The Race

The Race

It was a sunny day in Ponyville, and Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were about to begin their flying lesson.

“So, Dash, what makes you think you’re the fastest flyer in Equestria?” Scootaloo asked.

Dash shuddered at the question. “What?”

“Well, you always talk about how nopony else can do a Sonic Rainboom, but how do you know?”

“Well, I haven’t ever lost a race, and I’ve never met a pony who claimed I wasn’t, so I just roll with it.”

“...Okay,” said Scootaloo. “Let’s get flying.”

About half an hour later, Dash and Scoot noticed two other Pegasi flying nearby.

“Should we go talk to them?” asked Scootaloo.

“Sure,” Dash said, “they look like they’re having fun.”

They approached the two ponies. One was a black stallion with a messy brown mane, and a cutie mark that neither Dash nor Scoot recognized. The one flying was a young colt, with no cutie mark.

“Hey guys, you having fun over here?” Dash asked.

The stallion did not notice them until Dash spoke, at which point he looked over at her and said, “Oh, hi! Didn’t see you there.”

“Well,” Scoot piped up, “We were practicing and noticed you were doing the same. I thought we should come over and Introduce ourselves. I’m Scootaloo, by the way.”

“And I’m Rainbow Dash,” Dash said proudly.

“Well I’m Vee Twin,” said the stallion, “And that’s my brother, Pocket Rocket.”

“He’s got some cool moves for a colt his age,” said Dash.

“Please,” said Vee, “He’s doing well for anypony.”

“Well,“ began Dash, as she could feel herself becoming more competitive, “he’s got nothing on what I was doing when I was a filly.”

“Really?” asked Vee, “So I bet you think you’re a fancy flyer.”

“You bet,” she replied, “I’m the fastest flyer in Equestria.”

“Hmm,” Vee was pondering something, as Pocket Rocket came back down to Earth.

“Hey, Vee,” he asked, ”Who are these ponies?”

“Well,” He said with a smirk, “this is Scootaloo, and this is Rainbow Dash, the fastest flyer in Equestria!”

Both of the colts began to giggle at the statement.

“Hey,” Dash said, “What’s so funny?”

“You think you can beat my brother?” Rocket asked, ”Celestia herself couldn’t keep up.”

“Well,” chimed Scootaloo, “Rainbow Dash has done THREE Sonic Rainbooms. What has you done?”

“I made the Kessel run in under twelve parsecs,” Vee said blankly.

“What?” ask the two fillies simultaneously.

“Nevermind,” he said, “Just know that I could beat you any day of the week.”

“That sounds like something that needs to be tested,” snarled Dash.

“How about tomorrow?” ask Vee, completely devoid of emotion.

“You got it!” she almost yelled.

It was early morning and Dash and Vee were crouched at the starting line, each with a blank-flanked cheering section. Both racers were trying to remain as calm as possible, but both were extremly excited about their imminent victory.

“Ready,” said the younger pair in unison, “Set, GO!!!”

Both Pegasi took of in a flash, as Rocket and Scoot began arguing towards the finish line. Dash was confident, as she had seen neither hide nor mane of Vee Twin since the race began. She did not let up, however, because she figured he was waiting for a chance. She turned around to gloat, but their was nopony behind her. She looked back to the front and looked hard. Vee was so far ahead she hadn’t noticed him. She panicked, and desperately speed up in an attempt to catch up.

Vee was nearing the finish line. He looked back and noticed Dash getting closer. He knew she was fast, but wasn’t expecting her to be anywhere close. He continued on towards the finish, and noticed Scootaloo, waiting at the end of the track. She looked worried, even pained, the way he did when he found out his dad...

“No,” he thought. He kept flying. but the closer he got, the more that filly’s face bothered him. He looked back, and saw Dash trying so hard to keep up. Then, at that moment, he decided. He looked to the left, and saw a large cloud. Then he started rolling around, enough to make it appear he had lost control. He hit the cloud, and lied there until he heard the triumphant cheers of Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash. He got up, and slowly flew over to the finish line.

“Congrats,” he said, without sounding the least bit disappointed.

“Yeah,” replied Dash, “That was a workout.”

She then trotted over to him, and extended her hoof for a shake. When Vee grabbed it, she pulled him close and whispered something in his ear, to which he replied just as quietly. The Spectators walked and simultaneously asked ”What was that?”

“Nothing,” Vee said, then looked at Dash and smiled.

“Yeah,” Dash said, “Just a compliment.”

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today, I raced against a new stallion named Vee Twin. He could have beaten me, but he threw the race. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it, but he did. I learned that some ponies are willing to do anything to make others happy. Because, as a wise a wise stallion once told me...

It isn’t always about winning

Rainbow Dash