Chapter 61: May the Best Pet Win
A few days went by after the whole Cutie Pox scenario and everything was peaceful, which for Spyro was about anything but peaceful as he was helping the girls to improve their ability to handle the Keyblade without magic, teaching them how to hold it without chipping or breaking a tooth, which he had some of Zecora's tooth repair potion in stock as there were a few times the girls did chip their teeth while Zecora taught him everything she knew about brewing her potions, even leaving behind a guide on how to brew each one. After sometime, he looked at their results and found they had improved their form of combat and how they can handle the blade, even Fluttershy who seemed to be a bit more comfortable, but was still hesitant to use it. When they met, he stood in front of them and smiled, please with their progress so far.
"Well done girls, well done." Spyro said. "You've improved your use of the blade without magic and now we move onto the next lesson."
"Awe yeah!" Rainbow Dash said, leaping and hovering in the air. "So what's next? We get to learn those spell you use with the Keyblade!?"
"Not quite yet Rainbow Dash." Spyro replied, making the mare fall down comically. "You girls still have a ways to go before you're ready for those spells. The next thing we are going to work on is how to be cautious of your surroundings. Follow me please." They followed him back into the garage and got onto the platform that transports his ships, going back below the surface of the garage and the surface of the planet back into the training room, walking forward into the room. "Begin simulation. Retrieval 29D."
The entire room then started to change right in front of the girls, changing from a metallic room filled with blue and white lights into an old western room with multiple pieces of old furniture and plants in the room, couches near a fire place and a table several feet behind it with four tables surrounding it while potted plants surrounding the room, some tall, others short with a carpeted floor that was red in color with black lines crossing each other.
"Wow, how'd you do that?" Twilight asked.
"The room works like a simulator, thus allowing for it to appear as any kind of scenario you'd like it to be." Spyro replied. "For this exercise, you'll each be going one at a time to reach the other end of the room and opens he safe, which will hold a special item you'll get next week if you girls succeed."
"And if we fail?" Rarity asked.
"Then you'll try again the next day and the next until you get it right." Spyro replied. "There is no time limit, so you can take your time. But for this, no wings and no magic allowed."
"Aw come on, really!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "No flying allowed!? Are you serious!?"
"I am." Spyro replied. "I want to see how you girls would fare in situations where you need to sneak around without your magic and without your wings. Sometimes you might end up with a broken wing or your magic will be nullified. You need to know how to move on the ground and how to observe your surroundings."
"Doesn't seem that bad." Applejack said.
"Before you go through it, know it is a practice run and not the real thing." Spyro said. "But in this room, you're going to need to be vigilant about your surroundings and expect the unexpected." He then leapt towards the safe, jumping over all the items in the room before turning around. "For this exercise, I will not be demonstrating. I will need volunteers."
"I'll go first." Rainbow Dash said.
"Very well, just walk towards me and be nimble." Spyro responded. "Just know that if you get any powder on you, stand there and don't move."
Without any thought to his instructions, she walked a few feet forward, watching the furniture and the plants, but failed to watch the ground as her hoof pressed down on a trip wire, a loud bang ringing out as she felt something hit her in the chest, coughing as she looked down to see she had some white powder on her.
"Dead." Spyro said.
"What?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"That's what happens when you don't pay attention to your surroundings, you end up dead." Spyro replied. "Environmental Awareness is key to this challenge. You get hit with the powder, you're out. So all you need to do is stand there and wait."
"Oh, oh, that looks like fun!" Pinkie said. "Me next, me next!"
"Alright, give it a go Pinkie." Spyro said
The pink party mare then became serious, following the same path Rainbow Dash did while staying low to the ground, moving carefully until she reached past the table, straightening herself up and hopping towards the safe. But a second later, she stepped on a small switch and immediately, she was hit with a ball of white powder half way away from the table, dramatically falling down like she was in an old western and fell to the ground, her tongue rolled out and pretending to be dead.
"And she's dead." Spyro said. "Who's next?"
"Well, I guess this calls for a ladies touch." Rarity said. "I'll show you how it is done."
"Very well." Spyro said. "You may proceed."
Rarity then followed the same path that Rainbow Dash and Pinkie took, stepping over the trip wire and then moving to where Pinkie was lying, looking at the ground and around her to make sure she doesn't hit any wires, luckily avoiding them and the switch Pinkie got before reaching the safe, pressing her ear against it as she used her hoof to turn the dial, listening for the tumblers before opening the door and pulled back just as a toy knife shot out and startled the rest of the Mane Six.
"Well done Rarity." Spyro said. "You got past the traps and didn't fall for the booby trapped safe." Spyro said, Rarity flicking her hair back. "Have a seat and relax." Rarity then walked over to the nearest seat and sat down, but as she did, a geyser of white powder shot out from the seat and caught her by surprise, covering her face and her barrel as she spat out whatever got in her mouth. "Remember, never relax, especially when you're in a place filled with traps."
"Hah, he got you good Rarity." Rainbow Dash said laughing.
"The point of this exercise is to teach you to observe your surroundings." Spyro said. "It's not just to look for enemies, but also chests that have useful items in them from potions to rare items like recipes for new Keyblades."
"Wait, you can get Keyblades from chests!?" Pinkie said, her head popping out from above Spyro.
"Yes Pinkie, there's a chance you can get a recipe for new Keyblades from chests." Spyro replied. "For each recipe you get, you can bring it to the Moogle and he'll store it along with items you can use to synthesize to make the items."
"What's a Moogle?" Fluttershy asked, immediately interested.
"I'll introduce you to one later." Spyro replied. "Once I can find one that is. There's usually at least one in every world. But for now, for this week, I want you girls to use the simulator room to practice observing your environment. Next week, you'll be separated into six individual rooms and you'll each be given an item unique to each of you. For now, get some rest and we'll continue training tomorrow night."
The seven of them got back onto the platform and waited for it to bring them back up, slowly rising back into the garage where the six of them walked out and started on their way home, Spyro and Applejack went into the farm house to get a bite to eat, making themselves some Apple Fritters and sandwiches to eat before heading to bed. The next day however was a bit more eventful as they got up, Applejack and Spyro took care of some chores and picking some of the apples they needed for the day before heading to the park with Winona as they went for a play date that they all scheduled to meet in the park to let their pets play, the six of them nearby to keep an eye on them.
"Man, last night's training was sure something." Applejack said. "Seems more like yer giving us homework rather than actual training hun."
"Well I want to take it easy on you, give you girls the easy lessons before we get to the actual sword play." Spyro replied.
"If you call that easy, hate to imagine what you have in store for us in the future." Twilight said. "Might end up making us have to dodge more of those lasers."
"That'll be agility training." Spyro replied, shocking her. "For now, all you need to do is observe your environment and be aware of your surroundings."
As he said it, they heard what sounded like Rainbow Dash screaming as if she was falling, looking over to see she was in a nearby tree with a pillow napping, which he wasn't surprised she was doing, but it seemed the pets were over by her, Opal in the tree hissing at Winona while the rest of the pets were on the ground. They all then went over to the pets where each went to their owners while Rarity walked up to the tree to let her cat climb down and hop onto her back as Rainbow Dash came down.
"Our sincerest apologies Rainbow if our pets bothered you." Rarity said, looking over her back to look at Opal. "Say you're sorry Opal." But the cat turned her back to her and hissed, spooking Rarity and smiling nervously. "She's sorry."
"No problem, but what the heck is going on here?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Why we always round up our critters for a regular old play date in this park." Applejack replied, throwing a stick for Winona to fetch.
"You do?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Same time every week." Applejack said.
"I thought you knew." Fluttershy said. "You didn't know? She didn't know?"
"Well, we were planning on inviting Rainbow previously." Twilight said. "But-"
"We were totally going to invite you Rainbow!" Pinkie said, interrupting Twilight. "But Twilight then remembered you didn't have a pet and at the same time, Rarity remembered you liked to take naps in the afternoon, so Applejack here said you wouldn't be missing out on anything anyway, so Fluttershy and I nodded our heads in agreement like this."
Pinkie then grabbed Fluttershy's head and made her nod her head, which the yellow Pegasus didn't seem comfortable with.
"Please don't be mad at us." Fluttershy said, her head still nodding up and down.
"Oh, I'm not mad." Rainbow Dash replied. "Not much point in me attending the pony pet play date if I don't have a pet. But why's Spyro here anyway? He doesn't have a pet."
"Oh, he's a resident of mah home, so it sorta counts." Applejack replied. "But Rainbow Dash has a point, you might benefit from a pet of yer own."
"Well I really liked that Manticores, so..." Spyro said.
"Don't even think about it." Applejack said, glaring at him. "We ain't having no pony eating wild animal in mah home."
"Kidding, I'm kidding." Spyro said. "But I think I might get myself a Phoenix like the princess. I think it would be epic."
"Hey, whatever floats your boat sugarcube." Applejack said. "Now if you'll excuse us."
The girls resumed their play date while Rainbow Dash went back to the branch she was napping on while Spyro just watched as everyone was enjoying having fun with their pets, remembering playing with his two pet dogs back home before coming to Equestria, missing them as he looked down. In the distance, he could sense something and looked up to see that Rainbow Dahs was watching them having fun with their pets, feeling left out as she watched them have fun, so she tried to drown out the sound, but failed as she leapt down.
"Now wait just a minute." Rainbow Dash said. "Just because I don't have a pet now doesn't mean I don't ever want a pet."
As she said it, Fluttershy suddenly turned around and her eyes were sparkling after hearing her friend wanted a pet.
"Really!?" She asked excitedly. "You really want a pet!? Really!? Really!? Because I have so many wonderful choices at my house!" She then flew down and picked Rainbow Dash up, dragging her across the ground on their way to her cottage. "I know you'll just love them, and they'll love you! Oh, and you'll be best friends forever and ever!"
As Fluttershy was taking Rainbow Dash back to her cottage everyone was watching them leave, which he was then nudged by Applejack, getting him to snort in surprise and look back.
"Go on Spyro, go with them." Applejack said. "Ya'll might end up finding a pet ya might like."
"But AJ, I'm fine with Winona." Spyro said, petting the over excited pup. "I don't need a pet."
"Ah horse feathers Spyro, life's incomplete without a pet of yer own." Applejack said. "Besides, phoenix's are rare, so I doubt you'd find one out of the blue."
"AJ right Spyro." Twilight commented. "Phoenix's are extremely rare, so finding one who's willing to be your pet is going to be near impossible."
"But princess Celestia has Philomena and she's a Phoenix." Spyro replied. "Maybe I should ask her how she got Philomena and-"
"Spyro, as i said, it might not happen." Twilight said. "Go with them and see if there's a pet you'd like."
He knew that they were right and Phoenix's are very rare, but he wanted something that could live on for years without him having to find another pet for a very long time, so he flew after them and soon came to the cottage just as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash arrived, looking back to see Spyro there.
"Hey Spyro, you here to find a pet as well?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yeah, kinda thought the same thing you did." Spyro replied. "I kind of want a companion of my own."
"That's wonderful!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "Come on."
She then flew to her backyard with both Rainbow Dash and Spyro following behind her as they enter, but as soon as they arrived, Spyro could hear some music playing from somewhere and knew a song was about to begin.
[Fluttershy]
Now, Spyro and Rainbow my dear, I cannot express my delight,
it's abundantly clear, that somewhere out here,
Is a pet that will suit you both just right.
[Rainbow Dash]
I can't wait to get started, but first let me set a few rules,
It's of the utmost importance that the pet that i get,
Is something that's awesome and cool!
[Fluttershy]
Awesome, cool, got it.
I have so many wonderful choices, just wait, and you will see.
How about you Spyro my dear, is there a preference to a pet that you may find here?
[Spyro]
Not exactly any kind of preference,
But there is something that I would like for me.
That my pet would live for years to come,
Something like that is rare for some.
[Fluttershy]
Lives for a very long time, got it.
Come with me and we will see,
If we can find the perfect pet for both of you, follow me.
[Rainbow Dash]
I need something real fast like a bullet to keep up with me!
[Fluttershy]
Sure! How 'bout a bunny?
They're cutesy and wutesy and quick as can be.
[Rainbow Dash]
Cutesy? Wutesy? Have you even met me?
[Spyro]
Although this little guy is cute and has a cute smile,
A bunny isn't exactly my style.
[Fluttershy]
Spyro and Rainbow have faith,
You see, I will bet you,
Somewhere in here is a pet that will get you.
Come on, the sky's the limit.
[Rainbow Dash]
Sky is good. I'd like it to fly.
[Fluttershy]
Really? Because i think this little puddy tat have your name written all over it. Yes he does. Aw, look, he likes you!
The cat started to then purr at Rainbow Dash and rubbed his head against her cheek, stunning her for a moment, but Rainbow look back and sighed.
[Rainbow Dash]
Pass
[Spyro]
I will admit, he is adorable,
But with Winona, it might end up being horrible.
[Fluttershy]
I have so many wonderful choices for you to decide,
There are otters and seals, that have massive appeal
[Rainbow Dash]
Otters and seals do not fly.
[Fluttershy]
Maybe not, but I have seen this particular catch ten feet of air when he breaches the water.
[Rainbow Dash]
That's it. I'm out of here.
[Fluttershy]
Wait! there must be a pet here,
That will fit the ticket.
How 'bout a ladybug or a cute cricket?
[Rainbow Dash]
Bigger and cooler.
[Spyro]
Not to mention they do not live very long.
Especially when a predator is coming along.
[Fluttershy]
Bigger, cooler, right.
I've got just what you need tree, Dash meet your new fabulous pet squirrelly!
[Rainbow Dash]
It's just a squirrel.
[Spyro]
Yeah, I'm with Dash on this one.
[Fluttershy]
Not just any squirrel, a flying squirrel.
She the picked up the squirrel and flew upward, tossing him into the air as it used it's fur and skin to allow it to glide to the ground and next to Rainbow Dash.
[Rainbow Dash]
Yeah, so like I was saying.
Fluttershy, pal, this won't cut it.
I need a pet that'll keep up with me.
Something awesome, something flying,
With coolness that defies gravity!
[Spyro]
And I need something, that lives forever,
Something with great loyalty!
[Fluttershy]
I'm sensing you want an animal that can fly.
[Rainbow Dash and Spyro]
Ya think?
[Fluttershy]
I have plenty of wonderful creatures who soar in the sky.
Like a sweet hummingbird or a giant monarch butterfly.
[Rainbow Dash]
Better, but cooler.
[Spyro]
Getting there, but not close enough.
[Fluttershy]
I see. How 'bout 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.
[Spyro]
Now we're getting somewhere.
[Rainbow Dash]
Now we're talking!
But instead of just one stand out, now that's too many.
So many choices, and such riches aplenty.
[Fluttershy]
Not a bad problem to have if you ask me.
[Rainbow Dash]
The bat would be awesome, but I'm digging the wasp too.
D'you have something in a yellow striped bat?
[Fluttershy]
No, I've got a hot pink flamingo, just dying to meet you.
[Spyro]
I will admit, the eagle and falcon I'm leaning to,
Maybe I might choose one or the other,
But it's a bit of a bother,
As they seem to be my main choices out of the few.
[Fluttershy]
That just means you're going to have the easiest choice yet.
[Rainbow Dash]
What to do, what to do? (Gasp)
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.
[Spyro]
You sure that's a good idea Dash?
That kinda seems a bit rash.
To have a pet is to give it love,
not to compete how high they fly above.
[Fluttershy]
Don't forget style, that should be considered.
[Rainbow Dash]
Then we'll know for sure who's best for the litter.
[Spyro]
Why do I bother?
[Fluttershy]
the one who is awesome and cool.
[Rainbow Dash]
Just like me,
Can't settle for less, cause I'm the best!
[Spyro]
This is definitely not going to end well.
[Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash]
So a contest we will see!
[Rainbow Dash]
Who's the number one, greatest, perfectest pet
[Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash]
In the world for me!
[Fluttershy]
May the games
[Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash]
BEGIN!
[Rainbow Dash]
And may the best pet win!
When the music stopped, Rainbow Dash took off to her house to get a few things while Fluttershy went to round up the creatures that could fly so they can get the contest started, but Spyro just shook his head, thinking this was a bad idea and took off back to Sweet Apple Acres to get some potions as he knew at least one creature, or pony, was going to be seriously hurt and he wanted to be prepared. As he got to the farm house, he walked up the steps to his alchemy set and picked up some of the potions he managed to make after so many months of blowing himself up, but on his way out, he noticed something in the orchard, something red and yellow laying on the ground below one of the trees, so he went to have a look at it and to his shock, it was a phoenix with what appeared to be an injured wing. As he approached, the phoenix noticed him and got up, puffing out it's feathers to make itself look more intimidating, but Spyro was unfazed by the phoenix and kept walking to it, the majestic bird backing away from him.
"Hey, you don't need to be afraid." Spyro said, approaching the injured creature slowly. "I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to help." He then extended his hoof out so the Phoenix could see he wasn't there to hurt him, which the majestic animal looked between the hoof and Spyro before walking towards him, slowly getting onto his hoof while he sat down. "See, you're in safe hooves. Now hold still while I fix that wing."
His horns then started to glow green as a green mist appeared in his hoof, slowly going up the phoenix and to its injured wing, the mist passing over the injury. Slowly, the wing started to heal itself as the mist entered through the skin, gently healing the damaged area as he saw old damaged feathers drop while new ones took their place, restoring the wing to full health. When the mist vanished, the phoenix extended his wing and flapped it a few times before flying into the air and circling around, screeching out as it flew out of sight, though Spyro would have liked to have kept him, he was a free animal, so he just smiled and waved to it before walking back to town to make sure none of the animals got seriously injured. However, as he reached the gate, the he felt something land on his back, looking to see that the phoenix had landed on his back and nestled against his back, rubbing it's head against him to show affection.
"You're welcome little guy." Spyro said. "Guess you'll be heading back out in a bit." But the phoenix sat up and shook its head, confusing him. "Wait, you're not leaving?" The bird nodded his head, answering the question. "You want to stay with me?" The phoenix nodded its head again, letting him know he was staying. "Well, alright. Guess that means you're my pet now. But we're going to need to come up with a name. How does Ignatius sound?" The phoenix thought about it, but then shook its head, not liking the sound of it. "No? Then, what about Valor? Nah, too common." He then felt some of the scorching heat coming from the Phoenix through his jacket, but wasn't bothered by it as he has dragons blood and it felt like a spring breeze to him. "Hey, easy with the scorching heat there bud. I might be fire proof, but the jacket isn't." Then an idea came to mind, smiling as he looked back. "Hey, how about Scorch? It's kind of catchy to me." The phoenix then screeched in approval, liking the name. "Alright then, Scorch it is. Come on, I want to introduce you to my friends."
Spyro then walked along the trail while Scorch remained perched on his back, enjoying the ride as he approached town and when he got there, he asked around to see where Rainbow Dash was at and was told they were in the town square where she was acting like a drill sergeant to some animals. He then began walking to the town square where he found Rainbow Dash in front of a lot of animals that could fly, all lined up and at attention while her friends cheered, which she whistled again and they got quiet, which Rainbow Dash spat the whistle and and returned her attention to the creatures.
"Looks like I got here just in time." Spyro said.
"You sure did." Rainbow Dash said.
She then looked over to Spyro, but her eyes widened when she saw he had a Phoenix on his back, the girls all seeing this and rushed over to see it.
"Ah don't believe it." Applejack said. "Ya'll found another Phoenix? Ah thought the princesses pet was the only one."
"Well, looks like that ain't the case here." Spyro said. "Found him in the orchard with a banged up wing."
"Oh the poor thing." Fluttershy said. "Does he need a bandage?"
"Nah, I healed him." Spyro replied. "I can heal injuries on myself and others. So i fixed this guy up and now he likes me."
"Who cares where he found it, this guy looks awesome!" Rainbow Dash said. "Does he have a name?"
"Yeah, his name is Scorch." Spyro replied.
"You know what this calls for?" Pinkie asked. "A PARTY! To celebrate Spyro getting his very first pet in Equestria!"
"Maybe we should save that for when Rainbow Dash also gets a pet." Spyro suggested. "That way we can celebrate it together."
"Works for me." Pinkie replied. "Though that means I'm going to need to bake two separate cakes for the two pets. Oh, maybe we can make a huge cake for the two of them, one half for the phoenix and the other for which ever pet Rainbow Dash gets! What do phoenix's eat anyway! Do they eat bird seed!?"
"We'll figure that out later Pinkie." Spyro replied. "For now, let's see how this goes. Hopefully it won't back fire and end up putting somepony in the hospital."
He then joined the rest of his friends in the town center, watching as Rainbow Dash was walking back and forth, drilling them about how her little competition wasn't for the weak and how pet needed to taker it to what she called the extreme, flying into the sky to demonstrate her point, zooming upward and showing they needed to be about as fast as she is before asking in any of them had questions.
"Ah do." Applejack whispered. "Does Rainbow Dash even understand or know what a pet really needs?"
"Yeah, like care and attention." Twilight whispered back. "Love and affection." A second later, Winona suddenly licked her on the cheek, making her gag. "Ugh, and breath mints."
"Yeah, a dog's breath does get rather ripe." Spyro said. "I had five dogs before coming here. Three of them for nearly twenty years of my life as a kid, one of them actually making it to eighteen years old. I miss that little speedster."
"Geez, eighteen years?" Applejack asked. "That's some doggie."
"Seriously Fluttershy, the turtle?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. They then turned to see that Fluttershy had brought a tortoise to the line up, which Rainbow Dash wasn't happy about. "What'd you bring that thing here for? He's way too slow."
"Technically he's a tortoise." Fluttershy replied. "And he's dreamed of being someponies pet. He just want's a chance to compete, he won't get in the way. you won't even know he's here."
Rainbow Dash and the Tortoise starred at each other for a moment, but Rainbow Dash looked away, clearly unamused.
"No way, not happening." Rainbow Dash said.
"Oh, just give him a chance." Fluttershy begged. "That's all I'm asking."
"But there is no possible way this thing is going to keep up." Rainbow Dash said. "I mean, look at him."
"But it doesn't hurt to let him try." Fluttershy said, picking it up and rubbing its shell on her face. "Just try."
"Might as well Rainbow Dash, otherwise she's gonna keep pestering you about it." Spyro said, seeing the disapproving look on her face.
"Ugh, fine." Rainbow Dash said, giving up. "But don't say I didn't warn you. this isn't a game you know" She then got back in front of the flying animals. "Alright, listen up. These events are meant to test you and will help determine which of you has the qualities that I'm looking for in a pet." She then sped off, causing the tortoise to spin around and become dizzy, leaving behind a rainbow fire until she got to a hill. "Speed!" She then rushed between the animals, weaving through them without hitting a single one. "Agility. As well as guts." She then took off into the sky and sculpted the cloud into a sculpture. "And style." She then landed and smiled as she looked at them. "Coolness, Awesomeness, and radicalness."
"That last one ain't a real word." Spyro said.
"And, aren't they all the same thing?" Twilight asked.
"You both would think that." Rainbow Dash replied. "And that's why you would never qualify to be my pet."
Twilight looked very annoyed with Rainbow Dash, leering at her for a moment while they watched her take the animals to the first course.
"So, who do you think will be her pet?" Pinkie asked, bouncing up and down.
"Betcha it'll be the bat." Applejack said. "Them varments are tricky critters."
"Ugh, as if such a repulsive creature would be her pet." Rarity said. "I believe it'll the Toucan. It is quite lovely."
"I think it'll be the falcon!" Pinkie exclaimed. "He looks to be super duper fast!"
"No way, it'll be the owl." Twilight said.
"You're not just saying that because you have an owl for a pet, are you?" Spyro asked.
"Of course not." Twilight replied. "Owls are actually pretty smart."
"Not exactly true." Spyro replied. "Crows are actually smarter than owls. Their memory is almost as good as an elephants."
"Hah, that's laughable." Twilight replied. "What do you think will be her pet then Mr. Smartypants?
"The tortoise." Spyro replied.
The four girls looked at him, confused as to why he'd pick the tortoise, but then they started laughing, unable to hold in their laughter as they found his choice of animal to be hilarious.
"Spyro, ya'll are the funniest pony Ah've ever met." Applejack said, falling on her back, still laughing.
"What makes you think Rainbow Dash will choose the tortoise?" Twilight said, as she was laughing. "She'll never pick him."
"Trust me, if there's one thing I know, opposites attract." Spyro replied.
"Oh yeah, care to make it interesting their partner?" Applejack asked with a smile.
"Depends, what are the stakes? Spyro asked.
"We each place a ten bit bet on the critter we think will be her pet." Applejack said. "Winner get's the whole pot."
"You're on." Spyro replied, shaking her hoof.
"Oh, I'm in." Twilight said. "Gonna need those bits for some more supplies."
"I too will join in on it." Rarity said. "I could use the money for my next project."
"Me too! Me too!" Pinkie exclaimed. "This will be fun."
"Then may the best pet win." Spyro said, smiling.
The first event for the new pets was speed, which they were to fly around the track to see how fast each one was and to no ones surprise, the tortoise was the slowest, which the girls smiled at Spyro, but he did show any kind of fear or anxiety, looking up and smiling at Scorch while the falcon showed the greatest speed, causing the pink party animal to bounce up and down, screeching in excitement while the others face hooved. Next was agility and Rainbow Dash was watching how agile the future pets would be, which the Flamingo wasn't very agile as it fell of a teeter totter, causing Rarity to become nervous while the the bat did do ok, but the tortoise wasn't agile at all as it tried to jump, but failed to do even that while the humming bird took the lead for agility. Next was guts and this one it was where they had to take Opal's favorite toy from her, which most of the animals were scared to even approach the angry cat, but the butterfly went up and used it's wings to mesmerize the cat, taking the toy and getting some cheers, but then the tortoise lifted the cage to try and trap the angry cat, but failed, turtleneck into its shell as Opal tried to claw her way in.
Then there was style, which was just her posing in front of a camera with each of the pets, but when it came to the tortoise, it just turtled again and and she just rolled her eyes. Then it came to how cool the animal was, seeing what makes them cool before seeing how awesome they were, some she listed as awesome, others not so much before moving to other kinds of talents that they had, which the final four was the falcon, the eagle, the owl, and the bat, which somehow the tortoise was also willing to continue going as well, even if Rainbow Dash told him to leave. The final event was a race against her, seeing which of the animals could keep up at a canyon called ghastly gorge, which seemed to make her a bit nervous.
"Are you sure this is safe Rainbow?" Spyro asked. "Doesn't seem like the kind of place I'd see you race through."
"Trust me Spyro, I flew through this thing a million times." Rainbow Dash replied. "It's not scary, it's fun."
"Right, just keep an eye on your surroundings." Spyro said. "Remember what happened in the training room."
"Oh please, there won't be a repeat." Rainbow Dash said. "As for you, which ever of you crosses the finish line with me will have proven you can keep up with me. And you will have the honor and glory of being my pet."
"It's just the five in front of her that's left." Twilight said. "The eagle, falcon, owl, bat, and the tortoise."
"I thought she told the tortoise to leave." Applejack said. "That means Rarity and Spyro both loose."
"Not exactly AJ." Spyro replied. "I convinced her to give the tortoise one last chance. Knowing our little daredevil friend, she'll be glad I convinced her."
He then turned to Scorch and nodded his head, allowing the phoenix to fly into the air to keep an eye on the race while they waited back at the finish line, which Applejack was smiling to herself as she sat down.
"Ya'll get yer money out, because I've all but won this bet." Applejack said.
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch cowgirl." Spyro replied. "There's still a race going on."
"Hah, says you." Applejack replied. "The only way that you'd win is if them other critters took a nap. A seven hour nap."
Spyro just rolled his eyes and waited for Rainbow Dash when he looked up, seeing that Scorch was circling overhead and flew down, screeching as he tried to tell him something.
"I think Scorch is telling you he saw something in the canyon." Fluttershy said. "Said it looked like a weird insect with yellow eyes."
"Heartless." Spyro said. "Been a while since we last faced them. I think the last time we had to fight them was back when we had to fight Discord."
"Should we go and check it out?" Rarity asked.
"Nah, I got this." Spyro said. "Besides, I think it's about time to check on her."
"Her?" Twilight asked.
"You know who I mean." Spyro replied.
he then took off into the sky and followed the phoenix to where he saw the Heartless, reaching he point to where he saw it and found there was a Heartless, but it was only a single Shadow, not much of a threat, but who it was heading to came as not a big surprise as he saw Rainbow Dash on the ground, sitting in the fetal position as her wing was trapped under a heavy rock. A moment later, the Tortoise arrived and started to dig a hold in which it could lift the rock up, lifting it with incredible strength that even caught Rainbow Dash by surprise, who appeared grateful, but then saw a Shadow appear, leaping towards her, but was then hit by a trail of fire, Scorch screeching as it turned around right as the Shadow turning into a cloud of black smoke.
"Scorch?" She asked. "What are you doing here?"
"Watching the race." Spyro replied, landing next to her. "He saw the Heartless and came to get me." He then looked over to the Tortoise and smiled as the creature slowly approached her. "And it seems our little friend here helped you out."
"Yeah, he's pretty strong for a turtle." Rainbow Dash replied.
"He's a tortoise, not a turtle." Spyro corrected. "Turtles have a thinner, more hydro-dynamic shell for the water. Tortoises are rounder and is used for protection."
"Geez, you know a lot about animals." Rainbow Dash said. "Been taking lessons from Fluttershy?"
"Actually, I studied Wildlife before becoming a Keyblade Bearer." Spyro answered. "Took courses in Wildlife and Mammalogy while in school."
"Geek." Rainbow Dash said, wincing as she moved her wing.
"Here, let me see that." Spyro said.
He walked over and sat down, gently picking up her wing and examining it for any kind of serious damage, relieved it wasn't something serious.
"You're lucky, there's no serious damage." Spyro said. "Just some minor bruising in the joint area. Other than that, nothing seems to be seriously damaged."
"Well, can you heal it real quick?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Sorry Rainbow, not this time." Spyro replied, shocking her. "You can't always rely on me to heal your injuries. your body can heal itself naturally, you just need to rest and not over exert yourself." He then reached into his bag and pulled out a bandage, wrapping it around her wings so she couldn't fly. "Besides, it's a waste of energy to heal damage this minor. Just give it a few hours and massage it to help improve blood flow and it should heal itself no problem."
"You also took courses in being a nurse?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Actually, one of my friends back in my old home world is a nurse." Spyro replied. "She taught me enough about medicine to identify and understand how serious the injury is."
"Well, I lost this race." Rainbow Dash said, but looked down to the Tortoise and smiled. "But, maybe it's not all a complete loss."
At the finish line, the other animals had already crossed the finish line and as they started to panic, Spyro came back and landed, seeing how worried they were.
"Spyro, Rainbow Dash didn't cross the finish line!" Twilight said. "Something bad must have happened to her. We need to-"
"Look, there's somepony coming." Pinkie said, taking the binoculars. "It's the turtle!"
"Tortoise." Everyone said at the same time.
"Whatever." Pinkie replied.
"And he's... carrying something on his back." Twilight said, looking through the binoculars and gasping. "It's Rainbow Dash!"
"It is!" Pinkie shouted, bouncing up and down. "It's Rainbow Dash!"
They all cheered as the Tortoise was carrying Rainbow Dash, continuing to cheer, but it then died down at how slowly he was coming to them until their cheering completely stopped.
"Maybe we should meet them half way." Fluttershy suggested.
"Good idea." Spyro replied.
Twilight used her magic to pick up the finish line and moved it to there the two of them were head towards, moving at a pace almost as slow as a snail. When they had fully moved the finish line, the tortoise crossed it and everyone was cheering, rushing over to make sure their friend was ok.
"Way to go little guy." Spike said, petting the tortoise.
"Thank goodness you not hurt Rainbow." Twilight said.
"Just my pride." She replied. "And a bit of a bruise."
"It's nothing serious." Spyro said, walking up. "Just a day of rest and some massaging and she should be ok."
"Well, I certainly hope all this dreadful dust was worth it." Rarity said, looking very uncomfortable as she sneezed.
"It all will be if Rainbow gets to have her own little critter just like the rest of us." Applejack said, petting Winona.
Rainbow smiled at her friend, looking down to the tortoise and got off his back, lowering herself to look him in the eye.
"Thanks, what you did, I owe you one pal." Rainbow Dash said, hoof bumping the tortoise.
"Rainbow, your new pet is over here waiting for you." Fluttershy said, the Falcon swooping over.
"And I won the bet!" Pinkie said. "Who's the pony? I'm the pony!"
"Well... about that." Rainbow Dash said.
"What's the matter?" Spike asked.
"Yeah, you got your perfect pet." Pinkie said.
"Yeah, it can fly and it's not a squirrel." Fluttershy said.
"And the falcon looks good on you." Applejack said. "So what's the problem?"
"I will admit, the falcon does look cool and is everything I wanted in a pet." Rainbow Dash said, looking to the tortoise. "But I said whoever crossed the finish line with me would be my pet."
"You did, you did say that!" Pinkie replied, bouncing up and down. "She did say that! That was the rule!"
"And the one who crossed the finish line with me, was the one who saved me when I needed help." Rainbow Dash said, picking the tortoise up. "The tortoise!"
"Now she gets it right." Spyro said.
Everyone then started to laugh at the comment, lightening the mood as Rainbow Dash asked Spike to take a letter while Spyro left the group to go and get something's for Scorch, but before he got too far, Applejack caught up with him and walked with him.
"Where ya going?" She asked. "Ya'll won the bet."
"Nah, keep the bits, I got plenty of money." Spyro replied. "I'm just going to get some items for Scorch."
"Well, at least let us use the bits to pay for everything." Applejack said.
Later that afternoon, Spyro and Applejack got everything they needed for Scorch, a large bird cage, some perches to put throughout the house, and plenty of bird seed for the large bird along with some other necessities, setting everything up in his room before heading back out to the park to continue the play date that the girls scheduled, meeting up with their friends just as Rainbow Dash flew by.
"Looks like you've fully recovered." Spyro said, Scorch perching on his back. "So, where's your new pet?"
"Tank will be here in a minute." Rainbow Dash replied.
"Tank?" Spyro asked. "Good name for a tortoise, but how did you solve the flying problem? Tortoises don;t exactly have wings."
"Way ahead of you." Rainbow Dash replied. He then heard what sounded like a propeller, looking to his left and saw Tank had on his shell a helicopter pack with a magical core to keep it powered up. "Twilight helped me design this thing to help him keep up with me. This way I won't stay grounded."
"Gotta say, that's pretty good." Spyro said. "And it seems you've learned more than one lesson today, right?"
"Yeah, that entire thing could have been avoided if I payed more attention to my surroundings." Rainbow Dash said. "But I'm glad I didn't. Otherwise I wouldn't have learned what really makes a good pet was a go to it spirit, never giving up, the real mark of a winner."
"Sometimes, everything happens for a reason." Spyro replied, walking over and wrapping his wing around her. "And I'm pleased you found a pet that really cares about you."
The two walked to the tree and sat down, watching as their pets were playing and having fun with the others while the two of them remained seated, the cyan mare placing her head on his shoulder as she closed her eyes, no longer afraid to be seen having a soft side while in front of her friends and she gave him a peck on the cheek, which he responded by returning the kiss with his own, the two embracing one another as the sun started to set in the background.