//------------------------------// // The Race // Story: The Traveling Pony // by screenaholic //------------------------------// "GO!" The racers were moving the instant they heard the word come through the megaphone above. Rainbow Dash was off the ground immediately, but Wind Walker had to gallop for a moment to gain speed before jumping on his wings. "It looks like Rainbow Dash's natural advantage has given her an early lead," the purple scaled dragon announced from the balloon. "But the coated colt is quickly catching the chromatic contender." Twilight watched as, true to Pinkie's tongue tying words, Wind Walker closed the gap as he took to the sky. Rainbow Dash turned her head and seemed to shout something at Wind Walker, but Twilight couldn't hear it from where she sat. "As the racers approach the first turn, they're neck and neck! They're nose to nose, side by side, they're-" "And Wind Walker manages to steal the lead at the turn by hugging the inside!" Rainbow Dash was forced to fall in behind Wind Walker as they approached the first set of obstacles, a series of hoops made out of clouds. "Rainbow Dash's greater agility is allowing her to easily navigate the rings, but until she gets past them she won't have the room to pass Wind Walker." Shouts of cheering and excitement roared from the stands as the audience watched the racers dash through the hoops. "It seems like the doughnuts are slowing down Wind Walker, Spike." "That's right Pinkie. As amazing as those metal wings are, they just can't seem to beat the natural agility of a true pegasus." That's not it. There's no point in flying full speed when she can't pass him, it would only deplete his reserves faster. Twilight smiled as she watched the racers through her binoculars. He knows she's faster and more agile, so he's flying smart. He's taking every tactical advantage he can find. "As they exit the rings, and take the second turn, Wind Walker kicks it up a notch. BAM!" Twilight's ears felt like they would burst when Pinkie shouted the last word, that pony has a strong pair of lungs. "And Rainbow Dash is able to get back into her groove as they enter the open sky." The crowd cheered as the flying pair sped up. "With nothing in her way, she has no problem getting right back next to Wind Walker." "You know Spike, they look like they're going fast, but I'm pretty sure both of these ponies could go faster." "Well Pinkie, they're most likely pacing themselves so they don't get tired. That way they'll be able to really kick it into high gear at the final stretch." Not much to take advantage of in an open space, Wind Walker is going to lose this leg. "And Rainbow Dash pulls ahead just before the next turn, stopping Wind Walker from taking the inside again." Cheers once again burst forth, along with a few moans (Twilight assumed these were from the ponies who bet on Wind Walker.) "Coming out of the third turn, the racers have to zip back and forth through giant cloud churros! Boy they sure do look delicious." "I believe those are called pillars Pinkie." Twilight watched as both ponies weaved in and out of the cloud pillars, Wind Walker just above Rainbow Dash. She thought she was just able to see one of Wind Walkers wings clip one of the clouds, but the metal cut right through it. Still though, Wind Walker slowed a bit after that, falling behind. "And Rainbow Dash rounds the final corner!" "She rounds it like a nice curvy orange, or a grapefruit even!" "With Wind Walker not far behind." Twilight saw a large burst of energy come from Wind Walker's horn to the amethyst on his wings, followed immediately with a great increase in speed. That looked strong. Twilight got a bit worried. "Wowie Spike, look at Wind Walker go! I've never seen a unicorn fly so fast. I've never seen a unicorn other than him fly at all, but still!" The entire crowd shouted. He's going full speed isn't he? "He's really giving it his all, he's even catching up to Rainbow Dash." Twilight's ears hurt as the cheering got even louder, and she noticed his horn still glowing. He's using his wind magic to give himself an even bigger boost. "Golly Spike, this is going to be a close one. It looks like he may be able to pull ahead!" The shouts of the excited crowd burst forth to a near deafening level. There's no way he's ever gone nearly this fast before. Can he handle this speed? "I can't believe my eyes Pinkie, Wind Walker is actually passing Rainbow Dash!" At hearing this, Twilight's fear was replaced by something else. It was replaced by a huge smile. It was replaced with excitement. It was replaced with her finally realizing who she wanted to win. Unfortunately, it was only replaced for a moment. As Wind Walker was passing right next to Rainbow Dash, her flapping wings hit his, and sent him tumbling through the air. Thud-thud. What just happened? Thud-thud. Is he falling? Thud-thud ...Oh no. It took three, very rapid, heart beats for Twilight to fully realize what had happened. All his concentration was put into speed, he could barely hold it together. All it took was an accidental nudge from Rainbow's wings to knock the wings away, and send him tumbling through the air. The audience was filled with gasps of shock and shrieks of terror as they watched Wind Walker fall. Rainbow Dash soon realized what happened, and immediately dashed after him. "Oh no Spike, do you think he'll be ok?" "I don't know Pinkie, a fall from that height could kill a pony. If Rainbow Dash doesn't save him..." Spike trailed off, Twilight knew her assistant well enough to know he couldn't finish that thought. Come on Rainbow. With every passing moment, Wind Walker fell closer to the ground. You have to save him, you have to. Twilight wasn't aware of the fur beneath her eyes getting wet. She wasn't aware of anything but the two ponies rapidly approaching the ground. He can't...he can't... Rainbow caught up to him, just before he hit the ground in front of the stands. There was no time to pull up, and a large cloud of dust was kicked up from the impact, obscuring them from vision. "Do...do you think they're alright Spike?" "I don't know Pinkie, but I sure hope so." No one said another word. The entire world seemed to be covered in a shroud of silence as the audience waited for the dust to settle. Please be ok, please be ok. Finally the dust settled, and for a moment everyone just watched as they saw the two ponies laying on the ground, clearly cut and bruised. They held their breath...and saw Wind Walker's hoof shoot up in the air. "HE'S OK!" The crowd cheered, and Twilight ran to him as fast as she could. "Thank Celestia you two are ok!" By the time Twilight reached them, Wind Walker was on his hooves, and helping Rainbow Dash to hers. "Stay still, we'll get you to the hospital." Wind Walker grunted as he got Rainbow Dash to her hooves, and she threw a hoof around him for support. "I'm afraid we can't do that Twilight, not yet." "What are you talking about? You two are hurt, you need help." "I know, ergh, but first we have a race to finish," he said as he turned towards the finish line. It was only a few steps away. "What?!" Twilight couldn't believe her ears. "You know me Twilight, I always finish a race," Rainbow Dash said, with a clearly forced smile. "And I'm not about to rob her of a win just to save my sorry flank." They started limping towards the finish line. "I can't believe it Pinkie, these two are actually finishing the race!" The entire crowd cheered. Two steps away from the finish line, Wind Walker collapsed. "This is as far as I go Rainbow, up to you now." She nodded, and forced another step out of her body. "Rain-bow Rain-bow Rain-bow," the entire crowd chanted. Twilight just stood in disbelief as her broken friends pushed themselves. Wind Walker coughed up a bit of blood. "Come on Rainbow." Cough Cough. "Just one more step." "Rain-bow! Rain-bow!" And with that final painful step, Rainbow Dash crossed the line...and promptly fell to the ground. She threw a hoof up in victory as the entire crowd cheered. "She won! Rainbow Dash won!" Spike yelled from on high. Fluttershy and Applejack ran to Rainbow Dash, and Rarity and Twilight to Wind Walker. "Oh goodness Rainbow Dash, are you alright?" Fluttershy asked. "Everything...hurts..." She responded, but Twilight noticed she still wore a grin. "And you Wind Walker darling, are you ok?" Rarity asked. Cough cough. "You...kidding?" Cough Cough. "Never...better." He gave a cocky smile, shortly before passing out.