Rainbow Dash flew low over the rooftops of Ponyville. She had several jugs of medicinal brew stuffed away in her saddlebags. The weight put a slight strain on her wings, but—being as they were the strongest limbs in her body—she made it work.
Along the low glide, Rainbow took the opportunity to gaze at every gold-thatched building within sight. The tiny town looked remarkably large up close—she realized. Her eyes caught glances of window decorations and colored signs and flower beds as if it was the first time she ever saw them. Perhaps, in many ways, they were.
She started contemplating—for the first time ever—that it might be one of the last times she saw any of these details up close.
A soft sigh escaped her lips, but it wasn't entirely lethargic. That and that alone carried her further.
She enjoyed an unimpeded flight across the heart of downtown—until she heard a screeching, nasally voice:
"Mayor Mare! This is unacceptable! That stage should have been finished days ago!"
"We're working as fast as we can, Mr. Svengallop," the Mayor's voice stammered. "And forgive me for being forward, but the scheduled date of completion is Wednesday."
Rainbow glanced behind her.
The Mayor stumbled out of City Hall, flanked by a stallion in a blue suit. Posters advertising the upcoming Marathon marked every support beam—plus the bulletin board.
"And this Marathon is a charity event involving hundreds of ponies," the Mayor continued. "I know you're representing a popular celebrity, but this entire event is super important for Ponyville. It goes beyond the athletic feats of Brash Lesbos."
"Brick Lesneigh!" the stallion squealed, tilting his nose up. "And he's more than a celebrity! He's a living legend! Ten marathons over the past three years, and he's come in first place for each and every one of them!" Fluffing his pink mane, the stallion spat: "Becoming his agent is only the most monumental task any businesstallion can perform. Hrmmmff... certainly makes that sniveling, bleeding heart Countess Coloratura look like a Goddess-forsaken tadpole."
The Mayor squinted. "...who?"
"Never you mind! The long and short of it—my Brick Lesneigh is the only pony in all of Equestria that can put Ponyville on the map. And if you want him to donate even a smidgen of the first place prize money to this town—and he will win—then you'd better play your cards right!"
After a prolonged sigh, the Mayor nodded. "Whatever you say, Mr. Svengallop."
"So will you get that stage in the City Park finished?"
"Yes, Mr. Svengallop."
"Good! Meanwhile, I'll continue working on the Marathon's opening speech." The stallion snorted as he gazed across the open courtyard. "I'll do my best to be complimentary and... leave out some of this farmhole's outrageously rustic qualities..."
Rainbow's muzzle scrunched. She looked forward—and nearly flew into a lamppost. "Guh!" Jerking to the side, she twirled about and ended upright. Miraculously, the jugs of medicine didn't fly out of her bag. "Whew... keep it together, girl."
"Keep it t-together, girl," she heard faintly from down below.
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. At first, she thought she had heard an echo. However, upon glancing down, she saw a tender young stallion fussing with a wagon full of turnips and carrots. With a smile, Rainbow glided down and joined the pony's side.
"Hey there, Caramel!" She put on a thick smile. "Need a helping hoof?"
"Grnnngh..." Caramel struggled with a loose crate of produce. Sweating, he swept his bangs back and squinted aside. Upon seeing Rainbow Dash, he managed a thin grin. "Oh... Rainbow... h-hey..." He waved a tired hoof. "I... I'm good..."
"You... sure about that?" Rainbow's eyes narrowed.
"Just... I'm all elbows today." Caramel gulped, finally managing to set several stacked crates straight. "I can handle the work load... eventually. Just... not that used to transporting so many vegetables at once."
"Why not carry them in smaller bunches, then?" Rainbow shrugged. "You're quick on your hooves. Maybe you'd get these transported to the market faster."
"It's not that simple," Caramel said. "I'm transporting three times as much as usual for the entire day. Basically... it's two ponies' worth of work."
"Uhm... why?" Rainbow asked.
"Simple..." Caramel stumbled about, hitching himself back onto the riggings of the cart. "I need more bits." He strained, pulling the wagon slowly forward. "Mrmmff... more bits in less time."
Rainbow nodded. "Is this your plan for working towards that operation?"
"Mrmmmf... it's a st-start!" Caramel wheezed.
"Not too quick of a start, I hope." Rainbow craned her neck. "Take this as a compliment... but you're pretty dainty, girl. You really wanna become a tank by the time you can afford the operation? I mean... nothing wrong with being a muscular mare." She briefly fanned herself. "In fact... there's a whole lot of right with being a muscular mare... but... eheh... it never seemed your style..."
"I'll... t-take... what I c-can get...!" Caramel hissed through his teeth, pulling the wagon. All of the sudden, he made brisk progress. The wheels glided over soft earth. Curious, he glanced over his shoulder. "...Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow was fluttering a few feet above the ground. Flapping her wings heavily, she pushed against the rear of the cart, giving Caramel extra strength and speed. "Keep going! You're the one steering!"
"Rainbow, you don't have to help me with all of this!"
"Sure I do!" Rainbow managed a sweaty smirk. "Just giving you a boost, girl. Don't worry..." She winked. "I ain't gonna grab from your bit pile."
Caramel blinked. A soft smile, and he pulled the wagon towards his destination with Rainbow's help. "Well, if you insist..."
"Who in Tartarus wants so many turnips?"
"Hah! I know, right?"
Both chuckled into the sunny air.