Lightning Strike

One day in Fillydelphia, a place in the magical land of Equestria, an elderly horse named Old Farmingham sat down in his chair. It could barely hold his weight. The chair was sixty- seven years old and was torn and breaking. Farmingham never even considered replacing it. He liked old things. They reminded Farmingham of his colt years. He missed being young, but knew he would never experience it again. Most days he would just sit around, waiting for his dying day.

Farmingham became tired and started to fall asleep, but was awoken by a knocking. It was at his door. So Farmingham opened the door to see a neighbor of his holding a basket in her mouth. She never talked him, but they knew who each other were. She gave him the basket and galloped off.

Farmingham looked into the basket to see what was given to him. He saw two cyan- colored eyes staring back at him. Farmingham looked closer and saw a green baby pegasus with a yellow mane. Next to him was a letter. It said:

"Please Farmingham, I know you' re the best with children in town. So please take care of this colt. His name is Lightning Strike. His father and I are moving and can't take him with. Please take care of him."

It was true. Farmingham was the best with children in town. He used to have two colts of his own. However, they left when they became fully grown stallions. No pony ever saw them again.

But one problem was greatly troubling Old Farmingham. He was really old. Farmingham wasn't sure he would live long enough to take care of Lightning Strike. He pondered this for a while. He finally decided to take care of Lightning because if Farmingham wouldn't, it would be hard to find some pony who would.

Years later, Lightning Strike started going to school while Old Farmingham spent most days doing absolutley nothing except for sitting in his chair.

One day in school, the teacher was giving a lesson while the class was taking notes. Lightning had a problem though. He was out of ink for his quill. So he whispered to the filly next to him

"Do you have any ink?"

"Lightning Strike!" shouted the teacher, "Are you talking during a lesson?!"

"No, I was just..."

"Go stand in the hall for five minutes!"

Lightning angrily got up and started for the door. As he reached for the knob, the door swinged open hitting him and sending him across the room and hitting the floor hard. The class burst into laughter. Lightning got up and saw who was at the door. It was a colt his age with dark brown eyes, a black mane and a gray coloring. But what stood out the most about him was... a cutie mark! No pony in class had a cutie mark.

"Is this room 304?" he asked.

"Did you read the sign?" responded the teacher.

"I don't read." he answered.

"Yes, this is. Who are you?"

"Thunder Cloud. New exchanged student from Manehatten."

"Please take your seat."

Later at lunch, Lightning Strike saw Thunder Cloud at a table talking to a lot of fillies. He approached the table. One filly said

"Ew, Lightning Strike's here."

"Sorry." replied Lightning, "I just wanted to ask, what is that?" he asked pointing to Thunder's cutie mark.

"That is a cutie mark." answered Thunder, "They appear when you discover your special talent."

"I know that." Lightning said, "I mean what is it a picture of?"

"Oh." said Thunder, "That is a thunder cloud. Now what's your mark?"

"I don't have a mark."

The fillies laughed.

"Maybe you'll be blank forever!" one filly said.

"Is that possible?" asked Lightning.

"It sure is." answered Thunder, "But if you're truly afraid, you should cover your flank. That way, if you stay blank: No pony will know."

Thunder pulled out a cape.

"Put this on."

"Who carries a cape around with them?" asked Lightning.

"Not important." responded Thunder Cloud, "Just put it on."

Lightning wore the cape on his back, covering his flank.

"There." said Thunder, "But I'm not sure if you're parents will approve."

"I don't have parents." said Lightning.

The fillies gasped in shock.

"Then, who takes care of you?" one filly asked.

"Old Farmingham." Lightning Strike answered.

"Really?" asked Thunder, "The guy's like ten thousand years old!"

"Yes, but I've never met my parents. He watches over me."

"Alright everypony." announced Thunder, "Clear the table, I got to talk with this guy."

The fillies all got up and walked away. Lightning Strike and Thunder Cloud talked for the rest of the lunch period and became friends. Then, the bell rang.

Back in class, the teacher was discussing history, Thunder Cloud was sleeping. Lightning Strike wasn't paying attention.

"Thunder Cloud!" shouted the teacher.

Thunder woke up.

"As I was saying..." continued the teacher, "Next, you all have to read page 48 in your text books for homework."

"Homework?" asked Thunder, "That's boring."

"At least it's just reading." said Lightning, "We have to read about this Princess named Celestia."

"Still, it's homework." replied Thunder.

"Wait..." said Lightning, "Old Farmingham is quite wise. We could ask him what Princess Celestia did."

"Sure." said Thunder, "Then we won't have to read!"