The Life Of Lightning Flash

                                                                                         Chapter Nineteen

"Well that lesson went terribly." Said FireSpeed as we left our classroom.

"Isn't anything with Skyline terrible?" Replied Dash walking  inbetween me and FireSpeed.

"True that." I added.

The three of us had just finished yet another lesson with Skyline and as usual there were disputes and disagreements. Ever since our first lesson with her four months ago when FireSpeed got his cutie mark, she had always hated us and vice versa.

Todays lesson had somehow brought up the topic of our future in careers. I think Blossom Forth brought it up but that doesn't matter. Skyline asked each pony what they wanted to do as a career. A lot of us varied in our choices with a few pegasai not having a chosen future.

FireSpeed mentioned how he wanted to join Spitfire in the Wonderbolts and of course me and Dashie agreed! Apart from our cutie marks and abilties in flight, our career choice was the only other big thing we had in common.

Skyline said how the Wonderbolts are famous, skilled and amazing but we shouldn't depend on that as a career. Apparently you need to be the best of the best to join them. Obviously we all knew that! I mean it couldn't be that difficult for us to join once we were old enough. We all practically had our tickets in already!

FireSpeed and Rainbow Dash could break the sound barrier along with leaving quite the evidence to prove their skill. I could break the light barrier! Plus we all knew more about the Wonderbolts than almost possible without being one!

With Skyline being the inconsiderate mare she is, she constantly went on and on about how we may never even get the chance to prove our skill to them. Dash brought up the fact that she had already proved some of her skill to them when she saved my life. Except she didn't mention the part where I could of died. We both knew Skyline would of used that as a point against my skill in flight.

"Ya know we still gotta wait quite a few years before we could join the Wonderbolts. Even then we'd still have to wait until we get the chance to prove to them our skills." Said FireSpeed as we put away our books and classroom equipment away in our lockers.

"Whatcha getting at Speedy?" I asked.

"I'm saying that maybe we should all look for a job until we do join the Wonderbolts."

"Like what?" Said Dash.

"Well we did all do work experience! Maybe we could get a real job at our placements!?" Replied FireSpeed.

"True. But do ya really wanna work as a teacher when ya not even 18?" I said.

"Well not really. But I'm not completely sure what I want to do until we reach the Wonderbolts!" Replied FireSpeed.

The academy's bell rang meaning that all of today's lessons were over and it was time to head home. Every single classroom emptied of ponies almost instantly as every single pegasus begun to leave the academy to head home for the weekend.

"Ya know Speedy's got a point. We should get a job soon. I know my mum has constantly nagged me about it." I said as me and Rainbow Dash left the academy after saying our goodbyes to FireSpeed and the others.

"Yeah but where?"

"Hmmm. Didn't ya make friends with that mare in the Weather Factory?"

"Clockwork Thunder? Yeah we're pals!"

"Well why don't we ask her for a job at the factory?"

"Yeah! We should totally do that!"

"Tomorrow than?"

"Yup!" Replied Dash brohoofing me.

So it was settled. Me and Rainbow would head to the Weather Factory tomorrow and see Clockwork Thunder. Who I had never actually met before.

A good nights sleep was had after just chilling with the pals last night. The morning came bright, warm and glorious as usual!

Me and Dash got ourselves ready and awake early and left home to head to the factory. We didn't need to take anything of our own with us. Usually a pony may need a CV or certificate to get a job but because Dash had already worked there and us both having relations to weather based abilities, we wouldn't need them!

"So what's this Clockwork Thunder like Dashie?" I asked as we flew closer and closer to the factory.

"She's super cool! Speaks kinda weird though."

"What do ya mean?"

"Well she has this weird old fashioned way of speaking. Almost posh but her attitude isn't."

"Odd. What's she like at work?"

"Oh she mainly focuses on mechanics and thunder bolts collecting."

"Cool. Looking forward to meeting her!"

We came to the main gates that were the only entrance into the Weather Factory. On each end of the gates stood two ponies dressed in white coats and construction helmets.

"What do you require?" Asked one of the ponies.

"Here to see Clockwork Thunder!" Replied Dash with an enthusiastic step in her stance.

"Rainbow Dash? Good to see you again! Please allow me to show you to her office!" Replied the same stallion.

"Heh. Made quite an impression the first time eh?" I said as me and Rainbow followed the stallion into the factory.

"Yeah! Told ya guys they liked me!"

The main doors into the factory opened to me, Dash and the other Stallion. The interior was white with the clouds just like all the other buildings in CloudsDale. Platforms poking out from each and every wall near the ceiling with pegasai working with various forms of weather.

The rooms atmosphere was filled with glee and smiles as all the pegasai worked hard on their jobs. A few couple ponies flying over our heads every 10 or so seconds. In the center of the main room stood a tall fountain pouring with streams of rainbow. The flows of the six mixed colours treacled into divided cloud made tubes that spread all around the facility.

"Welcome to the Weather Factory! I'm sure someponies will be glad to see you again!" Said the stallion turning back to us.

"Thanks Dagon Glow!" Replied Dash.

"Well let's go see Clockwork Thunder shall we?" Added Dagon.

"Yup!"

We followed Dagon Glow through multiple sections of the factory. Each one specialising in a certain element or form of weather. From Ice and snowflakes to Rainbows and raindrops. Eventually we reached an office that was surrounded by another section of the factory.

There were pegasai zooming and diving all around us carrying and throwing what seemed to be thunder and lightning bolts.

Dagon Glow knocked on the door to the office a couple of times. "Hey! Clockwork! You've got some visitors!"

A few loud mechanical sounds came from behind the door and than an abrupt silence. The door was soon thrown open by a tall standing mare. She stepped forward and stood directly and just above eye level with Rainbow Dash.

The mare stood focused and calm but her facial expression was pretty blank due to the fact that she was wearing goggles. Her eyes were unnoticable.

Her coat was a light grey and her mane and tail a dark but blue toned black. A very odd colour indeed. Her tail was straight and neat but her mane was almost the same except a little messy.

"Hello Rainbow Dash! Good to see you again." Said the mare as she offered Dash a hoofshake with a smile.

"Hey Clockwork!" Dash accepted the hoofshake.

"Thanks Dagon." Clockwork turned to Dagon and with him thanked he turned away and went back to work. "Now who's this Rainbow?" She quickly turned to me.

"Lightning Flash! Nice to meet ya!"  I replied offering my hoof.

Clockwork Thunder grabbed her goggles and whipped them off, shoving them into a pocket on her labcoat. Her eyes were the oddest I've ever seen! Her pupil's and iris were a light blue but they swirled. There was a circular swirl spreading out from her pupil. Almost as if it could hypnotise ya by looking into it!

"Good to meet you Lightning Flash. Now how can I be of assistance?"

"Well we were hoping that we could get a job each? Asked Dash.

"Here? As in actual pay and work?" Replied Clockwork.

"Yeah. If that's cool?" I added.

Clockwork Thunder shifted her eyes left to right but than again I couldn't exactly tell with her weird eyes.

"Come inside." Said Clockwork walking back into her office. Me and Dash followed her inside. Her desks, cabinets and boxes that were scattered across the reasonably sized room were packed with mechanical parts. A couple thunderbolts were scattered on the top of her desk.

"Quite mechanical." I said but was quickly distracted by the thunderbolts.

"Yes! I am quite the genuis when it comes to mechanics." Clockwork caught eye of me studying the thunderbolts but turned to Dash.

"So about this job?" Asked Rainbow Dash.

"Well you are both under eighteen years old and have no degree in weather stableness or collecting. Although Dash....you have worked two weeks here before. You proved yourself worthy of the factory's needs." Replied Clockwork sitting back into her seat.

"What about our abilities?" I asked.

"Abilities? You mean Rainbow's Sonic RainBoom?" Replied Clockwork.

"Yeah. I have a trick too though!"

"Do you now? Well what does it involve?" Asked Clockwork.

"Ah not much. Just breaking the speed barrier and controlling Lightning! Bet ya seen better right?" I said with sarcasm deep in my voice and a grin wide on my face.

Clockwork Thunder sat starstuck and turned to Dash in amazement and than back to me. "That is certainly rare and amazing! I personally collect thunderbolts as you can see. So could you get lightning bolts for us?"

"Umm well." I scratched the top of my head with a hoof. "I kinda just fly and make it appear! I'd need a pony with weather collecting abilities to grab it. If I have a pony with magic helping me than they can direct its power!" I replied.

"Like a weapon?" Replied Clockwork Thunder.

"Yup!"

"Well that's definately interesting! How did you find this out?"

I told Clockwork all about my ability and how it happened. I mentioned that Storm Shadow helped me find out more about my skills and connection with lightning. It so happens that Clockwork actually knows Storm Shadow! They had once worked alongside each other while studying various subjects related to weather!

"Well I think both of you should most certainly hold a place here at the factory!" Exclaimed Clockwork Thunder after twenty minutes of discussing our tricks and how we could help.

"Sweet!" Both me and Rainbow yelled in perfect synchronisation. Jumping so high we almost hit the ceiling and brohoofing each other.

"You may begin today!" Added Clockwork.

"Really?" I asked landing back down with Dash.

"Of course! We'll send you both off to your dedicated stations! Lightning you will be working with a couple of our best bolt collectors. They will be able to channel any lightning you provide and bring it back here."

"So all I gotta do is fly real fast and make lightning?"

"Yes! Easy enough?"

"I do it in my sleep!"

"Good. Don't worry about having to do the what was it called? The flashbang?"

"Yeah."

"When it comes to lightning, we only need a few extracts of it because it's so powerful and important. No worries about exceeding your limit of the trick!"

"Got it."

"And you Rainbow will return to your old station as before. Helping control the spectra for the rainbows. It's a shame you can't do your sonic rainboom again." Said Clockwork.

"I think I can but that was the only time I've ever done it so far. I'll do it again one day!" Replied Rainbow Dash.

"I'm sure you will!" Clockwork gave a short and childlike giggle. "Well Rainbow you remember where to go right?"

"Yeah!" Replied Dash.

"Don't worry Lightning I'll show you to your quarters." Said Clockwork.

"Cool thanks."

It was done! We both got a job at the Weather Factory! Clockwork Thunder went into more detail about our shifts and what days we will be working. Due to still being at school and only having the weekends and after school to work, we weren't given a lot of shifts.

Rainbow Dash went to her working place in the factory while Clockwork showed me to mine. As we continued our walk through the long and busy corridors, we eventually came to a large but closed door. Above it was a sign that read...

"Thunder and Lightning Control and Collecting."

"Appropiate name I guess." I said as Clockwork opened the large door.

"Welcome to your working quarters!" Said Clockwork as she ushered me into the large room.

The room was not much different from all the others. Tables scattered around the room, Groups of Pegasai zooming from one side to the other.

"Let's meet your team shall we?" Said Clockwork as we approached a single pony. "Hey Crimsy!"

The lone pegasus stood and turned to face us. His coat was crimson and his mane and tail were mixed with both red and black. His mane was straight and pointed backwards. His eyes seemed to almost burn as I looked into them! Something about this pony seemed quite odd indeed.

"Hey Clockwork! Who's this?" Asked the Crimson coloured pony.

"Your new team member!" Clockwork turned to me. "Lightning Flash meet Crimson Spark!"

"Welcome to my team bro." Said Crimson as he brohoofed me.

"Thanks!"

"Now where is the rest of your team Crimson?" Asked Clockwork.

"Well Monochrome is outside and a couple of the others are pretty busy. Sorry." Replied Crimson Sparks,

"That's quite alright. Just be sure that Lightning here gets settled in well!" Replied Clockwork with a smile."I must return to my work. I'll catch you both later." Clockwork Thunder walked back through the large door and closed it behind her.

"So before ya meet the rest of the team I should really get to know ya better!" Said Crimson.

"Um ok! What do ya wanna know?"

"Well first of all ya name. Lightning? I doubt that's just important on paper! Am I right!?" Crimson nudged me in the side a little.

"Heheh. Long story but yeah I got some pretty cool tricks under my wings!"

"Well one thing ya should know about my team is that we follow a special motto. Oh I forgot to mention, I'm in charge of Thunder, Lightning and Other cautious Weather Conditions."

"But the sign just says-"

"Ignore that. Our group handles with the more...tricky and dangerous types of weather. Fire, Lightning and more pretty much! They don't call us Group Acta Non Verba for nothing!"

"I'm guessing that's ya motto?"

"Sure is Lightning. Ya catch on fast!"

"Heh. What does it mean?"

"Well it's old pony talk for-"

*BOOM*

Crimson was interrupted by a large explosion echoeing through the room.

"See what I mean?" Said Crimson as he flew over to a small door that seemed to lead outside. I followed him closely. "Think that may have been Dred with the thunderbolts again!" Crimson opened the door and continued to fly outside.

"I told you to be careful with those!" Shrieked a mare's voice as we left the room.

We both looked up to see two pegasai on a cloud carrying a couple bags each.

"I was! You can never be too safe or sure with these thunderbolts!" Shouted a stallions voice in reply.

"Yo Monochrome! What did he do now!?" Shouted Crimson looking up at the cloud. The mare and stallion turned away from each other and looked down at us.

"Oh hi Sparks!" The mare pegasus dived down towards Crimson and huggedd him. She let go and turned to me."Who's this?"

"Lightning Flash meet Monochrome Rush." Said Crimson.

"Nice to meet you Lightning! What's with the cutie mark and name? No offense!" Said Monochrome.  Her coat pure white, her tail and mane a dark brown. She wore large red glasses as well. Not the ost fashionable choice but than again I wasn't a fashion expert.

"Oh I have some pretty neat tricks with lightning! Control it and move at it's speed. Just the usual for me!" I replied with a smile.

"It's speed!? Wouldn't that mean breaking the light barrier!?" Shouted the other pegasus who landed beside me. His coat was also pure white like Monochrome's and his mane was exaclty like Crimson's, striped with red and black.

"YUP!"

"Well that's pretty amazing!" Exclaimed Monochrome Rush.

"Hahaha! Ya gonna have a place in our team for sure Lightning!" Said Crimson scratching me on the head as a tease.

"Heheh thanks!"

"Well this is Dred Furst. Ya should get used to his foolishness with weather." Added Crimson.

"Hey! If I was such a fool than would I be put on this team!?" Replied Dred.

"We need you for your speed and lovable character. Awww." Replied Crimson.

"How big is this Acta Non Verba team?" I asked.

"Well there are a few diffrent teams that do what we do with dangerous weather but our one is called that. Our team is made up of five ponies and now you too!" Replied Monochrome.

"Cool! Who's the other two?" I asked.

"Whoa! Hold up Flash! Haven't even shown us your skills and ya wanna meet the others!" Replied Crimson.

"Well I better show ya my skills than shouldn't I!" I exclaimed.

"Yo Dred! Go get Stormy and Quake. Tell them we're gonna be playing with lightning for a while." Said Crimson.

"But they don't know who he is?" Replied Dred Furst.

"Urgh. That's the point numbskull! Lightning is enough of a giveaway!" Added Crimson.

"Ok Ok! Where though?" Replied Dred.

"Above Everfree forest."

"Ok!" Dred flew off around and behind the factory.

"Everfree forest!? Why there?" I asked.

"Some of our abilities have caused quite some damage and fear among ponies in the past. We wanna test your ability where other unaware ponies can't get hurt." Replied Monochrome giving Crimson a brief sympathetic look.

"Okay! Let's go!" I replied.

The three of us flew off towards the Everfree Forest to see my trick and hopefully meet the rest of the team!

After a few minutes of flying we eventually reached the forest. We waited about another five minutes for the others to arrive.

Three pegasai soared over the army of trees towards us. As they came closer and closer I could recognise Dred Furst in the middle of their line of flight.

They soon stopped directly in front of us and hovered. Dred inbetween the two others. The one on his left was a stallion with also a pure white coat! There was seriously something about this team and having white coats. His mane and tail were dark but also slightly light blue. The other stallion was coated in a dark grey with a night black mane and tail.

"So his the new guy?" Asked the grey stallion hovering closer to me with a suspicous eye on him.

"Sure is!" Said Crimson.

"Well hi there buddy! I'm Stormy Sprint but you can call me Stormy!" Said the other white stallion beside Dred.

"Names Crimson Quake. Good to meet ya." Said the grey stallion. Their was something about his face or maybe it was his eyes. Something unpeaceful or unsettled about him rested in those eyes.

"Good to meet ya both! I'm Lightning Flash!"

"Oh because we're oddly enough got the same name me and Crimson, you can just call me Sparks or Crimsy." Said Crimson Sparks.

"Ok!" I replied.

"So what's the plan Sparks?" Asked Stormy Sprint.

"Lightning is gonna show off his trick." Replied Sparks.

"And what is this trick?" Asked Crimson in a serious but curious tone.

"I can summon lightning and break the light barrier."

"What!?" Replied Stormy.

"Well that doesn't sound too safe. Sure you can control it?" Added Crimson.

"Of course! I ain't no fool!"

"Just checking fella." Replied Crimson.

"I should of mentioned Lightning! Crimson here is our supervisor and guard for the team." Said Sparks.

"Guard?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah. With us handling dangerous forms of weather and such, we've been advised to have somepony who can keep watch over our activities. Plus some ponies can get quite jealous of our skills and want us for work." Replied Sparks.

"I'm here to stop any ponies that want their abilities for the worst. If ya catch our drift." Added Crimson. There was something soldier like about him. I've known enough to realise one.

"Okay than." I said.

"Well now what does this trick involve exactly? I want every detail." Asked Monochrome Rush.

"This may take some planning so hold up a sec!" Sparks intterupted me as my lips began to open. He looked to Stormy and winked.

Stormy Sprint hovered inbetween our team circle. He took a deep breath and exhailed it but instead of breath, clouds actually managed to rush out of his mouth! They exited his mouth in small bunches. Smaller enough to...well eat I guess! As they continued to float and hover aorund us they inflated and grew larger until becoming big enough for us to stand on.

There were three clouds in total thanks to Stormy. Crimson and Dred stood on one, Sparks and Monochrome on another while me and Stormy sat on the last one.

"That's better!" Said Dred.

"Ok time to plan. What does your trick involve? Does it have a name?" Asked Monochrome fidgeting with her glasses.

"The Flashbang."

"What made ya call it that!?" Asked Dred with a smirk.

"Gone in a flash and it makes a bang. That's it right?" Said Stormy.

"Ya got it!" I replied.

"Heheheh."

"How do you attempt this flashbang?" Asked Crimson.

"Basically all I do is fly as fast as I can and stay focused on some thoughts and as I get faster and my thoughts are more focused than lightning should begin to strike near me. Ya know like ya normal thunderstorm but I can control how frequent the lightning is!" I replied.

"So what? While flying do ya just think how much lightning that you want to strike?" Asked Dred Furst.

"I control it's amount with my speed and feelings on my thoughts. Important thought equals more speed and determination to go faster. More focused flying, thoughts and speed equals more lightning to strike." I added.

"When does the breaking the light barrier part happen?" Asked Sparks.

"Well as I get faster than small particles of lightning begin to grow around my wings and torso. They increase in size and numbers until I finally reach my speed limit and in a flash and a bang I'm from one place to another! Like I teleported!" I finished up my tale of a trick.

"That's pretty bucking sweet! Give me some!" Exclaimed Stormy with a brohoof.

"Well it seems like your ready and set to go. Now lets discuss how we can harness the lightning for the factory." Said Sparks.

"So all I gotta do is my trick?" I asked.

"Yes. We will plan a way to collect the bolts of lightning while you produce it." Replied Monochrome.

"Cool." I replied.

"This is gonna be pretty tricky ya know. I mean this will require us being fast enough to actually gather the lightning! How the buck are we gonna do it!?" Said Dred in a slight panic.

"Oh calm down! I got a few ideas in mind. Now Lightning. When ya said you had to be focused while you fly, how focused?" Said Sparks.

"Well I usually just think about my family and friends. Ya know the stuff that's close to me! If I'm ever in a race than I also focus on winning. Winning or anything to actually force me to go faster always does the trick." I replied.

"Hmmm good. I think I have a plan!" Said Sparks.

"This is gonna be interesting. Dunno how you lot are gonna pull it off but I;m just here to watch over ya." Said Crimson Quake.

"Well we ain't called Acta Non Verba for nothing." Said Monochrome.

"Acta Non what now? Somepony please explain!?" I asked sitting up straight.

"Hahahahaha! You'll do fine buddy!" Said Stormy nudging me in the side.

I wonder if Dash had such an interesting team. Let's see I got a soldier who seems to scare me a little, a cloud breathing stallion, a nerdy but strong in herself mare, a foolish and laid back Dred and Sparks who I Hadn't quite figured out just yet.

Something about him seemed familiar though.

His eyes, emotion and just being near him seemed familiar. That wasn't my thought to focus on right now though! I had some lightning to summon and a factory to prove myself to.

And some new friends...