The Life Of Lightning Flash

Chapter Twenty Five

The music as soft as the calm night’s air against any ponies coat. Slowly casting into our ears and bringing the whole hall into a romantic trance almost.

Fluttershy felt herself relaxing more and more to the gentle rhythm and beat Kensei had created. A tune just for her. The thought embedded in her mind, asking herself so many questions. So many opportunities but before she could decide or do anything, Kensei was stood before her.

Perfectly dressed as so was herself.

“May I have this dance?” Asked Kensei so kindly. His voice so gentle to Fluttershy. His eyes shining and his hoof out to offer. A dance with Fluttershy? No pony had ever asked her for such a thing. No matter how many times she had dreamt about it.

Her lungs felt as if they had stopped, her breath getting caught in the night air. Her eyes deeply looking into Kensei Coal’s.  So afraid, worried, nervous and happy all at once.

Fluttershy ever so nervously stepped closer towards Kensei. One hoof at a time. Almost shaking as she did. Soon coming so close to Kensei, he put his offered hoof around her neck and slowly brushed his face against hers.

Their cheeks meeting with the softest touch. Her cheeks growing as red as roses while Kensei’s were just a tone of pink almost.

As Kensei’s hoof and leg rested gently but firmly around her fragile neck, Fluttershy’s shaking slowed down and ceased to exist. Her breaths began to deepen and slow down as well, her entire body started to just lean onto Kensei as Fluttershy felt more relaxed than ever!

The yellow and timid mare felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time. To feel safe by another pony. To not worry as much or feel the need to watch her step around others. Kensei gave off an aura that only Fluttershy could feel and collect, a feeling that he gave to no other pony in the great hall. Love and protection. Safety and kindness.

Of course almost everypony had their special somepony who loved them and wanted nothing more than to protect and be with them. Lightning Flash had Rainbow Dash and many others had their own partners. To Fluttershy this was all so new, to feel this way about someone else?

“Fluttershy...you look so pretty tonight.” Said Kensei as he whispered into her ear. Their hooves slowly stepping to the side as they followed everyone else’s dancing. Keeping in perfect touch with each other as they walked in a connected circle.

"Thank you..thank you Kensei." Replied Fluttershy as she closed her eyes and whispered.

The beautiful rhythm echoed through her head as she let herself be held by Kensei.

"Fluttershy. I've always wanted to tell you this." Said Kensei as he felt and admired every touch between their bodies. Fluttershy's eyes opened as she tilted her head back to look at him.

"Fluttershy, I love you."

Fluttershy's heart began to beat too fast for her. Her eyes widened and her ears pricked up at his words.

Her chest pumped in and out deeply. Her eyes suddenly closed shut as she dived her head back onto Kensei. He wrapped a hoof back around her neck, holding her close.

Fluttershy ruffled her face into Kensei's mane. Letting him take her in his gentle grasp.

"I-I...I love you too Kensei!"

---––----------------------------------------------------

FireSpeed walked past pairs and pairs of ponies dancing. The only stallion standing by himself, he briefly glanced at each couple.

From Dash and Flash dancing, to Kensei's and Fluttershy's hold of each other.

"Seems fun." FireSpeed muttered to himself.

"I wouldn't know."  A mare’s voice spoke from behind him. Soft and nervous in her tone.

FireSpeed turned around to face the mare to be met eye to eye with CloudChaser. A pegasus mare in his class along with Lightning, Dash and everyone else. Her eyes stared into his as she swept her front hoof on the ground.

CloudChaser stood there opposite him in her fine dress of a mix of light blue and white intertwined together all over. Except for the shining and glitter trim which was a shade of lavender purple. It represented her coat and mane perfectly.

“CloudChaser? You....look beautiful.” Said FireSpeed as he scanned his eyes over the mare.

CloudChaser blushed as her cheeks went bright red.

“Th-Thank you.....you look.....quite handsome FireSpeed.” Replied CloudChaser as she tilted her head back with a nervous smile.

FireSpeed looked deep into her eyes and smiled.

“May I have this dance?” Asked FireSpeed as he stepped closer to her.

“Oh....y-yes.” Replied CloudChaser nervous but wanting it more than he knew.

She stepped forward as did FireSpeed. Their hooves almost in perfect alignment as their eyes stared into each others. FireSpeed stepped a little closer as he broke their line of eye contact, brushing his right cheek against CloudChasers left cheek. Slowly but firmly, their faces met under the still beaming lights in the hall.

The music still slow but ever so perfect in tune.

Their cheeks felt so warm against each others, FireSpeed’s head soon passed CloudChaser’s face. His chin turned and rested gently onto the back of her neck. Their ears stroked the other’s as he moved his head.

CloudChaser breathed slowly and deeply as she rested her head onto him. Smiling and letting her eyelids drop shut.

FireSpeed slowly scanned with his eyes what was in front of him, without moving his head at all. He only saw other ponies dancing so calmly together. Through the crowds he spotted Lightning, still dancing with Dash of course. Then just near them stood Kensei and Fluttershy. He could feel and know somewhat what they felt, being together as they were.

But....CloudChaser? FireSpeed had never really had a special somepony in mind. Not at Wingbury anyway. For CloudChaser to randomly come up to him, seemed like a nice coincidence.

Their hooves still stepped in tune with each other’s. Didn’t seem like anypony was messing up their dance moves tonight.

“Thank you.” Whispered CloudChaser as she felt ever so comfortable with Speedy.

“No, thank you.” Replied FIreSpeed in an equally quiet tone of voice.

The beautiful and romantic time for dancing lasted for a few more minutes. Couples and pairs all in each other’s grasp. Necks and heads meeting and some with even their lips too. Mares and Colts, together and with each other. Everypony had someone to hold onto. Even Hemlock found someone, as well as Derpy.

A few minutes later a door at the end of the hall, near where Kensei stood with his music before dancing with Fluttershy. No one could see the newly arrived pony but within a few seconds the music stopped. Luckily everypony had got their time together, done what they needed to do.

I was so nervous at first about dancing with Dash, I wanted every second of it. It felt so......perfect. Neither of us would be interested in something like a big dance, but this was all made by us. Our first one together as well.

With the ending of the peaceful music coming to a halt, the scratch of a record was heard by the machine of music.

A mare’s head appeared from behind the stand. Her coat a clean white, her mane a mix of two tones of blue. The mare’s eyes were......well actually the colour of her goggles were purple.

“WUB A DUB DUB MOTHERBUCKERS!!” The mare screamed as she slammed a hoof down onto a record and the booming of music began to roar throughout the room!

“YEAAAHHH!!!!” Almost everypony stopped and stared at the famous Vinyl Scratch. Letting go of each other’s grasps and raising a hoof in the air.

Kensei Coal looked Into Fluttershy’s eyes one more time before running up to Vinyl Scratch on the stand, seen by everypony as his face lit up with a smile of wonder.

I couldn’t hear what he was saying but they hugged each other quickly before standing side by side as the new booming music carried on. Fluttershy was edged on by Kensei to walk up next to them. Nervous but also becoming more deaf by the roars of tunes as she approached him again.

Vinyl Scratch held a microphone up to her mouth before looking at Kensei, then back to everyone else.

“Listen up everypony! I was just on my way here to play ya some wicked tunes but it seems like this guy has been doing an AWESOME JOB! I could hear you guys and gals from down the street! Kensei Coal! Would you kindly help bring these ponies some amazing wubs!?” Shouted Vinyl as she turned to Kensei who bro hoofed her before adjusting the record spinner.

“Gladly!” Replied Kensei as the music became even louder. Fluttershy who stood next to him just about managed to have her ears survive the waves of rhythm. She stepped closer beside Kensei as he helped Vinyl play. Her head rested against his neck as he nodded his head in tune with the music, he turned for a brief second to face the mare. Smiling at her as she blushed.

What was just a hall of ponies dancing romantically together, slow and passionately had now transformed into a wave of ponies jumping and bouncing.  Raising their hooves in the air, causing the floor to tremble with each jump.

For the next half an hour the hall boomed away with Vinyl and Kensei Coal supplying every pony with beats. A variety of dubstep, rock, rap and more!

With Dash still dancing right beside me, I felt a slight tap on my shoulder from behind. The crowds around us still roared on. I slowed down my dancing and turned to see Hemlock.

“Hey Lightning! We there’s something you two have gotta see!” Hemlock’s voice was drowned out by the sounds of everypony else.

“What!?” I replied to whatever he had said.

“I said! There’s something!.....Just follow me!” Said Hemlock as he turned around to find a way through the crowded room.

I turned back to Dash and tapped her on the shoulder, she looked at me with a smile.

“Come on! Hem’s up to something!” I said before I nodded my head in Hemlock’s direction.

I began to follow him with Dash close behind me.

After a couple of minutes of making our way through the herds, the three of us finally came up to a decorated table. It looked no different than those with food on. Upon it was a stockpile of empty cups, four large jugs of orange liquid and a few dripping and used cups.

“Dash, Flash. There’s Cider!” Hemlock exclaimed as he stared at the jugs in front of us. Mine and Rainbow’s eyes widened at this sight, so much alcohol and it was free! The two of us have had a glass or two to drink but it was with a special celebration among families.

Me, Dash and Hemlock all looked at each other before rushing to the cider and filling ourselves a cup each.

“Well guys, cheers!” Said Dash as we all raised a cup each and bashed them against each others.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The three of us all chugged down our drinks in a matter of seconds,

“Damn that’s good!” I shouted as I brought my cup down to the table, as did the other two.

“Another?” Asked Hemlock as he reached for the jug again.

“It’s gonna take more than a few to stop this mare.” Said Dash as she smiled and refilled her cup with some more cider. Me and Hemlock did the same.

“Cheers!” I shouted as we all had our cups meet in the air again.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

And our second row of cups were diminished.

“Hey, we should get FireSpeed over here! Kensei too!” I said scanning the room for Speedy. Out of the corner of my eye I just about managed to see his fiery mane. “You two stay here. I’ll go get him.” I walked off towards FireSpeed’s bouncing mane of which the rest of his body was hidden in the crowd.

Making my way through the wall of stallions and mares I soon got to him, only to notice that he was dancing with a mare. CloudChaser to be precise.

“Yo Speedy!” I shouted as I came closer to him but he must not have heard me. Don’t blame him! “Hey Speedy!” I shouted again but this time I tapped him on the shoulder, making him turn round. As did CloudChaser.

“Oh hey Lightning! Tonight is so great! Ya having a good time!?” FireSpeed replied as he stared at me with the surrounding lights reflecting off of his eyes almost. CloudChaser waved a hoof at me as we spoke.

“Yeah I know right! Follow me! We got something to share!!” I shouted back and fortunately they both heard me and followed my steps.

The two and new apparent lovers, well I’m guessing it has something to do with love. Anyway, they followed close behind me until we returned to Dash and Hemlock.

Hemlock was sipping his next cup of cider while Dash held a full cup as she watched me come closer.

“You found him. Come on Flash, got a cup waiting for ya!” Said Dash as she stood next to the table, a full cup of cider stood on top of it.

“Thanks!” I replied, taking the cup and turning back to Speedy. “Feel free to try some!”

FireSpeed looked at CloudChaser, the two of them smiled and shrugged before grabbing a cup each and filling it a little with cider.

“Nothing drank, nothing to thank!” Said FireSpeed as he poured the drink into his mouth. CloudChaser giggled and did the same.

I looked to Dash and we both began to drink down our cups of cider too.

“Damn this is pretty good!” Shouted FireSpeed as a couple of ponies walked over to the table and grabbed a few cups.

“Not too bad!” Agreed CloudChaser.

A male Unicorn dressed in a black suit with a white top underneath approached the table. Hic coat a dark tone of beige with a black mane. He was obviously much older than us but he belonged to the catering staff for the hall.

“May I refill our cider for you?” The stallion asked as he levitated two of the jugs.

“That would be great buddy!” I replied giving him a smile. He turned and walked past the crowds and seemed to enter a single doorway.

“Who feels like dancing some more!?” Shouted Dash as she and I finished our drinks before grabbing one of my front legs and dragging me into the crowd. The others finished their drinks and followed.

As I walked I felt each step I took feel a little out of place. Apart from that I felt great! I could see that the cider must have affected Dash’s hooves when she danced. Only a tad though. It would take more than a few cups to keep me and Dash down.

With our bodies more energized and hydrated, the five of us got to dancing again. Neither of us did a specific dance style...we never really did apart from earlier before Vinyl appeared.

About ten to fifteen minutes later and we had all danced till sweat dripped of our noses.

“WOO!” CloudChaser shouted as she hopped beside FireSpeed still.

“I love this tune!” Cheered Dash and I in synchronisation.

While still dancing in tune to the DJ’s beat, I noticed Kensei still up on his pedestal. His face was red with glee and shining with joy...and probably sweat. I felt kinda bad for him though, although he was loving his time in the spotlight. He hadn’t actually got time to dance with his pals.

Dashie noticed that I was distracted on Kensei so I turned to her and nodded. She smiled and followed me as we made our way towards the DJ’s stand. Finding a couple of metres without coming into contact with anypony was as easy as finding a needle in the EverFree Forest.

Struggling and pushing past some others who were too caught up in the night to move, me and Rainbow Dash eventually made it up to where Kensei, Vinyl and Fluttershy stood. We walked around behind them and made our way up the steps. Huge speakers on both our sides and three ponies right in front of us.

Vinyl had one hoof to her ear as she held her ear pieces in place, her other hoof was on the spinning record. Kensei stood next to her with his own hoof on another record spinner, Fluttershy beside him.

“Hey! Kensei!” I shouted as I stepped right up behind him. Fluttershy jumped off of the ground at arrival. Rainbow Dash appeared by her side as she landed down, making her gasp.

Kensei Coal turned his head and smiled at me. “Oh hey Light! Ya enjoying the party!?”

“What do you think!?” I replied with a grin and nudging him with a hoof.

“Hahaha good to hear! Being up here is sooo friggin amazing!” Replied Kensei.

“I bet! Hey dude, do ya wanna come hang with us!?” I asked as Vinyl turned to see me and him.

“Aww man I’d love to but...gotta keep it busy up here! Ya know!?” Replied Kensei as he watched over the ponies below.

“Hey Kensei! You don’t have to stay up here, I got it all under control!” Said Vinyl Scratch as she lifted her goggles onto her forehead. Her eyes were a bright red.

“You...you sure!?” Replied Kensei as he stared at Vinyl.

“Yeah, no problem dude! You’ve been awesome! Now go and hang with some buds!” Said Vinyl as she held up a hoof, the two of them bro hoofed each other.

“Sweet! Thanks Vinyl!” Replied Kensei as he turned back to me as we stood near the microphone and a record spinner.

“Great! First off ya need to try the cider!” I exclaimed to Kensei and the sound of the microphone screeched a little.

“Cider!?”

“Cider!? Where!?”

“Really!? CIDER!?”

“CIDER!!”

The hall erupted in a cluster of ponies cheering for cider. Almost each and every one began to turn and look for any cider. Without trouble they soon spotted the table where Speedy, Hemlock and CloudChaser stood. Their faces were that of confused and their ears drooped back.

“Aah Lightning...what did you just do?” Asked Kensei as he looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

“I think I’ve just made tonight a little more interesting.” I replied with a short laugh.

“Probably funny too! Man when they start dancing after a couple of drinks. Hehehe, it’s gonna be priceless!” Added Rainbow Dash with a giggle.

“Hahaha, come on you two! We gotta get to the others!” I shouted as I walked back around the stand with the other three behind me.

The large crowd of dancing ponies had now began to separate as groups searched for the cider while others carried on showing their moves. The four of us made our way back to the table and found the others who were almost being squashed between ponies. The three of them managed to struggle their ways past and closer to us.

“Hey! So errmmm yeah....nice job mentioning the Cider Flash.” Said FireSpeed. CloudChaser giggled.

“I wanted some too ya know!” I replied.

“Aah both of ya stop complaining! You sound like a pair of alcoholics!” Said Kensei as he wrapped a leg round me and another round FireSpeed’s neck. Fluttershy and Dash both giggled.

“Naah just damn thirsty.” I replied.

“Well if we want some more then I guess we might be waiting awhile.” Said Hemlock as we watched the que of ponies increase and grow.

“Darn it.” Said Dashie with a slight irritated tone.

“HEY! LIGHTNING!” A mare’s yells managed to cut through the hustle and bustle of pegasi, along with the ongoing music. A familiar mare’s voice actually. I turned in it’s direction to spot a n almost empty table, it’s only resident being Camouflage.

I waved over to her and started to walk over to the table. The others followed me and we were welcomed to the table by Camouflage and her still cheery smile. The table was decorated just like any of the others. Except this one had more than enough seats compared to the others. Much bigger in size but still circular. The seven of us took our seats round the table.

“Sup Camo! Sorry we got a little split up earlier.” I said as I took my seat beside her, Dash than on my other side.

“Ah no problem! Just glad to see you all again.” Replied Camouflage .

“Good to see you too” Added Hemlock.

“Excuse me sir” A stallion’s voice spoke in between me and Camouflage and as I turned to see him, a jug of cider was levitated and carefully dropped onto our table, followed by a stack of cups. It was the same stallion waiter from before.

“Cheers my man!” FireSpeed shouted as the rest of us all smiled at him.

“You’re quite welcome sirs and madams.” Replied the stallion before he walked off towards the other tables.

“Sweet!” Dash squeed as she stared at the jug and then grabbing herself a cup.

The rest of us did the exact same while Hemlock held the jug and poured some cider into each of our cups.

“Oh I..I’m not too sure if...if I should.” Said Fluttershy as her voice was very muffled by the rest of the hall’s sounds.

“Awww come on Flutters!” Dash said enthusiastically as she held up her own drink.

“Yeah I bet ya gonna like it!” I added, tapping my cup against Rainbow Dash’s in the air before we both began to take a couple of gulps each.

“Flutters!”

“Flutters!

“Flutters!

All of us revved up a chant to encourage Fluttershy to drink.

Kensei edged closer to the nervous and timid mare, placing his mouth near her ear.

“I’ll give you a surprise if you do.” Said Kensei in more quiet voice but he obviously didn’t care for us hearing him.

Fluttershy’s cheeks instantly grew a bright and rose red. Her ears stood up and chest began to inflate and deflate slowly with each breath.

“Oh urrmmm okay.” Said Fluttershy as she pulled her cup closer and held it near her lips.

“Atta girl Fluttershy!” Camouflage yelled.

Fluttershy quickly closed her eyes and pulled the cup up and towards her face. Her mouth open and ready as the cider poured in past her lips. I don’t think she meant to but she drunk the entire cup in one go, followed by a couple of coughs and then a hiccup.

“YEAH!!” All of us roared together as Fluttershy began to hiccup while falling back into her seat a little.

“That was *Hiccup* actually quite...nice.” Fluttershy said and again had a burst of hiccups.

“Hahaha!” Dash laughed at the sight of Fluttershy bouncing ever so slightly in her seat.

“Now let’s all drink till our mouths are dripping!” Shouted Kensei as we all raised our cups and began to gulp them down.

A few minutes later and we had all drunked down at least three more cups each. Fluttershy was just about to drink her third.

“Don’t be...a lightweight! Ya gotta know how to..take the drink! Can’t let it KEEP YOU DOWN!!!” Said FireSpeed in whatever way he was trying to bring his message across. THe cider had obviously hit him kinda hard already.

“You’re one to talk!” Replied Camouflage who was comfortable enough to lean back into her seat.

Fluttershy took a deep breath and slowly began to chug down her newest cup of cider. Gulp by gulp until finishing it where she let the cup drop onto the table.

“GO FLUTTERSHY!” Shouted Hemlock as he swayed a bit in his seat.

“Well done Flutters!” Said Kensei as he wrapped a leg round Fluttershy and looked into her eyes. She stared back at him with what seemed to be....confidence? Obviously the drink was effecting her too!

FireSpeed and Hemlock were clearly not very sober, Camouflage was pretty chilled and taking it kinda slow. Kensei seemed a bit tipsy, Rainbow Dash went from stroking me with a hoof to shouting at the top of her lungs when we all cheered. As for me, I was afraid to stand up but my vision was giving me double. That wore off every now and again though. CloudChaser kinda just took each drink a little slow but enjoyed it as she got a new one.

“Kensei, I.” Said Fluttershy but instead of finishing her sentence she screwed up her face and shoved herself onto Kensei. Kissing him right on the lips. His eyes went wide and his cheeks a blushing red. Fluttershy had just landed her entire face onto Kensei’s as the rest of us laughed and were caught off guard.

“Woah! Way to go Fluttershy!” Dash screamed in her much less sober voice followed by a whistle.

“Go Kensei!” I shouted, raising a hoof above us.

Fluttershy at last let go of her stallion and rested her head against him, closing her eyes. Kensei still sat there with a huge grin on his face and speechless.

“Hey....Lightning....and Dash! We still gotta race....you two up for it!?” Said FireSpeed as he stood up and away from the table, he grabbed a glass of water that was brought to us earlier and chugged it down, then shaking his head.

“Ya still think ya got it in ya...to beat me!?” Replied Dash as she stood too.

“I don’t know if we should...although it does sound like fun.” I said, pondering inside my head of the thrill of flying tonight. Maybe...the alcohol was taking a grip of me. Luckily I think I could still focus and fly straight. I mean compared to the others, I think I was far from being a lightweight!

“Come on then you two!” Said FireSpeed as he trotted out of the hall in a criss cross line. Myself and Dash followed him. I turned to see the others rise from their seats and quickly catch up to us as we exited through the two large doors.

“So, us three are gonna race, from here to the train station! Got it!?” Said FireSpeed in a tone that was just a tiny tad less drunk sounding then a moment ago.

“Can’t wait to kick your flank into the clouds!” Replied Dash as the three of us spread our wings and hovered into the air. Mine and Speedy’s suits had a region in them cut out for our wings to move. For Dash, her dress was lifted slightly as her amazing cyan wings were shown.

“This is gonna be easy!” I said as we all lined up, high above the hall with the others watching from below.

“WOOO!”

“Go Lightning!”

“Come on Dash!”

“You can do it FireSpeed!”

“Fly straight!”

“WOOP WOOP!”

“Alright, on your marks!” Said FireSpeed as he readied us. The three of us shifted our bodies back and up into the air.

“Get set!!” Our wings spread and heads forward.

I was having second thoughts about this though. Dashie and FireSpeed kept swaying in the wind ever so slightly, and just a moment ago they were shouting their heads off.

“GO!”