It's Just Campby TwistedRealitySpaceChaptersChapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter FourChapter OneAuthor's Note Please keep in mind that this is an Alternate Universe story, and some characters that may not know each other, do in fact, know each other. Thank you. Chapter One "It's just camp, Lightning Dust. You're sixteen years old, act like it." Lightning Dust's mother snorted, taking another quick sip of her drink. She was just breaking the news to her daughter, that she'd be sent away to Camp Dynamics for the rest of the summer, and was speaking in a very calm and patient manner. Lightning Dust, on the other hand, was furious. "What?! You can't do that! How do you expect me to spend the rest of my summer at Camp Dynamite, or whatever the stupid name is. It's not fair!" She protested, desperately. Her mother let out an exasperated sigh. She closed her eyes, for several minutes. "My decision is final, Lightning Dust. You leave in two days exactly, so you better pack your bags. Chop, chop, hmm?" She answered, finally opening her eyes. The mare huffed. "Fine, whatever. Just letting you know that Dad won't approve." She answered, letting her ears flop down to her head. Getting up, Lightning Dust trotted to her room, leaving her mother alone in the kitchen. How could they do this to me? She thought, slowly taking out her suitcase from under her bed. Does Mom even care about what I want, for a change? Lightning Dust pondered further. She reached for a few crucial items, first: A picture of her and her three best friends: Sunset Shimmer, Vinyl Scratch and Rose Luck. Everything would be so much better if they could come with me Lightning Dust thought, sourly. Glancing down at the picture in a frame one last time, she set it inside her suitcase. Item after item, Lightning Dust became wrapped up in her own negative thoughts about camp, and before she knew it, everything was in the suitcase. Trotting out of her room, Lightning Dust slowed down at the sound of small voices. She stood by the wall that divided the kitchen from the rooms, and strained her ears, to try and see if she could pick up what all the hush was about. "High Winds, you know this is the best thing for her. She needs to learn to try new things. Meet new ponies." Lightning Dust heard her mother's voice first. With a small roll of her eyes, she continued to listen. "I understand that... But ripping a mare from her friends and family, right when she has summertime to spend with them, seems a bit harsh, doesn't it?" Her father's voice answered, in a worried tone. To this, Lightning Dust grinned, triumphantly. Her father almost always bailed her out, from things she did not want to do. He would surely talk her mother out of sending her away, as well. But that was not the case, this time. "Oh, I understand that. But, it'll be a fun experience! I guess you could say it's kind of an... Adventure" Oh no. Why did her mother have to bring up the 'A word'? Lightning Dust's father was utterly obsessed with exploring, and adventuring, even though all he did was go into the Everfree forest, and claim he was exploring unknown lands.All of Lightning Dust's hope flew away, like a bird descending from its nest. She knew it was official: She was going to camp. ~~~ "No! Lightning, they can't!" Rose Luck cried out, her face twisting into an anguished frown. "Well, they did! And they didn't even warn me." Lightning Dust replied, in a small voice. She wasn't usually like this, but the fact that she would be removed from her loved ones in less than a week horrified her. Sunset Shimmer sighed. "I guess we won't be seeing you in a month, huh?" She asked, her aqua gaze shifting from Lightning Dust, to the ground. "Not helping" Vinyl Scratch added, from the corner. The white unicorn was rummaging through a cardboard box, full of pictures that the four mares had taken, throughout the years. "No, it's okay. I have to learn to accept it, I guess." Lightning Dust piped up, from where she was sitting. Rose Luck nodded. "Yeah, come on. We can't have sad and unhappy Lightning Dust moping around the place. Where's the energetic and daring pegasus we know?" She asked, in an attempt to comfort her friend. "Yeah. Yeah, that's right. We should totally have like, the best day ever today.. Before Lightning Dust leaves." Vinyl suggested, from the corner. Finally, she pulled out a picture, and made her way to the other three mares. "Sugarcube Corner is calling my name." Sunset Shimmer snorted, rising to her hooves. Lightning Dust's eyes lit up. "Well, I guess it couldn't hurt." She answered, quickly. "What are we waiting for? An invitation?" Sunset Shimmer called, from the door. She was quite an impatient pony, and usually waited for no one. Lightning Dust and the rest trotted over to Sunset, where they stepped out the door of Rose Luck's house, and headed to Sugarcube Corner. As soon as they got there, they ordered a cupcake for each, and sat down at a table for four. "Don't worry, guys. I'll pay for it." Vinyl said, coolly. She lifted her purple DJ glasses from her eyes, and set them to perch on her head. "Thanks." Rose Luck, Sunset Shimmer and Lightning Dust said, at the same time. "So, have you packed for tomorrow yet?" Rose Luck asked, after a small while of silence. Lightning Dust sighed. "Yeah, I did. I even packed that dress that Sunset ordered from Rarity's boutique, or whatever it's called." "But you said you don't do dresses!" Rose Luck yell-whispered, leaning up on the table. The pegasus shrugged. "I guess I do now. Y'know, only for the trip though." She replied, brushing a shock of pastel yellow, from her eyes. "Got your hair gel in that suitcase?" Vinyl teased, flicking her magenta eyes to meet Lightning Dust's. In answer, Lightning Dust scoffed. "I don't do hair gel. My mane is naturally slicked back." "That's what you want to believe!" Sunset Shimmer replied, with a smug smile. Lightning Dust simply returned the smug smile. "Fine, whatever. If it makes you guys happy." "I need to borrow that hair gel someday, though. I wonder what I would look like, with my mane slicked back." Rose Luck suggested. "It's not hair g-" She was cut off, by a tray being set in the middle of the table. Vinyl layed a few bits on the tray, once she took her cupcake. Once everyone had their pastry, the mare who had delivered the cupcakes retreated behind the counter, and they resumed chatting. "Hm, I dunno Rose Luck. Your hair looks pretty nice, the way it is" Vinyl piped up, through a mouthful of cupcake. Lightning Dust agreed, silently. Not saying anything, she took a quick bite of the cupcake, and glanced around thoughtfully. She couldn't imagine a life with her friends. However, she was about to experience it, and in the worst way too. She let her friends chat, without her words for a few minutes, before speaking up. "Maybe camp will be fun?" Lightning Dust wondered out loud. "I heard there's games there. Competitive games." The other three paused for a moment, as if digesting Lightning Dust's words. "Oh, yes. There's tons of them." Sunset Shimmer said, finally. "You know I always love competition." Lightning Dust added, trying to convince herself that where she was going was not all that bad. Rose Luck let out a small laugh. "Yeah. You'll kick the other ponies' tails." She answered, shooting Lightning Dust a small smile. Lightning Dust returned the smile, much more confident than she felt. "Ha, I sure will. Then again, I'll miss you guys..." "Don't think about us, idiot. Think about the competition." Sunset Shimmer snorted, gruffly. "Right. The competition. Y'know, I think there might be flying races there. I'd sure like to win one of those." Lightning Dust said, puffing out her chest. "There is. There's always flying races, for pegasi at those types of summer camps. You'll be fine." Vinyl added, from where she was sitting. The cupcake that had once been in front of her, was now replaced with crumbs, and a napkin. Rose Luck nodded in agreement. "Always." She echoed. Lightning Dust paused, to think again. It'll be fun She thought, desperately trying to convince herself to accept it. Plus, it'll be a getaway from your crazy parents. "Ugh. I have to go. My parents are making me go to some stupid dinner. Bye guys. I'll miss you, Lightning Dust." Rose Luck announced, getting up. Lightning Dust shot her a sad smile, and waved, as Rose Luck returned the smile and exited. "At least they're not making her go to a camp." Lightning Dust muttered, under her breath. "Let's go somewhere else. Everfree forest, anyone?" Sunset Shimmer suggested, daringly. The pegasus' eyes lit up, and she grinned widely. "Yes! The Everfree forest! Race you losers there!" Lightning Dust laughed, spreading her wings, and zooming out of Sugarcube corner. She headed north, and closed her eyes. The cool wind felt great on her face, as she glided rapidly. The sky was streaked with indigo and swirls of dark pink, with the sun setting slowly. Finally, Lightning Dust arrived at their destination, and skidded to a halt. Coming to a stop was one of her flying flaws, that she intended to fix. After a few seconds, she heard a bubbling noise, and turned to see Sunset Shimmer in a teleportation sphere. The unicorn quickly popped the sphere, and stepped out. "I would have beaten you, if it weren't for this laggy sphere" Sunset Shimmer announced. Vinyl arrived another few seconds after her. "I still won though." Lightning Dust answered, smugly. She looked around, and began trotting around aimlessly. "Get the map." Vinyl cast a quick spell, and after a few moments a map appeared in front of her, covered by her magic's magenta aura. "We're close enough to Ponyville. Let's play truth or dare!" She suggested, brightly. "Fine. Truth or dare, Vinyl?" Sunset Shimmer asked, turning to look at the white unicorn. "Truth." Vinyl snorted, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Lightning Dust plopped down casually, and awaited Sunset Shimmer's question to Vinyl. "You asked for it. So, what's the deal? Who do you like? Neon Lights or Octavia? Seriously, everything is so confusing." Sunset Shimmer replied, with a curt roll of her aqua blue eyes. Lightning Dust let out an audible 'Ooooooh'. She watched intently, as Vinyl Scratch's cheeks turned into a dark shade of red, and she looked down. "Uh.. None, really. I-I don't like..." Vinyl trailed off, and flattened her ears. She suddenly became very interested in the tree next to her. "Oh, look at this tree. It's a nice tree. It's very... Tree-y." She mumbled, almost as if her words were tripping over each other. "Don't try to change the subject! Who is it?" Lightning Dust piped up, perking her ears. The pegasus was quite eager to hear Vinyl's response. "Really guys. No one." Vinyl said, finally. She cleared her throat, and met Sunset Shimmer's gaze, squarely. "Alright, fine." Sunset Shimmer answered, looking away. "It's getting late anyways." She muttered, getting up. Lightning Dust was afraid that Sunset Shimmer thought that Vinyl couldn't even tell her closest friends who she was attracted to. Plus, she was pretty upset that the game had ended, almost as soon as it started. She hadn't even gotten a turn! "Yeah. Bye, Sunset. Lightning Dust, kick everyone else's tails at camp." Vinyl Scratch said, with a small smile. Lightning Dust nodded. "Will do. I'll miss you guys." She said, with a small sigh. The four of them had never really been the type of friends to hug, and squeal, and do everything together. Physical contact was something a bit strange to them. "Alright. Bye!" Vinyl said. Quickly, she cast a spell and vanished with a quick spark. Sunset Shimmer did the same, leaving Lightning Dust on her own. Spreading her wings once more, she shot up into the sky, and headed back to her house. Tomorrow she'd have to go to camp. Whether she liked it or not. Chapter Two"This just fucking sucks." Lightning Dust turned around, as soon as she heard a male's voice talking. She was currently in line, to get on the bus to Camp Dynamics, and was desperate for anyone to hang out with, and not seem like the lonely loser of the group. However, keeping her cool, she boarded the bus after a cyan mare with a rainbow-colored tail and mane. "I know, right?" A voice replied, with a drop of sarcasm. The pegasus sat down near the back, and pretended to be focused on the back of the seat in front of her, when she spotted someone approaching her, from the corner of her eye. Lightning Dust pretended not to notice, and kept staring at the back of the seat. But pretty soon, the bus lurched forward, and she found herself curious as to who had decided to sit next to her. She turned, to see a tan olive-green pegasus sitting next to her. She had a black tail and mane, with strips of gray, and a compass cutie mark. Lightning Dust paused. "Hey." Lightning Dust said, casually after a few seconds. The other pegasus nodded, coolly. "Hi. I'm Daring Do." She answered. "Lightning Dust." She answered, in a laid-back manor. She wanted to come off as cool and smug. As if she didn't have a care in the world. "Cool name. So, what did you do to get yourself into this hellhole?" Daring Do asked, glancing at Lightning Dust. Lightning Dust snickered. "I swear to Celestia, my parents hate me. I did literally nothing." She said, drawling out the last word for effect. To her delight, Daring Do laughed. "Same. My parents want me to move out of their house, at age seventeen. Which is like, in one fucking year" She answered, with a curt roll of her magenta eyes. "No way. Well, when my parents do kick me out of the house, I'm gonna go become a Wonderbolt. Y'know, fly with the elites." Lightning Dust stated, with a confident smile. "Hey, me too! I'm the best flyer around here!" The cyan pegasus that Lightning Dust had seen earlier piped up, from the seat in front of her. She turned to face them, regardless of the bus driver yelling at her, to sit properly. "Ha! That honor goes to me." Lightning Dust shot back, smugly. "But we'll confirm that when we get to Camp Dynamics. Race?" "Oh, it's on! I never back down from a challenge!" The cyan pegasus answered, matching Lightning Dust's confidence. "I'm Rainbow Dash, by the way." "I'm Lightning Dust. That's Daring Do." Lightning Dust replied, nodding to the tan olive-green pegasus, who nodded in reply. "Awesome. Where are you guys from?" Rainbow Dash asked, curiously. "I'm from Fillydelphia." Daring Do answered, brushing her dark mane from her face. Lightning Dust's eyes lit up. "No way. Don't you guys have dragons over there?" She asked, with a wide grin. "You guys have dragons over there?" Rainbow Dash echoed, her fuchsia eyes widening, like Lightning Dust's grin. "Oh yeah. When I grow up, I'm totally gonna write a book about all that shit." Daring Do nodded, brushing some imaginary dust off her shoulder. "I'll keep an eye out for that." Lightning Dust replied, slouching down in the bus seat. "So, do you guys have friends back at home? Just asking." "I do! My best friend, Trixie is super cool. Not cooler than me, though. She can do awesome magic tricks." Rainbow Dash said, brightly. "Night Glider and Coco Pommel too. They're all awesome." Daring Do smiled. "Ah, friends. Well, I have tons of friends. But I'd have to say that my closest friend is Lyra Heartstrings. She's a unicorn, and bakes awesome cupcakes, just saying." She said, glancing out the window. "Cool, cool. So, are we gonna stick together during Camp, or what?" Lightning Dust asked, in a subliminal way of asking them to be her friends for Camp. "Totally!" Rainbow Dash confirmed, nodding eagerly. Daring Do shrugged good-naturedly. "For sure." Lightning Dust felt a burst of excitement shoot through her, and she smiled. "What cabin are you guys signing up for?" She asked, quickly. "The Fire Cabin. Seriously, I love how these guys don't name the cabins after stupid things. Last year, I went to a camp and got put in the 'dog cabin'. Like, was that supposed to make me feel better about myself?" Daring Do ranted, adding a shrug at the end for effect. Lightning Dust laughed. "I know, right? There's four cabins here. The Fire Cabin, Blizzard Cabin, Earth Cabin, and Rain Cabin." She reported, with a smirk. "Totally much cooler than Cabins named after animals." Rainbow Dash scoffed. "I'm signing up for the Fire cabin too. I heard the Cabins are decorated according to their name. How awesome would it be to sleep, with flames painted all around you?" "Hell yeah!" Lightning Dust answered, eagerly. She was very pumped up, about getting to camp, despise her past thoughts. Things were definitely looking up. ~~~ "Welcome to Camp Dynamics! Please step forward if you hear your name being called!" The instructor, Fluffy Clouds instructed. Fluffy Clouds was a tall, lanky male pegasus with a dark blue coat, and a white, wild mane. He had green eyes. "I have a question!" A stallion pegasus announced, loudly. Fluffy Clouds turned to him. "Yes?" He paused. "Oh, I forgot." He said. Three or four other stallion pegasi burst out laughing. The stallion who had spoken had a pale blue coat, and dark navy blue mane. Lightning Dust didn't find it that funny, but still snickered since Rainbow Dash had laughed too. Fluffy Clouds shot him a stern look, and turned back to face the crowd. "Alright. Let's start: Blossom Forth?" She called out. A pale female pegasus, with freckles and a pink mare with strips of lime green, stepped out. She nodded to Fluffy Clouds shyly. "Clear Skies?" Fluffy Cloud called out, after Blossom Forth stepped forward. Pegasus after pegasus, Lightning Dust grew bored. Even Rainbow Dash and Daring Do's names had been called out. She was afraid that maybe her mother had forgotten to register her! But finally, the last name was called: "Lightning Dust?" The pegasus bounced forward, and stood with Daring Do and Rainbow Dash. A sign-up sheet for the cabins was passed out, and the three of them submitted their names for the Fire Cabin. "Don't forget! The Fire and Rain Cabin is for mares only! Earth and Blizzard is for stallions!" Fluffy Cloud announced, loudly. Collective groans escaped from the crowd, as well as comments like: "Now I have to choose another one!" Lightning Dust laughed. "Sucks for them. So, what do you guys think we're gonna do after we get to our Cabins?" She asked, her golden eyes lightning up. "Probably play some dumb 'get to know each other' game." Daring Do answered, with a scoff. "Camps always make us do that... Not cool!" Rainbow Dash chimed in, rolling her eyes. "Right? Don't they know that no one cares?" Lightning Dust snorted. The three mares waited half an hour or so, until they were lead by their cabin counselor to the Fire Cabin. To Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash's amazement and surprise, their counselor was Stormy Flare, a retired Wonderbolt. "This is awesome!" Rainbow Dash squealed, as soon as they got their bunk beds. Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash had paired up, while Daring Do had gone with Clear Skies, a mare she knew from Fillydelphia. "I know!" Lightning Dust answered, hanging down from her top bunk. "We're so lucky!" Rainbow Dash answered, joyfully. I agree, Rainbow Dash Lightning Dust thought, happily. I agree. Chapter ThreeSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Chapter Four"Hurry up, Lilac Sky! You finished showering, you're just hogging the shower on purpose!" Lightning Dust complained, standing near the shower cube, where the purple pegasus was. "Sorry, Lightning! I'll be out in a second!" Lilac Sky answered. A few seconds after, the shower curtain opened, to reveal a nice and clean Lilac Sky. "Whew, thanks. You took forever!" Lightning Dash commented, offering a small smile as an apology for her rudeness. Lilac Sky giggled in response, and trotted out of the bathroom. Lightning Dust stepped into the shower cube, and quickly turned on the water. Letting out a small shriek, she leaped back. The water was cold! Slowly, she waited until the water heated up. However, the water seemed to remain freezing. With a long sigh, Lightning Dust reluctantly stepped in, and let the cold water soak into her coat. Rapidly, she sprung out of the water's way, and closed the shower curtain. Picking up a sponge, she squirted some shampoo on it, and began ridding her fur of any mud stains, or dirt from the Capture The Flag game, earlier. She didn't want to show up to the pizza place dinner all dirty, and stinky. Not that she was trying to impress anyone, of course. As soon as Lightning Dust finished, she stepped back in the water, and let it rinse off the shampoo. She did the same to her mane, and shut off the water, as soon as she was done. Lightning Dust took a towel that was hanging from a rack, and pulled her mane up to wrap around it, while sitting on the bench. As soon as she was finished drying, she began combing her mane. "Wow, who are you getting ready for?" Spring Step, one of the mares in her cabin asked. Spring Step exited from her shower, and quickly wrapped a towel around her shivering frame. "No one. I just don't wanna show up looking like shit." Lightning Dust shrugged nonchalantly, adding a roll of her golden eyes. "Seems legit. So how did you get so fast? Seriously, you're like lightning out there." Spring Step paused, and grinned. "Pun intended." Lightning Dust couldn't suppress the smile that lit up her face, as she laughed. "Nice. It's been my dream to fly faster than any other pegasi in Equestria, since I was a filly." She admitted, ridding her golden mane of the tangles that had previously made a home there. "Huh. So, you've been training, or...?" Spring Step asked, shaking out her coat and mane. To Lightning Dust's amusement, Spring Step's white and pink mane that was usually kept straightly-combed, was now puffed out at all angles. Lightning Dust had finished combing her mane and tail, and answered the question with a chuckle. "I'd fix my mane, if I were you." She said smugly, over her shoulder. As soon as she stepped out of the bathroom, a bundle of purple and yellow knocked into her. "Hey! Watch it!" Lightning Dust complained, looking up to see another one of her Cabinmates. "Aren't you going out to dinner, to celebrate coming in first place in the race, this morning?" The purple pegasus asked, eagerly. Her violet eyes were lit up, in anticipation. "Yeah. Yeah, I am." Lightning Dust replied, brushing some dust off her shoulder. "Well, you cannot go out there like that!" She stated, boldly. "Oh, I'm Cloud Kicker, by the way" She added, in a more friendlier tone. "Uh-huh. Okay Cloud Kicker, what's wrong with how I look?" Lightning Dust asked, bemused. Cloud Kicker rolled her eyes, as if it was obvious. "Everypony needs a little accessory, when they're going out to a special event. Here, put this in your mane." She suggested, taking a small pink flower, and leaving it at Lightning Dust's hooves. Lightning Dust looked down at the small flower. "Are you sure? I don't wanna take your... Thing." "Oh, it's fine! Keep it, I never use it anymore." Cloud Kicker shrugged. She shot Lightning Dust a happy smile, before trotting back to her bunk bed. "It won't hurt." Lightning Dust mumbled to herself quickly, and picked up the pink daisy flower. She went back into the bathroom, and fixed it near her left ear. Thinking that maybe Cloud Kicker was right, she trotted back out. "Hey, there you are! Ugh, you take so much time, let's go!" Rainbow Dash pretty much screamed in Lightning Dust's face. "Geez, alright. Bye, Daring!" Lightning Dust called out, waving shortly to the tanned mare. Daring Do was playing a card game with Lilac Sky and Cloud Kicker. She put her cards down, and waved back. Lightning Dust elegantly trotted side by side with Rainbow Dash, puffing out her chest slightly. She wanted to seem as graceful as possible, when they walked in for dinner. The flower in her mane, gave her an extra boost of self-confidence as well. "What's up with the daisy?" Rainbow Dash asked, finally. "Cloud Kicker gave it to me." Lightning Dust answered, nonchalantly. She opened the door to the diner, and was greeted by the rich, warm smell of pizza. Rock-and-roll music played, and Lightning Dust found herself liking the pizza place instantly. She looked around, to see Thunderlane and another stallion she didn't know already seated at a table for four ponies. Rainbow Dash zoomed over to the table, but Lightning Dust decided to take it slow. She gracefully trotted to the table, and took the seat across Thunderlane. He smiled warmly at her, and she smiled back. "Hello. I am Whiplash, Camp Dynamics' rewards program counselor." The stallion that Lightning Dust did not recognized stated. He had a gray coat, with a short black mane, and tail, along with a mustache. Lightning couldn't see his cutie mark, since they were sitting, but did notice he had a nice pair of shades on, along with a cornflower blue baseball cap, with Camp Dynamics scribbled on the front, in bold lettering. "I'm Rainbow Dash. And that's Lightning Dust." Rainbow stated, looking over at Whiplash. "We came in first and second for the flying race today." She clarified, pride lacing onto her words. Whiplash nodded. "I understand that. I believe you know Thunderlane as well?" He asked, jerking his chin to the dark-coated stallion. Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash nodded in unison. "Good. You three will be well-known in Camp Dynamics, for your speed. I will make sure of that." Whiplash stated. "However, all three of you cannot share the fame." Rainbow Dash, Thunderlane and Lightning Dust exchanged glances. "Uh, I wasn't gonna share the fame, anyways." Rainbow Dash joked, breaking the awkward pause. Whiplash ignored her comment. "The week before you all pack your bags and go home, there will be a competition held, between the three top flyers. Whoever wins the race here at Camp Dynamics, will be able to represent us against the ultimate race, against other Summer Camps." He explained. "How much other camps are there?" Thunderlane asked, bluntly. "There is four other camps, and in total we are five." Whiplash answered. "So, is the competition gonna be... A flying race?" Lightning Dust asked, casually. She layed her elbow on the table, and leaned sideways a bit, to give her a better posture. "Yes, it will be a flying race, but not what you'd think. You're flying over a lake. Mountains surround you, and on those mountains are ponies from other camps trying to shoot you down with foam ball cannons. If the foam ball touches you three times, you're out of the race. The flight is exactly five miles. With each mile, a new challenge will arrive." Whiplash said, professionally. Finally, the waitress came by. "Howdy! Welcome to Lime's Pizzeria, what can I get for you?" The mare asked, cheerfully. Lightning Dust picked up her menu. "I'll have a small cheese pizza, with pepperoni." She said, to the waitress. Using her magic, the waitress scribbled down Lightning's order, and nodded. "For the drink, and appetizer, ma'am?" "Er, I'll take sparkling apple cider, for my drink. For the appetizer, a small bowl of salad. Extra croutons." Lightning Dust answered, with a small nod. "Allrighty! What would you like, sir?" She asked, turning to Thunderlane. Lightning Dust watched, as his bright amber eyes scanned the menu. "Um... For the pizza, may I have a plain small cheese?" The waitress jotted it down, and asked for the drink and appetizer. As soon as everyone was done ordering, the waitress scurried away, leaving the four of them to chat again. Whiplash and Rainbow Dash became engaged in a conversation, about the ultimate race, while Thunderlane and Lightning Dust listened. Well, Thunderlane did. Lightning Dust was too busy shooting the dark-coated stallion looks. After five or six peeks, Thunderlane caught her eye. He smiled crookedly. "Oh, hello. Long time, no see." He joked. Lightning Dust laughed lightly. "I know, right?" She answered, not quite knowing what to say. "So, how have you been liking Camp Dynamics? First day here, and man we are stocked." Thunderlane chuckled. He let out a small yawn. "That Capture The Flag game was intense." "It was. Plus, you almost got me out with your paint gun." Lightning Dust pointed out, shooting him a fake glare. "Nooo, that wasn't me. It was my teammate, Flitter." Thunderlane answered, quickly. "Oh." So that had been the pale violet mare's name. Flitter. "Yeah. But hey, you guys won. Hoops and Dumb-bell were telling me about the two 'jerks' who stole our flag." Thunderlane laughed. "That was a pretty clever move, that you and Clear Skies pulled off." "It was, considering we pretty much planned it out in sign language, while we were hiding in the bushes." Lightning Dust chuckled, and brushed a golden lock of her mane, that usually fell into her eyes. "Really? I thought the Fire and Earth Cabin had planned that while we were still getting our shielded glasses and paint guns." Thunderlane admitted. Lightning Dust nodded. There was a while of silence between the two. Smiling, blushing, Looking into each other's eyes, and then looking at the ground was the process repeated by the two pegasi. Finally, their dinner arrived. "Man, I am hungry." Thunderlane said, taking a bite of his pizza. Lightning Dust bit into her pizza slice, thoughtfully. She decided to tune into Whiplash and Rainbow Dash's conversation. "...And we have a dance coming up in three weeks, so we'll need help decorating our gym." Whiplash was saying to Rainbow Dash, and Lightning Dust's ears pricked slightly. Because what she had heard, was three weeks to ask Thunderlane to the dance. And by the look on Thunderlane's face, he was thinking the same thing.
Chapter OneAuthor's Note Please keep in mind that this is an Alternate Universe story, and some characters that may not know each other, do in fact, know each other. Thank you. Chapter One "It's just camp, Lightning Dust. You're sixteen years old, act like it." Lightning Dust's mother snorted, taking another quick sip of her drink. She was just breaking the news to her daughter, that she'd be sent away to Camp Dynamics for the rest of the summer, and was speaking in a very calm and patient manner. Lightning Dust, on the other hand, was furious. "What?! You can't do that! How do you expect me to spend the rest of my summer at Camp Dynamite, or whatever the stupid name is. It's not fair!" She protested, desperately. Her mother let out an exasperated sigh. She closed her eyes, for several minutes. "My decision is final, Lightning Dust. You leave in two days exactly, so you better pack your bags. Chop, chop, hmm?" She answered, finally opening her eyes. The mare huffed. "Fine, whatever. Just letting you know that Dad won't approve." She answered, letting her ears flop down to her head. Getting up, Lightning Dust trotted to her room, leaving her mother alone in the kitchen. How could they do this to me? She thought, slowly taking out her suitcase from under her bed. Does Mom even care about what I want, for a change? Lightning Dust pondered further. She reached for a few crucial items, first: A picture of her and her three best friends: Sunset Shimmer, Vinyl Scratch and Rose Luck. Everything would be so much better if they could come with me Lightning Dust thought, sourly. Glancing down at the picture in a frame one last time, she set it inside her suitcase. Item after item, Lightning Dust became wrapped up in her own negative thoughts about camp, and before she knew it, everything was in the suitcase. Trotting out of her room, Lightning Dust slowed down at the sound of small voices. She stood by the wall that divided the kitchen from the rooms, and strained her ears, to try and see if she could pick up what all the hush was about. "High Winds, you know this is the best thing for her. She needs to learn to try new things. Meet new ponies." Lightning Dust heard her mother's voice first. With a small roll of her eyes, she continued to listen. "I understand that... But ripping a mare from her friends and family, right when she has summertime to spend with them, seems a bit harsh, doesn't it?" Her father's voice answered, in a worried tone. To this, Lightning Dust grinned, triumphantly. Her father almost always bailed her out, from things she did not want to do. He would surely talk her mother out of sending her away, as well. But that was not the case, this time. "Oh, I understand that. But, it'll be a fun experience! I guess you could say it's kind of an... Adventure" Oh no. Why did her mother have to bring up the 'A word'? Lightning Dust's father was utterly obsessed with exploring, and adventuring, even though all he did was go into the Everfree forest, and claim he was exploring unknown lands.All of Lightning Dust's hope flew away, like a bird descending from its nest. She knew it was official: She was going to camp. ~~~ "No! Lightning, they can't!" Rose Luck cried out, her face twisting into an anguished frown. "Well, they did! And they didn't even warn me." Lightning Dust replied, in a small voice. She wasn't usually like this, but the fact that she would be removed from her loved ones in less than a week horrified her. Sunset Shimmer sighed. "I guess we won't be seeing you in a month, huh?" She asked, her aqua gaze shifting from Lightning Dust, to the ground. "Not helping" Vinyl Scratch added, from the corner. The white unicorn was rummaging through a cardboard box, full of pictures that the four mares had taken, throughout the years. "No, it's okay. I have to learn to accept it, I guess." Lightning Dust piped up, from where she was sitting. Rose Luck nodded. "Yeah, come on. We can't have sad and unhappy Lightning Dust moping around the place. Where's the energetic and daring pegasus we know?" She asked, in an attempt to comfort her friend. "Yeah. Yeah, that's right. We should totally have like, the best day ever today.. Before Lightning Dust leaves." Vinyl suggested, from the corner. Finally, she pulled out a picture, and made her way to the other three mares. "Sugarcube Corner is calling my name." Sunset Shimmer snorted, rising to her hooves. Lightning Dust's eyes lit up. "Well, I guess it couldn't hurt." She answered, quickly. "What are we waiting for? An invitation?" Sunset Shimmer called, from the door. She was quite an impatient pony, and usually waited for no one. Lightning Dust and the rest trotted over to Sunset, where they stepped out the door of Rose Luck's house, and headed to Sugarcube Corner. As soon as they got there, they ordered a cupcake for each, and sat down at a table for four. "Don't worry, guys. I'll pay for it." Vinyl said, coolly. She lifted her purple DJ glasses from her eyes, and set them to perch on her head. "Thanks." Rose Luck, Sunset Shimmer and Lightning Dust said, at the same time. "So, have you packed for tomorrow yet?" Rose Luck asked, after a small while of silence. Lightning Dust sighed. "Yeah, I did. I even packed that dress that Sunset ordered from Rarity's boutique, or whatever it's called." "But you said you don't do dresses!" Rose Luck yell-whispered, leaning up on the table. The pegasus shrugged. "I guess I do now. Y'know, only for the trip though." She replied, brushing a shock of pastel yellow, from her eyes. "Got your hair gel in that suitcase?" Vinyl teased, flicking her magenta eyes to meet Lightning Dust's. In answer, Lightning Dust scoffed. "I don't do hair gel. My mane is naturally slicked back." "That's what you want to believe!" Sunset Shimmer replied, with a smug smile. Lightning Dust simply returned the smug smile. "Fine, whatever. If it makes you guys happy." "I need to borrow that hair gel someday, though. I wonder what I would look like, with my mane slicked back." Rose Luck suggested. "It's not hair g-" She was cut off, by a tray being set in the middle of the table. Vinyl layed a few bits on the tray, once she took her cupcake. Once everyone had their pastry, the mare who had delivered the cupcakes retreated behind the counter, and they resumed chatting. "Hm, I dunno Rose Luck. Your hair looks pretty nice, the way it is" Vinyl piped up, through a mouthful of cupcake. Lightning Dust agreed, silently. Not saying anything, she took a quick bite of the cupcake, and glanced around thoughtfully. She couldn't imagine a life with her friends. However, she was about to experience it, and in the worst way too. She let her friends chat, without her words for a few minutes, before speaking up. "Maybe camp will be fun?" Lightning Dust wondered out loud. "I heard there's games there. Competitive games." The other three paused for a moment, as if digesting Lightning Dust's words. "Oh, yes. There's tons of them." Sunset Shimmer said, finally. "You know I always love competition." Lightning Dust added, trying to convince herself that where she was going was not all that bad. Rose Luck let out a small laugh. "Yeah. You'll kick the other ponies' tails." She answered, shooting Lightning Dust a small smile. Lightning Dust returned the smile, much more confident than she felt. "Ha, I sure will. Then again, I'll miss you guys..." "Don't think about us, idiot. Think about the competition." Sunset Shimmer snorted, gruffly. "Right. The competition. Y'know, I think there might be flying races there. I'd sure like to win one of those." Lightning Dust said, puffing out her chest. "There is. There's always flying races, for pegasi at those types of summer camps. You'll be fine." Vinyl added, from where she was sitting. The cupcake that had once been in front of her, was now replaced with crumbs, and a napkin. Rose Luck nodded in agreement. "Always." She echoed. Lightning Dust paused, to think again. It'll be fun She thought, desperately trying to convince herself to accept it. Plus, it'll be a getaway from your crazy parents. "Ugh. I have to go. My parents are making me go to some stupid dinner. Bye guys. I'll miss you, Lightning Dust." Rose Luck announced, getting up. Lightning Dust shot her a sad smile, and waved, as Rose Luck returned the smile and exited. "At least they're not making her go to a camp." Lightning Dust muttered, under her breath. "Let's go somewhere else. Everfree forest, anyone?" Sunset Shimmer suggested, daringly. The pegasus' eyes lit up, and she grinned widely. "Yes! The Everfree forest! Race you losers there!" Lightning Dust laughed, spreading her wings, and zooming out of Sugarcube corner. She headed north, and closed her eyes. The cool wind felt great on her face, as she glided rapidly. The sky was streaked with indigo and swirls of dark pink, with the sun setting slowly. Finally, Lightning Dust arrived at their destination, and skidded to a halt. Coming to a stop was one of her flying flaws, that she intended to fix. After a few seconds, she heard a bubbling noise, and turned to see Sunset Shimmer in a teleportation sphere. The unicorn quickly popped the sphere, and stepped out. "I would have beaten you, if it weren't for this laggy sphere" Sunset Shimmer announced. Vinyl arrived another few seconds after her. "I still won though." Lightning Dust answered, smugly. She looked around, and began trotting around aimlessly. "Get the map." Vinyl cast a quick spell, and after a few moments a map appeared in front of her, covered by her magic's magenta aura. "We're close enough to Ponyville. Let's play truth or dare!" She suggested, brightly. "Fine. Truth or dare, Vinyl?" Sunset Shimmer asked, turning to look at the white unicorn. "Truth." Vinyl snorted, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Lightning Dust plopped down casually, and awaited Sunset Shimmer's question to Vinyl. "You asked for it. So, what's the deal? Who do you like? Neon Lights or Octavia? Seriously, everything is so confusing." Sunset Shimmer replied, with a curt roll of her aqua blue eyes. Lightning Dust let out an audible 'Ooooooh'. She watched intently, as Vinyl Scratch's cheeks turned into a dark shade of red, and she looked down. "Uh.. None, really. I-I don't like..." Vinyl trailed off, and flattened her ears. She suddenly became very interested in the tree next to her. "Oh, look at this tree. It's a nice tree. It's very... Tree-y." She mumbled, almost as if her words were tripping over each other. "Don't try to change the subject! Who is it?" Lightning Dust piped up, perking her ears. The pegasus was quite eager to hear Vinyl's response. "Really guys. No one." Vinyl said, finally. She cleared her throat, and met Sunset Shimmer's gaze, squarely. "Alright, fine." Sunset Shimmer answered, looking away. "It's getting late anyways." She muttered, getting up. Lightning Dust was afraid that Sunset Shimmer thought that Vinyl couldn't even tell her closest friends who she was attracted to. Plus, she was pretty upset that the game had ended, almost as soon as it started. She hadn't even gotten a turn! "Yeah. Bye, Sunset. Lightning Dust, kick everyone else's tails at camp." Vinyl Scratch said, with a small smile. Lightning Dust nodded. "Will do. I'll miss you guys." She said, with a small sigh. The four of them had never really been the type of friends to hug, and squeal, and do everything together. Physical contact was something a bit strange to them. "Alright. Bye!" Vinyl said. Quickly, she cast a spell and vanished with a quick spark. Sunset Shimmer did the same, leaving Lightning Dust on her own. Spreading her wings once more, she shot up into the sky, and headed back to her house. Tomorrow she'd have to go to camp. Whether she liked it or not.
Chapter Two"This just fucking sucks." Lightning Dust turned around, as soon as she heard a male's voice talking. She was currently in line, to get on the bus to Camp Dynamics, and was desperate for anyone to hang out with, and not seem like the lonely loser of the group. However, keeping her cool, she boarded the bus after a cyan mare with a rainbow-colored tail and mane. "I know, right?" A voice replied, with a drop of sarcasm. The pegasus sat down near the back, and pretended to be focused on the back of the seat in front of her, when she spotted someone approaching her, from the corner of her eye. Lightning Dust pretended not to notice, and kept staring at the back of the seat. But pretty soon, the bus lurched forward, and she found herself curious as to who had decided to sit next to her. She turned, to see a tan olive-green pegasus sitting next to her. She had a black tail and mane, with strips of gray, and a compass cutie mark. Lightning Dust paused. "Hey." Lightning Dust said, casually after a few seconds. The other pegasus nodded, coolly. "Hi. I'm Daring Do." She answered. "Lightning Dust." She answered, in a laid-back manor. She wanted to come off as cool and smug. As if she didn't have a care in the world. "Cool name. So, what did you do to get yourself into this hellhole?" Daring Do asked, glancing at Lightning Dust. Lightning Dust snickered. "I swear to Celestia, my parents hate me. I did literally nothing." She said, drawling out the last word for effect. To her delight, Daring Do laughed. "Same. My parents want me to move out of their house, at age seventeen. Which is like, in one fucking year" She answered, with a curt roll of her magenta eyes. "No way. Well, when my parents do kick me out of the house, I'm gonna go become a Wonderbolt. Y'know, fly with the elites." Lightning Dust stated, with a confident smile. "Hey, me too! I'm the best flyer around here!" The cyan pegasus that Lightning Dust had seen earlier piped up, from the seat in front of her. She turned to face them, regardless of the bus driver yelling at her, to sit properly. "Ha! That honor goes to me." Lightning Dust shot back, smugly. "But we'll confirm that when we get to Camp Dynamics. Race?" "Oh, it's on! I never back down from a challenge!" The cyan pegasus answered, matching Lightning Dust's confidence. "I'm Rainbow Dash, by the way." "I'm Lightning Dust. That's Daring Do." Lightning Dust replied, nodding to the tan olive-green pegasus, who nodded in reply. "Awesome. Where are you guys from?" Rainbow Dash asked, curiously. "I'm from Fillydelphia." Daring Do answered, brushing her dark mane from her face. Lightning Dust's eyes lit up. "No way. Don't you guys have dragons over there?" She asked, with a wide grin. "You guys have dragons over there?" Rainbow Dash echoed, her fuchsia eyes widening, like Lightning Dust's grin. "Oh yeah. When I grow up, I'm totally gonna write a book about all that shit." Daring Do nodded, brushing some imaginary dust off her shoulder. "I'll keep an eye out for that." Lightning Dust replied, slouching down in the bus seat. "So, do you guys have friends back at home? Just asking." "I do! My best friend, Trixie is super cool. Not cooler than me, though. She can do awesome magic tricks." Rainbow Dash said, brightly. "Night Glider and Coco Pommel too. They're all awesome." Daring Do smiled. "Ah, friends. Well, I have tons of friends. But I'd have to say that my closest friend is Lyra Heartstrings. She's a unicorn, and bakes awesome cupcakes, just saying." She said, glancing out the window. "Cool, cool. So, are we gonna stick together during Camp, or what?" Lightning Dust asked, in a subliminal way of asking them to be her friends for Camp. "Totally!" Rainbow Dash confirmed, nodding eagerly. Daring Do shrugged good-naturedly. "For sure." Lightning Dust felt a burst of excitement shoot through her, and she smiled. "What cabin are you guys signing up for?" She asked, quickly. "The Fire Cabin. Seriously, I love how these guys don't name the cabins after stupid things. Last year, I went to a camp and got put in the 'dog cabin'. Like, was that supposed to make me feel better about myself?" Daring Do ranted, adding a shrug at the end for effect. Lightning Dust laughed. "I know, right? There's four cabins here. The Fire Cabin, Blizzard Cabin, Earth Cabin, and Rain Cabin." She reported, with a smirk. "Totally much cooler than Cabins named after animals." Rainbow Dash scoffed. "I'm signing up for the Fire cabin too. I heard the Cabins are decorated according to their name. How awesome would it be to sleep, with flames painted all around you?" "Hell yeah!" Lightning Dust answered, eagerly. She was very pumped up, about getting to camp, despise her past thoughts. Things were definitely looking up. ~~~ "Welcome to Camp Dynamics! Please step forward if you hear your name being called!" The instructor, Fluffy Clouds instructed. Fluffy Clouds was a tall, lanky male pegasus with a dark blue coat, and a white, wild mane. He had green eyes. "I have a question!" A stallion pegasus announced, loudly. Fluffy Clouds turned to him. "Yes?" He paused. "Oh, I forgot." He said. Three or four other stallion pegasi burst out laughing. The stallion who had spoken had a pale blue coat, and dark navy blue mane. Lightning Dust didn't find it that funny, but still snickered since Rainbow Dash had laughed too. Fluffy Clouds shot him a stern look, and turned back to face the crowd. "Alright. Let's start: Blossom Forth?" She called out. A pale female pegasus, with freckles and a pink mare with strips of lime green, stepped out. She nodded to Fluffy Clouds shyly. "Clear Skies?" Fluffy Cloud called out, after Blossom Forth stepped forward. Pegasus after pegasus, Lightning Dust grew bored. Even Rainbow Dash and Daring Do's names had been called out. She was afraid that maybe her mother had forgotten to register her! But finally, the last name was called: "Lightning Dust?" The pegasus bounced forward, and stood with Daring Do and Rainbow Dash. A sign-up sheet for the cabins was passed out, and the three of them submitted their names for the Fire Cabin. "Don't forget! The Fire and Rain Cabin is for mares only! Earth and Blizzard is for stallions!" Fluffy Cloud announced, loudly. Collective groans escaped from the crowd, as well as comments like: "Now I have to choose another one!" Lightning Dust laughed. "Sucks for them. So, what do you guys think we're gonna do after we get to our Cabins?" She asked, her golden eyes lightning up. "Probably play some dumb 'get to know each other' game." Daring Do answered, with a scoff. "Camps always make us do that... Not cool!" Rainbow Dash chimed in, rolling her eyes. "Right? Don't they know that no one cares?" Lightning Dust snorted. The three mares waited half an hour or so, until they were lead by their cabin counselor to the Fire Cabin. To Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash's amazement and surprise, their counselor was Stormy Flare, a retired Wonderbolt. "This is awesome!" Rainbow Dash squealed, as soon as they got their bunk beds. Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash had paired up, while Daring Do had gone with Clear Skies, a mare she knew from Fillydelphia. "I know!" Lightning Dust answered, hanging down from her top bunk. "We're so lucky!" Rainbow Dash answered, joyfully. I agree, Rainbow Dash Lightning Dust thought, happily. I agree.
Chapter Four"Hurry up, Lilac Sky! You finished showering, you're just hogging the shower on purpose!" Lightning Dust complained, standing near the shower cube, where the purple pegasus was. "Sorry, Lightning! I'll be out in a second!" Lilac Sky answered. A few seconds after, the shower curtain opened, to reveal a nice and clean Lilac Sky. "Whew, thanks. You took forever!" Lightning Dash commented, offering a small smile as an apology for her rudeness. Lilac Sky giggled in response, and trotted out of the bathroom. Lightning Dust stepped into the shower cube, and quickly turned on the water. Letting out a small shriek, she leaped back. The water was cold! Slowly, she waited until the water heated up. However, the water seemed to remain freezing. With a long sigh, Lightning Dust reluctantly stepped in, and let the cold water soak into her coat. Rapidly, she sprung out of the water's way, and closed the shower curtain. Picking up a sponge, she squirted some shampoo on it, and began ridding her fur of any mud stains, or dirt from the Capture The Flag game, earlier. She didn't want to show up to the pizza place dinner all dirty, and stinky. Not that she was trying to impress anyone, of course. As soon as Lightning Dust finished, she stepped back in the water, and let it rinse off the shampoo. She did the same to her mane, and shut off the water, as soon as she was done. Lightning Dust took a towel that was hanging from a rack, and pulled her mane up to wrap around it, while sitting on the bench. As soon as she was finished drying, she began combing her mane. "Wow, who are you getting ready for?" Spring Step, one of the mares in her cabin asked. Spring Step exited from her shower, and quickly wrapped a towel around her shivering frame. "No one. I just don't wanna show up looking like shit." Lightning Dust shrugged nonchalantly, adding a roll of her golden eyes. "Seems legit. So how did you get so fast? Seriously, you're like lightning out there." Spring Step paused, and grinned. "Pun intended." Lightning Dust couldn't suppress the smile that lit up her face, as she laughed. "Nice. It's been my dream to fly faster than any other pegasi in Equestria, since I was a filly." She admitted, ridding her golden mane of the tangles that had previously made a home there. "Huh. So, you've been training, or...?" Spring Step asked, shaking out her coat and mane. To Lightning Dust's amusement, Spring Step's white and pink mane that was usually kept straightly-combed, was now puffed out at all angles. Lightning Dust had finished combing her mane and tail, and answered the question with a chuckle. "I'd fix my mane, if I were you." She said smugly, over her shoulder. As soon as she stepped out of the bathroom, a bundle of purple and yellow knocked into her. "Hey! Watch it!" Lightning Dust complained, looking up to see another one of her Cabinmates. "Aren't you going out to dinner, to celebrate coming in first place in the race, this morning?" The purple pegasus asked, eagerly. Her violet eyes were lit up, in anticipation. "Yeah. Yeah, I am." Lightning Dust replied, brushing some dust off her shoulder. "Well, you cannot go out there like that!" She stated, boldly. "Oh, I'm Cloud Kicker, by the way" She added, in a more friendlier tone. "Uh-huh. Okay Cloud Kicker, what's wrong with how I look?" Lightning Dust asked, bemused. Cloud Kicker rolled her eyes, as if it was obvious. "Everypony needs a little accessory, when they're going out to a special event. Here, put this in your mane." She suggested, taking a small pink flower, and leaving it at Lightning Dust's hooves. Lightning Dust looked down at the small flower. "Are you sure? I don't wanna take your... Thing." "Oh, it's fine! Keep it, I never use it anymore." Cloud Kicker shrugged. She shot Lightning Dust a happy smile, before trotting back to her bunk bed. "It won't hurt." Lightning Dust mumbled to herself quickly, and picked up the pink daisy flower. She went back into the bathroom, and fixed it near her left ear. Thinking that maybe Cloud Kicker was right, she trotted back out. "Hey, there you are! Ugh, you take so much time, let's go!" Rainbow Dash pretty much screamed in Lightning Dust's face. "Geez, alright. Bye, Daring!" Lightning Dust called out, waving shortly to the tanned mare. Daring Do was playing a card game with Lilac Sky and Cloud Kicker. She put her cards down, and waved back. Lightning Dust elegantly trotted side by side with Rainbow Dash, puffing out her chest slightly. She wanted to seem as graceful as possible, when they walked in for dinner. The flower in her mane, gave her an extra boost of self-confidence as well. "What's up with the daisy?" Rainbow Dash asked, finally. "Cloud Kicker gave it to me." Lightning Dust answered, nonchalantly. She opened the door to the diner, and was greeted by the rich, warm smell of pizza. Rock-and-roll music played, and Lightning Dust found herself liking the pizza place instantly. She looked around, to see Thunderlane and another stallion she didn't know already seated at a table for four ponies. Rainbow Dash zoomed over to the table, but Lightning Dust decided to take it slow. She gracefully trotted to the table, and took the seat across Thunderlane. He smiled warmly at her, and she smiled back. "Hello. I am Whiplash, Camp Dynamics' rewards program counselor." The stallion that Lightning Dust did not recognized stated. He had a gray coat, with a short black mane, and tail, along with a mustache. Lightning couldn't see his cutie mark, since they were sitting, but did notice he had a nice pair of shades on, along with a cornflower blue baseball cap, with Camp Dynamics scribbled on the front, in bold lettering. "I'm Rainbow Dash. And that's Lightning Dust." Rainbow stated, looking over at Whiplash. "We came in first and second for the flying race today." She clarified, pride lacing onto her words. Whiplash nodded. "I understand that. I believe you know Thunderlane as well?" He asked, jerking his chin to the dark-coated stallion. Lightning Dust and Rainbow Dash nodded in unison. "Good. You three will be well-known in Camp Dynamics, for your speed. I will make sure of that." Whiplash stated. "However, all three of you cannot share the fame." Rainbow Dash, Thunderlane and Lightning Dust exchanged glances. "Uh, I wasn't gonna share the fame, anyways." Rainbow Dash joked, breaking the awkward pause. Whiplash ignored her comment. "The week before you all pack your bags and go home, there will be a competition held, between the three top flyers. Whoever wins the race here at Camp Dynamics, will be able to represent us against the ultimate race, against other Summer Camps." He explained. "How much other camps are there?" Thunderlane asked, bluntly. "There is four other camps, and in total we are five." Whiplash answered. "So, is the competition gonna be... A flying race?" Lightning Dust asked, casually. She layed her elbow on the table, and leaned sideways a bit, to give her a better posture. "Yes, it will be a flying race, but not what you'd think. You're flying over a lake. Mountains surround you, and on those mountains are ponies from other camps trying to shoot you down with foam ball cannons. If the foam ball touches you three times, you're out of the race. The flight is exactly five miles. With each mile, a new challenge will arrive." Whiplash said, professionally. Finally, the waitress came by. "Howdy! Welcome to Lime's Pizzeria, what can I get for you?" The mare asked, cheerfully. Lightning Dust picked up her menu. "I'll have a small cheese pizza, with pepperoni." She said, to the waitress. Using her magic, the waitress scribbled down Lightning's order, and nodded. "For the drink, and appetizer, ma'am?" "Er, I'll take sparkling apple cider, for my drink. For the appetizer, a small bowl of salad. Extra croutons." Lightning Dust answered, with a small nod. "Allrighty! What would you like, sir?" She asked, turning to Thunderlane. Lightning Dust watched, as his bright amber eyes scanned the menu. "Um... For the pizza, may I have a plain small cheese?" The waitress jotted it down, and asked for the drink and appetizer. As soon as everyone was done ordering, the waitress scurried away, leaving the four of them to chat again. Whiplash and Rainbow Dash became engaged in a conversation, about the ultimate race, while Thunderlane and Lightning Dust listened. Well, Thunderlane did. Lightning Dust was too busy shooting the dark-coated stallion looks. After five or six peeks, Thunderlane caught her eye. He smiled crookedly. "Oh, hello. Long time, no see." He joked. Lightning Dust laughed lightly. "I know, right?" She answered, not quite knowing what to say. "So, how have you been liking Camp Dynamics? First day here, and man we are stocked." Thunderlane chuckled. He let out a small yawn. "That Capture The Flag game was intense." "It was. Plus, you almost got me out with your paint gun." Lightning Dust pointed out, shooting him a fake glare. "Nooo, that wasn't me. It was my teammate, Flitter." Thunderlane answered, quickly. "Oh." So that had been the pale violet mare's name. Flitter. "Yeah. But hey, you guys won. Hoops and Dumb-bell were telling me about the two 'jerks' who stole our flag." Thunderlane laughed. "That was a pretty clever move, that you and Clear Skies pulled off." "It was, considering we pretty much planned it out in sign language, while we were hiding in the bushes." Lightning Dust chuckled, and brushed a golden lock of her mane, that usually fell into her eyes. "Really? I thought the Fire and Earth Cabin had planned that while we were still getting our shielded glasses and paint guns." Thunderlane admitted. Lightning Dust nodded. There was a while of silence between the two. Smiling, blushing, Looking into each other's eyes, and then looking at the ground was the process repeated by the two pegasi. Finally, their dinner arrived. "Man, I am hungry." Thunderlane said, taking a bite of his pizza. Lightning Dust bit into her pizza slice, thoughtfully. She decided to tune into Whiplash and Rainbow Dash's conversation. "...And we have a dance coming up in three weeks, so we'll need help decorating our gym." Whiplash was saying to Rainbow Dash, and Lightning Dust's ears pricked slightly. Because what she had heard, was three weeks to ask Thunderlane to the dance. And by the look on Thunderlane's face, he was thinking the same thing.
