//------------------------------// // Races, Rubies, and Red Faces // Story: The Traveling Pony // by screenaholic //------------------------------// "My word I can't believe this! I simply must see you use these metallic wings of yours." "Ah agree. Sounds like a hoot!" "Don't worry girls I'll show you, after we eat. I'm starvin'." Wind Walker and the two mares ran into their other friends on their way to the diner, and invited them along for breakfast. After they placed their orders Twilight and Rainbow Dash retold the morning's events to the others while they waited for their food. "I agree with Wind Walker, I'm famished. Ah, here comes the waiter now." Twilight watched the waiter approach, stomach growling in anticipation. "Thank you very much sir." She looked down at the daffodil sandwich now in front of her. "You all just let me know if I can get you anything else." The waiter departed with a friendly smile, and all seven of the ponies began to eat. "You know Wind Walker, a demonstration sounds cool and all," Rainbow Dash said through a full mouth. "But the only real demonstration is a race. I mean, how often do I get a chance to race a unicorn?" "I would love to race you Rainbow Dash, but I wouldn't stand a chance." "Come on, I'll go easy on you." "I'm afraid that won't help. Using my wings takes a lot of magic power and concentration. Even if I could get to a speed fast enough to make it interesting, I wouldn't be able to control it for more than a second." "Ah come on Wind Walker, I'm sure you can put up a good fight." "Sorry Rainbow, but you would just leave me in the dust." "Ah man." Rainbow Dash let her head fall on the table in disappointment. "Um, why don't we find a way to make you faster?" "What was that Fluttershy?" "Um, I said, why don't we find a way to make you faster?" "Well that would be great, but I have no idea how to do that." Twilight set her sandwich down and thought for a moment. "Wind Walker, can I see your wings again?" "Uh, yeah sure." He floated the wings out of his saddle bags on the ground near by and brought them near Twilight. She took the wings in her own magic grip and examined them. There wasn't much point, she remembered every inch of them from earlier, but she wanted to double check that she remembered correctly. "You got an idea Twilight?" "I think so. If the problem is that getting up to a sufficient speed takes to much concentration, I think I could make a simple enchantment that could power the propellers for you using previously stored energy." "Wow, could you really do that? That would be amazing." Twilight looked up from the wings as she floated them back to Wind Walker. She saw his eyes didn't shine with their usual happiness, but neither were they dull in that strange sadness. This time, they were practically glowing in excitement. "Yes, it wouldn't be much trouble. I would just have to replace the outer casing of the propeller with a gemstone in order to store the energy." At this Wind Walker froze. "You would have to physically change the wings?" "Um, yes. Just a little bit. Is that a problem?" Wind Walker looked down at the wings in his hooves. "I told you Vulcan took pride in his work. If he found out I let someone change it...I don't even want to think what he'd do to me..." "It would just be the casing. It doesn't serve any purpose other than to cover the propeller and make it a bit more aerodynamic. It's not even an essential piece." "Well..." He looked at the wings, then briefly at Rainbow Dash, and then at Twilight. He looked straight into Twilight's eyes in contemplation. His eyes seemed to hold her gaze in place. It was probably only for a few seconds, but it felt much longer. Finally he smiled and nodded. "OK, let's do it." "Alright! I can't wait to race you." "And a gemstone on your wings would certainly spruce them up my dear. I would be happy to carve it into shape myself. I have a few lovely ones back at Carousel Boutique you could chose from." "Thanks Rarity. Heh, if you mares keep being this generous I may have to stay in Ponyville forever." "How long will it take for you to get the wings ready sugarcube?" "Um. W-well, I should be able to cast the enchantment by tonight, then we'll have to spend a day storing the energy into the gem. After that it should be ready." "Alright! Just two days and we can race Wind Walker!" "Can't wait," he responded with a huge grin. "Oh, oh, we should make it a party!" "That's a great idea Pinkie Pie, we can let the whole town come and watch me cream this unicorn." Rainbow Dash gave a smile to show she was joking. "Don't get to full of yourself, with Twilight's magic I'll give you a run for your bits." Wind Walker playfully stuck out his tongue. "We can set up stands at Sweet Apple Acres, an' you two can have your race above it." "Me and Fluttershy can set up a cloud course tomorrow." The rest of breakfast went on in a similar manner while the ponies planned the big race. But one purple pony was a little quieter than the others. "I can't let you give me a gem for free Rarity, I insist on paying." After breakfast Wind Walker showed the rest of the girls his flying prowess, this time attracting quite a crowd of other townsponies. After his short demonstration (and dealing with a crowd of unicorns asking where they could get their own wings), Rarity took Wind Walker and Twilight back to Carousel Boutique. "Oh nonsense, I'm always happy to help a friend. Besides, with Carousel Boutique as a sponsor for the race I'm sure to get an increase in business. That should more than pay for one gem. Now, let's see what I have for you." Rarity opened a chest and floated out a large opal that shone with every color of the rainbow. "Oh we must use this one, it would match your lovely rainbow eyes perfectly." She walked over to a table to prepare to cut the gem. "Opals aren't the best magical catalyst Rarity." Twilight walked over to look into the chest. "Ah, this would do perfectly." Twilight lifted a flawless ruby from the chest and brought it over to Rarity. "A ruby? No no no, it would clash with his coat! The opal would look far better." "We're trying to make his wings more functional Rarity. The stronger the catalyst the better, and there are few catalysts stronger than a ruby." "Twilight my dear, please trust me. Gemstones are my expertise." "And magic is mine!" Twilight rose her voice slightly, becoming frustrated with her friend. "Uh, ladies? How about this one?" Twilight turned around and found Wind Walker standing by the chest holding up a violet amethyst. "An amethyst? Well I suppose it wouldn't clash as much as the ruby." "Are you sure Wind Walker? Amethysts aren't quite as strong as rubies. It might not work as well." "I don't mind a slight hitch in performance. Besides, I like the color." He held it up by Twilight and smiled. "Oh, I see..." "See what? I don't..." Twilight stopped as she realized what her friend had moments ago. It's the exact same color as my coat. Twilight blushed. Rarity took the gem in her aura and gave a smile, presumably amused at her friend's embarrassment. "It'll work fine, I can have it done by tonight. I'll just need you to leave the wings here so I can fit it." "Of course, here." Wind Walker set the wings down on the table. "Thanks again for doing this Rarity." "Of course dear, now off you go. I need to concentrate." "Sure thing, come on Twilight." "Uh, yeah. Let's go."