The Universal Race

The six ponies walked through the portal and into it's blackness. Nothing happened for a few seconds, they stood inside it and looked at each other with confusion. After a few seconds they were all jerked forward. Flashing colors of lights flew by them, whizzing past them as their speed grew faster and faster. They tried to scream but they couldn't seem to catch enough air to do so. They saw a small light creeping up in front of them, growing bigger and bigger as they drew closer to it until...

-WHOOMP-

All six ponies landed right outside the black portal, but this time in a new destination..

Pinkie was the first to get up. Her eyes still spinning in her head. "That was..", She shook her head straightening her eyes, "SO FUN! Wanna do it again, girls!? Huh? huh? huh?!", She bounced around them with excitement until she stopped and realized where she was. "Woooahhh.."

The five other ponies got up and looked up to where Pinkie was looking at. They stood up and starred up in disbelief. Everything was massive. They looked straight and saw many different and strange figures walk around, with portals opening up and more coming out, some on all fours, some walking on their hind legs, some flying. It was a whole new world to them. They looked up and saw the many floors going up, they couldn't even see the roof.

They looked all around their surroundings. Behind them, and the portal, was a giant glass window with a view of the stars. They were definitely out in space, that's for sure. They saw the sun gleaming far off in the distance of space, and a few planets near by. It was unlike anything they have ever seen.

"This is... amazing.", Twilight said in disbelief, she said still taking in everything like the other five ponies. They heard a voice next to them.

"This is it, boys! We'll be rolling in dough in no time!", The figure next to them said. He was accompanied by two other figures.

"But Eddy, you do realize who we're going up against, right?", The other figure asked with concern as he adjusted his hat, most likely because of the experience with the portal.

"Oh, shutup sockhead! It's all in the bag.. And then we'll be filthy stinkin' ri-", Eddy said before being interrupted by the taller figure.

"A PONY!", He yelled. The six ponies turned to see a tall figure run towards them, specifically at AppleJack.

"What in the hay??", Applejack said and turned to run, but it was too late. He already jumped onto her, slamming her to the ground. His smell didn't help AppleJack's case. He picked her up started to craddle her in his arms, and stroke her mane. AppleJack was just slightly shorter in size as the figure stroking her, but of course that is because she walks on all fours. But the fact that he was able to take her down so easily, shocked her.

"Pet the pony, pet the pony, pet the pony..." He repeated to himself.

"Ed! You put that pony down this instant!" One of the three friends said, adjusting his hat as he ran.

"Aww, but Double D. It's so cute.", Ed replied, still stroking AppleJack. AppleJack shook her head and glared at Ed.

"'It', has a name ya know.", AppleJack said in annoyance. Ed freaked out and dropped Applejack, unexpecting her to talk. Double D caught up, and gasped for air. He finally managed to form a sentence

"I'm sorry for my friend there, Ed can be too loving sometimes.", Double D gasped.

"Yeah, the big lard tends to pet everything that moves. What a dope.", The shortest one of the group said as he smacked the back of Ed's head. The six ponies flinched, feeling bad for poor Ed. Ed laughed.

"Auhuhuhuh! yup! I love tah pet dah animals, Eddy", Ed said with his eyes staring off into nothing.

The six ponies stood there for a few awkward seconds. Twilight finally spoke up. She put a hoof behind one of her legs.

"Yeah.. Well, can you help us out. Where are we supposed to go while we're here?", Twilight asked shyly, not knowing what could possibly happen next.

Eddy crossed his arms, "Yeah, what are we supposed to do now, sockhead?", He asked Double D.

Double D brought out a piece of paper he hid in his pocket and unfolded it. He looked at it. "Hmm.. Well.. First we have to get the keys to each of our rooms.. Then-", He continued before being interrupted by someone calling across to them.

"Ooo! Ooo! Pick me! I have keys! Loooots of keys! Shiny keys!", He yelled out. The Ponies and Eds turned to see a small figure with green hair floating at a desk across the room in front of them. He was waving his hands and doing everything he can to get their attention. "Over here! Pick me!", He continued.

Another figure with pink hair floated next to him and looked at him with an annoyed and tired expression. "Cosmo.. You do realize that we're the only ones here that give out the room keys.. right?.", She asked.

Cosmo looked at her with a goofy smile, "Exactly Wanda, everybody is too scared to compete with us.", He said. Wanda face palmed and grunted. She had been doing this all day and wasn't exactly in a good mood. The six ponies and eds walked up to Cosmo and Wanda to retrieve their room keys. Eddy shoved them all out of the way to go first.

"Alright.. Eddy right? You are in room 13245 E, on floor 93. Your room mate's name is, Aladdin.", Wanda said with a tired smile, giving him a key. Eddy looked up at her with confusion.

"I HAVE TO CLIMB 93 FLOORS!?", Eddy yelled. Wanda rubbed her temples and grinded her teeth as Eddy yelled. Cosmo knew she was tired and wanted to help her out.

"Actually, you can use that handy dandy teleporter right over there", he said as he pointed to the right of him. A few feet away, there was a red portal. "All ya gotta do is just think of which floor you want to go to, and you'll be there!", Cosmo said with a cheerful smile. Eddy looked up at him with annoyance and walked away. Ed walked up to the desk, his eyes looking in opposite directions as usual. Cosmo nudged Wanda. "I got this for now, go take a break.", He told Wanda. She floated away still rubbing her temples.

One by one they got their keys and was told their room mates.

Ed was assigned to room 15444 V, on floor 13. His room mate was Ferb.

Double D was assigned to room 18889 A, on floor 27. His room mate was Ganondorf.

Twilight Sparkle was assigned to room 13200 A, on floor 23. Her room mate was Daphne from the scooby doo gang.

FlutterShy was assigned to room 12139 E, on floor 12. Her room mate was Starfire.

AppleJack was assigned to room 88465 S, on floor 48. Her room mate was Sandy Cheeks.

Rarity was assigned to room 10023 A, on floor 5. Her room mate was Amy Rose.

Pinkie Pie was assigned to room 10034 A, on floor 5. Her room mate was Mulan.

Rainbow Dash was up next. She put her hoofs on the desk and waited to hear what room she'll be in and who her room mate was. She was excited to find out who her room mate was. Were they cool? Were they going to participate in the race? What's their story?   All these questions filled Dash's mind as she waited for an answer. Cosmo looked at his list and looked up, a key poofed into his hand.

"Alrighty... Your room, 12223 A, on floor 9... And your room mate.. ", Cosmo shuffled through his papers and found his answer. "Your room mate's name is, Buttercup.", He said laying the key on his desk for Dash to grab it with her teeth. She grabbed the key, giving a smile and a nod before she turned back to her friends and two of the eds who were all waiting for each other. Twilight had the key floating in front of her, she turned back to Double D who was watching in amazement.

"Can I borrow your list real quick? You seem to be well more prepared in this area than me.", She asked in a smile. Double D slowly nodded her head, still gazing at the floating key in front of Twilight. Twilight floated the list off of Double D's hands and put it in front of her and the girls.

"Let's see.. Okay.. Try outs are tomorrow in the morning.. Food will be served on the second floor.. Spectators will view the races on floor 50.. Alright..", She continued reading aloud to the girls. "Looks like that's about it."

She levitated the list back into Double D's hands, who had the same shocked expression on his face. "Thank you so much, Double D.", She said with a smile on her face. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends. Rarity, AppleJack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie."

They all gave a warming smile. Ed just stood there motionless, staring into nothing. While Double D still stood there with the continued shocked expression. Twilights smile slowly faded to an uncomfortable one.

"Weeelll.... Alright.. We'll see you later..", She said awkwardly. The eds still stood there. "Haha.. See ya..", Twilight turned and her friends turned to trotted away, except for Pinkie Pie who gave one last wave.

"It was nice meeting you! maybe we can all hang out and have a party sometime! -GASP!- That would be so fun! And maybe we can-", She went on before being grabbed by AppleJack to leave. They each came up to the red portal.

The girls huddled around, Twilight spoke, "Alright girls, we'll unpack and get everything situated. We'll all meet up at the cafeteria at 6 P.M. Which is...", Twilight looked up at the clock over the red portal. "In.. about 3 hours and thirty minutes.", She said. Pinkie gave a wink.

"Okie dokie artie chokie!", Pinkie said as cheerful as ever. They all gave a smile and a hug before entering the portal. The portal wasn't like the black portal, when they thought of the floor they were going to, they were immediately teleported there. The scene in front of them changed in an instant and they were there. Rainbow Dash and AppleJack were the last to go into the portal. AppleJack turned to Rainbow Dash before going in.

"Well sugarcube, ah'll see ya'll later. Ah just hope mah room mate isn't as friendly as Ed.", She said with a awkward smile, still remembering her experience with Ed. Rainbow Dash and AppleJack laughed.

"Haha! I'm sure they won't be that friendly A.J.", Dash said waving a hoof. AppleJack gave another smile before entering the red portal. Rainbow Dash chuckled to herself a little bit before entering the portal. She closed her eyes and put the floor number into her mind. She opened her eyes and was met with another pair of eyes in front of her. She jumped back at the same time the figure in front of her did.

"Woah!", They both exclaimed. "Haha, sorry about that.." Both of them simultaneously said rubbing behind their heads, turned away. Rainbow Dash looked back at the person she almost bumped in to. He had a blue spikey hair, gloves, red and white stripped shoes. She starred at his green eyes. She felt.. confused. She had never felt this feeling before.. She continued starring into his eyes, he looked back at her. He gave a comforting smile.

"Haha, sorry about that! I was on my way downstairs, gotta get prepared for try outs.", He said. He put his hand out to greet her. "The name's, Sonic.", He said. "What's your name?", He asked her. Rainbow Dash felt her face getting warmer. She didn't want to show herself blushing. She put her hoof out as he shook it.

"It's.. Rainbow Dash", She said turning her face away. She started to act a lot like Fluttershy, and she hated it. "So.. Y-you're trying out for the race too?", Rainbow Dash asked shyly, she turned one eye to look at his. Sonic gave a thumb up.

"Yup! Can't let that prize go into the wrong hands. I know Robotnic is going to try his best to get his fat grubby hands on that prize. I can't let that happen. Not while I'm here!", Sonic said giving a wink. Rainbow Dash looked back at him quizzically, she brushed the mane off her face.

"Who's Robotnic?", She asked with curiosity on her face. Sonic looked at her and remembered that they aren't from the same place.

"Oh, yeah. He's just some wacko..", He said. "But enough about me, you're also doing the race?", He asked her, putting his hands on his hips. Rainbow Dash gave a grin of confidence.

"Heck yeah! I'm the fastest from where I come from. This race is going to prove how fast I am compared to the best of the best. I plan on winning this whole thing!", She said with confidence. The confidence shown made Sonic smile, he liked her attitude.

"Awesome! I can't wait to see ya out there! Make sure you try to keep up with me if you wanna even attempt to getting first.", Sonic said, giving a wink before he dashed off to the red portal behind her. The wind blown from him running past Rainbow Dash caused her mane to stretch straight behind her. She sat there wide eyed for a few seconds and shook her self back to normal. She gave a grin, she knew he was going to be fun to race against. She walked across the halls in search of her room.

She heard many voices from the people walking by her and from the many rooms she passed by. She was amazed just seeing all these new faces. She listened to a few of the conversations that passed by. She also looked at the doors and noticed that there were symbols on them, resembling the people that currently owned the room. She saw a lot of symbols, and was fascinated by them, it reminded her of her cutie mark. She saw symbols such as: A red/white covered ball, a skull wearing straw hat with cross bones behind it, an orange ball with 4 stars in it, a hat with the letter "M" in the front, a grey hunched fox, and many more.

Rainbow Dash finally came up to her room, 12223 A. She saw her Cutie Mark Symbol onto the door. Right next to her cutie mark was another symbol which was green line streaking down with two pairs of green eyes looking out. She studied it a little bit, the eyes looked menacing, as if they are prepared to jump out and attack. After a few seconds of staring at it, she finally put down the suitcase she had been carrying in her mouth, to grab the key from her pocket. She stood on her hind legs and put the key in and turned, pushing the door open.

Dash looked around in the dark room. Her room mate wasn't there yet. Dash put the suitcase in the corner of the room. Rainbow Dash opened the the curtains on the window in her room to get some light. She opened the window and looked out. It was a beautiful view of the stars. She had forgotten that she was somewhere in space. The view of the stars and planets were breath taking. She starred out for a few more seconds before yawning.

"*Yawn*... Well, might as well take a quick snooze before I go out..", She muttered to herself. She flopped herself onto the bed nearest her and stretched herself before resting herself on the pillow. It felt so comfortable, it felt just like home. She gave another yawn, before drifting off to sleep.

-END OF CHAPTER 2-