The day that Rainbow Dash lost her status as the greatest athlete in Ponyville started off like any other. There were no signs, nor we're Pinkie's senses " twicha twitchin ". It was a cool, cloudy, winter morning, that started, as I recall, somewhat like this:
Twilight had received a letter, via dragon belch early that morning while commencing her daily checklist. Spike, her assistant, surrendered the letter to the purple mare, and she read it aloud:
- "To Miss Twilight Sparkle.
I am pleased to announce that you, and 2 friends, are invited to play in the Canterlot Open Golf Tournament as guests of the princess. It will be held on the royal greens in two days time. I do hope you will be able to attend, for it wouldn't be the same without you.
Regards- Chip " Eagle " Shot -
" Golf?" Twilight muttered to herself. She'd read one, maybe two little segments about the game, but never really had the opportunity to play. She wasn't too profound at sports two begin with.
Rainbow had once tried to suit her to a variety of games that involved physicality such as football or rugby; it didn't work out to well. Yet in this situation, she felt obligated to attend, the tickets being free and all. She turned the letter over, and there upon the back was a wax seal TP, and the two tickets.
" TP? " questioned Spike, looking at the odd insignia.
Twilight nodded, and put the letter down on a wooden desk to her left. " It stands for Two Put, the Canterlot golf course. Quite famous among the sport's enthusiasts." She turned toward Spike and continued. " We should finish our chores, I'll get to that later."
Twilight finished up her morning routine, and toward dinner time, she headed for Dash's house. As she trotted along, she thought of whom to give the other ticket to.
Pinkie was off and entering Mr. and Mrs. Cake's entry into the " Annual Bakers Ball " held in Trottingham every year. The cakes had concocted a mixture of different baked good and pastries all frankensteined together into one extravagant mass. It, did, taste very good despite all the previous. (Which makes sense considering the baker's tired and true ability)
Applejack was in the middle of making preparations for winter. She hardly had time to rest, much less attend an unexpected calling to a game.
Being the busy pony she was, Rarity had once again taken on more than she could handle. She'd done a business promotion by offering to make all the new vests for this year's Winter Wrap Up. Though she knew Rarity could handle it, Twilight decided against bothering her too.
" Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, all busy." Twilight said as she continued down the dirt pathway. " All that leaves is-" The unicorn's conversation with herself was prematurely aborted by a sudden impact with a certain weather patrol member. Twilight lay face down on the dirt, and tilted her head forward with a weak moan. " Sorry Twilight " chirped the familiar voice of Rainbow Dash. " I've been working on the wind patterns, and... it got a little out of hand." She chuckled, and helped Twi up on all fours.
" Quite alright Rainbow. I was just hoping to drop in on you anyways, yet it seems you're the one dropping on me ." Twilight said, whilst brushing off dirt amassed upon impact with the pegasus. It seemed as if Dashie was always crashing into someone. Rather it be a new trick in attempt to score a fancy with the renowned " Wonderbolts ", or, in this particular case: wind patterns.
" Oh? well whatever you need, I'm sure I could handle it." Dash said, her usual pridefulness showing
" Well I'd received a letter this morning asking for me and two friends to attend the Royal Canterlot Open. You partaking in as many sports as you do, I didn't hesitate to think. Twilight said
Dash responded with a smile, and a slow nod. " Ya ya, sure, I've never played golf before, but, you never know how good you are until you try right?"
" Precisely." Twilight nodded in agreement
" So" Dash questioned, " Who are you going to give the last ticket to? " Dash was eager to know who she would be up against. Rarity?, Pinkie?, Applejack?, yes, she's the one, another test of athleticism between the two fri-enimies.
" Fluttershy," Twilight responded, turning, and heading down the path toward the mentioned pony's cottage. " She wasn't exactly my first choice, but I no doubt have faith in her." Twilight did, in fact, have faith in Fluttershy, for she has always exceeded expectations when the time was appropriate.
" Fluttershy?! " Rainbow said in disbelief. Rainbow knew Fluttershy wasn't the most athletic pony, and surely didn't want to show her up. Rainbow knew how Fluttershy got when worked up. She shuttered at the thought of the tears. " Ant there's nopony else? " She asked. " Not to be rude or anything."
" Unfortunately no." Twilight respond, as dash flew over to catch up with her along the dirt path. " Pinkie, Rarity and AJ are all busy, and I know what it's like to be interrupted while busy." The two mares continued down the path to Fluttershy's house, until the cottage was just over the hill.
***
" Alright Rainbow," Twilight said as she walked up to the doorway. " We should take this slow. The Canterlot Open is one of the biggest competitions in it's sport. I know for a fact that Fluttershy will be reluctant if she knows hundreds will be watching." Dash nodded her agreement, and she knocked on the door with three good raps. * Clack, C lack, Clack! *
A pink maned pegasus poked hed head through the door, opening it with a loud squeak. When she saw the Twi mates that stood on her door step, a large grin grew soon her face. " Hi girls, I wasn't expecting company, but please, come in." Fluttershy turned and headed into her earthy abode; Twilight ad Dashie followed in suit. " I've been making some tea for angel." Said Fluttershy, looking over at the bunny that was laying on her sofa. " He's been terribly sick these past few days, and I've had to take care of him."
Fluttershy's house smelled of dirt and the various animals. Almost like you would think a pet store would smell. The furniture all had a sort of nature-y feel to it, and the house itself was inhabited by a sense of calmness and tranquility, making it the ideal place if you ever had, " personal ", problems. As Fluttershy has mentioned, there was a kettle on a stove. It's high whistle suddenly puncturing the calm atmosphere like a band-aid being pulled off: quick, and a bit distracting. Fluttershy picked up the handle of the tea pot, and trotted carefully ofer to the den, making sure not to spill. She poured a cup, and nudged it over to the sniffling animal. " So?" she asked, " what brings you over?"
Twilight sat down on the couch, next to Angel and began. " I'd received a letter from a fellow named Chip Shot, and he invited us to play on the Canterlot greens in two days. I know you're not really the one for sports, but you and Dash-" she nodded over to the surprisingly quiet pegasus apon saying her name. "-were the only ones avaluble at the time."
" I suppose I could go, that being, Angel isn't still bed ridden by then." Fluttershy responded, nodding slowly. " I'll meet you at your house when it's time." she said, offering the two their own cups of tea. " So, who's this Chip Shot?"
Dash decided to speak up for the first time since entering the home. " Only the best golfer in Equestria! I'm surprised he'd bother to invite us to such a prestigious event."
" Well," Twilight said. " He did mention us being guests of the princess." Twilight and her friends would always be invited to parties, and balls, and occasions such at the one currently presented. Though some she would be unable to attend, she'd tried to do her best. Working so close to the head royal of all of Equestria, she served as a sort of ambassador to many of the upper class. It paid off all the while, I must say she didn't complain when invited to such occasions. " My guess is that, with a student of the prices at the event, it'll bring in more of a crowd than it normally would, because I don't think we'll have near the talent of the other golfers there."
" You never know." Rainbow Dash said in response. " I do have my moments.
" Yes, well, I think we should leave Fluttershy to take care of Angel." Said Twilight, trying to cut the conversation short. She didn't want Dash to have the chance of slipping up, and letting out how many ponies would be watching Fluttershy play. " We'll see you in two days!" Twilight called, nudging Dash out the door. " See ya later Fluttersh-" Dash's sentience was cut short by the door closing behind her, leaving in the house, an confused, and nervous pegasus.
( Chapter two will be about the actual game itself, and I'll try to get that out soon. )