“So we’re all agreed we meet back here just before lunch, okay?” said Twilight Sparkle, and the other four ponies all nodded. Each of them had something different about the island city of Manehattan that they all wanted to see, and after much discussion, they had all agreed that they’d split up for the morning, before coming back together for lunch, and then a few common things that they all wanted to see, before heading on to Hinny of the Hills that night.
Rainbow Dash rose above the bustling crowds of ponies, her wings keeping her aloft and out of the hooftraffic. Unlike Twilight, who made meticulous plans for every minute of her stay in Manehattan, Rainbow much preffered just ‘winging it’, pun fully intended. As such, she simply took lefts and right turns almost at random, winding her way through the streets, before she found something that caught her interest. It was a sign, one of the many giant billboards that littered the city and that ninety percent of the time, Rainbow Ignored. This one, though, piqued her interest.
‘The Manehattan Island Sprint. Do you have what it takes to be the fastest through the city? Last week!’
Rainbow didn’t even have to think about it, and immediately shot off towards the place where the sign said the start line was. Upon arriving, she found a small flock of pegasi crowding around a registration table, and landed just behind them. Ten minutes later, Rainbow Dash had the number 11 stuck over her cutie mark, and was waiting for the official start of the race. There were fifteen pegasi total in the round, and Rainbow went around, sizing them up. Her mind was already going into race mode. There weren’t fifteen pegasi in the race, there were fourteen, and one Rainbow Dash. She may have known that she was crazy fast, but she knew that there were other ponies out there that pushed themselves just as hard as she did. Fortunately, her only competition looked like a stallion, slightly older than herself, who had two mares massaging his back.
“Hey, hotstuff,” he called out, as Rainbow began to walk away, “Leaving so soon?”
Rainbow turned back around, and the stallion caught sight of the number pasted on her flank.
“So, you’re a competitor?” asked the stallion, getting up and striding over to Rainbow, the number six visible over his cutie mark, “Well, Nice to meet you, number eleven. I’m Lightning Bolt. Two time Manehattan Sprint Champion on the trot, and I’ve never not finished on the podium. Don’t bother telling me your name-I’m not gonna remember it after I leave you in my dust. But hey, good on you for trying this out. You may even come second.”
Rainbow’s eye twitched. In addition to Lightning Bolt’s annoying accent, the stallion was arrogant. Rainbow hated arrogance, and he reminded her of Billy and Hoops from Flight Camp: all talk, no skill. Or almost. Given that this guy had apparently won twice, he had to have some skills, and despite her distaste for his attitude, Rainbow was looking forwards to racing him. She was about to come back with a witty remark, but a horn sounded, signalling all competitors to head to the start line. Rainbow settled for turning away from Lighting Bolt, and heading to the starting position.
“You’ve all been briefed on the safety rules, and you’ve all studied the course, which will be marked out with cloud barriers,” said the official governing the race, “If there are any final questions, ask them now.” The official paused for a few moments, to allow for any of the pegasi in the line to ask anything. When nothing was forthcoming, the official nodded. “Right, we’ll get started in a minute then.”
“Hey, number eleven!” called out Lightning Bolt, “Don’t get lost on your way to the first corner! I’ll see you at the finish line. Don’t worry, I’ll save you some champagne!” a few ponies cracked up at Lightning Bolt’s statement, but Rainbow just gritted her teeth, and settled herself in for her fastest start. She had been intending to stay just ahead of Lightning Bolt to give herself a challenge, but now she was going to go for the fastest possible time she could.
“Ready!” called an official beside the start line, and ponies cleared out of the flight path.
“Set!” Eyes narrowed, goggles went on for some and the fourteen pegasi and one Rainbow Dash crouched, ready to take on the twisting course through the buildings and streets of Manehattan.
“GO!” yelled the official. Fourteen pegasi took off, and one Rainbow Dash launched.