Author's Note

Great news! I managed to get a proofreader. A friend of mine agreed to help me with the story. He's not a brony and has no desire to be one, but he's kind enough to help me out. He's not a native English speaker but is way better than me. I know that you won't read it ever, but I'm very thankful for your help!

I already see lots of improvement, and I hope, I can embrace them and develop myself to be better.

Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

28. Pet race

Lazlo walked home after another session with Agile Body, feeling a little weird about working with her now that he had seen her hidden beauty. He briefly wondered if it would feel the same to meet a pornstar in real life, though he quickly dismissed the thought. He never really watched porn, believing that real intimacy was more fulfilling when actively involved.

Not like I'll ever experience it again... I don't think pony pussy will ever look desirable to me... I hope... And now I'm thinking about Agile's... Fuck... Not like that... Damn... Or will I be that desperate one day? And what about a real relationship? Can I ever have it with one of these ponies? Shit, I don't want to think about it! Need a distraction!

That was the downside of his training sessions. He often found himself plagued by these kinds of thoughts afterward. He partially blamed Agile, even though she had been well-behaved and caught herself before crossing any ethical boundaries. But if he were being honest, he would have had similar thoughts regardless of the mare's presence.

As Lazlo strolled through the main square near the town hall, he noticed it was nearly empty, with only a few ponies scattered about, and among them were girls. Five of them were gathered on the terrace surrounding the town hall, and Rainbow Dash stood a little further in the middle of the square with several animals standing in a row. It was just the distraction he needed to take his mind off his troubling thoughts.

Observing the various animals, Lazlo was initially surprised to see them all lined up in a row. However, he soon realized that they must belong to Fluttershy, as they appeared docile in her presence. Some of the animals seemed rather exotic to him, like the toucan and the flamingo. Most of the creatures were birds, including a duck, eagle, falcon, owl, and a smaller bird that he couldn't identify. There were also insects present, such as a ladybug, butterfly, and even a wasp, which he decided to steer clear of, regardless of its behavior. He wasn't particularly fond of wasps. Lastly, there was a bat, and at the end of the line, almost hidden from view, Lazlo couldn't believe his eyes, an out-of-place turtle.

Approaching the mares, they noticed his approach and greeted him warmly.

"Hey, what's going on here?" Lazlo asked curiously.

"Hiya, Lacy!" Pinkie greeted him once again, for reasons he couldn't quite fathom. "Dashie wants to choose a pet but couldn't decide, so she's organizing a competition to determine the best fit for her."

"Okay... Good for her, I guess," he replied, uncertain of how to respond.

"What about you, Lazlo? Do you want a pet?" Fluttershy inquired.

"Nah, there is a reason why I don't even have plants in my house," he answered.

"Well, I think your home could use some, darling." Rarity spoke. " It would make it more lively, or at the very least, add some decorative touches. When I visited, it seemed rather plain."

"I've never had a talent for those sorts of things. The decorations in my old home consisted of my books, a collection of various alcoholic beverages, and some random trinkets here and there. I can't even recall where or how I acquired most of them. I suppose you could count the magnets on my fridge too."

"You should get some of those then here." Rarity suggested.

Before they could delve further into the conversation, Rainbow Dash's exclamation interrupted them. It seemed she had finished her talk and was ready to proceed with the action.

"Does she understand what a pet really means?" Applejack whispered to the others.

"Yeah, like care and attention, love and affection," Twilight replied, as Winona, Applejack's dog, approached her and licked her face. However, Twilight didn't seem to appreciate the slobbery gesture.

Spotting Lazlo, the dog made her way over to him, seeking attention. Lazlo smiled and scratched her ears, allowing her to lick his other hand, but he managed to prevent her from soaking it in dog saliva. He wasn't particularly keen on that.

They all observed as Rainbow Dash took off, followed by the animals except for the turtle, which Fluttershy carried. Lazlo and the mares followed suit, heading toward a nearby park that housed a small racetrack. By the time they arrived, all the animals were lined up at the starting point, poised and ready. Rainbow Dash stood nearby, prepared to commence the race.

"So, the winner of this race becomes her pet?" Lazlo asked Fluttershy who was already there when they arrived.

"No, it's just the first event," the mare clarified.

"Okay, what's the deal with the turtle?" Lazlo couldn't help but ask.

"Well, technically, he's a tortoise," Fluttershy corrected him in a hushed voice. Lazlo looked a bit confused at the distinction. He wasn't sure what differentiated a turtle from a tortoise. As far as he could remember, his native language used the same word for both. He guessed it was similar to his language having two words for the color red. "And he's always dreamed of being someone's pet. So, I asked Rainbow to give him a chance," she explained.

Their conversation was once again interrupted by Rainbow Dash blowing her whistle. All the animals took off, some faster than others. Rainbow observed each one individually, making comments along the way, but the distance and noise prevented Lazlo and the others from hearing what she said.

In the end, the falcon emerged as the winner, while the tortoise could only take a few steps before reaching the finish line. Rainbow shook her head in disappointment at the sight of the poor reptile.

The next competition was agility-based. Rainbow managed to borrow some equipment from the town hall that was typically used for local competitions, shows, or practice for the Equestria Games. It consisted of rings, tubes, and other obstacles on long poles, creating an aerial obstacle course. With the help of the mares and Lazlo, the course was swiftly set up.

As the course was ready, the agility test commenced to assess the animals' nimbleness. However, the tortoise couldn't participate since it couldn't fly, effectively eliminating any chance it had in this competition.

This time, the winner was the hummingbird. Fluttershy kindly informed Lazlo of the bird's identity, as he finally remembered the creature but couldn't recall its English name.

For the next challenge, they had to retrieve a toy mouse from Opalescence, Rarity's cat. None of them dared to approach the feline, except for the butterfly, which seemed to mesmerize Opalescence, easily snatching the toy from her. Meanwhile, the tortoise walked behind Opalescence's carrier and attempted to topple her over, hoping to trap her. However, Opalescence managed to leap away and retaliated, swiping at the tortoise, who was shielded by its protective shell. Rainbow had already declared a winner for this event and could do little else but gaze at the tortoise's failed attempt, looking slightly confused.

Then came the so-called 'style test', with Rarity assisting. Lazlo wasn't entirely sure what this entailed, as Rainbow had pictures of each animal in various styles. He presumed she would choose the one she liked the most. He was starting to grow bored with the entire competition, though it still beat the alternative of sitting at home doing nothing.

Well, he could read a book, but he had already read the few he had. He would need to speak with Twilight to get some recommendations. Perhaps she would allow him to peruse a few books to determine which one he should buy. Lazlo was never the type to visit libraries. He preferred owning the books he read. He used to have over a hundred books, with shelves filled and some lying around wherever he could find space.

He had no idea which animal won this particular round. Although he was certain it wasn't the tortoise, he felt a twinge of sympathy for the determined reptile. It was odd to see animals in this world behaving more trained than they typically did back in his own world. It was one of the aspects he still hadn't fully accustomed himself to. Even the animals that were supposed to be wild were mostly docile, although there were certainly untamed ones out there. Those that didn't reside near ponies were just like their counterparts on Earth.

The next challenge tested ’coolness’, which involved determining which animal had the most impressive vocalization. The eagle emerged as the victor this time.

When Rainbow announced that the following test would assess ’awesomeness’, Lazlo let out a sigh.

"How many of these fucking tests does she plan to have before she admits she can't decide?" he asked the others.

"I think she has this test and the 'radicalness' test left," Fluttershy replied, and upon hearing this, Lazlo facepalmed.

The owl won the "awesomeness" test by showcasing its ability to rotate its head 360 degrees.

The final challenge was for ’radicalness’, presented as a talent show. They utilized the outdoor stage, which was only dismantled during winter or inclement weather.

Lazlo could hardly believe the diverse performances he witnessed. If he weren't in a magical pony realm and convinced he wasn't under the influence of some hallucinogen, he might have passed out from the sheer spectacle.

The duck performed a dance routine with a rod that Lazlo couldn't identify. The eagle unexpectedly knitted a sweater, leaving Lazlo utterly dumbfounded. This whole competition had become a prime example of what he would consider a "cartoon moment", something so absurd that it only appeared remotely acceptable within the confines of a cartoon. The falcon attempted a card trick, while the wasp entertained with shadow puppets. None of these performances seemed to impress the judge so far.

The bat, however, grabbed a few glasses and started playing a little musical tune with them, creating a unique melody in the air. With a sudden screech, the bat dramatically ended its musical performance by destroying the glasses, sending them shattering into pieces. Rainbow Dash smiled, and she applauded the bat's performance.

The last contestant was the tortoise, who had an extreme obstacle course but couldn't even get past the first jump. He ended up getting stuck on his back.

"Listen, turtle!" Rainbow walked up to him.

"Tortoise." Fluttershy corrected her.

"Whatever! You've had your fun, but I think we both know who made the cut and who didn't." They looked at each other for a few seconds before Rainbow Dash clarified, "You didn't."

She pointed to the sky where the eagle, falcon, bat, and owl were flying, while the other ponies cheered. Lazlo didn't understand their enthusiasm since there were still four competitors, so it meant the competition wasn't over yet.

"I mean... 'A' for effort and everything. You gave it your best shot. Maybe I've got a gold star sticker around here somewhere you can have, but seriously, go home." Rainbow Dash praised him a little, helping him back to his feet, probably hoping he'd understand the message and leave her alone. They looked at each other for a moment before she turned to the four remaining competitors.

"So, anyway, you're all outstanding competitors, but there can only be one of you who's number one." She finally reached them. "So the final tie-breaking contest is going to be... a race against me! Through Ghastly Gorge!" She then noticed that the sun was getting close to the horizon. "Tomorrow we will see who will be my pet!" With that, she took off.

The others also said their goodbyes and left, while Fluttershy collected the animals to take them home.

"Lacy! I know it's starting to get late, but I was hoping you could come over for a short session." Twilight spoke to the human.

"Sure, one was planned today anyway. I just got a little distracted," Lazlo accepted the invitation.

"So, what do you think? Which one of the remaining contestants do you think will be Rainbow's pet?" Twilight asked as they began to walk to the library.

"I don't know for sure, but my guess would be either the eagle or the falcon."

"Most likely. Though I can't help but feel a little bad for the tortoise. He was trying so hard," Twilight expressed a hint of sympathy.

"I guess so. Although, I wonder how that would work out if the tortoise were to become Rainbow's pet. Doesn't she live in a cloud house?"

"You're right. None of the birds can walk on clouds, but the inside of her house does have a solid floor and such, so they could live there. However, for that, they would need to be able to fly." Twilight explained.

They continued their conversation about the upcoming race to determine Rainbow Dash's pet as they walked toward the library. Upon entering, Twilight quickly prepared her notebook for their session. However, before she could start, Lazlo took the initiative and expressed a desire to ask a question.

"You know, I didn't have the chance to ask about something earlier. Mind if we have an 'only I ask' session today?" Lazlo inquired. Twilight smiled and nodded, happy to change roles and answer Lazlo's questions about his world. "Alright. So I wanted to ask about when Apple Bloom mentioned 'Prench.' What was that? I thought there was only one language here?" Lazlo was curious about the reference.

"While that is true today, in the past, before the Unification, not only were the three tribes separated, but they also had several small nations. For unicorns, there were many city-states or small duchies. The pegasi had a similar setup, but in the clouds, and they probably had a different name for their territories, though we don't know what they called them. Unfortunately, very few records remain from that era. These were times long before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Most of what we know about that era comes from Celestia, as she preserved many artifacts and retained memories from over a thousand years ago.

Moving on to the earth ponies, their situation was somewhat different. Essentially, families lived together and engaged in trade with other families. It was a community-based system without any kind of centralized government structure. While earth ponies shared the same language and culture, pegasi and unicorns had distinct characteristics. Most duchies and cities had their own languages. One such example is Prance, from where the term 'Prench' originates. The same applied to the pegasi.

At some point in history, the unicorns began to unite their territories. The exact reasons and methods of this unification remain unknown. Historians speculate that it was likely a combination of warfare and diplomacy, although the limited evidence suggests that diplomacy played a more significant role. As the kingdom of the unicorns began to take shape, the pegasi embarked on a similar path. Given their more militaristic society, it is theorized that their unification involved a considerable amount of warfare. However, some scholars question this theory, suggesting that it might have been a war game or small-scale battles to identify the most capable leader with minimal casualties, as the pegasi might have been concerned about losing too many soldiers and had to face the expanding unicorn kingdom like that.

Meanwhile, the earth ponies, sensing the growing tension between the pegasi and unicorns, came together for their own protection. The larger families joined forces to form their own nation, fearing that they would be targeted for their agricultural resources. Interestingly, prior to these events, the three pony tribes, while not united like in Equestria, maintained relatively amicable relations with each other. It was only when each tribe began their respective unifications that mistrust emerged.

Returning to the topic at hoof, the old version of the language we all use today originated from the earth pony language. Both the unicorns and pegasi adopted it, likely as a means to sway the earth ponies towards their own sides and increase trade while undermining the other tribe. However, the tension between the unicorns and the pegasi wasn't the only issue. Earth ponies grew increasingly concerned about being caught in the middle of a conflict between the two other tribes, which led to their growing hostility towards both. This eventually paved the way for the unification of the three tribes and the establishment of Equestria."

Twilight concluded her history lesson, and Lazlo did his best to absorb the information. Initially overwhelming, he realized that the details were not as extensive as he had initially thought, and it all began to make sense in the broader context.

"So every pony adopted the earth pony language and then they stayed that way?"

"Basically yes,” Twilight confirmed. "However, there were already some ponies who had similar languages, such as the unicorn city that eventually united the unicorns, and language unification was already going on within the kingdom, and the pegasi followed that example. Unfortunately, what I've shared with you comprises almost everything we know about that era. We have a few names, titles, and notes, as well as the princesses' memories. I hope that we can uncover more information about that time, especially the reasons and methods behind the unicorn unification. According to the sources, it happened relatively peacefully and within a few decades." Twilight added more information.

"Well, it's all really fascinating, but it's important to acknowledge that the further we look back in history, the less we can see clearly, and the more our imagination fills in the gaps. As humans, we have learned a lot about our own past, and yet we still have only a limited understanding of what life was like thousands of years ago. The truth is, we will never know everything, or even as much as we know about more recent times." he spoke, then he remembered a few things. "My grandfather on my father's side was a history teacher. He told me that historians are already created the history of the human race based on what they found and their deductions. And when they find something new that goes against their theory, they usually just twist it in a way that it will fit, or will only differ a little. Of course, there are times when there's nothing they could do, and have to accept that their thesis was wrong, but they don't like to admit it. Just like many others."

"That's true, but it also means that there is always the potential for new discoveries and revelations." Twilight argued. " And while some historians may have their own theories, which they stick to, there are many who genuinely strive to uncover the truth."

"I believe you. There are humans who share that same passion for truth-seeking. Anyway, I think I should get some rest. It seems we'll have another adventure tomorrow." He chuckled lightly. "By the way, where is this Ghastly Gorge?"

"I wouldn't exactly call it an adventure; we're simply going to help Rainbow Dash and find out which animal will become her pet. Ghastly Gorge is not too far away, but it's not within walking distance either. We'll be taking a balloon there. It's a beautiful but somewhat dangerous location. Fortunately, we only need to be at the end of it and they will be flying so they should be relatively safe. But that is another reason we all go, to help Rainbow and the animals if they got into trouble." she explained.

"Yeah, sure. Though it's still stupid to have a competition for choosing a pet."

"Yes, but that's Rainbow Dash for you."

"Right. Well, good night, Twilight! See you tomorrow."

"Bye!"

The next morning, Lazlo arrived first and assisted Twilight in preparing the balloon. Although he had only ridden a balloon once before when they went to Cloudsdale, he found it relatively easy to handle. As he stood there, waiting for the others to arrive, he began to feel the cold as the wind picked up. Being in the last month of autumn, he realized he hadn't brought any warm clothes. He vaguely recalled mentioning the need for warmer attire to Rarity, but it seemed to have slipped his mind. Now, with the temperature dropping even lower, he resolved to order some as soon as possible.

Soon, the rest of the group arrived. Fluttershy brought the animals along, including the persistent tortoise who still seemed eager to compete. Rainbow Dash, as usual, was the last to arrive but displayed her impatience. She had brought a "finish gate" consisting of two poles with the well-known black and white squares on a flag, their ends connected to the top of both poles.

They didn't have to wait long. Those who couldn't fly boarded the balloon, which was then pulled by the two pegasi to hasten their journey to Ghastly Gorge.

As Lazlo caught his first glimpse of Ghastly Gorge, he couldn't help but gasp in awe. He had never seen anything like it before—a massive scar on the land, a testament to nature's power, and yet it held a peculiar beauty. Twilight had already warned them about the presence of quarry eels, large eel-like creatures that resided in the tunnels of the gorge. Fortunately, they were not known to move much and only attacked through the holes in the walls if someone approached. Still, everyone couldn't help but feel a slight sense of unease. The gorge wasn't very deep, around ten meters and a few kilometers in length, but its numerous twists and turns added to its allure. They landed on one end of the gorge, where they could walk down if desired, but it wasn't part of their immediate plans. Their main task was to set up the finish line. Fluttershy took the tortoise and the other animals to the starting point, where Rainbow was preparing for the race. Once they were all ready, Fluttershy flew back to the others, keeping herself way above the ground level.

As they waited for the race to conclude, the mares engaged in conversation about themselves, the latest gossip they had heard, and other small talks. Lazlo found himself conversing with Spike, paying little attention to the mares. With the temperature dropping considerably, he realized he only had spring and summer clothes on. He cursed himself for forgetting to visit Rarity and prepare for the cold weather. After this event, he promised himself he would promptly visit Rarity's boutique. Spike, engrossed in discussing his favorite superheroes from comic books, failed to notice Lazlo's shivering state.

"Are you alright, Lacy?" Fluttershy was the first to notice his trembling. "Are you feeling cold?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

"I'll be alright, just a little chilly," Lazlo replied, though he knew there was a risk of falling ill. He didn't want to alarm them, but he was aware of the potential consequences. The others, now aware of his condition, looked at him with concern.

"Oh, darling, you should have come to me. We already discussed getting you some warm clothes," Rarity chimed in.

"Yeah, I know, I just forgot," Lazlo admitted.

"Do you think you'll be fine like this?" Twilight asked, her gaze shifting back to the gorge. "I'm not sure how long the race will take. I hope they're on their way."

"When I left Rainbow, she was giving a speech to the animals, but probably kept it short. They should be here soon," Fluttershy reassured them.

"I'll manage," Lazlo reassured them, though he knew it would be uncomfortable.

"I know what to do!" Pinkie exclaimed suddenly, and in an instant, she had attached herself to Lazlo, hugging his chest. He instinctively held onto her hind legs to prevent her from falling to the ground. "We'll keep you warm! Come on, girls! Let's give our human friend a group hug!" Pinkie called out to the other mares, and then turned back to Lazlo, nuzzling his neck.

Lazlo felt a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. Pinkie's warmth against his chest and neck provided some relief from the cold. For a moment, he wished the others would join in to help chase away the chill, but he quickly realized it would be both awkward and ineffective. He couldn't bear the weight of multiple ponies for an extended period of time, even if they weren't particularly heavy.

"Thanks, but I don't think it's necessary," Lazlo said, gently setting Pinkie down.

After that, the group continued their conversation, now including Lazlo to keep his mind off the cold. It provided some distraction, although he still couldn't shake off the chill entirely.

Soon, the first racer arrived and crossed the finish line, the falcon. The ponies and Spike erupted in cheers. Next came the eagle, then the bat, and finally the owl. All the animals appeared exhausted and on the verge of collapsing. Confusion and worry started to creep in. Where was Rainbow Dash?

Twilight levitated a binocular that she brought with herself to try to find Rainbow, but Fluttershy pushed her aside so she can look for the missing pegasus. However, Applejack took it from her, well actually it was still levitated by Twilight, who looked annoyed at her two friends.

"Great galloping galoshes! There's been an avalanche in there!" Applejack exclaimed, gesturing toward the gorge. Only she could see it from their position, as it was likely too far away for their unaided eyes to discern. The reason they hadn't heard or felt it became apparent.

Worry filled the group, and they were prepared to descend into the gorge to help their friend.

"Wait! Look!" Pinkie's loud shout interrupted them, drawing their attention. She pointed ahead, and the others followed her hoof, their gazes fixed on the approaching fifth racer.

"It's the turtle!" Fluttershy exclaimed, but was quickly corrected by the others. He was a tortoise, not a turtle.

"And he's carrying something on his back..." Twilight observed.

"Ahh! It's Rainbow Dash! It's her! It's Rainbow!" Pinkie exclaimed with excitement.

As the tortoise slowly made his way toward them and crossed the finish line with Rainbow Dash injured on his back, the group gathered around her, cheering for their friend's safe return. Fluttershy was the only exception as she ran to the balloon first and returned with a first aid kit and began tending to Rainbow Dash's injuries. The pegasus had a damaged right wing and multiple bruises on her body, but Fluttershy skillfully bandaged her up.

"Way to go, little guy!" Spike praised the tortoise, who appeared to be proud of his accomplishment.

"Are you alright, Rainbow Dash? You're not badly hurt, are you?" Twilight asked, concerned for her friend's well-being.

"Mostly my pride," Rainbow answered.

"I certainly hope all of this dreadful dust was worth it!" Rarity remarked, taking a step back from Rainbow Dash after a sudden sneeze.

"It sure was, if it means Rainbow gets to have her own little critter just like the rest of us from now on," Applejack said, though probably she too was happy that this whole thing was over.

Rainbow Dash looked at the tortoise, still uncertain about the situation.

"Uh... thanks. What you did... I owe you one." Rainbow said, hoof-bumping the tortoise.

"Rainbow! Your new pet is over here waiting for you!" Fluttershy couldn't contain her excitement as she called Rainbow's attention to her new pet waiting nearby.

"Oh... right... yeah... that." Rainbow's response lacked the expected excitement. She sounded unsure, as if she had changed her mind about having a pet. The falcon, however, had recovered from its exhaustion and flew towards Rainbow, perching on her back with pride.

"What's the matter?" Spike asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.

"You got the perfect pet, right?" Pinkie added, curious about Rainbow's hesitation. Rainbow remained silent, her face displaying uncertainty and murmuring indistinctly.

"The best of the best like you wanted, remember? It can fly and it's not a squirrel!" Fluttershy seemed oblivious to Rainbow's hesitation, completely absorbed in the joy of helping her friend find a pet.

"A falcon sure looks good on ya, Rainbow." Applejack complimented, and the others, including Lazlo, nodded in agreement. The falcon seemed like the ideal choice for someone like Rainbow Dash.

Meanwhile, Rarity took out her camera, which she had brought along on the trip, eager to capture a photo of Rainbow with her new animal companion. Startled by the sudden flash of the camera, the tortoise retreated into its shell. Rainbow quickly tried to reassure him, and to everyone's surprise, he emerged from his shell again, showing his head and legs.

"The falcon sure does look cool..." Rainbow began, switching her focus between the bird on her back and the tortoise in front of her. "He's absolutely everything I wanted in a pet," she sighed. "But I said whoever crosses the finish line with me gets to be my pet!" Her tone regained its usual confidence. "And the only racer who crossed the finish line with me was the one who stopped to save me when I needed help. The tortoise!" she exclaimed, pointing her hoof at the tortoise. The falcon let out a cry of defeat as it took off from Rainbow's back.

To everyone's surprise, the falcon landed in front of the tortoise and bowed before taking off again, followed by the other animals, likely returning to Fluttershy's house.

"Spike! Take a letter!" Rainbow called out, prompting the dragon to quickly retrieve a parchment and quill from the balloon. Rainbow then began dictating her lesson. "Dear Princess Celestia, I used to think that the most important traits to look for in a pet, or any best friend, were all physical competitive abilities. But now I can see how short-sighted and shallow that was. Today I learned what the most important quality really is. A certain kind of spirit. A stick-to-it-ive-ness. A never give up, can-do attitude that's the mark of a real winner. And this tortoise has it."

"Tenacity," Twilight interjected, offering the right word to succinctly capture Rainbow's reasoning in the letter.

"Gesundheit. You just can't stop that little guy. He's like a... like a... Tank!" Rainbow struggled to find the right word but eventually came up with her own. "Oh, that's a good name for you, little guy!" she said, looking at her new pet, who smiled.

"But Rainbow!" Fluttershy spoke up. "Didn't you want a pet that can fly so he won't keep you grounded? And how will he be able to get up to your house?" she asked, expressing her concerns.

"Ah, dang... Well, I guess I have to get used to flying while holding him," she said, only now realizing what kind of issues can come up with having a flightless animal as a pet.

"Not necessarily!" Twilight exclaimed. "I have an idea, but it will take some time. Come to the library, and I'll show you," she offered, to which Rainbow nodded in agreement.

With their plans set, it was finally time to head home. During the journey, Twilight explained her idea, which involved an enchanted helicopter rotor. She clarified that there were ponies who possessed the ability to enchant objects. Twilight mentioned the enchanted machines in her basement as an example. As she delved into the details of enchanting, ponies stopped to pay attention. Lazlo however was drinking every word of her. It was very similar to programming. It could take a long time to create a permanent enchantment. Complex enchantments, such as the ones required for her machine, could take over a year to make. Not only did the unicorn have to infuse enough power to sustain it, but they also had to program the logic to handle every possible situation. Though most enchantments were task-specific, requiring functionality and minimal intervention in case of misuse.

Twilight herself had performed smaller enchantments before, but nothing as complex as her machines or the rotor for the tortoise. She acknowledged that she could probably create one, but it would take longer than a specialized professional who had been practicing for years. Regardless of her magical talent, she couldn't match the expertise and experience of someone dedicated to the craft. Moreover, they would still need to manufacture the device and teach the tortoise how to use it. Fluttershy volunteered to handle the training. Rainbow Dash liked the idea but was annoyed that it would take at least a few weeks, if not longer. However, Fluttershy pointed out that since it was nearing winter, Tank would be hibernating soon. Rainbow didn't fully grasp the concept of hibernation but didn't seem to mind. In the end, Rainbow discussed with Fluttershy that Tank would stay with the yellow pegasus until he could fly alongside her, and Rainbow would visit as often as possible.

After returning to Ponyville, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash went to the library to gather more information and find a company that could create the enchanted helicopter device for Tank. Applejack, Pinkie, and Rarity headed home, with Lazlo following the unicorn to her boutique.

Soon, Lazlo found himself once again standing in Rarity's inspiration room, where the white unicorn took his measurements. It was necessary since Lazlo had been regularly going to the gym and had started losing weight. The difference wasn't significant yet, but it was progress. Once the measurements were done, they agreed on the color, form, material, and other details, including the price, which only accounted for the cost of materials. However, Lazlo had a feeling that the generous mare had even given him a discount. Rarity would make three sets of warm clothes for him and promised to bring the first one as soon as it was finished, likely by tomorrow afternoon. She considered it a high-priority order, recognizing that the temperature would continue to drop as the days went by and they were already running late.

After that, Lazlo went home. He didn't do much besides some cleaning and the necessary tasks such as taking a bath and preparing dinner. He went to bed early.

The following morning, as Lazlo woke up, he felt a sore throat and a throbbing headache. He sensed heat radiating from his forehead as he placed his hand there. Although he didn't have a thermometer at home, he knew he had a fever. Then, he began to cough violently. After several seconds, he managed to catch his breath, but the coughing persisted, allowing only brief moments of respite. His throat felt as if he had swallowed acid, and every cough intensified the pain in his head. Amidst the third wave of coughing, anger welled up inside him, and he managed to yell a single word before inhaling again for the next bout.

"FUCK!"