Dash Challenges Sparkle! A Race for the Ages!

Cranky was not one to loiter around. He lived up to his name and then some. Had he seen Twilight, however, he would have steered clear. Twilight was not a princess for early mornings, especially those without coffee. At least she had a good breakfast. She never salted fruit before, but it wasn't bad.

As they walked along, Applejack and Rarity were talking to each other, likely discussing plans. Or conspiring against me, she thought. No, her friends wouldn't do that. Although... every now and then she heard the word 'doc' pop up in their conversation. Applejack had mentioned a doctor visit, but they were heading to the farm.

"APPLE CORE!" Applejack dashed off as they approached the house and hugged a... unicorn, one with a heart-shaped apple for a Cutie Mark. She was speaking rather excitedly with him. As Rarity and Twilight approached, they made out the conversation.

"...from Manehattan. I have a couple days until I leave for Canterlot and had to swing by."

"Shoot, you know you're welcome here anytime. Oh, girls, let me introduce y'all. Twilight, Rarity, this is my cousin, Apple Core." As he turned towards them he went wide-eyed and started bowing.

Twilight really wasn't in the mood. "Uh, please, don't bow. It's nice to meet you. And for the love of Celestia, just call me Twilight."

"Oh, uh, right. Yes, your hi... I mean... Twilight." He looked at Applejack nervously. "You were serious about her."

"Yep, and I told ya not to bow. Anyway, I was hoping you could give her a once over."

Apple Core looked at her. "Right, the physical Big Mac mentioned. I have to admit, I've never been a doctor to an alicorn before. I don't know how different she may be."

"Why exactly do I need a checkup anyway?" Twilight asked. So long as no needles were involved, she MIGHT be okay with this.

"Now now, darling. It's just a safety precaution. Applejack said you were going to get a checkup before you start racing. If the doctor finds that your health may be, shall we say, flagging, we call off the race. We are not going to put your health at risk."

"Darn straight! Any time I plan training for a rodeo, I make sure I'm fit as a fiddle! Oh, that reminds me, Fiddly Faddle says you owe her ten bits still."

"Ugh, I never get the chance to pay her! I swear, that's not the reason I missed the reunion. Several children came down with a case of the Reins and we were doing what we--"

Applejack cut him short. "Don't worry, cuz. We know why you weren't there. You helped a lot of sick foals and ain't nopony gonna fuss over that. Now, let's get this show on the road."

"Right. Big Mac explained what was going on and time is of the essence. Princess Twilight--"

"Please, just Twilight."

"Oh, right. Sorry, it's just I've never met royalty before. *ahem* Anyway, what I'm going to do is have you go through some rudimentary exercises. I'll be monitoring several aspects of your health. Blood flow, muscle reaction, lung efficiency, magical throughput, wing strength, leg strength, and so on."

Rarity was curious enough to ask, "How are you going to do that? It sounds like you'd have to run with her."

"Ah, the reason I'm heading to Canterlot." His horn glowed and up came several crystals. "These unique crystals from the Crystal Empire have been enchanted. They'll monitor a patient and give us feedback on their health."

Twilight looked at them closely. "I've never heard of them before. They sound fantastic!"

"Of course they do! Apple Core here is a genius when it comes to healthy ponies! They're his inventions!"

"Oh my! So you're heading to Canterlot to show them off?" Rarity was entranced by their soft glow.

"Yes ma'am. These here are the result of years of spellcrafting and a bit of luck. These crystals only grow in the Crystal Empire and they have just the right structure to hold the spells. Once I give them to the medical community, we could see advances in medicine we never thought possible."

"And ponies say I'm generous!"

The stones floated around Twilight and suddenly stuck to her. "Hey, what the-- Oh, doesn't even feel like they're there." She shook herself a little. "Alright, now what?"

Applejack pointed towards the grove. "My practice track is right over there."

Twilight was doing some trotting around the track with the doctor monitoring another crystal he had. This gave Applejack and Rarity a chance to talk.

"So, darling, a unicorn in the family? Didn't think it possible."

Applejack gave her the stink eye. "What's that mean?"

"The Apples are renowned for being a large family of Earth Ponies. Truth be told, I've never seen anything to suggest otherwise." Just then, they saw Twilight jump into the sky and start flying as the doctor ordered.

"Well, it's not like we don't like Pegasus or Unicorn Ponies. It's just, Apples tend to be trailblazers. Those settlements, like Appleloosa, are usually just Earth Ponies that found them. Once the towns get established, then they get some weather teams and unicorns in. 'Course, by then, well, families tend to be started by then. More coincidence than anythin'."

"So Apple Core married in?"

"Oh heck no! He's Apple through and through! He's Jonagold's twin truth be told. He just came out with a bit extra on his head. Surprised everyone. Heck, if Jonagold wasn't the spittin' image of her daddy, there might have been some hoofs flying!"

All of a sudden, there was flashing. They looked over and saw Twilight teleporting multiple times. Rarity walked over and asked, "Doctor, I thought we were testing her health."

Not looking up from the clipboard he was writing on, he replied, "I am. She's an alicorn. I need to test her as an Earth Pony, a Pegasus, and a Unicorn. I'm testing her under mild stress."

"OK, that's twenty. Anything more, doctor?" Twilight fluttered down and settled. She wasn't even winded at all.

"Honestly, I think that will do it."

"Ya reckon so? So what's your call? Is she good to race or do we call it off?"

"I... I think she's good to race."

"Uh, cousin, whadya mean, 'I think'?"

"Well, any one of the readings are good enough for any single race. As an Earth Pony, she's healthier than a mountain. As a Pegasus, her wings and magic are top class, like a Wonderbolt. And her magic is... She teleported 20 times and showed no magical fatigue."

"Well that sounds good! So, uh, why the doubt?"

"She's an alicorn. Separately, she'd be the poster foal for health. But as an alicorn... I don't have any frame of reference. These readings are unique combined. I'd have to consult with some ponies when I go to Canterlot, but I'd need your permission. This does make for a unique case study."

At the words 'case study, Twilight perked up. "Case study? Me?"

"I didn't mean any offense."

"Offense? No, I meant this could be an excellent opportunity! I mean, how much is known is known about alicorn health anyway?"

Rarity rubbed her chin. "If I remember correctly, Fluttershy said there hasn't been a sick alicorn for 700 years."

Apple Core waved his hooves. "I'm not going to turn you into a test subject!" He breathed deeply. "All I'm saying is that, when I make my presentation, I can include this as part of the data I've collected. Um, with your permission, of course."

"Of course! Heck, I thought this training would be agonizing, but if this helps your research and studies, I'll be more than happy to provide data!" She had a grin as big as Pinkie Pie.

"Yep, her smile IS about as big as mine." Everyone turned around to see the party pony herself. "Hiya guys!"

"Pinkie! Howdy! What can I do you for?"

"Mrs. Cake sent me to pick up her order of apples. She knows it's a little early, but she got a big order this morning! 3 of her Cherry Berry Apple Dapple cakes!"

Applejack flinched at how much work those cakes take. "Wow, that is a tall order!" Pinkie started giggling. "What's so funny?"

"You are! 'Tall order' for cakes that stack up as high as me! Way to joke, girl!"

Everypony just facehoofed. Apple Core said, "Puns. The one disease I'll never be rid of."

"Alright, Pinkie, follow me, we'll get your apples. Twilight, you rest for today. I want you asleep at a good time, 'cuz I'm waking you up just as early tomorrow! And don't go spoiling your appetite either. Fluttershy has your lunch and dinner planned. You ask her about snacking, but you stick to her plans."

"Applejack, worry not. I shall keep her on the straight and narrow." Rarity was poised and ready to aid her friend however possible.

Twilight huffed a bit. They are conspiring against me.