly. They were both laughing. On the corner of picture, in messy hoofwriting, it said "I love you my B.B.B.F.F!!!". Next to that photo, a picture of the whole family sat. They looked so happy.

"Hey sis... I hope you are okay. Me and Crimson are going to take out a big raider base today. I think you would be happy if you were here with me. Raiders are very bad ponies, and I know how much you hate bad ponies." He sighed heavily." Hey, how's dad? I hope he is okay. I think about you all the time. " He took a deep breath then finished. "Well I gotta go address the troops, see ya"

With that he turned and exited the room to a waiting Crimson.

"Ready?" Her voice was gentle, but brimming with excitement.

Thunder nodded his head."Let's go rally the troops."

They shared a kiss, then stepped out onto the high hill, overlooking hundreds of ponies. The cool breeze played with his mane.

Crimson's horn lit up, and Thunder's voice was amplified. He cleared his throat an began.

"ATTENTION PROUD MERCENARIES OF THE EQUESTRIAN WASTE!!!! TODAY, WE BECOME RICH MARES AND STALLIONS!!!!"

A roar of approval rose from the crowd. He grinned and glanced at Crimson.

"STABLE 64 IS ONE OF THE MOST WELL ARMED RAIDER BASE IN THE GREAT EQUESTRIAN PLAINS... BUT WE ARE BIGGER,BETTER ARMED,AND MOST OF ALL.... WE'RE THE TOUGHEST MERCENARIES AROUND!!!!"

The crowd roared once again.

"NOW LET'S GO KILL SOME DIRT BAGS!!!!!!!!" With that, a vertibuck landed next to him, and the two boarded it. The vertibuck left for stable 64 as the army of mercs roared and cheered behind them.

              *** *** ****

Explosions filled the air, as Thunder jumped from the vertibuck carrying Crimson on his back.  The air blasted through his mane, as he sped across the sky, dodging missiles, bullets, and explosions.

Anti- air cannons. As expected.

The stable door was implanted in the hillside, and there was a nest of turrets on the hill. In the area in front of the door, fortifications littered the area.

The fortifications included two anti-air cannons.

Thunder brought his radio to his face, and sent the order to begin the bombardment.

On that order, the mortars began firing and vertibucks began strafing the fortifications.

"Vertibuck 2 come in!" Thunder shouted into his radio, as another explosion attempted to drop him.

The radio crackled to life and a voice said, "This is vertibuck 2, what is it?"

"I need you to take out those anti-air cannons!! We need the skies clear!"

"Got that boss."

With that, a vertibuck turned its attention to the anti-air cannons. A door slid open, and a Earth pony stallion, hefted a HUGE missile launcher on his battle saddle. He fired the missile, and the missile impacted with an anti-air cannon, resulting in a huge explosion.

Thick, black smoke rose into the sky, as the cannon fell over nearly hitting the second one. The vertibuck began firing on the second cannon. The cannon fired and a round impacted on one of the vertibuck's wings. The vertibuck began to fall from the sky.

To the flier's credit, he managed to fly the vertibuck straight into the cannon, causing a big explosion.

Free from the cannon's danger, the remaining vertibuck was able to do a much better job, despite the missiles being fired at it.

He flew low, and readied his grenade launcher, Crimson readied her gun as well. He targeted the turrets at the top of the hill, and began strafing it.

The ground was pure chaos. He could now see his mercs slowly advancing through the enemy defenses. Missiles exploded, bullets whizzed through the air, and magical bolts sizzled. Ponies were dying left and right. Luckly most of them were raiders.

Those turrets had to go. They were decimating his forces.

After about 3 minutes of strafing the turrets were smoldering heap. So were their operators.

Within minutes, his forces made it to the door. The door was shut. Crimson immediately hacked the door. She was an masterful hacker.

"Okay, guns at the ready! We don't know what's behind that door!" She called out.

They all readied our guns. She hit a button, and the door rolled open.

"AMBUSH!!!!!" somepony called out.

"FIRE!!!" Thunder and Crimson cried.

They all filled the entrance room of the stable with bullets explosions.

When they finished, there was nothing really left in the entrance.

Thunder turned to his troops, Crimson amplified his voice.

"THE TIME HAS COME!! WHAT YOU FIND FIRST, IT'S YOURS!!" The crowd roared.

"THE TARGET IS MINE, NOW ATTACK!!!!!!!!!" The crowd roared in approval once again, and Thunder and Crimson headed the charge inside the stable.

            **** **** ***

The sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed through the halls. The smell of death hung heavy in the air.

A giggling crazed raider was blown to pieces as his comrade was disintegrated by a trio of beams.

Almost there, Thunder thought. According to recent information, "willingly" given by a raider, the target was in the Overmare's Office.

The duo approached a door with a sign over it, saying "Overmare's Office".

"Bingo." Crimson said aloud. She turned to Thunder."Ready?"

He grinned at her."I wouldn't have anypony else at my side."

They opened the door, and the duo immediately opened fire, careful to not damage the computers.

When the dust settled from the shots, the computers only suffered minimal damage because of the poor bastard who was in the room. Now, he was all over the room. To anypony who didn't know about this raid, it would look like the office was painted a new color.

So much for the big boss.

But they weren't there for him, they were there for what was in the armory under the office.

Crimson moved to the overseer's terminal, which wasn't even locked. She tapped a few keys and the floor in front of the overseer's desk opened revealing a hidden hallway.

Thunder stepped in and motioned for Crimson to go first.

"Ladies first."

She snickered, then started down the hallway. "Thank-you, aren't you being the gentlestallion."

They both laughed, and they continued down the hallway.

They sooner or later reached a door labeled "Armory". They looked at eachother and grinned. They opened the door, which revealed a treasure trove of caps and weapons.

While Crimson collected all the caps, Thunder started to look through the weapons.

One weapon caught his eye. It was a battle saddle with dual quad missile launchers on it. His mouth watered, as he approached the weapon. When he reached it, he suddenly thought about Lightning and the good ol' days.

He put it on. It was pretty heavy, but strength ran in the family. He deposited the missiles in his saddlebags. The battle saddle came with a laser sight for targeting purposes.

Sold.

Also, he knew just what to name the weapon.

Thunder & Lightning.

Crimson trotted over with a smile on her face.

"New Toy?" She inquired.

"Oh yeah..." His grin was replaced by an inquizzitive look." Did you get the target?"

Crimson grinned, then turned, revealing a cute yellow filly on her back. "Yup."

He grinned and gave her a kiss.

"I knew I could depend on you." He turned on the radio "Attention all units, the vault is ours!!!" that was followed by sounds of cheers."We got what we wanted, so the rest is yours!!!!" That was followed by even more cheers.

He turned to Crimson. "Let's go"

               000000000

Thunder finished his story. Everypony just sat there. Then a applause rose from the others. I turned to Thunder and smiled.

"Great story B.B.B.F.F."

He gave me a grin.

"Thanks."

Gumdrop's hoof shot into the air. She didn't even wait for Thunder to respond.

"Mr. Thunder, if you like Crimson so much, then where is she now?"

A wave of sadness seemed to wash over Thunder, I knew that look before. I've made it before. I put a hoof on his shoulder and turned to Gumdrop.

"Gumdrop, some questions are better left unanswered."

Thunder gave me a sad, "Thank You" look.

Bubblegum emerged from the supply tent.

"Dinner is served everypony." Her voice calm, and controlled as usual.

My face brightened up. I nudged Thunder.

"Thunder, Bubblegum is the best cook I've ever seen, you should come get some dinner. I know you're hungry, you're allways hungry." I was telling the truth. I have no idea how she is so good though.

He sighed heavily, then got up. I followed him.

                     *** *** ***

We all sat around the table. Bubblegum insisted we do. Well more like she said that if we didn't eat at the table, she wasn't going to cook. I have to admit, none of us really knew how to cook. Pretty pathetic right?

I looked down at my Brahmin steak, cooked to perfection. I don't know how she does it. When I tried to cook one, I screwed it up bad. Even my pipbuck didn't know what to call it when I was done.

I just kept staring at it. Mostly because I've never eaten meat before. I mean we didn't exactly have cloud-walking Brahmin in Lightning Hoof. I didn't know what to expect. So how do I-

"Miss Lightning where are you from?" Thanks for interrupting my thought Gumdrop. I sighed. I guess she was just curious.

"The clouds." I simply replied. A confused look appeared on her face.

"What's it like?" She just had to ask. I guess there would be no harm in telling them about my used-to-be home.

"Well, first there's the sky. An beautiful endless blue, that stretches out as far as the eye can see. But that hardly compares to the sun. It is warm and beautiful, a giant yellow ball in the sky." Gumdrop clearly was dizzied by the thought of and endless blue. What's the name of that effect? Vertigo I think. See I'm may not be smart, but I'm not stupid either. Yay for neutrality! Then she smiled when she thought of the sun. I noticed everypony had started listening, as I continued.

"Then there are the clouds. They are soft and fluffy, in some places, and hard as a rock in other places." I took a deep breath, then continued. "I come from one of the cities. This one was called Lightning Hoof." The images from my life in the city flashed before my eyes.

"What was it like in Lightning Hoof." I looked over at Soundwave who know wore a curious look on his face.

I took a deep breath. They need to know what it is really like up there.

"Not really much better than down here. I was poor and a orphan most my life. Only the rich got a perfect life." Their jaws dropped. I continued.

"The government is pretty corrupt. The reason I'm down here, is because they were conducting immoral, secret projects and I found out. So I was framed and sentenced to death." They all started to grow solemn, they knew it could get worse.

"Not only that, they have been lying to us saying 'that it was unlivable on the surface'. They send patrols under and they would come back comfirming the government's claim." I kicked the chair that I was sitting on. It broke. "The high officials are heartless bastards. I mean, how could they just  slaughter Hope! She helped ponies! Just because she was affiliated with me doesn't mean she had to die!!!" I slammed a hoof on the table, cracking the wood.

"Lightning...." Polaris said softly.

I turned to look at Polaris, my bright red eyes glowed with anger. The glow died down, when I saw the her worried look. Turned to observe everypony's worried looks. My rage died down and I left the tent, head hung low.

               *** *** ***

There is something strangely therapeutic about overlooking the wasteland. I don't know why though. It gives you something to look at while alone with your thoughts maybe? Well that's my guess. Either way, I'm sure I'm hated in some way by "The powers that be." It's the only explanation for how many times life has fucked me over.

"Y'all okay?"

I looked back at Red. Then looked back over the wasteland, and sighed.

"Define 'okay'."

He frowned and sat next to me.

"I'll take that as a no."

I turned to notice Polaris coming from behind. Yay. Group therapy session. What fun.

She sat down on the other side of me.

"I've had a messed up life, so I have an excuse to not be okay." I nickered. "Some leader I am." I looked down at my pipbuck. "I don't even know how to work this thing." I smacked the little computer on a rock, and the radio came to life.

"Hey there wastelanders!!! This is your voice of truth DJ-PON3. This bit of news goes out to you folk in the Great Equestrian Plains. Y'all know that Pegasus I told you about who killed the giant Radscorpion with a head butt? Well she's at it again! I have here one scared as hell ex-slaver who is the sole survivor of the big bad Slaver camp near Horseshoe. Speaking of which, has been destroyed. I don't know by who, by my heart goes out to the residents of the town. Now back to the subject, what is your name sir?

C-Cracker Jack.

You okay?

U-umm yea s-sure. I-is s-she listening?

Most likely."

I could hear his sigh of relief. Wow. I guess I am that scary, when I want to be. He finally calmed down.

"Now can you tell us what happened?

Okay.I hope your listening to this, you crazy bitch, I'm doing what you demanded."

If I was there, I would have bucked him clear across the room.

"Is she really THAT scary?

You have no idea.

Wow

Now it all started when she fell out of the sky. So we took her. Free slave right? Well we should have known after she injured half of the slavers in her first day. But the horror came on the third night. After some of the slaves knocked her unconscious with rocks, we just left them to their fun. I don't even want to know what they did to her."

That's a pleasant thought.

"

After we brought her to her cell, the horror began. Some of the boys wanted to have some fun with her in a 'special' way. They never came back. After that, we were in the mess hall. Thats when we heard gunshots and screams right outside the door. Then suddenly she burst in covered in blood, and screamed something about how we are all going to hell. That's when she attacked. It was terrifying. She literally tore ponies apart with her own hooves. She also expertly dodged any attacks thrown at her. She was a monster. I watched as she tore my best friend's leg off and smashed his skull in with it. It was like something straight out of a nightmare. I thought for sure I was going to die. I have a recording of what she told me.

'I'm letting you live for one purpose. To spread fear. I want you to tell every slaver you see, that I'm coming for them.. If I make it to the next slaver camp, and they aren't warned.. I will EAT YOUR LIMBS!!!!! Got that?'

Wow. Well there you have it folks. This mare does not tolerate slavery, and is out to get every pony who calls themselves a slaver. I wish you luck out there gal, and try to tone down on the brutality okay? I'm pretty sure you traumatized this poor stallion. Now here is "We can be kind" by Sweetie Bell."

The sad sweet music began. Red sat there wide eyed, and mouth hung open. Polaris just got her sad look.

"You two have to promise to not to tell Thunder, or Gumdrop. I don't want them to worry about me." My voice was sad and quiet. A solemn look appeared across my face.

"damn" Was all Red had to say.

"Worry not, Lightning, you secret is safe with us." Polaris saw the aftermath. She already knew what happened.

"Thanks, I think I'll go for a flight. Celestia knows I need one." As I said that, I got up and spread my pure white wings.

Now I was considered a hottie by most back in, Lightning Hoof. So I wasn't surprised when I caught Soundwave staring as I rose up into the air.

The cool night air, felt good flowing through my mane. I loved flying. It helps clear my mind as I do the twist and turns through the air. I felt calm in this element, I was in control. Flying felt as natural as walking. My strong wings allowed me to command the sky.

I closed my eyes and just let my movements flow. A loop here, followed by a spin, then a dive. I pulled up from the dive and just flew straight.

However there was one nagging thought that just wouldn't go away.

Operation 6011.

The way the ministry mares and Luna (once again how do I know that) talked about it. It was like it was a crime against nature to even consider it. It was supposedly a terrible thing.

And the Enclave wanted it. Celestia knows it is something terrible. But what is it? Part of me really didn't want to know and part of me really did want to know.

I did a loop to start heading the opposite direction. Then I heard a filly scream, as my left saddle bag became undone and a pink filly dropped out.

"Gumdrop!?!? Damn it!"

I dove after the screaming filly.

Fuck! I need to go faster. I slowly gained on Gumdrop. Come on......

The ground was fast approaching.

I won't make it in time, at this rate.

Then I heard a familiar voice yell out "You can do it Lightning!!!"

Rainbow Dash came up beside me. Confidence filled me, I raced even faster. Sweat poured from my brow. The air hammered my mane, and my tail flapped hard in the wind.

Come on....

The ground grew closer.

Almost....

Time slowed as I put my forehooves around Gumdrop and pulled up, barely missing the ground.

I flew back to our camp. Somepony needed to be scolded. Even if she is a cute little filly, with evil puppy dog eyes that are damn near impossible to say no to.

That's why I'm getting the help of Bubblegum.

                 **** *** ***

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!!" Bubblegum roared. We both cringed.

Damn. Hell hath no fury like that of a mother whose filly almost got herself killed.

I wasn't even the one she was yelling at, and I still was intimidated.

Ive fought a hoard of slavers with my bare hooves, killed a Giant Radscorpion using a headbutt, defeated an army of mercs, and destroyed a raider base. Yet I'm scared of this one mare.

Yup, don't ya just love how logic works.

While Bubblegum went on about how she could've died and how she was lucky I could save her, my mind trailed off to other thoughts. Like Rainbow standing in the doorway of the tent, with a sheepish smile on her face.

I snuck away from Bubblegum and her monologue, and pushed Rainbow outside. After I was sure I had my privacy I did what I had been wanting to do ever since the Gumdrop incident.

She started to say something, but I swept her up in a gigantic hug.

"You don't need to say you're sorry. I forgive you." I told her happily.

"B-but I abandoned you, I-" She began to say.

"-was scared of me." I sighed" I was, am, scared of me too."

I pulled her off and looked her in the eye.

"Just.. Never do that again." I told her in my most serious, loving voice I could muster.

Her face was displayed in a combination of hurt, sadness, and confusion. Tears rolled down her face.

"How could you forgive me?!? I abandoned you, when you needed me the most!!! I-I.." She was at a loss for words. Her scratchy voice I swear cracked.

I did the one thing I could think of.

I gave her a great big loving hug.

"You're back. That's all that matters to me."

We began to cry. Cliche', I know, but that's what happened. If you're complaining right now, stuff it. I don't care.

After the sobs subsided, the smile returned to her face.

"Check this out." It was then, I realized she had a pipbuck on her leg. It looked just like mine, except it was rainbow colored.

She hit a button on it, and then smiled.

"I can talk to your friends now." My pipbuck said.

I stared at it in disbelief.

Celestia fuck me upside down with her horn. Rainbow can talk through my pipbuck. Who knew. What is it with me and not understanding tech. She nickered.

"Did you ever bother to learn anything about tech?" She asked. I shrugged.

"That's what I got smart ponies like Soundwave for."

We both shared a laugh.

"Of course we don't know tech. We aren't eggheads."

                 *** *** ***

I snuck back into the tent as Bubblegum was finishing her lecture.

"Now you will apologize to Lightning for making her worry." With that, a very sorry looking Gumdrop turned to me.

"I'm sorry Miss Lightning." She gave me her puppy dog look. I swear, I want to know how Bubblegum deals with it.

I gave her a reassuring smile. "I forgive you Gumdrop." Her face brightened and she tackled me.

I rubbed her head with a hoof, and laughed. I would be a terrible mother. My kids would be spoiled. Safe, but spoiled. I just can't resist those puppy dog eyes.

Well I guess it is time to introduce Rainbow to my friends.

                   *** *** ***

Everypony just stood there wide eyed and jaws on the floor.

Thunder gathered the courage to speak up.

"lemme get this straight. You are THE Rainbow Dash, and you are LIVING in MY sister's body as a spirit. And this is all because she is a direct decendant, and our family gun, and a statue."

"Pretty much." Rainbow replied.

"Why not me?" He asked, with a hint of envy in his voice.

Rainbow nickered. "Lightning is about twenty percent cooler than you."

A huffed look appeared on his face. I nudged him.

"I guess my Rainbow Dash beats your big guns." I told him jokingly.

Everypony's faces had returned to normal. I half expected Gumdrop to burst out laughing, from the look on her face. She didn't burst out laughing, but she did have an outburst.

"Wow! So are you faster than Lightning, Rainbow?" She just HAD to ask that.

"Of course I am." Was that a CHALLENGE?

"Not." I gave Rainbow an competitor's look. What can I say, I can't turn down a challenge.

"I am SO faster than you." Was her reply.

"In your DREAMS you are."

"How about a race then?"

It. Is. On

No going back now. She has now directly challenged me.

"You are SO on. Winner is the fastest." Was my reply. We were face to face, with competitive smiles.

"Fine by me."

"Deal."

I stuck my tongue out, causing her to giggle a bit. Then our competitive looks returned.

               *** *** ***

"So what does this do again?"

Soundwave sighed.

"Lightning. How did YOU end up with the pipbuck?" I shrugged.

"This little addition to your pipbuck, will capture what you perceive and display it for us." I gave him my "English please" look. He face-hoofed.

"Basically, allows us to see Rainbow Dash." That makes sense.

"Oohh. Why didn't you say that the first time?" He took a deep breath then muttered, "I didn't think I had to."

He pressed a button, and nothing happened. Well nothing I could see. Apparently something changed, because just as Rainbow trotted into the tent, his jaw dropped. I nickered.

"Ready?" She asked with a smile.

I grinned. "You bet."

                  *** *** ***

The "course" was a race to the opposite hill, and back. About three miles.

"Wow. I didn' know there was two Lighnin' s."

Red was right. Our stretches were the same, our stances were the same, even how our bodies were built were very similar. Her's was built a bit more on the muscular side.

We took our positions next to eachother. We leaned forward and spread out wings.

"Ready?" she asked confidently.

"I so am." was my reply.

Then in almost perfect unison, we both said, "Readysetgo!!"

We were off like a couple of bullets.

I flapped my wings as hard as I could. The air rocketed through my mane, and hammered my tail. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, We had twin streaks. Her's was a rainbow, mine a red and gold lightning bolt.

She was fast. I was keeping up though. But keeping up isn't enough, I have to win. I flapped my wings harder, and I pulled ahead Rainbow by a nose. She noticed and went faster. Now SHE was ahead by a nose.

I am not losing.

As we reached the hill, we both did a backwards loop and raced back. I flew as fast as I could which pulled me ahead by ten noses.

Then I heard a loud BOOM!!

Rainbow zoomed by me, with a rainbow trailing behind her. I looked back, and saw the shockwave of the boom spread across the sky. She was now ahead by 164,321 noses.

Figuratively speaking.

Damn it. She can do a Sonic Rainboom. I never stood a chance. One day, I'll be able to do one too. You'll see I just need some time and hard work.

When I reached the finish, Rainbow was waiting for me. She was doing a celebratory dance, as the others cheered.

I. Hate. Losing.

Rainbow nudged me.

"Don't worry, being number two isn't all bad. Just not as good as being number one." She said tauntingly.

I gave her a scowl. "You're dead, so technically I'm number one." She patted me on the head.

"Yea you keep telling yourself that."

I sighed and gave her a "one of these days" look.

We must have the worst biological clocks in the world. Either that or we are really nocturnal creatures. I say this because we do most of out activities at night. It's like we are allergic to day time. Well that's my grand theory.

That's when I decided it was bed time. Too much has happened in one day, psychologically anyways. I needed to rest. All this talk of lack of sleep, doesn't help either.

"Okay team! I'm going to bed! Mentally exhausted and all that nonsense." I looked at Gumdrop. "I also suggest that it's past bedtime for anypony who isn't an adult." Bubblegum nodded her head in approval.

Gumdrop looked at me pleadingly. "But Miss. Lightning I'm not tired!!"

Why does she call me "Miss Lightning"?

I smiled and scooped her up and placed her on my back. Mostly because I wouldn't have to look at her cute puppy dog eyes that way. Hah. Counter measure against those damn eyes.

" How about I sing you a lullaby, Hope used to sing to me." I said slyly. Her face brightened up. She loved my lullabys, so why not Hope's?

She sat excitedly on my head, as we entered the mares tent. Bubblegum's and Polaris' idea. So I rolled with it. I really didn't care who slept near who, as long as they kept their hooves to themselves while I slept.

I placed her on her bed. She slid under the covers, then her cute little head popped out.

"You comfy?"

She nodded.

"Okay.." I took a deep breath then began.

                      /-/-/-/

Hey there little filly, why so worried?

Don't be scared. I'm here to make everything alright.

Rest up, you have big day tomorrow.

Just close those little eyes and forget about the sorrow.

The princess of the night watches over all the little ones.

She keeps your dreams nice and bright.

An' when she's gone, it left to the Princess of the morning, daytime.

She makes sure you wake up, when the night all gone.

So sleeeep now. Little filly.

So tomorrow can come in a jiffy.

So sleeeep now. Little filly.

Slip into those sweet dreams, filled with lillys.

Sleep, little filly, sleep

Sleep, little filly, sleep.

Sleep, little filly, sleep.

Sleeeeeep.... little filly...

              /-/-/-/-/

When I finished, Gumdrop was sound asleep.

A tear rolled down the side of my face.

I miss Hope. I miss her laugh, her smile, her kindness, and most all her love. She was like mother to me.

I laid down on my bed next to Gumdrop. She got up sleepily, as if she sensed me going to bed, and curled up against my chest. I wrapped my hooves around her, and faded to sleep.

What a day.

Footnote: Nothing has really changed. Except for Extra Pair of Eyes perk has been reactivated.

Good for you.

(authors note: For those who don't know, I've started an "Ask Lightning" blog!!! All those questions you've been dying to ask Lightning and her friends, can now be asked. They can also, check this, be answered!!! Amazing right? Well thanks for reading!! Also thanks to my editor, for making this stuff legible. Thanks to somber for teaching me alot about writing, and setting me on the right path. Also thanks to Kkat for creating the universe of F.O.E. Also thanks to the Writers group for their support. Once again thanks to you. My readers!!! Those likes and faves don't create themselves!! Thanks for all your support! Now have an awesome day!!)