The Most Daring Pony (Revised)

By the time Tuesday had come around, I had pretty much given up trying to figure out what challenge Twilight was going to give me. But knowing the egghead that she is, she’ll probably get me to read an encyclopedia cover to cover, or pretty much something as equally and mind-numbingly boring as that. I was almost tempted not to make the flight over to the library just thinking about that, but I had already agreed to this mysterious challenge, and I really wanted to know what it was. Taking a deep breath, I reached out a hoof and knocked a couple of times on the door.

I heard the sound of things being hastily put away, before the door was opened revealing Twilight with a couple of saddle bags in held in her magical grasp. “Hey Twi.,” I greeted. “What’s with the saddle bags?” Twilight placed a saddle bag on each of our backs, and I was slightly surprised to find that mine was completely empty.

“This is for your challenge Dashie. That is of course if you still want to go through with this.”

I gave her my best deadpan stare. “I’m here aren’t I. And I still don’t know what this challenge of yours is.”

Twilight smirked and walked out of the library gesturing for me to follow her. “I assure you it’s going to be something very unexpected, but before we begin there are some rules.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Rule number one, you are completely free to not go through with this challenge until you know what it is, without any consequences. Rule number two, once you do know what it is, and you decide not to go through with it than I will have won the bet and you have to help me in the library for the next two months. I’ll tell you the rest of the rules once we get to our destination.”

I followed after Twilight feeling more and more apprehensive about this challenge, the good news was I wouldn’t be reading any encyclopedias. But judging from the occasional smirk Twilight threw my way, it was probably going to be something I wouldn’t enjoy. Part of me wanted to bail out before I figured out what my challenge was, but the promise of fifty bits and a whole month’s worth of cider kept my legs walking, and my mouth drooling.

After several minutes of walking we came to the train station and my curiosity piqued to new heights. “So where’d you say we were going?” I asked as casually as I could.

“I didn’t,” was all Twilight said.

“Well you could at least tell me where we’re going, it’s not like it’ll ruin the challenge or anything, right?”

Twilight pursed her lips thoughtfully, “I suppose not. We’re going to Canterlot.”

“What’s in Canterlot?”

Twilight just gave me a wink and paid for our tickets. “Don’t worry Dashie, you’ll find out soon enough. But just remember, you’re not bound by our bet until you know what your challenge is, so you’re free to quit anytime you like.”

I flashed Twilight my best cocky smile, and sauntered past her onto the train. “Please, I don’t think there’s anything you can come up with I that I won’t be able to do, especially if I’m getting fifty bits and a month’s worth of cider as a prize.”

Twilight shrugged and led the way into our compartment. “If you say so Dashie. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Seriously,” I muttered, as I saw we were going to be hard pressed finding a seat for ourselves.

“Over here, Rainbow,” Twilight called somewhere at the back of the compartment, where she had found an empty seat.

I made my way over to my friend and dumbed the saddle bags under the seat. “So, got anything fun to do?” I asked hoping we wouldn’t be spending a two hour trip in boredom.

Twilights horn glowed and she levitated several books from her saddle bags. “Of course I do Dashie, which one did you want to read?” I looked over my choices, and pointed to a Daring Do book I hadn’t read nearly enough. Twilight placed the rest of the books back in her bags, and moved closer to me until our wings were touching and I shivered as tingles ran through my sensitive feathers. “Oh sorry Rainbow,” Twilight said moving away from me. “I just wanted to make sure you were able to read the book as well.”

I frowned at her in confusion. “Why aren’t you reading any of the other books?”

Twilight hesitated and her gaze flitted anywhere but me. “I...was already reading this book...and I wanted to get it finished today.”

I gazed at her a moment longer wondering why her face was slightly red, and why she wasn’t able to keep eye contact with me. “It’s okay, Twi. I don’t mind.”

Twilight gave me a brief smile and moved closer to me until our wings were touching once more. “I can read to you,” Twilight offered. “That way I won’t accidentality turn the page when you’re not finished.”

I shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

Twilight cleared her throat and in a quiet voice so as not to disturb the other passengers, she began reading form the book, occasionally pausing to turn the page or take a sip of water. ‘Til now, I never noticed how relaxing Twilight’s voice could be, of course right now I wasn’t being told off for crashing into the library, or being lectured on proper book care. And after a few minutes, the combined effect of Twilight’s soothing voice and the constant motion of the train lulled me into a deep slumber.

“Rainbow, wakeup.” I began to stir awake from Twilight’s voice, and hoof constantly poking me painfully in the chest.

“Five more minutes, Twi,” I mumbled, shifting into a better position to escape from the painful assault of Twilight’s hoof.

“Rainbow, you’re drooling on me.” My eyes shot open and I wiped a hoof across my mouth.

“Heh, sorry ‘bout that Twi. How long was I asleep for?”

“Only fifteen minutes. I woke you up so you could have some breakfast. Daffodil and daisy sandwich sound good?”

“How’d you know I hadn’t eaten breakfast,” I asked, taking the offered sandwich from Twilight’s magical grasp.

“Please Rainbow, when you wake up early the only thing you think about is your next nap.”

“Not true,” I mumbled through a mouthful of bread and flowers. I had to admit, the egghead could make a pretty awesome sandwich and soon I was looking for anther one.

“Still hungry, Dashie?” Twilight asked. My stomach growled, answering the Alicorn’s question.

“So, what made you decide to do this whole challenge thing anyway?” Twilight began choking on her sandwich, and I hit her on the back until the bit of offending food flew from her mouth.

“Well...I,” Twilight began looking anywhere but me. “I...just thought...you’d appreciate...the chance to finally... proveyourselfthemostdaringponyinEquestria.”

“Uh-huh...and why did you choose me instead of Applejack?”

“Well...I did think of her, but...she’s pretty busy with the farmwork and all. Besides, I highly doubt Applejack will be able to top the challenge I have planned for you.”

I facehoofed and groaned.“I’m going to regret agreeing to this, aren’t I?” Twilight smirked and used her magic to wipe the crumbs off my coat, and I shivered at the tingles the touch of magic caused.

Twilight looked at me with concern. “Are you cold Rainbow? I’ve got a scarf, if you need one.” Without even waiting for my response, Twilight levitated a scarf from her saddle bags and wrapped it around my neck. Once again I shivered at the magical tingles.

“Uh...thanks Twi.”

“No problem, Dashie. Though...I don’t suppose...you would like to get dinner with me after your challenge...”

“Are you okay Twi?” I asked looking at my friend with concern. “You seem, I don’t know, you seem a bit off.”

Twilight swallowed and once again avoided my gaze. “I’m fine Dashie. I’m just a little nervous you’ll bail out of your challenge.”

“Like I said before Twi. I can handle any dare, or challenge you can throw at me.”

“If you say so Rainbow.” Twilight muttered.