“What in Equestria’s going on?”
Weather Factory inspection was one of Rainbow Dash’s many mundane duties and this particular tour was no different. However, as she left the building, she noticed a crowd gathering by a bulletin board placed between the factory and the Cloudiseum. Typically, the items placed on there were nothing special: updated weather forecasts, job openings and somepony trying to sell ratty cloud furniture at a price based on wishful thinking.
“What’s going on over there?” She chuckled. “I bet the circus is coming to town or something.”
She wriggled through the crowds for a better view. What she found froze her beating heart as though she was in the presence of a celestial god.
“No, way!”
In front of her was the best poster she’d ever seen since the last announcement for a Wonderbolts show. A multi-colored checkered flag waved across the canvas’ background with silhouettes of pegasi and other flying creatures in the forefront. There was no need reading the adjacent notice spelling out the humdrum rules and regulations in font size for those with twenty-ten vision or better, just the big words sprawled across the poster.
“The Equestrian Grand Prix!”
The inaugural race, in fact. This was a test against the crème of the crop from Equestria and beyond and thanks to Princess Celestia, they were holding it here in Cloudsdale. A chance to test her mettle and be the best, not just in Equestria but the whole world, in front of thousands of onlookers. Such a spectacle had been rumored ever since she was a filly but only now would it come to fruition.
Rainbow pranced in glee as though it was her birthday and Hearts Warming Eve combined, although those around her didn’t share her enthusiasm.
“A goodwill race? No prizes? No way!”
“How are they going to host a race here? The Cloudiseum’s not big enough for that, is it?”
“We have to go against non-pegasi? We’ll be at a disadvantage! I think I’ll just watch instead.”
Rainbow latched onto the nearest pony stallion and pressed her nose against his. “Watch? How in Equestria can you say that? Don’t you know this will be the biggest event in the history of everything? A chance to show that no fliers can compare to us pegasi? To defend our honor and become celebrated by the masses?”
A trembling shrug was all the stallion could give her.
“Where do I sign up? Tell me! Tell me, now!”
“A–at the Cloudiseum.”
In a flash, she launched herself in that direction. Being the first entrant would be a fine way to start this new venture.
A picnic on the flower fields in the afternoon – Twilight and her friends thought it would be a peaceful and rather uneventful affair. Food and punch lay neatly over a checkerboard cloth, ready for consumption.
Then a cyan blur whizzed straight through the spread; only the pies and a lone sandwich survived unscatched.
“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said, wringing punch juice off her tail. “Must you always come in like that? Is that so much to—”
Rainbow pressed the racing poster right into her face. “Have you heard the great news, Twilight? The biggest race ever’s coming at the end of this month!”
Her horn sliced right through the paper. “Yes, Rainbow! Have you actually stopped for a second to stop and look around you?”
Indeed, whoever was running the race’s marketing department sure knew how to spread the word. Every tree trunk had a poster, a wagon travelling down the road carried a billboard and even a pegasi tugged a banner well above their heads.
“You can spare us the details,” said Applejack before taking a nibble of apple crust. “But I takes it you’re looking forward to this little race.”
Rainbow marched right up to the cowpony. “Little? Imagine the best rodeo you’ve ever been to times a thousand! No, a gazillion jillion billion! You know what the best part is? When I’m the first one crossing that finish line. Heh! Maybe I should start preparing my speech, you know, to inspire the little ones to follow the path I’ll set for them.”
“That’s all well and good, Rainbow, but have you seen the race configuration and distance?”
“Of course I did!” After a brief pause, “I think. What are you getting at?”
Twilight unfurled a parchment that depicted a line going around the Cloudiseum like a paper clip. Tracing it with her hoof, “See this? Based on what I see, you may be out there two hours without much of a chance to slow down and rest.”
“And what’s so bad about that,” she asked. “Hello? Cutie mark talent?”
“I think you’re overestimating that advantage.” The unicorn pulled out a book and opened it. “According to this, a race of this particular nature is prone to unpredictability and defying the odds. Winning requires not just outright speed, but endurance, well-developed strategy but most importantly, luck.”
Rainbow raspberried. “Luck, smuck. I’ve heard the stories of wearing green or the number thirteen but I don’t believe in that junk. Just a little prep work and I’ll be ready to go!”
Further lecturing seemed pointless so Twilight put her tome aside. “In that case, we’ll be happy to see you out there.”
Everypony else nodded.
“But if there’s one suggestion I could give you, you may want to find yourself a partner.”
Rainbow grinned, “Way ahead of you, Twilight! I’ve already got one in mind!”
On cue, Fluttershy tiptoed away from the scene. After all, she was the only one else present with wings.
“Fluttershy?”
She yelped. “Oh, um, I wasn’t leaving. I was just—” She bent down to pick up some dandelions —“decorate the picnic basket?”
Rainbow swooped down, so she could pat her in the back. “I know what you’re thinking but don’t worry about it. No offense, Fluttershy, but you’re just not cut out for something like this.”
Free of her burden, she smiled as bright as the setting sun. “Oh, none taken! But then, if it’s not me, then who?”
“I know who that pony is,” Rarity chirped. “It wouldn’t happen to be Swift Flying, would it?”
“Huh?” Rainbow scratched her head. “How’d you figure that out so fast?”
Rarity pulled out a notepad with many pages of notes. “Oh, let’s see. It’s not much, really. You’ve only apparently spent over a week of time with him while we were away at Manehattan and yet, you didn’t want to tell us exactly what you two did?”
Rainbow hovered right over her, “Like I’ve said many times, there’s a Pinkie Pie Swear behind that.”
“Respect the swear,” Pinkie blurted out.
Rarity ignored the outburst, “You of all ponies volunteered alongside him for weather duties for that railroad project in the Stallihorn Mountains?”
“What’s wrong with a little extra work for a good cause?” said Rainbow, hooves on hips.
“Three days a week, minimum, and even the occasional weekend?” Spike snipped.
Rainbow snorted at the dragon.
Rarity flipped the page. “Oh, and on the days you are here in town, you mention his name an average of—” She counted all the tick marks — “roughly seven times a day?”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“Oh, nothing at all, darling. I just find it quite... charming.”
“C–charming?” That triggered a flow of light crimson onto her face. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come now. It’s just emotions that are perfectly normal for mares our age to develop. Believe me, there is nothing to be embarrassed about.”
Rainbow faced away from the group; no way would she tolerate their snickers and suggestive glances. “You and your crazy imagination, Rarity. I’m bailing out of here. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Say hi to Swift for me,” Rarity chimed.
Whoosh! Rainbow left behind her signature trail along with an unrequested change of hairstyle for everyone.
“Oh dear. That was an abrupt departure,” said Rarity, brushing her mane back to its lustrous form. “Ladies, did you think I came on a little too strong?”
All those around them motioned or mumbled their uncertainty, except for Twilight. She appeared as though she stepped into a room where she only heard the punchline of a joke.
“Um, too strong about what?”
“Move forward, stallions!”
Mountains to the left, mountains to the right – the air was few in quantity and chilly to the touch. To the ponies with hard hats and yellow vests, carving through the rugged land to lay down railroad ties proved hard enough at a mile above sea level. Mother Nature gave them no reprieve from their arduous tasks. The winds pelted them at a whim and sent loose rock down the slopes, a constant reminder to the unicorns about readying protective barriers at a moment’s notice. However, they could do nothing if those billowing thunderclouds floating above the peaks miles away drifted this way and drown the landscape with a sudden downpour. Fortunately, they had the right ponies for the job, two of them on this day. One of them hovered near a tall and muscular stallion standing far ahead of the workers on a sloping ridge, overlooking a narrow valley teeming with pine trees.
“Are you sure those clouds aren’t going to threaten operations today, Swift?” said the burly pony.
The slender gray stallion gazed at the nearby mountain range rising far above their heads, grey lumpy masses hovering over the peaks. “Not for a while, Mallet,” he said with the faintest of voice cracks. “It’s better if I let the clouds fall off the top before Rainbow and I attack them.”
Swift drifted upwards to look in the other direction. By habit, his foreleg touched his two-tone hair for a contemplative rub.
“I just hope she gets here all right. There’s a wicked storm between here and Ponyville.”
Mallet let out a belly laugh. “I’m sure she’ll be just fine. She’s a toughie and a looker. I gotta say I didn’t think that was your type.”
“Eh?” Scratching his head, “I don’t get your drift, boss.”
“Of course you don’t,” he replied, chuckling. “Tell you what. Take a break and wait for her.”
“Are you sure about that?”
He walked down the slope toward the approaching workers, “Of course! I’m the forepony, ain’t I? My call to make!”
That was that – he didn’t mind a brief respite anyways.
Swift launched himself a thousand feet in the air until he reached some wafer thin clouds. After sweeping up what he could, he built himself a lump large enough to lounge on his back. He let his eyelids fall despite feeling rather awake. There were many things floating in his mind with the same effects as coffee: the weather around him, what wretched food would the construction site’s mess hall serve today and sorting out his work schedule for the next few weeks.
All that fell by the wayside the moment his instincts yelled Trouble! Wings unfurled, he grabbed onto his cloud and push himself sideways. A second later, a pegasi torpedo zipped by where he was, leaving behind an unmistakable contrail of who this was.
Once the newcomer sat in front of him, he crossed his forelegs. “Shoot, Rainbow. Can’t you go one day without trying to tackle me like that?”
“Just testing your reflexes,” she replied, proudly raising her muzzle. “I’ll get you someday, you’ll see.”
Rolling his eyes,” Yeah. And it’ll be a one way ticket to the first aid station. Anyways, you’re here early for once. What’s the deal?”
“You’re not going to believe this!” Rainbow pulled out the poster and spread it inches from his face. “Look!”
Pushing the parchment aside, “I know already. Brayside’s got all covered up with those yesterday afternoon. I’m guessing you’ve signed up already?”
“First one on the entry list. I’ve got all the paperwork for you ready to go!” Rainbow then presented a stack of forms clipped together and a pen. “Just sign on the dotted line.”
His appendages spread open, “E-eh… e–what? Oh, no, no, no, no, no! You know I’m not into racing!”
“Oh, c’mon!” She pressed the forms right onto his chest, “What do I keep telling you? Pegasus pride! You can’t just leave your agility on the shelf! It’s gotta be out there for everypony to see!”
He paused for an elongated breath. “No.”
Her smile drooped, as did her ears. “Don’t be like that. You’ve got the vacation time and we can squeeze in some training up here.”
“I’m sure you can find somepony else,” said Swift, gently pushing away the paperwork. “Can you just drop it, please?”
Rainbow tossed away the paperwork and hung her head. “Okay, I get it. You don’t want to spend more time with me. Sorry.”
“Um, it’s n–not like that,” he exclaimed in a fluster. “It’s wicked hanging out with you, Rainbow.Really! I just… racing’s your thing. It’s not mine. I’ll just be a drag for you.”
“You won’t,” she pleaded, looking straight into his grayish blue eyes. “Please? I mean, when have we had the chance to really have some fun together? That whole time we spent in Ponyville, we had that thing haunting us all the way and right now, we can only do so much because we’ve got jobs to do. I know you’re not a racing fan and you don’t like the spotlight but just this one, can you do this, for me?”
His answer should’ve been an easy one – no – but this was Rainbow Dash smiling at him with the warmth of a fire in cool night. She had him pinned into a corner with no way out but rather than complain, he shrugged.
“All right. All right. You’ve got me. Just this once, okay?”
In a flash, she gathered all the fluttering forms and tossed him the pen. With a few strokes, she was in cloud nine for finally having a partner; his face had doom and gloom written all over it.
“Cheer up,” she said, giving him a soft glancing pop. “Trust me. Once we’re through, you’ll be thanking me for this. Now, time for my nap. Long flight from Ponyville, you know?”
Before he could say anything, she tossed herself sideways on the cloud and right into his personal space. Moments later, the scent of citrus shampoo trickled up his nostrils, an aroma he could bask in if it didn’t light up his face.
“I–I should probably go,” he mumbled.
“What’s the matter,” she whispered, stretching her hooves. “There’s—” Rainbow touched his foreleg, instantly jolting her awake. “Sorry!” In haste, she hovered a few inches off the cloud. “I, um, wasn’t trying to crowd you out or anything.”
Swift faked a laugh. “Yeah, no worries. Besides, I think those storm clouds have started moving down the peaks. No time to rest now.”
She nodded. “Right. Might as well get some work in today.”
“Hold up, hold up” He leaned in leering, “Did you just say that? Lemme call the press.”
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
The stallion nonchalantly flew toward the cloud front, doing all he could to stifle his amusement. “Oh, nothing.”
Rainbow eagerly followed close behind, her spirits rising by the wing flap. Now it was just a matter of crossing off the weeks until she and her friend would be part of a race for the ages.
Hold on. Did he just call me lazy?