A Mare Named Lightning: Part 2

Flying was hard enough for Alez, but flying through the rain was ten times harder. "So much for today's workout. I won't need another one for a week!" He finally got to the edge of Cloudsdale, and immediately headed for the training grounds. The streets were deserted, most likely because of the weather. His hooves clopped loudly on the cobblestones, echoing off the buildings. The guard at the gate smiled at Alez. "What's up kid?"

"I'm looking for Spitfire. It's quite important, so..."

The guard frowned and took a sip of coffee. "I'm so sorry, she's just left for Ponyville! She's going to be gone the next few days."

"Why is she going to Ponyville?"

"Something about 'meeting up with an old friend.'"

"Oh. Thanks anyway."

"What do you need from her?"

Alez stepped right up to the guard and said, "I need to issue an apology on behalf of Lightning Dust, sir!"

The guard looked left, looked right, and glanced over his shoulder. He knelt down next to Alez, and whispered, "look here, kid, I'm not supposed to tell you this, but if you wanna see Lightning Dust again any time soon, I'd get back to Ponyville as fast as you can! "

Alez went pale, and nodded. "Thank you very much sir."

"You're welcome. Now hurry!"

He galloped back down the street and took off as if it were a runway, shooting into the sky, then diving down toward the ground.

He hit the ground running, and literally flew up the stairs to the apartment. He reached the top of the stairs, and gasped. The door had been hacked down, and there were marks from where somepony had been dragged out the door. He carefully entered the room, only to find broken furniture, shredded curtains, and broken trophies and medals. He ran back outside, calling "Lightning Dust! Come back! Lightning!" When no answer came, he ran back down the stairs, and as he rounded a corner, he slammed into another pony, sending them both tumbling down the rest of the stairs. Alez landed with his face buried in a rainbow mane. "Rumphho Daphh?" He mumbled into the mane. Rainbow Dash jumped up, nearly giving Alez rug burn. "Alez! I've been looking everywhere for you! You're looking for Lightning Dust, aren't you?"

"What is going on? Please tell me...you don't..."

"No, this is not my doing. It was Spitfire of course. I tried to stop her, I really did, but she just blew right past me," she said, pointing at a large gash in her side.

"Where did she go? Let's go before-"

"Alez, you don't understand. It's over already. There's no saving Lightning Dust."

Alez's voice trembled, "I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to get her back!"

Rainbow Dash sighed, and looked sadly at Alez, "have fun in the Rainbow Factory."