If it is one thing that Rainbow Dash likes, it’s being awesome! She couldn’t have been more proud when she got her name in the Book of Equestria Record-Breakers, not just once, but seven times! Her records included most clouds busted, fastest takeoff, and most tornadoes wrangled at the Cloudsdale Weather Rodeo. Nopony had ever come close to breaking any of her records, thus, she had nothing to worry about. That was all about to change…
“He’s amazing! He’s awesome! He’s the coolest of the cool!” The latest headlines of newspapers across Equestria read of a superstar stallion named Daredevil who had been gaining fame by performing daring and dangerous stunts. He had jumped his scooter over the fountains outside Flim and Flam’s casino in Las Pegasus. He also took a nosedive, free falling from a hot air balloon and then spreading his wings and lifting up just 25 feet above the ground. He then set a new record by lifting up at an astonishing 15 feet!
Daredevil soon became the talk of Ponyville. While everypony saw his death-defying accomplishments as incredible, one pony, however, saw them as a challenge.
“I can’t believe it,” said Rainbow Dash in shock. “Daredevil has broken two of my records.”
“Looks like y’all got yourself some competition,” noted Applejack.
“You got that right. He broke my record for most clouds covered in a single bound. I cleared eight. He cleared twelve! Do you realize what an incredible takeoff that is? I gotta step up my game.”
“You’re not seriously going to try to do all those crazy stunts, are you?” questioned a concerned Pinkie Pie.
“Yeah, they all seem so dangerous,” said Fluttershy.
Rainbow Dash replied, “Dangerous? Ha! Dangerous is my middle name. And I’m not gonna try them, I’m gonna do them. Imagine all the publicity this’ll give the Wonderbolts. Only one of them brave enough to take on Daredevil.”
“So, is that what this is about?” Twilight asked. “This is just a publicity stunt?”
“Stunt? Yes. Publicity? It’s an added bonus. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some training to do.”
Before either of her friends could say anything more, Rainbow Dash flew off in a flash, leaving behind a technicolor trail.
At her home in Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash was ready to warm up and train. She wore sweatbands around her hooves and forehead.
“Okay, Tank, this is how it’s gonna go down,” she told her tortoise pal. “We’re gonna train, and we’re gonna train hard. We gotta raise our awesome level by 20 percent. Before you can get it, you gotta want it. Now, lemme hear you, Tank. Do you want it?”
Tank yawned and smiled.
“That’s the spirit!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Now, let’s go fly ten laps.” She took off in a split second. Tank followed slowly and steadily. He had only cleared a few feet when Rainbow Dash completed all ten laps. “Whoo! What a rush!” She smiled as she watched Tank cruise by. “Uh, Tank, you don’t have to race. It’s cool.”
Several days had gone by and nopony in Ponyville had seen Rainbow Dash since she began her training. Concerned about her, Twilight and Fluttershy flew to Cloudsdale to check on her.
“Oh my, I don’t think she’s checked her mailbox in a while,” Fluttershy observed Rainbow Dash’s overstuffed mailbox.
Twilight knocked on the door. “Rainbow Dash, are you home? Please answer.”
To Twilight and Fluttershy’s delight, Rainbow Dash answered the door. “Hey, guys. What’s happening?”
“‘What’s happening?’” repeated Twilight, a bit irked. “Rainbow Dash, we haven’t seen you in a week. Nopony’s been able to get in touch with you. Just look at your mailbox.”
“Relax,” Rainbow Dash responded nonchalantly. “I’ve been training to reclaim my records.” She swat at the air. "Pow, pow!"
"Don't you think you're taking this a bit too far?"
"No way. Competition means that you've got to be the best. If Daredevil thinks he can outperform me, he's got another thing coming."
Their conversation was politely interrupted by the mailpony. “Uh, excuse me, are either of you Rainbow Dash?”
“That’s me!”
“I’ve got a letter for you.” The mailpony gave her the letter. "It's from somepony named Daredevil."
“Daredevil?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in disbelief.
She tore open the letter and began to read.
“What does it say?” asked Fluttershy.
Rainbow Dash read her letter aloud: “Dear Rainbow Dash – that’s me! – I’ve been told that you are an amazing flyer and the only Pegasus to ever perform a sonic rainboom. What do you say to a friendly competition? I’m starting a new X-Treme Showdown and I’d be stoked if you could be in the show. It’d be a great way to show off your skills, too. Plus, I love a good challenge. Stop by the Colosseum in San Palomino to sign up. Looking forward to seeing you there. Stay rad, Daredevil.” She looked up from her letter. A look of determination flashed in her eyes. “Challenge accepted, Daredevil. You’re on!”
In preparing to take on Daredevil, Rainbow Dash had asked Rarity to design a “super cool, ultra-awesome, totally rad flight suit.” When it was ready, she went by Carousel Boutique to pick it up.
“I have made your flight suit according to your suggestions, darling,” Rarity informed. “The retro Wonderbolts design was absolutely a nice touch.” She unveiled her latest custom couture. "Voila!"
“Oh. My. Goodness." Rainbow Dash was almost rendered speechless. "Rarity, it’s awesome!” she exclaimed. “Thank you so much!”
"It was nothing, really. Anything for a friend. Why don't you try it on?"
Rainbow Dash stepping into the dressing room. She came out looking more than ready to compete in the games. "Whadda ya think?"
"Darling, you look absolutely fabulous!" Rarity admired. "Or shall I say awesome!" She proceeded to point out the suit's characteristics: "I used a blend of materials to make it lightweight, durable, waterproof, and breathable. You'll notice that it is also stretchy so as not to impede your performance."
With her new suit and matching aviator hat, Rainbow Dash was ready to win back her records in Daredevil’s X-Treme Showdown!