The Life Of Lightning Flash

                                                                                     Chapter Fourteen

Our work experience was a great treat and challenge to bring our school year to an end. A week later and we broke up for our summer holidays. Not much happened for us on the last day, all the good stuff happened to the graduates who we never really talked to.

We barely talked to the older ones mostly due to a lot of them being pretty boring and way too sophisticated. Throughout the day I just kept thinking and imagining what it'll be like when I and the others graduate. Being eighteen and leaving school.....it's a pretty strong and interesting thought. Where would I get a job?

That was a question that kept playing on my mind but I tried not to ponder with it too much.

For this summer holiday each of us had our own things planned but for a lot of the others it was like visiting family and such.

I personally planned a trip to go see my mother and see how she is. Just me nopony else. I hadn't actually seen her in years, just wrote to her occasionally. I decided I would visit her on the fourth day into my summer holiday while the others just chilled and relaxed. They understood and agreed when I told them I wanted to go alone. That wasn't my only plan for the holidays though..

Me, Dash, Hemlock, Kensei, Fluttershy and FireSpeed all agreed that we wanted to go chill on a beach somewhere for the day! None of us had really been to a proper sandy and hot beach before so it sounded like a great idea! We were to go for a whole day almost and would be sometime after my return from my mother's place.

The day when I was going to see my mother came and not too late or soon either. Everypony else was too busy chilling and doing just about nothing but chat and hangout!

I woke to the usual sight of the morning's bright warm sun breaking through mine and Dash's bedroom curtains. For once I woke up without Dashie laying beside me or on top of me.

I got up slowly and stretched my legs and wings as usual. I went to the bathroom to freshen up a little before heading downstairs. My nose was suddenly overcome with the smell of melting cheese and toasted bread. Mmmmm.

I walked into the kitchen to find Dash placing three toasted cheese sandwiches onto a plate then grabbing a glass of orange juice. She turned to me as I entered the room.

"Morning Flashie!" Dash said carrying the food and drink into the living room.

"Morning Dashie. Is that for me?" I asked looking at both her and the food.

She laid the plate and drink on the table by the sofa. "Sure is!" She replied.

"Sweet!" I shouted jumping onto the sofa and then diving my head into the pyramid of sandwiches, munching away at each one as fast as I could. I could get very hungry in the mornings!

"Eheheheh! Thought I'd better make one of your favourites as a leaving gift." Dash said sitting down beside me.

I finished eating my second sandwich and then turned to Rainbow as I wiped my mouth of any crumbs. "You're so awesome!" I replied hugging her.

"Heheh. Yes I am!" Dashie replied.

"I'm gonna head off soon. Got most of my things packed and just gotta make a quick visit someplace." I said taking a few gulps of my glass of OJ.

"Oh....Ok." Replied Dash drooping her head and her eyes all in one single movement.

"What's wrong? Do ya want me to stay for a little bit longer before going?" I asked turning to her with a curious glare.

"Yeah...a little." She replied lifting her head back up.

"Okay then! It's not a problem!" I replied looking back at my last sandwich and then diving into it once again.

"Cool. Thanks." Replied Dash.

Last night I made sure Dash was happy with me going away. I kept her smiling throughout the entire night and day but she obviously preferred me to stay. I finished my breakfast and stayed downstairs with Dashie for about an hour or two. We just sat reading some old comics and had a short nap. By the time the livingroom clock struck 12:30pm I decided to head upstairs and finish packing my things.

Once fully packed with my two satchel bags I headed back downstairs where Dash stood by the front door waiting for me.

"I guess I won't be seeing ya till friday then. Gonna be kinda weird without ya." Said Dash. Today was Tuesday so I would be away for about three days.

"Yup! I'll be missing ya Dashie. Love you." I replied stepping towards her as we kissed.

"Love ya too." She replied.

I opened the front door and slowly walked outside but with the door still open.

"Goodbye!" I shouted waving at Rainbow Dash as I slowly hovered into the air and then away from the house.

"See ya!" Replied Dash with a more cheery shout.

Okay so the plan was to catch a train in PonyVille and head straight to Trottingham but first I had to make one quick stop before leaving CloudsDale.

My old home.

I felt it seemed appropiate to visit seeing that I was going to see my mother but first the last standing memory of mine and my father's life.

I arrived by the house in a few minutes after leaving Dash at home. The place hadn't changed a bit. Except from the sight of a couple moving in. They looked as if they had just finished unpacking and were relaxing out front with a glass of water each. Not realising and barely caring that I would gather their attention, I approached the house and slowly looked at each fine detail.

Memories quickly pouring into my head left me unaware of my surroundings. The couple were now both staring at me like I was some creepy old weirdo.

"Excuse me....Can we help you?" The grey tall stallion said with a slight nervous tone in his voice as his marefriend stood behind him hiding.

His question instantly pulled me out of my day dream and flashbacks. I shook my head getting back into focus with my surroundings. "No. I'm fine." I replied.

"Okay. Would you mind leaving then?" The stallion asked suddenly losing all nervousness in his voice and replacing it with that of a rude commanding one.

"Excuse me?" I asked staring straight into his eyes which gleamed with frustration.

"I said can you leave. This is our home and we don't want some kid nosing around us." He replied. His partner was still shying away behind him trying to avoid getting involved.

"I was just looking ya know. No need to get rude. This wasn't originally your house anyway." I replied feeling the anger build up inside of me.

"Oh....so you previously lived here?" The dark purple mare with a pure brown mane asked appearing from behind her coltfriend.

"Yes." I replied looking back down at the ground.

"Well if it was that important to you then maybe you should have stayed. You left and it's ours now! Now bugger off!" The stallion rudely interrupted. That first line lit the fuse that was my anger ready to explode.

"Maybe I should have stayed!? I don't know who you think you are buddy but you have know right telling me I can't come see the house where I foun......nevermind. Sorry I bothered you." I replied almost letting slip about my father. I wasn't gonna tell them about my own damn personal life so I quickly stopped myself.

"Hmph" Was the stallions only response as he turned round and went back into the house but his marefriend stayed.

"S-Sorry about him. He gets easily annoyed with ponies he don't know. Especially when I'm involved or nearby." The mare apoligised trying to keep good eye contact with me.

"It's ok. I'll just be going now." I replied turning away from her.

"Hey wait!" She called out.

"What?" I asked turning back around.

"What's your name?" She asked.

"Does it matter?" I replied.

"It'd be nice to get your name. You know...you having lived here and all." She replied.

"Lightning Flash."

"Hi Lightning Flash. I'm Sweet Flower." The mare replied holding out a hoof to shake. I accepted her hoofshake and flew off to PonyVille.

While calmly gliding towards PonyVille I tried to clear my mind of that rude stallion and the memories that had rushed back

into my head. I wasn't about to let some random jerk ruin my day! By the time I reached the train station the thoughts had luckily drifted to the back of my head. I bought my ticket and took a seat in the third carriage down which was pretty empty except from five other ponies.

I sat down next to the window on the left side of the carriage and put my satchels beside me .As we departured from the station I gave a brief wave looking into the clear air. There was nopony to wave to, all my friends had already said goodbye to me and were now busy. I was gonna miss them but I looked forward to seeing my mother even more.

It was going to be quite a while before the train reached Trottingham so I decided to take a nap. My eyes slowly closing with the faint sound of chatter almost completely drowned out by that of the trains wheels. My last conscious thoughts were of the last time I saw my mothers face. So long ago....

A few hours passed before I awoke back in the empty and now more quiet train carriage. I was woken up by the poking of the ticket inspector who carried on doing so until I fully opened my eyes and turned to look at him.

"End of the line SunnyJim." The old tired but still cheery stallion said.

"W..What? W-Where am I?" I asked as I checked to see that my satchels were still beside me.

"Trottingham. This train's not going no further due to some mechanical errors in the engine room." The old stallion replied.

"I'd better be going then. Thanks." I said grabbing my bags and arising from my seat.

"Safe travels." The old stallion replied as I walked past him and out of the carriage onto the platform.

The town had changed so much since my last time being here. The landmarks, halls, shops, stalls, houses and trees were all completely different in both appearence and location. I won't go into detail of how the place used to look and too much of how it does now. That you'll have to find out for yourself.

I didn't care to look around town to see how much had changed. I just wanted to see my mother again. From my mothers most recent letter she wrote that our old house was demolished a year ago and that she now lived with my aunt somewhere on the outskirts of town. Where exactly I had no idea. I walked into the town center where it was busy with the evening rush home from work for most ponies.

I found a well suited and very posh looking stallion standing by a large fountain. He seemed as if he was waiting for someone, mostly because he had checked his watch four times in one minute. I walked over to him but he took no notice of my approach.

"Excuse me Sir?" I asked politely.

"......" No response as he stared into the distance to his left.

"SIR!?" I asked again.

"Huh!? Oh sorry were you talking to me?" He finally replied.

"Yes. I was just wondering where exactly I could find this pony?" I asked showing him a more recent photo of my mother that she had sent to me. "Her name is Penny -"

"Oh I know her! Yes yes she lives just past the post office west of town. Follow Willows Road and her house should be the first one you come across." He replied butting in while I said my mothers name.

"Oh thanks!..Wait..how do you know that much about her?" I asked looking at him suspiciously.

"Oh I work in real estate. i know where almost everypony here lives!" He replied.

"Uh ok. I'll be...going now." I said slowly walking backwards away from him. There was something quite odd about him but I wasn't sure what. He didn't respond but went back to checking his watch.

It took a few minutes but I had finally reached my destination. I stood directly in front of the single floored house. Made completely out of refined wood that looked as if it had only just been built. The front garden flourished with clusters of daffodills, tulips and roses. The mixed and unassorted colours stood out from the rest of the local greenery like a dragon among butterflies.

Walking up to the front door my legs begun to shake slightly with excitement. After three knocks there came no reply. As I reached forward to knock again the door was quickly swung open and my eyes were met with those of a brown coated mare with a white mane. My mother. She had hardly grown since we last saw each other.

"Lightning? Oh honey how I've missed you!" My mum said grabbing me by the neck and trapping me in a hug.

"I've missed you too mum. It's been weird without you but...I got use to it!....Not that I haven't stopped missing you though! Eheheh!" I replied and giggled. We stayed hugging for a few more seconds before she finally let me go.

"There's so much to discuss! Come in quickly! I bet your tired after such a long trip!" My mother said grabbing me once again and pulling me through the doorway and into the living room. "Sit! I'll get us something to drink. You still like orange juice right?"

"My looks might change but my tastebuds don't mum." I replied giving her a smile before she entered the kitchen as I sat.

"Cheeky." I heard her say along with the noise of glasses being tapped against eachother. She entered the living room

once again carrying a glass of OJ and a cup of tea on a tray. She layed them down on the table.

"So what's happening in CloudsDale these days?" She asked picking up her cup of tea and taking a sip.

"Not much. Everypony just broke up for the summer holidays." I took a few gulps of my OJ. "Oh and...somepony's moved into our old house."

"Hmm? When was this?"

"Today. I went to see the old place before I left but was interrupted by it's new owners."

"Oh ok. Are they nice? Do you know them?"

"Not exactly. I've never seen them before. One was pretty rude but his partner was quite friendly...Can we not discuss the house too much please?" I replied finishing off my glass of OJ.

"Oh ok! I know it must feel uncomfortable talking about it. So anyway! How's..uh...what was her name?"

"You mean Rainbow Dash?"

"Yes your marefriend! How is she?"

"Fine thanks. Got a visit from her dad the other day. Came to see her and give her some more money towards the house and food."

"How does he feel about you too living together? You are pretty young for it you know."

"Yes mum I know! Jeez. I'm sixteen and live with the most awesome pony ever! I think I'm old enough and independant enough to take care of myself."

"Alright. You still don't have a job though do you?"

"Well I did some work experience and such. I don't want a job just yet."

"But it will get you some money and hard work!"

"I'll get a job after graduation. Okay?"

"Fine." She finished her tea and took the tray back into the kitchen.

""Hey mum where's Auntie Tulip?"

"She's busy with her flowershop. You may see her tomorrow because she's also going to be visiting a friend tonight."

"Okay then. It's pretty late, I'm gonna get some sleep."

"Don't you want any dinner honey?"

"What?...Oh yeah! I forgot about food!" I stood but sat back down."Guess that proves how tired I am."

My mother cooked us up some dinner and we talked some more about my friends. She had never actually met any of them. I'd sent her a class pic of us at Wingbury, I just circled round us with a pen. Apart from that she had no idea what they were like. Heheh! I could lie and say how Fluttershy is the school bully or how FireSpeed doesn't know his right wing from his right hoof! That would be pretty hilarious! Maybe in another universe....

After a lovely made dinner I went to bed to get a goodnights sleep for tomorrow. I slept in the guest room whch my mum had always apparently kept ready and clean for any guests. Especially me.

"Yawn"

"Hmm?"

I awoke to see my mother opening the bedroom curtains. She obviously wanted me to wake up. As long as we slept in the same house I hardly ever got a proper lay in! My mother thought sleep was less important than getting out and about doing something with ya day!

"Morning my little Lightning."

"Jeez mum do ya have to wake me up?"

"Yes. I was going to make us both some breakfast!"

"Fine. But please don't call me that anymore."

"What? Little Lightning?"

"Yeah. If anypony was to hear you I think I would die."

"Alright alright." Said my mum leaving the room. I got up and followed her downstairs to the living room. I sat on the sofa as she entered the kitchen. She came back about fifteen minutes later with two trays of croissants, fresh orange juice and some butter along with cutlery.

"Mmmm. Looks tasty." I said licking my lips.

"Enjoy." She said sitting down beside me. One tray each layed on the table in front of us. We didn't speak as we ate but when we did it was only more talk about school, work and friends. not just my friends either, my mother told me about her friends and how she helps my aunt with her flower shop while still carrying on her pursuit for art.

"Sales can be pretty big and hectic during certain times of the year. Especially Hearts and Hooves day. Wasn't that the day when you told Rainbow about...you know?" My mother said as she finished her food and took a sip of her drink.

"Huh? Oh then. Yeah! I told you that!"

"I know. I just always like hearing about it. Tell me who was the one who helped plan it again?"

"Oh that was Kense-"

Knock! Knock! Knock!

I was interrupted by three large bangs at the front door.

"I wonder who that could be this early in the morning." Said my mum as she stood and went to the door. I followed but kept my distance. She opened the door and her question was answered, it was just the local mailpony. A pale blue pegasus who stood equally tall to my mother and wore a friendly smile on her face.

"Mail for Mrs Penny Flash?" The mail pegasus asked holding out a single envelope.

"Yes that's me." My mother replied.

"Got some mail for you. From the Royal Guard themselves! Have a nice day!"

"Thank you dear!" Said my mum taking the envelope and seeing the pegasus fly off. She closed the door and headed back into the living room which I had also returned to as the pony left.

"Royal Guards? What could this be about?" I asked taking my seat back beside her.

"Lets see shall we." She carefully opened the envelope and unravelled the letter. The writing was some of the finest I had ever seen! Pure black ink with a curl and whip at every end of each letter. My mother read aloud but I followed her reading of each word with my own eyes at the same time. The Letter read...

"Dear Mrs Flash

I write this too you with every sense of pride and joy to inform you of your eldest son's accomplishments in the Royal Guard. Your son Storm Flash who joined the Royal Guard nine years ago has been doing great! We are sorry we couldn't notify any more often than this. His training is that of brilliant!

He has made top of his class. He has now been permanently promoted and assigned to one of our best Special Ops Teams. Due to official and stated military standards we can NOT tell you much about your sons new deployment. His team is made up of his fellow comrades and his leader who you shall write too if there is any questions or queries. His leader also owns her own personal fame and title here in Canterlot. Major Thunder Hooves has proven more than just pure skill in her efforts.

Your Sons appointed team:

First Class Corporal Storm Flash. Staff Sargeant Night Warrior.  Second Leutenent Krom Starheart.  Corporal Cherry Hollow. Major Thunder Hooves.

It is an honour to write to an elder of such great talent. Your son did not have any personal input in this message.

Your's Sincerley

Shining Armour"

We both sat staring at the letter we had both read.

"My brother? A letter about my brother? Neither me, you or father have heard any news from or about him in nine years! But now this Shining Armour writes to us to say how much a wonderful job his doing!?" I shouted in rage as I jumped to my hooves.

"Darling please calm down."

"Calm?! He left us! I don't give a damn about his promotion! O-Or about his new leader! Who are these Shining Armour and Thunder Hooves!? If their so great then why don't they come say this to our faces!"

"I know your brother leaving was hard on you. It was rough on all of us. You just need to realise he wanted to pursue his dreams and obviously didn't realise it would hurt you so much."

"I need some air." I said as I left the room and walked outside. My mother was obviously not as effected by this as me. Or she didn't seem it anyway.  I walked down the road into town and was passed by quite a few different ponies but I didn't pay much attention to their doings.

"Storm Flash. The strong and royal Storm Flash. My brother fighting for Celestia and all of us..." I whispered to my self walking further into town.

Deep inside I know I still love him. His my brother and nothing could change that. Just...just when he left...I was so young. I barely understood why and how he just left. I never remember him packing a few days before or telling each time in the garden when he played with me how he was gonna be strong and royal.

It was all quite hidden to me. I knew he loved the guards and military but didn't realise that he could so simply leave us for it. I barely remember what he looks like. Of what I can remember he has a grey coat and a bright cyan mane and tail. Of course he is taller than me but not much bigger in weight.

I was abruptly stopped in thought by the sights of a stallion pegasus in Royal Armour. He stood patiently outside the towns pet shop. His eyes were glued on the many cats in the shops window. This was weird. A random Royal Guard in the middle of Trottingham? And after our sudden letter? Could they be connected?

The stallion sighed and turned around to see the friendly cluster of ponies heading to work. His eyes briefly looked over me and than sharply locked on to my own. He trotted towards to me and stopped dead still in front of me. He saluted and stood proud. His coat was as white as snow and his mane and tail as black as night. I couldn't see his cutie mark because of his armour.

"Hello there fellow stallion!" The armoured up stallion said still standing patiently.

"Uh. Hello?"

"My name is Night Warrior and I am looking for the relatives of a certain pony."

"Night Warrior? You're looking for Storm's family aren't you?"

"Yes! Did you receive the letter than?"

"How do you know who I am?"

"Please answer my question."

"FIne yes we got it!"

"Good. I was ordered to check on Storm's family to make sure they got the good news. I was shown your Equestrian record so I knew who I was looking for!"

"Why couldn't Storm come see us himself?"

"Im sorry but he is busy with special training with the Major. She takes each session of combat training very seriously. Such an honour to work with!" Night Warrior replied looking into the sky with pride in his eyes. This major sure did sound important but I still didn't care for her or my brothers squad much.

"Well my task has been fulfilled! Nice to meet you!"

"Ditto. One last thing before you go."

"Yes?"

"T...T-Take care of my brother will you? He's my only sibling you know."

"It will be my honour to protect and serve him. I promise to fight any harm that comes our way! Farewell!" Night Warrior hovered and flew off into the distance.

I think it was about time I returned home.