//------------------------------// // Episode 26: Dashing Mercury // Story: EoH Evolution: Season 4 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// "I'm surprised you still want to become a Wonderbolts member Rainbow Dash." Steel Edge said as he and Rainbow Dash flew towards the Wonderbolts facility in Cloudsdale. "Especially considering the fact they were willing to ditch their own teammate. And as far as I can tell, you're probably better at flying than any of than any of them." "Yeah, well, being a Wonderbolt is still my life's dream." Rainbow Dash said with a shrug as they landed on the clouds. "But I won't lie. What Spitfire and Fleetfoot did to Soarin' kinda killed my enthusiasm a bit. Also, are you sure that you should be feeding my ego with that many compliments?" "I'm not too worried." Steel Edge said with a smile. "I think me giving you the advice to be less boastful worked wonders for you learning some humility and being more humble." "To be fair, getting bashed by your shield while I was boasting that I'd knocked you down during a sparring match between us was a pretty effective form of teaching me." Rainbow Dash said with a pout. "And that was with you still holding back!" "Hey. You kept me on my toes with your speed, and you managed to evade most of my strikes!" Steel Edge countered. He was about to continue when both he and Rainbow Dash heard the nervous chatter coming from inside the compound! "Looks like there's a lot more action going on today than usual." The couple summoned their weapons, and kicked the doors open! They were greeted by the sight of all the Wonderbolts trapped in bubbles! Standing at the center was Tripper Mercury! "So these are the best fliers of the land, are they?" Tripper Mercury scoffed as she looked over the trapped Wonderbolts! "How disappointing. Though I'd say my little trip up here wasn't a complete waste of time. Your humiliation as living trophies to cement my victory makes up for the lack of a challenge." "Wanna bet?" Rainbow Dash asked as she stepped forward. Gaining the Chaos Kin's attention with her approach. "One race around this place's track. You against me. If I win, you let the Wonderbolts go. If you win, you get to claim that you beat the fastest flier in Unity." "Quite the bold claim to make little Skyborn." Tripper Mercury taunted. "If I was able to best the greatest flight team that Unity has to offer, what form of chance do you stand?" "Any chance I have is the only chance I need." Rainbow Dash said as she steeled her gaze. "Or maybe you're too scared to take me on because you're afraid of being beaten by a single person?" Tripper Mercury was silent, and simply pointed over to the flight track. Rainbow Dash nodded in reply, and flew over there with Tripper Mercury following close behind! As soon as they had arrived on the starting line, they got into starting positions. The second Steel Edge called out "GO!", the two took off like rockets! Rainbow Dash was speeding forward with her wings while Tripper Mercury propelled herself with by turning her lower half into a jet of water! It was only a matter of seconds before the two reached the first turn of the track. Tripper Mercury was so confident that she'd be able to take the turn first due to her literally more fluid motions. But to her shock, Rainbow Dash effortlessly nailed the turn and launched herself forward soon after clearing it! "WHAT?!" Tripper Mercury spat as she couldn't comprehend what just happened! "How did you pass me?!" Pouring as much force into her water jet ability as she could to catch up with Rainbow Dash! "It's pretty easy to pass someone when they think they're winning!" Rainbow Dash retorted! "So I'm not gonna take it easy until I cross that finish line! Until then, I'm gonna fight like I'm in last place!" And with those words, Rainbow Dash poured all of her speed! Propelling herself even further and faster than before! The next turn would've been difficult for her, but she'd been working on a way around the problem by spiraling herself forward so that her whole body was more inclined to turn! The second she cleared the turn, Rainbow Dash flew forward! Leaving a rainbow trail behind her as she streaked past the finish line! "It appears as though you have a point." Tripper Mercury admitted as she came to a halt before Rainbow Dash. "How could I ever claim victory when I've never tasted defeat?" As soon as she spoke those words, the Chaos Kin seemed to evaporate into thin air. Her defeat undoing the imprisonment of he Wonderbolts! "Okay. That settles it." Spitfire said as she watched Rainbow Dash exit the compound with Steel Edge. "We REALLY need to let her on the team."