As soon as the sound of departure resounded, Rainbow Dash leaned forward and squeezed the reins between her gloved hands. From this very moment, nothing else mattered. It was only between her and her horse and these obstacles. Tonight, if she did well, she would lastingly enscribed her name in the school's pantheon.
Here, in Canterlot, arts and sports were an essential part of the culture and especially when it came to higher education. Not having extracurricular activities meant a refusal to climb the social ladder. Actually, these departments probably were the most developed ones of each excellente college worthy of the name.
She always liked sports. All kind of sports. And as far as she remembered, she'd always been skilled in every discipline. Though she played a very large range of them from her youngest age, equestrian sports always had her greatest inclination. Like a good number of her colleagues, she started to go in a pony club and quickly, she tried bigger mounts before she found her real vocation in this particular discipline called steeplechase, a prestigious race, longer and harder than show jumping or cross-country.
There were many other great schools at this competition. Some were more prestigious in that very field. For all that, she was convinced she could beat her rivals. Self-doubting wasn't something that often happened to her, especially in the field of sports.
She jumped the first obstacle without a hitch and she knew. It was the most difficult one, this first obstacle. If she did it right, she was on the right path to be good at all the other ones. All it took was for her not to relax in her efforts nor in her concentration. And of course, she first had to overtake the young firl whose mare had the silks number one, favored by her position and who still was in front of her.
Her own mare, Salt, was a spirited French Trotter. All she had to do was to pull a little harder for her to understand she needed to accelerate her pace. Her grandfather, a former chief cook at the Princely Palace, gave her to her as a gift for her fifteenth birthday, a little before he died. They both grew up together and got better together until her family, indebted because of a wrong choice, had to sell her to a local stud farm. It had been a surprise to find her at the stables of Canterlot University when she started with her steeplechase team. Their previous bond quickly came back to normal.
They both became only one during races like this one.
Rainbow Dash was able to jump the second obstacle and displayed a half-smile when she finally overtook the number one silks. However, she had not to declare victory too fast. She still had more than two thousand meter left to race.
From the grandstands, undoubtedly, her mother and father, along with her little sister Scootaloo, were encouraging her with all their hearts, screaming and honking at her, to the extent they bothered the others. It was now years since she ceased to be ashamed of that, or else, she ceased to pay too much attention.
Just to know they were here, like Applejack and Pinkie Pie and they were supporting her no matter what, it gave her even more energy. And though failing would not make them give up on her, failing wasn't a word she authorized herself to say. Failing wasn't an option and especially not during this race.
The number one silks was still right on her heels and behind her, the number four silks was dangerously getting closer. She couldn't let them win, like she couldn't tire Salt too much straightaway. Stamina was essential.
She didn't hesitate to slow down a little for a few obstacles and let them believe she couldn't keep pace. It was only so she would give a boost at the last minute to her mount so she could take back the lead on the last hurdles - the most important ones.
The wind was whistling in her ears through her helmet and her rainbow hair was beating her shoulder blades. Frowning, legs stretched, she flattened at the max against Salt's neck, she jumped over the last obstacle without a look behind and only passed the finish line crossed that Rainbow Dash realized all what was happening around her.
In the grandstands, her family and her friends were overexcited and screamed on top of their lungs. From the princely stands, she sensed more than she saw a certain restlesness. The anchorman's voice resounded in the speakers, announcing her victory, a few seconds before the number four silks, finally in front of the girl with the number one.
She did it. She succeeded. Winning this steeplechase inter-college cup. If this didn't make her win a comfortable spot at Willowdake University, she didn't know what they wanted!
Future was nothing but a question of viewpoint. Always, she heard this sentence, each time she listed her dreams for the future. But tonight, for her, this viewpoint seemed to be the most radiant one. Nothing could ever prevent her from reaching the goals she was aiming at now, she knew it. She could feel it.
Meanwhile, she was going to be on top of the podium under the ovations to get this new cup which, if it wasn't her first, was the most decisive of her year. Because a university title was much more prestigious than whatever she got until then.
***
Through the windows of his limo, Soarin could barely have a look at the landscape going by him. If being Equestria's Prince had some advantages, the more time spent, the more he realized the inconviences. What comforted him for a long while was that he wouldn't have to take up his high post before at least the age of thirty-five and he still had years of half-freedom ahead before he would found himself submerged by protocol.
It was before his mother, Princess Celestia, fell seriously ill. At first, they all hoped their monarch would heal as soon as possible, as they had at their disposal the best treatments of the country, yet each of their hopes were put out as the examinations increased. And today, he had to put up with a grief engendered by this bad news and the weight of new responsibilities.
This all, without the leisure to confide his feelings. He had not to show his pain and wasn't allowed to cry in public. He couldn't neither refuse to fulfill what was expected of him. Most of the young people his age had a lifetime to find where they belonged. Where he belonged had been imposed on him since the day he was born.
His biggest comfort was that the supreme privilege of his position allowed him to play his part in the world. People listened to him. He had influence. He would be able to decide the future of his country and he had ideas. Of course, for this he would have to establish himself to a government chosen by the people but it didn't mean his role was nothing but decorative. Canterlot's court was the only court in the world where its supreme leaders could bring a better stability but also to act in the interest of their country. For example, by preventing the founding principles of its Constitution wouldn't be flouted by despotic Secretaries likely to take away freedom.
Who else in his college could boast about having such a power, such responsibilities? None of them. And it was probably why he always felt that, despite his intention of living the most ordinary life possible, there was some kind of distance between him and them. Yet, all his friends were either offsprings of important company heads either members of the Equestrian gentry.
But even for them... If they learned their mother was suffering a serious disease depriving her of all her capacities and would lead her to a prematured death, they would be allowed to confess their pain to someone, to give in to sadness and to let down their masks. It was a luxury he was forbidden access to.
Like everyday, when the princely limo went through his university's gate, a horde of fans was in front of and behind the railings, bothering the cars and the other students coming in. It was a circus he eventually got used to, more or less, but which continued to embarrass him. It was obvious this wasn't the right way for him to feel "like the others".
All the same, he couldn't show that neither. These people, worshipping the princely family and hanging at their every word and move, were essential to the right operation of the political system. Their number showed that for many of them, their role as ambassadors and authority figures still was in the news and that they kept love and consideration from their "subjects" (a word he didn't like much).
So every morning, when he got off the limo, he smiled, waved, signed a few autographs on his way before he could finally meddle with the anonymous crowd and live the semblance of a normal life. If you forgot his personal security service stayed within the college in order to be able to intervene at the least signal from him or from the administration.
This moment, the one where, just like right now, he finally stopped being the Prince, his Highness Soarin Skies, to become nothing but an ordinary student in mechanical engineering, was the moment he liked the most. Going through the yard, meeting his friends, going to his lecture hall wondering what their outlandish professor would taught them today... To be part of a whole, although it was a mere illusion, although he knew a thousand of eyes were set on him at each of his steps. It didn't matter. This illusion, he cherished it more than anything else. It probably was the only thing that truly belonged to him.
***
When she walked through the corridors this morning, Rainbow Dash had the pleasant surprise to be called out by more people than usually. A lot of students who, everyday, paid very little attention to her, came and congratulated her or made her a compliment on the go when they met her on their way.
Steeplechase, polo and traditional show jumping were the greatest proud of the nation, that was excellent in these disciplines on a worldwide scale. The equestrian world always had their eyes set on their small country.
Those who were fond of her discipline knew her name and one thing leading to another, even for those who didn't gave it much importance, her name was a bit famous, especially inside of Canterlot University. The new title she won this weekend only increased her approval rating, what was much enjoyable for the young woman.
To be honest, each compliment and congratulation gathered accentuated her thoughts about her being the best of her discipline and that this, in addition with the rest, made her the most awesome person, worth to be known by everyone. It probably was this huge self-confidence, letting little time for self-doubt, which made her such a champion. A virtuous circle she liked to improve although her sense of humility suffered a blow.
But after all, what was the harm? There already were an abundance of aspirants for the podium of modesty, she could as well choose to care after her ego. As long as no one suffered because of that, Rainbow Dash didn't know where the problem would be.
Yet, a second surprise awaited her when she walked through the door of the lecture all where she was going to have a class of Scientific Culture, Methods and Communication. As soon as she stepped inside the room, students turned to her and clapped their hands. On the blackboard in the back, where their Professor showed her PowerPoints, a "congratulations and thank you, Rainbow Dash" was written with a white chalk and she immediately recognized Pinkie Pie's writing. The girl sat at the first rows, by Applejack's side.
The candidates to the podium for modesty would quickly have blushed, whispering a shy thank you before silently slipping to their seats and taking the compliments with an embarrassed smile. It wasn't her kind and too bad if some people didn't like it.
Her head high, she went down the steps before getting to the dais on which was the Professor's desk, which she climbed on with the help of a chair. Like a freshly elected President on the night of their victory, she thanked her audience with a hand on her heart. They kept on clapping their hands, hollering and whistling, and Rainbow Dash was delighted to notice that, even the Prince and his sidekicks took part in this good time.
And, it was all the more logic. When she won for Canterlot University, she won for the whole city, her Capital and thus for her whole country since the central power was here.
Quickly, the assembly asked for a speech. Not shy at all, she took the Professor's mic after she cleared her throat. From her spot, she easily had a glimpse at Pinkie Pie filming her with her phone while Applejack hid behind her eternal Stetson.
"Thank you! Thank you all for your... er... concern. If I'm here today, it's thanks to your encouragements. And also, of course, because I'm the most awesome girl on the Campus."
Immediately, a part of the assembly whistled at her and she had to avoid the paper balls thrown at her. All this with a smile that never left her face. She was so proud of herself... Nothing stopped her from showing it, from screaming it out loud. And, most of the students knew how she was, they knew her well and Rainbow Dash liked to think they weren't that repelled by this side of her personality. Because she never acted haughty, so haughty she would be odious and she didn't cold-shouldered anyone neither. If someone needed her help, she was ready to give everything, loyal and devoted.
Qualities which, she told herself, redeemed her ugly flaws.
She resumed her speech.
"I'm making the solemn promise that I won't disappoint you, people of Equestria. I'll always do my best to make you proud and to make our great nation shine at the firmament of the universe."
After these words, she was rewarded with new rounds of applaud that she accepted, once again, with her hand on her heart.
Someone pulled the sweather she tied around her waist and when Rainbow Dash looked down, she was surprised to see her Professor.
"Oh, hello, Mrs. Sun Dust..."
"What if you'd go shining at the firmament of your studies now, for once, Rainbow Dash?"
After an ultimate chuckle, she went down the table on which she was perched and joined her two friends at their seats.
Little by little, quietness fell down as the lecture started. It was more theory than any other lectures their little bunch was taking and because it encompassed a lot of things, in the lecture hall, you could notice students from all kind of very different courses.
For the three friends, it was nothing but a minor they chose in order to get more credits, not knowing the topic would be so enthralling. Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rainbow were students in journalism, each with a different goal. The first girl, fond of the royal family and of public relations, dreamed of being a press agent for a member of the gentry or maybe of a famous public company - as long as it allowed her to plan parties and socialite events. The second girl, a native of a small country town at the suburbs of the capital, where her family owned a huge farm, especially wanted to learn about communication in order to yield profits for the small familial company which sold organic agriculture products made of apple and which started to get a name as well nationally than continentally (next step, the world?).
Last but not least, Rainbow Dash resolved to become a professional steeplechase champion then, once she would have break the number of consecutive records in her discipline, she would retire and become a reporter for a sports magazine or even, why not, for an inquiry newspaper... As strange as it sounded, she always bore an interest for social inequalities, especially the ones harming children.
It came from the visit at Cloudsdale orphanage she did with her parents already eleven years ago. Misery and desolation she witnessed on this day affected her forever and after a lot of personal researches, she discovered a lot of these abandoned children also had been victims of ill-treatments, in more than one case out of three.
Her adopted little sister, Scootaloo, was there to remind her everyday that her condition wasn't that bad. Of course, she came from a home which suffered a few financial disappointments but in the whole, she didn't feel sorry for herself. Her parents worked in the kitchens of the Princely Palace, she had enough to eat her fill, a roof above her head, fashionable gadgets, pocket money thanks to a casual work in a fast-food and she could play an extracurricular activity that often was the privilege of the elite. An elite she rubbed shoulders with in this university, the most prestigious of the country.
No, really, there were people more unfortunate on Earth.
Their lecture over, the three young women gathered their stuff and got prepared to leave the lecture halls' building and go to the classrooms where their tutorials happened.
When she arrived, Rainbow Dash noticed that Pinkie Pie spent a lot of time going into raptures on a magazine, unless it was a book, that she couldn't stop leafing through although she probably knew the content by heart.
Gladly teasing, she didn't hesitate to snatch it off her friend's hands. Luxurious furniture and pictures of people you could only see in the History books appeared, with their powdered wigs and their pinky cheeks.
"What's this thingamajig?" she asked, shaking it as if she hoped some treasure to fall off it.
"I've bought it yesterday when I came to the Palace."
"Ya went to visit this thang again?" Applejack claimed. "Ya already went there twice last week."
"Thrice in fact, with the one time when I've bought this."
Pinkie Pie got back her book off her friend's hands, who let out a groan of protest.
"And as it was Sunday, there were no visitis inside but I'm happy all the same because I got this. There are unseen pictures of the crystalling of Duchess Cadance's daughter in it."
"Oh, if there's this then it's really important."
Rainbow Dash chuckled, immediately followed by Applejack. Far from taking offense, Pinkie Pie laughed as well before she resumed her reading, all while walking forward.
They both had troubles understanding the young woman's passion for the princely family and the gentry. Of course, they listened to the news and were aware of when something important happened at the castle, just like anyone else, but they never grasped just why it was so fascinating to know the least details of the life of all those persons.
Especially as, for most of the other fans, there was nothing political in this worship. It rather was like following a interminable serialized novel, made of plot twists and strict codes, but at the scale of real life. Some were watching series on the streaming service platforms or soap operas on television and others binged on love affairs of the princes, princesses and other counts and duchesses.
The most amusing probably was the fact that Pinkie Pie, so engrossed by theory, wasn't really paying attention to the experience. For example, she wasn't part of the drove of fans waiting for the Prince behind the school gates every morning. All this much more enthralling for her when she read it in the magazines or watched it on a screen.
The Prince didn't make anything very thrilling inside the university, except writing his lectures on his expensive MacBook and eating the same soft fries than anyone else at the cafeteria.
So she didn't see the Prince in question catching up with their triangle, accompanied by his own usual small bunch. Among it, the son of a CEO at the head of one of Equestria's biggest press group, a young arts students whose parents were barons as well as a cousin who no one except those who really were into it knew his title with precision - if he ever had one.
Always walking, he patted Rainbow Dash's shoulder and she looked up, not letting him have a glimpse at her surprise when she realized it was from the Prince in person.
"Congratulations for the cup. My mother hasn't been that excited in the grandstands for ages."
"Well... Thank you."
It was all she could say before he got away quickly. No one else in his group of friends had paid the least attention to her... All the same, it didn't matter much. A compliment was the princely family, even for her, it was something. And it also was hard for her to hide her pride, a pride which made her blush, thankfully, for not long enough that it would be embarassing in front of Applejack and Pinkie Pie.
Although she had no time for that, Rainbow Dash would never have dared going with her usual bragging. Not with someone that important. Especially as in reality, what pleased her the most was the fact that Princess Celestia had been enthusiastic about her race, much more than a compliment from the Prince.
Compliment which, of course, didn't escape Pinkie Pie's sharp look.
"Dashie, the prince talked to you! He talked to you! He never talks to anyone out of his pals and the teachers of course, or else he'd have problems studying and everything but come on... he talked to you!"
"So what?" Rainbow Dash answered, shrugging. "I don't know what's so extraordinary about it. He's a human being with a throat and vocal chords so it's nothing special to hear him talk."
"The thing is that... You can't talk to the Prince unless he talks to you first. It's probably why he doesn't have a lot of friends. Well, anyway, it's a great honor."
A great honor. Sure. So what? It wasn't going to change her life. The best favor it could do to her would be that these few words they exchanged, if you could call it an exchange of words, turned into a new boost for her popularity.
For the rest, she didn't really know what it will make to her that he spoke to her. It wasn't as if they would be intimate. Even if they did, actually. She wasn't interested.