This is the 9th chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
May the Best Pet Win
It was another clear and bright sunny day, Rainbow Dash was enjoying herself as she flew through the skies. She laughed as she flew around, doing tricks and just enjoying the wind in her face as she flew at high speed.
"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash cried out when she saw Owlowiscious flying and hooting behind her. Who? Oh, it's you, Owlowiscious. C'mon, try and keep up!"
Rainbow Dash then charges off, but it wasn't long before Owlowiscious was able to keep up with her. Rainbow Dash just continued to enjoy herself until she noticed Owlowisicious' head turned into...a dog?
"Winona?" Rainbow Dash said, puzzled as the now owl-dog creature barked. "I mean...Winona's head? Um, is this weird, or is it just me?"
The creature then flew around in circles around her before the head turns into a bunny.
"Angel?" Rainbow Dash pondered before the body now turns into a baby alligator. "Gummy?! Okay, this is officially beyond weird now and right on down to freaky town."
The creature with Angel's head then stuck out its tongue, which looked like a snake with Opalescence's head on it. The tongue hissed and swiped a claw at Rainbow Dash, making her gasp. Rainbow Dash suddenly couldn't fly anymore and found herself falling.
"Yaaaaaaah!" Rainbow Dash screamed as she tumbled into the abyss.
It got Rainbow Dash yelped when she woke up with a start from her sleeping spot up in a tree. There before was Opalescence hissing and swiping her claw at Winona, Owlowiscious, Winona, Angel, Gummy, and Cyra below. As Opal yowled at them, Winona barked and Owlowiscious hooted at her. Rainbow Dash then realized she was just dreaming and breathed heavily with a sigh of relief.
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Ahhhh
My Little Pony
I use to wonder what friendship could be
My Little Pony
Until you all share this magic with me
Big adventure,
Tons of fun,
A beautiful heart,
Faithful and strong,
Sharing kindness
It's an easy feat
And magic makes it all complete
You all have my little ponies
Do you know all you're my best friends?
Rainbow Dash just watched as Winona continued barking before a group of ponies arrive. Pinkie Pie and Twilight wasted no time playing with their own pets.
Rose Lotus plays with her tambourine and dances while Djali does the same.
Mario and Cyra plays as the Phoenix circled around her master happily before she landed gracefully on his back.
Kronk plays with a squirrel named Bucky.
"When did you get a pet?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.
"Since the exam when I was a colt." Mario told her simply. "I told you about that school from Canterlot, remember?"
"Oh." Rainbow Dash said, now understands what he means.
Applejack used her tail to toss a stick for Winona to fetch while Apple Shine was next to her mother.
"Let's get this thing started!" Applejack said as Pinkie Pie giggled happily with Gummy.
"Sincerest apologies, Rainbow, if our pets were bothering you." Rarity apologized when Opalescence climbed down and next to her.
Opalescence just meowed as she got comfortable on her belly, which Rarity is now only three and a half months pregnant. Apparently, Opalescence knows that Rarity is pregnant because of the circumstances when she overheard a few months back which she could hear the heartbeat coming from Flora. Also, Opalescence took a liking to the Irish colt because he plays with the Persian cat when she first met him, and loving her.
"Opal doesn't like being chased by Winona, she couldn't help it." Golden Charm states, approaches as he rubs Opal's fur which got her purred. "It's kind of a cat thing.'
Kronk and Mario couldn't help but chuckle in respond which they find it a little funny.
"What are you all doing here?" Rainbow Dash questions.
"Why, we always round up our critters for a regular ol' Pony Pet Playdate in the park." Applejack answered as Apple Shine played fetch with Winona, using her tail to toss the stick.
"Uh, you do?" Rainbow Dash said surprisingly, which it's the first time she had been hearing about this.
"Same time every week." Apple Shine said.
"I thought you knew." Fluttershy said. "You didn't know? She didn't know?"
Fluttershy suddenly felt rather insecure and began to rub her fore-hoof on the ground.
"Well, we had initially planned on inviting Rainbow, of course, except-"
Twilight tried to explain before Pinkie Pie got in front of her and cut her off.
"We were totally gonna invite you, Rainbow..."
Pinkie Pie took over and she rushed into Twilight's side.
"...then, Twilight remembered that you don't even have a pet..."
Pinkie Pie then rushed over to Rarity, Kronk, and Golden Charm.
"...and Rarity remembered that you really like to take naps in the afternoon..."
Pinkie Pie headed over to Applejack and Apple Shine.
"...so, Applejack figured you wouldn't be missing out on anything..."
Pinkie Pie went over to Fluttershy and Winter Breeze, and then, her head go up and down with her fore-hooves.
"...and Fluttershy, and I nodded our heads in agreement like this."
"Oh, please, don't be mad at us." Fluttershy begged when Winter Breeze try to comfort her mother.
"Um, Fluttershy, I don't think she's mad." Storm Hawk points out.
"He's right, not mad at all." Rainbow Dash agrees. "You all are alright. Not much point of a Pony Pet Playdate if I'm a pony without a pet, right?"
"Eeexactly." Applejack said as she and the rest of the ponies, except Storm Hawk, go back to having fun with their pets.
Rainbow Dash just headed back to her tree and rested her head on the pillow she had set up so she could get back to sleep, much to Storm Hawk's annoyance. However, it didn't take long before she did feel a little left out and tried to drown out the chattering and laughing of the ponies nearby.
"Hey, now wait a minute!" Rainbow Dash snapped as she hopped out of the tree and came back to the group. "Just because I don't have a pet now, doesn't mean I never want a pet!"
Fluttershy beamed as an excited smile danced across her face.
"Ohh! Y, y, oh really?" Fluttershy said excitedly as she hovered near her. "You really want a pet? Really? 'Cause I got so many wonderful choices at my house! Oh, and I know you'll just love them! And they'll love you! Oh, and you'll be best friends forever and ever! Oh!"
Fluttershy wasted no time picking up Rainbow Dash from behind as she began to talk about how excited choosing a pet can be. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, especially since Fluttershy was dragging her hind legs in the dirt. Rainbow Dash flapped her wings a bit to get more altitude and to keep her hind legs off the ground while Fluttershy was able to carry her back to her cottage.
Both Storm Hawk and Winter Breeze glances at each other in confusion for a few seconds, but turns back at their mothers as they catches up to them. Mario just watched them before turning his attention to Cyra, who eyed her master back after watching the whole thing.
Some birds were residing peacefully in their little birdhouses as Fluttershy flew into the backyard area of her cottage excitedly. Rainbow Dash just walked in casually while both Storm Hawk and Winter Breeze lands on the backyard.
Fluttershy (Sings):
Now, Rainbow my dear, I cannot express my delight
It's abundantly clear that somewhere out there
Is the pet that will suit you just right
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
I can't wait to get started, but first let me set a few rules
It's of utmost importance the pet that I get
Is something that's awesome and cool
It got Storm Hawk and Winter Breeze looking at Rainbow Dash with an 'are you serious?' look on their faces, wondering if she knows what having a pet means.
"Awesome, cool, got it!" Fluttershy said, making a mental look of Rainbow Dash's request.
As Fluttershy continued to sing, she hovered behind Rainbow Dash and then in front of she tapped her nose.
Fluttershy (Sings):
I have so many wonderful choices, just wait, you will see
Rainbow Dash flies low at high speed, startling a tortoise, a duck, and a grey bunny.
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
I need something real fast like a bullet to keep up with me
Fluttershy presenting the animal to Rainbow Dash, who just look at in disinterest while Storm Hawk and Winter Breeze snickered.
Fluttershy (Sings):
Sure! How about a bunny?
They're cutesy and wootsie and quick as can be
"'Cutesy? Wootsie? Have you even met me?" Rainbow Dash questions with her raised eyebrow.
Fluttershy pulled the bunny away and looks at Rainbow Dash before doing a twirl in the sky and flew off to her some more animals.
Fluttershy (Sings):
Rainbow, have faith
You see, I will bet you
Somewhere in here is the pet that will get you
"Come on, the sky's limit." Fluttershy said.
"Sky is good, I'd like it to fly." Rainbow Dash told her.
As she, Storm Hawk, and Winter Breeze followed Fluttershy, a toucan, an owl, and a tortoise watch her walk by.
"Really?" Fluttershy said as she reached into her house and pulled out a white kitten wearing a large blue eyes and a bow. "Because I think this wittle puddy tat has your name written all over it. Yes, he does."
Fluttershy pushes the kitten into Rainbow Dash's cheek. Rainbow Dash was left stunned as the kitten nuzzled her affectionately.
"Aww, look he likes you!" Fluttershy said.
"Pass." Rainbow Dash said bluntly.
Fluttershy did a skip and twirl as she took to the skies once more before pushing an otter and a seal next to Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy (Sings):
I have so many wonderful choices for you to decide
There are otters and seals
With massive appeal
"Otters and seals do not fly." Rainbow Dash pointed out indignantly.
"Maybe not, but I've seen this particular seal catch ten feet of air when he breaches the water!" Fluttershy told her when the seal barked at Rainbow Dash with a reply while both Storm Hawk and Winter Breeze laughed.
"What are you two laughing at?!" Rainbow Dash shouts in annoyance, turns to the two foals as she sighed. "That's it, I'm outta here."
With the feeling that there wasn't a pet for her, Rainbow Dash nearly walked right into the tortoise with Fluttershy stopped her. She presents Rainbow Dash a couple of insects for pets, but Rainbow Dash is still uninterested.
Fluttershy (Sings):
Wait! There must be a pet here
That will fit the ticket
How about a ladybug, or a cute cricket?
"Bigger and cooler." Rainbow Dash told her.
At that moment, the tortoise tried to get her attention by poking her hind leg, but Rainbow Dash just used her hind leg to push it away. Fluttershy, Storm Hawk, and Winter Breeze frowned for a moment before she got an idea.
Fluttershy pushed Rainbow Dash toward a tree and pulled down on a bird house to open the branches like a curtain. There before Rainbow Dash was a lit up stage with a purple backdrop with a squirrel standing before her.
Fluttershy (Sings):
I've just got the thing in that tree, Dash
Meet your fabulous pet, Squirrely!
"It's just a squirrel." Rainbow Dash points out.
"Not just any squirrel, a flying squirrel." Fluttershy corrects her as the squirrel glided before Rainbow Dash, but she still wasn't impressed.
"Yeah, so, like I was saying." Rainbow Dash said as the screen went black while she stood in the spotlight.
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
Fluttershy, pal, this won't cut it
I need a pet to keep up with me
Something awesome, something flying
With coolness that defies gravity!
Rainbow Dash finished her part of the song, she flew into the air as three fireworks went off behind her.
"I'm sensing you want an animal that can fly." Fluttershy said.
"You think?" Rainbow said as a matter of fact and sarcasm.
Storm Hawk and Winter Breeze rolled their eyes in annoyance.
Fluttershy led Rainbow Dash into the sky and showed her various types of flying animals.
Fluttershy (Sings):
I have a plenty of wonderful creatures who soar in the sky
Like a sweet hummingbird or a monarch butterfly
"Better, but cooler." Rainbow Dash said, now taking some interest.
Behind her, the tortoise had ducked his head into the shell. When he pulled it out, he was now wearing sunglasses.
Fluttershy showed Rainbow Dash some more flying animals and an insect, Rainbow Dash pondered about the three. Fluttershy continued to sing as two birds appeared and landed on her fore-hooves. Fluttershy even stuck out a fore-hoof, showing Rainbow Dash a bat dangling from it. The bat smiled at Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy (Sings):
I see. How about an owl, or a wasp, or a toucan?
There's so many wonderful creatures the likes of that
There are falcons and eagles
They are both quite regal
Or perhaps what you need is a dark and mysterious bat?
"Now you're talking!" Rainbow Dash said. "But instead of just one standout, now that's too many."
All of the flying creatures hover around Rainbow Dash as she sang.
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
So many choices, and such riches aplenty
"Not a bad problem, if you ask me." Fluttershy said.
Rainbow Dash pointed out each creature as she sang about them.
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
The bat would be awesome, but the wasp I'm digging too
Do you have something in a yellow striped bat?
Fluttershy showed Rainbow Dash the flamingo, which extended one of its long legs to say hello.
Fluttershy (Sings):
No
I've got a hot pink flamingo, just dying to meet you
Rainbow Dash was taken aback by the gesture. Rainbow Dash ponders what to do before getting an idea.
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
What to do, what to do?
Rainbow Dash gasps and gets into Fluttershy's face to announce the idea of a prize as she stands on top of the chicken coop. The other animals surrounding her as she flies, doing flips and then standing on the tortoise with her hind legs. She then flies upward, doing her own twirl as the animals on the ground and sky watch her.
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
A Prize! That's it! There's really just one way
To find out which animal's best
Hold a contest of speed, agility, and guts
That will put each pet to the test
The two Pegasi start to sing together. They start out flying in the sky before landing on the ground to continue the duet.
Fluttershy (Sings):
Don't forget style, that should be considered
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
Then we'll know for sure who's best of the liter
Fluttershy (Sings):
The one who is awesome as cool
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
Just like me
Can't settle for less, 'cause I'm the best
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy (Sings):
So a contest we will see
Rainbow Dash (Sings):
Who's the number one, greatest, perfect pet
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy (Sings):
In the world for me!
Fluttershy (Sings):
May the games begin!
One can see the view back away showing Fluttershy's entire backyard and the other creatures watching the two Pegasi sing together.
"And may the best pet win!" Rainbow Dash said with determination.
It wasn't long before Rainbow Dash put on a baseball cap, a whistle around her neck, and then blew her whistle as she lined up who she considered would be good contenders for her next pet. She had chosen a wasp, a mallard duck, an eagle, a flamingo, a bat, a ladybug, a toucan, a falcon, a monarch butterfly, a brown duck, an owl, and a hummingbird. The 13 other ponies, with their pets, cheered from the outer railing of the town hall building before Rainbow Dash silencing them by blowing her whistle.
"Shh!" Rainbow Dash said and turned her attention to the assembled animals. "So! You all think you've got what it takes to be my pet, do ya? Well, we'll just see about that!"
Rainbow Dash got into the face of the flamingo, making it gulp as she paced before them.
"If any of you don't think you can handle it, bow out now before you humiliate yourself in front of your peers." Rainbow Dash continued. "This competition isn't for the weak. You'd better be prepared to step up your game!"
Some of the animals looked at each other nervously. The ladybug cowered behind the others a bit.
"You call that flapping?!" Rainbow Dash snapped, making the monarch butterfly flap harder. "That's better. There's only room for Team Dash for one of you, and my future pet needs to be able to take it to the extreme! Any questions?"
"I got one, does she understand what a pet really needs?" Applejack asks, turns to Twilight.
"I don't think she understands what a pet needs." Storm Hawk said with a sigh. "I mean, I know Fluttershy tries to help mom for getting a pet, but this is ridiculous."
"No kidding." Comet agrees. "Finding a pet for her is one thing..."
"...But turning it into a competition? This isn't right." Daylight finishes her brothers sentence.
"Well, yeah, but taking care of a pet is care and attention." Twilight said. "Love and affection..."
It was then, Winona gave Twilight a lick in the cheek.
"...Ugh! And breath mints!" Twilight said in disgust which it got Mario, Comet, and Daylight chuckled.
"Let's not forget that special bond that you share with your pet." Mario added. "Outer appeal and skills might be considered, but in the end, your pet is somepony you connect with. Right, Cyra?"
Cyra nods with an agreement as she made a few chirps of concern.
"Hey, don't worry, girl. I would never make you work yourself to the ground to be my pet." Mario replied as he gave a nice stroke on her back, making Cyra purr at the gesture as she nuzzled her head against her master's hoof.
Applejack, Twilight, and the foals awed. It was then, Rainbow Dash noticed that Fluttershy was pushing the tortoise to the front line.
"Now, you just pay attention, and try your best, and..."
"Seriously, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash interrupted. "The turtle? Why did you bring that thing here for?"
"Technically, he's a tortoise." Fluttershy corrects her as she shined the shell and gave him a hug. "And he's always dreamed of being somepony's pet. He just wants a chance to compete, he won't get in the way. You won't even know he's here."
Rainbow Dash just blinked as the tortoise blinked in return.
"No." Rainbow Dash said firmly.
"Oh, just let him try." Fluttershy said.
"Ugh, but there's no way he can possibly keep up." Rainbow Dash protests as she pushed the tortoise over, so he was now wobbling on his shell. "Look at him!"
The tortoise slowly found a way to get back on his feet and stood before her.
"It won't hurt to let him try." Fluttershy said.
"But..."
"Just let him try?" Fluttershy asked again, pushing the tortoise shell into Rainbow Dash's face and smiling at her.
"Grrgh, ugh, fine!" Rainbow Dash finally conceded as Fluttershy put the tortoise down and Rainbow Dash got into his face. "But don't say I didn't warn you!"
She then turned towards the other animals.
"This isn't a game, you know!" Rainbow Dash continued. "Alright, now these games will determine which one of you has the most important qualities I'm looking for a pet."
"Speed!"
Rainbow Dash zoomed ahead, leaving a rainbow colored trail of fire on the ground and causing the tortoise to spin on its shell.
"Agility!"
Rainbow Dash weaved around the animals, leaving a rainbow as she maneuvered between them.
"Guts!"
Rainbow Dash made a brave pose.
"Style!"
Rainbow Dash flew up towards a cloud and shape into herself.
"Coolness!"
Rainbow Dash made a pose and smiled as if she was ready for a close up.
"And radicalness!"
Rainbow Dash then stood on her hind legs, wearing a baseball cap backwards and some shades on her face.
"Aren't those the same thing?" Twilight asks as she walked up to her with Mario, Cyra, and Storm Hawk right behind her.
"You would think that, Twilight." Rainbow Dash said as she lowered her shades, giving her a bored look before rubbing her mane. "And that's why you would never qualify to be my pet."
Twilight looked indignant until Cyra swooped in and pecked Rainbow Dash's head a few times.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Rainbow Dash yelped before rubbing her head in pain as Cyra gracefully on Twilight's back while glaring at her sternly.
"What? I was just saying." Rainbow Dash told the phoenix, defended herself from the Phoenix.
"Poor word choices, dog." Storm Hawk told his mother.
Cyra only responded in a loud squawk of sassiness, which made Mario go wide-eyed and glared at her.
"Cyra! Such language!" Mario said angrily.
"What did she say?" Twilight asked, confused.
"You don't want to know." Mario said bluntly.
Cyra gave Twilight a light nuzzle on her cheek as she giggled at the sweet affection.
"I guess you and her share a bond with each other." Mario said with a smile as she approached them.
"We sure do." Twilight agreed as she giggled a bit more before she patted Cyra on the head gently.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes a bit before she took off to get started with the first round of competition, which was a speed race.
Rainbow Dash then brought the animals over to an oval race track. The remaining 13 ponies stood just outside the track area to watch the race.
"Speed!" Rainbow Dash shouted as the animals got ready to take off. "On your marks..."
The duck quacked and some of the others narrowed their eyes in determination.
"Get set..." Rainbow Dash continued as she narrowed her eyes and blew the whistle.
The animals then took off, except for the tortoise. Well, he actually did but since one of his front legs was moving forward, but by the time he had even started moving it. The others were halfway around the course. His first step was barely made when the other flying animals crossed the finish line. Rainbow Dash watched them as they continued to race.
"Sorta speedy..." Rainbow Dash said about the bat.
"Not speedy..." Rainbow Dash said about the monarch butterfly.
"Pretty speedy..." Rainbow Dash said about the mallard.
"Could be more speedy..." Rainbow Dash said about the barn owl.
Then, the falcon gave a loud cry and zoomed away, blowing the feathers clearly off the owl.
"Yeah! That's speed!" Rainbow Dash said as the falcon crossed the finish line first and 13 ponies cheered.
The poor tortoise had barely finished taking its first step.
"Tsk-tsk." Rainbow Dash said to the tortoise. "That's just sad."
Mario, Comet, Daylight, Winter, and Storm Hawk looked at the tortoise with sympathy before Rainbow Dash had the animals move on in the next challenge, which was the obstacle course.
"Agility!" Rainbow Dash said as she watched the animals try to maneuver through the obstacle course.
"Sorta agile..." Rainbow Dash said about the monarch butterfly as it gracefully moved through some hurdles.
"Not agile..." Rainbow Dash said about the flamingo when it tries to balance on a teeter-totter and falls off.
"Pretty agile..." Rainbow Dash said about the toucan as it maneuvers through a jagged pipe tunnel with ease.
"Could be more agile..." Rainbow Dash said about the bat tries to maneuver through a hurdle.
The tortoise wanted to participate but as he tried to jump, he ended up falling over from looking up at the other animals.
"Wanna know the opposite of agile?" Rainbow Dash said sternly. "That."
Mario, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk glared from the distance.
It was then, the hummingbird began to maneuver around the obstacles rather easily and gracefully as the ponies cheered. Except for Mario, Storm Hawk, and Winter Breeze, who were feeling a little upset over how Rainbow Dash was treating the tortoise.
"Yeah, baby, now that's what I call agility!" Rainbow Dash said in a sing song voice as she went for a high hoof with the hummingbird. "Don't leave me hanging!"
The hummingbird stopped fluttering and returned Rainbow Dash's high hoof, but the lack of fluttering made the hummingbird drop like a stone. The humming bird quickly tried to recover as Rainbow Dash looked annoyed.
"I'm gonna have to shave a point off your score for that." Rainbow Dash said as the hummingbird just flew away, feeling rather embarrassed.
The animals were then brought to an open field as the other 13 ponies looked at each other, worried as Rainbow Dash set down a pet carrier with Opal inside of it.
"Okay!" Rainbow Dash said. "Which of you has the guts to try and get Opal's favorite toy away from her?"
Opal just growled as she stepped out of her carrier and raised a threatening looking claw at the animals. The owl, the falcon, and flamingo flinched at the sight.
The tortoise ducked inside of his shell and the toucan and eagle quivered fearfully. The monarch butterfly decided to go first. As it got close to the cat, the monarch butterfly flapped its wings, mesmerizing Opal as it easily snatched away the toy. The 13 ponies watched excitedly and Rainbow Dash was very impressed.
"Now that takes guts!" Rainbow Dash said.
The tortoise then decided to try as well, but before he could grab a toy, Opal recovered as she yowled and went on the attack. But the tortoise hid inside of his shell as Opal slashed away at it continuously. Rainbow Dash just watched the scene with a face before walking away.
"Style!" Rainbow Dash said as Rarity got her ready for some photo shooting. "Any pet of mine's gotta look good, 'cause you gotta make me look good."
Rainbow Dash then spent the next several minutes taking pictures with each of the animals. The first picture was a bat as they both a pair of sunglasses. The second picture was the falcon perched on her fore-hoof as they posed together. Third picture was a fencing match between Rainbow Dash and the hummingbird.
The fourth picture was with the owl as they tried to look like geeks, both wearing glasses and ugly sweaters to boot. The fifth picture was a dynamic shot of the eagle and Rainbow Dash playing a round of curling. Rarity then went to take a picture of Rainbow Dash, now wearing skies and a pink scarf around her neck as she posed with the monarch butterfly. Once the picture was taken, Rarity gives Rainbow Dash a quick pat of makeup on her cheeks before setting up a stool with the tortoise standing on it wearing a giant red bow on its shell. As the picture was taken, Rainbow Dash just looked at the tortoise uneasily as it ducked inside of its shell.
"Poor thing is camera shy." Mario said as Crya nodded with an agreement.
"Tell me about it." Storm Hawk, Comet, Daylight, and Winter Breeze agrees.
"Coolness!" Rainbow Dash said right after the pictures were done as each animal made a sound.
Rainbow Dash points at the owl when it hoots.
"Sorta cool." Rainbow Dash said.
Then, she points at the green mallard when it quacks.
"Not cool." Rainbow Dash said.
Then, she points at the bat when it gave a cry.
"Pretty cool." Rainbow Dash said.
Then, she points at the toucan when it does a cry.
"Could be cooler." Rainbow Dash said.
She noticed the wasp made a buzzing sound.
"Not what I had in mind." Rainbow Dash said.
However, the monarch butterfly wasn't able to make any sounds.
"I can't hear you!" Rainbow Dash yelled.
Then, Rainbow Dash turns her attention to the tortoise when he made a cough which made her groan. Then, the eagle gave a loud echoing cry.
"Now that's a cool sound!" Rainbow Dash said, impressed.
Next came some small-scale talents in order to determine which animal could be awesome. First, the bat is showing off the echolocation with its ears.
"Sorta awesome." Rainbow Dash said.
Then, she turns to the toucan when it sticks its tongue out of its beak while keeping it closed.
"Not awesome." Rainbow Dash said, shook her head in annoyance.
Then, she turns to the flamingo when it showed off the ability to stand in one leg.
"Could be more awesome." Rainbow Dash said.
She then noticed the owl rotated its head in a complete 360 degree.
"Ho, ho, ho, yeah, that is awesome!" Rainbow Dash said.
Then, the tortoise simply tucked its head into his shell.
"Uh, you did that already." Rainbow Dash said plainly. "That's pretty much all you can do, huh?"
"Rainbow Dash!" Mario shouts, had enough of her harsh attitude towards the tortoise as he approaches her along with Storm Hawk. "Will you ease off on the guy?! It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this particular tortoise likes you! He obviously wants to be your friend!"
"Oh please, he's so not cool or awesome." Rainbow Dash said indignantly. "He can't be my friend!"
"If you think he can't be your friend, then you're dumber than you look!" Storm Hawk snapped with made Rainbow Dash feeling offended.
"What did you say?" Rainbow Dash asks with a glare.
"You heard me." Storm Hawk remarked. "Having a pet takes more than some talent, but you're turning this into some stupid competition! Heck, even Fluttershy tries to help out and the tortoise wants to be your friend! You should've seen the pet is right in front of you, but you're blind to see!"
"Hey! Don't talk like you know me! I'm your mom and you should listen to me!" Rainbow Dash retorted. "I can see that turtle in front of me, and he keeps getting in the way for the competition! And no way he's my friend!"
Storm Hawk can tell that there's no sense of trying to talk her out of it because of her being stubborn and letting her ego get the better of her.
"You don't know what you're talking about." Storm Hawk told her. "And you'll never understand about having a pet if you won't listen while letting your ego get the better of you."
And with that, Storm Hawk flies away with a disappointed look while Mario walked away, leaving Rainbow Dash with her eyes widen and her jaw dropped. Fluttershy approached them and placed a gentle hoof on his shoulder.
"It'll be alright, Storm Hawk. Just let her figure this out on her own." Fluttershy said calmly with a smile.
Storm Hawk and Mario just sighed as Rainbow Dash set up a stage for the next challenge, which was, in her words: Radicalness.
First, the green mallard tried to do a tap dance routine, but Rainbow Dash was feeling bored. Then, the eagle made a sweater of Rainbow Dash, even putting her on the front, but she's unimpressed.
The falcon attempted to do a magic trick, but Rainbow Dash just looked bored as the card she had was incorrect. The wasp performed a rather high-skilled show with a shadow puppet, but all that did was put Rainbow Dash to sleep. The bat then hung upside down and uses the end of its wings to play the 'My Little Pony' theme on glasses before giving a high-pitched screech and shattered the glasses in one shot.
"Whoa! That was truly awesome!" Rainbow Dash said. "But I'm afraid this is a radicalness competition, so I'm gonna have to take some points off."
The final act was the tortoise who had set up a rather complex parkour style obstacle course. The tortoise then stood on a stool and got ready to jump onto a nearby spring to begin the routine. Sadly, he mistimed his jump completely and landed on his shell upside down as the curtain closed behind him. Rainbow Dash just sighed to herself as she approached him.
"Listen, turtle..." Rainbow Dash said firmly.
"Tortoise." Fluttershy corrected her as she popped out from behind the curtain.
"Whatever!" Rainbow Dash retorted. "You've had your fun, but I think you and I both know who made the cut and who didn't."
The tortoise just croaked in reply as Rainbow Dash pointed above to the final four flying animals she had selected, which including the falcon, the eagle, the bat, and the owl. The other ponies, except Mario, Cyra, Comet, Winter Breeze, and Storm Hawk, cheered as Rainbow Dash turned back to the tortoise and helped him back into his feet.
"I mean...'A' for effort and everything, you gave it your best shot." Rainbow Dash said sheepishly. "Maybe I've got a gold sticker around here somewhere you can have, but seriously, go home. You're starting to creep me out."
The tortoise said nothing, but just stared at her as Rainbow Dash tried to smile which she's growing rather uncomfortable.
"So...anyway..." Rainbow Dash added nervously before turning away and heading towards her final four animals. "You're all outstanding competitors, but there can be one of you who's number one. So, the final tie-breaking contest is going to be...pause for dramatic effect...a race against...me!"
The view zoomed out to reveal a long gorge that traveled across some open lands as Rainbow Dash hovered over it.
"Through Ghastly Gorge!" Rainbow Dash finished her sentence. "Dun...dun...dun!"
Some of Wagner's 'Ride of the Valkyries' song could be heard as well as the loud cry of an eagle. The 13 other ponies were just watching from above the gorge. Spike was also with them to watch the race.
"Gesundheit." Rainbow Dash said, handed a handkerchief to the eagle.
The other animals, including the tortoise, were there waiting for the race to begin. The other animals felt rather intimidated about flying thorugh the gorge.
"Actually, Ghastly Gorge isn't scary, it's fun." Rainbow boasted with a chuckle, stretch her body and her wings. "I've flown through it a million times myself, and Storm Hawk flew there 20 times with practice. So obviously, I'll be at the front of the pack. But whichever of you make it across the finish line with me will proven you can keep up with me, and will have earned the honor and glory of getting to be my pet."
Then without any more delays, they lined up to start the race.
"Ready, setgo!" Rainbow Dash said as she took off at high speed as the four flying animals followed.
The tortoise was left behind as he cautiously looked for a way down to the bottom of the ravine. Up ahead, Rainbow Dash was just enjoying himself.
"Whoo-hoo! Haha! Try to keep up!" Rainbow Dash challenged as she maneuvered between some rock pillars.
She then headed into the tunnel, which had a strong wind current that was blowing against her. Rainbow Dash had to fly a little harder to beat the current as she managed to fly out of the tunnel. While her mane got a little frazzled, she easily brushed it back into place.
"Can't catch me, ha-ha!" Rainbow Dash taunted before continuing her way.
As the four flyers entered the tunned, the bat struggled to push against the strong winds while the other animals struggled, but were able to successfully push through and got out of the tunnel. The poor tortoise was far behind, sweating heavily as he pushed his already low top speed to the limit. Rainbow Dash just whistled to herself cockily before she approached a huge collection of thorny vines. She stopped for a second and then easily maneuvered through the thorns without getting stuck.
"C'mon, slowpokes!" Rainbow Dash taunted. "You wanna win, don't ya?"
The eagle was the first to enter the area and immediately got trapped by the thorns. The owl and the falcon also got themselves caught in the thorns as well and struggled to find a way through. The bat seemed to have no trouble maneuvering as it used its echolocation to detect where the thorny vines were and was out of the area first, followed by the eagle, the owl, and the falcon which its wing was still tangled in a broken thorny branch. Rainbow Dash was waiting for them once the four flying animals had caught up to her.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you!" Rainbow Dash said. "Watch out for the Quarray eels! They don't like it when you get too close to their nests, like this. Whoa!"
Rainbow Dash flew near one of the holes as a Quarray eel took a snap at her and then three more tried to bite her as she flew past their holes. The four flyers looked fearfully at the eels, which glared at them before retracting back into their holes.
The bat goes first and immediately got gobbled up, but managed to fight its way out of the eels mouth. Another Quarray eel took a bite at the eagle's head, but fortunately, the eagle managed to duck his head down at the last minute. The owl had to wrestle with the jaws of another Quarray eel while the falcon lost some of the feathers as it nearby got snagged by the tail. Rainbow Dash didn't seem to care about all the close calls as she was still enjoying herself.
"Easy, peasy, one-two-threesy!" Rainbow Dash said as she started to fly backwards with a smug look on her face. "Right, guys?"
SMACK!
Rainbow Dash was so busy boasting, she crashed back first into the side of the gorge. The impact caused a large crevice to appear. Then a huge chunk of rock from the top broke off and came tumbling toward her, who barely missed getting hit by it.
"AVALANCHE!" Rainbow Dash called as more rocks began to fall. "Hey! Whoaaaa!"
As Rainbow Dash was busy avoiding the rocks, the other flying animals just went past her, not taking any notice that she's in trouble. Another rock made contact with Rainbow Dash as more rocks tumbled down on top of her.
Once the rocks had settled, Rainbow Dash crawled out with just a few scratches on her body. She tried to take off, but got pulled back. She looked behind herself and saw that her wing was caught under a large rock.
"C'mon..." Rainbow Dash groaned as she tried to pull her wing out it but it's no good.
She soon noticed that the four flying animals were still flying further and further away.
"No! Wait! Come back! Don't leave me! I'm the one who's supposed to win!" Rainbow Dash shouts, but starts to panic.
Then, the whistle was heard when the four flying animals stopped and turns to the source which happens to be Storm Hawk flying at the Ghastly Gorge.
"Mom is down there and she needs help down there." Storm Hawk told them, points his hoof at his mother. "The rock caught her wing, can you help?"
The four flying animals then noticed that Rainbow Dash is stuck from the rock, who's urge to cry which it starting to overwhelm her as she gritted her teeth and a few tears left her eyes. She stopped crying when she heard the sound of somepony approaching and a dark shadow appeared in the distance.
"Wahoo!" Rainbow Dash cheered happily. "My prayers have been answered! Oh thankyouthankyoutha-YOU?!"
Rainbow Dash's joy faded when she noticed that it was the tortoise that had apparently come to her rescue.
"Oh no!" Rainbow Dash groaned as she covered her face with her hooves and began to cry. "Now I'm not only going to be stuck forever, I'm gonna be stuck her forever with most annoying turtle in the world! Gah, I'm doomed! DOOMED, I tell you!"
The tortoise said nothing but walked up to the rock as Rainbow Dash was complaining and crying. She then stopped crying when she saw the tortoise dig a bit of dirt out of its way.
"Alright guys, help out the tortoise by given the old heave-ho!" The voice of Storm Hawk said as he and the four flying animals starts pulling the rock while helping the tortoise lift the large rock.
Rainbow Dash pulled herself away while they set the rock down as Storm Hawk and the four flying animals landed next to her. She can see her son standing before her with a smile on his face.
"So, I guess mister slow and steady proved himself useful after all." Storm Hawk said with a chuckle when the tortoise walk next to him.
Rainbow Dash just gave him a smile, but Storm Hawk could see in her eyes that she's feeling very embarrassed and humiliated.
"How long have you been there?" Rainbow Dash asked timidly.
"Long enough to see you panic, cry, and complain about the one animal who actually came to rescue you." Storm Hawk answered. "You're lucky I stop those four. If I didn't then your role would end up different."
Rainbow Dash just buried her face in her hooves and said nothing but a light sniffle. Storm Hawk just approaches and gave his mother a hug.
"We all get scared sometime, it's no big deal." Storm Hawk told her as they break the hug. "Maybe now you'll realize that choosing a pet, even a friend, is more than just what their awesome talents are."
Rainbow can only respond by quietly nods. She didn't want her son to see that she was crying and just kept her face hidden in his shoulder until she felt she could make her tears stop. Once she pulled away, Storm Hawk went to examine her wing that had been stuck under the rock.
"Nothing too serious, it'll be sore for a couple of days." Storm Hawk told her. "I'll bandage it up so your little rescuer can get you out. Sorry guys, but I'm afraid the race is cancelled, but it'll be great if you can help out."
The four flying animals though were disappointed that they won't get a chance to become Rainbow Dash's pet, but they'll be gladly to help out for the support.
"But he's so...I...I mean...how?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.
"True that tortoises lack in speed, they make up for in strength and defense." Storm Hawk told her, finished bandaging her wing. "Because their shells are so strong that even an elephant can stand on one without breaking it. In other words, you can ride him out of there while the animals are here to support in case you're going to fall."
"Oh...ok..." Rainbow Dash said quietly as Storm Hawk set her down on top of the tortoise.
'With the way I fell right now, I'd rather not see everypony else right now.' Rainbow Dash mentally thought. 'I need time to recover my pride and dignity. ALOT of time...'
"Okay, hang on tight." Storm Hawk interrupts, making his mother snapped out of her thoughts. "The tortoise here is gonna show you a little trick he showed me, Mario, Fluttershy, and Winter Breeze earlier so we can get you out of here at top speed."
"Wait!" Rainbow Dash said. "Is...is there a rush? Maybe...maybe I..."
"Mom, it's fine." Storm Hawk assures her. "You're still awesome. What happened right now doesn't change that, you're allowed to have feelings."
Rainbow Dash smiled, but whimpered a bit.
"I won't say anything, it'll stay between us. They're really good at keeping secrets." Storm Hawk said, then turns to the flying animals. "Ain't that right, fellas?"
The eagle, the falcon, the owl, and the bat nods with an agreement which it got Rainbow Dash chuckled while the tortoise tucked himself into his shell.
"Now, hold on." Storm Hawk said as he lightly bucked the shell, making it slide across the surface of the gorge at a speed that even frazzled Rainbow Dash for a moment.
"Whoaaaaaaaaaaa...ha, ha, ha, ha!" Rainbow Dash screamed, but then her screams went from scream of fear to excitement. "Yeah! This. Is. So. Awesome!?"
"We better go and catch with them." Storm Hawk said with a chuckle as he and the four flying animals followed her.
At the end of the Ghastly Gorge, the other ponies and Spike were wondering where the flying animals and Rainbow Dash are, but most importantly...Storm Hawk. Apparently, they're nowhere to be found.
"Hm, something's not right here." Twilight said as Owlowiscious sat on her back, using the binoculars to look for them.
"Where are they?" Fluttershy asks with worry, getting in front of Twilight to look into the binoculars.
"Great galloping galoshes!" Applejack exclaimed as she looked in the binoculars. "There's been an avalanche in there!"
"Rainbow! Storm Hawk!" Spike shouted as everypony else chattered with concern and worry.
"Wait! Look!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she leaped over everypony and pointed into the distance.
The others, except Comet, used the binoculars to see what it was while the hawk spirit communicates with him. Daylight turned her attention to her brother which she was in disbelief that he's talking to the animal spirit.
"Are you...talking to the animal spirit?" Daylight asks.
"Yes, the hawk spirit is telling me that the tortoise is carrying Rainbow Dash toward the finish line. Storm Hawk and the flying animals are supporting them." Comet explains which it got their attention.
"But how?!" Daylight exclaims.
"Comet learned from Wild Heart, he can not only summon animal spirits, but he can also communicate with them." Twilight told her daughter. "He was able to catch up to things and learning more of his heritage. But Daylight, let me ask you something, did your late father told you about your heritage?"
"I think he did...he mentioned about the Powhatan tribe in Virginia from his side and my old mother is Italian from her side." Daylight said with a ponder. "Why?"
"There's a reason why he told us about our heritage, it's to remember the history of our ancestors and our tribe." Comet told his sister with a smile. "Wild Heart can teach you about the animal spirits."
"And I can teach you about magic." Twilight adds with a smile. "There's no need to rush, sweetie, just give it some thought."
Daylight knows that Twilight is right since she's still new here, but after learning of her brother's ability, she might learn of her magic from Twilight and Wild Heart.
Then, the ponies came into view as they could see Storm Hawk and four flying animals flying beside the tortoise and Rainbow Dash just sitting on its shell with her wing bandaged with a sheepish smile on her face.
"Ahh!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Comet's right! It's Rainbow Dash! It's her! It's Rainbow! And Storm Hawk is with them!"
Spike and the ponies cheered as they very slowly approached the finish line. So slow, that their cheering stopped.
"Maybe we should meet them halfway." Apple Shine suggested.
Twilight and Comet used their magic to set up the finish line, so the tortoise set his foot right on the line and they all cheered once more.
"Huh. Way to go, little guy!" Spike said as he patted the tortoise on the head.
"Oh, thank goodness you're not hurt, Rainbow!" Twilight said with concern.
"Just my pride." Rainbow Dash said, patting some dust off herself.
"And a sore wing." Storm Hawk added. "It happened when the avalanche occurred when this tortoise, the flying animals, and me helped her wing unstuck from the large rock."
"I certainly hope all of this dreadful dust was worth it." Rarity said, sneezing as the dust hit her nose.
"It sure was." Applejack agrees. "If'n it means Rainbow gets to have her own little critter just like the rest of us from now on."
The tortoise just looks up at Rainbow Dash as she hopped off of his shell.
"Uh...thanks." Rainbow said sheepishly. "What you did...I owe you one."
Rainbow Dash raised her fore-hoof as tortoise gave her a slow but sincere hoof-bump.
"So, who won?" Pinkie Pie asks which Storm Hawk points at the tortoise.
"While I was able to stop these four for heading for the finish line, the tortoise came to help Mom first before we gave him a little help." Storm Hawk told her. "So, I think it's fair that the tortoise become her pet."
Rainbow Dash and the others were surprised of his words, including the tortoise and the four animals.
"Look, I know Mom said which animal crosses the finish line with her gets to be her pet." Storm Hawk said with a sigh. "But it was more like it's all about her, having a pet that has competitive traits which to me, it's short-sighted and shallow. While she's busy making a fool of herself, she caused the avalanche by accident and the cost is having her stuck."
Rainbow Dash felt embarrassed when he made a valid point about her and knows that he's right, which the ponies, except Mario and Cyra, understands what he's telling them.
"However, she learned that having a pet is more that some talents, having a pet is like you're having a friend." Storm Hawk continued. "And that tortoise is the right pet and friend for her."
Then, Rainbow Dash looked at her son, surprised that Storm Hawk actually helped her and it got her realizing that he made another valid point, turns to the tortoise, who smiled.
"Would ya look at that?" Applejack said. "He even smiles slow."
"Just means that every smile is genuine and sincere." Mario said as everypony laughed with an agreement when the falcon lands on Storm Hawk's back.
"Huh?" Storm Hawk said surprisingly.
"And I'm not the only one who had a pet." Rainbow Dash said with a smirk while an owl lands in between the Native American siblings. "Seems the three of you had new pets of your own."
"And you seemed to have learned an important lesson." Twilight told her as Spike pulled out a paper and quill while Rainbow Dash recited the letter.
'Dear Princess Celestia,
I used to think that the most important traits to look for in a pet, or any best friend, were all the physical competitive abilities. But now I can see how short-sighted and shallow that was...'
As Rainbow Dash spoke, the tortoise tried to take Opal's toy. Opal growled and went to attack the tortoise once more as he ducked inside of his shell. While opal was swiping away futilely, the tortoise reached out his head and took her toy, hid it inside of his shell. Once Opal realized she had been tricked, she walked away indignantly. Storm Hawk then recites the letter.
'...but what's important for having a pet is like you're looking for a friend who's there for you and never leave your side.'
Once Spike finished writing the letter, he then fires the green flame as it burns the letter, sending to Princess Celestia.
"So, what are you going to name the tortoise?" Storm Hawk asks, turned to his mother.
"Hmm...I'm gonna name him Tank." Rainbow Dash suggested. "What about you?"
"How about Bolt?" Storm Hawk guessed which the falcon likes that name.
"But Rainbow!" Fluttershy called her. "You didn't want a pet that couldn't fly because it would keep you grounded and hold you back, remember?"
The tortoise known as Tank looked at Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk sadly which they knew she's right but came up with an idea.
It wasn't long before the Pony Pet Playdate arrived as all the other ponies were happily running into the park with their pets alongside them. Rainbow Dash, Storm Hawk, and the falcon known as Bolt were the ones behind everypony else, but they didn't care. They're just excited to be included now.
"Heh. C'mon Tank!" Rainbow Dash said. "We're gonna be late for our very first Pony Pet Playdate!"
Tank wasn't far behind. Thanks to Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk's tinkering, Tank now had his own custom-made, and magically self-operating helicopter propeller attachment to his shell. With a custom-made aviator hat and goggles, he could now take the skies alongside his new owner and friend.
That's it for the 9th chapter.