It was early afternoon in Ponyville. School was getting ready to let out, the sun was high, and as usual a certain cyan coated rainbow mane mare was preparing herself for something as she jogged in place on a cloud.
Soon enough she was joined by her fellow worker and close friend Lightning Dust, and the local farm mare (and member of the Apple clan) Applejack.
“It’s about time! I didn't think you two would show up.” Dash said as she landed on the ground.
“Now yah listen here Rainbow Dash. Ah have tah get back the farm soon. So one race is all ah can do.” AJ says as she adjusts her Stetson hat.
“Alright AJ. Just don’t cry when you and Dust lose. I’ll even give you a five second head start” Dash says with a confident smirk as her, Dust, and AJ lined up.
“Finish lines the school house right?” Dust asks which Dash nods.
“On your mark…” Dash starts
“Get set…” AJ continued
“GO!” All two of the them take off then Dash followed catching up with ease.
Tipping the Scales.
At the school house Cheerliee bearer of the Element of Kindness was working on grading the latest homework assignment that was turned in.
“Emerald Jewel…81%, Pendragon Quill…80%, Scootaloo…69%.” She says and as she was about to continue a strong gust of wind caught the rest of her papers sending them into the air and making her groan.
“Can’t that mare make the finish line somewhere other than the school.” She thought with extreme annoyance at the cause her afternoon getting ruined.
She quickly gathered her papers back up and looked at the school entrance. At the entrance the three racing mares stood/flew in place.
“Aw yeah point to the Dash!” Dash declared raising a hoof in the air as she hovered off the ground while AJ and Dust panted out of breath.
“Nice… race… Dash.” AJ said between breaths.
Rainbow looked back at the tired earth and pegasus ponies with a smirk.
“Nice race; I gave you girls a five second head start and I still won the race, you mares are slow with a capital S.” Dash boasted.
Lightning Dust got her breath “Just because of that stipulation you made doesn't mean you’re the best.” Lightning Dust interjected
“Your right maybe I should have gave you a fifteen second head start.” Dash boast again laughing a bit at the other ponies expense.
As Dash boasted the school bell had rung and students were starting to come out. Several stallions and mares had also come to pick up their foals while others had just come knowing where Dash always ended the races she and the others had at.
Cheerliee’s expression hardened at the comment Dash had just made. That did it; Cheerliee was going to put an end to Dash’s boasting one way or another.
She approached the well that the three were at “Rainbow Dash I would like to talk to you for a moment.” Cheerliee stated in a more serious tone.
“Sure, what about Cheers?” Rainbow asked with a half smile/smirk on her face.
“You attitude that’s what, you’ve been boasting like no tomorrow and it’s very uncalled for.” She starts
“I would like you to apologize to both of Applejack, and Lightning Dust for your unfavorable boasting.” Cheerliee ordered her eyes narrowed.
Dash looked at Cheerliee as if what she just had grown another head.
“You want me to do what now?” Dash said rubbing her neck with her hoof in confusion and just staring at Cheerliee.
“You heard me; your boasting can really hurt someponies feelings.” Cheerliee said pointing to the exhausted AJ and Lightning Dust.
“I’m just expressing myself okay so chill out.” Dash retorted in slight anger.
“I’ll ‘chill out’ once you apologize.” Cheerliee said not giving her any ground to counter.
Dash was stuck and she knew it. She wasn't going to get away from her unless she does give them an apology.
That was when she got a very Dash like idea. “Alright Cheerliee I’ll apologize…” Dash starts.
“You will.” Cheerliee stated coldly with a slight hint of confusion.
“On one condition, you beat me in a one on one race.”Dash finished which made Cheerliee stiffen up at what she said. Now it was Cheerliee’s turn to be confused.
“Um… what did you say?” she said her tone change from a serious to a one of worry as several students and parents alike and stragglers had stop to watch this rather interesting development.
“A race you and me if I win you have to wear a chicken costume the rest of the day, and if I ‘lose’ I’ll gratefully apologize to AJ and Lightning Dust afterwards. So what’s it going to be, you accept or are you to chicken.” Dash finished making chicken sounds toward Cheerliee.
The ponies that were around started to circle around them and mummers here and there about Cheerliee racing Dash. Cheerliee now started to get even more worried about this as AJ then went up stepping between the two.
“Dash really doesn’t need tah apologize Cheers.” AJ said trying to break it up, but Cheerliee was taking a step back from Dash’s challenge.
“Is she nuts, she knows as well as I do that I can’t beat her in a race even if she’s not using her wings, I’ll lose for sure” she thought already knowing what the end result would be. Her being humiliated by Rainbow Dash and wearing that chicken costume all day long.
She continued to back away “Well all that big talk and your back away like a filly at her first day of school. You might talk the talk, but can you walk. The. Walk.” Dash said poking Cheerliees chest with those words causing her to push through the crowd of ponies and run from the crowd and Dash.
“I’m guessing that’s a no then!” Dash called out to the running pony in a slight tone of victory and pride.
After running away she instantly went back home and locked the door so that nopony could get in.
She was sweating up a storm after running from Dash and the crowd of ponies.
She lets out a relieving sigh knowing she was safe in her home “Dash is right maybe all I do is talk big, but I can’t back it up with actions.”Cheerliee thought looking downcast.
“Momma is everything okay?” a fillies voice said that instantly cheered Cheerliee up.
Her home consist of a living room with a radio and the usual furniture, a normal kitchen with an oven, a refrigerator. The upstairs had two bedrooms, one for her, and one for her adopted daughter Emerald Jewel.
Said filly is now at the top of the stairs sniffling from the slight cold that she had caught.
“Yes my little Jewel, just mommy was having rough day.” Cheerliee said with a cheerful smile trying to hide her sadness from her.
“Hopefully by tomorrow everpony will forget this every even happen.” Cheerliee thought only thinking about what tomorrow would bring.
The next day was a weekend for her, and Emerald didn't have to go to school so she headed off to see Applebloom having recovered from her cold. Today was also shopping day for her; she would make a list of what’s needed and head out to the shopping markets. First on the list were apples and she knew just where to get them since she knew the pony quite well.
She approached a made shift wooden stand that had an trio apple sign on it and a small sign that said ‘OPEN’ in big letters.
“Good morning AJ.” Cheerliee announced to the mare in a cheerful tone.
“Well, howdy Cheers, the usual ah suppose.” AJ said in a knowing tone.
“Yes please.” She answered as AJ dropped three apples in her saddlebag.
“Look Cheers, sorry ‘bout Dash yesterday she can be quite uh hoof full if yah ask me.” She said
“I just would want her to taste her own medicine for once.” Cheerliee answered slightly angered.
“Now ah know you would want to, but that just won’t solve anything yah know.” AJ advised putting a hoof on hers.
“But she made me look like a complete fool yesterday, and I still think you and Lightning Dust deserve something for the way she has treated you.” She countered and walked away from the stand
“Why to ah get the feeling this ain't going tah end well.” AJ says under her breath before continuing on with her usual work.
About a half hour later gathering most of the things on her list the last thing she need was seed for her garden back home and the only pony who had them were Daisy the local seed shop owner on the other side of town.
When she entered the shop she found nothing but flowers and seeds everywhere and at the counter was an earth pony mare with light grayish lime green, and moderate green eyes, her coat is a pale magenta, and her cutie mark were two daisies that almost reassembles Cheerliees with the exempt of the smiling faces.
She approached the counter “Hello Daisy, it seems you have a larger variety here today.” Cheerliee said impressed with how the shop has grown much like the owner.
“Well we have been getting more shipments of seeds lately, but the more the merrier right.” Daisy said and gave her the usual, paid the bits and before Cheerliee was about to leave she was stopped by Daisy
“Oh and by the way, hopefully you don’t decide to race Rainbow Dash, because that would be almost hysterical if you know what I mean.” Daisy said trying to hold back a chuckle but failed miserably. To put it simple she added logs to a burning fire.
“Wouldn't dream of it.” Cheerliee replies sarcastically and walked out slamming the door.
“The nerve of the pony, she knows it, I knows it. Even on her worst day I wouldn't be able to even keep up with Rainbow Dash even if I tried.” She thought as she walked through town and recalled what Dash had said to her the other day.
“You talk the talk but can you Walk. The. Walk.” That phrase only annoyed her to no end and she knew just who to talk to about this.
“I only hope she hadn't heard about that incident.” She thinks annoyed as she headed for Golden Oaks.
At the library Trixie was practicing a new spell she found in one of her books. It allowed her to turn a rock into almost anything she can think of. She getting ready to cast it when there was a knock at the door, and she stopped her casting.
“Spike could you get the door and show whoever it is in please?” Trixie asked turning back to what she was practicing.
“Got it Trixie.” Spike said and dashed off to the door opening it only to find cerise coated pony at the door.
“Oh hello Cheerliee.” Spike greeted happily.
“Sorry to bother but is Trixie here?” Cheerliee questioned trying to look past him hoping to spot the azure mare.
“Yes she’s upstairs at the moment I’ll go get her.” Spike went up stairs to tell Trixie that Cheerliee was downstairs waiting for her.
Cheerliee glance around the library that there was a stack books on her desk that were filled with pages that were an easily three hundred plus pages. After looking she saw Trixie coming down from her room.
“Hi Cheerliee what brings you here?” Trixie asked wondering why Cheerliee was visiting at such early hours.
“Good. Looks like she doesn't know about yesterdays incident.” Cheerliee thought
“Well you see Trixie I kinda need some help with something. It’s about Rainbow Dash.” She said letting out a sigh as Trixie let out a gasp.
“What about her? Did she get into an accident or something?” she asked in a hurry then Cheerliee’s expression changed completely from a cheery smile to a more angered expression.
“I am frustrated with her! Do you know what she did yesterday!?” she asked and Trixie shook her head in surprise that her friend and the Element of Kindness was angered.
“Well when I was just grading some papers for the teacher, I saw Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Lightning Dust racing, and after the race was completed she when on a rant saying that she was better than everypony in Equestria, and me being the peacekeeper tried to calm her down.” Cheerliee said as a very patient Trixie listened as she continued.
“And that’s not all when I tried to ask her to apologize to them, she said she would if I beat her in a race, and I’m not the racing type for that matter, but I just ran off already knowing the outcome, and today Daisy thought it would have been funny if I raced her! Argh I just want to give Dash a piece of her own medicine!” Cheerliee ended her ranting huffing after she finished only leaving a stunned Trixie and Spike with an open mouth.
Trixie put a hoof to her chin in thought “Well Dash is an excellent athlete, but I might have something that could even the odds so to speak.” Trixie says hesitantly.
That perked her ears up right away and in a matter of seconds she was extremely close to Trixie’s personal space.
“You do?” she said frantic but realize she lost her composure and quickly gain her bearings.
“I mean, you do?” She asked in a sweet tone backing off.
“Yeah it’s a pretty difficult spell but I should be able to use it no problem.” Trixie said as she and Spike went to the bookshelves.
“Now where did I put it?” Trixie said scanning the shelves for the right book as Spike got up a ladder and eventually found it.
“Got it right here Trixie. You put it in the non-fiction section by accident.” Spike said coming down and bringing it to her.
“Thanks Spike, what would I do without my ace assistant.” Trixie said rubbing his head.
“Awe shucks Trix.” Spike said blushing a bit embarrassed as Trixie looked through the book stopping at a particular page.
“You know the only way to allow me to be on par with her would be to become just as fast as her.” Cheerliee states from behind as Trixie nods.
“That is true, but are you sure you want to do this Cheerliee? I mean spells like this usually have some kind of side effect.” Trixie states a bit nervous.
“I can handle any side effects dear. Now get on with it please.” Cheerliee states.
“Alright I believe this spell should do it, all it requires is a DNA sample of an extremely fast creature.” Trixie said as she also tried to read the smudged title, but from what the details told it seemed like a simple speed up spell.
“Does Rainbow Dash count as one?” Cheerliee asked sarcastically.
“Well she is the only fastest pegasus that I know, but you would need to get a sample of her DNA.” Trixie explained.
“But how am I going to do that?” Cheerliee pondered that question then an idea came to her remembering one of the students she helps.
“Scootaloo! Of course she idolizes Dash. Maybe she can somehow get a bit of her mane.” Cheerliee smiled at the idea and already came up with an idea that would work to get her to help recalling the low grade she had on the assignment.
“Well I guess that would have to do then, you go find Scootaloo and I’ll prepare the rest okay.” Trixie said but Cheerliee was already gone.
Cheerliee knew Scootaloo well enough to know she would be around town, but the tricky part is actually finding her. Luck must have been on her side that day because as she neared Sugar Cube Corner she saw a pegasus filly with cerise mane, light brilliant gamboge coat, and grayish purple eyes, she was also wear a purple helmet with a light shade of purple goggles and riding her scooter.
“Oh Scootaloo!” She called to the filly in a sweet tone as she walked over.
“What’s up Miss. C, please don’t tell me I’m trouble again?” questioned the filly looking back and forth as if she had done something.
Cheerliee shakes her head “No no no. You’re not in trouble, but would you mind if I ask you something?” Cheerliee said as the filly looked at in her in confusion.
“I heard that you are a fan of Rainbow Dash are you not?” She asks
“Yeah Rainbow Dash is probably the coolest pegasus in the all of Equestria with Lightning Dust close second!” Scootaloo ranted.
“I was wondering if you could get a bit of her mane for me if that’s okay?” Cheerliee asked which confused the filly.
“Why do it?” she asked in her confusion.
“Well… it’s for… uh Trixie!” She said quickly.
“Yeah she needs it for an experiment she’s performing and she needs something from the fastest creature here or in her case Rainbow Dash.” She said with the cheeriest of smiles.
“Well I don’t know. What’s in it for me if I help?” Scootaloo said looking at her with a stern look.
Cheerliee sighed “I’ll gladly help you with your homework for one week.” She said which instantly put a smile on the fillies face
“Thank you thank you! I knew you were a kind pony right from the get go, and don’t worry I’ll see that I get a piece of Dash’s mane.” Scootaloo cheered and zoomed off to find Rainbow Dash.
“No problem!” she yelled out as the filly zoomed off.
“I hope this doesn't come back and bite in the flank.” She thought think of the possibility of this being of a bad idea.
After about three hours Scootaloo did find Rainbow Dash and told her that she needed to get a piece of her mane to give to Cheerliee to give to Trixie but didn’t mention what it was for. While back at the library with the acquired hair from Rainbow she was preparing the spell.
“Are you certain you what to do this Cheerliee?” Trixie questioned again only to get a firm stare back from Cheerliee.
“Yes, Dash has been boasting for so long I can’t stand it, somepony needs to take her down a peg.” She stated without hesitation.
“Okay, you might feel a slight pinch but it shouldn't hurt a bit.” Trixie said as she lit up her horn. The aura surrounded the piece of hair and fired a small light beam toward Cheerliee which encased her in a sphere.
The magic surged through Cheerliee’s body for about a few minutes but then it began to subside and then she was down on the ground and Trixie was sweating from using the spell. She got up from the ground and looked at herself which she was still the same.
“I don’t feel any different or anything. Are you sure you had the right spell?” Cheerliee questioned apparently angered.
“I’m sure it was the right spell, maybe it’s not a physical change I’ll have to make sure.” Trixie looked back at her spell book. Cheerliee sighed examining herself again. She didn't physically look different, but to Cheerliee herself she felt different.
“Maybe.” She thought opened the door and ran out. The scenery had suddenly begun to pass her by as she maneuvered around other ponies and eventually she skidded to a halt.
Before she knew what happened she ran to doorstep of her house and stopped. She then looked back where the library was which was halfway across town and then down at her hoofs.
It was then she realized the spell had actually done its job.
“It worked.” She whispered in astonishment.
“It worked.” She said again but in a normal tone it starting to sink in.
“IT WORKED!” she yelled and zoomed back to the Trixie’s library.
She zoomed in with a gust of wind knocking some of Trixie’s stuff over.
“Trixie it worked it actually worked. Now I am faster, ways faster, I’m practically the fastest earth pony ever!” she squealed jumping cheerily.
“Well I hope it doesn't cause any problems for you.” Trixie said looking up from her book and closing it.
“Well I’m off to find Rainbow Dash. And I’ll show her a thing or two.” Cheerliee stated calmly and zoomed off.
Rainbow was doing her normal thing; napping in the afternoon at the park after her job was finished on the only cloud that wasn’t busted. She was snoring till she heard somepony calling her name.
“Rainbow Dash!” the voice yelled waking her up from her pleasant dream of flying with a certain group of pegasi.
“Ugh, who is it?” she said groggily getting up and stretching from her nap. She looked down from her cloud only to see a magenta colored pony standing there.
“What do you want Cheerliee, can you see I’m napping here.” She said rubbing her eyes to get awake
“I accept your challenge!” She said bluntly to Rainbow and with pure confidence.
Hearing this Dash went clear some ear wax out of her ears thinking that she heard wrong.
“Sorry but I thought you said you accepted my challenge.” Rainbow repeated.
“I did, you and me, or is Rainbow Dash awfraid of a wittle pony like me.” She mocked with a childish voice and she knew Dash wouldn't like.
Angered at being mocked and annoyed at being deprived of her afternoon nap Dash zoomed down in front of Cheerliee wings flared.
“Be careful teach or you may not like the outcome.” Dash warned gritting her teeth and eyes narrowed.
“Then let’s race, we’ll start from your cloud to the Ponyville fountain in town, first one to touch it wins.” She explained as Dash started to land.
“Oh and one more thing, you can use your wings if you want to.” She then adds as Dash stop giving her a puzzled look.
“Then let’s stop chatting and get racing.” Dash smirked and marked off the starting line
“Still time to back out.” She said to Dash in a similar tone Dash herself would use.
“No way, and same to you!” Dash retorted back as her and Cheerliee got into a starting stance.
“Ready.” Cheerliee started
“Set.” Dash continued
“GO!” both said and zoomed off. Dash took to the air and Cheerliee ran on the ground and slowly moving ahead of Dash.
“How is she already ahead of me like that, no matter I’ll just give it all I got at the last mile.” Dash thought as she was a little behind her.
“Is this really all she’s got? Talk about slow.” Cheerliee thought as they began to approach Ponyville.
“I can almost see the fountain in sight time to get it up a notch” Dash thought flapping her wings as fast as she could to get ahead of Cheerliee.
“No way I’m losing Cheers but it was a good race!” Dash shouted to her below already declaring her victory.
“Yes it was, but now for me to end this!” she shouted back and started to pick up the pace and now she was two pony lengths in front of her.
“Today’s lesson is now over.” She whispered as she ran full sprint toward the fountain.
Dash noted how she was pulling way ahead now five or six lengths ahead of Dash.
“No way! C’mon wings don’t fail me now!” She flapped harder to try and keep up but it was no use as soon as she flapped even harder.
The fountain was in view and zoomed toward it, and touched the tip of the fountain. She was sweating up a storm when she touch it but it seemed like no pony else was around.
“What took you so long slow poke?” Cheerliee said holding a stop watch.
“I’ve been here for a minute and thought that I left you behind, oh wait I did!” Cheerliee mocked. Dash was stunned with her mouth gapped open and her left eye twitching.
“I lost, but how? I demand a rematch!?” Dash said angered stomping a hoof on the ground as she landed.
“Let me think, hum… no.” Cheerliee saying bluntly but still had a smile on her face.
“What do you mean no?!” Dash even more furious about to get up in Cheerliee’s face, but Cheerliee had already moved and was behind her.
“Let me put it simple to you Dash. There’s a new speedster in town, and now you are only second rate.” Cheerliee said and left leaving Dash in her dust.
Cheerliee walked around Ponyville proudly as if a weight just had been lifted from her but little does she know that her mane and tail gained a new color, a blue stripe appeared on her mane and tail that replace a bit of her pinkish grey.
Meanwhile with Dash her blue streaks had been replaced with a pinkish grey streak as she went off mumbling and angry. Dash went to find a place to blow off some steam when Scootaloo was passing by.
“Hey Rainbow Dash do you think that you can take me for a flight?” she asked very excited, but failed to see Dash was rather angry.
“Sorry Scootaloo but I need some alone time today.” Dash said as she flew off.
“Okay no…” She paused a second taking in what Dash had just said.
“Wait a second did she call me Scootaloo, its normally Scoots or something like that.” She thought in realization.
A day passed and Dash challenged Cheerliee again. She accepted and it started off much like how it use to, but at the end Cheerliee zoomed right passed her and Dash was left with a frizzled mane that would result in a visit to Rarity and lost its cyan streaks while Cheerliee’s mane gained a cyan streak in her mane and tail.
Another race occurred and Dash was desperate to win that she had them race through muddy terrain. She was close to winning when Cheerliee passed her by jumping from tree to tree as fast as she could passing Dash and winning.
Dash stomped a foot in frustration as Cheerliee was cheered on by a crowd. A green streak appeared in Cheerliee’s mane and tail while the green in Dash’s mane and tail went.
Deciding to show that she had more stamina when it came to racing the next Dash challenged her to a race from Ponyville to the gates of Canterlot and back.
Cheerliee accepted and both were off they avoided anypony on the ground or air trying not to make contact. Both tapped the gates at the same time and were off back to Ponyville.
Cheerliee pumped up her speed pushing herself to go faster as the air around her seemed to condense in a cone. She kept pushing and a loud boom was heard as Cheerliee broke the sound barrier leaving behind a gust of wind that threw Dash back.
Cheerliee dubbed that technique the Sonic Boom. Dash grew annoyed as her yellow streak vanished and Cheerliee gained it in her mane and tail.
Having one last trick up her sleeve Dash interrupted the class the next day and challenged her to a no holds bar race from Ponyville to Dodge Junction.
Cheerliee gladly accepted. The news of this race was put out to all of Ponyville and several went to Dodge Junction in order to be there to see who would win.
That night the race started with AJ firing a pop gun to start the race. As it went on Dash took all the opportunities she could to try and slow down the assistant teacher.
The attempts did work somewhat, but at the end Cheerliee stepped it up and was ahead of Dash by 5 pony lengths. Dash gritted her teeth in anger than her eyes widened in surprise at what happened next.
Cheerlie was standing on her back hooves running backwards with her front hooves crossed giving a sly smirk at the mare in the sky. She blew a raspberry at Dash before doing a somersault and landed forward running off.
Angered Dash put all she had catching up with Cheerliee at the end and it looked like Photo Finish’s camera would decide who won.
Several pictures came out, but what surprised them was what was shown on the photos.
The first showed Cheerliee way ahead near the finish line, the next her jumping over the finish line, after that she was in front of the camera, the next she was waving, and the final photo was her coming back crossing the line before Dash.
Dash fell on her haunches when she saw these photos as her orange streaks vanished and appeared on Cheerliee. Dash flew off as fast as she could crying while other congratulated Cheerliee on her impressive victory over the former fastest in all Equestria.
[End Music]
The next day Cheerliee was zooming about Ponyville and zoomed into the library which the door was open.
“Hey Trixie!” she cheered causing Trixie to lose hold of the glass that was in her magic, but not very as she quickly regained focus her magic grabbing the glass quickly.
She turned around to see Cheerliee and her almost complete rainbow mane.
“Um… hi, what are you doing here?” Trixie questioned and also looked confused still staring at the mane and tail of her friend.
“Oh just wondering if I could chat with you for a bit okay.” She said. Trixie blinked a few times before she answered.
“Okay… say how’s Rainbow Dash?” she questioned as she returned to put things away.
“Rainbow, I haven’t seen her since the Dodge Junction race. Have to admit racing her has gotten pretty boring.” She emphasized the boring to a stretch. That caught Trixie’s attention about what she said
“Well she is a competitive athlete that’s for sure, but that doesn’t mean you should discredit her.” Trixie stated.
All that Cheerliee did was raised an eyebrow at that statement then just shrugged it off.
“Well whatever, Dash isn’t going to beat me and that is a fact.” Cheerliee said as she zoomed off to who knows where.
Trixie became puzzled at Cheerliee’s new attitude and finished what she was doing which was adding the liquid that was in the glass to a vile that contained a solution that in theory make damaged, ruin, or generally unreadable scrolls and such other parchments readable.
Trixie added the liquid to the vile and after it settled she decided to test it. She took out the book she had read almost a week ago and opened to the page containing the spell she had cast on Cheerliee. She put a few drops on the potion on the page and the smudged writing started to become more readable.
When it finally was readable her eyes became as wide as the dragon egg she hatched Spike from and she slammed the book shut.
“This isn’t good.” Was the only thing she able to say.
She trotted back and forth in the lobby of the library as Spike woke up from a nap hearing Trixie pacing.
“Everything will be fine Trixie.” She kept muttering over and over.
“Uh Trixie your…” Spike starts as he watches her from the steps.
“Trixie knows she’s speaking in third pony!” She yelled.
“Then what’s the problem?” He asked.
“Just look on Trixie’s desk at that book page 135 and you’ll see what Trixie means.” She said pointing to her desk as Spike went to it.
He opened to the page and it read saying ‘Molding of Minds’ on the page.
“Molding of Minds, what is that anyway?” Spike asked rubbing his head which only made Trixie groan.
“It goes like this: If you have DNA of somepony like say a piece of there mane and you cast it on a pony it will not only give you the traits of that pony but your mind will start acting like that pony over time while the same happens to the other.” Trixie explained.
“So I’m guessing that would explain why Rainbow Dash over there has Cheerliee’s mane.” Spike pointed out the window and Trixie saw a cloud with the cyan pony on a nearby cloud whose mane and tail now resembled how Cheerliee’s was except for a red streak on both.
Dash seemed to be mopping and mumbling something about her ruined reputation.
“Spike could you please find the others except Cheerliee?.” Trixie said and with a salute Spike was off to find the others.
“This is my fault, and I really wish I could fix this…” she starts and looks at the book reading what it says needs to be done to fix it.
“But only Dash can fix this.” She finishes with a sigh closing the book.
It took awhile but Spike managed to everypony up except for Cheerliee. They were now standing near the cloud that Dash was mopping from.
“Dash can we talk to you for a minute!” Sunset called out in worry.
“Go away; I don’t want to be bothered.” She called back as the others look to one another trying to figure out what to do.
“Please Dash we just want to see how you’re doing.” Coco pleads.
“Yeah, c’mon down from there.” Dust flew up and grabbed Dash by her back and brought her down.
When she was brought down, the girls were shocked to see what she looked like now. Her normal rainbow mane and tail were about gone except a small red streak on both, her eyes were half opened and bloodshot from crying. The usual swagger and smugness she had was replaced with depression.
“Are you okay Rainbow?” Sunset asked
“NO! No I’m not okay!” Dash sobs in response.
“I-I use to be cool. I use to be the fastest there is, but now…now I’m a nothing.” She continues between sobs.
“And what’s worse there is practically nothing I can do about it!” she finishes and curls up into a ball continuing to sob.
Trixie steps up putting a hoof on her shoulder in an attempt to try and comfort her.
“Rainbow I’m sorry.” Trixie finally said but Dash was still crying.
“F-For w-what.” She sniffled looking up at the azure mare.
“I performed a spell on her that allowed her to be as fast as you but I didn’t expect it to actually change a ponies mind and to act to like them for that matter.” She said lowering her head then lifted her head back up.
“But I do know something that can work to return you back to normal.” Trixie stated with a somewhat happier tone.
“Well what is it?” Lightning said looking at her.
“According to the book the only way to reverse the effects is to cause a strong mental shock while acting like your true self before the spell was cast.” Trixie said.
“Any suggestions on what could cause a strong mental shock?” Lightning asks.
“…The only possible idea that might work would be a race.” Trixie says.
But in response to that Dash cringed “But I can’t I’ll just lose again like the last time. I just… just can’t.” Dash began muttering incoherently.
After a few minutes Sunset finally spoke up “C’mon RD I don’t know any other pony with the courage you have.” She commented and gestured for the rest to follow suit.
“Yeah, plus your fast, brave and probably the better athlete out of all of us here. You can’t just give up on yourself.” Lightning said.
“And your proud of who you are and plan to keep it that way to, but you can’t put yourself down because of a little set back.” Coco said with confidence.
“I may not have been here long, but if you need some support I’ll be there no problem.” Trixie stated.
Dash picked herself off the ground and dried her tears as she looked over at her friends.
“So you really think I can win?” Dash asked them.
“We don’t think, we know you can win.” Sunset declared
“Now how about it Dash?” Lightning started
“You ready or what?” Coco added.
With all that her friends say she couldn’t let them down “Okay I’ll give it another go.” She said nervously.
They all went to find Cheerliee which wasn’t hard, she was outside the school house grading papers and doing some sit up exercises until she spotted Rainbow.
“Oh hello, coming back for me to embarrass you again.” Cheerliee smirked causing Dash to walk backwards a little.
Dash looked back at the others who encouraged her with a smile. She took in a breath to calm her nervous before letting it go and trying to gain her old confidence.
“Yes I want another race.” She replies firmly trying to show some of her old confidence.
“Well somepony is confident in herself today but the outcome will still be the same as always.” Cheerliee stated getting up from her sit ups.
“But if you must insist on embarrassing yourself, be my guest.” She added with a sly smirk.
“First one to the town hall of Ponyville wins and you’ll start from that cloud up there while I start below it.” She said pointing to a cloud above them.
“You can do this Dash.” Sunset said
“Don’t let her beat you.” Lightning continued
“Stay strong.” Coco added with a firm nod.
“Go get her.” Trixie finished. Dash nodded as they both lined up at the starting line.
“Ready.” Cheerliee began.
“S-Set” Dash continued nervously.
“GO!” Both side in unison. They both zoomed off leaving a trail of dust behind them.
Dash of course was flying while Cheerliee was on the ground pulling ahead of her by three pony lengths with relative ease.
“Come on Dash are you even trying?” Cheerliee teased.
“No I can’t lose again, not again.” Dash thought flapping her wings to try and to close the gap between them.
“How is it going Dust?” Trixie asked while Lightning was holding a telescope as they watched from the school house.
“It looks like Cheerliee’s leading but Dash is slowly closing in but there already half way there it’s going to be close girls.” Dust said.
Dash was trying her best to keep up with her but it still wasn't enough as Cheerliee kept up putting Dash farther behind.
“Looks like I’ll win again huh Dash.” Cheerliee commented already declaring victory as she put more of a distance between them
“No, not again, I blew it again, I’m the worst flyer ever.” Dash thought as flashes of her previous loses flashed, but then what her friends had said flashed in her mind.
“You can do this Dash, Don’t let her beat you, Stay strong, Go get her, We don’t think we know." Her friends comments echoed making a small smile spread across her muzzle.
“No, I still have a chance, there’s no way I’m going to be beaten! AGAIN!” Dash’s thoughts screamed as she flapped her wings to the max catching up and passing Cheerliee.
Cheerliee was at first shocked to see that she was pulling away from her and they were approaching the town hall. Dash gave a great hard flap of her wings pushing herself to the max and touched Town Hall first. It took her a second to realize what she did.
“I won.” She whispered.
“I WON!” she yelled out and Cheerliee just a few seconds behind her.
“I don’t believe it, you beat me.” Cheerliee admitted. Just as quickly all of Cheerliee colors that she gained from winning faded and went back to her normal grayish pink and Dash got all her colors back.
The rest of the girls got up with them “Did it work?” Trixie asked looking at both of them.
“Looks like it did.” Lightning concluded. Cheerliee looked at Rainbow Dash and at herself.
“Oh dear what a foal I’ve been.” She thought ashamed at her recent actions.
“Rainbow Dash can I say something to you?” Cheerliee asked as she approached Dash who looked at her when her name was mentioned.
“I apologize for the way I’ve been acting toward you, I guess it I got carried away by it that I didn’t considered your feelings, I was wrong.” Cheerliee admitted lowering her head.
“Well I guess I’m sorry too, I guess I finally got to see first hoof that bragging does have rather negative effects on other ponies.” Rainbow admitted rubbing her head with her hoof.
Trixie smiled at the both of them “I guess we both learned something today have we.” Trixie said as Cheerliee and Rainbow nodded in agreement.
Seeing this Trixie turned to Spike who had also been watching the whole time.
“Spike. Take a letter please.” She asks watching the two as Spike took out a quill and scroll.
“Dear Princess, Celestia; I discovered something very important today. Sometimes when a pony brags about something and somepony else take it into their own hoofs can have consequences, but not everypony is perfect. Sometimes bragging can have some negative effects on others causing them to rethink about themselves but it also takes your friends to give you some support when things are down, and even after everything is over it will only tighten the bond between friends so that they can understand each other more. Your faithful student, Trixie Lulamoon.”
Trixie wrote “Send it Spike I’m sure she’ll be expecting it.” Trixie ordered as Spike puffed it away to Celestia
“I’m just glad everything is back to normal with those two.” Spike commented
“I think things will turn out just fine.” Trixie says as she watches Dash fly to the sky with Cheerliee running below after her as they had a small race back to the school house.
