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It was the biggest day in both Rainbow Dash and Plumeria's lives: the big Junior Wonderbolt Dash.

After Spitfire finally retired from her long, successful career in the prestigious flying team, the newly appointed captain was eager to make a big impression. And what better way to do that than to host a big race for the future flyers of Equestria? And not just a basic obstacle course would do.

Rainbow Dash stood proudly at the edge of a bluff overlooking the beautiful Luna Bay. As arranged, the sun shown brightly over the welcoming ocean. A light, salt-laced breeze carried with it the oddly pleasant smell of dry seaweed and fish. Below her were tall sea stacks, lined with flags marking the race course. At first glance, it seemed simple enough, but the course carried its participants in weaving patterns through the sea stacks — demanding their utmost focus and agility. Failure to do so could result in broken limbs, wings, lacerations, and all sorts of potential injuries. Rainbow relished in the danger as a filly. She was sure this group of contestants would be no different. She could see the fire, the conviction, the goal to be the best in their young eyes. She knew it was going to be just perfect.

Beside her stood the lithe form of her daughter Plumeria, shaking like a leaf. The filly was going on twelve, and very soon would graduate primary school in the higher education program at Twilight's School of Friendship. She stared at the oncoming challenge with hard eyes, doing her best to mask her terror. All her life, all she wanted to do was make her mom proud, and today — no matter the cost — she would do just that. It was just another race. She was good at those, right? Plumeria looked up at her mother, seeking reassurance. Rainbow flashed her a warm smile that made Plume certain she could win this.

"You ready to crush it, Plume?" Captain Rainbow Dash bent down excitedly, donning a genuine, encouraging spirit.

"Yes, sir!" Plumeria saluted her mother.

"Awesome! Race starts in half an hour. Go get juiced up, sport." They slapped wings, and Plumeria ran off to the competitor's tent. Inside, she found post-race snacks, and a pamphlet advertising the dinner at the Gala Hall in Canterlot that would celebrate the winner. Plume grinned, knowing that for certain, she would be the one honored that night. She would shine like a diamond, and make Rainbow Dash so happy. As she poured herself a small cup of water, she noticed a dark grey mare sitting in the corner of the tent — her own cup held gently between her hooves. To Plumeria, she looked quite a bit older — older than Connie even. In fact, she looked to be almost full grown. Plume smiled, "Oh! Are you one of the racers? I don't think we've met."

"No." Was all the filly said, stark red eyes kept to the ground solemnly.

"Er, 'no' you're not a racer, or 'no' we haven't met?" Plumeria asked, walking to the stranger.

"Um…no, we haven't met yet." She said shyly, taking an awkward sip from her cup.

Plume blinked, "Well, my name is Plumeria "Flash" Dash. What's your name?"

"Oh! You're Rainbow Dash's daughter?" The dark grey filly barked, intense eyes suddenly on Plumeria. It sent shivers down Plume's spine, "Thunder Bird. Nice to finally meet you." They bumped hooves. Something about the way the older pony did so felt off — like she wasn't used to greeting ponies. The scent of pine trees and fresh fallen snow came from Thunder Bird, as well as some other foreign scent that gave Plumeria a sickly feeling in her belly. Yup. This pony was sort of creepy.

'Finally meet me?' She's heard of me! That's kind of cool! "Um…sorry for saying this, but you seem pretty old to compete in the race." Plumeria said with a weak smile.

Thunder Bird tilted her head, "Oh, I'm not competing. I'm just here to watch. I've never seen a race before. My mot- Lightning Dust told me about them. Are they fun?"

"Loads! How have you not seen one? Pegasi love races!"

"I've…well I'm new here." She said. "I thought there'd be more…um, well other ponies. But you and I are the only ones in here."

Plumeria laughed, "That's because this is the competitor's tent! You want the spectator's tent! It doesn't have snacks, unless you buy them, but you need a special pass — how did you get in here anyway?"

"I…walked in?" Thunder Bird said, genuinely confused. "I guess I shouldn't have. Whoops." She stood up and like a shadow crept toward the entrance, "Um..nice-nice meeting you, Plumeria." And on wings as silent as an owl's, the strange pegasus took off and sent a breeze toward Plume, carrying with it the electric feeling of air before a thunder storm.

Plumeria marveled. "Whoa." She stood a few moments more before an airhorn marking the fifteen minute warning went off. She downed more water, and put the strange pony out of her mind. Now she had to focus. It was game time. Time to make her mother proud. On the way to the starting position, Plumeria spotted her sibling Condundrum Solar Flare, reading a book on pegasus flight as always, in the outskirts of the crowd sitting on the grassy bluff. Smiling, she trotted over to them.

"The race is about to start. Are you going to watch me?" She asked, tilting her head.

Connie huffed, "Sure. Good luck or whatever." They seemed extra cranky today. Plume wanted to just shrug it off as usual and try again later, but today was really important and she wanted her big sibster to see how hard she had worked.

"Will you please watch?" She pawed the ground just a little, keeping her pleading smile, "It means a lot to me."

Connie rolled their eyes, "I already said I would! Don't you have a race to win?" They went back to their book, scowling stubbornly.

For probably the first time ever, Plumeria felt angry. "You don't even care, do you? I bet mom had to drag you out of bed just to come see me!"

Connie wanted to snap back, but seeing their sister's frustration was genuinely surprising. They didn't reply immediately, so Plumeria continued, "If I'm such a burden to you, then just forget it. Go home. I don't want you here." Twisting around, she swished her tail, "I do have a race to win." With that, she took off, leaving a lingering sensation of guilt in Connie. Of course, the earth pony simply scoffed and tried to suppress it.

Upvotes at import: 27 | Stars at import: 14
Posted previously at: 2019-11-23T16:23:14 | Posted previously by: Mildgyth