Chapter 1: A New Athlete Arrives
It was a sunny afternoon and Rainbow Dash was just lounging around as usual, when she heard some cheers in the distance.
"I'm not anywhere near where the cheers are coming from, I wonder what's all the fuss is about." wondered Rainbow.
She flew right over to town and saw a large crowd cheering for a male pegasus with a red and black mane and peach colored coat. "Go Lightning Steps! You can do this!" the crowd cheered. "Come on Applejack!" shouted some of the spectators. It was a race, and Rainbow loved nothing more than a competition and winning it.
Applejack lost by a few meters. Everyone was shocked by the outcome, especially Rainbow since even she was just equal with AJ's speed.
"Hoo-wee! *pant* Ya sure are real fast on your hooves there, *pant* pardner. " exclaimed Applejack. "Wanna try again without usin' your wings this time?"
The stallion replied with a quick shake of his head. "These bad boys are the only reason I won. You'd probably trample me without them. Although I do feel like I cheated by using my wings against an Earth pony."
"Then why not have a race with your own kind! Lightning, was it?" exclaimed Rainbow Dash from behind the crowd.
Everyone was surprised by the sudden challenge, but it wasn't unusual for Rainbow. She'd challenge anyone just to show how awesome she is. She also wanted to test this pony's speed. If she could beat him then it would prove, once and for all, that she's the best athlete in Ponyville.
Lightning was more than happy to race again. "Sure, sounds like fun! By the way, who are you?"
"I'm Rainbow Dash. Fastest pony this side of Equestria. Nice to meet 'cha." boasted Rainbow. She was showered with cheers from the crowd.
"I'm Lightning Steps. I can't say I'm the fastest but other ponies seem to think so. I sure hope you go easy on me Miss Dash." said Lightning with a smile.
"You can just call me RD for short, Lightning. So, which track are we gonna race through?"
"Well, Miss Applejack and I just went a few laps around town. How does that sound?"
"How many times is 'a few' exactly?"
"About ten laps."
"Okay, ten laps it is. When do you want to race? I'm free tomorrow if you want."
"We can start right now. Let's head over to the starting line."
"Wait, wait, wait. Didn't you just run around town ten times? Aren't you tired?"
"Not at all. I think I could at least run twenty more laps."
"Are you sure you aren't tired? I mean I'm pretty sure I can handle twenty laps. Twenty laps is a breeze for me. I just don't like being underestimated or being given an advantage."
"You don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine. And I would never underestimate an opponent. That would be offensive. I also wouldn't dream of giving the fastest pony in Ponyville an advantage. I just love to race, that's all."
"Yeah, I wouldn't give me an advantage either. I would lose to myself. Just don't blame me if you lose because you're tired."
"Alright then. I promise not to make my fatigue an excuse if I lose."
All of a sudden, a pink pony with frizzled hair came out of nowhere. "Pinkie promise?!" the pony exclaimed.
"Woah! Where did you come from? And who are you? And what's a pinkie promise?" Lightning jumped at least three feet from Pinkie.
"I'm Pinkie Pie and I'm the party pony in this town and- *GASP!* Wait a second. You're new in town aren't you? I know everypony in Ponyville and since I've nev- *mpfhfhfh*" Pinkie's mouth was immediately stopped by Rainbow's hoof.
"We're kind of in the middle of something here Pinkie. Do you mind welcoming him tomorrow?"
"Okie-dokie-lokie then Dashie. See you tomorrow, uh... What was your name again?"
"I'm Lightning Steps. It was nice meeting you Miss Pinkie."
"I'll see you tomorrow then, Steppy." She then proceeded to hop around the block.
"Steppy?"
"Don't worry about her, Lightning. That's just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. So, can we get on with the race?"
"Sure. Starting line is this way Miss Da- I mean RD."
"Y'know what, Rainbow is fine."
"Okay Rainbow."
The ponies then trotted towards a cottage near the Everfree Forest Rainbow is quite familiar with.
"So the starting line is Fluttershy's cottage?"
"Yes. Actually, I'm sorry I didn't recognize you immediately. I forgot to tell you I was actually in the same class as you and Fluttershy in flight camp. I can't believe I almost forgot about Rainbow Dash, the greatest flyer in class. You were my hero back then since I wasn't a very good flyer."
Rainbow Dash couldn't conceal her pride. "Yeah, I was great back in flight camp. But I'm even greater now."
Fluttershy came to greet the two. "Hi Rainbow, do you remember Lightning? We used to be in the same class as him. He was one of the few ponies who didn't pick on me."
"Yeah, he kinda just told me. Anyway, we're gonna have a quick race around Ponyville. We can talk about it after, okay?"
"Oh. Uhm, I don't mind. You two take your time."
"It's a race Fluttershy. We kinda have to go fast."
"Oh, right. Sorry."
"Alright, Lightning. Get ready to eat my dust."
"I should probably stay away from your back then. I don't really think I want to eat dust."
"It's an expression. Can you set us off Fluttershy?"
"Oh, uhm, I don't know. I think someone else should do it."
"Come on Fluttershy. Please?"
"Oh. Okay. I'll set you both off."
The two pegasi were ready to go. But before the race started, Applejack went over to Rainbow Dash to tell her something.
"Are ya sure you can beat this pony? I'll admit that I didn't expect him to be that fast. Don't underestimate this fella, RD. He's a real speedster."
"Come on, AJ. I'm sure I can beat this pony in no time. I'll show you how a winner races. Take some notes, AJ. You might learn something."
"Suit yourself. Don't go cryin' to me when you lose."
"I said I'm not gonna lose. And I won't."
"Ready, Rainbow? My wings are just itching to race."
"Okay, Fluttershy. We're ready."
"Uhm, okay."
"Ready. Get set. Go."
Author's Note
This is my first fimfic. I'm happy with the outcome. Have fun reading. 
PS: I kinda made a mistake and wrote the whole story in the long description. Then I realized that wasn't where I should put it. XD
As soon as those words came out of Fluttershy’s mouth, the two pegasi bolted off. It was a great start for both ponies, but Rainbow Dash was flying in the lead. Rainbow looked behind her and found nopony.
“Hah! I guess this just proves that I’m faster!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, but then she saw Lightning running below. You could just see the confusion on her face when she asked
“What are you doing? Aren’t you gonna fly?”
“Sorry, but I’m not exactly what you call a great flyer. I would rather just stay on the ground.” said Lightning with a small smile upon his face.
“Wait, is there a ‘no wings’ rule again? I wouldn’t want to be called a cheater for the second time because I used my wings.”
“I wouldn’t deprive my own kind of their assets, now would I? We have wings. Let’s use them to our hearts content.” Just then, Lightning opened his wings and flapped them as hard as he could. “But nopony ever said wings are just for flying.” Lightning quickly accelerated and was now just below Rainbow.
“I might as well get ahead while I can. Let’s have a great race, Rainbow.” Lightning’s expression quickly turned into that of a fierce competitor. And just like that, Lightning was out of sight. Rainbow was speechless, but that wasn’t enough to make Ponyville’s greatest flyer give up.
“You’re not the only one who can do that, I have a couple of those bad boys myself.” Said Rainbow as she quickly accelerated, leaving a rainbow-colored trail behind her. After a few moments, Rainbow could see Lightning. She called out to him
“That was a pretty cool trick you had back there, but it’s gonna take more than that to beat me!”
“Woah! No wonder you won the Best Young Flyer Competition! Nopony’s ever caught up to me that fast! You really are awesome!” exclaimed the young colt.
“Was there any doubt? I guess I’ll just see you at the finish line. See ya!” Rainbow dashed away without even waiting for a reply.
“Aren’t we gonna see each other at the finish line one way or the other anyway?” thought Lightning. “No point in thinking about it. I’m gonna have to run faster if I want to beat my idol.” Lightning’s next step left a crack on the ground and he went so fast, the trees were nearly swept away.
It was the fifteenth lap and everyone was cheering for Rainbow Dash as she passed by the crowd. Applejack was fairly surprised that Rainbow was in the lead.
“Hey there, Applejack. I heard you lost a race with a new pony and Rainbow is racing him right now.” said an alicorn with a purple coat.
“Yeah, it was a tough loss, but it was just a nice friendly race. Ah guess you could even say it was mah fault for challengin’ him out of the blue after overhearing him sayin’ he wanted to race. How’d you find out anyway, Twilight?”
“Well, rumors do spread rather quickly here in Ponyville. Somepony just told me about it and I was curious so I came here to see what was going on. So who’s winning?”
“Well, Rainbow just passed by and is in the lead.” she then turned to look at something approaching rather quickly “And I think that’s Lightning coming right now.”
The ground shook as Lightning approached.
“Woah nelly! What’s goin’ on?” shouted Applejack while holding on to a nearby tree.
“I don’t know! But I think this is because of Lightning!” quickly grabbing the same tree.
Lightning passed by the crowd with the speed of a hurricane. Everypony who couldn’t hold on to anything was swept away. Fortunately, nopony was seriously hurt.
“What was that?” said Twilight, still holding on to the tree.
“Ah don’t know, sugarcube, but ahm awful glad he didn’t use that against me.”
The crowd began to disperse. Some left while others stayed to see who would win.
“I guess it would be better if everypony stepped a little farther away from the track, just to be safe.” announced Twilight.
Back at the track, Lightning passed Rainbow Dash and she was almost blown away. Rainbow recovered but saw that Lightning was already far away.
“What was that? I guess there’s no holding back now.”
Rainbow Dash flew as fast as she could towards Lightning. After a few moments, a Sonic Rainboom occurred and Rainbow was flying faster than ever.
“Let’s see what he thinks of th-” Rainbow couldn’t finish her statement. She saw that Lightning was still moving farther away. She couldn’t catch up.
“Am I seriously gonna lose? No way! I can’t lose. I’m Rainbow Dash and I do not lose!” thought Rainbow, but it was too late. Lightning has already stopped after crossing the finish line. He already won.
“Hey, Rainbow! That was so awesome! It’s been so long since I had a race that amazing!” Rainbow was greeted with a smile similar to a filly that just got their favorite ice cream.
“Uh, yeah. Congrats.” said Rainbow with a weak smile.
Rainbow’s friends quickly approached her with a comforting smile.
“Don’t you fret, sugarcube. It’s just a friendly race. No need to feel so down.” said Applejack tapping her back.
“Although that move he did at the end was not exactly ‘friendly’.” said Twilight.
“Yeah, I’m very sorry about that. I don’t really use that move a lot since it’s very destructive, and lots of ponies could get hurt. That move is my last resort, and I only use it when I know I couldn’t win without it. Rainbow is only the second pony I’ve ever used that on.” said Lightning with an apologetic smile.
“Wow, who was the first one?” asked Rainbow, now looking a bit more cheerful.
“It was my bestfriend, Thunder Storm. He was also the one who taught it to me. He was once a great flyer but then he injured his wing in an accident. He taught me many techniques and I ended up combining them and making that move.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” said Twilight.
“It’s okay. He’s fine and he’s my current coach and manager.”
“By the way, why do you keep calling it ‘that move’? Haven’t you named it yet?” asked Rainbow.
“Well, not really. I wouldn’t use it in an official race anyway, so a name for it would be useless.”
“Oh come on! That was a pretty wicked move. How about I help you name it?”
“Wow, really? It would be an honor! So what do you want to call it?” asked Lightning excitedly.
“How about ‘The Rainbow Finisher’?”
“Why? ‘Cause he finished you off with it?” Applejack said jokingly.
“Well, what would you call it?” asked Rainbow.
“Hmmm… Probably ‘The Hurricane’.”
“Can I help in naming it?” asked Twilight.
“Of course. I don’t really mi-” Lightning’s jaw dropped and he quickly bowed. “I-I-I’m so sorry for speaking with you so casually, Princess Twilight. Please forgive me!” Lightning was shaking. It was his first time having an audience with royalty.
“Oh, uhm… It’s very much alright. You don’t really have to call me ‘Princess’. You can just call me Twilight.” Twilight said sheepishly.
“This colt definitely has trouble recognizing ponies immediately.” Rainbow said with a small chuckle.
“Well, if you say so, Princ- I mean Twilight.” Lightning said nervously.
“Anyway, back to naming Lightning’s special move. Although it was incredibly fast, I believe I saw sparks forming at your hooves. I think this is due to the amount of friction which causes the static electricity to form small sparks at your hooves, therefore-” Twilight was cut off by Rainbow Dash.
“Yadda, yadda. Let’s skip that and go directly to the name, please?”
“Fine.” said Twilight, obviously frustrated about being interrupted. “I think we should just call it ‘The Lightning Steps’.”
“So we’re just gonna name it after his name? Boring. Couldn’t you have thought of something cooler like ‘The Lightning Crusher’ or maybe ‘The Blazing Bolt’ or something like that?” Rainbow retorted.
“Actually, I kind of like ‘The Lightning Steps’. I think I’ll just stick to that. Thank you for helping me name my move everypony.” said Lightning with his usual smile.
“Hah! In your face Rainbow. He chose my name.” said Twilight, sticking out her tongue and chuckling.
“Whatever. I’m still his hero.”
Everypony started laughing, and it was a great way to end the day.
“Hey, has anypony seen where Fluttershy is?” asked Lightning.
“Now that you mention it, where is Fluttershy?” asked Rainbow
*Elsewhere*
"Are you alright, darling?" Rarity asked Fluttershy. "Whatever could have caused you to crash onto my roof that hard?"
"I'm okay now, Rarity. Thanks a lot for your help." said Fluttershy. "I think Lightning was the cause of it."
"Whatever do you mean, darling? There's not a cloud in the sky. How could lightning do that to you?"
"I guess I should introduce you to him later."
Author's Note
I finally thought of what I could do for Chapter 2. It definitely took a lot longer than I thought to think of what could happen during the race.
Have fun reading!
