Line #13 Main/RideTheLightning


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4	[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/{{Freakazoid}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ride-the-lightning_freakazoid2_6862.png]]]]
5
6	->''"Why don't you make someone else ride ''your'' lightning, for a change?"''
7	-->-- '''[[Music/OzzyOsbourne The Guardian of Metal]]''', ''VideoGame/BrutalLegend''
8
9	Using lightning or electricity as a form of travel. It can vary from turning into electricity yourself to traveling along it, using it as some sort of conduit, or even just surfing on a bolt of lightning.
10
11	May be FastAsLightning. A SisterTrope to ElectricSlide. For riding lava, see LavaSurfing.
12
13	Compare RideTheRainbow, ShockAndAwe, SkySurfing, ElementalShapeshifter.
14
15	Not related to ElectricTorture or [[Music/RideTheLightning the album]] by Music/{{Metallica}} (although the trope was named for the latter). Also not related to when a bipolar person decides NoMedicationForMe while in a manic phase, occasionally termed "riding the white lightning". Nor does this refer to execution via electrocution, although the trope title is a slang phrase for such an execution.
16
17	----
18	!!Examples:
19
20	[[foldercontrol]]
21
22	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
23	* Soga spends a chapter of ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'' chasing around a {{raiju}} that turns into electricity to travel through electronics and power lines, deleting the former's data. Soga captures it with [[SupernormalBindings a special leash]] that keeps it solid.
24	* ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex''[=/=]''Manga/ACertainScientificRailgun'': The titular Railgun, Mikoto, is capable of surfing along steel-framed concrete walls, Spiderman-style, thanks to her [[ShockAndAwe abilities to control electricity]]. When she does that, there is a visible lightning "leash" extending from her body. Taken to a more literal extreme in the [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVA]], where, in an alley with steel-framed concrete walls on both sides, she uses her abilities to [[NotQuiteFlight fly through the air]]. [[spoiler: The point of which was to ride the lightning fast enough to fit through a small section at the end and circle back around through the next alley to get behind whoever was following her the whole episode, who, in their inability to ride the lightning, would be forced to turn around to leave.]] Riding the Lightning, indeed. The SS novels show that she can use her ability over large bodies of water to induce hydrolysis in water molecules to ride the lightning as well. And later taken to an even higher extreme when she is forcibly subjected to a [[spoiler:[[OneWingedAngel Level 6 Shift]]]], gaining the ability to effectively teleport to where a beam of electricity she created had struck in the process, apparently by travelling '''through''' the electric beam itself.
25	* ''Manga/DenjinN'': After shedding his mortal coil, Tadahiro's essence is transformed into pure electricity and allows him to travel throughout Tokyo instantaneously through electrical currents. This allows him to cause blackouts, spy on people through CCTV, or stage fatal accidents for anybody who wrongs him or Misaki.
26	* Laxus from ''Manga/FairyTail'' can turn himself into lightning for a time in order to dodge attacks and quickly close the distance on foes. It's also implied he can use this for high-speed travel, as shown with his BigDamnHeroes moment in the Sirius Island arc where he arrives and blasts his way into Grimoire Heart's airship in a bolt of lightning.
27	* Killua from ''Manga/HunterXHunter'' uses his electrified aura to move at high speed.
28	* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'': When Negi masters [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique Magia Erebea]], a technique which allows him to fuse himself with offensive spells, his affinity for [[ShockAndAwe lightning]], [[BlowYouAway wind]] and [[LightEmUp light]] magic lends itself to this.
29	** ''Jovis Tempestas Fulguriens'' ("Jovian Windstorm of Lightning") [[TornadoMove blasts a vortex of wind and lightning energy at opponents]]. When equipped, it creates the form ''Agilitas Fulminis'' ("With Lightning Speed"), which electrifies Negi's body and grants him great agility.
30	** The FantasticNuke spell ''Khilipl Astrape'' ("Thousand Thunderbolts") can be absorbed to enter the state ''He Astrape Huper Ouranou Mega Dunamene'', better known as ''Raiten Taisou'' ("Might of the Great Thunderclap"). Apart from [[StatusBuff fortifying Negi's body]], this drastically improves his FlashStep skills, allowing him to transform into a bolt of lightning in short bursts. However, the technique has blind spots due to his human reaction time and his need to send out streamers of charged particles before the main bolt strikes. This leads to...
31	** ''Tastrapa Huper Ouranou Mega Dunamena'', or ''Raiten Taisou II'' ("Might of the Twin Thunderclaps"), activated by absorbing two ''Khilipl Astrape'' spells at the same time, which transforms Negi into [[ElementalEmbodiment a being of pure "heavenly fire"]], similar to a lightning [[OurGeniesAreDifferent genie]]. Not only does this allow him to maintain constant lightning-speed while retaining full awareness of his surroundings, it also makes him an ElementalShapeshifter who can disperse parts of his body into lightning to avoid attacks.
32	* [[PsychoElectro Enel]] in ''Manga/OnePiece'', who has the power to transform his body into lightning.
33	* Rotom in one of the Decolora Islands ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' episodes does this to get into appliances and eat electricity.
34	* ''Manga/RosarioPlusVampire'': Raika is a [[ShockAndAwe thunder beast]], and can turn himself into electricity and travel along any conductor at blinding speed. Ruby quickly realizes that InertiaIsACruelMistress and punches him as he comes out.
35	[[/folder]]
36
37	[[folder:Comic Books]]
38	* [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] in ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo'' exploits his transformation method (yelling "Shazam!" and getting struck by a bolt of lightning,) and then rides the bolt of lightning down to a rampaging Black Adam (who gets his power via the same method) to strike him with it instead to force him to transform back to normal.
39	* ''ComicBook/TheAuthority'': Jenny Sparks does the "transform-into-electricity-via-power-lines" variant for cross-country travel.
40	* ComicBook/DoctorStrange learned how to teleport via lightning when the Ancient One's nemesis Kaluu was his mentor, but he considered it a form of [[TheDarkArts dark sorcery]].
41	* ComicBook/SpiderMan foe Electro is sometimes shown traveling by surfing a lightning bolt.
42	* Sparx from ''ComicBook/SuperboyAndTheRavers'' loses her human shape altogether when she flies fast enough since she is an EnergyBeing when not in human form.
43	* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' [[AudienceAlienatingEra Blue]] could travel as a lightning bolt.
44	* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': In the Silver Age Diana could lasso lightening and use it to swing herself along.
45	[[/folder]]
46
47	[[folder:Fan Fiction]]
48	* The Pronghorns use this to travel in the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' fanfic, ''Fanfic/ItsADangerousBusinessGoingOutYourDoor''. They use it to relay messages between rulers. [[spoiler: They teach Rainbow Dash to do it as well.]]
49	* The ''Fanfic/PoniesOfOlympus'' series has the Jupiter Lance technique, which allows pegasi to do this as a fighting technique.
50	[[/folder]]
51
52	[[folder:Film]]
53	* In ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'', Electro is able to do this traveling as a bolt of lightning.
54	* In ''Film/AndYouThoughtYourParentsWereWeird'', ghosts can manifest as electricity to [[HauntedTechnology possess technology]].
55	* One of the gremlins in ''Film/Gremlins2TheNewBatch'' gains this ability and starts traveling through the Clamp building's phone lines.
56	* At the climax of ''Film/{{Hulk}}'', David Banner absorbs enough electricity to become a monster made of lightning. He grabs the Hulkified Bruce and they travel miles inland on his coattails, fighting in the clouds.
57	* Being an electric ghost, the villain of ''Film/{{Shocker}}'' has this power, which allows him to travel between television set and electric sockets.
58	* ''Film/WarOfTheWorlds2005'' has the aliens using lightning to travel to their buried pods.
59	* In ''Film/WonderWoman1984'', Diana/Wonder Woman is seen using her Lasso of Thruth to swing in the sky using lightnings to hook the Lasso on.
60	* ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' has Storm arriving to fight the X-Men [[https://media1.giphy.com/media/xTiQyEIWhGup1JDFrq/source.gif in a way that makes it seem she came along with a lightning bolt.]]
61	[[/folder]]
62
63	[[folder:Literature]]
64	* ''Literature/TheColourOfMagic'': This is what Twoflower thinks Rincewind is talking about when he expresses a desire to "harness the lightning".
65	* In ''The Dreamers'' series by Creator/DavidEddings, the Elder God Veltan has a pet lightning bolt that he rides for quick long-range transport. Disadvantages include having to avoid collateral damage, because gods are [[ThouShaltNotKill absolutely forbidden from taking life]], and showing up with static-frizzed hair.
66	* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': When Kallen receives a blessing from Ligol, the lightning goddess, one of the abilities this grants her is teleporting via this method. Her body, and that of anyone touching her, transforms into lightning and then strikes where she wants to land. This means she can't use it to go anywhere lightning wouldn't be able to reach, such as a room deep underground.
67	* Literature/LightningDust does the turn into lightning version, once winding up inside a streetlight on his first flight.
68	[[/folder]]
69
70	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
71	* The Psycho Rangers from ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace'' all seem to have this ability, as well as mechanical possession. One of them even uses it to take over a Megazord.
72	* In the first episode of ''Series/Tracker2001'', Cole, in his natural energy form, travels through a power line to get to the ground.
73	* It's been...''[[EpilepticTrees theorized]]''...that all the supernatural entities in ''Series/TwinPeaks'' travel this way. A few odd incidents (particularly in TheMovie) are accompanied by shots of buzzing power lines. The same thing happens in ''Film/MulhollandDrive'' at one point, [[WildMassGuessing possibly for the same reason.]] Uhh, [[MindScrew maybe.]]
74	[[/folder]]
75
76	[[folder:Music]]
77	* The eponymous Tiger Rider from "Tiger Rider vs. the Time Sprinkler!" by Music/TheAquabats is implied to have this power.
78	-->''Grab a hold of the lightning bolt\
79	And you pull down the lightning\
80	(Ride the lightning!)''
81
82	* [[Music/RideTheLightning The Metallica album]] is the TropeNamer but not an example.
83	[[/folder]]
84
85	[[folder:Roleplay]]
86	* Luna from ''Roleplay/DawnOfANewAgeOldportBlues'' is capable not only of controlling lightning, but turning into lightning herself and moving through power lines while in that form.
87	[[/folder]]
88
89	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
90	* An odd example occurs in ''TabletopGame/ChangelingTheDreaming'' with the Hsien. Fire Alchemy originally only allowed its Path Of The Elements to be used on burning buildings and Lava. But in modern times Hsien learned how use it to travel between lightning bolts, power lines and fiber optic cables.
91	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons 3.5'' has the spell ''Lightning Leap'', which inflicts electricity damage in a straight line and transports the caster to the end of the line. There's also a [[PlayingWithFire fire-based version]] in the form of ''Firestride Exhalation'', where the caster [[BreathWeapon breathes a cone-shaped stream of fire]] and can transport themselves to any space within the cone.
92	* The Simbul of ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'', after lots of experiments with polymorphing into inanimate objects (which sane mages avoid) and self-enspelling, acquired an ability she uses when even the most powerful magic-user in her world (and not quite in her right mind) must leave in haste: she turns herself into chain lightning, thunders through the area, ''then'' the last bolt turns into a meteor and flies away.
93	* Ofanim of Lightning in ''TabletopGame/InNomine'' can become electricity in order to travel along wires between two electric devices. It's rather hard on the devices used though.
94	* ''Creator/PalladiumBooks'' features this trope in a few of its works:
95	** The Nightbane from ''TabletopGame/{{Nightbane}}'' can purchase a [[MagicAndPowers Talent]] called "Lightning Rider", which [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin lets them turn into living electricity]].
96	** This is also the main special ability of the alien bug invaders in their ''TabletopGame/SystemsFailure'' RPG.
97	* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' has a supplement called ''Ultimate Magic'', which features a spell called Ride the Lightning, where the user turns into a lightning bolt that blasts through enemies, ignites flammable objects and melts metal.
98	** Non-casters can achieve the same effect with the magical Boots of Lightning Leaping.
99	** Air kineticists from ''Occult Adventures'' can do this at 12th level. One can also ride the earth, aether, water, air or fire if lightning is not in their element.
100	* An entire [[CharacterClassSystem character focus]] of ''TabletopGame/{{Numenera}}'' revolves around combining this trope in special as well as ShockAndAwe in general. It is, appropriately, called "Rides the Lightning".
101	[[/folder]]
102
103	[[folder:Video Games]]
104	* The Electrical Melee powerset in ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' has "Lightning Rod" as its final power. It works very similarly to the ''VideoGame/GuildWars'' "Ride the Lightning" already mentioned. The user teleports to a targeted location, damaging any enemies near the landing point.
105	* Ghosts in ''VideoGame/GhostTrick'' can travel through phone lines.
106	* One of Ky Kiske's Overdrives in the ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' is named this because it, too, was named after the song "Ride the Lightning."
107	** His son Sin uses the version called "R.T.L".
108	* In ''VideoGame/GuildWars'', there is an Air Magic spell called Ride the Lightning that warps you next to a targeted enemy, dealing lightning damage to the enemy.
109	* Cole of ''VideoGame/{{inFAMOUS}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{inFAMOUS 2}}'' can travel extremely quickly by sliding along electrified wires - and they do have to be electrified. Amusingly, this works of something similar to the principle of a railgun. The sequel introduces the Lightning Tether, which is essentially a grappling hook made of lightning.
110	** He can do this across any normal platform in his playable appearance in ''VideoGame/PlayStationAllStarsBattleRoyale''.
111	* The MechanicalLifeforms of [[EternalEngine Wiral]] from ''VideoGame/{{Meteos}}'' can turn their bodies into electricity to travel across their planet via it's vast network of wires.
112	* Raiden's '''[[MemeticMutation I NEED MY MONEY]]''' [[TeleportSpam teleport attack]] in ''Franchise/MortalKombat''.
113	* VideoGame/{{Pulseman}}'s array of [[ShockAndAwe electricity-based powers]] includes the Volteccer, which turns him into a flying ball of electricity. This also allows Pulseman to travel along power lines. In addition, he can transform himself into an electrical signal to travel through {{Cyberspace}}.
114	** In the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series of games, Pikachu inherits this ability as its Final Smash, Volt Tackle (which actually ''is'' called Volteccer in Japan). As of ''Ultimate'', [[TheBusCameBack Pichu]] also has access to it.
115	* In an old hilarious DOS game ''Space Dude'' one of the environmental stages ''literally'' made you ride the lightning - that is, the SurferDude had to keep shocking himself, otherwise he would fall.
116	* Mario can capture spark pylons in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'', turning him into an electric ball that can quickly move across electricity lines.
117	* The protagonist of ''VideoGame/{{Teslagrad}}'' finds a pair of boots that allow him to do this over short distances early on.
118	[[/folder]]
119
120	[[folder:Web Animation]]
121	* ''WebAnimation/{{Dreamscape}}'': [[ShockAndAwe Soya]] can skate across the ground at high speeds by channeling lightning through the soles of his feet.
122	[[/folder]]
123
124	[[folder:Webcomics]]
125	* George of ''Webcomic/BobAndGeorge'', among his other lightning-based powers, has this ability. He seems to be turning ''himself'' to lightning to do it.
126	** In an earlier example, Elec Man the robot master as well. This is actually what [[spoiler: [[IdiotHero Megaman]] takes advantage of to beat both Bomb Man and Elec Man]]. [[WordofGod David Anez]] in previous commentary stated that [[ArtisticLicensePhysics the idea of becoming "fast" lightning is absurd]] and that as we all should know electrons only move as fast as the medium they're in conducts them. He's a physics professor, but he essentially admits he's not above [[RuleofCool putting in something cool for the purposes of the plot]]
127	* Powerful electricity mage "the Maestro" does this in ''Webcomic/DominicDeegan''. As a side-effect, he's constantly undergoing mild electrocution, which leaves him stuttering.
128	* In ''Webcomic/GrrlPower'', the hero Jiggawatt has many [[ShockAndAwe lightning-based]] abilities - including the ability to turn into lightning for near-instant travel.
129	* In ''Webcomic/HeroOhHero'', Mable's Pandemonium power is absorbing and using [[ShockAndAwe electricity]]. This [[http://neorice.com/hoh_noah_1803 incudes]] PowerFloats, being lightning-fast and [[http://neorice.com/hoh_noah_1814 carrying other people]].
130	[[/folder]]
131
132	[[folder:Western Animation]]
133	* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'': Jake's hybrid granddaughter, Bronwyn, can summon storm clouds to teleport as a lightning bolt.
134	* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'' gives Ben a new alien form, Ampfibian, an ElectricJellyfish that can, [[ComboPlatterPowers among many other things]], transform into pure energy and travel through power lines and circuitry.
135	** ''WesternAnimation/Ben10Omniverse'': In a flashback, we see that Feedback could run along power lines.
136	* WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck's foe [[PsychoElectro Megavolt]] can "skate" along power lines.
137	* Juice, the member of the Ultimen, in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'' can do this.
138	* ''WesternAnimation/DragonsRidersOfBerk'': The Skrill, the first electric dragon seen in the series, is able to call down a lightning strike and travel across it to get into the sky in the blink of an eye.
139	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Freakazoid}}'' sometimes travels as a head on a zig-zag bolt of electricity/lightning.
140	* In ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'', Static can rail-slide on power lines, but his typical mode of travel is surfing on a collapsible metal disc.
141	%%* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' villain Livewire used this trick.
142	* ''WesternAnimation/SWATKats'' villain Hard Drive can travel through phone lines and electrical and computer systems and steal data from the latter while wearing his Surge Coat. The Kats actually take advantage of this by using a specially designed missile that cuts off the cable segment he was in, and forcibly sticks him in a containment unit.
143	%%* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}''' pesky Kremzeek.
144	* ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'' had the Shard of Lightning, a Shen Gong Wu that let its user travel at the speed of light for the brief seconds in which the lightning struck, as well as the Denshi Bunny, another Wu that turns the user into electricity so that they can travel through wires and other electrical circuitry.
145	[[/folder]]
146
147	[[folder:Real Life]]
148	* This is approximately how a railgun works - although it does require a metallic rail (or two) as a medium, it's the closest thing to this trope that exists in reality.
149	[[/folder]]
150

Context Main / RideTheLightning