Lights flared in the distance, little specks of color erupting from a grand explosion to the tune of fantastical music. Ponies and Griffins alike danced around the town square with pure joy enveloping their bodies. At the center of the orgy of the flesh were a bride and her groom. One was the Captain of a prestigious Stunt Team, while the other a common guard.

Cheers from the crowd echoed far and wide as the groom lifted his daughter into the air, a smile as wide as the horizon encompassing her fuzzy cheeks. Her wings fluttered with glee as she let out adorable laughter before her mother left a little peck on her nose, and sent her off to play.

The little filly, as happy as could be, ran through the crowd towards the Library. It was there where she would find all the children playing games during the wedding. Her tiny hooves carried her fast across the dirt roads towards a tree near the center of town. Inside, music played, the kind of music that called for Karaoke.

Bursting through the door, however. She came face to face with a Diamond Dog: twelve of them. Her eyes went wide at the sight of all her friends in a cage against the far wall underneath an empty bookshelf. Frozen in place, one of the Diamond Dogs grabbed her and clamped her mouth shut, preventing her from screaming for help. She thrashed, kicked, and tried to bite the hand of her foalnapper, but to no avail.

The Diamond Dog threw her against the metal bars of the cage, locking her and the others within. Tears blurred her vision as the familiar touch of a hoof helping her up. She wiped her eyes and saw her big brother at her side. She looked up at him, begging him to help her understand what was going on. She wanted to know why the Diamond Dogs were treating her like a slave!

He didn't need to say a single word, he only acted. Tears flowed freely from the Pegasus filly onto the warm, inviting chest of the Griffin. She pushed deeper into her protector, wanting Mommy and Daddy to come and save them from whatever fate is coming. Her trembling form held firmly in the arms and wings of her brother helped alleviate some of her fear, but when laughter was replaced by terror. All she could do was cry for a Hero.

"Rose, are you alright?" a soft, gentle voice spoke next to me. Her kind words stirred me awake from a restless slumber. Slowly, I opened my eyes to meet glowing violet orbs before me. No longer were they filled with fear from the events the night before. Now they held concern for my well being. I clicked my tongue, still tasting Cadence's bubblegum lip-chap, and let out a yawn.

"Just a bad dream," I replied before I stretched my sore body right next to her. This accidentally caused the quilt to be thrown off by my wings, which earned me a hard glare from the Alicorn snuggled beside me. "Sorry. I'm just a little stiff from our bonding time last night."

If it wasn't for the darkness in our room, I would have laughed at Cadence's burning blush. Last night reminded me why Shining Armor cheated on her in the first place: she was a virgin. Well, not anymore. If Shining Armor remained faithful to Crystal, then he would have learned how amazing Alicorn tongue was. Just thinking about it all the tricks that even I didn't know sent chills down my spine. I may be the Empress of Seduction, but Cadence is the Queen of Orgasm.

"T-That was—" Cadence squeaked rather cutely, but I stopped her mid sentence with a hoof on her lips. With a devious smile, I traced the tip of my wing up and down her tender flanks oh so slowly, electing a muffled moan of delight from the mare I held captive.

"That was what, Cadence?" I purred. "Heavenly? Blissful? Euphoric? Relieving? The puddle tells a more, passionate, tale of what we did last night."

"Please don't tell, Celestia. I have it rough already with her magic lessons. I don't need relationship goals on top of them," Cadence squeaked.

"Yeah, I bet Tia would love to hear the one night stand you've had with me," I rolled my eyes. "I don't she will be happy with my either."

"Why's that?"

"Let's just say my knowledge with the Love Thread showed how close Sunset and I were."

Cheers erupted from afar. The stands holding a large crowd dwarfed the guards holding them at bay. An announcer shouted at the top of his lungs, making claims of grandeur for those preparing for the event. I breathed in, drowning them out from my senses. Their noise only hindered my performance. 'Speed, I am Speed,' I breathed out, closing my eyes. 'One winner, twelve losers.'

Focusing on myself has taught me a lot about the magic of the Pegasi. Since our magic relies on an internal mana pool, we fly our best when we are in sync with the magic that surrounds us, but I'm not a Pegasus.

I'm an Imperial.

The difference between the two race's runs deeper than our physical appearances. Pegasi rely heavily on their magic to fly while Imperials don't. Because of this, Imperials are naturally faster fliers as well as having the most endurance, and we don't fly with magic. Instead, Imperials use pure strength to soar through the air. Our natural sensitivity allows us to do things that Pegasi cannot: Like do a Sonic Boom.

Now, what would happen if an Imperial used magic to fly? The short answer: backlash. We aren't meant to fly with arcane energy flowing through our feathers. One false pulse of mana or one bad injury and that is the end with our dance with the heavens. The long answer: feats long thought impossible.

Did you know? There are three families known in Imperious for using magic to fly: The Hawks, The Falcons, and The Eagles. I sure didn't. Good to know that I'm a well-respected Aerialist in the Homeland.

Where was I? Ah yes! I was telling you how I should be permanently grounded. Well, I had a lot of practice learning to cut off the flow of magic before I crashed. It was one of the first lessons Mom taught me growing up, and before every race. I practiced cutting and opening the flow as a warm up. Doing so allows me to relax for the win or lose. I may be one of the fastest fliers, but that doesn't mean that I always win. Remember, the fastest race of fliers were Imperials, and there are plenty of them in the league.

"Here in Canterlot at the Wonderbolt Stadium, we are privileged to see the returning champion in her class preparing for the event!" shouted the announcer from his booth near the top of the stands. "But will the newest addition to the Lightning Cup, currently reserved by Romania's Sky Striders! The one and only: Lightning Dust!"

And the crowd goes wild.

'Well, time to start the show.' Opening my eyes fresh and prepared. I saw the aforementioned Pegasus doing her own pre-game workout near the starting line. Her aqua body rippled with seductive strength with each flex of her muscles. Her two-toned lightning mane flowed gracefully back in an eloquent wave. Her golden eyes locked with my azure and crimson for a moment, before giving me a wink with a rather risque flex of her wings. If my mouth wasn't open, it sure was now.

'Was she flirting with me?' I blinked in surprise. It wasn't every day that mare of my stature experienced the thrills of being pursued by another. When most saw my eyes, teeth, cutie mark, they tend to back away in fear knowing that I knew how and will throw a punch, however. Those that were brave enough to try and tame this wolf quickly learned I wasn't interested or only wanted a fuck. I'm not in the mood for relationships that won't work out in the long run. My heart still belongs to someone else.

Shaking my head from the sudden shock, I quickly joined the gathering opponents at the starting line. I saw a few familiar faces, mostly ponies I've defeated before. The two new ponies were Lightning Dust and a Thestral I could care less about, but I knew her name... unfortunately.

Her name was Midnight Aria: Cadet of the Solar Guard Night Division. Got in early because of high recommendations from Captain Night Canter. She specializes in endurance whereas Lightning Dust looks like a burster. Also Captain of Reaper Squad: one of EmpressDawn's top twelve in True Apocolypse, and a major pain in my ass. I've had the pleasure when I first started the game to know what it's liked to be killed over and over again by her hooves. She loves to grief to the point that new players leave and never return. In the real world, she is one of the best fighters I've seen. How do I know that? Well, I know what it's like to wake up in the hospital after scraping with her at a convention. It was a humbling experience to say the least, and one that won't repeat again.

"Why, hello Hawkfire. Funny I'd see you here,' snarked Aria with a smug grin that I would love to punch. "Aren't you supposed to be wearing a rat outfit for all the stallions you sleep with?"

Did I mention I hate her?

"Hello, Aria. I can say the same to you. I figured you would be sucking off Captain Shining Armor for a promotion instead of joining we kings of the sky, which is laughable in your case," I snarked back, earning a confused look directed at both of us from Lightning Dust.

"Did I miss something?" Lightning chimed in as I took my spot on the starting line next to her.

"Oh, nothing much dear, so long as you stay away from that slut," Aria spat as she took her spot.

"I can say the same," I shot back. "Mare's like Aria will only use you until you are broke and homeless. Speaking of which—Do you enjoy the barracks? It must be wonderful compared to your tent in Hollow Shades."

"Excuse me?" her eye twitched, earning worried looks from the other racers. Meanwhile, Lightning shuddered from the sudden venomous atmosphere looming over the Stadium. I knew from experience that being in between two catty mares wasn't an ideal situation. One false move and you could be in the middle of a bloody fight. I should treat her out instead of a shower. Sex is nice and all, but I didn't want to take my frustration out on her. I'll still be in Canterlot for another day, and Cadence and I still wanted some alone time together.

"You heard me," I smirked, digging my hooves into the cloud flooring in preparation for the race. She did the same, grinding her teeth as she did so. I hit a nerve I knew was there. She was my enemy, both online and off. Whenever I get the chance to drive her up the wall, I make sure it enrages her, and her home in Hollow Shades is a very good spot to strike.

Stealing myself back to reality, I took a look around the circular track. Since this was my fourth race in the season, I knew a circuit was inevitable. It wasn't my strongest venue, to be honest. Flying in a circle in one direction, especially left wears down my wing. All racers that actually study their opponents know they can overtake me if I don't pace myself correctly. Circuits are the venue I've lost the most on, but with Aria flying in the Cup? I'm not going to let her win.

"Racers! On your marks!" the announcer shouted through the speakers. I rolled my shoulders, wings flexing. My eyes narrowed as I zoned out everything else.

"Get set!"

Lightning Dust and Aria did the same, albeit not as practiced. I knew Aria would be focused on me from my comment, which sets her at a disadvantage. Her being angry with me will only hinder her decision making in the long run, and we have twenty laps to run. Unlike her, I knew how to control my anger. I slowed my breathing and calmed my heart. Once I found my center once again, I saw the flag raised high in the air by one of the referee's, then it dropped.

"GO!"

We all exploded like rockets from the starting line. I pushed hard. My wings flapped faster than the eye could track. I banked the first turn at a mind-boggling speed before Lightning Dust caught up with me at the second. Behind her, nipping at her heels, was one of the other racers that I could care less about.

I cracked a smug smile as I bolted down the straightaway. Near the back of the pack was a struggling Aria trying to catch up to the others, but couldn't make any ground due to inexperience. Of course, I knew that already. Aria had endurance, not speed and endurance. She could fly for hours without pause, perfect for military life. I can do the same thanks to Mom and her training, but dwelling on that little tidbit can wait. Winning the race is the top priority.

Just as I banked the third corner during my musing, I failed to notice the grinning Lightning Dust charging passed me. My eyes went wide as a sparkly yellow trail encased my vision. The new Pegasus zoomed by with insane speed, creating a large gap between her and me. I almost lost second place to the one previously nipping at her heels trying to figure out how she was flying so fast!

"And Lightning Dust takes the lead!"

Gritting my teeth, I pushed harder to keep my lead. I wasn't about to let some random take second place from me! Especially not in front of Aria. I worked my wings to their limits, arching them with the wind for an extra speed boost. The pony that tried to pass me on the third lap stared in shock as I did a quick aileron roll to close the distance to the front of the pack. Even Dust looked surprised from my little trick.

"Hawkfire is struggling to catch up with the leader! Is this the end of her career?!"

"Hell no!" I shouted at myself through ragged breathing as I passed the halfway point. The pony in front of me must have heard my little comment and gave me a sly smile with a little shake of her enticing booty, edging me on for a chase, and like the Vixen I am. I chased with gusto.

"What's this?! Hawkfire is catching up while Lightning Dust is slowing down?!"

Sweat covered my body. I had two laps to go. Aria couldn't climb the ladder from the back of the pack, while Lightning and I stayed a lap ahead of everyone else. My left wing burned, throat dry. Lightning looked just as tired from the odd flap with her right wing every now and again, however. No matter how fast I flew, no matter all the tricks I used: I couldn't pass her. Even as I use my air and lightning aspect to keep up, no amount of magic could propel me beyond her plump, round, butt.

There were times where I came close, but the last turn was coming before the finish line. I know she would slow down at each bend, which was how I caught up with her in the first place, but she would always blast ahead like a fleeing rabbit. It was frustrating, to say the least.

'First Circuit and it's a second place ribbon. Fuck my ass with a hundred tentacles,' I pleaded my kinky thoughts.

'With the mare that's going to beat you?' Kinky thoughts replied.

'Will there be whipped cream?' I inquired.

'With molten chocolate to pour over each other's wings and clits,' Kinky thoughts purred out a response.

'Excellent.'

Realizing what that I was talking to my inner self, I saw the finish line coming up. I even failed to notice the final turn as well as the fact that Lightning and I were neck-and-neck, but that wasn't shocking enough. No. My surprise came with butterflies in my stomach as I looked into the young, youthful eyes of the mare beside me. Her innocence, her astonishment, even pride made itself known as we flew in sync. In that brief moment, when we locked eyes with each other, I swear I saw hope. The kind of hope someone has for their crush.

I gulped.

"Fillies and gentlecolts! WE HAVE A TIE FOR FIRST PLACE!"