A Cherished Storm

Chapter Three: The Challenge

The morning sun shone brightly through the uncovered window of the train car, it's rays bathing a sleeping Rainbow Dash in golden light. Rainbow tightened her already-closed eyes in an attempt to block out the invading sunlight. It's glow penetrated her eye's defenses. She groaned softly in her sleep and turned over to face the seat. Shadow made its way into her closed vision. She smiled, No light... sleep now... She let the gentle vibrations of the moving train transport her back to her dreams.

Mr. Boxcar walked down the empty aisles of the car, checking each seat for signs of belongings, or messes. He stopped at one seat, looking down at the sleeping, rainbow-maned mare. He noticed the ruffled feathers of her wings and the tangles that her mane was in, both likely from tossing and turning while asleep, “One mess found...” he muttered with a sigh.

He checked to see if she was awake. Not surprisingly, she was out cold. He shook his head, “Miss... It's morning now. Time to rise and shine,” she didn't answer, “Miss, your friends are already awake. They're up a car ahead, having breakfast.”

Rainbow groaned again and shooed him away with her hoof, her eyes still closed.

Mr. Boxcar sighed again, “Okay... You want to do this the hard way? Well, fine,” he reached for a whistle he had tucked away in his uniform. He eyed her sleeping form one more time before a smirk grew on his face. He lifted the whistle up to his mouth, took a deep breath, and let out the loudest whistle he could manage.

Rainbow yelled out in shock as she launched herself into the air, crashing into the ceiling; the train car vibrated heavily in response. Rainbow crashed back down into her seat, and rubbed her head with her hooves, “Hey! What's the big idea?!”

Boxcar burst out laughing, “Now that is why I carry this whistle around,” he held up the whistle for her to see.

Rainbow growled, “That was so not cool... You do that to all your passengers?”

Boxcar shook his head and grinned, “No, only the lazy ones,” he tucked the whistle back into his shirt, “Now, your friends are already up. They're having breakfast up in the car ahead of us. Just don't go falling back asleep, or I'll have to get my friend here to wake you up again,” he patted his chest with his hoof.

Rainbow shook her head, “Oh, don't worry. I won't be able to sleep with this headache...”

Boxcar smirked once more before turning down the aisle and leaving.

Rainbow continued to rub her head as she watched him go. Her eyes locked onto the door as it closed. She shook her head and rubbed her eyes, yawning as she straightened herself in the seat. She noticed her saddle bag at her hooves and reached for it; it was lighter than she remembered. She turned it backwards and watched as air spilled out. Confused, she looked in it, “Where's the book?” She hopped down from the seat and looked around the floor. Finding nothing, she looked under the seat, “Not here either...” she shrugged and stood up, stretching, “Oh well. Breakfast sounds good.”

She placed the bag back down on the seat and walked down the aisle toward the door, “Why do I even have to get up? We're not even there yet...”

She entered the next car and looked around; it was better furnished than the previous car, but still not luxurious. Wooden tables and stools lined both sides of the red-carpeted train car, leaving enough room to walk down the center. The bases of each table were nailed into the floor, with each table top screwed into the base, to prevent them from sliding around. The windows wore curtains thin enough to still allow in plenty of the suns warm glow. At one of the tables sat Twilight and Spike. She walked toward them.

Twilight sat by one of the windows, actively reading from an open book in front of her. Spike sat on the opposite end, by the aisle, eating from a bowl of honey oats cereal. He took one bite from it before making an upset gesture, “Man... What I wouldn't give for some delicious gems... Or ice cream, that would be good too!”

Twilight glanced up from her book, “Ponies don't eat gems, Spike, so they don't keep any in stock. And you know that ice cream would only cause a stomach ache later. Remember when you ate all of that ice cream? You ended up regretting it later.”

Spike dropped his spoon back into the bowl, “Yeah, I remember,” he laughed, “I remember how ridiculous you looked in that getup with the eye patch!” he bite of the cereal, “What I wouldn't give for some gems...” he looked down at the bowl, “I can imagine this bowl being filled with diamonds... or rubies... or sapphires!” his mouth grew into a drooling smile.

Twilight sighed and put her book down to take a bite of her own cereal, “Well, it tastes fine to me,” she turned her head and noticed Rainbow walking down the aisle toward them. She smiled, “How did you sleep, Rainbow?”

Rainbow yawned, her eyes still half-closed, “I slept well... At least until that punk blew a whistle in my ear...”

“Rainbow!” Twilight scolded, “That's not a nice thing to say about the pony that took time for us to travel to Canterlot.”

“Eh, I don't care. He shouldn't be blowing whistles in my ear.”

Twilight shook her head slightly, “Well, he did seem a bit grumpy last night, as well...”

“Yeah, that's because we woke him up. Like I said, we should of waited until this morning to leave,” Spike said in between spoonfuls of cereal.

"Well, if it would've gotten me a good night's sleep, and minus one headache,” Rainbow added in, “I agree.”

She took a seat on the floor beside the open stool, her head barely poking up above table level. Twilight looked at her, “Why not just sit on the stool? I had to. It's pretty comfortable, actually.”

Rainbow sighed and climbed up onto the stool, “Call this comfortable?” she shifted herself around on the stool before finding a somewhat-suitable position, “Eh, guess I can get used to it,” she looked down at the bowl of cereal sitting in front of her, “Well, at least the food looks okay.”

Twilight smirked at Spike as he made gagging motions, “Looks like it's just you, Spike.”

“But,” Rainbow added, frowning, “how am I supposed to eat it? They kinda forgot to give me a spoon.” A slurping sound came from her right; she glanced over to see Spike, bowl in claws, sipping up the remaining milk in it. She grinned, “That's a good idea, Spike. Who needs spoons?” She took her bowl in both hooves and brought it up to her mouth to pour the cereal in.

Twilight shook her head, “Well, that's not rude at all...”

“What? I guess I could do what Spike was doing-”

“No, no... That's fine,” Twilight glanced back down at the book and turned the page.

Rainbow saw from behind her bowl that Twilight was skimming through the page as if looking for something specific. She placed down the bowl, “So... Find anything action-y or adventure-y in that thing yet?”

Twilight glanced back up from her reading and shook her head, “Not yet, no... But I did find some interesting facts,” she narrowed her eyes at Rainbow when she yawned, “Very interesting facts. This section talks about Alicorns.

“Oh, yeah?” Rainbow asked, taking another sip from her bowl of cereal.

Twilight nodded, “Yes. According to the book, Alicorns came to be from a strange magic that saturated the land long ago. All of us ponies were given our unique abilities from this magic, but Alicorns were special. It says here that the first Alicorn was born soon after the first union of a Unicorn and Pegasus, shortly after the three tribes came to Equestria... After that first coupling, more pairings of the three tribes became common... But Alicorn births were still very rare.”

Rainbow finished her cereal and pushed the bowl away from her, “Anything else?”

“Well, there's plenty more here,” she found her place in the book and read aloud, “The emergence of the first Alicorn foal was thought of as a sign of better days to come; but only to some. The unsteady alliance was crumbling day by day, with violence growing amongst the three tribes. They were at the brink of war, fighting over their differences. But little did they know that on an obsidian throne in the high mountains at the heart of this new land, the draconequus, Discord, was pulling their strings...”

Rainbow groaned, “Him? If I ever see him again...”

“Let's hope we never will,” Twilight said, “But it makes sense. Princess Celestia said that she and Princess Luna locked him away long ago.”

Twilight continued reading, “Discord was an unforgiving creature capable of manipulating anypony. He pulled the strings of the three tribes, causing war to be waged, all for his own amusement.

“The war waged on between the tribes for several years; but there was still hope locked up in the young Alicorn. In the town of Featherhoof, near the border of the northern mountainous regions that the tribes had originated from, a small group of unicorn, pegasi, and earth ponies stood as one.

“It is speculated that Discord's manipulative touch could not reach the united ponies due to the young Alicorn, and another Alicorn, her newly-born sister. The two sisters grew into fine mares with as much influence as the draconequus king.”

Spike leaned forward, “Is it talking about...”

Twilight nodded her head, “I think so, Spike.”

She continued, “Stories of violence had reached them from all corners of the land, some more gruesome than others. The two sisters had decided to put their hooves down and stand up against the tyrant, Discord.

“Elder unicorns of the village spoke of powerful artifacts that possessed magics capable of countering Discord; artifacts to balance the scales and return harmony to the lands. It took several years of searching in secrecy before an ancient vault, locked with Discord's magic, was found. The sisters were able to break the weakening spell and access the artifacts known as the 'Elements of Harmony.'

“With their weapon now in hoof, the Alicorn sisters set out to unify the warring tribes and put an end to Discord's reign of tyranny. All it took was their presence to calm the tribes and unite them; they were the living, breathing symbol of unity. Mares with both horns and wings, and a connection to the land; mares that they could all aspire to become.

“Discord's reign ended not soon after, as the united tribes followed their leaders as they, with the aid of the Elements of Harmony, locked the draconequus away in a prison of stone.

“Celebrations were had by the three united tribes as the Alicorn sisters accepted the crowns of a new, unified kingdom: Equestria; with them to rule it as the Princesses Celestia and Luna.”

“I... didn't know all of that,” Rainbow said, wide-eyed.

Twilight placed the book down and blinked at the others, “Neither did I... I never thought to piece the founding of Equestria and the first fall of Discord as the same event...”

The train whistled its arrival at Canterlot as it slowed to a stop. Mr. Boxcar walked in from the back car, Rainbow's saddle bag in mouth. He dropped it on the table, “We've arrived at Canterlot,” he looked at Rainbow, “Thought I'd bring your bag. Probably would've forgotten it if I hadn't,” he smiled as she put on a narrow-eyed frown.

“Thank you for your kindness, sir!” Twilight said, getting up from her stool.

“What kindness..?”

“Rainbow!” Twilight scolded in a hushed whisper, looking back at the mumbling mare. She turned back to face the conductor, her teeth bare in an innocent smile.

Mr. Boxcar yawned and nodded as if he hadn't heard anything, “Yeah, yeah... I'll let you show yourselves off, I need a nap before we head back to Ponyville.”

Twilight watched the conductor go before turning to see Rainbow scooping the book into her saddlebag.

“Huh?” Rainbow said, spotting a small, metallic object, she pulled it out and saw what it was. A mischievous grin grew on her face, “I think that our kind conductor lost his whistle. I'll be right back!”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Where are you going?”

Rainbow smiled innocently, “To return the kindness he 'showed' to us.”

Once she was gone, Spike leaned to Twilight, “This isn't going to end well, I bet.”

Twilight sighed and nodded her head in agreement.

“So, uh, do you think that book has its facts straight?”

“I don't know, Spike. We can ask the princess if there's-” Twilight was cut off by a loud whistling from somewhere in the back, followed by angry shouting.

Rainbow Dash came running through the door, laughing hysterically. She stopped at the table and lifted the bag onto her back, “Don't know about you two, but I'm gone!”

Twilight and Spike watched as Rainbow ran down the hall before looking at each other, and then at the door when Mr. Boxcar slammed it open. They shrunk in his gaze.

“GET OFF MY TRAIN!” he screamed in rage.

“I'm with Rainbow,” Spike said, turning around, “Let's dash!”

Twilight nodded, turning after him, “Yes, let's!”

The halls of the Canterlot palace were vast; large, flowing banners hung evenly-spaced from stone walls. The stone-tiled floors wore brown carpets with red and gold borders. Doors and staircases branched off from the main hall, leading to other sections of the palace.

Rainbow Dash walked beside Twilight and Spike, the sound of their hooves on the hard stone floors at broken sections of carpet gave out a hollow echo that ricocheted off the walls. The palace was large; even though Rainbow had been there at least half a dozen times before, she knew she’d only seen a fraction of what was the whole.

She glanced at Twilight, who was wearing a wide smile; her and Spike, both, were. They were much more comfortable here than she was. That wasn’t surprising, though; they had both lived there for a majority of their lives.

Rainbow took her glance away, and explored the decorative halls with her eyes, taking in every detail: The long, carpeted, stone-tiled floors. The matching stone walls, clothed in many banners of the same design. The large, wooden doors constructed neatly into those walls. The vaulted ceiling of stone where chandeliers hung from. None of the details really interested her.

It wasn’t that she was uncomfortable with being there; no, she had always been honored to walk in those halls as the princesses’ loyal subject. But she couldn’t help but to feel sometimes that she didn’t really belong there. She shook the thoughts out of her head. Of course she belonged! She was the Element of Loyalty, after all. She smiled at that thought; she would be there for Twilight, and Spike, and, of course, the princesses.

The trio continued their journey through the large, stone halls of the palace. Every so often, Twilight would lead them down another major hallway, or around a large group of ponies. After a few more minutes of following the same motions, they arrived at their destination. At the end of the hall stood a large, wooden door, held together by golden beams across it. Large, golden hinges held the door up against the wall. A warm glow poured through from the open door, beckoning them to enter; they obliged.

The large chamber was much brighter than the halls; torches hung on pillars of carved, white stone and against the walls, giving off light to rival the darkest of nights. A light-red carpet with borders of a darker hue ran along the center of the chamber’s floor up to a large, golden throne, where Princess Celestia sat.

Besides the princess, there were three other ponies in attendance; two royal guards stood at the foot of the throne, their faces blank of expression. Rainbow wasn’t sure if they were even capable of laughing, or at least cracking a smile. Rainbow glanced at the third, and gasped audibly, Spitfire?!

Spitfire of the Wonderbolts stood at the foot of the throne, speaking with the princess, “What does he want, if I may ask?”

The princess shook her head slightly, as if unsure, “The messenger hasn’t given any specifics on the matter. He has only said that the prince of Snow Peaks requested an audience with me at a location of his choosing.”

“But princess...” Spitfire protested, “Is that really such a good idea?”

“I’ll have select guards with me on my travels, Spitfire. You need not worry about my safety. I have yet to make my decision, though I will most likely meet with this prince on his terms. If what the messenger says is true, then problems may arise. I’ll want you to have your Wonderbolts ready for scouting the outlying areas of Equestria, if it comes to that,” Princess Celestia said, nodding her head to show that she was done speaking of the matter.

Spitfire nodded and bowed, before turning around. She grinned at the approaching trio, and made her way toward them, “Well, didn’t expect to see you here,” she said to them, but more specifically to Rainbow, “It’s good to see you.”

“Yeah... It’s, um, good to see you, too, Spitfire!” Rainbow said, trying to keep her calm. Spitfire’s smirk told her she wasn’t doing a very good job of that. She redoubled her efforts.

“So, how long you in Canterlot for?” Spitfire asked, looking between the three.

Twilight spoke up, “We’ll be here for at least a day or two, but it really depends on what Princess Celestia needs help with.”

Spitfire nodded, “Alright,” she turned to Rainbow, “Well, if you happen to find some time, you’re more than welcome to fly by the Wonderbolts Derby to catch some of our warm up races.”

Rainbow’s eyes lit up brighter than a blazing fire; her mouth curved up in the most excited of smiles, “Yes!” she looked around and quieted her voice, “I mean... Yeah, sure. I guess I could.”

Spitfire nodded with a grin, “Alright, then, I’ll catch ya later, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow watched as she disappeared behind the large, open doors, “Yeah... See ya.”

“Come on, Rainbow, Princess Celestia is waiting,” Twilight urged.

Rainbow turned to her and nodded. The trio walked on toward the throne, stopping at the base, and bowed.

Princess Celestia looked at them with a warm smile on her face, “Welcome back to Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle, and you, too, Spike. I'm glad that you could make it so soon,” she turned to Rainbow, “I am glad to see you, too, Rainbow Dash. Though, I am curious why you're here.”

Twilight rose, “Rainbow wanted to keep us company on the way here.”

Celestia nodded with a smile, “Ah, yes. She truly is a loyal friend,” her face took on a look of neutrality as she faced Twilight directly, “Now, I did promise you an explanation once you got here.

“A few days ago, a messenger from the kingdom of Snow Peaks arrived here in Canterlot, asking for an audience with me. I had other matters I had to attend to, but I did listen to a brief explanation as to why he was here. As you undoubtedly heard when you arrived, his prince asked for a meeting with me at a location of his choosing.”

Twilight nodded, “Yes, princess, I believe I remember hearing something about that when we arrived.”

Celestia nodded, “As I thought you had. I have not officially given my answer yet. But I most likely will meet with Snow Peaks' prince,” she slowly made her way down the golden stairs of her throne to them, “Which brings me to why I've called you here, Twilight. With me away, tasks will fall behind schedule. My sister, Princess Luna, will rule the kingdom on her own, but she will need help with organization; that's where your talents will be helpful. So I ask you, dearest student; will you be available to help?”

Twilight bowed, with a wide smile across her face, “Of course, Princess Celestia! I'm always happy to help.”

“Princess Celestia?”

The group turned toward the door. A white-coated stallion with gray mane walked into the throne room; he wore a suit of light chain-mail armor across his torso. He wore a look of worry on his face.

The stallion bowed, “Princess, please forgive my intrusion, but I must have your answer now. As you may remember me saying from before, there were specs floating far away on the ocean, barely in view from the shore. We couldn't identify them clearly, but they seemed to be massive boats; we counted three of them, at least.”

Celestia nodded her head, “Yes, you have spoken to me of these boats. And I understand how urgent this is to your prince, considering how cautious he tends to be,” she walked up to the messenger, “I have made my decision. Tell your prince that I will meet him at the specified location, but to give me a day after your arrival there.”

The messenger bowed, pleased at the answer, “Yes, your highness, I will. Thank you, Princess Celestia,” he bowed again before backing away to leave the room.

Twilight walked up beside the princess, watching the messenger go, “Princess? What does that mean? Big boats out on the ocean? Who could be controlling them?”

The princess sighed, “Snow Peaks is a hostile environment, Twilight Sparkle. It's prince likely exercises caution for nearly everything; this is likely no different,” she turned to the trio, “I would not worry, my little ponies. It is likely just their imaginations. But I will meet with the prince if it will comfort them.

“Now, I have tasked you with your duties for while I'm away. I estimate my return within the week,” she smiled softly, “I'm sure you will do a fine job, my pupil. But I must take my leave, now, to prepare. I'll have one of the guards escort you to your rooms.”

The trio bowed once more as the princess left the room. Rainbow was the first to rise, with a wide smile painted across her face, “Well... If we're here for a week, then I think I'll take Spitfire up on her offer and get a front row seat to a Wonderbolts practice session!”

Twilight smiled at her, “I'm going to have a lot to do here at the palace, so I won't be able to go. But you go ahead and have fun.”

“Oh, I will,” Rainbow lowered herself and slid the saddlebag off gently, “Mind holding on to that for me?”

Twilight nodded, “Of course I can.”

Rainbow nodded, her smile still wider than a mile, before turning to happily, and proudly, walk out of the throne room, I've got a race to catch!

Twilight looked around the familiar halls of the living quarter. Just like the rest of the palace, the walls and floor were made of stone; paintings and torches hung from the walls, separated by doors and stone columns. The floor lacked the carpeting that the main halls had, allowing the sound of hooves on stone to echo easily down the hall.

Spike walked beside Twilight, remembering every familiar detail that the halls held, “Gee, Twilight... It sure has been a long time since we've been here.”

Twilight looked down at the little dragon beside her and smiled warmly, all the fond memories of her time here filling her mind, “Yes, Spike, it has been. But it's good to be back, even if it's just temporary.”

The guard in front of them stopped at a door and turned around to face them, “Here's your room, Miss Twilight,” he opened the door.

Twilight and Spike stopped in the doorway, their eyes scanning the room, both wearing smiles. Twilight turned to the guard, “Thank you, kind sir.”

The guard nodded, and then smiled, “You're welcome, Miss Twilight. Welcome home.”

Twilight watched him go before turning into the doorway again, “Yes... Home.”

Twilight and Spike, both, knew the room well. They had lived in it for several years prior to their move to Ponyville. They kept their smiles on; it was their room, left just the way they remembered it. Shelves lined the walls wherever there was room, with books of all genres and sizes neatly placed upon them; newly-written fiction to dusty old tomes once borrowed from the palace archives, now forgotten. In the corner of the room, closest to the door, a beautifully-carved wooden desk stood, a few books stacked neatly in one corner, and an unlit lamp for fireflies in the other. A quill and corked inkwell, as well as a small stack of parchment sat in the center of the desk. On the opposite side of the room, a balcony leading outside hung against the palace's walls, a telescope was positioned by a bench for long nights of star gazing.

Twilight walked around the room slowly, taking in every single memory-bringing detail of the room. She spotted her old bed; large and wooden, carved just as beautifully as the desk, with each of the four corners of the frame carved into miniature spiraling towers; a carved, wooden bird sat perched on top of each.

She gently hopped onto the bed and laid back, feeling the soft pillow under her head and the blankets warming her back. She remembered many lonely nights as a young filly, having just arrived at the palace, crying herself to sleep when she missed her parents, pretending that the warmth of those blankets were their loving embrace.

She rolled onto her side and sighed. She still missed her parents, having only seen them once, briefly, since she had left them. They had been really excited for her to learn under the princess herself, and she had been too. But she hadn't known what that would mean. She had to leave her parents to learn, and they had encouraged it.

She rolled herself over again to face the other side of the bed and spotted a golden picture frame sitting on the nightstand. She lifted it up with her magic and guided it toward her, grabbing hold of it with her hooves. She lit the picture with magic from her horn, and a tear came to her eye; she smiled. Staring at her with proud eyes were her parents, and in front of them stood her older brother, Shining Armor, barely out of colt years, and a filly version of her. The ponies from her past smiled at her through the picture, reminding her of the bond they had shared. She sniffled.

“You alright, Twilight?” Spike asked from inside an opened chest from across the room. He poked his head out, “Are you crying?”

Twilight wiped her eyes quickly and cleared her throat, “What? Oh, no... I'm not, Spike. It's fine...”

“Well, if you say so,” Spike shrugged and disappeared back into the chest of his old belongings to continue his scavenger hunt.

Twilight looked back at the picture before sighing heavily, I may have been busy all of those years.. But I promise I'll take time to see you again soon... “I promise...” she added in a whisper.

She placed the picture back on the nightstand. That was the past, and as much as she'd like to live in it, to go back to that time and spend those days she had missed with them, she couldn't. She had her life now... and her friends...

She gasped and shot out of the bed, a smile now forming on her face, “Spike? Take a letter!”

Spike poked his head out of the chest again, a blanket half-covering it, and nodded; the blanket spilled onto the floor. He hopped out of the chest and hurried to the desk to grab the quill and ink, and a piece of parchment, “Ready!”

Twilight smiled and paced the floor, “To my friends. Rainbow Dash and I, as well as Spike, are in Canterlot right now, handling business for Princess Celestia while she's away. We will be back in a week. I invite you all to join us here at the palace for the week, if you have the time to spare. Whoever happens to receive this letter, if you decide to join us here in Canterlot, I ask you to bring a sealed envelope in the drawer of the nightstand by my bed in my home. Please, do not open it! I look forward to seeing you all!”

Spike signed the letter from Twilight, “Okay, who do you want to send it to?”

Twilight smiled, “I'll let you choose. They'll hopefully all get the message, no matter who gets it.”

Spike looked down at the letter before grinning. He added his signature to the letter, below Twilight's name, and sent it off in a spew of green flame. Satisfied, he smacked his claws together for a job well done. He noticed Twilight looking at him with a raised eyebrow, “What?”

“You sent that to Rarity, didn't you?”

A blush grew in Spike's cheeks, “Maybe... How did ya know?”

“Well, besides the fact you wouldn't have signed your name there for anypony else...” she grinned, “That blush tells me all I need to know.”

Spike's face grew a dark crimson and he picked up the fallen blanket from the chest and pulled it over his head to hide his embarrassment.

Twilight laughed.

Rainbow turned a corner onto the main street of Canterlot. All along the road, lining both sides, stood buildings of stone and white plaster, some as high as four stories. The conical roofs were covered in purple tiles and lined with golden ribbons along their bases. Over the sides of the street hung awnings from buildings, and thin arches ran across the street every so often, with vines growing up the sides to hang above the road.

Nobles, dressed in expensive-looking fashion, passed by Rainbow as she continued her journey to the Wonderbolts Derby, minding her own business. She didn't care what they were doing, and didn't hear the mild complaints they voiced quietly as she passed them.

She may not have looked it on the outside, but she was extremely excited on the inside, A personal invite to spend the day with the Wonderbolts? And not just any Wonderbolt, but Spitfire! Probably the coolest, most awesome of the team, not to mention their captain! Her smile widened, And I didn't even have to win a competition this time!

Rainbow dodged a group of conversing, fashionable ponies as they stood in the middle of the street by a clothing store on a corner of an intersecting road. She turned and saw the flying flags of the Derby in the distance. A burst of adrenaline flowed throughout her as she sped forward in an excited run.

She ran passed another group of conversing nobles, blowing dust up to surround them, they coughed.

“Watch where you're going!”

“My bad!” Rainbow shouted, not even looking back. She had one goal, and it was in front of her in the floating derby.

Rainbow kept her pace all the way to the gates of the derby. She slowed to a fast walk as she approached the gate. A light-brown coated stallion with dark-brown mane walked up to her as she approached. He was very muscular, obviously able to pull a heavy load, Couldn't win a race with muscles like that, though... She snickered at the thought of this bulky pony participating in a race.

He eyed her, “What so funny?” he asked in a gruff voice.

Rainbow suppressed another laugh, “Oh, uh, nothing! Just a joke I heard awhile back... So, uh, mind letting me in?”

The guard gave a low, rumbling laugh, “Oh, yes, I hear joke now. You right, it is funny!” he continued to laugh.

“Um... joke?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Yes, you get in? Yes, good joke!” he said, wiping away tears of mirth.

Rainbow growled, “That wasn't a joke! I want in.”

The bulky guard cleared his throat, “You kidding?”

“No, I'm not. Now, let me in?” Rainbow asked again, her patience dwindling.

He shook his head, “No, not happening.”

“I'm allowed in there! Spitfire invited me!” Rainbow stated angrily.

“I hear nothing, so not true,” the guard said firmly.

“Well, maybe if you cleaned out your ears, you would hear something!” Rainbow said, trying to pass the guard.

He sidestepped back in front of her and brought a hoof up, pushing Rainbow back.

“Hey!-” Rainbow tried to protest.

The guard stomped his hoof down, silencing her, “You listen. I not afraid to throw a pony out on the streets. I not care whether it a stallion,” he eyed the shocked Rainbow Dash, “or a little mare, like you.”

The gate behind him opened, and Spitfire poked her head out, “Leave her alone, Brute. She has my permission to be here.”

Brute turned his head, “Yes, ma'am,” he regarded Rainbow again, “Well, what you know... You told truth!” he laughed, stepping out of her way.

She grumpily passed him, keeping her eye on him in case he tried to block her again; he didn't.

She reached the gate where Spitfire was waiting for her, and smiled, “Thanks for the help back there...”

Spitfire shrugged, “Eh, it's no problem. Brute Force is a good guard,” she looked back at Brute, “Maybe a little too good...”

“Fitting name...” Rainbow mumbled, glancing back at the guard. She turned back to face Spitfire. Something was different, “Wait, where's your uniform?”

Spitfire laughed, “We don't wear them forever! This is just practice, so we can relax. No need for a uniform when we're not really performing.”

Rainbow smiled sheepishly, “Yeah, I guess. So, did the races start yet?”

Spitfire nodded, “Yup, we're on the third race now. Soarin' is taking on Rapidfire.”

Rainbow gasped, “The third race? Already? I left the palace not long after you did!”

“It doesn't take long to race five laps around the derby,” Spitfire grinned.

“Oh, right...” Rainbow sighed.

Spitfire put a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder, “Hey, don't worry! There's still a few races left before we take a break. Come on, let's go.”

Rainbow started after Spitfire, smiling just as widely as she had been before encountering Brute.

The Wonderbolts Derby was similar to how Rainbow remembered it the first time she came there, several years ago; perhaps the seating area had expanded some, but that's the only main change that she could spot.

She walked up to the safety rail; two stallions zipped past her, passing the finish line and continuing on.

Spitfire walked up beside her, “This should be their fifth lap,” she grinned over at Rainbow, “My bits are on Rapidfire; he's been giving Soarin' a run for his money lately.”

“I don't know, I think Soarin' has a good chance,” Rainbow said, looking on at the race.

The two stallions turned the final corner, and sped up as they approached the finish line. Soarin' glanced over to the watching mares and grinned. He turned back to the race and noticed Rapidfire speeding ahead, “What? Hey!” he attempted to speed up, but was too late. Rapidfire crossed the finish line first. He sighed and shrugged as he flew over to meet with Spitfire and Rainbow Dash, a sheepish grin on his face.

“Soarin'!” Spitfire said, walking up to him, “That's a mistake that I thought would've been behind you,” she smirked.

“Ah, well... You know,” Soarin' tried to explain, “I saw a stranger that I hadn't seen for awhile. Kinda caught my attention for a second.”

“Excuses, Soarin'?” Spitfire laughed, “Well, I know you won't make that mistake again.”

Soarin' feigned relief and grinned, “So, It's been awhile, Rainbow Dash! How have you been?”

Rainbow shrugged, “Eh, I've been okay. Had to fight off a few stray clouds; nothing hard, though.”

“Ah, right. You do weather control. Forgot about that,” Soarin' said, rubbing the back of his head with his hoof.

A blue-coated mare with white mane walked up to the group, “Hello again, Rainbow. Good to see ya,” she turned to Spitfire, “Come on, Spitfire, they're pitting us together for the next race.”

Spitfire nodded, “Alright, Fleetfoot,” she grinned, “I'll meet ya on the track.”

Fleetfoot walked off toward the racetrack. Spitfire turned to the group, “Well, my turn, I guess. Let me show you how it's done, Soarin'!” she grinned and ran off to the track.

“Yeah, yeah...” Soarin' said, watching her go. He turned to Rainbow, “Well, go ahead and make yourself at home. I need to go talk to Rapidfire about a rematch,” he turned to walk back to the gathered group of Wonderbolts by the track.

Rainbow followed and sat down on a bench beside the grouped Wonderbolts. She looked at the two ponies lined up at the starting line, both were grinning and in ready stances. Soarin' took a whistle and blew it, signaling the racing ponies to begin.

Rainbow stood up to get a better look at the race. It looked like Spitfire was in the lead to start, with the lead changing to Fleetfoot during the second. The third lap changed leaders again. The forth go-around had them neck-and-neck; the two mares trading off first position like a game of hot potato. Spitfire had a determined look on her face, while Fleetfoot wore a grin. She's holding back... Rainbow rose up on two hooves, watching the race intently.

The racing mares crossed the line again, putting them into lap number five. Spitfire glanced at Fleetfoot out of the corner of her eye and saw the grin on her face. She grinned nervously and yelled out, “I guess I should of seen this coming, huh?”

Fleetfoot glanced at Spitfire, the grin widening, “Yup!” She sped up, leaving Spitfire in a trail of cool wind.

Spitfire sighed, “Well, so much for showing Soarin' how it's done...”

Fleetfoot crossed the finish line, several seconds before Spitfire reached it, and the two mares landed back at the group of Wonderbolts.

Soarin' laughed, “You sure showed me, Spitfire!”

Spitfire joined in on the laughing, “Quiet, Soarin'! I can't help it if Fleetfoot is on a roll today.”

Rainbow looked at the conversing group of her heroes. She chuckled quietly to herself, “I bet I could beat Fleetfoot in a race...” She was looking at her hooves when she realized something, Wait... Why isn't anypony talking..? She looked up and saw the group staring at her, Uh oh...

A couple of stallions stepped aside, allowing Fleetfoot to walk up to Rainbow. She was smiling, “So, you really think you can beat me in a race?”

Good job, feather-brain! Look what you got yourself into! She scolded herself before looking Fleetfoot in the eye. She shook herself, “I don't think I can...” a grin formed on her face, “... I know I can!”

The gathered Wonderbolts “oohed” at her comment, with Fleetfoot laughing slightly in response, “Fine, how about a race then? Tomorrow afternoon. All in good fun?” she put out her hoof.

The Wonderbolts looked down at her hoof, then at Rainbow, waiting for a response. Rainbow looked at it, too, What have I gotten myself into... Race a Wonderbolt? And not just any Wonderbolt... But probably the fastest of them? That's insane! But... what an opportunity that would be! Nothing would prove my skills to Spitfire and the Wonderbolts more than beating one of their best at a race... Oh yeah, this is going to be awesome! Her eyes narrowed and she smiled, “I'm game. You're on!” she met eyes with Fleetfoot and brought her hoof up to meet the challenging mare's, “But... I'd ask one thing.”

Fleetfoot brought her hoof down, “What's that?”

Rainbow pointed at the track, “Can we have a more complicated coarse than that? You know, something with obstacles and stuff.”

Fleetfoot nodded with a grin.

“I think we can set something up,” Soarin' said from behind Fleetfoot, “I think it'd be fun to watch.”

Spitfire nodded, “Okay, it's settled then. Tomorrow afternoon, at 2:30, we meet here for a race between Fleetfoot and Rainbow Dash. But for now, let's get back to practice.”

The others nodded and huddled up to talk about the next match up.

Rainbow sat back down on the bench, a smile forming on her face. A determined smile. A triumphant smile. She had just challenged one of the best Wonderbolts at their own game, and she was determined to win!