Later at Sugar Cube Corner...
Rainbow dash trotted back and forth, occasionally flying, in front of Pinkie as she racked her brain on the situation.
"I just don't get it, how could he be fast enough to beat me?" Rainbow asked before soaring across the room and stopping again "Me! of all ponies"
Pinkie however started to giggle "Don't worry Dash, no need to be humble. I know that you let him win"
Rainbow dash stopped dead in her tracks at Pinkie's statement. After thinking it over a smile crept it's way onto Rainbow's face "You're right Pinkie", Dash said as she grabbed her friends face before taking off flying . Rainbow did several loops in the air before stopping again in front of Pinkie
"I got too cocky and allowed him to win. Why I bet the next time we race I-"
"Hey Dash, Pinkie you in here?" Sonic called as he walked inside
"Sonic!" Rainbow Dash quickly flew over to Sonic and the hedgehog had to lean back from the Pegasus who was almost in nose touching distance.
"I'm glad your here" Rainbow continued "I wanna rematch"
Sonic gave her a 'really?' look before responding with "But Dash the race was only two hours ago"
"Two hours too long"
"And while I like that type of attitude I just came over to invite you to lunch. Knuckles said he just won a lot of money so he's buying"
"Sounds like fun!" Pinkie exclaimed before zooming out the door
Sonic stared wide eyed at such speed. When he looked back he saw the sheer determination in Rainbow's eyes that were not taking no for an answer. So instead Sonic thought of a compromise
"We can race later if you want to that badly"
Rainbow Dash was about to object, but a loud growl coming from her stomach had already made the decision
"Fine. Lunch first, race after"
Later at fast food place...
The whole gang sat at a giant table. Laughing, talking, and all around enjoying each other's company. The only ones who didn't seem to be enjoying themselves were Applejack and Rainbow Dash, both taking time to peak over and shoot harsh looks at their Mobian counterpart.
Speaking of which Rainbow peaked her eyes over her menu and glared at Sonic, who was also readying his.
'Look at him' Rainbow thought 'He's probably thinking of all the ways he could beat me at this very moment'
'I wonder if they have chilidogs in this world. What would that be made of? What would it taste like?' Sonic thought as he mindlessly searched through the menu
Eventually a tan unicorn mare, obviously hating her job, walked over to them. Levitating a pencil and pad she grumbled
"Welcomed to Hay Burger may I take your order"
"Sure I'll have a waitress with a better attitude" Knuckles spoke up, earning a jab at the side from Twilight
"Knuckles!"
"Sorry we've been out of that for a month now. Probably like how you've been out of intelligence" the mare replied harshly, mumbling the last part to herself
Sadly Knuckles heard, and in response he stood up and shouted "Well at least I'm not a smart-flanked mare with a stick up her-" Twilight barley managed to use her magic in time to close Knuckles' mouth
"I'm sorry but may we please get a more positive waitress" Twilight asked, smiling nervously
The mare rolled her eyes, uttering "Whatever" before walking off
The moment she was gone Knuckles sat down and started ranting to himself, with the others laughing at the whole situation. Even Rainbow couldn't hide the smile she had at what just happened. Soon a more cheerful waitress came and took their orders. With their food brought to them Knuckles calmed down and continued his fun. Rainbow too mellowed out at one point, her mind no longer thinking about the race and more about having fun with her friends.
A short while later, while drinking his soda, Sonic was about to question why Applejack kept giving Knuckles dirty looks when his ears twitched to the sound of cheering. Turning he saw a group of fillies and colts galloping to their table at an impressive speed
Sonic smiled and nudged Rainbow "Hey Dash here comes your fan club"
Rainbow Dash turned around and smiled brightly at the fillies and colts. This being just what she needed to boost her spirit back up to full percent. Excited she flew over to them, only for them to run right past her. Confused Rainbow turned to see where they were running, only to be filled with horror at the sight of her fan club stopping in front of Sonic's seat.
Sonic went from shocked to disturbed by the fillies and colts who all stood there with wide smiles.
Sonic gave a nervous chuckle "Uh...hi?"
Instantly the fillies and colts started cheering. Asking question after question in a disorganized fashion. Most of the questions were either about his speed or his awesomeness, but the way they were coming made it all sound like a giant mess
"Okay, okay, everypony calm down" Sonic finally said over them
They all got quiet. All except for one colt who took the opportunity and spoke up
"Can I have your autograph?"
Once again the fillies and colts were set off. This time all pushing and begging for an autograph. Sonic sighed, smiled, then simply pulled a pen out from his quills. And, with supersonic speed, signed all the fillies and colts wherever they wanted to be signed. Satisfied the group cheered and raced off, all having conversations about the autographs or about how awesome Sonic was. Sonic only smiled and waved them off. His smile quickly dropped when he saw Rainbow Dash sadly walk back to her seat, her head hung low.
Sonic scratched his head nervously, not sure of the proper words to use next.
"Uh Dash?"
Surprisingly Rainbow Dash looked up at Sonic with a smile on her face
"Well, well, looks like someone's popular with the kids" Rainbow said playfully, nudging Sonic before continuing to eat her food.
Sonic blinked, that not at all what he expected Rainbow to say. He soon smiled, thinking she had really let it go Sonic happily went back to eating his hayburger.
What he didn't realize was the small look from Dash that screamed her true, competitive, reaction to the situation
'Enjoy it while you can' Rainbow thought, her need to race burning stronger than ever before
Sonic wrapped his food up into a ball and expertly free threw it straight into the trashcan.
"Oh yeah! Three pointer for the-WOAH!" Sonic was cut off by a skittle colored mare grabbing him and dashing out the fast food place
"Foods done, race now!"
The hedgehog and pony stood at the starting line from earlier. This time instead of both being determined, Sonic just wanted it to be over. Though he was impressed at how all of ponyville managed to gather to watch in as little as fifteen minutes. He was still upset that this was cutting into his after meal nap. So right now he just wanted to get this race over with.
The two looked up to find Twilight but were surprised to see Tails holding the flag this time
"Yo Tails!" Sonic called up, wondering what gives
Tails looked down at them and waved before calling back "Hey Sonic! What's up?"
"Where's Twilight?"
"She's at the finish line. She wants to time the race"
"Great, I've been meaning to record my winning time" Sonic said playfully
Rainbow rolled her eyes 'We'll see about that' she thought to herself
"Alright folks we have a rematch between Sonic and Rainbow Dash for the title of fastest thing alive!" Tails started
"Since you already know the rules let's get started. On your mark..."
The two racers got into ready position
"Do you want me to give you a head start?" Sonic offered
"Get set..."
"No. This time give it everything you got" Dash replied, wings fluttering in anticipation
Sonic shrugged "If you say so"
The flag went down and...
"GO!"
Rainbow took off, using her wings to give an extra push to her start. Her wings moved in blurs and all the world zipped past her. She felt it, she felt the victory that would soon be hers. But out of caution she still wanted to see where her opponent was. She turned back and was surprised that she couldn't see the hedgehog. Had she really gone that fast? She didn't know and she didn't care. All she knew was that she was ahead and was not going to lose it again
"Yes! The REAL fastest thing alive is-"
Just when Rainbow was about to taste victory she stopped in horror at the sight. Sonic was already across the finish line bro-hoofing all the fillies and colts that surrounded him. Rainbow stopped just a few inches in front of the finish line and mindlessly walked the rest of the way, mouth agape. Once she got across Pinkie jumped up and down and started cheering
"Yay Rainbow Dash! Woo-hoo!"
The rest of the crowd stayed silent, making Pinkie stand out like a sore hoof.
Amy leaned over to Pinkie "Um Pinkie, Rainbow Dash lost"
Pinkie stopped cheering upon hearing that
"Oh" Pinkie replied flatly
Twilight trotted over to Rainbow who was still in a state of shock
"Hey Rainbow. Sorry you lost...again" Twilight said, the last part being quieter
Rainbow, who still had her eyes locked on the hedgehog who beat her, only stuttered out her responce
"What...but...how...WHEN?"
"He got here exactly eleven seconds after the race started" Twilight informed, looking at the stopwatch in her possession for the time
Hearing that Sonic turned his attention away from the fillies and colts and looked shocked at them
"What? Eleven seconds? Dang I'm getting slow" Sonic scolded
Rainbow Dash started grinding her teeth together. She let out a grunt of anger before flying off in a trail of rainbows
When she was gone Sonic looked confused at Twilight
"Is she okay?"
Twilight shrugged "I guess she's not used to losing twice in a row"