The Life Of Lightning Flash

Chapter Twenty Two

The camouflaged mare whose name was in fact Camouflage, introduced herself in such an enthusiastic and friendly tone!  Her face shining with cheer and a smile that had been hidden away but now bursting out for show.

The four of us approaching the canteen doors as Hemlock, Fluttershy and Kensei Coal had already entered.

“Hehe! Your name is kinda ironic don’t ya think?” Said Rainbow Dash turning to Camouflage slightly with a giggle.

“Heheh. True...coming from a pony with rainbow in her name and mane.” Replied Camouflaged with a still greeting tone.

“Hahaha! Got ya there Dashie!” I added.

Dash gave a slight smirk as the four of us entered the canteen, the doors swinging open to the sight of many ponies eating and drinking. Jumping into their grub as if they hadn’t seen food in weeks! Then again, I was quite hungry myself!

The four of us with Dash in front; beside me, lined up ready to grab our food.

“Soooo?” Said FireSpeed making the small silence even more awkward.

“I swear I recognise you but for Celestia’s sake I can’t remember where from?” I asked  as I placed a sandwich on my tray and then turning to Camouflage.

“Oh..I’m in your history class.” Replied Camouflage in a more shy tone. “One row behind you and two seats to the right.” She muttered under her breath but not thinking anyone else noticed. I smiled as I turned back to the food on show.

This Camouflage seemed like a nice and friendly pony! She was as we could tell by now quite shy but eager to interact with others!

“Really? Cool!” I replied grabbing a glass of water.

“Excuse Lightning. His a little slow and forgetful sometimes!” Said Dashie as she grabbed a cupcake from the dessert section.

The four of us collected our food and drinks and began walking over to a free empty table. Hemlock, Fluttershy and Kensei sat with a few other ponies in the far right corner of the room.

“Sooo Camouflage, what brings you to come talk to us today then?” Asked FireSpeed; taking his seat around our chosen table. The three of us laying down our trays and joining Speedy around the small circular table..

“Well...actually I...ermmm wanted to talk to Lightning Flash in particular.” Replied Camouflage. She seemed a little nervous all of a sudden, probably worried about annoying Dash and Speedy with her reply. No need to worry though!

“Oh? Well I am pretty awesome! Hahaha!” I replied before taking a bite out of my sandwich. Damn good sandwich as well! “So...what’s on your mind?”

“Well I was wondering if you could tell me about a certain famous pony in these military records?” Replied Camouflage; pulling out a set of documents from her bag beside her.

Resting the small set of old but clean documents onto our table, the four of us all had stared on in confusion, interest and trouble understanding. They were definately military grade listings but what of?

“See this pony?” Said Camouflage pointing at a single stallion with his own picture among the rest. A list of details and information about him beside the picture.

“Yeah, who is he?” I asked.

“My father.” Replied Camouflage. Her face suddenly sinking a little and drooping her head.

“Oh...did he...you know?” Asked FireSpeed.

Dash hit Speedy in the side of his ribs for asking such a stupid question.

“Years ago...when I was a little filly.” There was a short silence among us while the rest of the canteen continued to banter and chatter on. “He was an honourable soldier among his fellow comrades. Respected, awarded and brave. Just like one of his squad members.” Camouflaged flipped the document and on the other side was a different pony.

“Dad?” I exclaimed almost leaping onto the document itself. The pony was my father! Crimson Flash and all his personal military info. Why did my father always manage to surprise me?

“Thought so...that’s why I wanted to meet you properly. Our fathers were squadmates in battle. They fought side by side, wing by wing in battle.” Added Camouflage with her confidence building slightly.

“How did you know he's my father?” I asked turning to Camo.

“Crimson Flash, resident of Cloudsdale and great flyer. I go to an academy with a guy called Lightning Flash who is an amazing flyer and also lives in Cloudsdale. Coincidence? Heheh! I also just looked in your family members from the school records.” Replied Camouflage in a cheeky tone and a smile. Should of guessed how obvious it kinda is. Heheh.

“Hehehe you’re quite interested in this kind of thing aren’t you?” I asked taking a sip of my drink.

“Seems a little too interested in you.” Whispered Dashie in my ear. Just able to hear a hint of jealousy in her voice. She had nothing to worry about even if this new mare did like me!

Throughout my relationship with Rainbow Dash we have found out a lot about each other and discussed many things. One of them is that we can both get a little jealous even though we trust each other. It’s just other ponies that we don’t trust.

I guess I can get more jealous than Dashie but I know not to worry because she’s mine to love but she’s not mine to keep away.

Jealousy is just a weird way of showing how much you really care and love someone I guess. Nothing wrong with it, just don’t let it get the better of you.......I really think to myself too much!

“I love and always have loved studying the military and wars! That explains my Cutie Mark as well!” Replied Camouflage looking to her flank.

“I’ve been a little interested too but....well I’ve never had the best experience with the guards and military I guess.” I said dropping my head a little as thoughts of my brother came into my mind.

“Oh? Well I was actually wondering if you would mind me asking about your father and any other military experience you’ve had?” Asked Camouflage as she took a bite of her sandwich.

“Ermm sure! Fire away!” I replied relaxing in my seat a little as i took another sip of my drink.

Camouflage fired question after question at me about my father, my knowledge in the Royal Guards, any encounters with the military and much more! I told her about some of my father’s tales, the guards I’ve met and the history that I can actually remember!

All except my brother which of course only me, my mother, Rainbow Dash and Hemlock knew about...I’m not going to be adding to that list anytime soon.

“And my last question! Would you ever join the Royal Guards?” Asked Camouflage as she took a deep breath after her barrage of curiosity.

“Hmmm nah. I wanna join the Wonderbolts! Along with Dash and Speedy here!” I replied .

“Oh right! Should of guessed!” Said Camouflage as she finished her drink.

Almost done with our food and me having already finished mine, the canteen was still busy and bustling with ponies. Food being collected, mates chatting away, desserts exchanged and random wrestling at some tables! Hahaha!

I went to pick up my chocolate chip muffin which looked freaking delicious, When the doors to the canteen swung open. A gush of air being sucked into the room by the sheer amount of ponies in here and a wonky eyed pegasus flying her way over to me.

“LLIIGGHHTTNNIINNGG FFLLAASSHH!!!!” Screamed Derpy as she looked all around in hope of spotting me.

Derpy flew as straight as she could....which was kinda the opposite of what we define straight as! Whooshing past and over all the tables in her way to reach us in seconds.

“Hey Derpy! What’s the big rush?” I asked as she came to a sharp halt next to me.

Taking a few deep breaths before she opened her mouth with a huge smile on her face.

“Lightning Flash! I got news from Xenon Draft about the prom! He said-”

“Ermm! What was that Derpy!? Something about all the muffins being out of stock!? Oh dear!” I interrupted Derpy before she could spill anymore beans about the big day.

“Silly Lightning! No their not! Look! You got a muffin right there!” Replied Derpy pointing at my untouched chocolate muffin. Which she was now staring at as if it was her prey.

“Dibs!” Exclaimed Dash as she grabbed my muffin and chowed down into it. Really?

“Let’s ermmm....go outside Derpy! I need some air!” I said taking Derpy under my wing and hovering out of the canteen with her.

Once outside I let go of her and stood in front of her with all worry and hope rushing my head at once. Did Xenon get the all clear? Was he rejected?

“Derpy, what did Xenon Draft say? Are we good to go!?” I asked being very desperate to know.

“Well ermm...he ermmm....I’ve forgotten!” Replied Derpy with a sorry and forgiveful look on her face.

“Ah silly Derpy!” I heard the old voice of Xenon Draft bellow through the hallway behind me. “Good thing I’m here to give you the news myself!” Added Xenon as he appeared beside me.

“Sir! Good to see you again! Please tell me you’ve got good news!?” I greeted Xenon with a huge smile while his face gleamed with joy hopefully meaning one thing. We got the halls!

“Hahaha! Well my dear Lightning I’m pleased to tell you that I have indeed got the Canterlot Halls reserved for your Prom!” Replied Xenon with a smile as wide as a mile!

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! Damn have I been worried about this! My face had instantly lit up with joy and I felt as if I could breath and relax.

“THANK YOU!” I exclaimed hugging Xenon and catching him slightly off guard.

“Hahaha! Don’t sweat it Lightning!” Said Xenon as he was trapped in my hug.

“This is awesome! Wait...how did you get a yes from the halls so quickly and then return here?” I asked finally realising the quick and awesome confirmation.

“Well what happened is, I went to the train station in PonyVille to catch my train to Canterlot where I by coincidence bumped into two royal mail pegasai! I told them of our issue and they instantly jumped at the favour and all they wanted in return was a couple of bits for a drink! Hahaha! They went on their merry way and returned to me so fast that I hadn’t even finished my lunch!” Replied Xenon taking a breath or two.

“Wow! Hehe! Got some good luck today! Thanks a ton Xenon!” I replied.

“No problem Lightning. Now I’m sure you want to tell everypony else?” Said Xenon with a cheery smile.

“Yup! Derpy, would you like to help me?” I asked as I turned to Derpy who stood beside me with a confused look as always but her face soon lit up with excitement.

“YES! Thank you Lightning Flash!!!” Replied Derpy flapping her wings and hugging me. Must of been a bigger deal to her than I thought! Hahaha!

“Well I will be sure to catch you all in Canterlot! Good luck with everything!” Said Xenon Draft as he turned around and walked down the hall away from us.

With Xenon on his way, I turned to Derpy once again with a smile and she smiled back before w walked towards the canteen again.

Me and Derpy swung open the canteen doors together and entered the cafeteria once again. The two of us hovering above an empty table and getting a few ponies attention but not all.

I nudged Derpy to cue her announcement.

“HEY EVERYPONY!!!...ermmm....LIGHTNING FLASH HAS AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!” Derpy smiled and turned back to me. “Did I do good Lightning?”

I looked around and most of the ponies just looked but didn’t keep focused on us and instead went back to eating.

“Good job Derpy but these ponies have short attention spans it seems.” I replied. I saw Dash stare at me from across the tables as she hovered and flew over to us.

Dash stopped beside me and Derpy in mid air as we all hovered still.

“HEY! EVERYPONY! DROP THE GRUB AND LISTEN UP!!!!” Screamed Dash at the top of her lungs and then turning to me with a smile as if she put hardly any effort into it.

“AHEM! Can everypony meet in the main hall ASAP!!” I added before turning around to talk with Dash and Derpy.

The whole cafeteria had instantly bursted into a barrage of whispers and banter discussing the whole the announcement.

“Sooo ermm, Lightning? What is this all about anyway?” Asked Rainbow Dash as the three of us flew out of the cafeteria together.

“Prom. Let’s just say we’ve got a good friend backing us up.” I replied.

“Xenon Draft! Xenon Draft is helping us!” Added Derpy taking away the slight mystery.

“I thought I heard his name earlier.” Said Dash.

With everypony now assembled in the hall, side by side and huddled together. Myself and Dash took our spot in front of everypony where I would announce the good news.

“Hey! What’s this all about anyway!?”

“Yeah!”

The crowd was obviously impatient and annoyed...just like Speedy when he hasn’t had his dinner. Heheh!

“Everypony! I have awesome news! Thanks to Xenon Draft and other ponies! We are having our Prom night at the Canterlot Halls!” I replied to their needy calls.

“What!?”

“Really!?”

“Is this true Lightning?” Asked Dash turning to me quickly.

“Yup! So start packing up all the decorations and anything else needed! We’re leaving tomorrow! Xenon has got us all rooms reserved in the city’s hotels! So get ya stuff ready and I’ll see ya’ll tomorrow at PonyVille train station!” I added before the herd dispersed in a hurry to their own individual jobs and groups.

With everypony getting busy and prepared I quickly went into further detail about the whole situation with Dash, FireSpeed and the others. Who were all very curious. Explaining what and why it was all happening and how.

Damn I never expected to do this much explaining and planning when I signed up as Prom planner!

With everypony now notified on the entire new plan and everyone knowing what to do, things were now seeming a little easier.

The next day came without a worry or in a rush. Waking up early which was normal now due to the amount of planning and everypony getting to the train station in PonyVille. Each pony had their own stuff to carry and task to fulfill.

Just about lunchtime and everyone was at the train station ready to leave!

Everyone except me, Hemlock and Fluttershy were to travel to Canterlot and begin prepping the halls while us three picked up our clothes for the Prom. Well not everypony’s clothes but just mine, Hem, Flutters, Speedy, Kensei and Dash’s.

“Just be quick okay?” Said Dashie as I stood opposite her beside the train door.

“I will! Ya know I hate being around clothes and such....glittery things too long.” I replied.

“Hahaha! Yeah. Well I’ll see ya in Canterlot then I guess?” Replied Dash.

“I’ll be there quicker than ya can say Flashbang!”

“Heheh.” I grabbed Dash in a hug and quickly kissed her passionately as the departing bells rang.

“Love you Dashie.”

“Love you more Lightning.”

“Erghhh! Come on you two! We gotta go!” Said FireSpeed appearing from inside the doorway.

Rainbow Dash boarded the train with FireSpeed and took a seat beside him in the carriage filled with everypony else. Waving to me and the other two as the train slowly pulled away from the platform.

“Well I guess we better get moving ourselves! Lead the way Light!” Said Hemlock with great enthusiasm about him.

“This way!” I jumped into the air and flew quickly in the direction of Carousel Boutique with Hem and Fluttershy close on my rear.

“So...ermm..what’s this Rarity like?” Asked Fluttershy looking side to side in search of the boutique.

“Ermm well....she’s very....” I couldn’t think of the right words to describe her! I hadn’t met many ponies like her.

“Rarity is the type of mare who knows the latest style and fashion. She’s most elegant and mannered and is very lady like.” Added Hemlock with his way of words. He almost always knew how to describe a pony. Really sounded like he fancied her to be honest! Hahaha!

I know Hemlock well enough to know she isn’t his actual type anyway. Hem prefers a pony with an open mind, intelligence, independence and can relax without a worry. Someone he can trust and follow. What made him different from some others was that he didn’t prefer a mare.

Hemlock told us all a long time ago that the gender doesn’t matter to him. Bisexual as they called it. Colt or mare, Hemlock would still try a shot at them if he felt they were right.

“Always a way with words Hem.” I said as we approached the boutique.

“Always. I just know how to compliment a lady. Unlike you Lightning who does it in a less mannered way.” Replied Hemlock.

“Hey! I do too! Not that I need to because I only need to tell Dash that she looks as hot as tartarus everyday! Heheh!” I said turning to Hemlock as we landed in front of the boutique’s entrance.

“Hehehehe.” Giggled Fluttershy from behind us.

I opened the boutique door and casually walked in with the other two following close behind. With an instant sight of Rarity tending to some dresses in the corner I knocked on a table beside us to notify her of our presence.

“Why hello! Oh Lightning it is good to see you again so soon! Please come in and look around!” Said Rarity with the same elegant and friendly tone in her voice.

“Hello there Rarity! Nice to meet you again!” Greeted Hemlock.

“Oh thank you darling! I do hope you all enjoy my work for you.” Replied Rarity in such a thankful and greeting way in her step.

“Oh my....these dresses are...beautiful!” Exclaimed Fluttershy with her voice getting a little louder than her usual quiet self.

“Why thank you! Oh I’ve never caught your name dear?” Said Rarity as she approached Fluttershy who stepped back cautiously and hid behind her mane.

“Oh....I-I’m....Fluttershy.” Replied Flutters with her voice becoming as quiet as a mouse near the end.

“Sorry I didn’t quite catch that.” Said Rarity.

“Oh ermm...Fluttershy.”

“What a lovely name!”

Fluttershy’s face became camouflaged in her mane and was now hiding from the kind compliment.

“So are the suits and dresses complete?” I asked.

“Lightning! Don’t be so impatient! Please excuse him Rarity.” Panicked Hemlock sharply turning to me with a disappointed look.

“Huh? I was just asking! Jeez.” I replied turning away from him.

“Oh gentlecolts! This mare does not mind for an impatient stallion who likes his fashion! Yes Lightning Flash they are complete and ready! I hope you like them!” Said Rarity butting in and ending our little dispute.

“Thanks! Hem you grab yours and FireSpeed’s and I’ll grab mine and Dash’s.” I replied and advised Hemlock to his luggage.

“I’ll take mine and Kensei’s!” Said Fluttershy with a skip in her step and a smile suddenly on her face.

“Thank you so much Rarity but we must go. We’ve got to be in Canterlot soon!” Said Hemlock with a thankful smile.

“I am always happy to tend to a stallion or mare in need of such fashion. I’m so glad you like them.” Replied Rarity with a slight blush towards Hemlock.

“Come on Hemlock we gotta go!” I said as me and Fluttershy stood ready to leave at the door.

Hemlock quickly turned back to me with a loud sigh. “Again...my apologies Miss Rarity. Lightning is quite the speedy and non patient type.”Said Hem raising his voice a little at the end and turning to me again.

Rarity gave probably the most elegant giggle I could have ever heard!

“Catch ya later Rarity!” I said opening the door for Fluttershy and Hemlock. Rarity stood once again in an elegant pose waving us off just as kindly and almost royal like.

With our attire collected all that was needed now was a train to Canterlot! Then the real planning could begin! Well hopefully already began before we get there!

“Hey Lightning why are you in such a rush?” Asked Hemlock as we walked away from the boutique’s perimeter.

“You know me! I don’t like waiting around ya know? Plus we gotta get to Canterlot!” I replied with a smile. Yes I am very impatient at times but a pony with the speed of lightning can’t be waiting around can he? Heheh.

“You do remember that the train just left right?” Added Hem with a raised eyebrow at me.

“Your point is?”

“We got at least a few hours to wait till the next train.”

“Damn it!”

Fluttershy hid her face in her mane as she giggled in her usual cute way.

“What are we gonna do until the train arrives!? I hate being bored!” I moaned and sulked, sitting down on the bench and shoving the clothes beside me.

“Hmmm we could go for something to eat?” Suggested Hemlock looking at a sign which displayed the train times.

“Meh I’m not all that hungry. Anyway I wanna-”

A cluster of muffled explosions and bangs bellowed and echoed from a house back the way we came. Sounding like lightning striking through the air or the wrong formula of a wizard mixed together. Whatever it was, it caused a loud enough disturbance that cut me in mid sentence and drew everypony’s undivided attention.

Even though the other were probably worried for whatever was going on, I on the other hoof was feeling relieved! Finally after all the prom planning and clothes collecting...finally some action! Something out of the blue!

Well I hoped this wasn't going to be boring.

Explosions usually aren't......