I Can't Stand You Rainbow Dash

I look at my calendar and sigh to myself as I get out of bed.

“Welp, three weeks of being here and no progress on going home yet.” I put on one of the new sets of clothes Rarity made for me, laughing as I reminisced at her fainting when she found out my culture has everyone wearing clothes everyday. It’s still a bit early before my scheduled meetup with Rainbow and Starlight. I’ve finally gotten the hang of putting a bit of magic into my speed to go faster and Rainbow took that as a yes to field test it. Sighing again I enter the kitchen and see a tired Twilight making another pot of coffee.

“Good morning Twilight.” As I greet her she jumps and looks at me.

“Oh! Good morning Thomas! No breakthroughs yet on getting you home or fixing your magic core but I promise I’ll have something soon!” She smiles at me but I can tell from her disheveled mane and barely seeing her outside the castle all this time, she’s really been trying her hardest to help me to her own detriment.

“Twilight please, get some rest. It’s been three weeks already and I haven’t exploded. That should be good news right? And I know you’ll find me a way home eventually. But I don’t want you doing this to yourself for my sake.” I walk over and ruffle her mane making it even messier than it already was.

“Please get some rest. I promise I’ll be fine for one day. Ok?” She looks at me with fake annoyance before smiling..

“Ok Thomas, I’ll get some rest. In the meantime please promise me today you’ll spend some time with friends. I’ve also noticed you’ve been focused a lot on your magic studies and haven’t spent much time with pretty much anypony.

“That’s not true!” I exclaim with indignation.

“I spend tons of time with Starlight! We’re basically inseparable! And Rainbow hangs out with us constantly! Even if I’d prefer she didn’t.” I mumble out that last part. Twilight just laughs.

“While I’m glad you and Starlight get along, are you two really spending time together as friends, or only as Teacher and Student? Not to mention, do you even think of Rainbow as a friend?” I think back on the past couple of weeks, while Rainbow isn’t as rude to me as when I first arrived, our relationship is not that of friends. She seems to think of me as more of a rival even though truthfully I don’t hold a candle to her in anything. Still, she has kept my life interesting and I would be lying if our daily wrestling matches and contests weren’t a nice way to get my mind off of exploding. Though I would prefer if she didn’t constantly try and fight me during my lessons with Starlight.

“Fair enough Twilight. But today is an important day! I’ll be trying to use magic finally in a race with Rainbow! So Technically, it is a friendship hangout day. With just a pinch of magic study.” I say hoping it will be enough for Twilight. She just looks at me with this strange knowing look on her face.

“I’m glad you are spending time with your friends today Thomas. I hope you have a great time! I’m going to go…” Twilight yawns.

“Get some more sleep then.” She slowly heads out of the kitchen, pot of coffee forgotten. After she heads out I grab a bagel and eat it untoasted as I head out to meet Rainbow and Starlight. After a bit of walking I see Starlight and Rainbow waiting for me by the lake. I wave to them as I approach.

“Guh! Finally you’re here! Jeez, are you sure a slowpoke like him can go fast now Starlight?” Rainbow looks annoyed like usual. As I approach I boop her nose as per our customary greeting at this point.

“Boop.” I say in lieu of good morning.

“Would you stop doing that! I hate when you touch my snout!” Rainbow huffs.

“I know, that’s why I do it.” I chuckle and stick my tongue out. Rainbow tries to get in my face before Starlight stops her with her magic.

“Now now you two. Don’t go and fight when there is a perfectly good contest we are about to do. Need I remind you Rainbow that this was your idea to begin with?” Starlight looks at Rainbow like a mother scolding their child.

“Ugh, fine. I’ll just have to cream you in this race and show you the true skills and awesomeness I have.” Rainbow says as she starts stretching. While she’s doing this I lean down and whisper to Starlight.

“Are you sure this is a good idea? I’ve barely learned how to read my magic core, do you really think I can channel this speed spell already?” Starlight looks at me with a warm smile.

“Thomas, you're the most studious creature I’ve met. You will be able to do this simple channel no problem. I’ve seen you sneaking peeks into the more advanced magic tomes.” She gives me a small smirk as I begin to fake whistle and look anywhere but at her.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was just doing some simple light reading. Nothing more.” Starlight giggles at this.

“Right and I suppose it has nothing to do with learning telekinesis or more advanced spells.” I cross my arms in fake indignation.

“I want to move things with my mind! Sue me!” At this Starlight and I both share a laugh while Rainbow stares at us annoyed.

“Come on! Are you finally ready to race or what?” I look at Starlight and chuckle one last time.

“Alright let’s not keep the crybaby waiting anymore.” Starlight laughs again and pats my side.

“You got this Thomas. Just keep in mind what I’ve been teaching you and you’ll do fine.” With one last reassuring smile I head over to Rainbow and touch the starting line. As soon as I do Starlight clears her throat to explain the rules.

“Ok the rules for this race are simple. You will both do twenty laps around this lake. I’ll be using this start line as a counter.” Starlight’s horn lit up causing the starting line to glow briefly before stopping.

“Now for every lap you do this line will count it. Once you’ve completed twenty laps it will announce the winner. Are you both ready?” Before we could answer we heard cheering and looked to our right. There seated on some bleachers were the rest of our friends waiting for the race to start. I look confused at them sitting there.

“Who told the rest of our friends about this?” Rainbow looked at me with a cocky smile on her face.

“What? You think I’m not gonna let my friends see how awesome I am?” I just groan and look at her annoyed.

“This was supposed to be a simple test of my abilities, not a spectacle.” Rainbow just looks at me and smiles.

“Well yeah but who doesn’t push themselves to be the best they can be in front of an audience! I can’t do my best without people cheering me on.” I hear a small shrill voice cheering.

“Go Rainbow Dash! You got this! Kick his flank!” I turn to see a smaller orange pony jumping up and down and flapping her wings excitedly.

“Seems you have a really big fan here too.” I say pointing at the orange pony.

“Oh yeah, that’s scootaloo, she’s kind of like a sister to me so I make sure she always gets to see me perform at my best!” I just shake my head.

“Alright let’s just get this started? You ready?” I ask Rainbow as I get into a running position and close my eyes to focus.

“Yeah! Let’s go already! I’ve been waiting for weeks! Starlight! Start the race already!” Rainbow begins flapping her wings itching to blast off.

“Alright you two, I want a good clean race! On your marks!” As she says this I focus on my magic core that I’ve learned to feel.The simple pulse of it like another beating heart, a rhythm like an engine ready to fire.

“Get set!” I focus harder, slowly releasing some of the energy in it, letting it wrap around me. I feel the warmth of the magic coat me like a blanket that keeps me safe and protected.

“Go!” Starlight shouts those words and my eyes shoot open. Rainbow and I both take off at the same time. I was worried I failed to channel the magic but I look around at the world as it whizzes by. All I can feel is my heart pumping and hear the whistle of the wind. I look and see Rainbow a little bit farther ahead than me but I can’t help but smile. Going this fast, being able to use magic I’ve spent weeks studying. At this point I don’t care if I win or lose. I just feel so free.

“And they are officially at the halfway mark everypony!” I hear Starlight’s announcement and can’t believe we’ve run that far already. I shake the thought out of my head and focus. I see Rainbow still ahead of me so I try to use a bit more magic to increase my speed. I slowly add more in and see I’m slowly gaining on her. I smile at my progress and keep running as fast as I can. As soon as I’m about to reach her I hear another announcement.

“And that’s the race everypony! Rainbow Dash won by a hair!” I stop running and collapse on the grass panting. I didn’t realize how exhausting the run was until after I stopped. I see Starlight walk over to me with a bottle of water.

“You did amazing Thomas! You kept up with Rainbow Dash for the entire race! Not bad for someone who just started learning magic.” She smirks as she levitates over a water bottle. I drink it up greedily. As soon as I have my fill I look at her and smile.

“Yeah it was an amazing race. I don’t care that I lost it felt so freeing moving that fast! And I didn't explode! You’ve been a great teacher Starlight! Thank you!” I pull Starlight into a tight hug laughing as I do. Starlight smiles and returns the hug just as tightly..

“And you’ve been an amazing student! I’m glad that I get to teach someone so studious like you! I know if you keep at it, we’ll have you learning the more advanced stuff in no time!” As we break our hug the rest of the girls come over to give their congratulations.

“That was mighty impressive Thomas. Ain’t ever seen any creature keep up with Rainbow before.” Applejack roughly patted me on the back before I could stand up.

“Indeed darling you really did an amazing job! Oh do you think you might become an athlete here? If you do, please let me do all your sporting outfit!” Rarity exclaimed.

“That looked like super duper fun! I can’t wait for the next challenge! I’ll make sure to bring my pom poms next time!” Pinkie says excitedly doing constant cartwheels around us.

“You did a great job Thomas. I’m very impressed.” Fluttershy said, giving me a gentle smile. As she does, Rainbow flies over to us.

“Well no surprise there! I am super awesome! Of course I’d get first.” She smirked at me and I gave her an annoyed look.

“Just you wait Rainbow! I’m gonna keep practicing magic and soon I’ll be able to beat you at your fastest no sweat!” I meet her gaze with my own. We both smile with determined looks in our eyes.

“How about this Rainbow? At the end of every week from now on. Why don’t we both meet up here? We’ll race around the lake and see who's the best each time. Sound good?

“Yeah! Sounds perfect! Are you sure though? I mean I know I’m awesome but do you really want to lose to me every week?” I laugh at that remark.

“Please I almost caught you while I barely know how to do magic! Imagine what I can do when I get even better at it!” We both stare each other down, but before anything can happen Starlight steps in.

“Alright you two, that was an exciting race but now it’s time for Thomas’ lessons so thank you for coming everypony, and I guess if you want to see another race come again next week.” Starlight and I say our goodbyes before heading off. As the castle comes into view I remember what Twilight said.

“Actually Starlight, Twilight made me promise to stop studying for a bit and spend time with friends. Is there anything you’d like to do today?” Starlight looks deep in thought before responding.

“Well, there is one thing I like doing, care to join me?” Starlight smiles expectantly. I smile back at her.

“Sure! Lead the way!” Starlight squees and begins to quickly push me towards the park.