//------------------------------// // Rainbow's Wreckless Race // Story: Shattered Dreams and New Beginnings // by Brian Jacko //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash woke up late in the day. She only had a few hours before she had to leave for the race. She ate her breakfast and wondered what she should do with the time she had left. She couldn't practice for the race, because she didn't get enough sleep last night and she needed to save whatever energy she had left for the race. She decided to go visit Twilight Sparkle for a bit. She was the most level headed pony in all of Ponyville and she would surely see things her way. When she got to the library, she knocked at the door. "Come in!" Spike yelled out. Rainbow walked in and saw that Spike was busy holding a stack of books trying to put them back where they belong. She was shocked to see all five of her best friends sitting around the table having tea again. Rainbow glumly walked over and sat down next to Applejack. "Whoa there partner. I reckon ya got some explainin' to do. Apple Bloom told me that ya made Scootaloo cry and that ya were mean to them. Got any idea what that's all about, R.D?" Rainbow sighed and said, "A.J, I'd rather not talk about that right now." Applejack adjusted her hat and said, "Well, that's fine, ya don't have to right now, but I think it's best ya stay away from Apple Bloom and her friends 'til things calm down a bit." "So what brings you here today, Rainbow? Don't you have to get ready for the race in a few hours?" Rarity asked. "I do," Rainbow replied, "But I was hoping to talk to Twilight alone for a bit." Fluttershy looked around nervously and said, "Ummmm Rainbow, I can leave. I don't mind really." Rainbow put her hoof up as if to stop Fluttershy from talking anymore and said, "Nah, it's fine. You girls can stay since you're already here." "So, what did you want to tell me, Rainbow?" Twilight asked. Rainbow rested her chin on her hoof and said, "I don't know how, but somehow Rain Storm showed up on my porch last night asking to come in?" "HE DIIIIIIID?" All the other girls said in unison. Rainbow Dash gave them a rather disturbed glare out from the corner of her eye and said, "Yeah, he did. I really have no idea how he found out where I live." Twilight Sparkle started giggling. "That's because he came here last night asking for you! I was the one who told him where you lived," Twilight said. Rainbow became a bit annoyed and shot back, "Why did you tell him that!? I told him that I was busy and didn't want to talk to him anyway!" Twilight Sparkle shook her head in disappointment and said, "Rainbow, I don't know if you're going to believe this or not, but I have a strong feeling that he likes you. He likes you a lot, I think. I don't understand where all this hostility and negativity is coming from." "He sounds like such a sweet pony," Fluttershy cooed. "He sounds like the most generous and chivalrous stallion ever. A true gentle colt! I wish I could get my hooves on a pony that has such handsome looks and charming behaviors!" Rarity added, as she put her hoof to her forehead in a dramatic matter. "He even came to my bakery to buy some muffins and tea and said hi to me and he let me throw a small party for him at the shop! He even danced with me!" Pinkie Pie said. "And he stopped by at the library last night and gave Spike and I a special limited edition poster signed by him. We have it proudly hanging in our room now." Applejack just chuckled a bit and was blushing. She finally said, "Ya'll missin' the best part of Rain Storm I reckon. Didn't ya'll see the flank on that pony? Whoo-whoo! When I took my lil' sister with her friends to git his autograph, I couldn't help but notice that pony has the hottest flank I have ever seen!" All the other girls giggled at the thought. Rainbow Dash crossed her front legs and said, "Why are you all staring at his flank when you should be watching and cheering for me!?" Applejack just laughed out loud and said, "Sorry Rainbow, I reckon we're all straight here and would rather look at his flank than yours. All the other girls started laughing even more and agreed. "Rainbow, I sure ain't that much of a romantic type, but if I had the opportunity that ya had, I'd be all over him like flies on pies!" Applejack said. Rainbow stomped her front hooves on the table and said, "Fine! I don't need you girls anyway. You all can root for your precious handsome stallion. I don't need anyone to cheer me on. He's going down today and that's final!" Rainbow Dash stormed out of the library and headed to the race track. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but feel fatigued. She didn't get exactly the kind of sleep she wanted last night, but she had practiced very hard for today's race. In her mind, there was no excuse to lose this race. Little did she know that the fatigue she was experiencing was caused by all the anger and jealousy that plagued her mind on a constant basis. She could hear chanting in the distance "Rain Storm! Rain Storm! Rain Storm! The only pony that can defeat Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth in frustration at what she heard. She landed at the start line and began to stretch her wings. She turned her back to the crowd, but couldn't help but look behind her every so often. The crowd seemed even more massive than before. Rainbow sighed and said, "I remember when I used to get all that attention in Ponyville. Just look at him now. I bet he's soaking up all that attention and loving every moment of it." Rainbow's heart hurt with envy as she watched the ecstatic crowds around him. Eventually, he was able to take his place at the start line, right next to Rainbow Dash. He looked like he desperately wanted to say something to Rainbow, but she had her head turned away from him. She refused to even glance at him. He realized just how much Rainbow felt the need to win and he decided to do something crazy in this race. He was going to let her win, even if it hurt his reputation. The officials signaled for the competitors to get ready. A pegasus waved a checkered flag and they were off. Rain Storm took to the lead right away. He figured that he would lead the pack for a while so it wouldn't be so obvious that he was throwing the game. Slowly, each lap he would finish, he would fly a little bit more slowly, allowing Rainbow to catch up. Through each loop of cloud, he would follow through, he could almost feel Rainbow's presence right next to him. The course forced them to descend lower and lower into the canyons. There was a sharp turn coming up right through the mountains. Rain Storm slowed up even more and allowed Rainbow to pass him. She became so excited that she flew as fast as she possibly could. There was one problem. She was going way too fast for this turn and her body collided with the mountain at a devastating speed. She was knocked unconscious and began to tumble down the mountain. Rain Storm quickly flew down to save her. There was a group of hungry giant eels awaiting her at the bottom of the mountain. Rain Storm swooped down just in time and snatched her up in his hooves before one of the giant eels was able to grab her. The crowds went wild. He had more than enough time to put her down safely and return to the race and win, but instead, he flew her back to the crowds where a group of medics took her away. He was about to fly with them when the crowds grabbed him and wouldn't let him go. He hoped and prayed that she would be ok.