//------------------------------// // #11- Tails of Color // Story: Earthling or Equestrian? // by Tjtbomb //------------------------------// Friday Rainbow Dash POV Race Day. I had been looking forward to it for a week. To finally see if i'm faster than Toby. I knew his reflexes were way better than mine, but I'm pretty sure i'll be able to beat him in a straight race. Of course, the ENTIRE town turned out to hype it up and blow it out of proportion. It was originally only across town, but now we were going all the way to Canterlot Castle and back so the cheering crowd could scream longer. The Crusaders had realized early on the interest in the race and started reserving roofs and street corners for tickets. Toby later told me 'The little rascals made a mint'. I was being escorted by my new fans to the starting line, neither me nor Toby had run the course yet, so we were racing blind. Princess Celestia herself stood at the winners platform, ready to congratulate the victor of such a hugely anticipated race. We turned the Corner and the waiting Crowd exploded into applause and streamers. The 'Rainbow Team' Stood off to one side while The 'Tinker Team' was on the other. Rarity, Twilight, Discord and The Cutiemark Crusaders, (Minus Scootaloo) stood beside Toby's flag, which looked a lot like his scarf. Long, and red/gold striped. Other than them, the rest of the town leaned toward my side. My flag was Cyan with my cutie mark on it. Not a lot of people knew Toby all that well. Discord was going full Tinker with a tophat, scarf, and facepaint. The Mad Tinker would be proud. Discord suddenly whipped out a guitar and started shredding as the Tinker team cheered and applauded. I turned. "Speak of the Devil..." Toby hopped the track border, Scootaloo on his shoulder, a shark-toothed smile painted on his scarf, and his goggles around his neck. He strutted forward and finished my sentence. "-And he appears! Did ya miss me?" I smiled cheekily. "Nah. You ready to get your flank kicked?" His eyes squinted, equally as cheeky. "I could say the same to you. In fact, care to raise the stakes?" "What do you have in mind?" "I lose, I take off the scarf. I win, you join my band." FINALLY! We'll get to see his smug little face! "Deal." We locked hand in hoof and shook on it. He turned to the starting line and spoke over his shoulder. "May the best Speedster win." "Same." I flew up to my starting position. They had erected a bunch of cloud rings to ensure we both traveled the same distance. Twilight stepped forward, holding a green flag in her magic. "On your mark," She shouted, "Get set!" I could hear Toby grinding his feet into the ground. I started flapping my wings, barely hovering. Silence encompassed the crowd as they waited breathlessly. "GO!" I was off like a lightning bolt, Toby dead even with me. I could barely see his legs moving, kicking up dust behind him. As we accelerated, A Rainbow blur extended behind me, marking my position. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Toby loosen up his scarf to let it trail behind him. Copycat. He looked up at me and put on even more speed. I pushed my wings harder to keep even with him. Then he did the snarkiest thing I've ever seen. He started running backwards. The nerve of this guy! He did it for a full thirty seconds before turning back and increasing speed. I could've sworn I heard some strange music playing as he taunted me. (Let it play) "THAT'S IT!" I yelled. I poured on the Sonic Rainboom. I looked back, expecting to see him wallowing in my dust, but to my surprise, he was still breaking even with me! He had stowed his hat away and increased the length of his stride. Dirt was being thrown sky high behind his powerful steps. His scarf was stiff, no longer flapping but pulled straight back by the wind. I looked forward and saw Canterlot Castle ahead of us, the halfway point. He suddenly planted his feet, skidding along the ground before stopping right in front of the gate. I pulled my legs in front of me and landed, all four hooves planted against the gate. Toby and I pushed off in unison, neck and neck. I went straight into Sonic Rainboom while Toby pushed himself harder to keep up his momentum. It was now a straight shot back to the finish line. We started accelerating again, faster than before, still even with one another. I can't believe he hasn't dropped dead! The strain on his muscles must be huge! I wasn't much better, My wings were starting to ache and sweat was running through my mane. We approached the home stretch as Toby ducked lower to the ground. The cloud rings were being obliterated behind me as pushed myself to my fullest. I started to pull ahead. But then I heard a roar resound from my opponent. He whipped out his swords and clawed forward on all fours, the blades digging into the ground. He started to catch up with me. The finish line sped toward us as time seemed to slow. 100 yards. 70 yards. He's getting close. 40 yards. Giving it my all. 10 yards. He's right there! We crossed the finish line as hundreds of cameras flashed and the crowd roared. It was a photo finish. Toby slammed himself into the ground and carved a trench until he hit the stone road, cracking it. I braked and flapped backwards to slow down before making a wide turn to loop back. I landed beside Toby as he pulled himself out of the trench before flopping on the ground. I did the same. He turned his head and gave me a thumbs-up. We were both wiped. Twilight and Princess Celestia approached. "Who won?" I gasped. Toby nodded, not able to speak. Twilight and the Princess exchanged a look. Twilight called over her shoulder. "Spike?" Spike came forward with an envelope. He tore it open as the cheers quieted again. He stared for a dramatic moment before pulling out a photo. He examined it closely, even getting a second and third opinion from the others. He jumped atop a stool. "And it is..." He announced. "A TIE!" The crowd exploded with applause. Celestia came forward and gave us each a golden laurel. Toby just pulled out his hat and placed the laurel around it like a band. I placed mine atop my mane and we both climbed the winners platform. The crowd crescendoed as we both stood and bowed. He turned to me. He shouted over the audience. "So, we tied." "Yep." "So are we doing both bets?" "Yep." "You going to keep on saying that?" "Nope." He laughed before looking around. "Guess i'll do mine first, no time like the present. The entire town is here." He turned to the audience and lifted his hands to the covering. I scrambled forward so I could see. He yelled, silencing the crowd. "Hey folks! I'm going to take my scarf off for you guys! Anybody want pictures?"