Author’s Blathering: I have decided to make it so that each chapter is at least 1000-1500 words long, with Act Finales (10th CH) coming closer to 2000-2500. Also, I have been listening to “Anna’s Pony Music” playlist on youtube while I write this. Check it out, or she may shoot me. Naw, but really, check it out.

I trotted back inside, and when I entered put my letter down on the coffee table. Before I even had another moment to think about the situation, Fluttershy walked up to me. She had a glaring look of concern and a touch of dominance. She immediately asked:

“What happened, and who’s the letter from?” I was struck at how forward she was. I know I hadn't known her for very long, but I could easily tell that she was simply not like this.

“It was a delivery made by Miss Ditzy Doo gone wrong,” I answered, “The letter itself is from an old friend from my kingdom who I haven’t seen in a long time.” The second statement was only partially true. I wasn’t sure if my ‘Old Friend’ was in town to get together and have some drinks, or to drag me back home in a bag. My friend was a Sanguine Noble guard whom I took a liking to, and we quickly became very good friends. Now that I think about it, seeing them again would be rather nice... Assuming they do not kill me. Fluttershy pursed her lips, examining my face. I nodded my head to her in a gesture of understanding.

"It's fine. There is nothing wrong. It appears my friend is in town. There is nothing to fear from them." 'I hope...'

“The look on your face made it seem like something was wrong. ” I didn’t realize I had been frowning until she mentioned the fact. I relaxed my face back into it's resting position.

“Sorry,” I apologized, “I do that while deep in thought. Like now. Ever wonder how we can pick things up without fingers?” I asked while hefting a potted plant, my subconscious frown suddenly returning. Fluttershy giggled at my foalishness before turning away from me.

“Ok. Well I will be with the animals if you need me.” Ah, of course; we had the schedule. I started to dust as she left through the back. I looked at the clock. It read 9:28:45. Two hours, thirty-two minutes, and fifteen seconds until the race. Fourteen. Thirteen. Shutting my eyes, I spun around and put my back to the clock. I can’t be stressed out. I need to keep my cool. Even better, I should go out and see how fast I can really go, because that 31.4 average is going to be hard to beat. What’s more, is that I will have to go at least 30% faster to beat her in the race, if my math is correct. The reason why I say that is because 31.4 is her average, and she will definitely exceed that at several points throughout the race.

“TRAINING MONTOUGE GO!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, extending a foreleg above my head. Nothing happened. “That sucks. It always worked in the movies…”

“Is everything alright in there?’ I heard Fluttershy squeak from the back room. ‘Oh crap. She heard that? That’s embarrassing.’ Then again, I did shout it.

“Yes, Fluttershy, everything is fine. I was just talking to myself. Like a fool, as per usual.” I responded, blushing slightly.

“Alright then. It sounded like something was happening. I just want to make sure you're ok.” She went back outside, and I felt plain stupid. Either way, I needed to prepare myself for the coming contest. Zipping through my chores, I finished dusting as fast as I could. Then, after I was done I began to wash the bed sheets. Because Fluttershy had no washing machine, I had to wash the sheets in a bucket by hoof. It was painfully slow work, but once it was done I decided to reward myself with a light snack. Returning to the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and procured a delicious-looking cupcake. A rather out-of-place cupcake that happened to be in the fridge. Paying this oddity no mind, I bit into it gleefully. Though my eyes shot open when I realized that it tasted a bit funn-

-y

“Wake up! Wake up! Please wake up!"

I opened my eyes to see Fluttershy standing over me. She instantly relaxed when she saw my eyes snap open. I jumped up and looked at the time. The dreaded cat clock told me that it was eleven fifty-five.

“SWEET LUNA ON A UNICYCLE! I’M GOING TO BE LATE FOR THE RACE!” I yelled, horrified. I faced Fluttershy, reclaiming my demeanor.

“Quick question before I leave, why did you have a drugged cupcake in the fridge?” Fluttershy cocked her head, putting a hoof to her chin. She thought for a moment before speaking:

“That cupcake was drugged? The one with the pink frosting? That's rather odd. Pinkie Pie gave that to me a few days ago. Although I was saving it for a special occasion, I can’t begin to guess why she would ever do such a thing.” Shaking my head, I turned for the door. I couldn't waste any more time thinking about it. I flew out the door pumping my wings and headed for Town Square. I heard Fluttershy say she would meet me there, but just barely. I flew there as fast as I could, and when I landed, I noticed that there was a huge crowd. Rainbow Dash stood there in front of the crowd, with her trainer next to her. This was likely that “Micks” fellow she was talking about last month. He was an older stallion with a grayed mane and had a cap on. He also had a towel around his neck, and his Cutie Mark was of a pair of Boxing Gloves.

“Come on girl! Yer gonna kill ‘em today! Don’t let ‘em near ya! You’re gonna eat lightning and fart thunder! You got this kid!” was some of the random encouragement he was spewing as I walked up. When the rainbow-maned Pegasus saw me, she waved him off before stepping hoof-to-hoof with me.

“Are you ready eat my dust, slow-poke?” she said to me. I replied:

“No, I think I will have some tea and biscuits while waiting for you at finish line, thank you very much,” I said back, as snooty as can be, "And I don't even like tea," I added with a snide grin. Rainbow Dash just huffed and puffed a bit as we stared each other down. This lasted only seconds before "Micks" broke our concentration with a loud interjection.

“Alright kids, listen up ‘cause I don’t like to repeat myself. You’re gonna make a single lap around Ponyville; first to The Zebra’s hut in the Everfree forest,-“

“Zecora’s hut,” somepony corrected in the audience.

“Before turnin’ around an’ goin’ past the Sweet Apple Acres’ barn. From there, you head back here to Town Square. Finish line is there,” he said, pointing to a rather hastily made finish line banner held up on large stilts. “Whoever makes it back here first, wins. Any questions?” Silence. “Good. LINE IT UP!”

We lined up, side by side. The mare who was Lyra quickly showed me a map of the course, before running back to the crowd. We stood, anticipating the starting mark…

“GO!”

We flew forward with such momentum that a cloud of dust rose from where we just were. I pumped my wings as hard as I could, and so did she. We were neck-in-neck, both flying at ridiculous speeds to the first checkpoint, the home of the zebra named “Zecora”, which resided in the middle of the Everfree forest. I almost lost focus from the amazing feeling of having the wind blow through my mane, the rustling of my coat, and the adrenaline flowing through my veins. I focused again once I realized I was slowing down, and I heard the thunderous boom of Rainbow Dash shattering the sound barrier. I was dazed from the noise, but I pushed on until I too, broke the sound barrier. I saw the hut up ahead, and RD flying past it. I silently swore as I zoomed up to it, before turning around. She was still about a hundred feet in front of me, and so I fought to push myself further. Then it happened. I reached Mach 2. I felt the Gs very quickly begin to pile on. I flew faster still, as we approached the orchard known as Sweet Apple Acres. I began to catch up to the Pegasus in front of me, and she may or may not have noticed this. She went faster, hitting Mach 3. I soon followed, and in no time at all, we were passing Sweet Apple Acres on our way back to town square. However, as we began to creep into the Mach 4 zone, something began to feel… off. I sensed a slightly painful tingling coming from my chest, but I didn’t bother to check, as that would ruin my aerodynamics, costing me speed. However, I noticed that Rainbow Dash began to leave behind a “Tail” as she flew, displaying her colours in a rainbow contrail as she flew on. I thought this phenomenon was simply happening to me as well, so I put it off.

We sped faster and faster, and now I was next to her again. She looked at me in surprise, and she pushed faster. I followed in her suit, keeping up and continuously gaining speed. Grinning, I felt my blood begin to boil. Suddenly something amazing happened beside me. She erupted in a beautiful explosion of colour, before shooting straight ahead. A Sonic Rainboom. I remembered tales that my mother told me when I was a foal about a Pegasus being able to fly faster than the princess, if not faster than light itself. I had thought then it was stuff of legend, but I now know better after witnessing such a thing before my very eyes. I was momentarily stunned before I pushed myself harder than ever before. ‘anything you can do I can do better, Rainbow Dash!" Straining my body as far as it could go without magical assistance, I felt myself hit Mach 5, and something strange happened. I still can't explain how it felt, but the only word to describe the sensation would be "pain". I then understood why the stories only ever spoke about one pony. No other pony was supposed to be able to accomplish the feat except the one.

I felt the blood being ripped from my very being, from every pore in a gruesome mockery of the Sonic Rainboom. This was a Sanguinary Rainboom. I roared in agony as the blood exploded from my body. I hit Mach 5 and faster, spraying outward a bloody red mist, mimicking the spectra explosion of the Sonic Rainboom in a rather disturbing parody. I wanted to die then and there but something kept me going through the unimaginable pain. I flew faster, faster, faster, until I was just behind her. Then, just as we neared the finish line, blood loss took its toll, and I blacked out. All in about forty seconds.

Author's Notes:

Also, to anyone paying attention, Red Storm shows signs of several mental illnesses, like I do. Kudos to those who can spot them.