The Life Of Lightning Flash

                                                                                      Chapter Fifteen

While staying at my mother's for another few days nothing else interesting actually happened. That letter was the only change in my plan. It was great to see my mother again and I also got to see my aunt a little but she was swamped with business.

My last day in Trottingham and I spent it packing and then visitng the park with my mum. I told her about Night Warrior and we talked a little more about my brother. Apart from that we just had more small talk about CloudsDale and she gave me some basic life lessons which I had already heard before. Mothers can be over caring sometimes....

We returned and home and I got my things together and headed downstairs to say goodbye.

"Well mum I guess this is goodbye." I said laying down my bags in the hallway.

"Yes. I..I can't belive how much you've changed since you were younger." She replied wiping away a tear."I'm so proud of you."

"I know ya proud of me!..I'm gonna miss you mum. I always do."

"I'll miss you too honey." She replied pulling me tightly into a hug. This was expected of her to get so emotional.

"Uh mum I...kinda...can't...breath!"

"Oh sorry honey." She let go of me and wiped away another tear. "Oh before you go. I've got a little something for you."

"A gift? You didn't have to get me anything!"

"Yes I did!" She replied reaching into her bag sitting by her hooves where she stood. She pulled out a small flat wooden box no bigger than the base of her hoof.

"What's that?"

"Something that belonged to your father." She replied handing it to me. I carefully held it and layed it down on a small table beside us. I opened it slowly to find a medal. Pure gold in color augmented with gleaming blue sapphires. In the center were two wings over crossing each other.

"This is amazing! What's it for though?"

"As you know your father was an excellent flight teacher and tutor. What he barely told anypony was his other job." My mum stared at me and then the medal, focusing on the over crossed wings. "A few years after me and your father met he was drafted into the Royal Air Force. He was to serve Celestia and all her subjects. Unfortunately a brief and short war between ponies and dragons broke out. The war lasted only a year but took more than a few fighting souls."

I stared at her and the medal in amazement. I had heard of this war before but not much about it and definately not the fact that my father was involved in it!

"Your father saved a couple of his teamates in battle. Two of them were injured, one more than the other and his captain was out cold. Under constant attack from dragons he managed to carry one of the injured ponies along with his captain while assisting the other injured pegasus to fly beside him. Thanks to him they all made it safely back to base. Princess Celestia and his captain awarded him that medal themselves."

"Why'd he never tell me this?"

"He wanted to wait until your flying skills and capabilities were strong and to his level or better. Then this may encourage you to follow his path. Or just to show how much alike you both are!"

"I realised my proper flight strength when I went on that journey to find Storm Shadow. I never got to tell him what I did."

My mother walked closer to me and again hugged me. I shed but a few tears that soaked both into mine and her's coat.

"It's okay Lightning. I have a feeling he knows. I bet his watching over us right now."

"Yeah."

"It's your to keep. Whether you follow his path or not. We'll always be proud of you."

"Thanks mum." I hugged her even tighter now before letting go and putting the medal into my satchel.

"Goodbye honey."

"Bye mum. Love you."

"Love you too!"

I opened the door and smiled at my mum before flying off towards the train station. The only thing on my mind: What the hell was my dad doing in a damn war? That and how I couldn't wait to head home to my buddies!

Telling them about my father was sure gonna make them interested and jealous! About my brother though....they didn't need to know. Not all of them anyway.

The journey home was that of me sleeping through it all. Didn't take any longer than before and when I arrived back in PonyVille I headed straight to CloudsDale to meet the guys and gals. But where would they be waiting? Hmmmmm.

Kensei's always the one throwing the welcome back parties so I could visit his! Kensei lived in an apartment of his own with no roomates. He lived further away from my place and FireSpeed's, he always used our house's as a meeting point before school. Hemlock and Fluttershy had the longest journey to the academy though, them both living in and around PonyVille and all. Fluttershy had recently moved out of her home with her parents and into her own place. A tree that had been hollowed out, positioned just outside Everfree forest. Kinda ironic because she hated that place. No. Hate is the wrong word for her. Scared stiffless suits her better! Heheh.

Most of Kensei's neighbours were pretty active and lively for this time of the day. I entered the apartment block and knocked on his door and there was no reply. This seems to happen quite often to me apparently.

"Time to get a better view I guess." I said aloud to myself.

I left the block and flew up to his room's window and carefully peered in through the glass. He was busy playing some sort of music, no wonder he couldn't hear me! I went to knock on the window but was stopped by Fluttershy walking into the room. Fluttershy over somepony else's house? Quite weird. I could just about over hear their conversation as Kensei finished his music.

"What do you think of that one?" Kensei asked laying his instrument down on the floor while he sat on his bed.

"That was beautiful! J-Just like all of your music." Fluttershy replied sitting closely beside him.

"Heheh. Thanks." Kensei bagan to blush a little at her comment. "Sooooo. What do you wanna do now?"

"Uh...um. I..I'm not sure." Fluttershy edged ever so carefully closer to Kensei as they stayed sitting. I don't think he completley noticed. But then again he probably didn't wanna make her feel nervous by obviously seeing it and letting her know.

"Well...we could go chill with the others? Before Lightning comes back?" Kensei asked.

"Oh..c-could we...stay here? If y-you don't mind that is?"

"Oh! Uh..of course not!"

I could see the tension building, both them becoming more and more nervous but yet still wanting this. To be alone together like this well thinking they were alone that is! No matter how awkward or slow their time went. Should I leave and let them be? Or maybe hang out with them to break the ice?

"Um well..." Said Kensei looking around his room for something to do.

Damn it Kensei! Just kiss her! Hug her! DO SOMETHING!!! I could see Fluttershy wanted something to happen but they were both so nervous and quite unaware of each others true feelings for each other to do anything. Screw it I had to do something!

I leaped backwards and higher into the air. I steadied myself for an "IceBreaker." I had to see them but I couldn't make it seem as if I could have been watching. In a sudden thrust I bolted forward and downwards into and through Kensei's window. Luckily I didn't smash it because it was already partially open. I crash landed straight onto Kensei's bedroom floor. The two of them jumped further back onto his bed landing by his pillows.

"What the hay!?" Yelled Kensei quickly standing to attention but then realising the scared half to death Fluttershy sheltering under the bed quilt. In a blink of an eye he appeared beside her and nuzzled her mane. She raised her head from behind the bed quilt and soon noticed it was only me. She quickly restored her sense's and stood between me and Kensei.

Even if it was as small as nuzzling her mane it still counted. It proved that if needed to, Kensei would be there to comfort Fluttershy in a second! Whether he realised his quick response or not.

"Uh..Hey! What's up!?" I asked standing to my hooves.

"Well obviously not you. Not anymore." Replied Kensei looking at both me and then the window.

"Haha. So funny!"

"So! Have a nice trip?" Asked Kensei sitting back down on his bed.

"Sure did!" I replied as Fluttershy sat back down beside Kensei again.

"Good to hear buddy! Flutters and I were just discussing our trip to the beach!"

"Oh yeah! Can't forget about that! Well I'd better go see the others and leave you two alone."

"W..Wait." Said Fluttershy standing up. "Why don't we all go?"

"Um..ok!" I replied. I was expecting them to stay and want to hang out together alone. Guess not. Well I was just glad they both seemed happy together! Even though they both couldn't realise the other one is in love with them!

We all left Kensei's place and decided to head to go chill on some clouds above PonyVille. Hopefully we'd bump into the others and if not. We would just relax! Reaching the cloud we just sat, chatted and eventually we all decided to have a nap.

My eyes twitching with the over looking sun above us I saw a certain cyan pegasus standing over me.

"What's up?" Rainbow Dash asked now shading me from the suns bright rays.

"Hi! Just looking for ya."

"Really? Then it looks like your napping on the job to me!"

"Meh. I found ya didn't I?"

"Uh no. Other way around Flash?"

"Nice to see you too." I stood, stretched and spread my wings.

"Heheh. Glad ya back!" Replied Dash hugging me quickly.

"Hey you found them!" There was a distant shout which seemed to be coming from a shaded sillouhette diving through the clouds.

"Speedy!" Shouted Kensei.

FireSpeed gracefully landed right between the four of us splitting us into two. "Hey guys!"

"Hey Speeds." I replied.

"Soooo. You gonna keep us in the dark all day?" Asked Dashie laying back into a cloud.

"Na! That'd be boring." I replied sitting opposite her while Kensei and Fluttershy sat beside each other next to Rainbow. FireSpeed stayed hovering above us slightly. Wtih everypony gathered except Hemock that was, I shared by short journey and tale with them. Not the part about my brother though that is. They were almost as shocked as I was when I mentioned my father and his medal. FireSpeed said that a relative of his mentioned something about a pegasus saving his team in that war.

After a quick recap of the weeks events the others not including Dash and me went to see Hem and tell him all about it!

Me and Dash wanted to go for a quick fly by of PonyVille while the others headed off. Not for any reason exactly just for fun like we usually did.

We casually and calmly flew over Sweet Apple Acres, mostly just for it's pretty good view! We didn't always talk much as we flew, unless one of us wanted to race. Looking down below I could see AppleJack's barn with its worn away dark red paint. Looking more closely I could see her taking buckets bellowing with apples inside the barn.

"Hey there's AJ!" I shouted quickly changing course in our flight to dive down towards her. Dash came to an abrupt stop and gave a curious eye at me before following.

"What's up AJ!" I asked landing behind her as she went to grab another bucket.

"Huh?" AppleJack spun round dropping the bucket on the ground. "Oh hi there sugarcube!"

"Hey AppleJack! Seem busy as usual!"

"Sure am! Holidays don't come into question with apples!"

"Heheh. True Dat!"

Rainbow Dash stopped and hovered beside me.

"So what brings ya back here Lightning?" Asked AJ.

"Me and Dash were just cruising around PonyVille and I thought I'd come say hi!"

"Well that's mighty kind of ya! But I got a heap of work to do!"

"That's cool. Maybe we can help?" I asked while Dash still stared at AJ.

"Uuhhh" AppleJack looked at Dash and than back at me."Nah. Thanks though! You and Rainbow Dash have a fine day now ya hear!"

"Will do! Let's go Dashie!" I spread my wings and joined Dash in the air before flying off towards PonyVille.

"You ok Dash? Been a little quiet." I asked as we casually glided through the hot summer air.

"Yea. Well. I  gotta tell you something."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"While you were away I got a visit from Ditzy delivering me a letter. Except the letter was for you."

"Oh. Wait did you read it?"

"Uh...um. Yeah." Dash smirked as she turned to me.

"Bloody Cheek."

"Well inside there were two seperate letters."

"Was one of them from somepony called Shining Armour?"

"Uh yeah! How'd ya know that!?"

"My mum got the same letter. Only one though. What was the other?"

"Well I kinda only read the first one. I saw who wrote the other one and didn't read it.....much. Heh."

"Dash. Who wrote it?"

"You'll see when we get back."

We flew home at our current speed. Sitting in the living room I read the first letter with Dash. The royal guard letter was no different from my mothers except from the fact that they were addressing me and not her. I carefully unravelled the second letter which was quite crinkled thanks to Rainbow. I read without a sound but I knew Dash was reading it too...

"Dear Lightning

By now I expect you've got the letter about my promotion. I don't expect you to be very interested either. I know we've had no contact with each other what's so ever and I can't help that. With me being busy and duties calling I ask you one favor.

Take care of mother for me. I worry for you and her both. Even though I'm the one with weapons.

It's best you don't reply to this. Another day brother. Another meet.

Your Brother Storm Flash."

I sat without a word escaping my lips but a thousand thoughts race through my mind.

"Lightning?" Dash asked turning to me and waiting patiently for a response.

"Hey Flashie! Snap outa this wierd meditation mode!"

"My brother.."

"Yes. I..."

"Sorry Dash but...this is all happening pretty fast. My brother being promoted, a visit to my mother's place and now Storm writing to me?" I also added but muttered under my breath so Dash didn't hear.."And my house belonging to some tight git."

"He didn't even say sorry."

"Doesn't surprise me....and about the favor."

"Yeah?"

"He asks me to look after our mum as if I wouldn't in the first place! If he's so worried about us than why doesn't he come see me himself!!!" My eyes began to tear up at my words. Rainbow Dash leaned against me and than grabbed me in a hug.

"I'm so sorry Lightning...I wish there was something I could do."

Those words. The same words that breached from within her lips that same night my father died. The repeating of her words showed she didn't know how I felt. She still cared nonetheless.

"My mother left me as you know. I still see her and write to her. I've never known a sibling to be so damn selfish!"

"I don't want to meet him. His life has changed, a life without me. My life has changed, a life without him."

"Can't blame ya."

I rested back into Dash's hold over me. It was quite late now so sleep was my new thought. Closing my moist and tearful eyes, I fell into a calm state of sleep.

"So have you got everything packed yet?" A familiar voice spoke not too distant from my ears as I slowly awoke but keeping my eyes shut and my body still.

"Almost. My stuff anyway!" Rainbow Dash's voice replyed.

"He was obviouslly really tired!"

"Yeah! He just fell asleep there last night."

My eyes still closed I could only hear the changing conversation which seemed to be in the same room as me. I couldn't be bothered to open my eyes just yet so I stayed listening.

"What's this?"

"Huh? No! Don't touch that!" Rainbow Dash yelled followed by the sound of a short barrage of hooves running across the floor.

"Hey ok! Jeez. It's only a letter."

"To you it is.......not to him."

Those words made me open my eyes. I opened both eyelids simultaneously and turned my head to the side to peer over at Dash and Hemlock. They both stood by the room's center table and hadn't noticed me just yet.

"What's it about? If you don't mind me asking."

"Nothing."

"Is it his brother?"

"What!? H-How do you know about his bro!?"

"I only know what his told me. He doesn't only tell you ya know!"

"What do you know?"

"That his brother left him years ago. Heartbroken ever since. Poor Lightning."

I jumped off of the sofa, throwing a blanket Dash had put over me flying to the floor and next to the two of them.

"Flashie!" Dash squeed at my awakening.

"I never told you that Hem! How the hell did ya find out!?"

"Oh....well....Your father told me."

"What?" Asked me and Dash in perfect synchronisation.

"Yes your father told me one day while I visited your...old place. You seemed sad that day but for another reason. I asked Crimson what really made you sad sometimes. So I could help you and he told me about Stor..your brother." Hemlock replied.

"Alrigthy than..I guess." I replied.

"Do you mind if I read the letter?"

"Go ahead." I handed over both letters which Dash had put beside me.

"Thanks. I just wanna help."

Hemlock took only a couple of minutes to read and comprehend both letters.

"Ahh I see. I'm sorry Lightning." Said Hem raising his face from the letters.

"Don't be. Now what was this packing you two were talking about?" I asked looking between the both of them.

"Oh. I was just asking Rainbow if you and her have got all ya stuff packed for today?"

"Stuff packed? Today? What for?"

"Crap we didn't tell him it got changed did we?" Said Hemlock turning to Dash.

"I was gonna tell him last night but....you know." Replied Dash pointing at the letters that were now laid on the table.

"WHAT!?"

"The beach trip. We're going today." Hemlock finally said.

"What? I thought we were going in a few days?"

"Well we thought it'd be a nice treat after you returned from your mothers. I think you need it too." Replied Hemlock.

"Uh. Yeah I guess. But I haven't packed."

"Don't worry Lightning I've already done some of yours!" Kensei's voice bellowed down the stairs.

"Is everypony here?" I asked looking towards the stairs to see Kensei Coal trott down them.

"Uh no. Just us!" Replied Hemlock.

"Got everything packed for ya!" Kensei exclaimed as he walked in and stood beside me.

"Thanks." I replied. There wasn't much of my own stuff to take really. Just towels, hat and sun cream. The others were probably gonna bring other things such as food and just usual beach gear like a floating donut or a beach ball! Probably on Kensei's list!

"Alright then. Now that we're all packed we should go meet Fluttershy and FireSpeed!" Said Hemlock grabbing his satchel from beside him.

"But I haven't even had breakfast!" I shouted.

"We got sandwiches! Now lets go!" Replied Dash rushing to the door.

"Fine." I replied following her, Hem and Kensei as I grabbed my satchel.

We all flew to FireSpeed's house to meet up with him first but as we approached his house Kensei stopped us for a second..

"What is it Kensei?" I asked as he halted us all to a stop.

"You guys go see FireSpeed. I'm gonna go straight to Fluttershy's place. I'll meet ya there!" Replied Kensei flying off in the other direction.

"That boy sure does like seeing Fluttershy. If I wasn't the wiser I'd say he has a crush on her!" Hemlock exclaimed as we carried on towards Speedy's place.

"Heh. Maybe." Replied Dash.

"You know something I don't?" Asked Hemlock.

"My lips are sealed. Anyway you know telling someponies secret is the fastest way to lose a friend!" Added Dashie with a grin.

"Forever." I added. We reached Speedy's house and saw him standing on his porch waiting for us.

"You guys ready?" Asked FireSpeed.

"Yup!" Replied Dash.

"Let's go then. To Fluttershy's!" Replied FireSpeed dashing off ahead. We all followed and met the other two there. Hemlock quickly went to get Drakantus while we headed to the towns train station and met up with him again.

Catching or train we headed to our designated beach! None of us had ever been theree before but FireSpeed had heard good things about it. The beach was just about 10 miles South of PonyVille. It took us a few hours to get there but that wasn't much of a problem when we were all so excited!

Our train journey was drawing to an end as we came close to the seaside.

"Let's see here." Said Kensei standing from his seat beside Fluttershy and opposite me and Dash. FireSpeed and

Hemlock sat across the isle with Drakantus beside Hem.

"Beachball. Check!" Said Kensei pulling out a beachball from underneath the table.

"Heheheh." Dash and Fluttershy both giggled.

"Camera. Check!" Said Kensei again now pulling out a camera and throwing the strap over his head.

"Parasol. Check!" Added Hem placing a folded up parasol onto the small table between him and Speedy.

"Dohnut. Check!" Shouted FireSpeed waving about a deflated floating dohnut ring. "Well kinda!" It was a good thing there weren't any other ponies aboard our carriage anymore otherwise we would of got moaned at for being so noisy.

"Boombox. Check!" Added Kensei placing a boombox onto our table.

"Everypony's got their own stuff too right?" Asked Hemlock.

"Yup!" We all said in perfect sychronisation.

"Now stopping at Wingthrop Beach." A mares voice sounded through the sirens scattered throughout the train.

"Finally!"Exclaimed FireSpeed jumping out of his seat.

Everypony got out and onto the train stations platform. We were here! The train station was surrounded by a pure yellow sand whch stretched on for miles! The water was reasonably close and there were no other buildings in site except from an outhouse next  to the station and a drinks hut near the water.

"Wow! It's beautiful!" Hemlock and Fluttershy shouted exactly in time with each other.

"Heheh. This is pretty sweet!" Added FireSpeed. We all stood admiring the gorgeous beach to it's every last sight.

"Hey lets chill over there!" Said Kensei walking over to a flat plot of sand. Hemlock followed, unfolded the parasol and stabbed it into the sand.

"Ahhhhh now this is it!" Said Kensei placing a towel on the sand before falling back first onto it."The life!" He placed his boombox next to him and played a wicked party tune. Fluttershy layed down beside him on her own towel.

"Last pony in the water is a Fluttershy!" Shouted Dashie as she jumped into the air and zoomed off towards the water. Me, FireSpeed and Hemlock raced her to it. While the other two stayed chilling.

"She's so mean." Kensei said turning to Fluttershy.

We were all even and tied at our speeds until Dash bolted ahead suddenly and dived into the water. "Geronimo!" Were her last words before going completely underwater.

The three of us jumped in straight afterwards and Drakantus dashed over to join us.

"Yeah! This is SO AWESOME!" I exclaimed splashing about beside the other three as Dash resurfaced and splashed me back.

Drake threw himself into the water beside Hem."Haha! Cooling ain't it Drake!"

"Whoof!"

Hey guys! Check this out!" Shouted FireSpeed leaping out of the water and into the air.

"DIVE! DIVE! DIVE!" We all shouted staring up at him.

"Whatcha think I was gonna do!?" He replied before diving back down into the water creating an explosion of water.

"Woah!"

"Whoo!" FireSpeed quickly resurfaced."That was epic!"

"Hey Kensei! Fluttershy! Come on in!" Yelled Rainbow Dash waving to the other two.

"Maybe in a mo!" Replied Kensei before turning back to Fluttershy.

"Don't make me drag you in here!" I shouted to them.

Kensei carried on with his conversation for a couple more seconds before standing up, grabbing the inflatable dohnut. (Which was now inflated!) and sprinting over. "You asked for it!" Jumping into the water with a canonball and once again causing us all to get splashed!

"Come on Fluttershy!" Yelled Dash while she grabbed the dohnut and jumped into it.

"Uh...well." We could just about hear Fluttershy.

"COME ON!" Both Speedy and me shouted.

"Ummm." She sat up unsure.

"Argh!" I jumped out of the water and into the air before flying to her side. "Come on Fluttershy!" I grabbed her by her forelegs and carried her as I hovered over to the overs.

"But I hardly swim!" Fluttershy screamed struggeling against my hold.

"Ready to get wet!?" I dangled her over the clear blue water below as she closed her eyes bracing herself for the splash. I let her go and watched as she gave out a quick scream before entering the water beside Kensei.

"Bahahahahahaha!" Dash broke out laughing and accidently fell out of the floating dohnut.

"Hahaha! Serves ya right Dash!" Said Kensei.

Dash spat out some water and shook her head clearing out her ears of water."Hey it was Lightning who dropped her!"

"Eheheh."

Kensei leaped up underneath me and grabbed onto my tail with his teeth pullin me down into the water.

"G'aahhhh!" I yelled plummeting under the water and quickly getting above surface."Not cool bro. Not cool."

"Hahaha!"

FireSpeed and Hemliock began to wrestle over the dohnut while Dash played with Drake.  While me and Kensei continued to pull each other under the water, Fluttershy climbed outa the water and returned to our spot.

The rest of the day was awesome! We spent hours in the water just screwing around and constantly wrestling each other through the waves. Kensei kept the "Dry party" going with his large selection of music which he made himself. We stayed there for most of the day and caught our train home round about seven o'clock. For once I'm glad nothing outa the blue happened, I just wanted a nice day at the beach without any odd surprises!

The train ride home wasn't  exactly very comparable to the day in excitement. Everypony was pretty tired as usual! Kensei's boombox still had some juice in it so he pumped up some tunes on the way home.

Arriving back at PonyVille we all headed straight home. We all walked back to Fluttershy's place and said goodbye before heading to CloudsDale and Hem and Drake heading to their tree!

I was glad to finally get home and was looking forward to a goodnights rest in my own bed for once. Me and Rainbow quickly unpacked our things before having a snack and drink and heading to bed.

I felt happy and glad today went so well but my mind was filled with many other thoughts. With Dashie curled up beside me on our bed I let my eyelids droop shut.

With todays excitement now gone and experienced the thought of my brother came back into my head. I didn't bother to think much of it. I couldn't! My head needed sleep.

Thinking anymore about it and I'd probably awake more anger.......or worse.