//------------------------------//
// This Is Not Foreshadowing 
// Story: Appledashery 
// by Just Essay 
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	"What's that?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Hmmm?"  Fluttershy looked aside at her in mid-flight.  "What's what?"

Rainbow pointed down.  "That."

Fluttershy looked down.

Beneath them, the humble rooftops of Ponyville lingered.  Rainbow was pointing to the bulletin board in front of town hall.  A pair of stallions were hammering in place a large, brightly-lit poster featuring illustrations of ponies in mid-gallop.

"I've seen those posted all over town," Rainbow stated.  "And in some of the neighboring villages where I do deliveries."

"Oh.  You haven't heard about the Equestrian Marathon?" Fluttershy remarked.

"Should I have?"

"It's a race that's held every six months," she explained.  "It switches to a different town on every occasion.  In a month and a half, it'll be held here in Ponyville."  She smiled.  "It'll be the first time the Equestrian Marathon took place here."

"You don't say..."  Rainbow Dash smirked.  "I like races."

"It's an on-hoof race, Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy emphasized.  "No flying around."

"Awwwwww..."  Rainbow raspberried.  "Pbllbbblblbb... lame."

"You could still participate if you wanted!"

"Meh..."  Rainbow shrugged.  "It's not as cool without flying."

"I've sat down to an Equestrian Marathon once in Dream Valley!  It was very exciting!"

"When were you in Dream Valley?"

"Uhm... field trip."  Fluttershy blushed slightly.  "It was after you had dropped out."

"Oh."  Rainbow cleared her throat, glancing aside.  "Right."

"I'm rather fond of the prizes."

"Humor me."

"Well... the race starts out with a regular lump fund," Fluttershy explained.  "Then everypony in town has a month to pitch in with their donations.  Towns like showing off how big of a bit total they can get versus the previous locations of the Marathon."

"Uh huh..."

"Then, once they have a grand total, the organization that runs the Marathon agrees to give three-fourths of it to charity!"

"And the remaining one fourth?"

"That goes to the first-place winner of the race, of course."  Fluttershy giggled.  "You see?  It's an opportunity to raise money for both charity and the top athlete!  Win-win!"

"Still seems like it's mostly being done for the charity, though."

"Well, is that a bad thing, Rainbow Dash?"

"Nah.  Guess not."  Rainbow stifled a yawn.  "Though, if you ask me, I'd give up a cash prize for a nifty medal... never mind one fourth of a cash prize."

"The prize is merely an incentive to participate," Fluttershy said.  "Decades since the Equestrian Marathon started, ponies have mostly been in it for the spirit of charity and competition."  She smiled.  "I think you should join, Rainbow."

"Eh... that's a no-go, Flutters."

"But you'd enjoy it, Rainbow Dash!"

"No, I enjoy winning."  Rainbow raised her forelimbs.  "And do you really, honestly think I'd have a chance of winning with these things?"

"Oh... uhm..."  Fluttershy fidgeted in mid-air, glancing aside.  "You... you n-never know."

"Actually, I do know.  So... case closed."

"But... you did the Running of the Leaves!"

"Yeah, and came in last.  Besides... I had an incentive to participate in that."

Fluttershy bit her lip.

"Look, it's okay."  Rainbow Dash smiled aside.  "You know as well as I do that I've had more excitement these past couple of months than even one million marathons could ever hope to compare to.  I'm just... happy to be there for my friends here in town.  Besides, between the cloud kicking, the deliveries, and the tornado team stuff, I'm booked!"

Fluttershy sighed.  "Very well, Rainbow Dash."  She smiled.  "But, personally, I would love to see you in a competition again someday."

"Who says I'm not already in competition?" Rainbow Dash droned.  "World's most awesomest best friend."

"Awwwwwwww."

"Yo ho ho ho a cupcake's life for me."  Rainbow dove towards Sugarcube Corner.  "Let's get wasted.  Afternoon wasted."

"Oh Rainbow Dash..."  Fluttershy rolled her eyes, smiled, and glided swiftly after her friend.