Fair Game

Princess Luna yawn again. Princess Celestia smiled and nudged her sister to wake her up. She needed to stay up to cheer for her champion, Nightshade; but she was so tired she soon fell asleep again. Not that it mattered much since the bat-winged pony in the field was also snoring. All the other competitors were up and awake, specially an enthusiastic rainbow maned pegasus.

“You earned your place here, Rainbow Dash. I know you got what it takes to make us proud.” Spitfire said giving her a playful punch in the shoulder.

“Yes captain!”

A sudden flap of wings at her back made her turn. The griffon landed and gave her a contempt look. Gilda and Dash were locked in a silent discussion that lasted for about a minute before the griffon moved to her place.

“Friend of yours?” Spitfire asked.

“Not anymore.”

The announcer asked the competitors to take their places, the audience roaring in response. The sudden stomps woke up Princess Luna from her slumber.

“LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!”

...and with that she was back to snoring.

The competitors dashed into the race, leaving behind Nightshade still asleep at the starting line. The course was pretty difficult, it involved going through tall mountains were giant roc birds kept their nests and dodging several storm clouds. Many racers fell down  trying to avoid the Upside Down Waterfalls and many more got lost at the Windy Tunnels.

Rainbow saw Gilda pushing a pegasus out of her way, making him fall into a cloud.

“You still are the same cheater, right?”

“Shut up!”

Gilda whipped her tail at Rainbow who kicked her in return. They were soon locked in a struggle and failed to notice the incoming stream of vapor that hit them form below. They landed in the ground and with their wings dampered they couldn't get back into the air. Gilda didn't care and left off, running and jumping through the rocks.

Since claws and paws made it easier to grab to the wet rocks she quickly was ahead while Rainbow struggled to keep up. Rainbow slipped and was about to fell down when she heard the cheering from her friends. Even if they were pretty far away she could still hear them, especially Pinkie. Rainbow regained her confidence while Gidla frowned.

One clumsy pegasus hit the mountain side causing an avalanche. Rainbow had learned her lesson from the last time and quickly dodged all the falling boulders. Gilda wasn't so lucky and she ended up trapped. She tried to lift the rock to no avail. Just when she had given up she heard Rainbow pushing the big rock over her.

“What are you doing?” Gidla yelled. “I didn't ask  for your help!”

“Well, you´re gonna get it, you like it or UGH not!”

Rainbow pushed as hard as he could but the rock was very heavy.

Above them, the still sleepy Nightshade flapped her bat wings and slowly flew by.

Gilda couldn't resist it anymore and began to sob.

“Leave me alone. It doesn't matter if I win or not.”

“Why are you saying that?”

“Because nobody is cheering for me. I´m all alone.” Gilda looked at the stands where no griffons was visible. “Remember that promise we made at camp, Rainbow? That we will stick together no matter what? You said you´d  will always be there for me! But you're not. And its because of me.”

Gilda was about to cry when she felt the rock being pulled from her back. She opened her eyes to find a friendly cyan hoof in front of her.

“I forgive you.” Gilda grabbed the hoof and was pulled back up. “Now, watch me  win this race!”

“You wish.”

They were in the last lap. Gilda and Rainbow were pushing the boundaries, flying faster than ever. They were head to head, competing with each other, trying to prove who was the best. Or maybe that they just could fly like before.

They didn't win the race of course. They ended up fifth and sixth place. Nightshade amazingly arrived third place. They didn't care and shared a sincere brohoof.  

After announcing the winners, Princess Celestia lowered the sun and asked her sister to raise the moon. Princess Luna did her best to raise up, lightened her horn and as soon as the silvered orb was up in the sky....

“YEEEEEEESSSS!!! THE TIME FOR DARKNESS HAS ARRIVED! COME FORTH, MY CHILDREN, LET US CELEBRATE NIGHTSHADE´S VICTORY WITH A GLORIOUS FEAST!!!!!!”

All the ponies from Luna´s kingdom recovered their energies and began to laugh along with the Princess of the Night.

Smugly holding her medal, Nightshade approached Gilda and Rainbow. “Better luck next time, losers!” and she flew like a lightning bolt to join her Princess and her terrifying court.

Twilight was about to ask Princess Celestia if this was normal but the Sun Bringer was already inside her chariot, comfortably dress on her pajamas and holding her teddy bear. The guards nodded and took the Princess back home for a good night sleep.