Chapter five
The runaway
Author notes: this is my first "romantic" story...I wouldn't really use the word romantic though. Anyways if something doesn't feel right about the "romance" part please let me know and I'll try to fix it. I also hope to add more action in the later chapters (not sure if I said that already) well...enjoy the chapter.
"rarity! Wait" twilight yelled after rarity as they ran to the edge of the everfree forest.
"what is it twilight" rarity yelled back.
"just hold on for a second" twilight said catching up.
Rarity slowed down and looked at twilight, "why"
"rarity I know you want lightning back, but we don't know where he is going" twilight said trying to shove some reason into rarity's head.
"twilight" rarity gasped, "I'm disappointed in you! Did you not see his hoof prints leading to the everfree forest"
Twilight flinched realizing that she had overlooked something, "plus twilight, if I am able to find gems buried in the ground. Then I am very confident that I will be able to find an alicorn on a dirt path" rarity said as she started to walk again.
Twilight walked after rarity, "but are you sure you want to go in there" she gestures at the everfree forest.
Rarity did not respond but just kept walking. Twilight looked at rarity as she walked through the rain, not caring about her mane getting ruined any longer. Twilight also observed that rarity was looking at the ground looking at lightning's hoof prints.
Twilight tried to strike up a conversation a couple of times only to be rewarded with silence from the white unicorn. They walked for what felt like a couple of miles, all the while rarity looking at the ground followed by a tired twilight.
"rarity can we rest for a while" twilight asked.
Rarity stopped walking and sighed, "I suppose so"
Twilight and rarity walked under a tree that was thick enough to shield the two ponies from the rain. Twilight sat down and looked over at rarity. Rarity's lovely purple mane was now drenched and was hanging on the side of her face, her tail also drenched , and her eyes were staring out into the forest as they looked for any sign of lightning runner.
Twilight sat resting for about five minutes before rarity said, "come twilight we need to go"
Twilight got up amazed that the once delicate, over dramatic, dress obsessed unicorn that was now filled with so much determination. Rarity went back to focusing on the ground but soon lifted her head smashing her hoof into the now muddy path,"celestia help me!" she screamed, "the accursed rain has washed away his tracks"
"rarity I think it's time to turn back" twilight said softly.
"I will turn back when I have found lightning" rarity said continuing on the path.
"oh rarity" twilight said shaking her now drenched head, "it is true. Love does crazy things" she clopped after rarity.
As the two ponies continued their search the sky rumbled with thunder, "rarity"
Twilight tried to talk to her, "rarity we need to find shelter" as twilight finished her sentence a lightning bolt ripped through the sky, but the bolt didn't come from the sky but looked as if it came from the ground.
Rarity had saw the bolt and was now looking in that direction, "rarity wait we don't know if" twilight tried to say before she was intercepted by rarity running off yelling, "lightning!"
Twilight ran after rarity but she slammed into rarity as twilight couldn't see with all the rain slamming into her eyes. The two tumbled on the ground as came to a stop.
"twilight get off" rarity said as she tried to push twilight off.
"sorry rarity" twilight said getting off but froze as soon as she was clear of rarity.
"what is the matter twilight" rarity asked getting up and looked in the direction that twilight was looking in. The two unicorns had apparently tumbled into clearing much like the one they had found lightning in the first time. But it wasn't the clearing that twilight was looking at, it was what was in the clearing she was looking at.
There was a pack of at least ten manticores standing in the clearing. The manticores had turned from what they were doing and looked at the two unicorns.
"twilight" rarity asked, "what do we do"
Twilight looked between rarity and the manticores,"I don't know"
"what do you mean you don't know" rarity said getting worried," you know almost everything"
"that might be true rarity" twilight said backing up as the manticores began coming towards them, "but there a very few books about manticores"
The one manticore who seemed to be the head of the pack took the lead and got even closer to twilight and rarity. When the manticore was almost within striking range a loud whistle came from behind the pack.
"leave them alone" a voice said and the manticore backed off from the two frightened unicorns.
They saw that behind the manticores was a pony but they couldn't see it's details due to the intense downpour. The pony walked up to the manticore," it's fine" he said patting the beast on its muzzle. The pony then turned about to face twilight and rarity.
"I told you not to look for me" he said walking towards them.
" lightning" rarity asked squinting trying to see the pony through the rain.
"long time no see rarity" lightning said as he got close enough so they could see him. The rain pattering off of his armor. His wings were soaked and his eyes looked tired.
Rarity flung herself at lightning throwing her hooves around his neck, "lightning please come back" she said her tears mixing with the rain that rolled down her cheeks.
"rarity" he said," your mane is all wet"
"I don't care about my mane! I care about you" she exclaimed.
"I know rarity" he said as rarity released her hug, "but I can't go back"
"why not" twilight butted in.
"how many times have you read that book titled 'history of the alicorns' in your library" he asked twilight.
"tons of times! It's one of my favorite books" she responded.
"well, do you remember the drawing of the pony called the destroyer of kingdoms" he asked.
"yes I do"
"well that was me" he said dryly, "that's pretty much why I can't come back rarity. If other ponies other than your friends found out about my past...I don't know what I would do"
"lightning, you misjudge the ponies of ponyville" rarity said," sure they might be scared at first, but you just need to show your real self"
"I don't know" lightning said shaking his head," I've killed so many"
"lightning we know who you are and we are completely fine with being your friends" twilight said.
Lightning looked away the rain running down the snout guard on his helmet. He sighed and looked at rarity and twilight," okay I'll come back. But promise me that you won't tell anypony, let them find out by themselves"
" I promise" they both said at the same time.
Lightning nodded," alright"
Lightning walked off to the path where rarity and twilight came from. Rarity and twilight followed after lightning but this time rarity was focused on lightning.
"it's rude to stare" twilight smiled at rarity.
"you be quiet" rarity returned the smile
"what are you two talking about now" lightning asked walking.
"oh nothing" rarity said.
As the three walked on back to ponyville the rain slowly turned to hail.
"ow ow ow ow" rarity whispered to herself flinching as the hail hit her head. Lightning looked back as he heard rarity whisper to herself. He slowed his pace and spread his wings to cover rarity and twilight. Rarity looked at lightning as he covered her head with his wing. The hail bouncing off his armored body. Rarity then looked over at twilight seeing that lightning also covered her with his wing, rarity gave her a look saying told you so.
Twilight smiled as they walked on." lightning I was wondering" rarity said as they walked, "why didn't those manticores attack you"
"animals in this forest just don't" he said, "to me they are just big pets...even the hydra"
"you were with a hydra" twilight asked.
"for a short time, yes. I was just passing through and he came and all four of his heads were nudging me to rub it" he said smiling remembering the playful hydra.
"wow" twilight simply said," just plain wow"
"I don't do anything they just naturally ignore me or want to...oh what's the word...play I guess"
All conversation was cut short as thunder rolled through the sky and lightning flashed through the clouds. Lightning himself looked up and the bolts of electricity running along the clouds.
"come on we need to get back" twilight said after the thunder had ceased it's roar.
Back in ponyville celestia was in twilight's library reading through some of the books she had given to her student. She was in the middle of a book when rainbow dash burst through the door.
"twilight! I need the next daring do" she yelled as she walked in leaving small puddles where her hooves stepped. She looked around and saw celestia sitting staring at her.
"whoa! Oh hi there princess" rainbow said quickly.
"hello rainbow dash" celestia looked behind her and used her magic to levitate a book over to rainbow," I believe this is what you are looking for"
"yeah the third volume of daring do!" rainbow exclaimed and grabbed the book," thanks princess"
" you're welcome" celestia replied as she went back to concentrating on her own book. About half an hour later celestia finished her book and moved onto the next one. She looked at the title,"ah yes my favorite book" she flipped the book around looking over the book. It was the book titled "history of the alicorns"
As she opened to the first page her smile spread across her face as she read the stories of her sister and herself. She continued on through the many stories of herself, her sister, and many other past alicorns. When she had finished a story about halfway through the book she came across the drawing that held the alicorn dressed in armor and labeled the destroyer of kingdoms.
"why do I feel that I've seen this pony somewhere before" celestia asked herself. She thought and stared at the picture. Finally the two facts came together in her head. Her smile disappeared and she slowly and quietly said, "lightning runner"
" there it is" twilight said pointing out ponyville as the three walked out of the everfree forest. The hail had ceased and went back to rain but lightning still covered the two unicorns with his wings.
They were just on the side of town when three fillies ran through the muddy fields and into twilight, rarity, and lightning knocking them over.
"oh hey twilight, rarity" a orange Pegasus yelled popping up from the pile of ponies.
"oh sorry sis" another white unicorn filly also popped up.
"sweetiebelle! What are you doing" rarity asked getting up.
"we are looking for our cutie marks" a yellow earth pony said.
"children this is not the time to be playing around" rarity said.
"I agree. Go home kids" twilight said. The three fillies groaned," alright, come on scoots" the yellow filly said. Sweetiebelle went up to rarity and said," see you later sis" sweetiebelle gave her big sister a hug.
With a groan and clanks from his armor lightning got up. Sweetiebelle squeaked as she saw lightning stand up.
"hey kid watch where you're going" lightning said softly, "this armor is pretty tough. It would leave a nice mark on your head if you were to hit it"
"o...okay" sweetiebelle said and she ran off with her friends.
"don't worry lightning" rarity said, "she'll get used to you"
Lightning scoffed, "I bet it'll take a long time" he flapped his wing ridding them of the mud and muck in them and then spread them over rarity and twilight again.
They continued their walk after rarity and twilight tried to clean themselves up a bit.
They reached twilight's house soon after their meeting with the fillies. Twilight opened the door with her magic. Lightning stayed outside to dry his wings before going in.
Twilight entered followed by rarity, "welcome back you two" celestia said from behind the book she read.
Twilight jumped, "princess! I didn't know you would be here"
"I'm sorry I didn't let you know, I just wanted to check up on something and I believe I have found it" she held up the history of alicorns book and levitated over to twilight and rarity," before you get into a deeper relationship with lightning. I think you should look at this"
Rarity looked at the drawing, but her expression did not change, "no need to show me this princess" she shoved the book away, "he has already told me most of this"
"most of what" lightning asked walking inside, the water dripping off his armor.
"about your past lightning" twilight said.
"if it's alright I rather not talk about my past, ever" he said grabbing the book with his magic. Celestia flinched as his magic took the book away from her.
"I'm only going to say this once" lightning said,"yeah this is me. But let's get this straight...it's the past me" he dropped the book onto the table and he walked back into the rain.
"lightning where are you going" rarity asked.
" my house" he said," I'll see you later rarity"
" he surely is sensitive about his past" celestia mentioned.
"not to be rude princess but he really is trying to change" rarity said.
"I know rarity, I know. But as princess I have to make sure that the ponies I watch over are safe" celestia said.
"I'm perfectly safe with lightning runner" rarity retorted and walked into the rain.
Celestia sighed," today is just not my day, huh twilight"
"love does crazy things" twilight smiled at celestia. Celestia laughed," yes twilight. Yes it does"
Lightning entered his house and to his displeasure found that some areas in the roof had leaks. Not surprising since the house was abandoned. Lightning had picked up his cloak that rarity had left on the doorstep. He walked over to the stove and threw some kindling and logs from the already stocked wood into the stove, lighting the fire he hanged his cloak in front of the fire to dry it.
He unstrapped his armor placing the wet pieces of metal on the floor in a neat orderly line. Lightning was fixing a salad with the remaining lettuce he had when there was a knock on the door.
"its unlocked" he yelled.
"lightning" rarity said walking inside.
"in the kitchen"
Rarity walked in seeing him making the salad, "you want some" lightning asked.
"no, no I'm fine" rarity said.
"here hold on" lightning said stopping the process of cutting the lettuce. He walked up stairs and came back down with a towel, "here you go" he said handing rarity the towel.
"thank you" she graciously took the towel and started to carefully dry her soaked mane. While rarity busied herself with her mane lighting finished the making of his salad and quickly ate.
He then found some buckets in a closet and placed them where the water was dripping from the ceiling. Rarity had finished drying her mane and the rest of her body when her ears picked up a small beeping sound.
"lightning what is that sound" rarity asked.
Lightning moved towards his saddlebags where they hanged on the wall, "how can it be on" he asked himself.
"what can't be on" rarity asked again walking into the living room. Lightning used his magic and pulled the small device from his saddlebags," oh boy. No,no,no" her dropped the device as the device produced the spiral of smoke forming into the figure.
"lighting runner, why haven't you killed celestia yet, or even worse, why haven't you contacted me yet" the armored figure said.
Lightning stiffened his back and said, "I'm not going to kill her. I'm done serving you"
The smoky figure laughed and his right armored clawed hand solidified into real armor. The figure lunged at lightning grabbing him by the throat and forcing him to the floor.
"remember this position lightning" the figure said, "it's when you lost to me. You will kill celestia and you will serve me for eternity"
Lightning was gagging as the armored claws closed around his throat, "and if you don't kill celestia" the figure growled as his other hand solidified from the smoke, "you are going to lose your eye" the figure slowly jammed a sharpened finger above lightning's eye, he penetrated deep enough to leave another scar but not deep enough to leave his eye damaged.
He slowly moved his finger down lightning's face leaving a straight gash gushing blood. Lightning bit his lip as the figure crossed his eye with his finger.
"next time lightning you decide or even think about leaving me, I won't be so gentle" the figure backed off from lightning," and as for your little friend over there" he gestured over to rarity watching with horror," he don't think he'll be here forever" the smoke that made up the figure collapsed back into the device.
Lightning slowly got to his hooves and picked up the device. He walked out of the room and outside where the rain had stopped. He threw the device as far as he could," you can have my eye! Screw you" he yelled as the blood still gushed from the newly formed gash on his eye, the amount of blood that was being lost was starting to make his face pale.
He walked back inside leaving small puddles of blood on the floor, "I told you I wouldn't kill her" he smiled at rarity.
"lightning" rarity whispered but stopped when lightning fell to the ground passing out from the pain and loss of blood.
Rarity panicked for a bit not knowing what to do. She ran out of the house looking for some pony to help. She ran over to fluttershy's house which wasn't too far away.
"fluttershy! Come quickly" rarity banged on the door of fluttershy's house. The butter yellow Pegasus opened the door and popped her head out, "what is the matter rarity" she asked.
"it's lightning runner. He's hurt" rarity said and pulled fluttershy out of her house. Rarity eventually let go of fluttershy as they ran back to lightning's house.
Rarity and fluttershy entered lightning's house to find that lightning was in the same exact position that rarity had left him. The only thing that had changed was the puddle of blood that lightning's head laid in, his hair was red, and his eye had stopped gushing blood, though some small streaks of red still leaked from the gash.
Fluttershy backed up from the sight of lightning, "I...I'm sorry rarity...but I...can't"
"you have to do something" rarity said.
"rarity I've only helped small animals. And they mostly only had broken bones. I haven't treated anything this serious" the shy Pegasus said
"at least try to stop the bleeding" rarity asked her.
Fluttershy looked at lightning them back at rarity," all I can say is to put pressure on it"
Rarity ran off into the kitchen retrieving the towel that lightning had given her. She quickly ran back to lightning and wrapped his head with the towel," fluttershy help me with him"
Fluttershy hesitated as rarity tried to lift lightning onto her back,"fluttershy! Now please"
"oh my " she ran over to rarity and helped support lighting on their backs. The towel on lightning's face was slowly turning red as the sudden movement opened his wound again.
"quickly fluttershy. We need to get him to a hospital" rarity said.
Fluttershy nodded and the two marched out of the house down to the hospital.
Author notes: well there it is the sixth chapter. Hopefully the next chapter has more action. I'm not really the romantic type of person. But I'll write it if it's a good story, but trust me even if it is romantic it will have action XD. Well I'm off.