The Life Of Lightning Flash

Chapter Twenty Four

“Ya ready yet Dash!?” I shouted across the hall as I left the bathroom in our suite.

“No! Jeez why do I have to wear something like this!?” Replied Rainbow Dash from inside our bedroom. Agitated and not one for dresses.

I myself was all freshened up and dressed for tonight. The night of our Prom.

After our arrival in Canterlot everything had gone swimmingly! No more delays, no replacements or refunds. No clumsy pony to ruin it.

All the music, food, decorations and the ponies to enjoy it all were ready. Kensei even managed to teach me to dance in time! I mean I’m no professional at it but I know enough for tonight!

At last the night was here! All the work and planning over. Along with the inconvenient encounters on the way.

“Hey I’m not a big fan of suits but it’s for tonight! Ya gonna look great Dash.” I replied approaching the door but not entering just yet.

My suit fitted me perfectly and even though I’m not one for such type of clothing, I gotta admit I look pretty good in it!

“Fine. I’ll ermm.......meet ya at the hall yeah?” Said Dash as I could hear her pacing about in the room.

“Sure thing. See ya in a bit!” I replied walking away from the door and towards the stairs.

The hotels we were staying in were pretty nice and posh. Comfy bed and heating was all I asked!

All of us stayed in the same hotel of course and shared our own rooms. Dash, myself, Kensei, Fluttershy and some others stayed on the third floor.

Making my way downstairs I bumped into a few others who were heading out too. Thunderlane, Blossomforth and others too all leaving their rooms in their own attires.

Entering the reception area I found more fellow stallions and mares leaving for tonight.

“Hello Lightning Flash. Busy night am I right?” Said the receptionist as I approached the counter he was behind.

Only knowing him for two days,  he’d been a good guy to keep ya company. None of us knew a lot about him but Golden Bark was certainly friendly and social. Always wearing his uniform over his amber coat. His hat concealing his brown mane.

“Yup! The whole thing hits off in a little while.” I replied resting against the counter as I looked to the clock above Golden Bark.

“Well you have fun ya hear! Wanna know all about it when you come back. When does it finish exactly?” Asked Golden Bark as he leaned against his side of the counter.

“Well it’s almost 8pm now, goes on until midnight.”

“Alrighty. Ah I remember my prom. Quite a few years back now. Hahaha! If yours is anything like mine then I doubt you’re gonna come back walking straight!” Replied Golden Bark with a huge smile on his face. Still laughing and tapping the desk as he did.

“Hahaha! Gotta wait and see I guess.”

I’d never gotten drunk before but maybe tonight was the night for a lot of things!

“Enjoy the night buddy and I’ll be seeing you when ya come back stumbling.” Said Golden Bark followed a chuckle.

“Oh I will! See ya!” I replied turning away and walking towards the main entrance.

Leaving the hotel my eyes were brought upon the magnificent lights of Canterlot. Each street light perfectly in line and the halls glowing in the distance.

The night had that feel that brushed over me as I walked. The feel of being free and alive. Knowing anything could happen. Fun, laughs, smiles, dancing, music and a load of food and drinks!

I felt refreshed and ready as I walked alone around the street corners and soon up the path to the hall.

Suddenly I felt the path tremble a little underneath my hooves. A gush of air hitting me from behind.

“Not looking too bad in that suit Light.” I heard FireSpeed say from behind me.

Turning to see him I could say the same about his.

“Right back at ya.”

“Where’s Dash?”

“Told me to wait here while she got ready.”

“Hahaha!  Shall we head up?”

“Yup!”

The two of us continued our walk to the hall. The lights on each side of us shone so brightly in the approaching night. The moon gleaming high up in the sky and surrounded by clouds with it’s light breaking through.

The gates to the halls wide open and a royal guard standing at each side.

Each one taking a look at us both and then nodding to each other.

“Enjoy your night sirs.” The guard to our left said.

“Cheers!” Said Speedy.

“Wilco.” I added.

Walking through the gates and nearing the hall itself did it then hit me. Tonight was the night we had been planning so long for. Of course I already knew that but I only just recieved the feeling to remind me.

Before entering we noticed Kensei also in his suit standing beside the closed doors. Various ponies were split into their own little groups outside of the doors.

“Hey guys!” Joyfully said Kensei as we walked over to him.

“All alone?” I asked taking my place beside him with FireSpeed next to me.

“Yeah. I saw Fluttershy before she went to get ready. Not sure about Hemlock.” Replied Kensei.

“I think Hemlock wanted to visit the gardens before meeting here. Of what I remember anyway.” I said thinking back to earlier.

“Ah ok. So you two ready for tonight?” Asked Kensei adjusting the collar on his suit a little.

“Should be fun!” Replied FireSpeed.

“Hell yeah it’s gonna be!” I added.

Turning my head to see watch the path again I noticed a lone stallion suited and trotting this way. Hemlock.

He was too busy admiring the lights beside him to notice us.

“Hem!” I shouted followed by Kensei whistling to him.

“Ya know I can’t whistle! Damn you.” I turned to Kensei who grinned and looked back over to Hemlock who nodded back. Taking his time approaching us three, Hem soon stood beside us.

“Hey guys! Hope tonight’s gonna be fun.” said Hemlock still admiring the lights nearby.

“Damn straight!” Agreed FireSpeed.

Although we done the planning and setting up, Xenon Draft had hired some royal acquaintances to serve us and manage tonights doings.

“Hey as I was leaving the gardens I could just about see the girls walking this way.” Said Hemlock pointing his head in the direction of the path.

The four of us all turned to look towards the gates and waited for the mares to arrive.

“There they are.” I said as the the girls walked into view, making their way up the path.

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Camouflage coming slowly into our sight in their amazing dresses. The lights on either side of them brought out each and every colour that they wore upon them.

Rainbow Dash looked absolutely stunning in her dress!  White as the most clear snow all over with a rainbow decorated trim. The lights practically bounced off of her dress. The colours of the rainbow gleaming and the white sparkling.

Camouflage wore her dress as well as she did her dog tags round her neck. Which of course she kept on. All bright green with a chocolate brown trim. Suiting her coat very well!

Fluttershy looked quite fitting in her’s too. A soft pink as the main and a gold trim. Looking very comfortable on her.

Dash stood in between Fluttershy on her right and Camouflage on her left as they walked towards us together. Camo wore her usual cheery smile, Fluttershy with her eyes amazed by her surroundings and Rainbow a grin knowing she looked awesome.

Each of them had a dress for the night and to suit them in particular.

“Wow.” Said FireSpeed.

“Hahahaha! They look amazing!” I agreed in such amazement.

“Beauty before us.” Added Hemlock to ours.

“Fluttershy...” Whispered Kensei but I think only I heard. His eyes wide and his balance slightly put off as he gazed on at Fluttershy. Looking back at Dash I almost felt my body fall over my hooves.

The three mares of our night now stood before us, taking notice of our suited selves.

“What do ya think?” Said Dash grinning still and standing as she usually did with pride in her stance. The dress looked so great on her.

“Ya look amazing Dash! Suits you perfectly!” I replied stepping closer towards her.

Dash’s grin grew into a larger smile. “You don’t look too bad yourself Light.” We both quickly hugged before I now stood beside her.

“Everypony looks so great!” Exclaimed Camouflage taking a good look at all of us individually.

“Right back at ya.” Said Hemlock smiling at Camouflage.

Camouflage blushed a little with a giggle at Hem’s compliment.

“Hey Kensei....you look nice tonight.” Fluttershy nervously stepped closer next to Kensei as his cheeks grew slightly red.

“Thanks. You look beautiful in that dress.” With Kensei’s reply Fluttershy’s cheeks grew almost as red as roses and hid a little behind her mane.

Dash had to put a hoof to her mouth to stop her from giggling at them.

“Here we are at last everyone! Damn tonight’s gonna be awesome!” I exclaimed amongst the group.

Kensei stepped forward a little and went from nervous to ready and confident. His usual self.

“Alright guys and gals. The night is young and so are we. There’s food, drinks, music and the six ponies I need to make tonight awesome! Now are we gonna have a good time!?” Announced Kensei. At times  Kensei could be quite the leader type.

“Hell yeah!” Me, Rainbow Dash and FireSpeed all replied at once.

“Then let’s do this!” Said Kensei and just in time as well. The doors to the hall were opened! Two stallions standing by the sides and observing us as we strolled on in.

The halls looked so magnificent! The lighting brought out the different coloured banners and paint. Each and every table laid out with decorations on each single one. Half of the hall was filled with separated tables while the other half was clear for dancing.

Spotlights at each top corner of the room. A long table extended from one end of the hall to the center was covered with food and drinks. Munchies, nibbles and cravings of our desire displayed upon such a table.

“Hahaha! Just epic!” Said FireSpeed as we stepped further into the hall.

“Oh my Celestia look at the food!” Hemlock adored in awe at the amount of grub at hoof.

“Sorry to do this guys but I gotta get to my station!” Said Kensei pointing to the machine of tonights music at the other end of the hall.

“Dude without you we wouldn’t have the tunes to keep us dancing. Go strut ya stuff.” I replied placing a hoof on his shoulder.

“Hehe. I won’t let ya down!” Added Kensei turning to walk off.

“Ermm Kensei?” Said Fluttershy causing Ken to quickly turn round.

“Yes Fluttershy?”

“Can I ermm....come to?”

“Of course Flutters! Come on!” Replied Kensei grabbing Fluttershy by her hoof and trotting off. The two of them soon across the hall and at the music maker.

The five of us all walked over to the dance floor as more ponies entered the hall.

Within a couple of minutes the hall was populated with ponies! Stallions and Mares all in their own designed suits and dresses. Some going to the food and others around us on the dance floor.

“Testing...ermmm hello!?” The sound of Fluttershy’s usual soft voice echoed throughout the hall and not as quiet as normal. “Is...is this on?”

“Bahahaha! Ahahaha!” Dash again had to place a hoof over her mouth but couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

“Thanks Fluttershy.” Kensei’s voice replaced Fluttershy’s over the microphone. “Hey everypony are ya’ll ready to party!?!?” Announced Kensei Coal as he stood proudly in his place behind the tool of his art.

“YEAH!!!!!” The hall erupted with everypony synchronised at once in agreement.

“Then let’s get this party started!!!” And with that the spotlights spun round and aimed at the dance floor. A huge disco ball descended from the ceiling bringing a rainbow selection of new lights to the hall.

The atmosphere went from thriving to booming as Kensei put on the music! Loud, fast and just like Kensei......more than enough to get ya dancing!

“Let’s go Dash!” I said breaking into my own style of dance as did everyone else around us.

“Hehe. Bring it Flash!” Replied Rainbow Dash as she joined in.

The room was suddenly engulfed with the tunes of awesomeness. The dance floor covered with raving ponies and their best and worst dancing moves.

Fast, quick and in a flash everyone’s hooves meeting intune with the beat of Kensei’s rythme. Deep in various styles of moves, everypony just started and couldn’t stop!

About half an hour into our prom and we had all been deep in dance still! The juices flowing and the dance floor pumping! Kensei had so much music to keep us all busy so far.

Myself, Dash, Speedy, Camo and Hemlock all stepped off of the dance floor. Each of us a little sweaty and slightly exhausted.

“Damn Speedy! I didn’t know how much of a good dancer ya were!” I said as the five of us walked past some tables.

“Hehe thanks! You ain’t so bad yourself!” Replied FireSpeed. Anything we said, we had to shout pretty much. The hall was ear thumpingly loud with Kensei’s awesome music and everypony’s dancing.

“Hey you guys wanna grab some grub?” Suggested Hemlock.

“Sure!”

“The Sooner we eat the sooner we can get back out there!” Said Camouflage with a hop in her step.

The five of us all lined up behind each other, beside the table of food. Trays of various and ranges of snacks! Pizza, salad, crisps, chocolate, cakes, muffins, sandwiches and more! Not to mention  the drinks. From energy drinks to milkshakes and fruit juices.

Each of us grabbed a plastic plate and gazed at the selection of food.

Hemlock picked up two or three bits of each food with his mouth and placed it onto his plate. The rest of us just chose a few in total.

“You hungry Hem?” I said as we all left the food and walked over to an empty table.

“Very! Plus this pizza looks great!” Replied Hemlock as the five of us sat down around a circular table. Decorated with a red cloth covering its plain old looks. White napkins spread evenly apart around the edges. A single candle lit in the middle.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard such great music!” Said Camouflage nodding her head to the on beating tunes.

“This is Kensei for ya!” I replied munching into my muffin and eating it whole. They are mini muffins!

The other four jumped into their array of snacks and munchies. Banging their heads in tune with the beating rhythm occasionally when we weren’t eating. The food was great and we couldn’t help but get up for more!

“Hey has anyone seen Derpy around?” Asked FireSpeed taking a sip of his punch.

I and Hemlock both shrugged before hearing a crash at the table behind us. All of us turning our heads to instantly look upon what was Derpy laying upside down, next to a flipped table.

A few muffins laying on her belly as the clumsy mare laid still with her eyes still spinning. The table on its side and the candle on the floor and luckily no longer burning! The cloths sent flying but Derpy’s dress was still clean and almost unaffected!

“Bahahahahaha!” Dash broke out in laughter and almost falling off her chair. I couldn’t help but join her!

“Derpy are you ok!?” Hemlock slightly panicked and jumping out of his seat to help her.

Derpy’s eyes came to a halt and back in their opposite positions. “I just don’t know what went wrong!?”

Dash and  I still keeping our balance on our chairs as we couldn't stop laughing. Derpy jumping to her hooves with Hemlock's help.

“Thanks!” Said Derpy before leaning down and  biting into a muffin, carrying it to her own table.

“At least I helped her.” Said Hemlock returning to his seat.

“Come on Hem, ya know that was funny!” I replied with the same huge grin on my face.

“Hahaha! Derpy’s always gonna be her clumsy old self.” Added Dash.

“Okay it is kinda funny.” Said Hem taking a bite out of his pizza.

With Lightning Flash and the others biting into their party food, Kensei was still busy at his best. Creating music that is absolutely head banging and hoof stomping. Fluttershy by his side as he placed yet another song on.

“Your amazing Kensei.” Said Fluttershy but her timid little voice was no match compared to the tunes of Kensei Coal.

Kensei stood proud on his pedestal, the DJ of the night. Playing the tunes he loved and standing beside the mare he adored.

Leaving the record to play, Kensei stepped down from his place behind Vinyl’s music cannon.

“Hey Fluttershy, you wanna help?” Asked Kensei  as he stared into her eyes.

“Really? Oh..but I don’t know how to?” Replied Fluttershy.

“Here let me show ya.”   Kensei  swung a wing over Fluttershy and walked her behind the machine. “Just press this gently against the record and  I’ll do the rest.” He smiled kindly turning to her after his words.

Fluttershy, still nervous,  smiled back and did as Kensei said. Holding the needle to the spinning record. The music changed a little in speed and volume. Fluttershy noticed the change more than anypony else and panicked until she felt the touch of Kensei’s hoof upon her shoulder.

He turned to her and smiled. The music still sounded great as everypony carried on dancing to it. With his touch on her and his face smiling at her, Fluttershy soon calmed again. With a few tweaks and button presses by Kensei Coal, the current song changed from loud and fast to booming once again!

“I’m doing it!” Fluttershy exclaimed with a huge smile on her face as she now stood happily next to Kensei.

Kensei couldn’t take his eyes off of her for a second. Watching her smile and be so happy.

“Hey look! I think that’s Fluttershy up there with Kensei!” Said Dash pointing to the two of them at the other end of the hall.

“Yeah! Go Fluttershy!!!” I yelled but the volumes of music were too much to compete with.

“Who knew Fluttershy could be a DJ?” Said FireSpeed before returning to his drink and cake.

The five of us sat eating, telling jokes and pretty much just doing our usual thing when we talked. Camouflage was still getting used to being around us but we made her feel in good company. She just got confused when we would discuss events she never saw!

“So did it feel toasty being a fireball?” Asked Hemlock with a giggle looking over to FireSpeed. Our previous conversation resorting back to Skyline. and then leading to FireSpeed’s come to firepower!

“Knowing ya have fire at your hooves and wings while being a living fireballl” Speedy took a sip of his drink before continuing. “It feels pretty awesome.”

“Not as cool as breaking the sound barrier and creating an awesome rainbow!” Replied Dash as she sat up with pride on her face.

“Guys please! Nothing is as epic as creating Lightning and beating ya both in a race!” I said resting both of my front hooves onto the table. Dash giving me one of her determined and competitive looks, FireSpeed laughing before biting into some more grub.

“Oh yeah? After tonight, the three of us are gonna race! No sonic rainbooms, no turning  into a fireball and NO lightning!” Dash slammed her hoof onto the table and declared.

“Deal!”

“Alright!”

It was settled and kept me anticipating for the race!

After about ten more minutes of eating and talking,the five of us all stepped onto the dance floor once again. Now with our bellies filled a bit more, we were ready to move again!

“Now this next song is for all those with a special somepony!!!” Kensei’s voice roared across the hall from his stand. The hall went silent for a second before the record began to spin.

Slowly but softly the most gentle music to our ears was heard. As smooth as a   the sky is blue and as calming as the night was young.

Almost everypony around us began to come closer to another. Picking their partners and drifting to the music.

I turned to Dash who did the same , perfectly synchronised in time. Our eyes locked into each others, staring deep. My heart felt this sudden wave of......I’m not too sure how to describe it. That sense of knowing true love.

Looking at the one you love more than anyone or anything else. Not for the first time but just enjoying the feeling again. Something you can never lose. I’m not sure why but  this moment, the hall, the music, the night and the best and most special pony in front of me.

All was perfect.

As mine and Dash’s eyes were caught in each other’s stare, our hooves slowly moved with the music. Our bodies coming closer until our noses touched. Dash slowly beginning to smile. That soft and beautiful look on her face. I couldn’t help but smile back.

I rubbed my nose against hers, gently before leaning further forward and brushing her cheek with my own. Closing my eyes to only feel her soft coat against mine.  Stepping ever so more forward until our necks were aligned. Our styled manes in touch with each others.

My hooves becoming interlinked with the peaceful music, slowly  stepping to the side but  keeping my neck against Dash’s. She noticed what I was doing and followed my movements. As if by naturally moving to the music in a slow stepping circle. Rainbow Dash seemed to rest her head onto me some more., obviously more comfortable.

I couldn’t help but smile as I opened my eyes to see my beautiful mare resting onto me in the bright light. Her hooves following mine. Her dress so perfectly fitting her amazing figure.

Her coat soft to the touch against mine and our manes simultaneous in colour.

“I Love you Lightning.” I heard Dash say softly into my ear. No interruption in her steps or movement.

“I Love you too Rainbow.”