The Life Of Lightning Flash

                                                                                     Chapter Twenty

"Alright! Here's the plan so listen up!" Announced Crimson Sparks upon his cloud.

We had spent the last few mintues just sitting upon our clouds while Sparks pondered in his mind until he conjured a plan. I wasn't at all sure how they were gonna gather any lightning I was going to produce but I guess my job was to just break the barrier. Easy enough.

"Ok Stormy and Lightning are gonna race. Lightning is gonna need that something extra to keep him focused on going faster. Either that or we could get Crimson to show you his famous tackle trick." Said Sparks with a slightly evil grin. Crimson didn't seem to happy about the idea and neither did I.

"Got it boss!" Replied Stormy Sprint.

"With you two racing I will stay close to Lightning and when any lightning manages to form around him than I will capture it and put it into my specially designed satchel." Added Crimson Sparks.

"Um won't that be dangerous? I mean this is lightning itself we're talking about?" Asked Dred Furst.

"They don't call me Sparks for nothing! You guys should know by now that my body is resistant to a lot of dangerous things. Fire, Lightning you name it!" Replied Sparks.

"As long as you know what you're doing!" I said.

"While we're all doing that. I want Monochrome to fly along our path and direction but at a distance. Like Flash said, lightning will also begin to strike nearby. I want you Monochrome to study and watch the estimate striking distance away from lightning." Added Sparks.

"Why does she need to do that if we're not capturing the strikes?" Asked Crimson Quake.

"So we know for future runs how far a strike will happen from Lightning Flash in mid flight. Than we can plan on capturing them in the future! There must be a pattern and a set distance from Flash." Replied Monochrome Rush.

"I can help Monochrome with that!" Said Dred.

"Crimson you just fly by and look pretty. Keep an eye out for any threats in the forest below!" Said Sparks.

"Won't let a thing near ya." Replied Crimson.

"Alright than! Everypony ready to go!?" Asked Sparks.

"Yes!"

"Ready."

"Yeah!"

"Yup!"

"You know it!"

"Alright than! Let's go!" Said Sparks.

Me and Stormy jumped off our cloud and got ourselves in a starting postition for the race. Monochrome and Dred flew a couple hundred meters to our East. Crimson Quake stayed a fair distance behind us but was closer to the trees.

Sparks stayed with Crimson for the moment.

"Ok so you two will race to the other side of the forest! Near that cottage outside PonyVille!" Announced Sparks from behind.

Was he talking about Fluttershy's cottage? Must have been. Wonder if she'll see us fly overhead!

"On your marks!" Said Sparks. Me and Stormy both focused our heads forward.

"Get set!" We prepared our wings and pulled our bodys back, ready to zoom ahead.

"GO!"

In perfect syncrhonisation we both started perfectly on time. Staying at equal speeds I stayed focus on the forest in front. Stormy couldn't over take me but managed to stay right by my side.

"Come on Stormy! Make him go faster!" Shouted Dred.

Stormy turned to me as we continued to dash ahead. He grinned and splurted out a large breath of cloud directly into me, knocking me off course.

"See ya!" Stormy yelled before zooming off ahead and taking the lead.

I wasted no time in planning any more revenge than to simply beat him! I zoomed ahead after him while filling and focusing my thoughts on my victory to be! Dash, friends, family and to wipe that grin off Stormy's face.

In a matter of seconds I managed to catch up with Stormy but it was still difficult to stay right beside him. Mind focused, body cutting through the air and the clouds above us turning grey and than into black. A few bolts of lightning struck a trio of trees a few hundred metres to my South and than West.

"There!" Screamed Monochrome pointing at the lightning as Dred focused on the other strike.

Just as the other times, clusters of small particles of lightning gathered around my wings and torso. My speed increasing like crazy but all of this was pretty normal to me now.

"Good! Keep it up Lightning! Just stay like that!" Shouted Sparks as flew closer and closer beside us.

I had to keep going faster but without actually performing the rest of the trick. I just hoped Crimson Sparks would be quick!

After almost a minute of flying and getting ever so faster, Sparks eventually caught up with us. He was certainly fast too! He came up on my left and came within grabbing distance of me. The lightning still striking more rapidly into the forest below and my body growing more and more in speed as the particles increased.

"DOING GREAT! JUST FOCUS ON WINNING!" Advised Sparks. He reached out a hoof towards my back to grab one of the particles.  He wasn't at all afraid as his hoof finally came into contact with my back.

Within a blink of an eye of putting his hoof into the cluster of particles, there was a loud crack and a flash of light. I could feel a sudden surge of energy spark through my torso and wings as whatever happened pushed me forward at a sudden speed but not quite breaking the light barrier yet.

"SPARKS!" I heard Monochrome scream from a far.

Still diving forward on my path to victory I quickly turned to see Sparks plummeting towards the trees behind me. Crimson flew down after him while I stopped in mid flight to turn and help. Winning didn't matter when a friend could be hurt. I barely knew any of these ponies but that didn't make them that less important.

Sparks was plummeting fast and hard through the air towards the trees. Crimson didn't seem to be fast enough to get closer in time.

I focused my full speed and body into diving after him, with the lightning storm still brewing and my body still harnessing it's power, I zoomed forward and in a flash I did it!

I pulled off the FlashBang again and managed to catch Sparks in the process!

With Crimson Sparks now hanging onto my back with whatever strength left in him I leveled myself with the treeline and landed in a small clearing. Pulling off my trick and catching Sparks meant I didn't have the greatest amount of strength left in me. Better not risk going higher and not even reaching the clouds.

I layed Sparks down against a tree as Monochrome, Dred and Crimson all landed behind me.

"Sparks!" Screamed Monochrome as she rushed to him. Her face drowned with worry.

Crimson stood alert and began observing the woods around us while Dred stood beside me.

Stormy Sprint soon flew overhead and saw us before landing.

"Urgh that...that could of gone better." Sparks groaned from his resting place.

"Oh thank Celestia you're alright!" Exclaimed Monochrome hugging Sparks.

"Hey I've been through a lot! Nothing gonna take me down just yet." Replied Sparks.

"What happened?" Asked Stormy.

"Sparks tried to make contact with Flash's lightning that surrounded his body. One touch created a massive flash and crack in the air forcing Sparks away from Lightning. Flash didn't seem affected at all though." Said Crimson Quake as he turned to me.

"I hardly realised what happened! Ya not blaming me are you?" I replied.

"Do you know your full potential of this power?" Asked Crimson.

"Yeah!..Well...I thought I did." I replied.

"Hey whatever happened I'm sure Lightning didn't do it on purpose. Right?" Said Dred butting in.

"Yeah." I replied.

"Well whatever it was. It seemed to be some sort of protection for you. He tried to touch your back and the lightning forced him off. If that had happened to another pony who isn't as strong as Sparks than they could have died. Lightning is extremely powerful you know." Said Crimson with a teacher like tone in his voice.

"I know. Ya think I don't understand my powers?" I replied.

"Both of you stop! I'm fine. Just a bit shaken that's all." Said Sparks standing at last.

"Sorry Sparks. I've never had that happen before." I said.

"You've also never had a pony try to do what I did. That's why." Sparks Replied. He took a few deep breaths and gained his

full balance again. "Monochrome. Were you able to estimate the range of any lightning strikes?"

"Yes! But as you said. Their estimates. When we're back at the factory than I'll research them some more." Replied Monochrome Rush.

"Good. Thanks. I guess you aren't just talk now are you Lightning?" Asked Sparks.

"Actions not words. That's my style." I replied with a grin.

"That's how we roll bro." Said Stormy.

"So I'm in?" I asked.

"Lightning strikes, breaking light barriers and almost killing me? Hahahaha! Dude you're in alright!" Replied Sparks with a cheery tone.

"Sweet!"

"Let's head back shall we?" Suggested Monochrome.

"Yeah."

"Wait. What was that?" Said Crimson suddenly looking side to side.

"What was what?" Asked Dred Furst.

Than we all heard it. A constant rustling of the bushs behind the tree where Sparks was resting. Than we could see it. The endless line of bushes began to rustle more and more.

A loud roar broke through the trees and bushes.

"Aww crap." Moaned Stormy Sprint. Everypony suddenly rushed away from Sparks resting place and stood beside Crimson Stormy.

The bushes broke apart all at once, branches sent flying and groung trembled. All caused by an angry Manticore.

"FUDGE!" Shouted Dred.

The Manticore stood angered and ready before slowly stepping ever so closer and closer in our direction.

"Crap! What are we gonna do!? Panicked Stormy Sprint.

"Crimson you ready?" Asked Sparks turning to Crimson Quake.

"Always am. What tactic for this one?" Replied Crimson.

"I was thinking the Whispering Fang?" Suggested Sparks.

"Good idea." Replied Crimson.

Crimson turned to throw his satchel off of his back and onto the ground. He opened it with a hoof and pulled out a short sword.  He grabbed the handle with his mouth and held it firmly inside.

Sparks spread his slightly damaged wings and hovered higher and hgher into the sky until finally above the trees. He than dived at the Manticore but never hitting it, just flying closely round it. As if he was teasing it but dodging it's swipes and stabs.

With the Manticore distracted, Crimson with his sword grasped in his mouth, charged at the beast. Galloping faster than a gazzele almost, Crimson lunged into the the Manitcore's chest and slashed at it. To our surprise it didn't have much of an effect. No cut given and no blood pouring.

Crimson jumped back as the Manticore swiped at him, dodging the attack Crimson quickly leaped at the Manticore's face and slashed at it's left eye. Before falling down, Crimson used his wings to keep himself placed steadily in the air.

The Manticore now bleeding from it's scarred eye was unaware of Sparks who hovered behind him. I couldn't see exactly what he was doing but I saw a trim of fire appear and cover his entire body. His hooves began to ignite in flames while his eyes turned to blood red.

He didn't flinch or yell in pain so this must have been normal to him. He obviously harnessed the same type of power that FireSpeed could.

Sparks with his hooves now lit with flames brighter than your average bonfire, landed on the Manticore's back and slammed a flaming hoof into the back of his neck causing it to screach in pain and bend down a little. He did the same with another hoof further down the Manitcore's spine and with that flaming stab it caused the beast to fall face first into the ground and was knocked unconcisous.

"Heh that was easier than last time!" Exclaimed Sparks jumping off of the Manticore's back.

"Well last time it was a Dragon remember? And we needed to use a bit more than just your fire. Well done." Replied Crimson Quake.

"Alright than. Now can we head back?" Asked Stormy.

"Of course. Let's go!" Replied Sparks as we all lifted off the ground together.

With today's previous events over, the six of us headed back to the Weather Factory. I wonder how Dash had been getting on? I'd find out eventually I guess!

Once back at the factory it seemed that almost everypony was on their lunch break in the factory's canteen. Time to join them! Me and other five grabbed our lunch at the servery and looked for a place to sit.

Looking across the entire room I noticed Dash sitting with Clockwork Thunder. Although today had been awesome, I had just been waiting to see Dashie again. I walked over to them both but with the others following me.

"Hey Dash!" I said sitting beside her while she was caught up in a conversation with Clockwork.

"Hey Lightning!" Replied Rainbow Dash with a huge smile.

"Hello Lightning. How has your day been?" Asked Clockwork.

"Pretty epic right Lightning?" Said Sparks before I could open my mouth as he sat down beside me. Monochrome sat opposite Sparks and beside Clockwork while Crimson sat on her other side.  Stormy and Dred sat on the other side of Dash.

"Yeah! Did a bit of racing, Manticore slaying and showed them all my trick." I said with a cheeky grin.

"What!? Manticores!?"Clockwork was put into a sudden shock and turned to Sparks."What happened!?"

"Heheh well....it's a long story." Replied Sparks.

"We've got time. Why don't you enlighten me and Rainbow here on what happened?" Said Clockwork.

"This will be fun to explain. Haha!" Said Dred Furst.

We sat eating our lunch for atleast a good half an hour explaining the days events in great detail. From the FlashBang and knocking Sparks out of the sky, to the victorious battle over the Manticore. I had never seen a Manticore with my own eyes befire. The size of them is ridiculous.

Clockwork Thunder, Monochrome Rush and Dred Furst finished their lunch before the rest of us and headed back to work while we all stayed sat.

"So Rainbow Dash? Heard ya part of the Spectra Crew right?" Asked Sparks taking a sip of his drink as he looked over me and at Dash.

"Yeah. What about it?" Replied Dash.

"Just wondering how exciting that must be? Ya know being stuck inside sorting pretty colours all day doesn't sound amazing to me." Added Sparks. What was he getting at? Trying to prevoke Dash?

"Oh yeah? Well getting knocked outa the sky by some little lightning doesn't sound too fun to me either." Replied Dash with a grin. Stormy Sprint giggled from beside her.

"Atleast my team and I are used to dealing with something more dangerous than rainbows. Near death over rainbow creating? I'll take near death any day." Said Sparks.

"Dude you keep trying to annoy me and you'll get closer than near to it." Said Dash as her eyes lit up with a flame of anger and irritation.

"Yeah Sparks. What's with the sudden competition?" I asked.

"Ok hold it all of you!" Said Crimson Quake raising his voice and slamming a hoof onto the table.

"Come on Dash. Let's get some air." I said grabbing Dash by her foreleg and standing up. She slowly resisted at first but got to her hooves and followed on her own as I let go. We both flew out of the canteen and into the outer grounds of the factory.

"Argh what a little brat!" Yelled Dash as we flew a little higher than the factory itself.

"He wasn't like this when we were working. Dunno what's gotten into him." I replied.

"Oh collecting Spectra and creating rainbows isn't that exciting! He can screw off! I should show him the art of a Sonic RainBoom! Right in his face!"

"Hahahaha! That'd be worth seeing!"

"Shame I haven't pulled it off again.Not yet anyway!"

"Yeah. Just ignore Sparks from now on. I'll eat lunch with you and you alone Dash."

"What about working as a team? Don't ya think he might treat you differently as a team member because of this?"

"Nah! He may be a jerk now but I know he won't. I mean the team is cool but I'd take you over them anyday."

"Oh shut up you! Don't be getting all sappy because I almost got in a fight!"

"Heheheh. Shame nopony can see you getting embarrased! Hahaha!"

Rainbow hit me in the shoulder with a friendly punch. I rubbed it off and hugged her.

"Time to go back to work than?" I asked.

"Yeah. See ya later I guess."

"Yup! I'll be sure to not let Sparks say anything about ya."

"Heheh. Just let me at him if he does!"

"Hahaha! Will do."

We went back to our workplaces and continued our tasks for the day. When I arrived back at my place with the rest of the team, Monochrome Rush seemed to be busy with studying her research on the lightning strikes with Dred helping her.

Stormy was chilling in the corner breathing random small clouds and than destroying them as they floated away. Sparks stood opposite Crimson by a table and briefly looked at me but turned back to Crimson.

"Hey guys!" I said approaching the table.

"Yo Flash we gotta talk." Said Sparks looking back to me.

"Is this about Dash?" I replied.

"Kinda. I'm sorry for being such a jerk when I did bro. I am just tired after today thats all. My grumpyness got the better of me." Replied Sparks.

"Aww is little old Sparksy warky tired!?" Stormy shouted from his corner of the large room.

"Can it Stormy!" Demanded Crimson Quake.

"It's ok buddy. She's not too happy with ya though." I said.

"Well tell her I'm sorry. I don't know much about rainbows anyway. Only odd rumours about the Rainbow Factory." Replied Sparks.

"Odd rumours? I mean I've heard stuff but I've never believed it." I said.

"Yup. Lot of things are said about that place. None of us have ever been inside though." Added Crimson.

"Things? What things?" Asked Stormy hovering over to us.

"You haven't heard?" Asked Crimson sounding a little shocked.

"No I haven't." Replied Stormy.

"Well I've heard that any pegasai that can't fly well enough is sent to work there." I said.

"I heard that there's a secret ingredient needed to make rainbows that come from there. Something nopony else knows about. Something horrifying." Said Sparks.

"I've caught rumours of no ponies ever coming back out but the few that have....never spoke of it. Ever. Their whole life changed." Added Crimson.

"So no good rumours eh?" Asked Monochrome from her own table.

"The place sounds like the home of nightmares by the way we're describing it." I said.

"Anypony ever bothered inspecting it?" Asked Stormy.

"Only the first couple floors that are available to tours......Hey that rhymed! Heheh!" I replied giggiling at my own remark.

Sparks facehoofed himself and smiled.

"Their security is suspicously high for a place creating colours." Added Crimson scratching his chin.

"Why don't we investigate?" Suggested Stormy.

"Are you mad? The place is swarming with staff and workers! We couldn't get near the restricted areas even if we tried!" Replied Crimson.

Than I remembered something. When Dash worked here before she said there was a pony called Dr Atmosphere that worked in the Rainbow Factory.

"Yo wait a minute! I know a pony round here that works there!" I said.

"You do!? Who!?" Asked  Stormy.

"Name's Dr Atmosphere. Dash told me about him." I replied.

"Crap." Muttered Sparks.

"That guy is no good for sure." Added Crimson.

"Why what's wrong with him?" Asked Stormy.

"Almost everypony knows there's something creepy about him. Always seems friendly and all but ya just....ya just know there's something off about him. That shine in his eye or that look he gives you when he turns to ya." Said Sparks shivering at his thoughts.

"Well why don't we talk to him? Or atleast try to find something out?" I suggested.

"Not worth it. Whatever is happening in their isn't our business. Not worth risking your plots over either." Replied Crimson.

"I dunno. Sounds good but what would we do?" Asked Sparks.

"You're serious Sparksy?" Asked Crimson slightly shocked and caught off guard at Sparks.

"Yeah! Sounds fun!" Replied Sparks.

"Well I thought we could investigate his office hear in the factory? Maybe there's some links to the Rainbow Factory that he keeps." I said.

"Urgh. Fine you're all too dumb to realise the danger so I guess I gotta help you!" Moaned Crimson.

"Thanks buddy." Said Sparks giving him a sympathetic look.

"Ok so we need to get in his office? Time to plan." Said Crimson.

After half an hour of planning we finally came up with a plan. We were to find Dr Atmosphere on his way between the factories which he did each day atleast once. Once found Crimson would distract him while me and Sparks visited his office!

It was Atmosphere's usual daily time to visit his office and when we would strike! We would sneak in when he was away but his office only opens to his key and one other that we can't get!

"Ok. There he is." Whispered Sparks as we sat in the hallway of offices. Dr Atmosphere had just left his office and about to close the door when Crimson who was waiting by stepped beside him and tapped him on the shoulder. The Dr turned to Crimson with the door still open.

"Excuse me Dr. I have an issue to notify you with." Said Crimson.

"An issue? I don't have time for some missing thunderbolt you know." Replied Dr Atmosphere. His voice low and emotionless apart from a slight frustration in it. His body was covered in a long lab coat that dragged across the floor.

"It's more urgent than that sir. I know you're needed else where but it is vital that you help." Replied Crimson staying calm but faking a slight panicked tone.

"Fine. I suppose I have some time to help with your pitiful task." Said Dr Atmsophere. He turned to shut the door and lock it. The door shut but as his key reached closer to the lock Crimson blocked it with his hoof stopping him.

Dr Atmosphere turned to him with a face that was drenched with unpleasant.

"Sorry sir but this needs attention now! No more seconds to waste!" Said Crimson with a more urgent tone.

Dr Atmosphere looked side to side before noticing me and Sparks sitting down just outside another office.

"Who are they?" Asked Dr Atmosphere pointing at us two.

"Those two? Just some clueless cloud pullers. They couldn't tell their flanks from their wings even if they tried." Replied

Crimson. Obvioulsy trying to convince Atmosphere not to worry about us. Either that or he was feeling a little dizzy and being a jerk.

"Fine! Let's go!" Said Dr Atmosphere but quickly locking the door before he followed Crimson away.

Once the two of them were out of sight we ran to Atmosphere's office door and tried to open it.

"Well fudge!" Moaned Sparks tugging at the door repeatedly.

"That went swimmingly." I said.

"Guess we wont find out the secrets of the Rainbow Factory after all." Said Sparks turning away from the door.

"Nah I guess we wont find any of that out. Whether pegasai never come back out or the so called secret ingredient in some rainbows."

"Yup." Agreed Sparks.

I smiled at a thought and turned to Sparks as we walked away from the office and said...

"Well I guess a rainbow's tale may not be as nice as the story we knew as sugar and spice."