Discord hovered on his mismatched wings beside Fluttershy as she walked through the park, scattering bird seed behind her. Sparrows and doves alike gathered to peck up the treat, chirruping and cooing to each other as they did so. Fluttershy smiled. But then-
There was a cry of "Coming through!" and a streak of rainbow colours shot past Discord's nose as the birds scattered in a panic. Seconds later, a dark grey pegasus stallion came thundering by, panting with exhaustion.
"Ha!" cried an orange pegasus filly, who was sitting on a bench beside a scowling pegasus colt. "I told you your brother would never beat Rainbow Dash, Rumble!"
Rainbow Dash skidded to a halt on a nearby cloud and looked down smugly at Thunderlane, who was wheezing, his wings hanging at his sides. "So you've trained enough to beat me, have you, Thunderlane? I swear, this race was easier than the last one." With a huff, the cyan mare's face dropped into a frown. "It's ages since I had a good race. No pegasus in this town is close to my speed."
It was now that Rainbow Dash noticed a pair of aquamarine eyes just to her left.
"Ha, hi, Fluttershy. Fancy a race?"
Fluttershy narrowed her eyes, hovering beside Rainbow's cloud. "Rainbow, you've disturbed the poor birds. Was it really necessary to race Thunderlane again? You've already beaten him ten times before."
Rainbow shrugged. "Sorry, Fluttershy. And sure, this race was totally necessary. Thunderlane's the fastest pegasus in this town- aside from me, obviously- so who else am I supposed to race?"
Fluttershy relented. "Okay, Rainbow Dash. Just don't let it happen again." The yellow pegasus glided back down to join Discord, who had watched the whole exchange with only a little interest. Rainbow's eyes followed her friend, and her magenta eyes suddenly fixed on Discord's mismatched wings.
"Hey!" exclaimed Rainbow. "Discord, you have wings."
The draconequus raised one eyebrow so high it levitated in the air. "What of them?"
"You fancy a flying race?"
Discord crossed his arms, his eyebrow still floating, disembodied, above his head. "Oh please. I have no need to fly. Why should I bother when I can go anywhere-" he vanished, appearing on a cloud behind her- "at the snap of my claw?"
"But you have wings. You should use them properly." Rainbow flew over to him, examining his wings. "Like my good old dad once said, 'Have feathers, will fly.'"
Discord sighed. "As I'm sure you've noticed, Rainbow Dash, only one of my wings has feathers."
"So? That doesn't change the fact that they're feathers."
Discord turned away dismissively. "I haven't time for this."
"Wimp." shouted Rainbow after his retreating figure.
The draconequus stopped halfway to the ground. "I beg your pardon?"
"You're a wimp. You're afraid I'll beat you." Rainbow was grinning now. Many a reluctant opponent had been drawn in by this taunt, and it was once again working its magic.
Discord turned, chuckling. "Rainbow Dash, I am over a thousand years old and a being of chaos, with almost unlimited power. No mere pegasus could beat me alone, even if that pegasus happens to be an Element of Harmony."
Rainbow narrowed her eyes. "Prove it."
Discord looked at her coolly for a moment before speaking. "Do you know what, Rainbow Dash? You're on."
...............................
Discord lounged on a cloud as Rainbow stretched and warmed up her flight muscles. "Any time this century is fine, Rainbow Dash." he said.
"Fine. Let's get going." Rainbow trotted over to the start line where an anxious-looking Fluttershy stood with a checkered flag.
