Hours passed lazily as Rainbow Dash hung suspended in the air atop cottony puffs of vapor. Having no watch of any kind, nor any desire to get up and swoop over the town center to glance at the big clock face that towered over the commons. As such, the only resemblance of time passing that the pegasus had was the wispy, ever changing vapors that floated through the sky. And not a single one of them cared to stop what they were doing long enough to offer her a numerical time to go on, passing over her without thought.
Rainbow Dash itched again, and shifted uncomfortably on her cloud. It was not a physical itch, and thus could not be redeemed, and was insatiable when it did come around. It was the itch not just to fly but to race, and a race meant she had to find at least one other pony, or winged species, to race with.
Unicorns and groundies were immediately out, as the former could teleport and the latter could run, but she quickly left all of them in the dust. That left the pegasus race, the most compatible candidates, and 99% of them had long since learned that engaging in a race with Rainbow Dash was really not all that entertaining. The only pegasus who took up her challenges on a regular basis, with unblemished enthusiasm at that, was the local mailmare. A beloved member of the community, the only issue with the mailmare was that shortly into their race, she often forgot where she was going, or went off in a different direction entirely, distracted by some small oddity.
Rainbow huffed. Her nap wasn't happening any longer, her mind no longer relaxed but agitated. She rolled off the cloud and tucked her legs in against her body, picking up speed. The ground approached her body rapidly, allowing her just enough time to spread open her magnificent wings and catch the air, leveling out a few feet above the grass and swooping upwards once more, a delighted 'Whoop!' escaping her lips. A think trail of colored light spread out behind her rear legs, though not as clear as a Rainboom would have been.
Several others looked up at this display and waved to her, as though this was a common sight.
Rainbow Dash rocketed towards a small house near the edge of the expansive forested section of Ponyville, a massive display of branches and darkness that took over the land The timid creature who lived in the cottage seemed unaware and unconcerned that just menacing darkness loomed so close at hoof, but gave it no attention. Rainbow Dash did several spins and loops to the benefit of anypony still watching, and landed at the front door. She had barely even raised her hoof to knock on it when the door swung open.
"Hi, Dashie!" Fluttershy exclaimed, delighted. "Angel and I were just saying you don't come visit enough. Was your mane standing up?"
"What?" Rainbow blinked.
"Pony legend says your mane stands up when somepony's talking about you. Only good things, though. I'd hate it if it was bad things, then I'd always be wondering who was talking about me, and if it was a good or bad thing, and if it was a bad thing why wouldn't they come talk to me so I can say I'm sorry?"
"Fluttershy, it's just a legend, I don't think that-"
But Fluttershy was already starting to look upset, her ears pinning. "Because I really would be sorry, too."
"No, Shy, I'm here for-" She began again.
"For tea?" Fluttershy brightened. "It's almost teatime, and we'd love you to join us."
Rainbow Dash sighed. "Sure, why not."
Fluttershy grinned so widely that she squee'd as she did, and tugged Rainbow inside.
Inside the cottage was homely and warm, and a large round table was already set with a pink and yellow tea set upon it. A few of the cups were cracked and the pot itself was faded and had certainly seen better days. Angel was sitting on the on one of the chairs, tapping his foot impatiently. On the next chair was Discord, who looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else but here. He wore a frilly pink dress and matching bonnet, his eyes narrowed to dangerous slits as if a land mine that had been forgotten but could go off at any moment.
"I hate tea time," he muttered.
Fluttershy glared at him. "Tea is a formal setting, mister. It's either this or the maid outfit again."
Discord rolled his eyes. "Fine," he complained. The kettle in the kitchen went off, and Fluttershy squeaked before rushing to get it. Discord immediately snapped his claws and the dress vanished as he cracked his back. "What brings you here, Dash?" He asked, curiously.
"To see you, actually," the pegasus admitted.
The draconequus looked interested. "Is that right?" He said. "Whatever for?"
"I want a race," Rainbow said. Discord looked absolutely delighted, and she quickly cut in, "Not with you, you cheat," she said. His smile faded, and he grumbled. "Do you have anything to show me someone I can race with?" She asked.
Discord rubbed his beard for a moment, thoughtfully. "I might," he said, and twisted his claws around in the air. Fiery flashes of blue light crackled between his claws, and he produced a mirror which was quickly handed over to the waiting pegasus. "Here," he said, satisfied.
Rainbow Dash looked confused. She glanced into the mirror, saw herself, and frowned. "It's a mirror," she said.
"Well what did you think it was, a radiator?" Discord asked. "Simply ask it what you want to see, and it will show you."
Rainbow shrugged. In a world full of magic, this was simple enough advice. Not the ramblings of a crazy person as might be expected in some of the other realms. She glanced into the mirror, still feeling slightly like an idiot as she talked into it. "Mirror, am I the fastest pony in Ponyville?" She asked.
The mirror immediately fogged over, as if left in a steaming sauna, and words inscribed themselves on its surface.
It Seems Likely.
"Hah!" Rainbow hollered, then turned back towards the kitchen. "Fluttershy, you alright in there?"
"It's really hot and I don't have magic!" Fluttershy said weakly. "I'm sorry, I'll be out in a minute!As soon as I can get it down..." She squeaked.
Rainbow Dash turned her attention back towards the mirror, having presumably bought another few minutes. "Mirror, am I the fastest creature in the universe?"
Try Asking Again.
Dash stomped her front hoof irritably. "Am I the fastest creature in the universe?"
No.
Annoyed now, Dash glared at the mirror while Discord looked on with absolute amusement. "Show me the fastest creature in the universe!" She demanded.
And the mirror did.
The fog in the glass cleared, and Rainbow was treated to a dusty, desert like expanse, and a bright blue blur was racing down a seemingly deserted road. The sun was bright and hot, and the pegasus could almost feel herself sweating from its heat.
"Closer," she demanded, and the view swept downwards towards the blurry figure. She couldn't tell what it was, it was moving much too quickly, an observation that made her more than a little nervous.
Then it stopped. In the middle of the road... and Rainbow Dash stared at it.
Bright orange legs rose confidently from the pavement, leading into obnoxiously blue feathers. Its body was slim and streamlined, pecking at the ground with a bright yellow beak.
"A bird?!" Rainbow hissed. "I'm being outraced by a bird?!"
The bird looked right at her through the mirror, as if it knew it was being watched, and stuck its tongue out at her. "Meep, meep!" It challenged, then zoomed off again. The mirror fogged over, and Rainbow Dash lost sight of it.
Rainbow Dash was bright red, and Discord roared with laughter. Fluttershy emerged from the kitchen with a cart on which sat a large pan of cookies and the steaming kettle.
"What's so funny?" She asked. Then her ears pinned. "It's not me, is it?"
"Oh, no," Discord said. "I was only doing tricks for Rainbow Dash. Would you like to see some?"
"Yes!" Fluttershy brightened, rolled the cart next to the table, and gasped. "I forgot the cheese!" She said, and hurried back into the kitchen.
Discord looked over. "Well?" He asked. "What are you going to do?"
"What I do best," she said, and narrowed her eyes. "I'm going to catch it. And then we're going to race."