Tee Time
The day that Rainbow Dash lost her status as the greatest athlete in Ponyville started off like any other. There were no signs, nor we're Pinkie's senses " twicha twitchin ". It was a cool, cloudy, winter morning, that started, as I recall, somewhat like this:
Twilight had received a letter, via dragon belch early that morning while commencing her daily checklist. Spike, her assistant, surrendered the letter to the purple mare, and she read it aloud:
- "To Miss Twilight Sparkle.
I am pleased to announce that you, and 2 friends, are invited to play in the Canterlot Open Golf Tournament as guests of the princess. It will be held on the royal greens in two days time. I do hope you will be able to attend, for it wouldn't be the same without you.
Regards- Chip " Eagle " Shot -
" Golf?" Twilight muttered to herself. She'd read one, maybe two little segments about the game, but never really had the opportunity to play. She wasn't too profound at sports two begin with.
Rainbow had once tried to suit her to a variety of games that involved physicality such as football or rugby; it didn't work out to well. Yet in this situation, she felt obligated to attend, the tickets being free and all. She turned the letter over, and there upon the back was a wax seal TP, and the two tickets.
" TP? " questioned Spike, looking at the odd insignia.
Twilight nodded, and put the letter down on a wooden desk to her left. " It stands for Two Put, the Canterlot golf course. Quite famous among the sport's enthusiasts." She turned toward Spike and continued. " We should finish our chores, I'll get to that later."
Twilight finished up her morning routine, and toward dinner time, she headed for Dash's house. As she trotted along, she thought of whom to give the other ticket to.
Pinkie was off and entering Mr. and Mrs. Cake's entry into the " Annual Bakers Ball " held in Trottingham every year. The cakes had concocted a mixture of different baked good and pastries all frankensteined together into one extravagant mass. It, did, taste very good despite all the previous. (Which makes sense considering the baker's tired and true ability)
Applejack was in the middle of making preparations for winter. She hardly had time to rest, much less attend an unexpected calling to a game.
Being the busy pony she was, Rarity had once again taken on more than she could handle. She'd done a business promotion by offering to make all the new vests for this year's Winter Wrap Up. Though she knew Rarity could handle it, Twilight decided against bothering her too.
" Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, all busy." Twilight said as she continued down the dirt pathway. " All that leaves is-" The unicorn's conversation with herself was prematurely aborted by a sudden impact with a certain weather patrol member. Twilight lay face down on the dirt, and tilted her head forward with a weak moan. " Sorry Twilight " chirped the familiar voice of Rainbow Dash. " I've been working on the wind patterns, and... it got a little out of hand." She chuckled, and helped Twi up on all fours.
" Quite alright Rainbow. I was just hoping to drop in on you anyways, yet it seems you're the one dropping on me ." Twilight said, whilst brushing off dirt amassed upon impact with the pegasus. It seemed as if Dashie was always crashing into someone. Rather it be a new trick in attempt to score a fancy with the renowned " Wonderbolts ", or, in this particular case: wind patterns.
" Oh? well whatever you need, I'm sure I could handle it." Dash said, her usual pridefulness showing
" Well I'd received a letter this morning asking for me and two friends to attend the Royal Canterlot Open. You partaking in as many sports as you do, I didn't hesitate to think. Twilight said
Dash responded with a smile, and a slow nod. " Ya ya, sure, I've never played golf before, but, you never know how good you are until you try right?"
" Precisely." Twilight nodded in agreement
" So" Dash questioned, " Who are you going to give the last ticket to? " Dash was eager to know who she would be up against. Rarity?, Pinkie?, Applejack?, yes, she's the one, another test of athleticism between the two fri-enimies.
" Fluttershy," Twilight responded, turning, and heading down the path toward the mentioned pony's cottage. " She wasn't exactly my first choice, but I no doubt have faith in her." Twilight did, in fact, have faith in Fluttershy, for she has always exceeded expectations when the time was appropriate.
" Fluttershy?! " Rainbow said in disbelief. Rainbow knew Fluttershy wasn't the most athletic pony, and surely didn't want to show her up. Rainbow knew how Fluttershy got when worked up. She shuttered at the thought of the tears. " Ant there's nopony else? " She asked. " Not to be rude or anything."
" Unfortunately no." Twilight respond, as dash flew over to catch up with her along the dirt path. " Pinkie, Rarity and AJ are all busy, and I know what it's like to be interrupted while busy." The two mares continued down the path to Fluttershy's house, until the cottage was just over the hill.
***
" Alright Rainbow," Twilight said as she walked up to the doorway. " We should take this slow. The Canterlot Open is one of the biggest competitions in it's sport. I know for a fact that Fluttershy will be reluctant if she knows hundreds will be watching." Dash nodded her agreement, and she knocked on the door with three good raps. * Clack, C lack, Clack! *
A pink maned pegasus poked hed head through the door, opening it with a loud squeak. When she saw the Twi mates that stood on her door step, a large grin grew soon her face. " Hi girls, I wasn't expecting company, but please, come in." Fluttershy turned and headed into her earthy abode; Twilight ad Dashie followed in suit. " I've been making some tea for angel." Said Fluttershy, looking over at the bunny that was laying on her sofa. " He's been terribly sick these past few days, and I've had to take care of him."
Fluttershy's house smelled of dirt and the various animals. Almost like you would think a pet store would smell. The furniture all had a sort of nature-y feel to it, and the house itself was inhabited by a sense of calmness and tranquility, making it the ideal place if you ever had, " personal ", problems. As Fluttershy has mentioned, there was a kettle on a stove. It's high whistle suddenly puncturing the calm atmosphere like a band-aid being pulled off: quick, and a bit distracting. Fluttershy picked up the handle of the tea pot, and trotted carefully ofer to the den, making sure not to spill. She poured a cup, and nudged it over to the sniffling animal. " So?" she asked, " what brings you over?"
Twilight sat down on the couch, next to Angel and began. " I'd received a letter from a fellow named Chip Shot, and he invited us to play on the Canterlot greens in two days. I know you're not really the one for sports, but you and Dash-" she nodded over to the surprisingly quiet pegasus apon saying her name. "-were the only ones avaluble at the time."
" I suppose I could go, that being, Angel isn't still bed ridden by then." Fluttershy responded, nodding slowly. " I'll meet you at your house when it's time." she said, offering the two their own cups of tea. " So, who's this Chip Shot?"
Dash decided to speak up for the first time since entering the home. " Only the best golfer in Equestria! I'm surprised he'd bother to invite us to such a prestigious event."
" Well," Twilight said. " He did mention us being guests of the princess." Twilight and her friends would always be invited to parties, and balls, and occasions such at the one currently presented. Though some she would be unable to attend, she'd tried to do her best. Working so close to the head royal of all of Equestria, she served as a sort of ambassador to many of the upper class. It paid off all the while, I must say she didn't complain when invited to such occasions. " My guess is that, with a student of the prices at the event, it'll bring in more of a crowd than it normally would, because I don't think we'll have near the talent of the other golfers there."
" You never know." Rainbow Dash said in response. " I do have my moments.
" Yes, well, I think we should leave Fluttershy to take care of Angel." Said Twilight, trying to cut the conversation short. She didn't want Dash to have the chance of slipping up, and letting out how many ponies would be watching Fluttershy play. " We'll see you in two days!" Twilight called, nudging Dash out the door. " See ya later Fluttersh-" Dash's sentience was cut short by the door closing behind her, leaving in the house, an confused, and nervous pegasus.
( Chapter two will be about the actual game itself, and I'll try to get that out soon. )
Two Days, It can go by fast when you don't want it to, yet, for Rainbow Dash, it was quite the opposite. She couldn't wait until she would get to strut her stuff down on the green. It wasn't because she loved golf though, she just craved the feeling of winning. The adrenalin, the pride, the praise, all rolled into one indescribable moment of success. It was better than anything you could buy from the back of a smoke shop, and that's why she competed in every competition Ponyville had to offer. From simple run-a-thons, to major national events (eg best flyer's competition), she was there. Though she did recall the one time she bet she could read more books than Twilight in a day… never again.
Dash and Fluttershy walked together toward the library, and as they did so, they talked about the events that were soon to ensue.
"So Fluttershy," Dash began." how ya feeling bout today?" The yellow pegasus looked up from her particularly fixed position in the road, and over to the mare next to her.
"Good, I guess. I'm just worried about messing up. What if I make a fool of my self, oh I'd just be ruined."
Rainbow snorted a laugh, "You won't be ruined Fluttershy, you're going as a guest of the princess. They wouldn't laugh even if you made it 1000 over."
Fluttershy nodded in response, but kept her worries secure. She knew she had to do her absolute best, not for the sake if winning, but to keep her from bawling at the slightest snicker. The animal lover didn't know why she was so afraid, nor did the weather patroller. It could have been her experiences in flight camp, or her disadvantages as a mostly ground bound pegasus. What was the point of her even having wings, she thought. Other than being able to reach high shelves and safely maneuver about her hometown of Cloudsdale, she could've been born an earth pony, and have been perfectly fine.
They reached the library a few minutes later, stopping only once to watch a family of ducks pass. The pair were greeted by Twilight with an abrupt nod and a quick " hello!". She was obviously busily preparing for the day ahead.
Dash looked at the skilled organization of the items prepared "Wow Twilight, I'd say you got this day planned out to a…" she paused to heighten the potential humor. "tee!" The Rainbow pony doubled over at her own wit, laughing and shaking her hooves in quick back and forth movements.
Fluttershy snickered at the joke, but quickly reeled back when she noticed Twilights annoyed expression. "Please Rainbow," The librarian sighed. "I'm trying to get everything ready. Oh, and Rarity made us our game attire." Twilight nodded over to the small stack of clothing on the desk in the back. Upon it, were three sets of clothing: A black, collared shirt with nothing but the monogrammed initials TS on the pocket, a small, blue and green plaid dress, and finally a white, tight fitting, but breathable work out uniform, with a small rainbow square in the top left corner (Think in the terms of Under Armor for ponies). " Quite applicable for our certain event, no?" Twilight asked, finishing up her list, and heading over to the desk were the two pegasi were already trying on their sportswear.
" It's lovely Twilight." Fluttershy agreed, looking over herself in the outfit.
" Not bad at all." Said Dash, feeling the smooth fabric of the tight clothes
Twilight nodded, and directed the pair over to the items she had been gathering before the two had arrived. "Now, on the course, there will be certain things your are requited to have, such as: ball marker, clubs all fourteen, golf bag, golf balls, golf shoes, tees, and a visor. All of which I have prepared for us." Twilight said with a smile. She loved being able to organize, and prepare, it was almost relaxing for her.
" Wow Twilight," Rainbow Dash said in awe of such a massive accumulation of neatness, and alphabetization. "Thats a lot of stuff for just one game."
" I don't know if I'll be able to carry all of it." Fluttershy gulped down the thought of how much all of the equipment must weigh.
" Oh don't worry Fluttershy." Twilight reassured her. " It's not as bad as you think." Her sentience was barely finished before a knock came rippling though the wooden door, and a voice accompanying it.
" Oh laaadiiiieeeees! it's time to go!" The three mares looked at each other in surprise, then with a consecutive nod, the three grabbed their things and headed out the door. They were greeted by a light brown earth pony, with a short black mane. He was dressed in a black collared shirt like Twilight's. His cutie mark, resembling a large silver trophy, with a golf ball next to it, and he wore a black visor with the words " Nokota " inscribed on the front. To his left, and his right were several mares drooling over him. Mostly tall, almost model type ponies, who seemed a ways away out of the professional's league, though, the pretty mares seemed quite pleased with being able to be in the presence of the golfer.
" You must be Mr. Chip Shot." Twilight said, giving a curt nod, and placed her things in the carriage that Chip had arrived in.
" No no Miss Twilight, leave it here, another will come to pick up your things. This carriage is for passengers only." He said, and helped Twi get her things back to her front door. The three ponies shuffled into the large vehicle, and watched as Chip got into it too, along with his harem of female companions. " So, girls," He started off, as the carriage began to move. " I glad you were able to come on such short notice, me and the princess had agreed that you and your friends would be the perfect threesome. Also, you ponies being half of the team that saved Equestria, I'm sure you'll bring in a crowd."
Rainbow Dash nodded and smiled, " It's nice to be here. I'm not much of a golfer myself, but I usually learn pretty fast. That's gotta count for something?"
" Of course Miss Dash," Chip Shot agreed. " But don't take it too seriously. You three just try your best, and the crowd will love you."
Fluttershy pulled back at the word, " C-Crowd?" She stuttered. The pegasus looked over at her friends and whispered, " You never said there would be a crowd. I thought maybe a dozen or so, but a crowd?"
" Calm down Fluttershy." Said Rainbow. " It's not that bad. Just remember what I said, nopony is going to laugh at you, and like Chip said too, were just here to have fun."
They arrived at the course after forty five minutes of complete silence. It wasn't just any silence either. It was a deathly silence; the calm before the storm. Especially for one, Fluttershy, who was sure of the storm. She knew what was coming, yet she stayed. She could've said she was sick, she could've said there was an emergency, but she stayed. How foolish of her it was, when she knew she would be humiliated beyond comprehension, how foolish. They arrived at a long, rectangular, two story, stone building, that just screamed high class. It had white pillars that held up the overhanging ceiling. The door, a large chocolate bar of wood. The three were in awe, yet, for the professional, he payed the slightest bit of attention to the massive feat of a building.
