Chapter 1: A New Experience
It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for anypony that wanted to do whatever they wanted. Some were managing stalls, and some were just simply enjoying the day.
But for one, this day was the start of something new.
"Yo, Lightning!" A stallion called, his name was Ryder, a childhood friend to the pony he was calling after. "Duck, man!"
Lightning was caught in a daydream and snapped out of it after he hit the dirt. With a glare and growl, he spit the dirt out of his mouth and looked at the pony above him, his name was Quell.
"Daydreaming again, Buckheart? Pfft, why would you waste everyone's time if all you're gonna do is stand around?" Quell taunted, he had a satisfied smile on his face.
"Quell Averson!" Ryder barked at him. "As second in command to Shining Armor, I'm giving you one warning, we do not mistreat each other. NOT at all. Anymore, and I'll send your sorry flank home, am I understood?"
Quell only looked at him, then at Lightning, who looked eager to beat him.
"I understand... that the Royal Guard is doomed if guys like Lightning make it in!"
It got quiet all of a sudden.
"If something like Nightmare Moon came and if Lightning was in charge of stopping her, we'd be better off bowing and crying for mercy."
Lightning had enough.
"Nobody talks about my mother that way... say what you want about me, but leave my mother alone."
Quell looked at Lightning, nobody had stood up to him before, and he wasn't gonna let a daydreamer start now.
"Why? You and her both do this daydreaming stuff, whether you're her actual son or not, I'd say-"
WHACK! Lightning hit him in the side and kept his guard up.
Quell stood slowly before jumping at Lightning, eager to show him what life with no teeth was like.
"Quell! Lightning! Stop!" Ryder tried getting in the way to break up the fight, but was pushed away, he rolled into the captain, Ryder stood and saluted.
With magic, Shining Armor lifted Quell and Lightning away from each other. He glared at them both.
"Ah jeez..." Quell mumbled.
Lightning only looked at Shining with a defeated look and hung his head, he didn't mean to cause a fight, but he loved his mother.
Later...
Lightning sat with his mother, writing his punishment a thousand times.
"I will not start fights, no matter what is said to me."
Across from him was Quell, writing the same 3,000 times for taunting the princess.
"Quell, when your punishment is through, you will meet me in the throne room."
"Yes, princess..."
She left the room, and Ryder was now watching the two, his job was to ask questions, find out why there was a fight in the first place.
"Quell, why did you choose to foolishly taunt the princess? Don't you realize the job and training your doing puts you at her beck and call?"
Quell only looked at Lightning.
"Lightning is the reason? No... I think you taunting him because of who he is the reason. He is a prince of Equestria whether anyone likes it or not. We don't know what kingdom he's from, but we're gonna help him become a fine leader one day."
Lightning only scoffed. He didn't care for it. He wanted one thing badly that every time he looked out a window, it hurt.
Freedom. He wanted to be free and live his life, but his mother had very strict rules.
"Lightning? I want you and Quell to talk to each other, nothing negative, or I'll slap you with this meterstick."
The two looked at each other and the angry expressions softened, and Quell started.
"You don't have any idea what I've done to get here, do you? Then again, you probably don't care, but I come from a poor family, anytime I get payment, I send it to them so they can live. They farm and such, but... I remember... a year ago, Celestia was visiting, I wanted to meet her, I was so shy... she was about to leave and I ran after her. For some odd reason, she gave me a paper with a form to sign up for this and I happily took it. My little sister can barely afford toys she likes. I just want to help them."
Lightning felt bad now. His mother made him do this, and Quell was miraculously given this job. He had it easy and everyone else had to be noticed or busted their flanks for this job.
Shining Armor walked in.
"Quell, after I heard what you said about Luna and the fight with her son, you'll be sent home. Effective tomorrow."
Quell felt himself die. Without this, his family wouldn't make it. But he wasn't about to argue and make it worse. His mind ran to his family, what would they do?
"Wait!" Lightning ran over. "He didn't taunt me, and I started the fight, please, captain, don't send him home."
Shining Armor had always watched Quell pick on Lightning here and there and thought that Lightning would be glad to see him go, but this wasn't what he was expecting at all.
"Lightning, if you choose to take his punishment, you'll have to go see your mother with him. If she agrees, he may stay. But I don't know what'll happen to you."
Lightning only nodded.
"His family needs his help, sir, I wouldn't be able to sleep if his chance to help them was taken away."
This changed quite a bit, Quell actually looked up.
"Lightning, you aren't like the others here, I'm proud of the fact you'd accept trouble to help others. Anyone else would sell each other out or do whatever it took to defend themselves. Quell, you're excused, but no more fighting."
Quell was in shock, he couldn't believe what happened.
"Y-yes s-sir..." he walked out of the room and looked back once at Lightning before he was led to Luna."
Quell was given again another miracle to save his family, his mind ran to what he said.
He slowly began regretting how he treated Lightning.
Meanwhile, Lightning entered the throne room and sat in front of his mother.
"Shining Armor told me what you did, Lightning, I'm proud of you. Come with me. I have a test for you."
Shining Armor and Celestia followed Lightning and Luna. They began walking down spiral stairs.
"My son, do you remember the story I told you when you were younger? Your favorite one?"
Lightning smiled. "The Legendary Blade of Equestria?"
"Yes. I once told you it was a myth..."
Luna became silent for a moment, she swallowed.
"I lied. It's very real."
Lightning entered a strange room that was empty and dirty, except for the sword in stone in front of him.
"I know this is sudden, let me explain." She brought a letter out.
"Dearest Luna, you remember that prophecy we thought was fake? It's real. Sombra has returned and has begun taking over, even as I'm writing, my guards are anxious and unable to rest, you must find the one who can wield Xeno, our very world depends on it. It's the only weapon that can stop Sombra."
The letter ended there.
"I heard that the purest heart can pull the sword out, we've tried with many, but none has budged it even a little."
Lightning looked at it and then back at her.
"You've always told me you wanted freedom, son... if it turns out to be you, you'll get the freedom you want... but you'll have to do something for us."
"Mom, this is insane... It can't be me!"
Celestia stepped forward, patting his back.
"Lightning, your need to help others with no return is why you may be the one. Please try."
Lightning felt nervous.
"Captain?"
Shining Armor only smiled.
"If anyone can help us, it's you, Lightning, I didn't give you special training for the fun of it. It was to help you for things like this, we believe in you."
Lightning stared at them, then turned to the sword, he slowly walked to the steps and looked down at it. He looked at them one more time.
He was hoping that if he failed, nothing would change.
Lightning placed his hooves at the handle and began pulling, after a few seconds, it seemed like he wasn't the one, the looks of hope slowly diminishing from their faces filled Lightning with determination, he pulled one more time.
"Kyaah!"
CLINK!*
Everyone looked at the sword, it moved a little, Lightning pulled it out slowly and looked at it. The pedestal began glowing as it sunk into the ground.
"Lightning... you... you actually did it..."
Lightning chuckled and smiled. He didn't want this at first, but he felt like this was his calling.
"O brave and pure one... ye who pulled the blade out of the pedestal, please stand in the circle. The blade was rusted to keep it safe, now we may return the power to stop all evil for you."
No one knew where the voice came from, it sounded like it was behind them with the wind.
Lightning stepped into the circle and the sword floated out of his hooves and began glowing, suddenly, it exploded, and pieces of rusted metal fell as the true weapon within was freed.
"Xeno... it's holy power now belongs to you. Take its sheathe and go forth, protect Equestria."
A sheathe flew over and covered the sword inside. Then it lowered to Lightning.
"Wow... I... mom, what now?"
Luna shook out of her shock.
"It's truly a surprise, I never thought anyone would be able to pull it out. Many have tried..."
"Well, Lightning here did it." Shining Armor reminded.
"I hope you prepare, Lightning, now a new adventure lies before you, will you accept it?"
Lightning looked at the sword on his back and smiled.
"Yes. If it means keeping everyone safe, gladly."
"No matter what happens, keep all this a secret. Tomorrow, you leave for Ponyville."
Later that night, Lightning came inside from sitting out on the porch and bumped into Ryder.
"Yo, Lightning, I heard from Luna about you leaving? Bud, why?"
Lightning couldn't keep it from his best friend, he led Ryder to the porch and pointed at Ponyville.
"I... I'm part of a prophecy of some kind, Ryder. You remember the story I love? That's the sword on my back!"
At first, Ryder didn't believe it, but he knew how to test it.
"If that IS the sword, shouldn't it weigh a ton for a pony like me then?"
Lightning placed it on the ground and stepped back. Ryder tried lifting it, but couldn't, it felt like a pile of cinderblocks.
"That IS the sword! Woah! Where'd you get that?! That's so cool! What's it do!? Can-"
Lightning placed his hoof on Ryder's mouth and placed the sword away.
"You good? You gotta relax, Ryder, I'm not supposed to tell anyone."
Ryder nodded, Lightning moved his hoof away and watched him for a moment.
"This is still so awesome! So... you'll make sure to visit, right? I mean... why leave?"
"I'll tell you if you don't freak at any of it."
Ryder swore.
Lightning explained everything as best as he could. And at the end, Ryder looked scared for him.
"Dude, going against Sombra is like begging for suicide! Are you nuts? And just you? How do you plan on stopping him?"
Lightning was hoping he'd be a bit more supportive than that.
"I've been taught to fight for things like this, Ryder, Sombra doesn't sound scary at all."
"You haven't seen him yet is why. I can't believe you're going to stop him alone."
"Lets just go inside, Ryder, come on."
They both left inside, but a porch above, Luna heard everything and began thinking, who could go and help Lightning? She didn't want to lose her son and he wasn't a fan of being alone. She knew exactly who to ask.
That night...
In a dream, Lightning looked to the left and right, it was dark and nothing in sight, suddenly, a hawk flew over and landed in front of him. It was weird, Lightning felt a connection with the bird.
"Where are we?" Lightning slapped himself, hawks couldn't speak, so he felt crazy.
The Hawk flew away and vanished, then Lightning noticed a pair of eyes.
"So... you are the one who drew that accursed weapon... hmm... young... inexperienced... my reign is safe then."
"Who are you?!" Lightning demanded, he drew the sword and awaited a reply.
"I am King Sombra, the one who will take over this pathetic world soon. Tell Luna that if your all she's got, her judgment is horribly mis-"
Lightning side flipped over and slashed at him with the sword.
"GAH!" The sword left a burning mark.
"Back off, Sombra! Leave Equestria alone or I'll destroy you!"
Sombra growled.
"I'll get you, boy... I swear it... and when I have you at deaths door, I won't merely grant you the sweet release... I'll fill your last moments with pain and suffering unlike any other."
Suddenly, the king turned into a nightmarish creature and leapt at Lightning.
"Woah!" Lightning shot up, in a cold sweat. He looked around, then at the morning sunrise, he was grateful that it was morning already.
"What... who was that? And... that Hawk..." he had so many questions.
Later, at breakfast, Lightning ate silently, Luna watched him and wondered what was going on. He looked like he had seen the living dead.
"Lightning? Are you ok?"
Lightning sighed, he explained the dream as discreetly as he could, at the end, Luna only dropped her fork and dragged him to her room.
"What did Sombra say."
Lightning told her about his threat, it creeped him out.
"His power is almost done returning. At this rate, we have a week starting tomorrow, finish eating, then meet me at the gardens, your ride to Ponyville is waiting, I've enlisted 6 ponies to help you."
She looked incredibly nervous.
"Mom... I'll be ok... I have help, remember?"
She sighed and smiled.
"I know, Lightning... it's... just scary is all."
In the gardens, Lightning and Luna hugged, the morning sun had begun to rise.
"Be safe, my son... and please let them help you, take this letter and find Twilight Sparkle, her and her friends will help you. They've dealt with Sombra before, but not this bad..."
"Mom? What did you say?"
Luna realized she was mumbling out loud.
"Nothing, I'm sorry..."
"I love you, mom."
"I love you too, son. Please... be careful."
And with that, Lightning left, he waved bye, and just sat in the carriage, he closed his eyes and smelled the new, fresh air.
"This is gonna be great."
At the castle, Luna went inside, while Quell and Ryder watched Lightning leave.
"We should help him." Quell suggested.
"But how? We don't have permission to help." Ryder stated.
"He helps without asking, why should we? It's like he says."
"You don't need a reason to help."
Ryder smiled, his best friend was the purest he knew.
"Ok, so how do we do this...?"
The two left to grab their things that they would need.
Finally, after a while, Lightning landed outside of Ponyville, he thanked the guards then looked around, everything looked beautiful.
Lightning once again became distracted with the scenery but was able to snap out of it.
"Gotta find this mare... what was her name? I think it was... eh, I'm sure I'll find her at one point."
Lightning received odd looks as he walked through the town, it was his sword, not many ponies walk around with weapons. He came across a destroyed tree home.
He felt sad looking at it, but could feel something strange being near it.
"Huh... I wonder what was here?"
"Twilight's treehouse! Duh!"
Lightning yelped and fell backwards, he looked at the pink pony hopping excitedly.
"Hi! My name's Pinkie Pie! What's yours? Must be something nice if you came from Canterlot, huh?"
Lightning raised an eyebrow, how did she know?
"My name is Lightning, nice to meet you, Pinkie. You said a treehouse was here? Was it pretty?" Lightning had an eye for homes and how they looked. If one looked beautiful, he'd remember it.
"It definitely was! So, why are you here?" She asked, still hopping.
"I'm looking for somepony, a... T- hmmm... what was the name again?"
Lightning for some reason couldn't remember.
"Hmm... how about I show you around? We can start with Sugarcube Corner! Come along, your majesty!"
Lightning froze, he looked, his wings were covered by his saddle bags, how did she know?
"...right..." he followed cautiously.
At Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie hopped inside while Lightning walked behind her.
"Mr. And Mrs. Cake, I want you to meet a new pony I found!"
The two looked at each other at first.
"You usually don't introduce us, you throw them a party, Pinkie."
She smiled.
"He's different, he's a prince!"
The cakes looked at Lightning and could see on his back the base for wings.
"Well! We'll have to throw a heck of a party then! While we prepare, why don't you take him to Twilight? The Princess of Friendship should know if another pony of royalty is around!"
The name clicked. Twilight.
"Alrighty! Come on, Lightning!" That was the weirdest introduction ever, he didn't even get to introduce himself.
"Th-thanks." Lightning smiled nervously and left. He wasn't there for 10 minutes, and now he was on his way to meet another princess.
"Pinkie Pie? Could you slow down, please? I have a question..."
She kept bouncing, but at a speed he could keep up with.
"Princess of Friendship? What else is there I don't know?"
Pinkie giggled and snorted.
"Lots of stuff! But you'll get to see everything after Twilight meets you! Come on!"
Lightning rolled his eyes and sighed.
Inside the castle, Lightning kept staring at the walls, but kept up with Pinkie. A castle like this was amazing to him, he had never seen anything like it.
"All my friends are in here, come on!"
She hopped over and stopped at last, she opened the door to the room with the map, and went in.
"Twilight! I found somepony you should meet!"
She sighed and placed her book down, and looked at Pinkie.
"Well? Where are they? And please tell me it's not another fan. Oof... last one you brought was a real hoof full."
Pinkie looked at the door. She noticed that Lightning was hiding.
"Come on, don't be shy!"
Lightning walked into the room and was definitely the center of attention, he looked at all the books.
"Wow... who has the time for all these?"
"I do." Twilight walked over. "My name is Twilight Sparkle. So you are what Pinkie wanted to show us?"
Pinkie hugged Twilight uncomfortably, with cheeks touching, Twilight wasn't a big fan of two faces touching.
"He's a prince, though! He came from Canterlot!"
"He's a what?" A mare with a white body and purple mane and tail asked, walking over, Lightning could tell she had an eye for fashion, she looked like the famous Rarity.
"How can you even tell?"
Pinkie pushed Lightning's saddlebags to the ground, and his hidden wings were visible at last.
"Oh my lord... he is... and from Canterlot? Were you visiting?"
"No... my adoptive mother sent me, for you, Twilight. She asked me to give you this letter."
Twilight looked at him with a raised eyebrow, she had never seen or heard of him before now. Why?
"Who is your mother, darling?"
Lightning smiled.
"Princess Luna, she adopted me when I was young."
The room was silent, nopony knew that Luna had a son, even an adopted one.
"What's your name, if I may ask?"
"My name is Lightning Buckheart. I was given this sword and letter, and asked to come seek Twilight."
At that second, Twilight gasped, she looked up.
"King Sombra?! You're supposed to go stop him? How?!"
Lightning was about to answer, but suddenly, his sword began glowing lightly near a book.
"What's that?"
Twilight began walking to the book.
"I'm not sure... what kind of sword reacts to a book?" She opened it to the page and slowly looked at him.
"May I please see that sword?"
Lightning nodded and placed it on the ground.
Twilight began looking at it and reading, then she finally closed the book.
"You have Xeno? A legendary sword?" Her face was full of fear.
"Yeah?"
"Twi? Ya'll look like yer gonna be sick. Spike, may wanna grab a-"
Lightning put the weapon away and just looked at Twilight, he felt funny, his stomach felt ticklish and his heart was racing, he was in love, and had no idea.
"I'm not gonna be sick, but I'm wondering why Luna would give you that... don't you know what it is?"
Lightning shook his head.
"Lightning, if you are the only one that can use it, then the world is literally in your hooves."
"Hang on, what are you talking about, Twilight? This is just a egghead joke, right?" Rainbow Dash asked, feeling worried by her friend's reaction.
"No, Rainbow, that is Xeno, a weapon made of the most dangerous materials possible, its indestructible and has the power to save or destroy Equestria."
All eyes were on Lightning, he only gulped.
He never felt so nervous in his life.
Author Note: This story exists because of a couple reasons. One, a review I got for Lightning's Quest has been non stop bothering me, and when I read my stories, it was so messy, I literally lost track, I don't know what I was thinking. So I'm ending that story and redoing it with this one, I will add more detail, more character involvement, basically, making it better. Note, I'm not a perfect writer, nor do I want to be, so mistakes may be made.
I honestly feel the most happy with this than any chapter I've written. This is basically the same Lightning goes to stop Sombra stuff, but it will have not as much sad bits, only when needed, and if any action, more detailed. Because it won't kill me to write. Even if it takes a few days.
Finally, a few changes that you may have noticed, Ryder and Quell choose to help Lightning behind the scenes, originally, Ryder had to be sent by Luna, and he fell in love with Pinkie. Basically, I want this to not be a "must avoid" I want this to be more comfortable to those who choose to read it. I'm sorry for the OCxTwi, but she's my favorite, and no, that's the ONLY pairing I'm doing this time, I'll include Milla to the story at one point, but solely as a friend.
Any comments or suggestions are still welcome. And thanks for the reviews before, at one point, I'll delete the other story, but for now, it stays.
Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoy this, and please look forward to more.
