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