//------------------------------// // 2 - Fine Print // Story: The Storm's Challenge // by OneLonelyPickle //------------------------------// Chapter 2 - Fine Print Rainbow couldn’t stop smiling. It was almost scary how her mouth muscles refused to relax. It was understandable — it was not everyday that she got to spend time with the Wonderbolts. “Wow, there are a lot more Ponyville pegasi signing up than I thought there'd be,” commented Spitfire, her forehoof resting thoughtfully on her chin. Indeed, there were at least forty pegasi she had counted so far. Rainbow, Soarin', and Spitfire were waiting in line at one of the contest sign-up kiosks. Rainbow wasn't terribly concerned about the contest at that time, and was instead enjoying being in the presence of her heroes. She was getting all sorts of approving glances from ponies, no doubt due to her association with the famous aerial team. Well, that and her undeniable coolness, of course. Soarin' grinned over-confidently. “All the more flank to whoop,” he half-whispered as he scanned the surrounding area. There was no competition even worth mentioning coming out from Ponyville, as far as the Wonderbolt's second-in-command was concerned, unless one considered Rainbow as well. “Now now, Soarin', don't get ahead of yourself,” teased Spitfire, “You'll be out of the Storm's Challenge long before anything interesting happens!” Soarin' frowned, going on the defensive. “Oh yeah? And who's gonna be the one knocking me out of it, Miss So-Sure-Of-Herself?” The fiery mare brought her face nose-to-nose with Soarin's. “Me,” she said, putting excessive amounts of emphasis on the short, saucy word. “You think you can take me? Come at me, sis!” Soarin' shouted, standing on his hind legs and raising his front hooves like fists. “Um, guys?” said Rainbow, pointing a hoof forward. Spitfire and Soarin', in their kerfuffle, were oblivious to the fact that the line had shortened, and that their party should have been much closer to the kiosk. With barely noticeable blushes Soarin' and Spitfire closed the gap. Rainbow giggled. - - - Rainbow’s stomach turned upside-down. She glanced at the words on the contest waiver for the fourth time. The bold letters she read seemed to urge her, right then and there, to quit: You and you alone are liable for all injuries that occur, including, but not limited to. . . The list of possible injuries was, while frightening, nothing compared to the final part of the waiver, which elicited a very prominent gulp from Rainbow. . . .and, if such an outcome should occur, death. She couldn't help but play the scene out in her head: she was flying in the races, surrounded on all sides by muscular, athletic pegasi, flying around obstacles at insane speeds. All of a sudden, she accidentally clipped her wing on something and fell to a slow, dramatic death on the unsympathetic earth below. Rainbow swore she could hear a crunching noise ring through her ears. She cringed, and was unable to hide it from Spitfire, who did not seem as disturbed as the cyan mare. “I' shounds priddy intenshe, eh Ra'bow? Loog a' all theshe lega' papersh 'e 'otta shign 'oo,” said Spitfire through a mouth full of documents. With a giggle she transferred the thin objects to a usually unnoticeable pocket in her Wonderbolts costume. Rainbow feigned laughter. “Yup, haha, they really think we're gonna get hurt. Probably just in case or something, y'know, to keep the lawyers off their backs,” Rainbow said, her uneasy tone giving her away. Spitfire shrugged and replied, “I don't know… a race this size? There are going to be tons of flyers going at it all at once. Somepony's bound to get hurt, wouldn't you think?” Rainbow winced. It was not like she was afraid of the pain. What really gave her nightmares was being confined to a hospital bed or the ground for the rest of her life. She dared not even imagine what it would be like to never fly again, to feel the freedom only open wings and drafts of wind could bring. And of course, the word from the contest waiver, “death”, was always there, looming forebodingly behind her conscience. * * * A few blocks down the road, the mayor of Ponyville was busying herself with work, with a little help from Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie?” The mayor called out from her office. She looked stepped outside of it and looked around Ponyville town hall. As improbable as it seemed, the voice of Pinkie had completely stopped while the busy politician was unpacking a box of new office supplies. When the mayor discovered her assistant for half the day was no longer in the room with her, she became worried. Where had that never-ending source of glee run off to? After checking every other room in city hall thoroughly for any signs of the silly filly, the mayor at last came to a linen closet. An eerie aura seemed to seep out from the door handle, causing the mayor to turn it slowly and hesitantly in case her premonitions proved true. There was a chomping sound coming from inside the room — no, not chomping. It was more like slurping mixed with gobbling. “Are you in there P-Pinkie?” the mayor asked as she reluctantly brought the door to its fully opened position. It was completely dark inside, and the sound of eating had vanished. The mayor squinted and could make out movement. She took one step forward. “HI MS. MAYOR!” Pinkie jumped out and shouted, causing the mayor's heart to stop. The middle-aged earth pony screamed in terror. Pinkie flipped on a light switch and, pointing to something on the floor the mayor couldn't yet distinguish, began to ramble. “I'm taking a 'cake break'! You want some? I baked it myself, specifically for my 'cake break'. I call it my baked 'cake break' cake!” The mayor had her fore hoof on her chest and was breathing heavily in an attempt to calm herself down. She spoke through short pants, “P-Pinkie, why are you in my closet? You could have just asked for a break and eaten in the break room!” Pinkie beamed. “But that wouldn't have been any fun! The best part about a 'cake break' is that it's random!” she said with a couple of giggles. The mayor gave Pinkie a confused look before continuing, “Well, uh, okay then. Anyway, I can finish unpacking my new office supplies, so I'd like you to gallop on over to the Carousel Boutique and see if Rarity has finished making that snazzy vest I ordered!” “Oh boy I get to go visit Rarity? Okie dokie loki, Ms. Mayor!” answered a chipper Pinkie, finishing with a salute. “You can count on me, ma'am.” * * * Fluttershy returned to the living room of Carousel Boutique, her relocation job now complete. A quaint little family of bats had been living in Rarity's attic, and after some convincing from Ponyville's favorite nature-loving pony, they left without a complaint. Rarity stared at her friend, slack-jawed and speechless. She came to and shook her head. “Even after all the times I’ve seen you helping animals, it never ceases to blow my mind, Fluttershy... how do they all love you so much?” “Oh, well, they don’t all love me.” Fluttershy took a seat on a couch opposite her friend. “Sometimes they’ll snap or snarl, but I just keep calm and let them know I won’t harm them. Animals aren’t out to hurt anypony, Rarity, they just want to find a good home for themselves or their family. Since we don’t always speak the same language, it takes a lot of patience to get the point across without getting upset or having to resort to violence.” Rarity nodded. “Maybe that’s my problem. If there’s one thing this lady’s short on, it’s patience. Honestly, I find myself ready to scream if I miss a deadline by just one second—” Rarity jumped out of her seated position and drew in a shrill gasp. Fluttershy tilted her head quizzically. “W-what’s the matter Rarity?” “The mayor’s vest! I-I was so wrapped up about those bats that I didn’t get any time to finish it! She’ll probably send someone over soon t—” Somepony knocked at the front door, right on cue. The bubbly voice rang out from behind the wooden barrier, “Rarity! It’s me, Pinkie Pie! I'm here to get Mayor Mare's vest!” The called-for mare bit her lower lip. Rarity quickly looked around before hopping behind the couch. “Fluttershy, answer the door, and tell her I’m not here!” she whispered to her timid friend. “O-okay… well, if you think that’s a good idea,” Fluttershy said quietly. She opened the door and in bounced Pinkie, her face lit up as usual. “Hey Fluttershy! Where's Rarity?” asked the pink party pony. Fluttershy looked around, her face hidden behind her mane. “Oh, um,” she mumbled, “Rarity’s… busy.” “Busy? With what?” asked Pinkie. “She’s… eating.” Rarity facehooved from behind the couch as Fluttershy proclaimed the silly lie. “So, she’s in the kitchen?” Pinkie raised an eyebrow, and brought up a hoof to move. The path into the kitchen would bring her in direct line-of-sight with Rarity’s hiding spot. Fluttershy nearly shouted. “NO! I, err, I mean, she’s… at a restaurant. Yes, she’s just outside of town, um, but I don’t know where.” At this outburst, Pinkie squinted at the anxious mare before her. She brought her nose straight up to her friend’s face, and looked deep into her eyes. Fluttershy sheepishly smiled and cleared her throat. “Okaaaay then… I’ll just go find her!” Pinkie said, seriously at first, then ending on a cheerful note. She began to leave. “Thanks for your help, Fluttershy—oh, I almost forgot!” Pinkie turned around. Rarity held her breath. “Is Dashie gonna join that really cool race thingy, because if she is I’m totally gonna throw her a special party!” Fluttershy said, “I think so. I saw her leave with the Wonderbolts to sign up, but I’m not sure she’ll want to be partying with the races happening this week.” “Yeah, I guess not,” said Pinkie with a little disappointment in her voice. “Oh the other hoof—” “Pinkie, I have to, err, water Rarity’s plants now, so, um…” “Okay! I gotta go find her and get that vest anyway! Goodbye, Fluttershy!” With that, at last, Pinkie left, and Rarity inhaled a much needed breath of air. She plopped down on the couch across from Fluttershy and nervously rubbed the back of her head. “I’m so sorry I had to ask you to do that for me, Fluttershy. It’s a good thing Pinkie Pie doesn’t know I don’t have any plants! By the way, what was she saying about Rainbow Dash and a race?” The yellow pony explained to Rarity all she knew about Maelstrom, the races, and what was going on. Rarity looked excited by the end of it all. “How exquisite! With all the ponies that’ll be coming to the area I’m sure I’ll be getting some much needed business. Ponies don’t buy fine clothes like they used to anymore.” Fluttershy nodded. “Speaking of clothes, I guess you’ll want some alone time to finish the mayor’s vest." “Oh, well I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to get rid of you, but yes, darling, I would like to get that done, sooner rather than later.” “It’s no problem, really Rarity. I want to go check up on Spike anyway. With Twilight gone he’s all alone tending to the library.” Fluttershy frowned. “Ah yes, Twilight’s on a ‘Princess-related trip’ right? Figures,” Rarity stretched, covering most of the couch and nesting her delicate head on her marshmallow hooves. “She gets to go off gallivanting with big important ponies while I’m stuck here with the little fish…” Rarity quickly realized what she said and laughed uncomfortably. “But what, err, graceful fish they are!” she exclaimed, trying to regain the favor of Fluttershy, who really wasn’t all that insulted to begin with. Rarity was Rarity, after all. The two wrapped up their conversation and Fluttershy took her leave. Once again she was on the blazing trail, this time off to cheer up a particularly overworked baby dragon. The sun reached its zenith in the sky, and somewhere in the world one very studious alicorn princess had reached her destination.