Note: Part 2 of Icebreakers! So far, the two groups have gotten onto each other's nerves. Will they ever get along, or will I be as devious as to continue making them hate each other? Find out now!

The party was going relatively well so far. Leon, Chloe, Doc, Draco, Pinkie Pie, and Percy all seemed to be having a good time. Annabelle and Applejack were still offended by the other ponies saying they sounded alike, and sat down pouting at the table. Rarity was trying to teach herself to not fear dirt by tossing something in the trash, but every time she got near the trash can, she would run away in fear, shouting and screaming. Fluttershy was sitting alone in the corner, staying as far away from the others as possible. Cloud and Rainbow had been at each other's throats during the entire party. They would try to grab food before the other did, drink punch quickly in a race, and would shove each other.

Leon had noticed all of this happening, and he wanted to do something to ease the tension inside. He couldn't eat anymore cake, and he pushed it aside. We shouldn't be fighting with each other just after we met. I need to do something about this… Pinkie Pie stared at Leon, and nodded.

"I agree! We should do something so they stop being down in the dumps!" she demanded.

"Wait… how did you know what I was thinking? I didn't say it out loud!" Leon accused.

"Remember? I can read and speak fourth wall. I thought you could too!" she said.

"I can! Just… think about something completely random and I'll guess what it is," Leon argued.

"Okey-Dokey-Lokey!" Pinkie exclaimed. She stuck her tongue out, and was deep in thought. How about Gummy!? No, wait, how about that one time I got my head stuck in a rock!? OOH! Better yet, a cupcake pony! Or, how about that one time…

"AHHHH! STOP! YOU'RE THINKING TOO MUCH!" Leon exclaimed.

"Well, what did I think about?" Pinkie said.

"You said something about a Gummy, then about getting stuck in a rock, then a cupcake pony, and then I yelled at you to stop," Leon said with annoyance.

"You got it! What were we saying earlier? Oh, right, we gotta help our friends out!" Pinkie said.

"Right… Percy, you should talk to Annabelle." Leon stopped as he saw Rarity running away in shock from the garbage can, screaming. "And Rarity, for that matter."

"On it, Leon," Percy said.

"OK, and Fluttershy, you talk to Applejack! We should let Cloud and Rainbow race, so that they could stop on their own. OK, one two three go!" Pinkie exclaimed, and she shot out like a rocket towards Cloud and Rainbow, shouting for them to race right now.

"Um… I don't really want to…" Fluttershy said… no… whispered.

"Fluttershy, this is for Applejack, your friend. Friends help friends. What do you say?" Leon stated.

"Oh… oh… OK," Fluttershy whispered simply.

They all nodded to each other, and headed to their little ponies.

…

Percy first headed to Annabelle, who was now sitting with Applejack. She turned to see him, but then looked away. "Remember that big argument we had before we got together? You said I spoke in a Southern Drawl. I really don't appreciate the fact that they think a pony like me is a Southern Belle. I feel worse than the cow that was branded during drought season," Annabelle said sadly.

"Annabelle, it wasn't meant to be a putdown, it was meant to be a jest. They would never want you to feel bad on purpose. I'm sure they'll express their sincere apologies to you," Percy said.

Annabelle looked up to Percy. "You know something? You're absolutely right! They're my friends, and they sure wouldn't want me to feel miserable. Thanks, Percy," Annabelle said more enthusiastically. "I wonder why Applejack would be upset, though."

Fluttershy approached Applejack, who spoke soothingly to her. "Um… Applejack? You shouldn't be angry with them. I'm sure they weren't referring to you when they heard Annabelle."

"Fluttershy dear, I don't think they meant that in a good way. They meant for it to be a joke, using me and that other pony as the scapegoats. I feel worse than a trailer park after tornado season," Applejack said.

"Applejack, they're new here. They don't know us well, so they may not know what makes you mad. I think they wanted to ease the nervousness in here. If it would help, they could apologize. How about it, Applejack?" Fluttershy asked.

"Hmm… All right, Fluttershy. I'll try to get these ponies welcomed. Maybe they'll know us better than two peas in a pod!" Applejack said.

"That's… um… good. Glad to hear…" Fluttershy said quietly.

Pinkie Pie then shot towards the two and announced, "Hey guys! There's gonna be a race outside right now! Come on, come on, come on, come on! It's about to start!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"A race, huh? Who's riding in this race?" asked Applejack.

"Rainbow Dash! And this other pony… um… that I don't know!" Pinkie replied excitedly.

Applejack, Annabelle, Pinkie, and Fluttershy headed to where the two Pegasi were preparing to race. They each stretched their wings, legs, and sides. About a moment later, the remaining Searchers and Mane 5 headed outside to view the spectacle. The race was to be a good one, and every pony in town was watching the race. Cloud and Rainbow lined up at the starting line, and ducked down.

The referee was none other than Princess Celestia, who heard about the race and came down. "Princess Celestia!? What are you doing here!?" Leon asked incredibly.

Completely unlike herself for some reason, she answered Leon. "I heard there was a race going on, and I placed my bets on Cloud Runner." She turned to Cloud Runner, and shouted at her. "You can show this little filly who's boss, Cloud! I've got my money on you!" she yelled out happily. She sounded much differently than she usually did, and Leon recognized the voice. I hate bananas… and cannons… and moon launchers.

He turned to the fourth wall barrier yet again, and asked a question. "Do you like bananas?"

Pinkie Pie burst in from out of nowhere. "NOT AS MUCH AS I LOVE THE MOOOOON!" she exclaimed.

The race was about to start, and Celestia readied the racers. She raised the flag. Cloud looked over at Rainbow, and she looked back. They were seriously competitive with each other, and would not let the other show them up. Celestia then waved the flag, and the two Pegasi took off quickly, leaving behind a cloud of dust.

The race was seven laps around the skies of Ponyville, and then a performance of each racer's special talent. As Celestia as the judge, the ultimate decision would be official. The better racer would be determined. Who would it be? Find out next time on Spiritual Setback!

…

"Wait, wait, wait, wait! Don't be one of those authors who leave cliffhangers, especially in a comedy!" Leon said.

Hoping to stay out of this, Leon was flung back to the ground below. "Hey! You can't do this! I brought you fame…!" he said. Leon, suddenly making sense for once, stopped flying, and landed safely on his hooves on the ground below.

"That's better… now on with the story!" Leon exclaimed.

…

Cloud and Rainbow both flew at record breaking speeds, and had flown through clouds shaped as rings to pass through. They both passed through the rings very quickly, and had already gotten one lap down. On each of their minds were two thoughts.

On Cloud's mind she thought to herself. This pony can believe in the rainbow, but she can't taste it! I'll beat her, no problem! Also on her mind was a song she suggested was her theme song. It was the William Tell Overture Finale.

On Rainbow's mind she thought to herself. This old timer thinks she moves as fast as lightning? We'll see who's left in the dust after this race! On her mind was a song as well, like Cloud, but it was Ride of the Valkyries.

They both continued at their speeds, and got through the other laps like nothing. The last two laps would prove to be grueling for the two racers. Cloud, just ahead of Rainbow Dash, was flying smoothly, while Rainbow Dash was tiring out and weary. Cloud had finished the lap, and was on the last one. She noticed how tired Rainbow Dash was, and she went up to her, feeling a bit bad for her. "Hey, what do you say we just call off this race, shake on it, and say it was a good run?" Cloud suggested.

Rainbow was breathing heavily, and replied to her. "No… way… I'm might lose the race… but not the performance!" she gasped out. Cloud, seeing her determination, let her continue the race, while Cloud finished the race.

Cheering came from all of the ponies, and Cloud landed to a cheering crowd of ponies who lifted her up and praised her. Rainbow flew back down in utter defeat and humiliation. The Searchers and the Mane 5 congratulated her as well, but it was nothing compared to the crowd Cloud had.

"It's not over yet," said Rainbow Dash grudgingly.

"I think it's safe to say that Cloud won the race," Celestia announced. One of the guards disappointedly handed her a sack of bits, and she placed them away. "Now for the performance competition: You will each perform your signature Mach 1 abilities. Cloud, you will go first."

"OK…" she said as she readied herself yet again. She then flew up very high, high enough to where she couldn't see the ponies on the ground anymore. She then waited for a dramatic pause, and then shot down like a falcon towards the ground. She built up much electricity behind her, and she continued at her speed. She eventually built a field of electricity around her, and when she finally reached Mach 1, all of the energy around her exploded out. It was a dazzling display of blue lightning, but Cloud didn't realize that without her sword, she couldn't direct the energy from the EMP.

The electricity went everywhere, shutting off all electronics in Ponyville, including all lights, appliances, and worst of all, Celestia's Walkman. Celestia then realized what had caused this, and when Cloud landed, she shook her head disappointedly. "My Walkman busted while I was listening to Rolling Stones; therefore, if Rainbow Dash can perform her Mach 1 ability, she wins the performance!" She then sent a guard out to fetch some kind of power source that was still working to charge it back up.

Rainbow Dash, determined to win the performance, flew up excitedly, wanting to show off her Sonic Rainboom. She flew up to where Cloud was positioned before flying, and she prepared herself to dive. She shot down like a fighter jet, gathering light of all colors behind her. It was a magnificent display of colors dancing in the wind, but then Rainbow Dash hit Mach 1, sending a beautiful explosion of color and light everywhere, while a rainbow followed her. She landed on the ground confidently, and a huge crowd welcomed her back with a loud cheer.

"Rainbow Dash wins the performance!" Celestia announced happily.

Every pony stared at her with confusion, and Leon walked up to her. "But… who won the entire competition?" he asked.

"Ready to learn a lesson, Leon? It's not always about winning… it's about doing what you do best! Cloud was faster, and Rainbow Dash was more graceful, but they both performed outstandingly."

All of the ponies were struck with the realization that she was right, and they all face hoofed themselves. Cloud walked up to Rainbow Dash, and stuck her hoof out. "That was a great run, Rainbow Dash, and… I'm sorry for calling you out."

Rainbow shook her hoof proudly. "Are you kidding? You were awesome! I guess I'm sorry for insulting you." They made amends, and the Searchers and Mane 5 cheered.

"All right, guys, I knew we'd all get along! I can't wait until we go off on adventures as a group! In fact, I heard the one guy who does all this is sending us across time! I don't know what that means, but it sounds like fun!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"PINKIE! Way to give away our next misadventure." Leon then turned to the fourth wall. "You heard it here! Next week, we each go to different time periods! Will we somehow screw up the present? Will we change the past? Will we see into the future? Find out next week, ponies!" Leon exclaimed. Every pony was staring at him and Pinkie in confusion, and wondered who they were talking to.

Passage: "Well, thanks for spoiling it, Pinkie Pie..." Author said annoyed.

"No problem!" she said excitedly, hopping out.

"Well, that's all the time for this week! Log in next time to see the Searchers and Mane 5 go through time and have whacky mishaps! See y'all next time!" Author said as he shut off the lights to the talk room, and left the building.