The Life Of Lightning Flash

                                                                                     Chapter Sixteen

Another hot summers day in Trottingham. The birds were chirping away, the shops had just begun to open and most ponies had awoke to Celestia's wonderful sun.

Lightning Flash lay asleep in his bed, snoozing away. Curled up under his blankets and covers, only his head was visible.

In recent news around Equestria a short to be dispute had broke out between Celestia and a city of Griffons. Not many ponies knew the whole story but most of them feared for the worst. All of Celestia's royal guards were being forced to prepare themselves for any city attack. Wherever it may be.

A loud thud of metal hitting the floor downstairs had woken Lightning from his lay in. Although being woken up and not sure of the noise Lightning climbed out of his bed and stretched.

"Ahhh that was a nice sleep." Lightning said to himself.

The sun shun brightly through his bedroom window lighting up most of his room.

"Better go say morning to mum and dad!" He  said again to himself before opening his bedroom door and reaching the stairs.

"You can't stop me!" A familiar voice shouted with rage downstairs.

"Your my son! Your my responsibilty! I say you can't do THIS!" Lightnings father Crimson Flash replied in equal anger.

Lightning was confused of what they could be so angry about. He rushed downstairs and hoped it was just over some spilt milk or something. As Lightning reached the bottom of the stairs he instantly saw his mum standing in the hallway. In front of her was a bag spilling with armor plating. That was the loud thud explained.

On the other side of the bag stood Crimson and Storm Flash. They both stood exactly opposite each other and glared into each others eyes with rage.

Lightning had no idea of the situation. He thought they must have been arguing over something pointless. He hoped. He'd never seen his family argue much before.

"Morning mum, dad and big brother!" Said Lightning putting a smile on his face.

Penny Flash Lightning's mother turned to him as he spoke. She leapt to his side and pulled him close.

"Hey mum! Can I have a dri-" "Not now Lightning!" Penny interrupted him snapping her eyes towards his and looking deeply into them. Lightning felt he shouldn't respond and just looked back to his father.

Crimson and Storm had noticed Lightning's arrival but were too caught up in their dispute to stop.

"Stop being a selfish brat who only cares to fight and realise that your family is more important than slaying some Griffon!" Shouted Crimson.

"How about you stop taking control of MY LIFE!" Replied Storm stepping a hoof closer to Crimson.

"So you'd rather take a sword and chestplate over us eh?"

"DONT YOU DARE TWIST MY WORDS!"

"I'm not. You're just thinking for yourself! Look at your little brother. He loves you! WE ALL LOVE YOU!"

Storm turned to Lightning who was now being hidden away by his mother. He saw the fear in Lightning's face and sighed.

He turned back to Crimson. "You never had a dream! YOU NEVER HAD SOMETHING TO FOLLOW!"

"For your information I do! All I care about is my FAMILY! I gave up so much just to be able to care for you."

"You should be happy for me to chase my dreams! Let me live MY OWN LIFE!" Storm Flash stepped even closer shouting straight into Crimson's face even splurting some saliva onto his cheeks.

"Fine then! You're obviously to damn stubborn to realise what's around you!"

"I don't need you to lead my life!"

"Both of you stop this! This isn't you!" Penny had broken out into tears interrupting their argument."For me and Lightning! JUST STOP!"

Lighting stood terrified at the familiar faces around him. Except they weren't the same as he remembered.

Storm turned his back on Crimson and picked up his bag filled with armour."Equestria needs me. I want to fight to protect you. Now I know there's nothing to protect here." He turned back to Lightning's father. Crimson wanted to cry but held back any tears trying to break through.

"Your a fool son. You'll lose all those close to you by doing this."

"I'll gain everything I've ever wanted by fighting."

"When one has lost everything...all he can do is gain something."

"You served your time father. Let me serve mine."

"Don't you at all realise what you're letting go off!?"

"Only the things that don't share the passion for a dream."

Lightning shed a few tears. He still wasn't sure what was going on. The seven year old stallion had barely heard of this new war. He knew his brother loved the royal guard. He thought he knew how much his brother loved him. Not enough to stay though. All young Lightning could do was stand and watch in fear and confusion.

"There's no stopping you is there?" Asked Crimson.

"You can't stop what is meant to be father." Said Storm heading towards the front door.

"I can damn well prevent it!" Replied Crimson jumping in front of Storm stopping him from going any further.

"Don't make this harder for yourself father."

"You've already made it more difficult than it has to be."

"Move father."

"No. I'm not letting my son throw his life away just because of a RIDICULOUS GOVERMENT DISPUTE!"

"MOVE!" Storm Flash's shout bellowed through the house as he smacked Crimson round the left side of his face with a hoof. Knocking him aside slightly.

"DAD!" Shouted Lightning breaking his mother's hold and running to his father's aid.

"No Lightning!" Crimson waved Lightning off as his mother joined him. The two of them stopped dead in the hallway.

"Storm......you are NOT my son anymore."

"Then it won't matter if I take this." Replied Storm pulling out a dagger made of dragon bone from his bag..

"Take it. I have no need for that vile weapon."

Storm walked closer to the door ready to leave. Lightning Flash ran up behind him and tugged at his tail. "Brother! Please don't leave!"

"I must little brother. For I must follow my path and road in life."

"BUT I LOVE YOU!" Lightning burst into tears and wrapped himself around Storms legs.

Storm gave out a quiet sigh and gently pushed Lightning off of his leg."Lightning. Listen to me okay?" Storm wiped away a tear from Lightning's face.

"O-O-Okay."

"One day you'll find something you'll do just about anything to keep and get. Then you'll know how I feel. I'm so-....goodbye lightning. This isn't your fight and isn't your problem."

"BUT YOU CAN'T LEAVE! You're my big brother..." Lightning fell back onto his rump sobbing.

"I must. Another day. Another meet brother." Those were Storm Flash's last words inside that house. He walked a few metres outside and then flew towards the town centre. He was gone.

Crimson stood brusied and finally let out his tears. Penny stood hugging him. Them both standing in their own tears. Lightning sat nearer the door staring outside just hoping his brother would run back inside and change his mind.

As Lightning Flash sat crying and hiding his face with his hooves, the world around him began to quickly turn black and cloudy. Everything began to spin and twist. He lost sight of his parents and his home. Until suddenly everything turned black.

Lightning closed his eyes. His scarred soaking eyes to never be rested again.

"Gaaaaah!" Shrieked Lightning rising from his bed and sitting up straight. He breathed heavily in panic. He looked around him to see his and Rainbow Dash's bedroom. Dash layed curled up beside him. She layed so perfectly in a deep sleep.

Lightning breathed heavily taking in his surroundings."It was only a dream...."

I turned to Rainbow Dash who began to wriggle in her sleep. Then just then I realised what my brother meant that day.

"One day you'll find something you'll do just about anything to keep and get. Then you'll know how I feel." I found it.

"It's you Rainbow Dash. It was always you. You are everything I need and love. My strength in flying, my reason to impress, my little Dashie to hold onto. I'd do anything for ya Dash....just to see you smile."

I fell back into my bed, resting my aching head onto my soft pillow and closing my eyes once more.

"Get some sleep Light. You deserve it." Dash whispered into my ear as she kissed me on the cheek.

She heard me say that. I'm glad she did.

It was too early in the morning to stay awake. I'd never had that memory come to me in a dream before. But it helped me remember and realise a few things. I didn't forgive my brother nonetheless. I just understood him better.

Next morning  I woke to the sight of Dash sitting up beside me fiddiling with a small jellewery box.

"Morning sleepyhead."

"Morning. What's that?"

"You tell me?" Dash shut the box and handed it over to me. Now holding it I could recognise it perfectly. This was the box with my fathers medal in it!

"Why do you have this?"

"I knew it was yours but...I..with the way you've been acting and what you've been through lately. I just wanted to help."

"It's ok Dashie." I replied hugging her quickly before opening the box to see my fathers medal. Taking out the medal and handing it to Dash who quickly became intrigued with it, I noticed a small piece of paper fall out of one of the flaps of felt round the trim of the box. The piece of paper had been folded many times.

"Hm?" Never noticed this before." I said gently picking up the piece of paper out of the box.

"This is so cool! Do ya mind if I?" Asked Dash holding the medal by the ribbon and jesturing it towards her neck.

"Wha? Oh sure! Go ahead!"

"Sweet!" Dash threw the ribbon over her head and stood up on the bed in a proud stance. Her head high and saluted towards the window. "Heheh! Whats that Lightning?" Dash turned back to me as I unravellled the paper.

"Let's find out." Once unfolded one side of the paper was covered in writing. The note said...

"Dear Lightning and Storm Flash

Whenever you may read this you have obviously by now known of my medal and why I was awarded it. Of course by now you have earned the right to know of my past and the Aviators Flight Medal but there is one other item of my past. One I wish neither of you to hold.

The Dagger Of Nahkriin it is called.

While in my battles against the Dragons me and my squad went to investigate an abandoned dungeon that once belonged to some Dragons. While in the dungeon we found a dagger made completely out of Dragon Bone and only that. It was more sharp than any of our swords and more durable and strong than our armor. Ingraved in the side of it's handle it read "Nahkriin" which in dragon's tongue translates "Revenge."

We soon found out that holding onto that dagger was a terrible idea. Upon leaving the abandoned dungeon we were attacked by a lone Dragon. It killed two of my squad mates and another was injured. One of them had been holding the dagger so with him defeated I took it instead and managed to slay the dragon with it. Don't worry how but all you need to know is that whoever wields that dagger will cause revenge to strike ones heart, whether its theirs or another pony's.

I wish that neither of you shall ever rest your hooves upon it.

Your's lovingly and forever your father

Crimson Flash"

"That was it then" I said remembering the dagger in my dream. The same one Storm took before he left.

"What was what?" Asked Rainbow Dash sitting back down beside me.

"In my dream last night I...lived that day when my brother left but seeing it a second time made me realise a few things. One of them being a dagger he took with him before he left. In this note..my father he says about it." I had already told Dash about the day my brother left in quite deep detail.

"Ya mean the one about revenge? The Dagger of um..what was it called again?"

"Nahkriin. The Dagger of Nahkriin." I replied looking back to the note for revision.

"Yeah. What did Crimson mean by that do ya think?"

"Not sure. Obviously something bad. I just hope it doesn't involve me..or Storm."

"Well that's another problem for another time right?"

"Yeah. Another Problem. Another Time."

So that was that I guess. Quite a busy few days! Saw my mother and got a letter about my brother, went to the beach with everypony and had a nightmare visit my dreams. Although I began to feel like crap through it all apart from the beach I still learned some stuff. The dagger and how my brother felt.

The summer holidays felt long to pass even though we had a ton of fun! Most days we just chilled about, Fluttershy , Hemlock and Kensei did their usual stuff with animals. Me, Rainbow and Speedy flew and raced as always! We even got to go to a Wonderbolts show! Like the rest of their shows it was amazing! But probably nothing you ain't heard of before!

School eventually came back into our lives just like every other year. No big difference. Our timetables got changed quite a bit, new teachers and students arrived. We were now in our second to last year at the academy so we got a few more teachers reminding us about that!

The cold winter finally wrapped us up in it's freezing toll. Another normal day at Wingbury, everypony was busy with their own weather duties.

Just finishing my first class after lunch I was on my way to see Xenon Draft before heading to my next lesson. Knocking on his office door I was quickly welcomed in by Xenon.

"Good afternoon Lightning. How can I help you?" Xenon said sitting behind his desk which was well organised despite the amount of papers.

"Oh nothing inparticular. Just came to say hi really!"

"Well thank you. Except I do have something to ask of you. A gift or trait you may inquire?"

"Gift? I know I'm awesome but-"

"For being a wonderful student and I think you deserve it." Said Xenon interrupting me politely.

"Thank you sir! What is this "Gift" though?"

"Well as a lot of ponies don't know. I am actually retiring for Hearth's Warming Eve."

"What!? But your not that old!"

Xenon Draft gave a low pitched chuckle and leaned back into his chair."Why thank you Lightning. I was going to announce it next week to everypony. Once I've retired I'm going to live in Canterlot. As an early check on my new living quarters I'm going visit the city next week and I know how you've never really got to see it's sites!"

"I really appreciate this sir!" I've always wanted to visit Canterlot. Hearing so much about it, the home of great ponies and the Princesses. I mean I've been there before but I've never actuallly explored the city!

"I thought it'd be nice as a goodbye gift to you. I'm also going to meet with an old friend. It will only be a day trip."

"Sounds awesome!"

"Hahaha! Good! Meet me at PonyVille's train station at nine o'clock on Tuesday. All your lessons on that day would be with me so. I don't think the substitute should mind! Hahaha!"

"Is anypony else coming?"

"Hmmm. Well because of the academy's policies and terms, I can't take too many ponies out of their certified education periods. You being lucky with your time table. Did you want to bring somepony?"

"Yeah. But if it's an issue than I understand."

"Rainbow Dash? You're thinking about her are you not?"

"Yeah."

"Well you do share the same timetable so." Xenon began to look through some of his papers he had already laid out on his desk."Ah! Hmmm. Oh now I remember."

"What is it?"

"Some of your class signed up for a Winter Wrap Up job for the coming of spring in PonyVille. Including Rainbow Dash and....FireSpeed. A couple others too. All of them need to pass an exam though I'm afraid. Meaning they won't be able to come either. Sorry."

"Oh right. That's ok I guess." I knew exactly what he was talking about. A while ago the academy asked who wanted to lead some groups of pegasai during PonyVille's Winter Wrap Up. ALl of them needed to pass an exam to prove they were ready though. It was written and practical based. I personally didn't wanna lead a group of my own.

"Would you still like to join me Lightning?"

"Of course! Can't wait!"

A couple days passed and Xenon announced to the entire academy on the Monday before our trip that he was retiring. Everypony immediatly felt sad. Well almost everypony. The newcomers had barely got to know him so he was merely a stranger. The rest of my friends were caught off guard by this. They all understood that he'd eventually have to go but none of us wanted him to.

It was Tuesday and I was ready to go to Canterlot! I didn't really need to take anything with me. I mean it was only for a day! Early in the morning I met with Xenon Draft at PonyVille's train station and we caught our train to Canterlot. Xenon Draft never liked a lot of discussion while travelling so we didn't talk much. He could tell that I was excited though!

At about eleven o'clock we made it to Canterlot. Upon brushing our hooves upon the city's station I was soon overwhelmed in it's glow of awe and fame. I mean I personally disliked most uptight and money loving ponies but that didn't stop me from staring speechlessly at their city.

"What's first Xenon!?" I exclaimed jumping in front of him.

"Whoa Lightning. Calm down. First I have to go check on my soon to be home. Than I've got to see a friend. Why don't you go explore the city a little while I go do my things?"

"Really!? Thanks!"

"Just be sure to meet me at BakesWorth Corner."

"Where's that?"

Xenon Draft pointed to a street corner on a sign next to us. A map of the city.

"Oh ok! See ya later!"

Xenon left the station and trotted off towards a street with dozens of houses on each side. I decided to follow the road in the opposite direction which seemed to lead into a market. I had no idea where I wanted to go, the whole city was a new experience to me!

Where to go first!? So many shops! So many buildings! ARGH!? I couldn't just stand around looking like some clueless stallion!

Swinging my head side to side to see the many different shops and buildings, I turned a corner and not realising another pony turning the same corner we collided into each other.

"CRASH"

"Argh!" I let out a yell of shock as I fell onto my back. Opposite me layed a mare unicorn. Her mane was perfectly flat and straight, tidely kept without a single hair poking out of place. Her tail was the exact same. Her coat was a light purple and her mane a dark purple with a single stroke of pink. In front of her layed a broken pile of books.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" The purple mare apologised as she climbed to her hooves. She walked over her books and towards me. I jumped up and regained my balance.

"No worries! I was too busy admiring theses sites so much I didn't notice you!" I said.

"Admiring the sites? You're new here aren't you?" The mare asked giving me a curious look.

"Yeah. Never really came by here before."

"Well Canterlot's a lovely city! I'd show you around but I'm extremely busy!"

"That's ok. Hey what's ya name?"

"Twilight Sparkle. Yours?" The mares eyes seemed to twitch a little as if she was in a rush.

"Lightning Flash."

"Well it was to meet you! I've really got to go though!" The purple mare quickly exchanged a look with our eyes before galloping off behind me further into the market.

"You too I guess. I wonder if all city ponies are like her?" I said to myself. I decided to head further into the streets busy with ponies. There were a lot of royal guards scattered around Canterlot. I'd never really been around a lot of soldiers before. I didn't want to.

I hadn't exactly created a list of things to do and places to see so I just went wherever seemed most interesting for a while.

I ended up visiting a few different shops and got a couple cupcakes at a bakery. I visited a shop that had merchandise on just about anything! Old Pony tales about heros and legends, sports and famous games!

They even sold Wonderbolt merchandise for fans! I saw a scarf decorated in the same colours as the Wonderbolt uniforms, blue and yellow. Thought I'd get it for Dash as a Hearth's Warming Eve gift. I also saw a Wonderbolts poster, even though we already had quite a few I decided to get it anyway! Heheh.

Now having nowhere else to go. Without getting lost anyway. I decided I should go meet up with Xenon, he never did say what time to see him either so I just hoped he was there.

After waiting for about ten minutes at BakesWorth Corner Xenon finally arrived.

"Ah I see you've been busy Lightning." Said Xenon Draft as he walked closer towards me until finally standing directly opposite me. His eyes focused on Rainbow's scarf poking out of my satchel.

"Heheh. Yeah! I found a pretty cool shop. What's next then?"

"Well that's about all I came here for. For today anyway. Ready to head back?"

"Yeah. It'd be nice to explore the city some more but...I have no idea where I'd be going!"

Xenon gave a low chuckle while raising his head in the air."Alrighty than! Let us head back."

While boarding our train home Xenon turned to me as we stood without an empty seat for us.

"I see you didn't get me a retirement gift Lightning?"

"There wasn't a scarf in ya size."