Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo stood by the Abbey Pond, surrounded by Redwallers who had crowded around to see the two visitors from Equestria. Martha introduced the ponies to her brother Horty, and his two friends, a mouse named Springald and a squirrel named Fenna.

Horty was enormously fat, and he wore big round glasses that made his eyes look like those of an owl. "So, you're the famous Rainbow Dash," he said. "I say, you're not as big as I thought you'd be."

Abbot Carol was shocked by his behavior. "Hortwill, show some respect for your elders!"

However, Rainbow Dash interceded on the young hare's behalf. "Don't worry, Father Abbot, I like to see a kid with a bit o' spirit."

Springald inquired, rather pertly, "Miz Dash, are you as quick as they say you are? I bet I'm faster than you. I won the Abbey wallrace last summer."

Rainbow grinned from ear to ear and shook Springald's paw. "My congratulations. So then, I'll have a bit o' competition in this wall race. I'm plannin' on runnin' in it myself. I hear the prize is a giant pot of jam. Mm!"

Springald blurted out, "You're too old, I'll beat you easy!"

Supremely confident, Rainbow Dash winked at her. "Let's go to the wall an' get it started now. No time like the present!"

Springald bowed mockingly. "After you, marm!"

There were actually two wall races: one up on the walltops, and another down at ground level. They would both take place at the same time. Rainbow Dash, Springald, and everybeast else who wanted to enter the walltop race went up onto the wall above the gatehouse. Down on the ground, a mole called Foremole Dwurl scored a deep line in the earth with his formidable digging claws. Scootaloo went to stand at this line with the other ground racers. She wished she could run up on the walls with Rainbow Dash, but since she didn't have functioning wings, she was afraid of what would happen if she fell.

She noticed Horty pushing Martha's wheelchair up to the starting line. Martha was protesting, "No, please, Horty, I've never raced before!"

"Oh, piffle 'n' twodge, miss," said Horty. "We'll show these blighters what us Braebucks are jolly well made of, wot! Two stout runnin' paws an' a splendid set o' wheels. Haha, we'll leave 'em all bally well standin', wot wot!"

Up on the wall, Springald stood in a ready stance. Rainbow Dash glanced sideways at her as she pawed the line. "Good luck, kid."

The mousemaid kept her eyes set on the course ahead. "Aye, good luck to you, too, old un. You're going to need it!"

Abbot Carol stood out on the lawn and waved a handkerchief. "On your marks… ready… steady… go!"

Away everybeast went, young and old, on walltop or ground, running at top speed.

Carol sat on the grass with an otter named Toran. "Dearie me, some of the Dibbuns have raced off in the opposite direction."

Toran laughed. "Oh, let 'em go. They'll still run the same distance at the finish. Flyin' fur 'n' feathers! Lookit young Springald go, ye'd think she had wings on 'er footpaws. Looks like Rainbow Dash is laggin' behind a bit."

Indeed, Springald was a good two paces in front of Rainbow Dash. But Rainbow was calm. She was just pacing herself, saving her energy for later.

Below on the grass, chaos ensued. Two Dibbuns, a mole and a shrew, had decided to stop and share some candied chestnuts. Scootaloo had to swerve to avoid tripping over them. Just behind her, Horty came pushing Martha, yelling out a warning. "I say, you fellows, make way or we'll run ye down. Watch out for the corner, me old skin 'n' blister. Steer quicker, or we'll knock a hole in that wall, wot!"

Meanwhile, Springald and Rainbow Dash had rounded the east corner, and were tearing off along the south wall. Springald was still leading, but both of them were way ahead of the other contestants.

On the ground, Scootaloo collided with the Dibbuns who had been running the wrong way. They all fell in a jumble, roaring and arguing. "You're going the wrong way!" Scootaloo yelled.

"No, we not! You knock us over 'cos we winnin'!" a squirrelbabe named Shilly said.

Horty and Martha were approaching the pileup. Martha yelled in panic, "Slow down, Horty, watch out for those Dibbuns!"

Her brother narrowly missed the melee, speeding up as he shouted, "Forward the buffs! Onward t'death or flippin' glory! Blood 'n' vinegar, me jolly lads! Redwall!"

As they passed by the heap, Martha's paw got snagged on Scootaloo's tail. Scootaloo was jerked up and swept onto Martha's lap. Horty didn't notice this.

On the wall, Rainbow Dash and Springald were approaching the finish line. Springald was panting heavily, but still she took time to glance back at Rainbow as she gasped, "Give up, old un, you're beat!"

But Rainbow summoned up all her energy and put on a massive burst of speed. She passed the startled mousemaid and crossed the finish line ahead of her, and she didn't even have to use her wings. "They don't call me Rainbow Dash for nothing," she boasted.

Right below them, Martha, Horty, and Scootaloo were approaching the other finish line. Just before they reached it, Scootaloo hopped off Martha's lap and over the line.

Not realizing what had happened, Horty kept pushing the chair. He rushed over the finish line and ground to a halt. "Hoorah, me beautiful ole skin 'n' blister, we won. Wot Wot Wot!"

"Nay you'm didn't, zurr," said Foremole. "Miz Scootaloo is ee big winner!"

Horty's mouth fall open. "But… but… how… wot… but?"

Martha almost fell from her chair laughing. "Hahahaha! Scootaloo was first over. Heeheehee, she won. Stop your but butting, Horty, we were second. A great effort on your part, sir. Thank you kindly!"

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The searat crew had come upon a small colony of wood mice and slain them all. Now they were leisurely plundering their dwellings. Raga Bol and Wirga sat by a fire on a hilltop, isolated from the noisy rabble below.

Raga Bol took a furtive glance down at his crew. "They're talkin' about me down there, I know it. Ever since that incident with the crocodile this morning, I've become a laughingstock. Tell me wot t'do, I must be rid of the reptile!"

Wirga replied, "Knowest thou my three sons?"

"Oh yeah, I hated that show," said Raga Bol.

Wirga rocked back and forth on her haunches, chuckling. "No, not the TV show, my three sons. My children. They're right down there, see?"

Bol knew the ones she spoke of, though not too well. They were a furtive trio, a bit undersized for searats, always last to fight but first to grab the plunder. He was not impressed with them, and saw the three as background vermin who never put themselves forward or appeared bold, like proper searats.

The captain shrugged. "Aye, I know 'em, they ain't no great shakes as fighters. That big croc could eat the three of 'em! How could three runts like that do the job?"

Wirga drew a section of bamboo from the pouch she carried, which was sealed at one end with beeswax. Carefully, she broke open the wax and shook the bamboo. Six thorn darts spilled out onto her palm. "Once one of these little beauties pricks the skin, even the greatest warrior cannot stand. Poison, from far isles across the southern seas. My three sons know how to use those darts. Warriors they may not be, but assassins they surely are. They will seek out the crocodile an' slay 'im."