(AN: Finally! An update! Probably not worth the wait, not that it sucks, it was just a really long wait. Sorry for the long wait, but something always kept coming up, either school or life. Luckily it was a 3day weekend. Unluckily, I have to write two essays, but on the bright side, only two weeks of school left! Anyways thanks for your support and enjoy.)

Chapter 6: Race

There was a slight breeze. It was just strong enough to provide comfort but not vigorous enough to have a major effect on any pegasus flying against it. This race would be one of skill. Both racers took their positions on the starting line (or cloud rather) as they waited for the self-appointed officials, Spitfire and Soarin’ to give the countdown.

As Rainbow waited she remembered her morning. As they left to the meet the Wonderbolts at the diner she quickly scouted her opponent-to-be. His flying style was a combination of speed and grace, a quality that nearly every wonderbolt had, which was similar to her own. She found that, even while casually flying, he was genuinely fast. In fact, Rainbow had trouble balancing trying to keep up with him and maintaining a casual flight.

Another surprise awaited Rainbow at breakfast. Fluttershy. Rainbow didn’t bother to question her, as the pink maned pegasus had stuck to her trademark silence. She had been much more lively before Rainbow had arrived, but no one seemed to notice. Breakfast was perfect, not the actually food (which Rainbow completely ignored), but the chance to hang out with her idols. Hanging out with the Wonderbolts was as awesome as she had imagined, but it wasn’t long before the race was brought up. At the mention of it Rainbow had blushed slightly, but she knew what had to be done. She couldn’t back down now, not in front of her childhood heroes.

The race was as straight forward as possible, no obstacles to slow them down; no finesse or agility would be needed, the fastest would reign supreme. The makeshift track started at the top of a hill on the outskirts of Ponyville and the ended at the barn at Sweet Apple Acres; the distance would be relatively small while flying so it was decided that whoever could make it to the barn and back would win.

“5!”

Rainbow was lost in the moment, not noticing that Spitfire began the countdown.

“4!”

Next to her, the stallion began to get into stance eagerly awaiting the start.

“3!”

Spitfire was shouting each number slowly to build the tension. She had been enjoying this much more than any other pony had been.

“2!”

Rainbow still hadn’t noticed the countdown had started- let alone nearly finished. Fluttershy, who had become much more coy than usual had come to offer her friend support; she was also the only one to notice that Rainbow had not taken her position. Fluttershy had tried calling to Rainbow, but her voice was barely audible.

“1!”

Spitfire had yelled this much louder than the previous numbers finally shaking Rainbow out of her stupor. It had been too late; the wonderbolt had taken off and was now a small, but precious distance ahead of her. Rainbow had taken off as fast as she could in order to make up for lost time, but the stallion kept his distance.

Rainbow powered through. Eventually catching up to the pony that once held the lead. Rainbow had felt the familiar sting of adrenaline. It had been a while since she had felt this rush as she rarely had anyone to compete with in flying. She began to get lost in the pure excitement as the wind had rushed through her rainbow mane.

Rainbow was able to remember the task at hoof and with perfect technique turned around just as she hit the barn. The wonderbolt had not been so gracious; he had overshot it costing him a few valuable seconds. Still, like Rainbow, he would not be discouraged.

Rainbow had looked back, the distance between the two of them had nearly ensured her win. She took the moment to enjoy the cool wind pressing against her face, it had been too long since she had flew like this. Her trance was broken as she saw the trailing pegasus catching up to her, a visible cone forming around him.

“So it’s going to be like that?” Rainbow muttered under her breath before picking up speed.

Rainbow matched the wonderbolt’s by the time he had caught up to her. It was neck to neck as both pegasi began to gain speed. They had been going so fast that they had crossed the finish line without noticing. It no longer mattered who reached it first, they had both still been locked in competition.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

From the ground the Wonderbolts and Fluttershy simply watched as two blurs had sped past them. It would be a photo finish, nearly impossible to figure out the winner with the naked eye. However it didn’t take long before they realized that neither of the pegasi had stopped. Spitfire lowered her goggles, her jaw nearly dropping.

“You always do that!” Soarin’ exclaimed, catching everyponies' attention. A blush came upon his face as he sheepishly turned back to the two pegasi.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Rainbow was beginning to feel the unforgettable tingle that came with nearly breaking the speed of sound. She knew in just seconds she would win this race with her sonic rainboom. The sense of speed was incredible, but she had rarely achieved this feat. Having to prep for a sonic rainboom usually took a lot out of her and after she was finished it usually took her a while to adjust back to normal and even longer to fly back at normal speed. A sonic rainboom was something she only saved for special occasions whether it would be to show off or to use the speed to save her friend’s life.

BOOM!

Rainbow had heard the instantly recognizable sonic boom. She had opened her eyes only to realize that she wasn’t the one that broke the sound barrier. The wonderbolt had soared ahead of her. The shock had caused Rainbow to unintentionally lower her speed. This was a huge mistake. The unforgiving cone had stopped her completely before launching her back in the opposite direction.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

BOOM!

The sound had been one that the Wonderbolts were well acquainted with; the breaking of the sound barrier. From their position they could see one figure speed ahead of the other, but the distance had made the figures unrecognizable.

“Looks like we have a winner,” Spitfire managed to say, her jaw having dropped again. Soarin’ rolled his eyes.

“So who do you want to think won? I would be a whole pie that it was our rookie,” Soarin’ said nudging Spitfire.

“Deal,” Spitfire replied instantly.

They eagerly awaited a beam of light, one color to indicate the wonderbolt as the winner, or a full spectrum to say otherwise. However something else had caught their attention, the behind figure had been flung backwards travelling almost as fast in the opposite direction. They all stared in disbelief.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Rainbow had no control as she rocketed backwards. She had felt a feeling of shame over everything else. She finally found contact hitting a patch of grass on one of the hills. She thanked Celestia that she hadn’t hit something too hard, or worse, lethal. Still it had hurt more than the last time when she had knocked over nearly every book at the library. She found herself drifting into unconsciousness as the last image she saw was her competitor speeding off.