The Ultimate Element - Part 2 - Revised

The Ultimate Element


Chapter 2
Secrets

Far from the outskirts of Ponyville, two young fillies decided to explore a network of underground caves. The leading filly's red coat looked nearly black in the dim light, her green mane not faring much better. She strode confidently through the mist that cut through the air, thinking only of adventure. Nearby was a smaller, light green filly, who jumped at each shadow, her white mane looking grey from the fear and the darkness. She was not brave, like her friend, and spoke timidly in a low voice.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked, crawling close behind.

"Of course I'm sure," replied the more courageous, or perhaps stupider, filly. "Don't you wanna see what's down here?"

"But all the adults said it's dangerous, and I've got a really bad feeling. We shouldn't be down here."

"Oh, you and your superstitions. Look, nopony will ever know we were here, so lighten up." The fillies continued to walk down the labyrinth, until they came upon a large, open cave. The cave had no other exit, the walls and floor smooth from years of erosion, and contained only one item, a statue. "Whoa! What do you think that is?"

"I don't know, but it sure is scary looking. It looks like some sort of monster." The green filly stayed behind, hiding next to the opening of the cavern.

"Never heard of a monster like this before. Probably just some weird decoration somepony threw away." The red filly trotted up to the eerily realistic looking statue, tapping it with her hoof. The sound echoed through the cave like a cry of despair.

"Come on! Let's get outta here!"

"Not yet." The filly continued tapping the statue, when it suddenly fell over on the ground, and cracked. "OK, now we can go." The young ones bolted back home as fast as possible, not seeing the true trouble they had caused for Equestria.

---

"Looks like Lightning is asleep again," Rarity giggled. The blue pegasus had suddenly fallen asleep for the fifth time that day, his face falling straight into his hay and grass sandwich.

"Well, he got up right when he was 'posed to, and helped on the farm like he said he would," declared Applejack. "He wasn't quite sure what to do at first, but Big Macintosh helped him through it."

"Should we wake him up?" asked Twilight.

"Ooh, ooh! I can wake him up!" cried Pinkie Pie. She quickly dashed out of sight, and returned moments later carrying two large cymbals.

"Pinkie, what are ya'll planning to do with those?"

"Everypony cover your ears!" the earth pony screamed as she clanked the two large instruments together. The other ponies barley had enough time to react before a loud clang came from the cymbals. The sudden sound spread through the air, and into Lightning's head, forcing him awake and jumping nearly a foot into the air. If his wing allowed, he might have flown into the clouds.

"PINKIE! DID YOU HAVE TO WAKE ME SO HARD?! I CAN'T EVEN HEAR MYSELF THINK!" the stallion screamed, his hearing temporarily impeded. He rubbed his temples to try and relieve the pain.

"Hehe. Sorry Lightning," Pinkie giggled.

"WHAT?!"

"I SAID-"

"Please stop yelling Pinkie. His hearing should return soon," Twilight said. As if on cue, the blue and yellow pegasus' hearing slowly came back.

"Ow. That one might sting a while. So, uh, what were talking about earlier?" he asked, rubbing his eyes with a hoof.

Over lunch, the mares had been telling Lightning more about Ponyville. It's history, it's events, traditions, and provided their own personal examples for more detail. He laughed at the good times they shared, and yet he constantly shifted to a sad look, before bringing it back to the facade he held earlier.

Soon, the ponies split up, each off to do their own thing again. Lightning decided to go with Rainbow Dash, mainly to help her train, but also because he wanted to ask her something.

"I'm not quite sure why, and don't mention this to her, but Applejack seems to be a little distant to me," the stallion said with a hint of sadness.

"Oh, I'm sure it's nothing... Although you might have a point," the mare said, thinking back on how the farm pony acted around the blue stallion. "Well, anyways, I'm sure she must have a reason."

The young stallion quickly froze in an idea, but then put it out almost instantly. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter to me too much. After all, I'll be back on the road as soon as I don't need this cast anymore."

"Are you sure?" she asked solemnly. "If your able to fly again afterwards, I wanna see your skills before you go. I haven't met too many other pegasi who love to live fast like I do. I'd like to have a race!"

"After seeing you in action? I highly doubt I'd be able to beat you." Without using my special talent of course, Lightning thought. That would be highly unfair though, even to a pony who could create a Sonic Rainboom.

"Lightning?! Are you over here?" a voice called from nearby, though nopony could be seen. "Oh, there you are!" Applebloom and her friends, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, appeared through nearby bushes, prancing eagerly toward the pegasi.

"Hey there. What do you need?" he asked politely, smiling at the fillies.

"We want to be Cutie Mark Crusaders Electricians!" yelled the three fillies excitedly.

"What?"

"They always do this," the rainbow pegasus said, seeing Lightning's confusion. "They're always out looking for their cutie marks, usually by asking other ponies to teach them what they do. I'm just surprised they didn't find you sooner."

"Makes sense, I guess, but are you three really sure you want to be electricians?"

"Well, we try everything we can think of," Scootaloo answered, lifting herself off the ground for a moment, before falling back down..

"Yeah! How else are we supposed to find our cutie marks?" responded Sweetie Belle.

"By doing what you love to do."

The blue pegasus thought they fillies would understand, but instead they all three responded in the same fashion. "Everypony tells us the same thing, but nothing ever works."

"Alright then. Come on, let's go get to work. See ya later Rainbow Dash," he said, waving back at the mare.

---

"Pick up the pace!" the azure pegasus told his three assistant fillies. "Come on, come on!"

"Come back here!" screamed a mare, chasing after the four charred ponies. "Come back and fix my house!" After taking a few, turns, her voice became harder to hear.

"I think we lost her!" said the little yellow filly. The ponies came to a quick stop near the library, running inside to hide just in case. "I think we can rule being electricians out as our special talent."

"And that, little ones, is why you listen to your teachers. Next time, don't take water near an open wire, especially when tangled around several others."

"Sorry Lightning," the fillies chimed in unison.

"That plan might have, uh, blown up in our faces, but maybe I can still help you get your cutie marks."

"Really!" exclaimed Scootaloo. "How?"

"Well, I could help you guys find out your talent, and make sure you do it safely."

"Can we start now!" the fillies screamed in excitement.

"Maybe later. I think I need to rest for a while," he added with a nervous smile.

"Alright. Goodbye Lightning," said the pegasus.

"See ya at dinner," the earth pony giggled.

"Have a good day," declared the unicorn.

The stallion sighed and sat down. "Those fillies are gonna be the death of me."

---

Heading home for dinner that night, Applejack had to pass by the barn on her way to the house. From her vantage point on the path, she could clearly see a faint light flashing inconsistently from inside, and a clearly irritated voice that sounded familiar.

The orange farm pony silently moved closer to check out the occurrence, and as she did the light began to die. "Darn it!" spoke the pony, a bit louder then before. Lightning had been muttering to himself inside, and Applejack had to wonder why he was in the barn at that hour. "So close, but it still doesn't work anymore." She could hear his irritation growing, before it died out again.

The orange pony stood confused. What didn't work? IHe didn't seem to be trying to fly again, and what could that strange glow have been? She didn't have time to ponder, however, because she saw the pegasus walking toward the door at that instant. The earth pony had reached the path at the same moment that the blue and yellow stallion exited the barn.

"Oh, hey Applejack," he said nervously.

"Hey there Lightning," the earth pony replied in the same fashion. However, neither pony seemed to notice the others nervousness, instead focusing on their own. "What were you doing in the barn?"

"Just, uh, having a look around. That OK?"

"Yeah, of course. Now come on, I think Big Mac's almost got dinner ready."

---

"I'm tellin ya, somthin just ain't right bout that pony." The orange farm pony had met up with her friends the next day, after the pegasus left for work. Few ponies crowded the streets, and the group practically had the outdoor cafe to themselves. She told them about what she saw before, and her thoughts on his behavior.

"Oh Applejack, I'm sure it was nothing. In fact, you were probably just tired and seeing things," remarked Twilight, waving away Applejack's fears with a hoof.

"Or maybe the real Lightning was replaced by alien ponies, and they were trying to call the mother ship, but their communicator wasn't working properly." Pinkie Pie stuck to the idea that the stallion was ponynapped by aliens.

"Pinkie, we've been over this before, there are no aliens."

"Anyways," chimed the farm pony, getting back on topic, "I think he's keepin secrets from us."

"Applejack, everypony has secrets, it doesn't mean there's anything to be worried about," spoke Rainbow Dash.

"She's right Applejack. There's nothing wrong with keeping your own secrets," declared Fluttershy.

"I know, but I got a bad sense in gut. I don't mind secrets, but what could be so bad that you have ta lie bout them? I got a sorta truth sensor thing. I know when people are lyin."

"Look Applejack, I'm sure he has his reasons, and we should respect them. Now I think that is all we have to talk about this" The fashonista of the group silenced the others, and the conversation ended.However, the farm pony didn't give up just yet.

---

On the balcony of the highest tower in Canterlot castle, Princess Celestia looked out into the night sky. "What is wrong sister?" asked the younger moon princess. The solar royal had not heard her sister come in and seemed surprised to see her.

"For the past few days, I have felt a presence in Equestria, one of pure evil. An old enemy has resurfaced, however I can not be sure what or where it is." At the news, the younger alicorn seemed worried, but the sun sister kept up her composure. "Do not worry yet, though. I am sure, that whatever it is, the Elements of Harmony can stop it." Although the Princess did not mention out loud to her sister, in order to keep the younger pony from panicking, the monster grew in power slowly, with no end in sight.

"I hope your right, Tia." The moon royal trusted the users of the ancient artifacts, but remained unsure of what the outcome would be when they finally had to face this threat. The alicorn could sense her sister's unease. She knew her sister well enough to know when Celestia was worried, even if her face showed complete confidence. "My main concern is what will happen after this being has fully recovered, before they have a chance to stop it."

"I think it would be best for us to sleep on it. We cannot waste time on an unknown threat until it is closer to appearing. Waiting is all we can do for now." Celestia started to return to her room, but saw that Luna still needed convincing. "If it makes you feel better, I shall send a squad out tomorrow to find out what is the matter."

"Thank you, Tia. I hope they find it quickly," said the young princess with a sigh of relief, walking back to her own chambers.

"So do I," the white alicorn said solemnly.

---

"Alright Lightning, we need to talk." Applejack decided to confront the stallion after they had finished morning work.

"Did I make a mistake in the fields?" the pegasus asked. "If I did I can go back and fix it if you need me to."

"No. Your work is just fine, but I need to talk about somethin else."

"What is it?"

"What were you really doin in the barn last night?" The pegasus froze up, but the farm pony kept glaring at the stallion.

"I told you, I was just looking around."

"Then what was with the weird light comin from inside?" The earth pony had the pegasus in a corner, but the stallion came up with a quick explanation.

"Well, uh, I was fixing the barns light wiring. That's probably what you saw." The blue pony thought he had done a good job of making an excuse, but it didn't last long.

"The barn ain't got any electrical light." The pegasus had to stop himself before hitting his head with his hoof. Of course it didn't have lights in it! "Now tell the truth! What were you doin?" The farm pony seemed relentless, pointing a hoof toward the stallion.

"I can't tell you," retorted the stallion without hesitation, almost as if he had been expecting something like this to happen. The orange earth pony seemed irritated by the answer, however, almost growling.

"What do ya mean ya can't tell me?" the mare cried loudly.

"I just can't!" the pegasus yelled. He quickly lowered his voice to almost inaudible levels. "I don't what to find out what will happen if i do." After the stallion spoke, he ran out as fast as possible, heading down to town. As he did he said, "I'm sorry."

---

It beginning to get dark, and nopony had seen mane nor tail of the blue and yellow pegasus since that morning. "Where did that stallion go?" asked Rainbow, looking around from the sky.

"He couldn't have left town, could he?" Fluttershy wondered, as the multi colored mare came back to the ground.

"No. He has to be here," Twilight responded. "He needs to stay in case something happens to his wing again and he needs to be treated."

"Applejack, we told you not to worry about him and his secrets," chided Rarity. "They were his, and his alone. You had no reason to go prying."

"The way he was actin, I thought he might be dangerous!" the farm pony said defending herself.

"Dangerous!?" said the blue pegasus mare. "He had a busted wing! He couldn't even fly!" Rainbow Dash had to keep herself from starting a fight with the orange pony.

"I know bout his wing. Look, all I'm sayin is that somethin bout him seemed wrong, and I thought it would be best to find out what."

"Ugh! We need to find him!" Rainbow Dash didn't have time for arguing, she had to focus on finding the missing stallion.

"We already looked all over Ponyville. He's not here, and I'm sure he knows no to go into the Everfree forest," spoke Rarity. The ponies stopped, as they all had a sudden thought.

"The forest!" voiced Pinkie Pie. All six ponies ran to the edge of Everfree forest.

"A- Are you sure about this?" chimed Fluttershy, thinking of the monsters inside.

"We don't have a choice. We have to check it out." Rainbow flew at top speed above the forest, looking for anywhere the stallion could be. The ponies separated and searched through the forest, looking hard to find the pegasus.

Ponyville's party pony wondered around, looking behind every tree and under every rock, until she came upon Zecora's hut. "I bet Zecora could help us find Lightning!" the pink pony thought out loud. Walking into the small hut, she yelled, "Zecora! We need your help finding-" she opened her eyes and saw a pony working with the cauldron."Lightning!" the pony screamed excitedly.

"Pinkie! What are you doing here?" The blue pegasus stood confused, as the earth pony ran and hugged him.

"We were looking for you, you silly!"

"We?"

"Of course," she spoke quickly. " All of us were worried so we started looking for you. You weren't in Ponyville, and then Rarity said that you wouldn't come into the forest, but we decided to come in anyways. And I found you! Do I win a prize? Oh! I should tell the others I found you. By the way, where's Zecora? And why did you leave in the first place? Applejack told us what happened but I still wanna know why you left."

"Zecora's out picking herbs right now. And I left because Applejack was prying. I have a right to my secrets." He turned his head away for a moment, then returned to look at the party pony.

"That's what we told her!"

"Well anyways, I don't know if I should come back. Why should I go back when Applejack is just gonna keep asking questions?"

"If ya come back, I'll stop pesterin about yer secrets." At the door appeared an orange mare, a genuine smile on her face, but with a skeptic look in her eyes. "But remember this, I'm keepin mah eye on you," she said glaring at the stallion. "If ya ever make me think yer a danger, then I will kick you all the way to Canterlot. You'll be flyin again."

"If it makes you feel better, then go right on watching." All the more reason to leave soon after I'm healed, thought the pegasus. The ponies backed away, and made off for home.



End Chapter 2