12 - video;

[wannabolt]

Hey! Luceti!

[See: one rainbow pegasus wearing a pair of aviator goggles and standing... well, given the white fluffy stuff around her, it can only be assumed she's on a cloud somewhere. But given the trees behind her, it can't be too high above the ground.

Anyway...]

I know this place is full of fighters and all, but are there any athletes hanging around? I'm talking people who're into stuff like sports. Racing. Excitement. Not to mention competition.

See, it's fine keeping myself busy with some solo challenges, and there's no way I'm gonna stop working on my stunts, but I figure it'd be good to have some more variety. Plus, there could be some kind of super cool sport we don't even have in Equestria.

...Which means you should totally tell me if there is. Stuff like soccer, tennis, and hang gliding? I've already tried all of the above. I want something a bit more exciting than that.

[Hm, is there something she's forgoten? Oh, right.]

And if you see a purple pony with wings and a horn hanging around, that's Twilight. Try not to stare too hard if you see her; it gets old fast, and she's still adjusting.

As for me, I'm off to work on a few more tricks. Later!

Comments

[wannabolt]

Just did some digging around the item shop. Pretty sweet, huh?

[She pulls the goggles away from her eyes and flicks her wings.]

They've probably got others buried somewhere. I've found all kinds of cool things there before.

[fourthgenerationprincess]

Yeah, that's actually a pretty good idea! Hold on.

[ Video off, and a little while later it's back on. Twilight is sporting a NEW PAIR OF FLYING GOG- er, flying safety goggles, actually. ] What do you think?

[rainbooms]

[...Twilight. Twilight, please.

At first, Dash tries to hold back her laughter. She really does. She even covers her mouth with her hoof to no avail before she finally caves.]

Oh man... Those are egghead goggles!

[fourthgenerationprincess]

[ Twilight's a little taken aback at first, but she rolls her eyes and gives what she thinks is a heroic pose. ]

Oh, Rainbow Dash. From where I'm standing, these would fit just as well on you, too. By your own standards.

[ She pauses to think. ] Is that even the right way to put it? Maybe I should say "from when".

[ TIMELINE KNOWLEDGE SMACKDOWN. ]

[wannabolt]

You're kidding, right? There's no way I'd ever become an egghead, Twilight.

[A pause, followed by a shrug.]

NO offense.

[fourthgenerationprincess]

None taken! I thought you'd understand what it's like by now, though. I've seen you trying to hide that Daring Do book as a doorstop, Dash, but you can't fool me.

[wannabolt]

Hey! Who says I'm trying to fool anypony? It's not like I'd do anything else with a book besides use it as a prop or a paperweight.

[Denial? Maybe. Sometimes she does look at the cover and wonder what's inside, but shhh. She's so not an egghead.]

[fourthgenerationprincess]

[ Grinning widely. ] Whatever you say. [ She's gonna find a way to get you to read just a little bit, Rainbow. Just you watch. ]

Are you out flying now? I could probably use the practice.

[wannabolt]

Hey, you're right...

[Twilight. Wings. This is the perfect chance for her to take in her own pupil! Show her the ropes on how to be an awesome acrobat.]

Tell you what, Twilight. Why don't I swoop down and grab you myself? Then I'll show you the ropes.

[fourthgenerationprincess]

You don't need to grab me, Rainbow. I can fly myself. I have wings now, remember? [ She opens them to show her. ]

But I'd really appreciate some tips from Equestria's fastest flyer! I'm at the library. [ Of course she is. ] Come on by whenever you're ready and I'll join you. I'll read up on flying in the meantime.

[wannabolt]

[Yeah, okay. But somepony's a little skeptical about letting Twilight fly unsupervised just yet...]

You know flying's not one of those things you can just read about, right?

[fourthgenerationprincess]

I seem to recall you saying something similar at the Running of the Leaves.

[wannabolt]

Yeah, well, that was one lucky shot. Flying's way more complicated than a hoof race!

video ==> action

[fourthgenerationprincess]

Oh, really? [ She quirks an eyebrow and spreads her wings. ] Let's see if you're right. I'll bet I can do at least a few of the things you can do.

[ She'll turn the video off and take off for the air. Dash can find her circling the square, warming up her wings with a few laps. ]

action

[wannabolt]

[Well, it won't be too long before a rainbow streak zips through the sky. Better watch out, Twilight, because Dash is swooping down in 3... 2... 1...

Now!]

action

[fourthgenerationprincess]

[ She's ready for you this time, Dash. After not one but TWO midair collisions upon her arrival, she's tried to keep a closer watch on where she's flying, and for Dash's telltale prismatic trail in particular. She doesn't have anything close to Dash's speed, but she is able to see him coming, and she attempts a dodge to the left. ]

action

[wannabolt]

[It's cool. This time Dash'll dial her speed down, sliding to a stop with those goggles against her forehead and a slightly worrying smirk.]

So, you sure you're up for this?

action

[fourthgenerationprincess]

You're on! [ She straps her goggles on. ] Race you to the mountains?

action

[wannabolt]

[...S-snort. Oh, Twilight. You serious?]

A race against me in the air? Man, that's gutsy coming from you. This won't be any old hoof race.

action

[fourthgenerationprincess]

Oh, I know. Maybe you're rusty after being away from Ponyville for so long. [ She grins and flexes her wings. ] On your mark!

action

[wannabolt]

Me, rusty? In your dreams!

[Still, she gets into position, eyes narrowed and tail swishing. They're starting up a race, so small talk can wait.]

Get set...

HIGH SPEED ACTION

[fourthgenerationprincess]

GO! [ And she's off! Twilight tries to angle herself slightly down to give herself a push through gravity. Is she as fast as Dash? Yeah, probably not. But is this the fastest she's gone since coming to Luceti? You bet, and the wind in her mane feels great. ]

[wannabolt]

[Well, it's not too bad, but that doesn't mean Dash will go easy on her! Snickering, she beats her wings, picking up speed with each passing second. Better keep pushing, Twi!]

[fourthgenerationprincess]

[ Twilight's putting every ounce of energy she's got into her wings, but Dash is definitely pulling ahead of her. She glances to her right to check on her opponent's progress, and then looks back in front her to see-

CLOUD.

Whoompf. Foiled! Twilight's stuck momentarily in the fluffy moisture. In a couple seconds she extracts herself and shakes off some of the cold dampness, but the damage is done. ]

[wannabolt]

[On the positive side? Dash has stopped long enough to try and hold back some laughter. This might be Twi's chance to try and catch up!]