Ponyville’s weather was as serene and tranquil as it ever was when a storm of some form was not on the horizon. Lush green grass carpeted the land in and around the ponies’ humble embrace with flowers dancing amongst the verdant blades in the mellow zephyr that caressed the land. The song of the wind that whistled as it blew throughout its unmapped odyssey across the realm of Equestria was sung by a choir that could only be orchestrated by Mother Nature and conducted by Father Time. But even amongst the slow, calm melody played something of a faster tempo…

Rainbow Dash soared like a hawk above her hometown with every ounce the athletic strength she’d accumulated over her long years of hard work fueled by her desire to join the Wonderbolts, and her boundless loyalty that motivated her to help those dear to her in even the direst situations. “Come on, Thunderlane! I’m barely having to catch my breath!”

Not far behind was her former colleague amongst the weather ponies, Thunderlane. His prowess as a flyer was comparable to Rainbow Dash, and the grey stallion’s game face demonstrated his determination. “You will once I finally squash you!” he declared as he managed to catch up to her, putting them neck and neck.

Dash wiped her nose and let out a little chuckle before she and her opponent blasted through the air at the same time, leaving only the roar in the air to accommodate the peaceful clouds. The opposing athletes shred through the sky like scalpels being guided by veteran surgeons. Every twist and turn through the clear skies and occasional clouds was executed with a ferocious balance of grace and strength. They had set their course and were determined to be the last one standing. Their entire bodies, both physically and mentally endured the grueling test of power, and the final stretch came into sight.

The goal was marked at a cloud positioned a good distance above Town Hall, and neither Rainbow Dash nor Thunderlane were backing down. No amount of air resistance could even begin to deter them from giving it their all, but there could only be one victor. With Celestia’s sun as their witness, even its warm light seemed to lean on the edge of its seat as the two competitors made their mad dash to the finish line. It was getting so close that they could reach out and touch……which one of them did milliseconds before the other.

“YEAH!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, knowing that she had just barely claimed victory. She and Thunderlane took a moment to catch their breathes. “Phew! Sorry, big guy, but it looks like you’re the one that got squashed again!”

Thunderlane brushed himself off as he faced his brash opponent. “Yep…” he said. “Shoulda known better than to challenge the town’s Wonderbolt…..again….”

Rainbow Dash lowered her enthusiasm when she saw that her opponent wasn’t in the mood for expressing his own. “Hey. It’s not like you’re a bad flyer, dude. Far from it! Of course I was gonna win, but I love having a challenge to boot, and you’re the only one around here who actually wants to beat me one day. If I’m gonna be honest, I think you will if you work hard enough! I don’t wanna see that spirit of yours crash and burn, buddy.”

Thunderlane let out a little chuckle as he cracked a small smile. “I’ll have to if I want to put that ego in its place.” He said.

Rainbow Dash chuckled as she playfully punched his shoulder. “That’s one thing you won’t be doing, bro.” she joked. She then felt a tingle on her flank. “Huh?” When she looked at it, her Cutie Mark was emitting a series of pulses, indicating that the Cutie Map was beckoning her.

“It’s for you~!” Thunderlane joked.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. See ya around, smart aleck!” she said as she flew off, leaving Thunderlane smiling in amusement.

*****

Rainbow Dash simply flew through the window to the Map Room, choosing not to waste time going through all of the convoluted hallways of Twilight’s castle. They were friends, so she likely wouldn’t mind. The same couldn’t exactly be said for a particular apprentice though…

“Rainbow Dash, this isn’t your house! Don’t just go breaking in!” Starlight Glimmer reprimanded.

“It’s not breaking in! The window was open!” Rainbow argued.

Starlight shook her head. “Ugh… I swear this mare is gonna get herself arrested.”

“It’s ok, Starlight. Rainbow Dash is too loyal to mean any harm.” Twilight said.

“See?” Rainbow scoffed.

Rarity then walked through the doors. “Hello? Twilight?” She said as she looked around. “Oh! Of course you’re here, darling.” They could all see that her Cutie Mark was glowing just as Rainbow Dash’s was.

“Hi, Rarity!” Twilight said. “Looks like the map is send you and Rainbow Dash on another mission!”

“Yes, darling, but where? Perhaps another trip to Canterlot? Los Pegasus? Oh! Or even better! Northern Trottingham! They have a simply ravishing unique sense of fashion that I could incorporate in my next lineup.”

“Nope. You two are headed for….” Starlight closely examined the map to discern the exact location. “Austallion!”

Every bit of color already painting Rarity’s expression erupted upon hearing that. “AUSTALLION!?” she exclaimed. “Oh! I’ll be able to capture the desolate beauty of the desert that can only be found in the embrace of Austallion! And the culture…wild yet civil! Much like Zecora, really. Heehee! OH, what an experience this will be!” She jumped all around the room in excitement as she ranted.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Tch. Now who’s the bad guest?” she muttered.

“I’m so glad you’re excited, Rarity!” Twilight said. She then looked at Rainbow Dash. “How about you, Rainbow Dash? Ready to go on an adventure?”

“Huh!? Oh! Yeah, of course! Doesn’t really matter where we’re going though. Friendship problems are friendships problems all the same. We go, we solve, we conquer!.....well, maybe not ‘conquer’, but you know what I mean.” Rainbow replied

Twilight giggled while Starlight just shook her head. “Well, you two better go and pack up! I’ll go ahead and reserve some train seat for you. Good luck!”

“And bring some extra water bottles- it’s hot out there!” Starlight warned.

“Thanks, you guys!” Rainbow said as she soared her way out the window she came through whilst loudly cheering, causing Starlight to facehoof.

“Rarity, makes sure she really does leave the whole ‘conquer’ part out.” Starlight said.

“Oh, not to worry, Starlight. Rainbow Dash might be a rather bold mare, but even she is no beast.” Rarity said.

Starlight pondered for a second and then cracked a little smile. “Hmm….Yeah, maybe I’m just too worried.” With that, Rarity politely excused herself from Twilight’s castle and eagerly awaited whatever adventures awaited her and Rainbow Dash in Equestria’s Outback.

Author's Note

Hello, readers! First of all, let me thank you for coming to check this story out!

Second, as you've no doubt guessed by the description, Austallion is Equestria's Australia, and I plan to have the locals of that place speak with Aussie slang, which I took some time look up. However, I'm not an Aussie myself, so for those of you who are, or are at least well-versed in the vernacular, I would kindly ask that you let me know if there was an instance where I could have used a term or phrase that I might not have thought of, or if I misused one altogether.

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy this as I create it!