Chapter 5

Dave quickly ran over to one of the windows and peeked through the curtains. Outside stood a large golden carriage with four grey tough looking pegasi armoured in the same fashion standing in pairs in front. They had large golden rods attaching the front of the carriage to loops on their shoulder plates.

“Whoa” Dave looked over at the crowd of ponies that had gathered around. They tried to see what was going on but still kept a respectable distance from the Pegasi. “Who are they?”

Twilight came over and peeked through as well. “Those are Princess Celestia’s royal guards.” She hummed “she must still want to keep you hidden if she brought the carriage rather than then chariot she normally does.”

Dave walked over to the door and peeked downstairs. The curtains were all closed and Princess Celestia was sat down pouring herself a cup of tea whilst looking over at the four books left on the table. Dave lightly knocked on the door and Celestia turned her head to look at him.

“Excuse me Princess may I come down?”

The princess smiled “of course you can Dave. And please you don’t have to ask me where you can go in Twilight’s home.”

Dave started to descend down the stairs as Spike climbed onto his shoulder Twilight following close behind. “How do you plan to get me into the carriage without anypony seeing me? Unless you are going to let them.”

Celestia placed her cup down. “The only ponies that know you exist and will know of your existence for the time being are the ponies which you have met, my guards and Luna” She raised the cup and took a sip “the guards were informed of your basic appearance as not to raise alarms and Luna will meet you face to face at some time during your stay”

“Thank you Princess”

The front door opened slightly as Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash slipped in and shut the door hurriedly behind them so nopony outside could look inside. They all bowed as they walked over to Princess Celestia.

The princess stood up and faced the new arrivals. “You may rise” They all did and looked up at her. “As you know I was intending to take Dave to Canterlot for a while so I may get a better perspective of what he is like. I am also offering you all a room at my castle while Dave is there so he may feel more comfortable.”

Dave looked over at Twilight, Rarity and Applejack. They had all been casting small glances over to him since they arrived. ‘Yeah make me comfortable’ he thought sarcastically.

“Thank you your majesty” all the ponies seemed to say in unison as they all gave small bows of appreciation.

“Dave may bring one along with him for now and the rest of you shall be brought shortly later after if you need to get any belongings” Celestia looked to him “Is there anypony in particular you would like to join us on the journey to Canterlot?”

Dave’s eyes skimmed over to Twilight, Rarity and Applejack as they all had looks in their eyes. “Um I would like Spike to come along on the journey if that is ok?”

Spike almost fell off Dave’s shoulder as he said his name. “Really? I would have thought you would have preferred somepony else to go with you”

“Ok if you don’t want to…” Dave playfully suggested

“No I would love to come” Spike worried that he had lost his chance

“Ok then” Dave looked at the other ponies “I hope none of you mind” Dave looked at the three he was actually aiming the question at.

All six of them shook their heads.

“Well then I would suggest you six start getting ready as the carriage shall be returning here in about one hour” Princess Celestia allowed them all to leave to attend with personal matters and Twilight went upstairs. “Are you ready Dave?” She moved closer to him and Spike

“Yeah I guess so” Dave looked her in the eyes as she tapped him with her horn.

A small flash of a white light blinded Dave as he fell to the floor. He rubbed his eyes and felt Spike poke his shoulder. “You alright Dave?”

Dave’s vision cleared as he noticed he was in a small, well decorated box with small windows on each side and a large golden seat with large cushions. “Yeah I’m fine… Where are we?”

“In the carriage… where else?”

Dave looked at Spike who had a blank face. “How?”

“The Princess teleported us in here” Spike walked over to the window and tip-toed to look out

“She can do that?” A roar of cheers came from outside and Dave moved closely behind Spike. The Princess was leaving Twilights house and heading for the carriage. Dave quickly hid behind the chair as the door swung open and Celestia walked in shutting it behind her. “Is it ok to come out now?”

“Yes Dave it is quite safe” Celestia sat down and called out “TO CANTERLOT”

Dave heard the noise of the guards rearing on their hind legs and spreading their wings. “Wait is this thing gonna …” he was cut off as the carriage started to move quickly forward and felt the front slowly rise up. “WHOA” Dave moved over to the window to see Ponyville begin to move away with increasing speed.

The Princess and Spike both giggled at Dave. As he took the view in as the carriage began to climb higher into the air. His attention was brought back to the giggling dragon and alicorn.

“What? I have never been in a flying carriage before”

Rarity’s boutique…

Rarity was quickly packing a few bags with some dresses and found some more of Dave’s clothes she had made for him. She brought the clothes and placed them in her favourite bag.

Her cat Opalescence sat down on some fabrics before watching Rarity pack. Rarity looked back at her cat before continuing.

“Oh Opal these next couple of days are going to be simply divine, we get to spend time in Canterlot, we get to spend time with the Princess and most importantly I get to spend time with Dave” Her mind began to wander.

“Oh we will have such fun… sitting in the gardens and have a picnic. I would have to wear the most amazing dress for the occasion.” She looked in her large wardrobe and looked at all the dresses “I will have to wear something sophisticated and stylish but with a hint of playfulness. Ah perfect” She giggled to herself laying the dress into her final bag.

Sweet apple acres…

“Ok Big Mac are ya sure you will be fine a few days without mah help?” Applejack was walking with her bigger brother towards the farm.

“Eeyup” Big Mac didn’t mind working alone and he held down the farm on his own occasionally.

Applejack stopped. Big Mac had taken a few more steps before he noticed his sister was looking awkwardly at the floor.

“Big Macintosh… can I tell you somethin?” she looked over to the barn remembering those few precious moments with Dave.

Big Mac looked at her; he could tell something was eating at her. “Eeyup” his voice applied a curious tone.

“Well you like Dave right?”

“Eeyup”

“He is a nice fella”

“Eeyup”

“Well the other night when he saved Applebloom and I took him into the barn”

“Ta get apples” Big Mac remembered his sis being gone for a while

“Kinda… you see Big Mac when I took him in there. And don’t get mad. I sorta… fooled around with him”

Big Mac stared at her with a blank face.

“I just want you to know that before somepony else does”

Big Mac continued to stare

Applejack looked a bit confused. “Ain’t you gonna complain?”

“Nnnope”

“Really?”

“Eeyup”

Applejack cheered up a bit “well that’s good… do you mind not tellin nopony? I just had to get it off ma chest.”

Big Mac pulled an invisible zipper across his mouth.

“Good” She sighed. She missed the expression that flashed across her brother’s face. He wasn’t expecting her to become so attached.

Twilight’s house…

Twilight was packing some simple things like her toothbrush and comb. As she went to seal the bag she stopped. She looked around before walking over to one of the bookshelves.

Twilight removed the entire bottom row of books and levitated a secret panel. Inside was her diary which she floated over to her. She quickly shifted through the pages. She stopped on the page about Dave’s arrival. She read the entry to herself.

“I saw a strange light in the sky above Sweet apple acres. It is to dark to investigate tonight so I will look in the morning. I just hope it isn’t bad.” She shut the book and placed it with her bags “I’m so glad I was wrong”

Fluttershy’s cottage…

Rainbow Dash had already finished packing a few bits before flying to Fluttershy’s. She was making sure all her animals were going to be ok and she had left her pet bunny Angel in charge.

They were both in Fluttershy’s bedroom as she started packing some things. Dash was lying on the bed.

“So Fluttershy how do you think this will work out?” Dash had her hooves behind her head

“It will be fine I can trust Angel completely” Fluttershy continued to pack

“Not that”

“Oh then what?”

“You and Dave?”

Fluttershy’s head shot up at turned to look at a smirking Rainbow Dash “how… do you mean?”

“Come on Fluttershy I’m a Pegasus too. I’ve noticed your wings every time you heard his name and the entire time you spent hiding behind the punch bowl the day he arrived. Something happened.” Rainbow grinned wider. “You like him!”

Fluttershy’s face glowed a bright red “oh… that” she looked at the grinning Pegasus “please don’t tell anypony. I would be so embarrassed.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes “fine. But what are you going to do? I mean we are all going to be in Canterlot together. Are you going to do anything?”

“Oh… my… I don’t know if I could try I mean… I’m too shy”

“Yeah I’ve noticed.” Rainbow stated sarcastically “Don’t worry I’ll help you”

“Thank you Rainbow Dash. You’re a good friend”

“Yeah I know. But you owe me”

Sugarcube corner…

Pinkie sat in the middle of the room with a few bags with a bored look on her face.

“Is it my turn yet? I’m bored. Why do I have to be at the bottom of the list?”

Err… Back at the carriage with Dave, Spike and princess Celestia…

“Hey!”

Dave scratched the back of his head. He could have sworn that he had heard Pinkie Pie. Eventually he shrugged as he felt the Carriage tip forwards. ‘We have only been in the air for about twenty minutes. These guards sure are tough’

The guards glided gently downwards towards a long white runway which was running alongside the courtyard towards a large set of stairs. The carriage gently bumped the ground as the guards pulled it towards the stairs.

Celestia got up as the carriage gently stopped. “Remain here until one of my guards come for you” She then left and shut the door behind her.

Spike looked at Dave who had an anxious face. “So how do you feel staying in a castle?” Spike almost feel over as the carriage lurched forwards.

“To be honest I am glad for the peace and quiet” Dave looked out the window to see Celestia walking into the large door at the top of the stairs and saw the carriage was being pulled towards a large storage area.

“What do you mean pace and quiet? Didn’t you enjoy yourself in Ponyville?”

“Can I tell you later? In private?” Dave took his gaze away from the window.

“Ok” Spike crossed his arms but looked over at Dave out the corner of his eye.

The carriage stopped again and was closely followed by a knock at the door. Dave shrugged at Spike who returned the puzzled look. Dave slowly opened the door and looked at a large black stallion unicorn with a large scar over his left eye; his mane was neatly cut and was the same colour as his body. His armour was in golden similar to the pegasi but his one had a silver outline.

“Umm… hello” Dave nervously looked at the soldier

“Are you the creature known as Dave?” The soldier’s voice sounded strong and annoyed

“Yeah… what’s your name?”

“Come with me” The soldier started to walk away

Spike climbed on Dave’s soldier as he stepped out of the carriage and began to follow him past some other carriages in the large storage area. They walked past some more pegasi that replaced the ones that pulled the carriage and began to take it back out again. The tired ones started to leave through a door that led outside.

Dave looked back at the unicorn he was following. “I didn’t catch your name.” He ignored Dave. “Bit rude” he muttered

The unicorn led him through some long corridors and up numerous stairs before arriving at a white door.

He turned and looked at Spike. “Spike you will be staying here. Make yourself comfortable until I or another one of the guards come for you”

Spike looked at Dave before dropping down. “I’ll see you later”

Dave waved at Spike before he continued to follow the unicorn up some more stairs. They stopped again at another room.

“Dave this is your room.” The unicorn opened the door and allowed Dave to walk in first.

Dave looked round the room. There was a four-poster bed, a large mirror on the wall, a set of draws beneath it, a door leading to a small private bathroom and a glass door which led onto a balcony that overlooked the wide open fields that rested below Canterlot. “Wow” Dave began to explore his room.

“If you have any questions please ask now for I am very busy”

“What is your name?”

“Is that important?”

“To me it is yes”

“Fine.” the unicorn sighed “my name is sergeant Strong Shield”

“What do you do?”

“I am in charge of the new recruits and making sure the current guard are at the peak of their capabilities” He said that part with a proud tone in his voice “and for the mean time I shall also be keeping the princess informed about your actions”

“How did you get that scar?” Dave had been wondering as it looked like it was deeply cut

“An incident that happened a few weeks ago. One of the guards was knocked down and allowed a changeling to get a swipe at me”

“A changeling?”

“I really must be going if you need any assistance talk to any of the guards” He turned towards the door

“One last question” Dave thought before he asked. “Is there anywhere I could… do some weightlifting?”

Strong Shield looked at him with a curious glare. “One of the training grounds should have some adequate facilities. Follow”

Dave quickly followed him through the castle once more. Descending down a variety of different staircases until they came to a large private courtyard that was on the edge of a cliff. Some guards were in different parts of the area. A few unicorns were practicing using their magic against some targets, some pegasi were flying through some hoops made of clouds doing some difficult manoeuvres and a couple of earth ponies were sitting down while sweat ran down their faces.

“This is one of the training areas. You may use this one as most of the guards use it for recreational use” Strong Shield turned to go back inside. “I trust you remember the way to your room so you may remain here until you are ready”

Dave thanked him but got no reply so started to awkwardly walk over to a tree which had some weights beneath it. The guards that had noticed Dave arrive were all watching him curiously.

Dave looked at the weights he picked up a medium sized one. It felt strangely light in his hand as he calmly started to throw it up and catch it in his other hand. He placed it down as he looked at a larger weight; he picked it up with some effort. “This is better but still not as heavy as that tree” he sighed then he looked at the tree he was standing next to. “I could try that one but… nah” he shook his head and began to gently use the weight in his hands.

Two Pegasi had flew over to the and earth pony and whispered something into his ears. All three laughed. Dave didn’t pay attention to them and continued to raise and lower the weight.

The earth ponies, a brown one with a messily cut mane trotted over to Dave. “So you’re the strange creature we were told about”

Dave looked over at him but then continued with his exercise. “Yeah I am I guess”

“Well do you mind if I use that weight?”

“Not at all” Dave passed him the weight and the pony dropped it on Dave’s foot. “Ow” Dave picked the weight off his foot before staring back at the pony.

A loud laugh came from the Pegasi.

“Whoops sorry I thought you would have been fine with that if you could handle a tree” he left laughing as well as he sat back down with his colleges.

Dave stared at them before deciding to leave. ’I can come back tomorrow’ He calmly walked back inside and up towards Spike’s room. Dave knocked on the door and it opened shortly after.

“Hey Dave” Spike let Dave enter. His room was a smaller than Dave’s room but still had all the same facilities. “These rooms are amazing aren’t they?”

“Yeah they are really nice” Dave sat on the edge of the bed “listen Spike I have to tell you something”

“Yes Dave?” Spike came and sat next to him looking up at him

Dave sighed ‘I can’t tell him about Rarity he would be crushed. But what if he found out? I will have to talk with the others before I tell him’ He looked over at the dragon that stared at him. “I was wondering if you still wanted to go camping because when we go back to Ponyville I was going to start preparing for it”

Spike’s face lit up “Boy do I” He jumped on the bed “it will be so cool” he stopped bouncing “but where are we going?”

Dave shrugged “I don’t know, maybe while we are here we can get a map and start picking out some places”

Spike nodded “sure I’m sure that there is a shop that sells maps in Canterlot, but I don’t have any money,

Dave realized that he didn’t even know the currency of this world. ‘I will have to find a library here and research before I go anywhere else’ He started to scratch his chin in curiosity ‘does this castle have a library?’

Spike looked back at Dave “Is that it? Back in the carriage you looked really troubled”

Dave let go of his head “yeah that’s it” He started for the door “for now…” he muttered under his breath as he left the room waving Spike goodbye.

Spike went to the window and saw a carriage coming towards the castle. ‘That must be the others’

Dave hurried back to his room after getting slightly lost but finally found his way again. He opened the door and shut it behind him. ‘How am I going to tell Spike? He likes Rarity and if he finds out he could get really angry, baby or not he is still a dragon’ He lay back on his bed and placed his hands on his face. ‘None of the ones I kissed know about each other, how are they going to take it? How could I tell them?’

Dave ran different scenarios through his mind for a few minutes. His concentration was broken by a knock at the door, he got up and opened it.

“Your friends have arrived and your presence is required follow me” It was Strong Shield and he had started to leave before Dave even caught on with what he had just said.

“Wait up” Dave quickly shut the door and began to hurriedly follow Strong Shield down through the castle again. “That was quite quick, the guards must be strong”

“The pegasi guards are trained in carrying large weights over long distances so taking a few ponies from Ponyville is an easy task.” He sounded proud that his soldiers were being complimented.

They continued through some corridors and they came to a door with two unicorn guards standing outside. They saluted Strong Shield and opened the door for him and Dave. They walked into a large circular room with various painting lining the walls. Most were of buildings and some of the interior of the castle. Princess Celestia, Spike and the other ponies were seated on large curved purple sofas all having some drinks. Strong Shield saluted the Princess.

“Ah Dave” Celestia placed her drink down “come sit” She beckoned towards a space in the sofa opposite her at the end of one of the sofas next to Spike.

Dave quickly sat down before a butler unicorn pony poured and handed him some tea. “Thanks… um hey everypony”

They all said hello in reply but Pinkie spoke up next. “Dave can you believe that we all get to stay in a castle? It is going to be so much fun we can find someplace to have a party to celebrate.”

“Pinkie I don’t think the Princess would like us partying in her castle” Twilight gave Pinkie an annoyed look.

They all began to have a conversation about what they could and what they couldn’t do while at the castle before the Princess spoke up. “I will allow anything so long as it is kept out of the way of normal business. We wouldn’t like attention drawn to Dave just yet.”

They all nodded and Dave sat with his tea in one hand and his other hand on an armrest balancing his head. He slowly took a sip ‘Why does every thing taste good here? Ah well I shouldn’t complain’ he wasn’t paying attention to the ponies.

Rarity looked over at Dave “Well I think we should do things that Dave would like to do. It is only fair.”

Dave’s trance broke and looked around at the ponies that all looked at him. “Umm well I would really like to keep things simple and quiet.”

“How about a picnic?” Rarity suggested secretly knowing she was hoping for a moment like this

“Or look round the castle?” Twilight looked as some of the paintings

“Or A PARTY” Pinkie cheered as everyone looked at her.

“Um I think the picnic idea sounds ok” Dave placed his tea on a table in the centre of the sofas

“You may use the gardens for as long as you stay here” Princess Celestia stood and began to depart “your bags have been taken to your rooms and I shall have the chefs put together some food for you all. The picnic shall be set up by the time you all are shown your rooms. Dave and Spike would you like to go and find a comfortable place in the gardens and the girls may be brought momentarily?”

“Um thank you Princess” Dave stood and picked Spike up onto his shoulders and the princess gave the orders to the butler who quickly departed.

“It is no trouble at all” She then left and a guard and Strong Shield walked in.

“I shall be showing you all your rooms” the guard announced as the ponies all followed him.

Dave followed Strong Shield who took him through the castle once more to a large door which opened out onto a large garden area with trees wide open areas of grass and a large fountain of four unicorns stood in the middle water spouting out of their horns. Dave looked around and found a space on some grass next to a solitary tree which gave a large shadow which protected from the light from the sun. He went to the side of the tree’s shadow. “Here” Dave pointed at the ground and Spike gave a reassuring nod.

Some more unicorns came out and laid a large blanket out which could easily allow ten ponies to lie upon it, half was in the light of the sun and the other half in the shadow of the tree. An earth pony came and placed down two large baskets and departed with the unicorns.

Strong Shield looked at Dave “I shall be attending my duties, if you need anything talk to one of the guards” he then left as well.

Dave let Spike down before lying on his back in the sun next to the shade, placing his hands behind his head, closing his eyes and letting the warmth of the sun hit his face. “Ah this is good”

Spike walked over to one of the baskets and opened it up. “I’ll say they left me some rubies to eat” He bit into one. “Yum”

“What do rubies taste like?”

“I don’t know… they just taste like rubies” Spike chuckled before throwing the other half into his mouth.

“Yeah well do we have a lot of stuff?”

“Loads it would take us forever to get through all this” Spike started to rummage through the other basket.

“Hey are you starting without us?” Rainbow Dash flew over and pulled Spike out of the basket “what have we got anyway?” She then placed her head inside.

“Does it have any cake?” Pinkie ran over and shoved her head inside the other basket

Spike stood up and rubbed his head. “There is tons of stuff, enough for everypony”

“Well you sure did pick a nice spot” Twilight walked over with Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity. Rarity was wearing a yellow dress which hung a few inches from the ground and a wide rimmed hat of the same colour which blocked the sun from her eyes.

They all sat down on the blanket. Rarity sat in the shade as close as she could to Dave. Fluttershy, Twilight and Pinkie all sat in the shade as well. Rainbow Dash laid in the sun mimicking Dave, Applejack sat on the other side with Dash in-between her and Dave. Spike came and rummaged through the baskets again.

“I hope they didn’t pack only the snooty high-class stuff” Applejack removed her hat and allowed a gentle breeze to flow through her mane.

“The opposite” Spike pulled out an apple fritter and handed it to her “all this seems to be stuff we would make” Spike then pulled out a large bottle and some large round glass cups “they even packed some apple juice! Anypony want some?”

The ponies all asked for a glass and Spike handed the drinks out. Dave remained motionless as Spike finished handing the drinks and looked at him.

“Do you want a drink Dave?”

“Yes please” Dave didn’t open his eyes but held out a hand and Spike placed the cool glass in his hand and poured in some drink. “Thanks” Dave drank some and placed the drink down next to him.

Rarity took a sip before placing her drink down “I brought you some spare clothes for you Dave, so you don’t have to keep wearing those boring things”

Applejack looked up at Rarity “but you made the things”

“I made them in a rush Applejack”

Dave shrugged while in his relaxed state “well I like them, I think they are very good Rarity and thank you for bringing me some more”

Rarity looked down at Dave. “Your very welcome Dave would you like to pick them up later?”

“Umm yeah sure”

Rarity turned to Twilight “anyway I was hoping I could use you for a new fantastic design I have been working on…”

They all trailed off into their own conversations with each other and Dave continued to relax in the sun. A few minutes before Fluttershy suggested going for a walk through the gardens. They all started to get up apart from Dave and Rarity.

“Sounds like fun we can come back in a minute or two… aren’t you coming” Twilight looked at duo.

Rarity adjusted her hat “I’m afraid that if I do go I may get my dress ruined in some way, I’ll be fine here”

“Ok if you’re sure, what about you Dave? Dave? Is he asleep?”

Dave had remained motionless apart from his slow breathing. He wasn’t actually asleep he just didn’t really feel like talking.

“He has had a strange past few days we should let him be” Rarity looked from Dave back to Twilight “don’t worry I won’t wake him”

The gang all left and Spike decided to sit on Twilight again. Rarity was left alone with Dave and she gazed at his face.

“Oh Dave you look so peaceful” she said softly “I’ve been thinking about that night at my home, that was a good night” she didn’t care Dave was asleep, she just wanted to talk with someone near who wouldn’t judge her. “It’s sad really. I finally met someone who was nice and they will have to leave for their home”

Dave felt his brain flip. ‘Home? I haven’t really thought about it since I got here, how do I go back?”

Rarity continued to talk. “Even if they couldn’t find a way to send you back, how could I be with you? And why would you want to live with a pony.” She gently stroked the side of his face.

Dave felt a hoof touch the side of his face and he resisted taking his face away. ‘Wait… live with? What the hell was with the other night then if she wanted a long time thing?’ He remained still.

Rarity pulled her hoof away from his face and placed it beside her. “Silly Rarity for thinking this would work” she then waited in silence for the others to return.

A few minutes passed and the others all came back with slightly annoyed looks apart from Fluttershy who looked embarrassed. They all sat down in their old spots and had a drink.

“Everything ok?” Rarity asked

“No Fluttershy thought it would be a good idea ta wake a skunk up” Applejack took a large bite out of an apple fritter.

“I’m sorry girls I just wanted to say hello to the little guy” Fluttershy played with a small flower between her hooves.

“It’s ok Fluttershy, it was lucky Twi knew a smell removal smell. Jus give us a warnin next time”

Dave chose to sit up and greet the group. “Hey everypony” He let out a fake yawn “What did I miss?”

“Just some boring stuff, don’t worry about it” Dash stood up again “I wanna do something exciting”

Dave looked at the Pegasus “What did you have in mind?”

“Maybe a short race… just one lap of the gardens”

“I’m up for it” Dave stood up and shook his legs

“Cool” Rainbow Dash then walked over towards some trees and made a line in the dirt between them. “Ok. One lap. Winner gets bragging rights”

“Ok. You want to count down?” Dave got into a low crouch both hands just behind the line.

“Three…” Dash got into position “Two…” Dave raised his back “One…” they both looked dead ahead.

“GO!” Dash yelled as Dave and her charged forwards. Dash ran on her hooves and started to take the lead as they reached a bend.

They both tore around the corner as Dave started to close the gap. They both ran past the guards that stood at the door. Dave continued to gain ground as they reached the next corner. Dave furiously worked hard to try keep up. Rainbow Dash looked back to see Dave had almost caught her. They became neck and neck as they passed the water fountain. They both stayed at each other’s side as they turned the last corner.

“Your fast on your hooves ill give you that” Dash saw the finishing line in the distance

“They’re called feet” Dave panted. He saw the line approaching and gave one final burst of energy and started to overtake Dash.

“oh no you don’t” Dash muttered as she spread her wings and gave a powerful flap which brought her to Dave’s side she flapped again to take her into the lead.

Dave watched as she began to fly ahead. ‘She is cheating, she knows I can’t fly!’ Dave felt a surge of power as he leapt at her and wrapped his arms around her pushing her wings to her body. They both tumbled to the ground and they both stretched out, Dave with an arm and Dash with a hoof.

“Draw” Twilight announced. The two racers looked up to see they both had a hand or hoof an equal distance across the line.

“No fair he grabbed me!” Dash flew up in frustration

“Only because you started flying!” Dave stood to meet eye to eye “Still that was pretty fun” he giggled

“Yeah I suppose it was” They both started to happily walk back towards the picnic. “But you owe me a rematch” She playfully shoved Dave who stumbled a pace to the right

“Oh anytime” Dave playfully returning the nudge “next time I will win”

Dash flew back a bit “no I will!” She shoved Dave again giggling

She pushed Dave a bit harder and made him stumble. He tripped over Applejack and began to fall over. He turned in the air and he landed on his front, an intense pain ripped through Dave’s stomach and he felt his body go weak. He heard gasps as he slowly pushed himself up to his knees. He looked down and saw his shirt stained in blood.

He slowly lifted his shirt and saw his drink glass imbedded in his stomach, blood running down his body.