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Dangerous Amoeba - Initial RGRE

By Guest
Created: 2020-12-18 09:44:31
Expiry: Never

  1. >Day average young driver in Equestria
  2. >You were just driving out of city, until you where blinded by some asshole with high beams on.
  3. >You probably took a weird exit while recovering from the blinding, ended up on some lone rural road in the middle of pastel hills and fields.
  4. >You’ve been driving for at least a few hours.
  5. >Though either your tank really is full, or your dial is stuck.
  6. >You accelerate and take over another of those weird looking car/carriage hybrids.
  7. >You see a few every couple of kilometers. Piloted by these small dog horse looking things.
  8. >You were somewhat confused by them, but after being chased by a dragon, a cow thing and a bunch of other animals, you don’t care anymore.
  9. >You see a dog horse thing in the distance, holding a sign at you.
  10. >You’re not sure what the sign is, but seeing as the thing is in your path, you slow down.
  11. >Eventually, you stop at a white line at an intersection.
  12. >The traffic cop -or at least you think it’s a traffic cop- directs traffic at the intersection.
  13. >A steady stream of carriages drive past.
  14. >Sometimes, the cop looks your way with confusion.
  15. >A carriage stops somewhat harshly next to you.
  16. >You turn to look to your left.
  17. >The carriage is pretty pimped out.
  18. >Lowered, 20inch triple spoked wheels, slotted brake shoes, colored hub, tinting panes, THICK grill.
  19. >Gold, pink and silver color everywhere.
  20. >The driver of the carriage lowers the window and looks you in the eye.
  21. >In a feminine voice.
  22. >”You ‘mirin my ride?”
  23. >She has pink fur, and a horn or something on her head.
  24. “It’s alright.”
  25. >You respond in a flat voice.
  26. >”Ooh, you’re a colt. That’s a pretty funky ride you’ve got baby.”
  27. >>”Cadence! Leave him alone!”
  28. >A male voice from inside commands her.
  29. >”Don’t worry Shiny, I’m just having fun. Say, you wanna put that rotting lumber up against a real ride?”
  30. >You chuckle at the absurd situation, and promptly respond.
  31. “Alright.”
  32. >”Nice. Don’t choke on my dust too hard babe.”
  33. >The horn on her head glows a bit.
  34. >You assume she revs, or her version of it. Sounds like a low rumble, twinkle and whine.
  35. >You put your car into neutral, and rev in response.
  36. >Your engine drowns out any other sound in the area, and some birds fly out of the nearby trees.
  37. >Not bad for a 2.0l inline-4.
  38. >The traffic cop gets startled, and looks at you angrily.
  39. >The person next to you says something about that being impressive.
  40. >The traffic cop eventually stops the traffic in front of you, and then turns to you.
  41. >You put your car back into drive.
  42. >You glance to the person next to you. She does the same and grins.
  43. >The cop looks at the two of you nervously, closing its eyes, and then blows a whistle.
  44. >The carriage next to you makes a rumbling, twinkling and whining noise and slowly pulls out of the intersection.
  45. >You gently apply throttle and slowly accelerates to 20km/h just past the other person.
  46. >She tries to accelerate past you, but you just speed up, and your transmission steps down.
  47. >You only accelerate until her carriage is just behind your rear door. 25 km/h.
  48. >In your rear view mirror, you can see her clench her teeth and her horn glows brighter.
  49. >She accelerates faster than before, past you.
  50. >You decide to end it, and floor your accelerator.
  51. >Since you are in second gear, your engine doesn’t rev too hard, but either way, you fly past the other carriage.
  52. >You don’t stop accelerating until you hit 110 km/h and see the carriage disappear in your rear view mirror.
  53. >You set cruise control, and take your foot off the gas.
  54. >Good luck to those two, you’ll get along somehow.
  55. --------------------------------------------------------
  56. >Seeing some traffic up ahead, you gently slow your car down to 50km/h
  57. >You overtake cartridges as they show up.
  58. >Carefully of course.
  59. >You see a carriage with white and gold coloring and a flag on it.
  60. >You briefly glace as you pass it.
  61. >Two long horse things, around 2 balls or something.
  62. >You realize you have a good distance of highway ahead of you, so you accelerate.
  63. >You quickly hear a siren.
  64. >You search around you, and realize it’s coming from the white gold carriage.
  65. >It’s some kind of weird cop car.
  66. >An OPP carriage? Maybe you’re in Amish country.
  67. >You decide to take the risk and just speed up.
  68. >You step down on the gas and start accelerating steadily.
  69. >You see the carriage behind you accelerate after you.
  70. >Soon, your speedometer shows 100 again and you weave in and out of carriages.
  71. >The cop carriage tries to maintain pursuit, but it can’t.
  72. >You see it fade into the distance obscured by dust.
  73. >You smile in unpredicted satisfaction.
  74. >Continuing to drive at your current speed to avoid the cop catching up to you.
  75. >You drive for another 20 or so minutes, and slow your car to 100 before setting cruise control again.
  76. >Relaxing you reach into your cup holder and sip on your long cold timmies coffee.
  77. >While the cold drink is not too good on its own, the taste of satisfaction and victory masks its flavor.
  78. >Looking into your side mirror, you’re satisfaction is broken.
  79. >2 flying horse things are behind you, and gaining fast.
  80. >You angrily chug your cold French vanilla, and toss it out the window.
  81. >Placing both hands on the wheel, you realize the flying cops are right next to you.
  82. >The cop screams in a commanding female voice.
  83. >”In the name of the princess! Stop!”
  84. >You respond angrily:
  85. “I DINT’DU NUFFIN!”
  86. >”You are under arrest for speeding! 21 cases of Dangerous driving! 7 accounts of disregarding the road rules! And one account of littering!”
  87. >You throw a balled up tissue at the horse cop.
  88. >”TWO accounts of littering!”
  89. >>”Please sir! Just slow down! We can help you!”
  90. >You realize there is another cop to the right of your car.
  91. >>”Please sir! I’m sure we can solve this misunderstanding!”
  92. >You accelerate in response.
  93. >The two cops manage to keep up as you go from 100 to 110.
  94. >You see both of them are sweating and you decide to step it up.
  95. >110-120 km/h.
  96. >The cop is clearly huffing and puffing.
  97. >You add another 5 to your speedometer and the one to your right slows down behind you.
  98. >That’s one down.
  99. >You look left at the remaining cop.
  100. >She’s clearly tired, but not letting up.
  101. >You floor your accelerator, and your engine vibrates harder than usual.
  102. >You clear the cop, as you reach 135 km/h.
  103. >You think you’ve reached top speed for your car, as the speedometer is moving very slowly.
  104. >You then think to put your windows up, and do so.
  105. >The car quickly gains another 10 km the second both windows are up.
  106. >You watch in your rear view mirror as the cops slow down and stop, screaming at your trunk.
  107. >Soon they’re nowhere to be seen.
  108. >You keep up at 145, and decide to take the next turn to shake them off.
  109. >You sigh.
  110. > Prepare to meet the challenge of the new frontier
  111. --------------------------------------------------------
  112. >About 40 or so minutes and 20 or 30 turns in random directions.
  113. >You’re certain you’re in the clear.
  114. >You steadily slow your speed down as you enter a town to hide from the cops.
  115. >And take a leak.
  116. >As you slow, you quickly realize the rattling coming from the front right of your car.
  117. >You’ve burst a tire.
  118. >You push the hazard light above your atmosphere controls and pull off the road into an empty space.
  119. >You slow and stop your car.
  120. >Horse things eye you as you step out of your ride.
  121. >You press the lock button on your remote.
  122. >Then again, just out of habit.
  123. >The car honks, and its lights flash startling the folk, drawing more attention to you.
  124. >You walk towards what you think is a food store or something.
  125. >On entering, you see an orange horse leaning in her chair.
  126. >She sees you enter.
  127. >”Well howdy partner! Ain’t seen yer kind ‘round these parts. Welcome to the Apple family co-op!”
  128. “You gotta bathroom around here?”
  129. >She suddenly becomes more polite, and sits in her chair properly.
  130. >”Oh ah, yea, it’s in the back. ‘llow me to show ya sir.”
  131. >She leads you to a door next to another door.
  132. >”There ya are. Ah hope everything is to yer liking, sir.”
  133. >She bows and presents the bathroom.
  134. “Thanks.”
  135. >You enter to relatively clean restroom, and get down to business.
  136. >You keep overhearing some argument about how others aren’t allowed the bathroom or something.
  137. >Something about only colts needing a bathroom.
  138. >”Ah mare can just use the bushes out back! Ah colt need the privacy!”
  139. >You tune it out.
  140. >Eventually, you leave the bathroom.
  141. >You return to the storefront and think to ask the storeowner for directions.
  142. >”Ah hope ya found everythin to yer likin. Sir.”
  143. “Yea, thanks for that. Say you happen to know any tire repair shops?”
  144. >”Broke a wheel on yer carriage?”
  145. “Yup, flat.”
  146. >”Spoked Wheel runs ‘er store just about a couple wings in town down apple avenue.”
  147. >She points down a road running perpendicular to the one you came off.
  148. “Alright, thanks.”
  149. >”Anytime! Thanks fer comin!”
  150. >She calls after you.
  151. >You walk back to your car, and unlock it.
  152. >Then you open the trunk and retrieve a tire iron.
  153. >You begin loosening the lug nuts on your front right tire.
  154. >Unlocking all the bolts, you hear hoof beats, and look around.
  155. >The orange storeowner comes to your car and stops.
  156. >”That’s a strange looking carriage, sir.”
  157. “Thanks, I guess.”
  158. >You check if the bolts are all unlocked.
  159. >”Let me help, sir!”
  160. >She gets underneath the car with her back almost to the ground.
  161. >She then tries to raise her back up and lift your car.
  162. >Try she might, the 1.2-ton car won’t budge.
  163. >”*HUFF* just a little *GRR*.”
  164. >She grunts and heavily breaths.
  165. “You’ll throw out your back.”
  166. >”Nonsense sir! *HUFF* Ah’ll be fiIEEN!”
  167. >You think the car is lifting somewhat.
  168. >Off the shocks anyway.
  169. >She pushes hard then falls to her belly and breaths heavily.
  170. >You walk to the trunk and get the jack, and jack handle.
  171. >You come back to the orange shop owner still pushing against your car.
  172. >Letting her continue, without a word you get to work.
  173. >You just slide the jack under the car and align it with the frame.
  174. >Then put the jack handle in, and using the tire iron you turn the handle.
  175. >The shop owners face lights up as the car lifts with her effort.
  176. >She soon realizes that it is in fact you raising it and her she looks saddened.
  177. >You continue raising the car, chips of rust fall off the badly rusted underside.
  178. >You raise the car until the tire is just above the ground and rotates freely.
  179. >Getting up, you use the wrench to remove the nuts and remove the tire.
  180. >The shop owner solemnly watches you work.
  181. >You install the spare tire, and thread on the nuts.
  182. >Then you lower the car, and use the wrench to lock the nuts.
  183. >Finally, you carry your damaged tire to the trunk.
  184. >The shop owner stayed in one place the whole time, and just watched you work.
  185. >You look at her.
  186. >She looks sad, as if her entire life just came tumbling down.
  187. “Thanks for the help.”
  188. >You say to her to try make her feel better.
  189. >She gets up and slowly walks away with her head hung low.
  190. >”Yer, welcome.”
  191. >Well.
  192. >There was nothing that you could do, so you pointed your car down Apple Avenue.
  193. --------------------------------------------------------
  194. >You have no idea how much a ‘wing’ is.
  195. >So instead, you opt to keep your eyes as open and manually find that store.
  196. >You watch tons of weird buildings float by.
  197. >Including a building seemingly made of gingerbread and candy.
  198. >There was a pink horse thing in the window of that building that stared at you as you drove by.
  199. >You think you see her in your rear view mirror every now and again.
  200. >Just, staring.
  201. >Eventually after who knows how long of driving, you see a store to your left with a big wheel hanging above and a decked out carriage next to the entrance.
  202. >You look into your left mirror, rear view mirror, give your turn signal and check your blind spot before moving close to the left of the road and stopping.
  203. >Traffic blocks you from turning, so you have to wait for a while.
  204. >After a few minutes, you see a gap in traffic; check your blind spot and turn.
  205. >You enter the store –what you assume is- parking lot.
  206. >Carriages are parked side by side, with no real parking lines.
  207. >You put your car between a carriage and a pile of wheels and tires.
  208. >You walk to the storefront, and enter.
  209. >”Hey, what up?”
  210. “Hey, I got a flat tire can-.”
  211. >”Ooh, don’t see many colts through here.”
  212. “Are you Spoked Wheel?”
  213. >”That’s the name on the sign, baby. Spoked Wheel, expert of all things round and fast, at your service.”
  214. >You look at the sign, and sure enough, it says ‘Spoked Wheel’s, carriage shop.’
  215. “Well, can you fix my tire?”
  216. >”Woah baby, straight to the point. I like that, we could get along really well ya-know.”
  217. >The shopkeeper gives you a strange grin, you respond with a blank stare.
  218. >”Don’t take offence darling. Let’s see your hunk of junk. The other one I mean.”
  219. >The shopkeeper giggles at her own joke.
  220. >You walk out the door, and hold the door open for her.
  221. >She almost stops for a second at the door and looks at you; her seemingly confident act falters for a second.
  222. >Eventually, she walks through and you lead her on.
  223. >You walk around the parking lot towards where you parked your car.
  224. >”S-so where ya from baby? Don’t seem from around this dump.”
  225. “Toronto.”
  226. >”Toronto? Never heard of it, Gotta nice ring to it, could just shorten it to ‘Ronto.”
  227. >Well, she’s not wrong. She’s just an asshole.
  228. “Sure, why not.”
  229. >”They all good looking down in Ronto, or just you?”
  230. >You’re not sure if you want to be flattered, or worried.
  231. “If you ignored the south Asians.”
  232. >You get to your car, and motion to it.
  233. >”Da-a-am, baby. Funky rig. Doesn’t look like a colt float, either. This things, damn.”
  234. >She’s instantly fascinated by your car, she looks all around it.
  235. >”Where’s the conduit?”
  236. “The what?”
  237. >”He, ha ha. Sorry sweetheart. Forgot you don’t know the first thing about carriages. Where do you power this thing?”
  238. “The engine? It’s under the hood.”
  239. >”Engine? What?”
  240. “You press the unlock button and the pony recoils at the car lights flashing.
  241. >You pop the hood, and open it up.
  242. >”What the hay is this? Where’s the conduit? Where’s the commuter? Where’s the magic go?”
  243. >Magic?
  244. “Magic?”
  245. >The owner looks at you with intense confusion.
  246. >”You mean to tell me, this thing doesn’t use magic?”
  247. “No, what?”
  248. >”Does it have a condenser then?”
  249. “Yea, by the battery.”
  250. >Wheel signs in relief.
  251. >”Alright, alright good. So it’s powered by surrounding magic, baby.”
  252. “What? No, the condenser just stores and grounds unused power from the coil pack.”
  253. >”Coil pack? What? You know what, just show me the wheel.”
  254. >You open your trunk and lift out the wheel.
  255. >”Those massive wheels. This thing is slow as a sloth, right?”
  256. >She can’t talk shit about your ride.
  257. “Hey, I just escaped a cop car, and 2 flying fuckers. It may have a dinky engine, but it’s aerodynamic.”
  258. >”You escaped a cop carriage? Sure they didn’t just let you go?”
  259. “Just fix my tire.”
  260. >”Sweetheart, I’ve hardly seen a tire thicker than a hoof. This ain’t gonna be cheap.”
  261. “How much?”
  262. >”You’re looking at 500, 700 bits, darling.”
  263. “Bits? Dollars?”
  264. >”Damn, babe. You living under a rock or something? Sweetheart, there ain’t no such thing as dollars.”
  265. >This day just gets weirder and weirder. You should have stayed in Ronto.
  266. >TOronto.
  267. >Wheel looks away from you and thinks.
  268. >”Damn, I’m a sucker for a cute face. Alright, look, I’ll fix your carriage, but you gotta do something for me.”
  269. >You’re surprised and look to the horse.
  270. “Go on.”
  271. >”Don’t worry darling, nothing dirty. Spoked Wheel is a mare of standards. Come inside, we’ll talk. Let me get that wheel.”
  272. >The ‘mare’ tries to lift the wheel on her back using her wings.
  273. >”DAMN! GRRR. What is this thing made of!?”
  274. “Steel and rubber.”
  275. >You walk over and lift the wheel with one arm.
  276. >Wheel gives you that look she gave you at the door.
  277. >You walk back to the door she trails behind.
  278. >You open the door, just like before.
  279. >”Put the wheel on that bench. Come to my desk.”
  280. >Doing as you’re told, you sit down on a chair slightly too small for you.
  281. >”Alright look. Now, you can walk out, but for Celestia’s sake don’t tell anypony.”
  282. >The pony’s previous nonchalant attitude changes to worry.
  283. “Go on.”
  284. >”There’s these... folk. Big folk, important folk. They run a sweet racket, racing carriages. Nothing illegal, but folk don’t like it, cos ponies get hurt.”
  285. >You nod.
  286. >”I-I got into some trouble with them; I lost a lot of money. So I had to cut corners. My best driver is in the hospital right now, and my best carriage in pieces. I need somepony to fill in.”
  287. “What’s the track like?”
  288. >”You really are straight to the point. It’s just this long, wide road 20 wings long, straight, no turns.”
  289. “Alright. I’ll do it. When?”
  290. >”No, I understand, it was a long –wait what?”
  291. “When?”
  292. >”Tomorrow, at 4. I’ll have your car ready by 12.”
  293. “Alright then.”
  294. >”Where are you staying?”
  295. “Probably in my carriage.”
  296. >She groans thinks then sighs.
  297. >”Come on.”
  298. >Then leads you behind the counter, to some stairs.
  299. “Look, I appreciate this, but you really-“
  300. >”Just take it darling. I don’t wanna argue.”
  301. >She sounds tired.
  302. >You shut up and walk to where the storeowner is taking you.
  303. >A room that’s in better condition than your room, but not by much.”
  304. >”I-I know it’s a mess, but.. a- i-a-“
  305. >She stammers for a minute, and blushes.
  306. “Don’t worry about it. Thanks, Spoked.”
  307. >She looks away blushing.
  308. >”I- I should get to fixing that wheel. Umm, bathroom is that door.”
  309. >You watch her leave, as she bumps around the place and giggles slightly.
  310. >You head to the bathroom, take a leak and wash your hands.
  311. >Then you instantly flop into bed.
  312. >You’re probably going to get mugged or raped soon, so you want to get the maximum amount of sleep.
  313. >You dream, a house In the Spanish style. There's a room in back, with a view of the sea
  314. --------------------------------------------------------
  315. >Some point at night.
  316. >You feel some movement.
  317. >Still mostly asleep, you can hear some voices.
  318. >”Sorry darling, the floor is cold.”
  319. >You feel some familiar fur or something rub your arm.
  320. >”Sorry about that.”
  321. >You grab hold, and pull the fur to your chest, to keep you warm.
  322. >”H-hey!”
  323. “*MUMBLE* No, sergeant teddy *GRUMBLE*, communists *GRUMBLE* at the gate”
  324. >”D-darling, damn. He’s gonna be pissed in the morning.”
  325. >You slip into sleep again.
  326. >And so you drift back, to your Florida room.
  327. --------------------------------------------------------
  328. >We open your eyes to piercing sunlight through the window.
  329. >You turn your face to cover your eyes from the sun.
  330. >Feeling a warm ball of fur in your arms.
  331. >Looking down, you see the blue mound of fur. A head buried into your chest.
  332. >You think about the events of the previous day.
  333. >Getting lost on the highway, running from some cops, a flat tire and this store.
  334. >You also remember your end of the deal.
  335. >Seeing, as you seem to feel fine. You should probably hold up your end of the deal.
  336. >Trying to move makes the creature stuffed into your chest stir.
  337. >She looks adorable, like a dog but holding on like a baby.
  338. >”*MUMBLE* 5 more, *MUMBLE*”
  339. >Your only choice is to lay still, and let her go into deep sleep again.
  340. >After a few minutes, you try to move again.
  341. >”Huh? *MUMBLE*”
  342. >She rubs her face into your chest, before stopping and sniffing.
  343. >”Woah. DAMN!”
  344. >She looks up, into your eyes. Looking worried, and slightly scared.
  345. >She jumps away.
  346. >”Look, darling! This isn’t what it looks like! We didn’t do anything, last night!”
  347. >She starts rambling on defending herself from accusations you aren’t making.
  348. “Hey! Hey! Calm down.”
  349. >She does.
  350. “How much time do we have?”
  351. >”A-about 3 hours. It’s an hour ride.”
  352. “Alright then, I’ll go get ready.”
  353. >You head towards the bathroom.
  354. “Thanks for the bed.”
  355. >She stares at you dumb founded, as you walk to the bathroom.
  356. >Your morning routine is eventless, and you finish quickly.
  357. >Coming out to find the horse not in the room, you head downstairs.
  358. >The mare is getting things, a big toolbox is on her back, and she’s towing your wheel on a wagon.
  359. “So, is it fixed?”
  360. >”Yea, I filled the hole. But damn, what kind of pressure do these things take?”
  361. “32 psi, 2. Something atmospheres.”
  362. >”Babe you’re speaking gibberish. I filled it with the same as your others. My back is still sore from how many pumps it took.”
  363. “Alright, so what now?”
  364. >”Now, I -and I hate to say it- need your help. I can’t for the life of me figure out what size wrench I need. Everything I have is either too small or too big.”
  365. “Alright, lets go.”
  366. >The two of you walk to your car.
  367. >There is a puddle of tools around your spare wheel.
  368. >You unlock the trunk and get your tire iron, and jack.
  369. >Then get to work unlocking the lug nuts.
  370. >Jacking up the car, and taking the nuts off, then the spare.
  371. >You put the real wheel on, and do the removal process in reverse.
  372. >”Looks good as new, huh?”
  373. “Yea, thanks.”
  374. >Wheel smiles for a second, then looks away.
  375. >”Well. We should get some breakfast. There’s a place not far from here, ‘sugar cube corner’.”
  376. “Alright. Anything we need to do here?”
  377. >”I’ll close shop. I’ll put some tools in your carriage if you don’t mind. Anything you need?”
  378. >You think for a minute.
  379. “A rag and stick.”
  380. >The horse look at you in a weird way, but complies and hands you a stick and rag from her toolbox.
  381. >You tie the rag to the rod, and shove it down your fuel port.
  382. >Hit bottom, then pull up. The rag comes out soaked in gas.
  383. >”Ahk! What is that?”
  384. “Gasoline, and somehow lots of it.”
  385. >”Is that a bad thing?”
  386. “Not at all. Let’s get breakfast then.”
  387. >”Alright.”
  388. >She walks around to the other side, and opens the door.
  389. >Thankfully the doors work the same way.
  390. >You turn your key, the starter motor turns a few times, before the engine starts with a loud rev.
  391. >The pony yelps at the engine.
  392. >You ignore her, and put the car into drive, then leave the lot.
  393. >On the way to sugar cube corner, you make small talk with your unofficial friend.
  394. >She seems comfortable enough in your car.
  395. >”It’s too bad these damn seats are too short.”
  396. “There’s a crank to raise it.”
  397. >”Whatever, there’s the place.”
  398. >The pony points towards that weird gingerbread building you saw yesterday.
  399. >You drive into and enter the building.
  400. >”Take a seat sweetheart, let a mare treat ya.”
  401. “Seeing as I don’t have any ‘bits’, alright.”
  402. >Taking a seat by a window, you lean in your chair and think about whom to ask on how to get back home.
  403. >>”HELLO!”
  404. >You awake to an assault by some extremely excited pink horse.
  405. “Hey.”
  406. >You remember her from the day before. The one you thought you kept seeing.
  407. >>”My name is Pinkie Pie! I don’t know your name! So you must be new in town! I like to greet all the new ponies in town, but you’re not a pony, but that’s ok I like to greet non ponies too! Especially if their nice, there was this one griffon who wasn’t very nice...”
  408. >The pony just rambles on and on, you try your best to tune it out.
  409. >”Pinkie! Get our food, and leave the poor colt alone.”
  410. >Spoked takes a seat in front of you and the Pink horse bounces to the kitchen.
  411. >”Don’t mind her, she loves making ponies smile. Sometimes a little too much. I ordered you a sponge cake and some coffee, hope that’s fine,..”
  412. >The pony looks about awkwardly.
  413. “That sounds good. Thanks again.”
  414. >”Oh stop thanking me. I should be thanking you for what you’re gonna do for me.”
  415. >She looks away, guiltily.
  416. >>”CAKE FOR THE MARE AND HER COLT FRIEND.”
  417. >”Pinkie!”
  418. >Wheel blushes and yells at the other.
  419. >”Sorry about that. H-here. Enjoy.”
  420. “Thanks.”
  421. >You start eating with a fork, the cake is pretty good.
  422. >”Say, I never got your name.”
  423. “Anon Y Mous. Call me Anon.”
  424. >You put your hand out, and the pony takes it.
  425. >”Well you know my name. How did you end up in ponyville anyway?”
  426. “I was driving to Kingston. I think I took a wrong turn or exit, and ended up here.”
  427. >The two of you eat for a while, before she responds.
  428. >”Kingston? Never heard of it.”
  429. “Really? I mean it’s not well known like Toronto, but it’s still known.”
  430. >”I haven’t heard of either. I know a pony who could get you directions.”
  431. >You take a few more bites, finishing the cake on the plate.
  432. “That’d be nice. What time is it?”
  433. >”Ahh, 1, 38! We’re late!”
  434. “Thought you said the race is at 4.”
  435. >The pony quickly scrambles out of the bench seat. You follow.
  436. >”The race does, but we gotta be there earlier. PINKIE!”
  437. >The pink horse appears seemingly out of nowhere.
  438. >>”PRESENT!”
  439. >”Pinkie! Could you pack ou-.”
  440. >>”DONE!”
  441. >The pink horse holds up a white box, with a little ribbon.
  442. >You look to your table, and sure enough, all the food that was uneaten is gone.
  443. >”Thanks Pinkie. Comeon!”
  444. “Is that normal?!”
  445. >”YES!”
  446. >You jog to your car, behind the panicky horse.
  447. >She tries opening the door, but it’s locked.
  448. >”Open you damn thing!”
  449. >You press the unlock button on the remote, and the door opens.
  450. >Getting in, the pony is panicking and standing on the seat.
  451. >”What are you waiting for?! Lets ride! Take trans-Pegasus highway.”
  452. >You start your car, and drive off.
  453. > Steamin' up That Trans-Pegasus highway
  454. --------------------------------------------------------
  455. >You steam along at 60km/h weaving in and out of traffic.
  456. “Damn traffic is too thick. What’s legal speed anyway?”
  457. >”Don’t worry about that, you’re doing great. How fast are we going?”
  458. “60 kilometers an hour. I’ll up that to 65 or so.”
  459. >”What?”
  460. “What?”
  461. >”What in the hay is a ‘kilometer’?”
  462. “A unit measuring distance, equalling 1000 meters.”
  463. >”Alright, whatever. This part of the highway hardly has any speed control, just go as fast as you like.”
  464. >You keep on the highway, overtaking carriages whenever it’s safe to do so.
  465. >”Up by that place. Exit right. The one that says ‘now leaving apple country’”
  466. >You do what you’re told, and calmly take the exit.
  467. >The highway opens up a bit, so you increase your speed further to 70 km/h.
  468. >”Just keep following this road till you get to a exit that says ‘speed lane’. The speed is 10 wings an hour by the way. I see you’re going faster.”
  469. “I’m doing 72 or something.”
  470. >”We’re gonna have to figure out that measurement thing at some point.”
  471. >You keep traveling along.
  472. >”Hold up sweetheart. There’s an intersection up there. Slow down.”`
  473. >You do as you’re told, and drop your speed to 40 or so, faster than the others, but slower.
  474. >Sure enough, the cop at the intersection stops your side of traffic.
  475. >You approach and slow down to a halt.
  476. >”Damn, these brakes. Are they duel shoes?”
  477. “Drum brakes on the back, and calipers on the front.”
  478. >You idle at the intersection waiting your turn.
  479. >”Say, what’s with all these knobs and buttons?”
  480. “Which ones?”
  481. >”All of them. The one on your controls wheel, on the door, the panel. Why so many?”
  482. “This one turns the hazard lights on. This is a radio, and its controls. This one is hot or cold, vent selector and fan speed. A/C, circulation and defroster.”
  483. >”What the hay do they do?”
  484. “Hazard lights, plays music, atmospheres control, and clears the rear window if it gets fogged up.
  485. >”Music? Damn phonographs are expensive. How much did this cost?”
  486. “It was standard with the car. And it’s not a phonograph. It plays cassettes not records. Or radio input.”
  487. >”It was standard? It’s not custom made?”
  488. “No. I wish I had a cassette to play.”
  489. >You both stop talking for a while; you think about how long you have to wait at an intersection.
  490. “How long do you have to wait at intersections?”
  491. >”Hmm? Only about 10 minutes or so.”
  492. “10 minutes? Damn, why so long?”
  493. >”It’s so that we can rest after driving. Not everypony has a beast rig like you, sweetheart.”
  494. >Her face lights up.
  495. >”I remember back during the early rallies, my grandma and mom used to take me. The cars weren’t nearly as good as they are now. The racers would all be lined up exhausted. I remember one of them fell asleep as soon as the race was over.”
  496. “How fast where the carriages?”
  497. >”Back then? The fastest, ‘Dare Devil Dash’ was doing like 30 wings. Dad threw a fuss when we were going to see her. Said it was too dangerous to go that fast.”
  498. “And now?”
  499. >”That record held for a pretty long time. It was just 3 years ago her student broke it. Speed of about 34.”
  500. “What’s the speed limit here?”
  501. >”10 wings. Not like it means anything, most carriages struggle to get past 8. Why?”
  502. “Nothing.”
  503. >You sit back in silence, and watch the traffic pass by.
  504. >You’re starting to feel hot in the car, though the pony told you not to open the windows for fear of ‘wind mites’
  505. >”Oh. Finally our turn.”
  506. >Sure enough, the other lanes have stopped and the cop is motioning your lane to move.
  507. >You apply throttle and quickly accelerate to 30.
  508. >”Get past the intersection before speeding, darling. Rather not have a cop on our tails.”
  509. >You match your speed with a carriage next to you.
  510. “How fast is this guy going?”
  511. >”Hmm? Looks about 5 or 6 wings.”
  512. “My speedometer reads around 20-23 km/h.”
  513. >You have to think for a minute. 6 times 4 is 24
  514. >”Well yea, you’re not using wings for some weird reason. So?”
  515. >5/6 is about 0.8 something.
  516. “So, 23 over 6, equals about 3.8.”
  517. >”A wing is 3.8 kilometers? Gotcha. That was pretty genius sweetheart.”
  518. >You start accelerating further, until you are once again going 60 km/h.
  519. >Driving on the current road for a while.
  520. >Wheel laughs to herself.
  521. >”Say Anon, dear. What’s our speed?!”
  522. >She talks in a fun voice. You try to play along.
  523. “60 kilometers an hour, dear.”
  524. >”60 divided by 3.8 is?”
  525. “15.7!”
  526. >”15!”
  527. >You both say the answer at the same time.
  528. “15? My old chemistry teacher would have said ‘you’re already 50% out.’”
  529. >”Well. I rounded.”
  530. “Then it would have been 16.”
  531. >”Oh shut up!”
  532. >She responds playfully. Then immediately regrets it.
  533. >”I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get-“
  534. “Relax. I have thicker skin than that.”
  535. >She stops talking but doesn’t seem any more comfortable.
  536. >You know she feels bad about something, but you don’t know what.
  537. “So, you were all panicky when we got on the highway. Now you’re calm, What happened?”
  538. >”I didn’t know you’d rip the highway like this. Or that your carriage would be so good at it.”
  539. “Oh please don’t make me blush. It’s but a compact economy car.”
  540. >”Economy car? Babe, you don’t know a diamond when you hold it in your hoofs. Or paws. Claws?”
  541. “Hands. No really. This is just an economy car. It’s just pretty aerodynamic.”
  542. >”I don’t believe you. Anyway, we were pretty late, but at this rate we’ll have time to spare.”
  543. “Alright.”
  544. >The two of you stay quiet for a while.
  545. >You sometimes catch her looking at you, in your peripheral vision.
  546. >Other times, she just stares out the window.
  547. >You try to ignore the uncomfortable atmosphere, and instead think of how hot it’s gotten.
  548. >Can’t open the window because of the mites or whatever. And don’t want to turn the A/C on without letting her know.
  549. >You realize she’s looking at you again, you think she’s worried for some reason.
  550. >Not knowing what to do, and getting uncomfortable in the heat. You return her gaze.
  551. “You ok?”
  552. >”Oh... Yea. Is it just me or is It getting hot in here?”
  553. “Yea, it’s getting pretty hot.”
  554. >”Yea... Don’t think of opening a window though. I prefer not coughing like crazy.”
  555. >You take that as her consent.
  556. “We don’t have to.”
  557. >Reaching down to the atmosphere control. You turn one dial all the way to the solid blue circle, turn the fan to 4 and turn the A/C and circulation on.
  558. >”What the hay?”
  559. >The pony reacts to the blower sound coming on.
  560. >In an instant, the cold A/C air blows in your face. You turn the vent setting to the dash.
  561. >”Woah! What?! How the hay?”
  562. >The pony is immediately excited by the cold air blasting her face.
  563. “What?”
  564. >”Where is the cold air coming from?”
  565. “There’s the A/C compressor under the hood. I push this button, the A/C compressor clutch engages, and it cools air, before sending it back.”
  566. >”How do the buttons work?”
  567. >You point to each button as you speak.
  568. “This one controls the temperature, blue is colder, red is hotter. This control, which vent is used. Dash, dash and feet, feet, feet and windshield and windshield.”
  569. >Spoked wheel listens like a child on a class trip.
  570. “This controls how fast the blower spins. The buttons engage or disengage the A/C clutch. And this button circulates air.”
  571. >You look back to the road, to make sure you’re not about to hit something.
  572. >This is kinda dangerous.
  573. >”What does that mean?”
  574. “Circulation? If you have this on, the car uses only the air from the cabin, and cools it, before putting it back into the cabin. If circulation were off, the car would be taking in air from the outside, cooling it, and then putting it in the cabin. I kept it on, cos of those mites you said.”
  575. >”Who and how did they put this together?”
  576. “You’ve really never seen any of this?”
  577. >”No. Most carriages just barely get you places faster. It’s why you don’t see Pegasus in the carriage industry. Well other than Dash and her student. And me.”
  578. “Pegasus?”
  579. >”What? You’ve been hanging out with one all day.”
  580. “I don’t get it. Pegasus was a horse with wings right?”
  581. >”Yea! See, wings. See any of us with wings, it’s a Pegasus. Any ponies with horns are unicorns, and the ones with neither are earth ponies.”
  582. “What about ones with both?”
  583. >”Alicorns. Did you see one?”
  584. “Yea, yesterday. Pink one, female. There was also a guy in her a car. She tried to race me.”
  585. >”Princess Cadence. God I hate her. Who won?”
  586. >You laugh.
  587. “I did.”
  588. >”Ha! Beaten by a colt, and in front of her husband!”
  589. “Why the hate?”
  590. >”For her? She’s the kind of pony who buys a good car, and makes it worse because it looks better. What was she driving?”
  591. “I don’t know. A pink body, gold framed, silver wheels and crown grill.”
  592. >”Yea, don’t tell me. It’s her new Ground roller’s royalty. It’s a good carriage.”
  593. “You sound mad.”
  594. >”Like I said, she takes a good car and makes it worst. But I guess I should just take what I can get, she and Luna are the only royalty keeping Twilight and Celestia from slowing the road to walking speed.”
  595. “Who’re they?”
  596. >”Damn, sweetheart. I want to see the rock you live under.”
  597. >She giggles for a second.
  598. >”Princess Luna is the eccentric night princess. She’s always been a bit weird, though after some...err, events, she got weirder.”
  599. >She looks uncomfortable to talk about whatever the events where.
  600. >”Anyway. She’s pretty smart, or just has some good engineers. She started her own performance carriage brand. 71 of the 79 speed records have been set by her brand. Including the longest standing record by Dare Devil Dash, and the newest one by her student.”
  601. “Damn. I can see why she doesn’t want maximum speed being decreased.”
  602. >”Yea. The other two are a bit too cautious. I can see where they’re coming from, but I don’t think it would do much.”
  603. “Huh. So what where you saying about carriages?”
  604. >”Huh? Oh yea, most carriages trade luxury for performance.”
  605. “I’m used to performance and luxury coming hand in hand. Or just luxury.”
  606. >”Mare, you gotta take me to this ‘Ronto.”
  607. >She looks out the window for a minute, focusing on the golden wheat fields.
  608. >She looks back towards you.
  609. >”Anyway. Luxury carriages have stuff like comfortable interior and free-floating chassis. Stuff like that takes away space for larger condensers, focus crystals and performance parts.”
  610. “Why can’t you just make them bigger? Like SUVs.”
  611. >”You should meet Princess Luna, she’d like you. Her carriages are all unreasonably large.”
  612. “Unreasonably large?”
  613. >”I don’t think I could do it justice. I mean your car is pretty big.”
  614. “For you.”
  615. >”Yea, most of our carriages are much smaller. But if you see a Moon ship, you’d know what I mean.”
  616. >You stop talking, and just drive.
  617. >The colorful farmer fields remind you of home.
  618. >You don’t know how far off course you went, but nothing around you looks like home.
  619. >You don’t know how long your mind wanders, but you finally focus back on to the road.
  620. >You look to your right, and see the pony has fallen asleep.
  621. >Her head is leaning onto the door, eyes closed.
  622. >Even though your car automatically locks when you drive, you press the lock button just to be sure.
  623. >The pony stirs from the locking motors. Then settles back.
  624. >You speed up to almost 90, and drive for another 10 or 15 minutes.
  625. >Soon, you see an exit to your right that reads ‘Speed lane’ and steer towards it.
  626. >The road is clear, so you accelerate to 110km/h.
  627. >You probably shouldn’t do that, seeing as you don’t know the way.
  628. >Considering waking the pony and asking for the way, you spot a sign that says ‘Road End 8 W’
  629. >Weird, considering there’s nothing here.
  630. >You slow down to 60, and keep your eyes peeled.
  631. >Soon enough, you spot buildings, luxurious looking buildings with a big sign hanging between ‘Speedy Lane’s Rallies’
  632. >This looks like It’s the place.
  633. >You notice carriages in lines along the side of the roads.
  634. >Look like manufacturers showing off their cars like an auto show.
  635. >”*YAWN* I see you found the place.”
  636. “Yea, I thought it’d be harder.”
  637. >”Just follow this road to the end, you’ll find the contestants parking there.”
  638. “Alright.”
  639. >”We’re really early. Which is fine, it may take a couple hours to convince that fat bat to let you compete.”
  640. >You follow your instructions, and travel to the contestants parking.
  641. >The parking has fans in awe of the cars, drivers shining their vehicles and others standing around talking or otherwise.
  642. >They eye you curiously, as you enter.
  643. >You think of why Wheel asked you to do this.
  644. >Strictly speaking, it’s a deal. But you know it means more to Spoked.
  645. >People point at your car admiring it, as you pull into an empty space and stop.
  646. >They’ll be a witness to the great race. You know you’ve got to win.
  647. --------------------------------------------------------
  648. >You put the car into park, raise the handbrake and then turn the engine off. The car doors automatically unlocks.
  649. >You take your seat belt off, and move your hand to the door handle.
  650. >”Wait.”
  651. >You turn to the pony sitting next to you.
  652. >She looks out the window worried.
  653. “Something wrong?”
  654. >”N-no. Not really. I just need you to... Umm.”
  655. >She turns to you, awkwardly looking around.
  656. >”Uh I just need you to...”
  657. “What do you need?”
  658. >”I-I’m just thinking of how to say this.”
  659. “Just say it.”
  660. >She looks at you unsure.
  661. >”Ju-just don’t say anything. Please. I don’t mean to do be all...”
  662. “Alright, don’t worry about.”
  663. >She keeps rambling.
  664. >”No no, I understand. It’s wrong of me to- wait.”
  665. >She stops rambling and looks you in the eyes. It takes a minute for it to click in her head.
  666. >Then she smiles an innocent smile.
  667. >She barely whispers.
  668. >”Thank you.”
  669. >You both exit the car; you press the lock button on your remote. You hear the car lock.
  670. >You press it again out of habit, and the car honks.
  671. >That turns some heads like last time.
  672. >You walk next to your partner towards a building parallel the road.
  673. >On the way, the two of you are eyed by everything with a heartbeat.
  674. >More weird stares than you’d like later, you finally enter the building.
  675. >Inside, it looks like a cross between a classy bar and a parts store.
  676. >There are shiny parts all over the walls, shelves, cabinets and such. Some you can easily recognize. Others are completely alien.
  677. >There is a dark wooden bar, with ponies around it, and a bartender wiping the bar.
  678. >There are also tables of similar wood around the floor, only one is occupied.
  679. >The two of you turn towards it.
  680. >”Wish me luck.”
  681. >Your partner whispers.
  682. >The 5 ponies around the table eye you as you walk over.
  683. >One of them –a unicorn- sits centered, with 2 Pegasus leaning on her.
  684. >”Excuse me gentle colts.”
  685. >The center one says, and the other two lean off.
  686. >”Well, well. If it isn’t our fallen star, Spoked Wheel.”
  687. >”You should stick to rigging races, Track. You just take the life out of jokes.”
  688. >The unicorn in the center is wearing some expensive looking clothing.
  689. >There are two other unicorns; you think some kind of pony mafia members.
  690. >The Pegasus look like they’re some kind of comfort women.
  691. >Though they look more masculine than the unicorn they were feeling up.
  692. >”Ha ha-ha. I like you kid, you still got that bark.”
  693. >The unicorn gets immediately serious.
  694. >”It’s why I haven’t had you and your friends sorry plot hauled out.”
  695. >You don’t mean to feel edgy, but you would actually like to see this guy try and haul you out.
  696. >Seriously, they’re like half your height.
  697. >”Point taken Track.”
  698. >”Good. Now what’s the meaning of this freak? You going into the circus business?”
  699. >”No. This is Anon. She doesn’t say a word, but she and her carriage outrun cops for fun.”
  700. >She? Her? But why? You want to ask, but you agreed to not speak.
  701. >”Ha! You really want to put this freak into the rink? You tell her the risks?”
  702. >”That’s why I came to you. I want her risk to be on me.”
  703. >”Is this some kind of joke Wheel?”
  704. >The unicorn looks at you.
  705. >”Listen kid. I don’t know what kind of fool she’s playing you for, but let me tell you something about your ‘friend’ Wheel. She’s an ambitious flier and an even more ambitious driver.”
  706. >You let her continue.
  707. >”You see another 23 year old in this industry, they’re some cheap hire. She’s dangerous, risky. Don’t play with fire kiddo.”
  708. >”You done Track?”
  709. >”For now.”
  710. >”So what? I want no risks on her; I just want to play for the jackpot.”
  711. >”You want to play for the jackpot, and want no risk on the racer. You wake up funny this morning?”
  712. >Well she did. Not every day you wake up snuggling with a stranger, without a terrible hangover.
  713. >Your partner doesn’t respond, and just looks at the other unicorn.
  714. >The unicorn shakes her head, before looking to the bar.
  715. >”Alright, you’ve made me a lot of money before. I’m feeling generous. Jackpot, no risk, and if you win Spoked.”
  716. >Spoked Wheel looks curiously at the unicorn.
  717. >”Your little money problems. Consider them gone.”
  718. >”Track, don’t, I don’t want-“
  719. >”No strings attached. It’s none of your business, but this mare losing is worth a lot to me.”
  720. >”Alright, Track.”
  721. >”Now you, kid. In 2 hours, you’d be going against the best racer on the course. Only one faster than this mare would be Wheels other two. That’s why I’m giving you a chance.”
  722. >Wheel looks away guiltily.
  723. >”If you still want in, sign here.”
  724. >She places a clipboard on the table in front of her drink, then a quill.
  725. >”Please, read it over.”
  726. >You quickly scan the paper; it’s a simple liability agreement.
  727. >”I understand if you would like a word with your manager.”
  728. >You find no small text. There don’t seem to be any tricks or ambiguity either.
  729. >”Give us a minute track, let me talk to-“
  730. >Before Wheel could finish, you pull a ballpoint out of your pocked and sign.
  731. >”Damn Spoked, where do you even find them?”
  732. >Spoked is speechless, she stares wide eyed at you.
  733. >Then she just smiles.
  734. >”Let’s get out of here Anon.”
  735. >You both turn and walk towards the doors. Then you walk through the lot again, back to your car and both sit in it.
  736. “Before you do. Thank me after I’ve won.”
  737. >”I-I don’t even have the words.”
  738. >Her voice is low. She’s different from the person you met yesterday.
  739. >The two of you sit in silence for a while, you watch the other contestants work on their vehicles.
  740. >You notice a trend of sleek bodies, large radius thin wheels.
  741. >”There’s some old speedsters parked along a small road off the main roads.”
  742. “Alright.”
  743. >You feel like she needs something to rest her mind.
  744. >Starting the car again, and put it in reverse, you back out of your parking space, and drive out of the lot.
  745. >You turn the way you came from, and drive nowhere in particular.
  746. >Wheel just looks out the window.
  747. >”Mind if I lower this?”
  748. “Sure, just press the button.”
  749. >”Which one?”
  750. >You laugh, press the button on the window master next to you, and lower her window.
  751. >”Thanks.”
  752. >She almost pokes her head out the window, and breathes in the air.
  753. >She spends some time out there, and then turns her head in coughing.
  754. >”Alright, *COUGH* alright. *COUGH* Roll *COUGH* put it up.”
  755. >You roll the window up; it takes a while for her to stop coughing. Though you don’t feel anything.
  756. “You alright?”
  757. >”Yea, yea. I love carriages as much as the next pony, but these mites really kill.”
  758. >You stop talking again, and return to driving in silence.
  759. >”Turn right at the next road.”
  760. >Beside that, the two of you don’t talk.
  761. >You take the turn that she told you of, and drive down a lone road.
  762. >After a few minutes, the road turns into a drive through museum.
  763. >Carriages with dates you don’t recognize lined up on both sides of the road.
  764. >Each has a plaque with an emblem date, name and type of carriage. There is other text, but it would need to get closer to read it.
  765. >Without a word, you drive down the road. Wheel just looks out the window.
  766. >You drive slowly, to the end of one road, which leads to a roundabout.
  767. >In the centre of the roundabout is a fountain from which there is a clock tower.
  768. >You hear a sob, and focus on your partner.
  769. >Hear a few more sobs, you move your car off the road, turn on hazards, put your car in neutral and raise the handbrake.
  770. >You place a hand on her shoulder.
  771. >”Do-don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine in a minute.”
  772. >She sobs some more.
  773. “Don’t worry, talk when you’re ready.”
  774. >”No. You’ve done enough for me.”
  775. “Don’t be like that. We’re not in the clear yet.”
  776. >She doesn’t say anything, you force her to turn around. Which isn’t very hard, she’s very light weight.
  777. >You awkwardly hug her over the center controls.
  778. >She hugs back
  779. >She sobs for you don’t know how long, tears soak into your shirt and every second she just seems to clutch you harder.
  780. >”Thanks.
  781. “No problem. Are you OK?”
  782. >”Yea, yea.”
  783. >She rubs her face into your chest for a second.
  784. >”I’ve just been having a hard time. I just. Just needed to vent.”
  785. >She’s still hiding something, but you rather not push it.
  786. >She stares out the window to the clock tower.
  787. >”We should go. It’s almost 4.”
  788. >You let go of her and begin to pull away, but she holds on for a second.
  789. >”Oh. Sorry.”
  790. >She lets go, when she realizes you’re pulling away.
  791. >The drive back is awkward, but in a nice way.
  792. >Something tells you she was lonely. She’s lonely still.
  793. --------------------------------------------------------
  794. >”So, you do any work on carriages, or?”
  795. “Carriages? No. I do most of the work on my cars, though.”
  796. >”You smart-.”
  797. >She bites her tongue, mid-sentence.
  798. “Smart?”
  799. >”Nothing. So what kind of work do these things need?”
  800. “Changing oil, other fluids, inflating tires, replacing wipers. Stuff like that obviously.”
  801. >”What’s the oil for? What other fluids?”
  802. “For the engine, keep it lubricated. And the fluids are various lubricants, steering fluid, windshield washer, brake fluid, And so on.”
  803. >”Oh. So just average maintenance? Anything, harder or more intensive?”
  804. >She sounds a bit let down, and sinks into the seat.
  805. “Yes actually. I recently came into some money, and decided to put some high performance parts into my car, just to see if I can squeeze off a few extra horses.”
  806. >She gets excited at hearing high performance.
  807. >”Go on.”
  808. “I rebuilt the whole engine, steel cylinder sleeves replacing the original bimetal ones. New cylinder heads, different valve seats and valves. This engine is known to drop its valve seat so I didn’t want to take any chances. So I bought these high performance titanium valve- you have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”
  809. >”No, but keep going.”
  810. >She stares intently at you, with the dumbest smile on her face.
  811. “Alright. So I also replaced all the bearings, the crank shaft and all that. Basically, only the engine block is stock. I should have probably ditched this engine and gotten a Zetec. Single overhead cam is pretty lame.”
  812. >You take your eye off the road for a second, and look Spoked.
  813. >She looks at you like you’re speaking another language, but seems interested even if she doesn’t understand.
  814. >”What’s a zetec?”
  815. “It’s a Ford trade mark name for a line of engines. It’s better in every way, other than fuel economy.”
  816. >”Huh. Anyway, go on. What else did you replace?”
  817. “Well aside from rebuilding the engine, I got the transmission parts replaced with higher performance ones. Slightly more aggressive ratios as well. Same with the axle ratio.”
  818. >”Oh! We have transmissions too. Though they’re called transfers.”
  819. “Well there’s some common ground. How do yours work?”
  820. >”It’s usually a gear that connects to the power box, and turns a chain that runs to the rear with multiple gears. You can chose your gear ratio, with a derailleur that moves the chain over different gears. How do yours work?”
  821. >Sounds like they use bike gears.
  822. “It’s more complex than yours, but basically there’s a clutch or torque converter that connects to the engine, then connects to more gears. The gears connect to more gears depending on your chosen ratio and those turn the drive shaft.”
  823. >”How do you control the gear ratio?”
  824. “I can’t really, I drive an automatic so it changes gears depending on torque differences controlled by a computer. But I can put it into reverse gear, first and second. And after my computer mods, third and forth.”
  825. >You point down to your shifter.
  826. >”Wait? It does it for you? That’s amazing.”
  827. “Tech wise, yea. But I wish I had a manual, they’re more fun to drive. My old car was a manual.”
  828. >You both stop talking for a minute, Wheel stares at your shifter for a while.
  829. >You watch the peaceful countryside, thinking about how it’s different from what you’re used to.
  830. >No farmer fords, no Rams towing boats.
  831. >*SCREEEEEEECH*
  832. >”I’M SORRY! WHAT DID I DO! IT WON’T GO DOWN!”
  833. >Spoked wheel, in her curiosity raised your hand brake.
  834. >Not high enough to be dangerous, but enough to screech.
  835. >You quickly press the button on the front, and push it down.
  836. “That’s my hand brake. It’s for in case my brakes fail, or I’m parking on a hill or something. It connects a steel cable directly to my rear brakes.”
  837. >”I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, I ju-“
  838. >You look at her face apologizing, and you can’t find any room in your heart to get mad at her.
  839. “Don’t worry about it.”
  840. >You both stop talking again. Spoked turns herself to look out the window.
  841. >Eying your partner, you realize she’s blushing, and spying on you over her shoulder.
  842. >She pipes up after a long period of silence.
  843. >”S-so why where you upgrading your car anyway?”
  844. “I was going to supercharge it, just for fun, but honestly, it’s a automatic 2000s compact car. It doesn’t even have a tach”
  845. >”What’s ‘supercharge’? Or a ‘tach’?”
  846. “I’ll have to tell you another time. We’re here.”
  847. >She looks outside the windshield, and sure enough, the buildings are back.
  848. >”Oh, yea. There’s a lot just past the contestants parking, go there.”
  849. >She’s sounding unsure of herself.
  850. “Alright.”
  851. >You do as you’re told and drive past the contestants parking.
  852. >Sure enough, there is a small lot there. There is already a carriage parked there with a pony whipping it.
  853. >You park, turn the car off, and step out.
  854. >”Hey!”
  855. >the pony working on the carriage calls to you.
  856. >”What’s up?
  857. >Wheel talks for you.
  858. >”Nothing, just getting ready. That’s a pretty sick looking ride. Spoked, err?”
  859. >”Wheel. This is Anon, it’s her ride.”
  860. >Again with the her.
  861. >”Speedy.”
  862. >She extends her hoof to Spoked, who shakes it, and then to you.
  863. >You smile grab and shake her hoof.
  864. >”We’re on in like 5 minutes. Look forward to seeing you on the track, Anon.”
  865. >You almost respond, but then remember spoked asked you not to talk.
  866. >So, you just smile and politely nod.
  867. >”Anyway, speedy. We should go tell the big mares we’re here. See you on the track.”
  868. >”You too. Good luck Anon!”
  869. >The two of you walk towards plain looking building at the end of the lot.
  870. “She’s nice. I’m going to feel bad when I beat her.”
  871. >Wheel giggles for a second, and grins at you.
  872. >”And here I thought stallions are insecure about everything.”
  873. >You’re not sure what she’s talking about, she shakes her head for a while.
  874. >”But, yea. The racers are like that. It’s the managers you gotta look out for.”
  875. >You both enter the building; it’s smaller than you thought.
  876. >The inside is an entrance hall, separated from a conference hall by a glass door.
  877. >Spoked opens the door and you enter.
  878. >Inside the pony from before, sits with others dressed similarly.
  879. >Well, no one else has a hat with a feather in it.
  880. >”We’re here!”
  881. >Wheel announces. The Ponies look unimpressed.
  882. >”You’re counting on her? Track?”
  883. >One of the ponies says, looking unimpressed and swirling a drink with her wings.
  884. >”You’re late.”
  885. >’Track’ looks at the two of you with her horn lit up.
  886. >”I was just showing Anon here the road of roadsters. And we have 5 minutes.”
  887. >”Listen here you feather brain. I’m not in the mood for jokes.”
  888. >A pony without a horn or wings steps in front of Spoked.
  889. >She’s bigger than spoked, but still just above waist height for you.
  890. >”Really? I thought the clown hat wearing mare would like a joke or two.”
  891. >Now that you look. The purple bowler hat is probably worse than the feather one.
  892. >Apparently, the others think that too, because they all give a low laugh.
  893. >”Why you little!”
  894. >Just before the bigger pony punches your friend, you step between her.
  895. >You stare down at the pony, and she looks up at a steep angle.
  896. >Larger than the others, but no match for you, she backs down at your size.
  897. >”Ladies, lets please get down to business.”
  898. >Track gets things back on... Track.
  899. >”Hmmf.”
  900. >The bigger pony walks off to the bar.
  901. >”Spoked, are you and Anon ready?”
  902. >Wheel looks up at you. you nod.
  903. >”As ready as we’ll ever be.”
  904. >”Good. Spoked, you know where the track entrance is.”
  905. >Spoked seems to have lost her joking demeanor, stolen by the aggressive mare. She simply nods at the other pony.
  906. >You want them to pay it all. Pay today or pay tomorrow.
  907. --------------------------------------------------------
  908. >Finally you’re on the track. Your car in neutral, hand brake up.
  909. >Other than telling you she would meet you at the finish line, Spoked was quiet.
  910. >She sits up, and looks worried, guilty and a few other things.
  911. >She finally speaks.
  912. >”Look. I-I know you’re gonna try your hardest, and-“
  913. >Spoked Wheel leans over your armrest.
  914. >She looks away and softly blushes, before continuing.
  915. >”Just don’t do anything dangerous. I’m not going to be mad, I-if you don’t-“
  916. >She trails off again, looking at your rear seat, as if trying to read her next line.
  917. >She suddenly lunges forward, and hugs you.
  918. >You hug back, and both hold each other tightly, like old friends.
  919. >She pulls away, and looks you with moist eyes.
  920. >”Just be safe alright? Good luck.”
  921. >You nod and smile, and she smiles back.
  922. >Blushing, she quickly moves away, and exits the car.
  923. >Damn, you were sure you’d get a kiss there.
  924. >You put one hand on the wheel, and the other on your shifter.
  925. >Finally focusing on the track, ready to win that ponies heart.
  926. >To your right, there’s a crowd going crazy.
  927. >To your left is your opponent’s carriage. Sleek, black, orange and shiny gold.
  928. >In front is an extra wide two-lane road, with a yellow line going down the middle and barriers on both sides.
  929. >Your engine idling is barely audible over the loud announcer, and even louder crowd.
  930. >Your mind is full of assorted thoughts.
  931. >Sure, your car may be able to go faster than their speed record, but that was a rough measurement.
  932. >First time is a mistake.
  933. >If you win this, you’d really save Wheels skin.
  934. >Sure you’ve only known her for a day or so, but she’s still become a good friend.
  935. >Plus she’s pretty cute.
  936. >For a dog horse thing.
  937. >”ON LANE ONE! OUR RECENT CHAMPION! SPEEDY LANE!”
  938. >The crowd cheers, with so much excitement you don’t know how to feel.
  939. >The person next to you has their window down, so you lower all 4 of yours.
  940. >Your opponent’s car plays some music, some kind of rock and orchestra with lyrics about never giving up or something.
  941. >The crowd cheers and the announcer talks about her impressive sound system.
  942. >Wheel never told you had to do this, so you quickly turn on your radio, and put your aux cord cassette into the slot.
  943. >Quickly you plug in your mp3 player, and turn it on.
  944. >Your other hand quickly turns the volume on your Dolby player to 30.
  945. >”AND IN LANE 2! SOME MARE WITH GUTS OF IRON! A NEW COMPETETOR! ANON!”
  946. >Just as the announcer finishes, you press play on whatever was on at the time.
  947. >The music starts up, blaring drowning out the crowd and everything else with it.
  948. >You panic when you realize what’s on. Die mother fucker, die.
  949. >Matters are only made worst when you realize it’s not Die motherfucker.
  950. >Instead it’s Moon Mans ‘Die fucking nigger’.
  951. >Despite your spaghetti, the crowd cheers are louder than you imagined, and the announcer is commenting on how good your system is.
  952. >You look to your left and your opponent is staring with a blown away expression.
  953. >”ALRIGHT RACERS! ROLL YOUR WINDOWS UP!”
  954. >You stop the music, and raise all your windows.
  955. >”WOULD OUR LOVELY TRACK COLT PLEASE BID OUR RACERS FAREWELL?!”
  956. >A pony like the ones around ‘Track’ struts out from between your cars.
  957. >It turns to you and blows you a kiss.
  958. >Your opponent mouths out ‘Lucky’ at you.
  959. >You notice a broader snout on it than the ponies you have talked to.
  960. >It walks out in front of your cars, and stands on the center lane, facing away from you.
  961. >It’s wearing some strange clothing.
  962. >Leg length socks in warm temperature, a miniskirt, and even a ‘shirt’.
  963. >It’s kinda hot actually.
  964. >Funny, most ponies don’t seem to wear any clothing at all.
  965. >It’s hair is cropped short, tail has something tying it at the base, and pompoms on it’s front hooves.
  966. >It performs a small jump, spreads it’s rear legs and arches it’s back.
  967. >You realize ‘it’ is actually a he.
  968. >Two testicles loosely hang between his legs; his cock is pink and half-flaccid.
  969. >You’re eyebrow rises in confusion along with your penis.
  970. >The crowd grows more and more wild each time he does something.
  971. >Blows kisses, or shakes his backside to you two.
  972. >The announcer comments on his skills, beauty and some other stuff.
  973. >You’re too confused and your penis is painfully pressing against your pants.
  974. >”RACERS! ARE YOU READY?!”
  975. >You snap back to reality and stop staring at the dudes ass.
  976. >Even if it’s a nice ass.
  977. >Wheel told you when ‘the colt puts the pompoms to the floor’ that’s the go.
  978. >He raises his left hoof into the air, and the pompom sparkles a little.
  979. >You press the little green button on shifter and a little green circle comes on your instruments with O/D Off written. Indicating over drive is off.
  980. >Then you put the shifter all the way down to one.
  981. >He raises his right hoof into the air, and the crowd for once is very quiet.
  982. >You press your brake, and put your hand brake down.
  983. >Some sweat forms on your face.
  984. >You don’t dare take focus off the person, to turn on the A/C
  985. >The next few seconds are a blur.
  986. >The male pony lowers both his hoofs, the crowd goes wild again, and your opponent lurches.
  987. >You take your foot off the brake and floor your accelerator.
  988. >Your engine roars louder than the crowd does, you feel the vibration in your entire body.
  989. >Outside just becomes a blur of colors, as you wildly accelerate.
  990. >When the engine sounds like it at it’s peak, you push the shifter forward into second.
  991. >You wish you could actually see the RPM, but you don’t have a tachometer.
  992. >Then once again, the roar is at its peak, you push the stick into D.
  993. >Finally you look into the rear view mirror, and your opponent is far, far behind.
  994. >Your instruments read 140 km/h.
  995. >The adrenaline rush wears off a little, and you turn on your A/C
  996. >You keep accelerating until you hit 170 km/h.
  997. >Then you set cruise control, and relax.
  998. >You see the country pass by in a blur, the guardrail around the track follows the whole road.
  999. >The sky is a clear blue, not a cloud in sight.
  1000. >The only sound you hear is the engine, and blower motor.
  1001. >After a few minutes of driving. You look through your mirrors and see no sign of your opponent.
  1002. >You notice a speck in the distance out your windshield.
  1003. >As you continue traveling, the speck turns into a pony flying.
  1004. >You know that light blue Pegasus.
  1005. >Spoked turns to see you driving towards her.
  1006. >You see her wide eyed in the side mirror as you tear past her.
  1007. >Continuing down the frankly boring track, you stare at the countryside.
  1008. >A distant lake gleams, and you think you see some colorful dots moving in and around it.
  1009. >The sound of your engine, blower and the road under your tire is like a lullaby.
  1010. >You fight the will to just fall asleep, and focus outside.
  1011. >After a peaceful drive, for an undetermined amount of time.
  1012. >You see the checker patterned flag ahead.
  1013. >You slow down as you near the flag with massive ‘FINISH’ written on it.
  1014. >You tap the brake to deactivate cruise control and gradually slow down.
  1015. >Crossing the line around 55 km/h, you notice a crowd of people cheering.
  1016. >You slow down, and stop your car before a massive reinforced barrier at the end of the track.
  1017. >Put your car into neutral, handbrake up and lean back look at the clouds.
  1018. >A cloud looks like it’s snapping at you.
  1019. >You snap back.
  1020. “Thanks Ford.”
  1021. >A brown pony with a cap and shirt looks at you astonished, and fumbles with his clipboard.
  1022. >Multiple ponies wearing the same come out just as astonished.
  1023. >Some demanding the time and others scribbling into their books and clipboards.
  1024. >They all look surprised; the crowd is amazed and cheering.
  1025. >You came under the radar, when their backs where turned around.
  1026. --------------------------------------------------------
  1027. >You’re still leaning back in your seat, feeling sleepy after that relaxing ride.
  1028. >You turn to see a mare going crazy banging on your window.
  1029. >Not even half lowered and the mare flies in and sticks to you.
  1030. >”YOU DID IT! YOU DID IT! YOU DID IT!”
  1031. >Rolling up the window, as Spoked continues snuggling into you trying to burrow her way inside of you.
  1032. >At this point she’s not even saying words, just laughing and halfway crying.
  1033. >You don’t know how long it takes for her to stop, and she looks up at you sobbing.
  1034. >”Speedy isn’t even here yet!”
  1035. >She talks quickly.
  1036. >”I thought you were gonna be close with her, and look here she’s still horns away and you’re past the finish line! Mare I was so worried about you, I’m flying so hard to the line and I hear this sound! I look back and WHOOSH you just go past me like I was walking!”
  1037. >”IT WAS SOO COOL! HAHAHAHA!”
  1038. >Okay, now she’s scaring you.
  1039. >Seeing some worry in your eyes, she hugs harder.
  1040. >”Don’t worry. Only tears of joy here.”
  1041. >She calms down and calmly laughs while holding you.
  1042. >Eventually moving away embarrassed.
  1043. >”Sorry, didn’t mean to get so clingy.”
  1044. >She sits and leans in her seat, closing her eyes and in the most relaxed stance you’ve seen her so far.
  1045. >”I have a confession to make.”
  1046. “Go on.”
  1047. >”I never thought you’d actually beat a 58 race champion.”
  1048. “Hey, you’re not the only one. My rough estimate of wings, made me feel much better though.”
  1049. >”I’m not done.”
  1050. >She looks around for a second, reluctantly.
  1051. >She takes a deep breath before going on.
  1052. >”If it hadn’t work out. I was...”
  1053. >Trailing off for a second, and then regaining her composure.
  1054. >”I was thinking of selling them on your carriage.”
  1055. “Well, if I had lost and you proposed that, I wouldn’t mind to be honest.”
  1056. >”Please let me finish.”
  1057. >You shut up, and focus on her.
  1058. >”I was gonna tell everypony, that you’re a colt.”
  1059. >She looks away ashamed, like she can’t believe she would think of that.
  1060. >A colt is a child horse as far as you know. So, her confession makes no sense.
  1061. >She continues.
  1062. >”I get... You probably hate me now...”
  1063. >She sounds pained, and sobs slightly.
  1064. >”And that’s fair enough. You’ve done more for me in a day than anypony ever has.”
  1065. >She looks at you with moist eyes, and swallows.
  1066. >”That’s the truth. Please believe that.”
  1067. >She’s tearing up, some tears slide down her face, sticking to her chin.
  1068. >You’re both confused and heart ached to reasonably think of what she’s saying.
  1069. >”I know you don’t wanna hear anymore. I put all the bits I had left in your carriage; it’s about how much you’d make for the race.”
  1070. >She wipes the tears from her face with her wings.
  1071. >”I’ll find my way home. Thanks for everything. Goodbye.”
  1072. >Before you can respond, she abruptly opens the door, and closes it.
  1073. >She runs quickly directly back down the track, eventually slowing down.
  1074. >Hanging her head low, she slows to a walk down the track.
  1075. >She looks over her shoulder, and you can clearly see her crying, from your rear view mirror.
  1076. “What the fuck just happened?”
  1077. >You put your car in reverse.
  1078. >Checking around, you realize that your opponent is just crossing the finish line.
  1079. >Oh well, good luck to her.
  1080. >You lower the handbrake, and slam the accelerator.
  1081. >You see your opponent eye you astounded and confused.
  1082. >Speeding in reverse until you reach your sad manager.
  1083. >She stops walking; you lean over and open the door.
  1084. >”S-sorry, you probably wanted to get a buck in or two.”
  1085. >She wipes some tears from her eyes, and leans her face in.
  1086. “What the fuck are you even talking about?”
  1087. >”What? I-I thought you’d hit me.”
  1088. “Why would I do that?”
  1089. >”Cos I almost sold you out in the worst way.”
  1090. >She confesses looking away.
  1091. “What? How? I get you’d try to capitalize on my car, and that’s a bit disingenuous, but unless you did it without telling me, it’s hardly ‘selling me out.’”
  1092. >”Screw the car! I almost told the world you’re a stallion!”
  1093. “But I’m not!”
  1094. >”What do you mean you’re not!?”
  1095. >She puts two hooves on the seat, standing on her hind legs and pokes her head into the car.
  1096. >Tears are still on her face, but she’s not crying now.
  1097. >”Look! This morning I got why stallions should always be little spoons. You guys have crazy morning wood!”
  1098. “First off. Sorry.”
  1099. >You feel as though you should get that out of the way to prevent further problems.
  1100. “Second off. I’m still not a stallion! I’m a human male, a MAN!”
  1101. >”Well theirs the problem! You’re a male!”
  1102. “Why is that a problem?”
  1103. >”A one of a kind guy in racing, winning against all odds in this crazy ride?! The scandal would overshadow the princess’s return!”
  1104. “BUT WHY?!”
  1105. >”Stallion groups would be talking about ‘DON’T NEED NO MARE’ for YEARS! Two princesses would be trying to protect ‘OUR POOR STALLIONS!’ two others would be trying to get some exotic meat! The whole racing industry would turn YOU into a symbol and all sorts of other shit!”
  1106. “I still don’t get it! What’s the actual problem?!”
  1107. >”Look! What would happen if a guy joined up racing in ‘Ronto?”
  1108. “What do you mean ‘if’? The sports scene is a sausage fest. At least the sports that matter.”
  1109. >”You know what, fuck it. Just take me to this utopia of fast luxurious cars and tons of racing mustangs.”
  1110. “It’s not a utopia! It’s dirty, smelly and full of SHITSKINS!”
  1111. >You both realize that neither of you are understanding each other.
  1112. >You both stop screaming.
  1113. >She looks outside you look out the windshield.
  1114. “OK. Look. We clearly have a difference of perspective here. Neither of us see where the other is coming from.’”
  1115. >She exhales but looks like she understands.
  1116. “First off. I’m not mad at you, at all. Even if you were brewing up plans with me as a pawn. I don’t care, you never actually did anything.”
  1117. >Her face lightens up at that, but she still looks away guilty.
  1118. “Second off, get in the fucking car. And explain to me the whole ‘stallion thing’ on the way back.”
  1119. >She gives you an honest smile, and without a word, gets back into the passenger seat.
  1120. >Trying to make sense of this sprawl. Trying to hold on.
  1121. --------------------------------------------------------
  1122. >”So long story short, racing is a mare’s game.”
  1123. “You still haven’t explained why.”
  1124. >”Look sweetheart, I don’t know, that’s just how it. Mares race, stallions rather look good for the racers.”
  1125. “Alright, fine.”
  1126. >According to your partner, no stallions are in racing.
  1127. >She didn’t explain why though.
  1128. >”So...”
  1129. “Yea?”
  1130. >”You’re really not mad at me?”
  1131. “Nah.”
  1132. >She stays quiet for a while, before looking at you.
  1133. >”Thanks...”
  1134. >The two of you just enjoy the relaxing ride back.
  1135. “So we’re just gonna go back to the start?”
  1136. >”Yea. Usually there’s two managers, one for the end and one for the start. I rather not work with the kind of ponies who become managers.”
  1137. “So you fly back and forth between start and finish?”
  1138. >”Yea. It’s a good work out.”
  1139. >You think she’s not saying something she wants to say.
  1140. >”I can’t wait to see their faces when we get back.”
  1141. >She seems to have a certain pride about you winning.
  1142. >You speed up to highway speed, and lean back.
  1143. >Your partner seemingly does the same, relaxing while looking out the window.
  1144. >You can see the starting area in the distance.
  1145. >The brightly painted seating area and colorful dots in and around it are unmistakable.
  1146. >”Hey.”
  1147. “Hmm?”
  1148. >”I’m sorry about telling not to talk before.”
  1149. “Don’t worry about it.”
  1150. >”You can tell them the truth, if you want.”
  1151. “I won’t. Not after what you’ve told me.”
  1152. >No point in rocking the boat, you think.
  1153. >”Thanks...”
  1154. >Soon enough you drive up the slope to the exit, and park in the contestant parking like before.
  1155. >”Cmon. Let’s go rub their noses.”
  1156. >You see she’s eager, like she has a score to settle.
  1157. >She quickly steps out of the car, and marches with purpose.
  1158. >You follow like her wingman.
  1159. >The two of you cross the lot quickly, and burst into the room.
  1160. >”There’s our wining mare.”
  1161. >Sitting on a throne like couch, Track floats a roll of coins, with a shit-eating grin like no other.
  1162. >You didn’t know they could float things.
  1163. >That’s some freaky shit.
  1164. >”Listen here you little shits!”
  1165. >The bowler hat-wearing pony is still salty it seems.
  1166. >”I don’t know what shit you pulled to win! But mark my word, I’m gonna get to the bottom of it.”
  1167. >”Back off her, Block. Shoulda pulled out when Track told ya to.”
  1168. >One of the ponies dressed like Track, speaks up.
  1169. >”And you too Track. I KNOW you’re just rolling in the bits you got off this. I know for fact the race was rigged.”
  1170. >”Road, the reports are right there. Go ahead and read them.”
  1171. >Track is unamused by the large pony.
  1172. >”The report that says this monkey looking fuck beat the speed record by half an hour?”
  1173. >You don’t look like a monkey, that’s uncalled for.
  1174. >”I don’t believe it either, Road. But bein a sore loser ain’t gonna help.”
  1175. >The others aren’t as confident as Track, but they try to calm the mare.
  1176. >”All of you hear me!”
  1177. >The bowler hat mare stands tall and proclaims:
  1178. >”I’m gonna find out whatever dark magic was behind this shit!”
  1179. >She then turns her attention to you.
  1180. “And you! Pull anymore shit like this kid! And I’ll make sure your career ends before it begins.”
  1181. >You just realize her cheeks are puffed up, and her chest fluff pumped out.
  1182. >She looks adorable, the bowler hat, puffed cheek, pumped chest, big eyes.
  1183. >You laugh but supress your voice, opening your mouth a little too much.
  1184. >To which she and all the other recoil back.
  1185. >It was kinda gross, but that’s uncalled for.
  1186. >”You laugh now! You’ll be cryin later!”
  1187. >”That’s enough Block. Take it up with the committee.”
  1188. >”Hmmf! Count on it.”
  1189. >”I will.”
  1190. >And so the big mare storms out the door. Not before giving you the weirdest look you’ve gotten so far.
  1191. >Which is saying something.
  1192. >”Geeze, somepony get that mare a cooler.”
  1193. >Your partner is back to her usual way.
  1194. >”Y’know Wheel. I was sure I was gonna have to actually rig the race to save face.”
  1195. >Track sounds friendlier, though you don’t trust her.
  1196. >”Track, you really ought not say that, Block’s prolly got people listening in.”
  1197. >”I was gonna say, I’m glad I didn’t have to. Nice going kid, you really gave the crowd a show.”
  1198. >”Don’t forget our special guest.”
  1199. >”I didn’t. Princess Luna heard your sound system flying here. She also likes your color and racing stripes.”
  1200. >You never thought you’d get so many compliments for a 4000 dollar used compact car.
  1201. >”She didn’t even plan to watch, until she heard that sound system.”
  1202. >”Unfortunate you missed her, she just left.”
  1203. >”Well thanks for the heads up, Track.”
  1204. >”Yes, now.”
  1205. >Track raises her hoof and waves it a bit.
  1206. >The other ponies leave, leaving just you Wheel and track.
  1207. >You almost pull a knife, when you hear a click.
  1208. >A circular carpet lowers and parts, then a small sack rises up on a pedestal.
  1209. >Track looks at you; you look her right in the eyes.
  1210. >”Go on Anon. Winner takes all.”
  1211. >You walk to the pedestal, and pick up the sack.
  1212. >It weighs as much as a bag of rice, 10 pounds or so.
  1213. >You look Track in the eyes again, before walking back to your manager.
  1214. >”Head to the car, Anon. I gotta talk to Track.”
  1215. >You nod and head out.
  1216. >You get back into your car, toss the sack on the back seat, you lean back in the driver seat.
  1217. >There's a special satisfaction, when a job comes off so right.
  1218. --------------------------------------------------------
  1219. >A while later, your manager sits down in the car.
  1220. >”Think Track likes you.”
  1221. “Alright I guess, I don’t really like her. Or any of the others.”
  1222. >”Not even a day old, and you’re already learning. For the record, she’s not as bad as the others.”
  1223. >She quickly adds on.
  1224. >”Don’t tell her I said that though, sweetheart”
  1225. >You leave the parking lot, and head down the road.
  1226. “I don’t think I’ll be talking to her too often.”
  1227. >”Damn, just gonna cold-clit a mare like that? There’s still some for me right?”
  1228. “What?”
  1229. >”Nothing.”
  1230. >You enter the highway, and continue driving down calmly.
  1231. “I’d fuck that clown hat one, just to assert my dominance y’know?”
  1232. >Wheel laughs for a second,
  1233. >”I don’t think you understand how to ‘assert dominance’.”
  1234. “You watch me.”
  1235. >She looks around awkwardly.
  1236. >”That’s one of the weirdest thing I’ve heard a colt say.”
  1237. >You continue driving the way you came.
  1238. >Making small talk now and then, you can see wheel is calm now.
  1239. “I think that tire needs more air, or maybe all of them need air.”
  1240. >”Filling that thing was painful; I had to use bricks to put enough force to fill them.”
  1241. “Well shit son. Still, it’s gotta be like 32psi. I’ll fill it myself.”
  1242. >She immediately gets defensive.
  1243. >”No, no I’ll get it.”
  1244. “Alright.”
  1245. >You still don’t understand how your gas is full, the dial has not moved at all.
  1246. >Wanting to be in bed, you accelerate a bit to 80 kilometers.
  1247. >There’s too much traffic to go faster, you weave in and out to keep your speed.
  1248. >Yawning and your eyes staring to get heavy. You keep driving dangerously.
  1249. >You notice a large blue carriage doing the same not too far ahead.
  1250. >Changing lane for the thousandth time, you notice you are now traveling alongside the blue carriage.
  1251. >In a hazy sleepy state, you continue next to the blue carriage.
  1252. >The carriage makes a aggressive lane change, and over takes you.
  1253. >Disregarding the safety of others, you accelerate to 90km and overtake that carriage.
  1254. >You make a point to flaunt yourself in front of them, before accelerating to 100 and driving on.
  1255. >”Are you listening!?”
  1256. >You snap out of your trance brought by fatigue and fun.
  1257. “Wha?”
  1258. >”You just outran Princess Luna!”
  1259. “Where?”
  1260. >”The blue carriage! It was actually Luna!”
  1261. >Wheel is clearly very excited and all, but honestly you’re too tired to think about it.
  1262. >You yawn loudly.
  1263. >”You are an absolute mad mare. Or stallion.”
  1264. >”Wonder why Luna of all mares would be heading this way. The only thing anyone comes to ponyville for is the princess.”
  1265. “Hell if I know, but no man over takes me when I’m sleepy.”
  1266. >Wheel starts laughing.
  1267. >”Oh mare, Luna is going to flip when she learns a stallion beat her. Or maybe not, she might just choke up.”
  1268. >She is amused at what she has said, and adds on:
  1269. >”I don’t know what would be funnier.
  1270. >Keeping on driving, you narrowly avoid side swiping a couple carriages, as you prepare to exit the highway.
  1271. >”You’re really tired aren’t you?”
  1272. “For some reason, not anymore.”
  1273. >You feel as though you have ascended beyond mere fatigue.
  1274. >You turn to see every little thing, hear every sound.
  1275. >In a state of hyper-awareness, you dodge a pony j walking without moving your foot off the throttle.
  1276. >”I don’t think you should be driving.”
  1277. “I don’t think you should be talking.”
  1278. >”Damn...”
  1279. “Sorry.”
  1280. >”No, I’m sorry.”
  1281. “I’m sorry.”
  1282. >You both stop talking, and you’re content you got the last sorry.
  1283. >”Wanna stop at Sugar Cube Corner? I’ll get you a coffee to wake you up.”
  1284. >Without further instructions, you drive down Apple Avenue again.
  1285. >Pulling into the parking lot of Sugar Cube Corner, you just stop your car when:
  1286. >”ONE LARGE COFFEE!”
  1287. >The Pink one from before is outside your door, with a steaming cup on top of her head.
  1288. >You lower your window and take it.
  1289. >”ON THE HOUSE FOR THE WINNER!”
  1290. “Thanks.”
  1291. >You sip on the warm drink, and are immediately delighted.
  1292. >It tastes just like timmies.
  1293. >Which is to say. It tastes awful.
  1294. >But as awful as it is, it feels like it’s a part of you.
  1295. “Thanks Pink horse!”
  1296. >With that, you drive away.
  1297. >Continuing to sip of coffee as you make your way home.
  1298. >”Say you feeling alright?”
  1299. “Honestly can’t remember the last time I was better.”
  1300. >”You are a strange stallion.”
  1301. >Keep on driving down, you finish your coffee just before turning into the lot of Wheels shop.
  1302. >You feel reinvigorated, and step out of your car with energy.
  1303. >The two of you walk to the entrance, Wheel runs ahead to open the door for you.
  1304. >”It’s actually pretty late.”
  1305. “What do you mean? The sun is shining.”
  1306. >”It’s 8, Give it another minute or two.”
  1307. >Wheel starts cleaning her shop, and you go to the bathroom.
  1308. >As soon as you come back to the shop, you realize it’s pitch black outside. Wheel lights some lamps.
  1309. “What the fuck?”
  1310. >You point outside, and look confused.
  1311. >”What? The sun different in ‘Ronto too?”
  1312. >Giving her a look to say yes, she just looks away confused.
  1313. >”Alright screw it, we got stuff to do.”
  1314. >She continues.
  1315. >”But today is a special day, so screw that. I got a nice stash, To celebrate. Wanna share?”
  1316. >Despite just having your coffee, you can’t deny alcohol and simply follow the mare to her room.
  1317. >You enter the room, she lays out glasses and multiple bottles, some still sealed.
  1318. >She pours out shots, and smirks. Before taking a sip from one.
  1319. >Breaking out the good stuff, the boss want’s to party all night.
  1320. --------------------------------------------------------
  1321. >”You likin’ the drink darling?”
  1322. >The two of you have been drinking for about an hour now.
  1323. >You don’t know how strong the drinks are supposed to be, but you’ve probably gone through a bottles of ‘harder stuff’
  1324. “They’re alright. Tastes good, but I prefer something stronger.”
  1325. >”Stronger? I mean, you sure? Harder stuff doesn’t taste good, sweetie.”
  1326. “If I wanted to drink something tasty, I wouldn’t be drinking booze.”
  1327. >You down the light blue drink, while your partner sips on a dark looking thing.
  1328. >”Geeze, fine. Here try this.”
  1329. >She pours out a dark drink like hers. Looks like translucent coffee.
  1330. >You down it in one go. It tastes interesting but not strong.
  1331. >”Go ahead and lie down, if you feel light headed.”
  1332. >You actually hope you would feel light headed.
  1333. “Jesus, Wheel. You’re a real light weight you know that?”
  1334. >”Me?! Babe you just watch, I’m warning you for your own good.”
  1335. “What is this stuff? Like 20 proof?”
  1336. >”Fine, since you want to be such a mare. I got some really strong stuff down in the garage.”
  1337. “Great, what are we waiting for?”
  1338. >You put your glass down and get up.
  1339. >”Hold up darling, I need a minute.”
  1340. >Wheel gets out of her chair, stumbling about a little.
  1341. >She staggers to your feet, and leans against your leg.
  1342. “Geeze, want me to carry you?”
  1343. >”You’re a real prize. I’ll walk it off, let’s go.”
  1344. >You start walking at a reasonable pace, while you’re not drunk or even buzzed, you can feel it.
  1345. >Spoked on the other hand, is having a hard time standing up.
  1346. >You start walk halfway down the stairs, while spoked looks down in confusion and horror.
  1347. “Just follow my hand.”
  1348. >She does as she’s told, and slowly but surely starts walking down the steps while you lead her.
  1349. >Without too much trouble, the two of you get down the stairs.
  1350. >”Gimme a minute darling.”
  1351. >Spoked stumbles into a room close to the stairwell.
  1352. >She comes a moment later looking much more normal, and doesn’t stumble at all.
  1353. >”Now, come with me. Let’s get the good stuff.”
  1354. >The two of you walk through the door, into the shop.
  1355. >Your car is parked right in the center, with the moonlight gleaming off its red exterior.
  1356. >Wheel lights some lamps.
  1357. >”Righto, darling.”
  1358. >She opens a metal cabinet, and pulls out a bottle.
  1359. >”I got more bottles, but we’re only gonna need one.”
  1360. >Moments later the two of you have gone through 3 bottles and you’re feeling buzzed.
  1361. >Spoked is sitting on a chair across from you, while you’re leaning back in reclining chair.
  1362. >”Ya, the’n this crazy mare right, right she fuckin crashed her carriage right into the barn.”
  1363. >You laugh at whatever she’s talking about, you’re not too sure.
  1364. >”Anyway... That was the las time the apples built that barn ‘gain.”
  1365. >She laughs a bit more. You take another swig from your bottle.
  1366. >”I’m outta, again.”
  1367. >Spoked gets up from her chair, and stumbles on the first step.
  1368. >She lands on you, with her hooves on your legs, and her head between.
  1369. >She laughs for a second, and reaches a wing up which you hand the bottle.
  1370. >She takes a gulp, before dropping it.
  1371. >”Damn, babe you emptied it.”
  1372. >The two of you lay there for a while, you wish for another bottle.
  1373. >You feel Wheel crawl up your leg and chest, to be face to face with you.
  1374. >She looks drunkenly at you, and you probably do the same.
  1375. >Without a word she drops her head, locking lips with you.
  1376. >You’re surprised at first, but being drunk you don’t think and just accept it.
  1377. >Despite her drunken state, she’s gentle with her smooth tongue.
  1378. >Exchanging a minute of a drunk kiss, she eventually moves her head away.
  1379. >She has her tongue out, a small trail of spit follows it to yours.
  1380. >You raise your eyebrow at her, and she laughs back.
  1381. >”Shut up. Let this mare take care of ya, just lay there darling.”
  1382. “Y’know, I did think about this.”
  1383. >You can’t deny that, you weren’t sure at first, but you definitely had the thought.
  1384. >”You and me both.”
  1385. >She tries to use her hooves to undo your pants, but the button doesn’t yield.
  1386. >You reach down and do it for her; she takes it from there, lowering your clothing.
  1387. >The two of you lock lips again.
  1388. >This time you take charge, and you can feel her fight for control.
  1389. >You feel her grind on you; you can feel two small nubs rubbing on you.
  1390. >Feeling your member harden, she changes her angle of attack, and you feel wetness on your cock.
  1391. >She slides herself over your shaft, coating you in a warm thick fluid.
  1392. >You still engage in your tongue tango, but force your hips to rub against hers.
  1393. >Eventually she pulls away from her kiss, and looks down on her handy work.
  1394. >Moving to the side, she looks at your cock standing proud.
  1395. >”Damn sweetie.”
  1396. >She whispers, before rubbing your glans with her hoof.
  1397. >It feels better than you’d thought.
  1398. >”You e’er take an eye out with that?”
  1399. “What kinda question is that?”
  1400. >”It’s pointy.”
  1401. >You laugh at her stupid observation.
  1402. “Hey, Eyes are just two extra holes.”
  1403. >She laughs, while raising and hovering her rump over your erect penis.
  1404. >You think her clit moves, but you’re probably drunk.
  1405. >She rubs herself over your head, and slides it over one last time.
  1406. >You exhale and clench your teeth.
  1407. >”Tell me if I’m too much for you sweetie.”
  1408. >She slowly lowers herself, taking your whole cock inside herself.
  1409. >Both of you audibly breathe in together, you realize she’s blushing.
  1410. >You’re sure you feel her insides moving, something twitches at the base of your cock.
  1411. >”Mffff, damn you gave it like a pro.”
  1412. “What’s that supposed to mean? Not like my job is hard.”
  1413. >”I’d say that’s all your job is.”
  1414. >You feel insulted at that.
  1415. “Nice. 10/10. Lost my sides. Lost my keys. Lost my job.”
  1416. >”Ok, ok. Sorry, geeze”
  1417. >She laughs a bit more, before raising herself and coming down again.
  1418. >You shudder at that.
  1419. >The position is a bit awkward for her, her face is on your shoulder, but her back arks over let to her rump be on your pelvis.
  1420. >You rise in your seat, so she’s more of a sitting position, she adjusts according.
  1421. >She gives a light moan, and starts a slow pace of movement.
  1422. >Rising up about a quarter of the way, then coming down again.
  1423. >Each time she breaths a bit into your ear, you do the same in her ear.
  1424. >You feel pleasure all through you.
  1425. >She’s a vice, you can feel her insides adjusting to every move.
  1426. >Like the time you made a flesh light tighter by using an oil filter wrench.
  1427. >You hope you’re not hurting her, though if you where she wouldn’t be moving as quickly as she is.
  1428. >Soon enough she really picks up the pace, rising up, and letting herself fall down.
  1429. >Better than any fleshlight you’ve ever used. Including the oil-filter wrench one. You feel the tingly feeling in you.
  1430. >”Mffff, fuck.”
  1431. >Wheel struggles against something, but doesn’t slow down.
  1432. >She tries rocking her hips and straitening her legs.
  1433. >You put your hands under her wings, helping her keep her rhythm.
  1434. >She moans more and her breathing becomes more and more erratic.
  1435. >You look into her eyes, and force her to pick her pace.
  1436. >She’s very light weight, you can move as you please.
  1437. >You take total control of her, but you don’t think she minds.
  1438. >She breaths in short sets, and she moans and huffs often.
  1439. >Keeping eyes on her, she looks you back, clenching teeth struggling.
  1440. >You quicken to a pace that you start to think may be dangerous, she lets out squeaks each time you bring her down.
  1441. >”D-darling! H-he-hey slow do-down, babe. Anon!”
  1442. >She’s almost begging you, but you don’t.
  1443. >She squeaks again, and goes wide eyed.
  1444. >You forcefully kiss her, she moans in your mouth.
  1445. >You feel her clench too hard to move around you, opening your eyes you see hers have rolled back.
  1446. >Stopping the kiss, you cradle her head as she rides her orgasm.
  1447. >You feel your entire crotch soak in fluid.
  1448. >Eventually she comes down form her high, and lays on your chest breathing heavily.
  1449. >Her eyes are closed for a second, but she soon opens them.
  1450. >You look her in the eyes smiling.
  1451. >She immediately blushes and looks away.
  1452. >”S-sorry, I usually last-“
  1453. >You cut off whatever she was saying by kissing her again.
  1454. “Still haven’t had mine, Wheel.”
  1455. >She bites her lips, and kisses again.
  1456. >She rises off your cock, turns herself around.
  1457. >”Don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll treat you right.”
  1458. >You recline again; her face is buried in your crotch. And yours in hers.
  1459. >You’ve never done this before, but how hard can it be?
  1460. >Your partner takes half your cock in one go, and bobs up and down steadily.
  1461. >Starting to lick the area around her clit, you realize it really does move.
  1462. >Every couple of seconds, her button pops out and recedes again.
  1463. >You now focus on this, almost suckling on it.
  1464. >Wheel is once again, struggling, moving her legs and almost thrashing.
  1465. >She picks up her pace, trying to work as hard as she can.
  1466. >You can feel the pressure building in you, and you’re sure your partner can feel herself too.
  1467. >Racing to see who gets whom first.
  1468. >You stick your tongue inside of her, and lick towards her clit.
  1469. >She in response, creates a vacuum in her mouth, and sucks harder.
  1470. >She’s really close you know it, she’s about accepted defeat judging by her slowing pace.
  1471. >But you’re really close too, and you don’t want to waste.
  1472. >You stop, and force her off your cock.
  1473. >”Wah! What are ya doing?”
  1474. >You don’t respond, and instead quickly stand up, placing her back to the chair.
  1475. “WELCOM TO MR ANONS WILD RIDE!”
  1476. >Lining up your cock, you immediately thrust into her.
  1477. >”Damn!”
  1478. “RACERS! START YOUR ENGINES!”
  1479. >You lean down and kiss her, while vigorously working her.
  1480. >You reach down to your pockets, and get your car FOB, and push the button with an IO on it.
  1481. >The cars lights turn on; your partner reacts in shock.
  1482. >”Ahhh! Slow down! What are you doing?”
  1483. >You hear the starter motor turn a few times, and then the 300,000 km engine starts up like it’s still 50,000 km.
  1484. >The sound of the 2.0 liter is music to your ears.
  1485. >Using the sound of the engine, you pace yourself pistoning into your friend.
  1486. >You grab the base of her wings for leverage, you sincerely hope it doesn’t hurt her.
  1487. “VROOM! VROOM!”
  1488. >Without much time, you feel yourself about to burst.
  1489. >”Celestia! Shoulda never put my clam around crazy!”
  1490. “This is the future you chose!”
  1491. >”I-knOW!”
  1492. >You’re not sure what happens after that, as your mind blanks out for a half second.
  1493. >All you feel is pleasure, and hear the sound of your car.
  1494. >You wake up to a panting manager, and the slick feeling of sweat.
  1495. >Your crotch is coated in both of your fluids, the smell of emissions in the air.
  1496. >You pull out, and a small stream of fluid flows out of her.
  1497. >Kneeling down, you gently kiss Spoked.
  1498. >No fighting, no competition.
  1499. >You pull away; she gives you the sincerest smile you’ve seen from her.
  1500. >”Should we be done?”
  1501. “One more drink?”
  1502. >Walking with your pants around your legs.
  1503. >the two of you stumble back, to the wine cabinet.
  1504. >You grab a bottle, and sit down right there.
  1505. >Wheel stumbles into your embrace, and opens the bottle with her teeth.
  1506. >She takes a gulp from your hand, though spills some.
  1507. >”Still hard? If only all colts would.”
  1508. >You drink a small glass worth in a sip.
  1509. “I can see you still dripping, glass houses, something, stones.”
  1510. >”It’s not that late, yknow?”
  1511. >She kisses you again, and the two of you get right back to work.
  1512. >Neither of you remember when you fall asleep.
  1513. >Once you’ve danced your sweet routine, it reeks of wine and gasoline.
  1514. --------------------------------------------------------
  1515. >You open your eyes to a fabric roof; a brown rust stain covers a small part of it.
  1516. >The engine gently rumbles.
  1517. >You’re probably going to need to change the oil a hundred kilometers earlier.
  1518. >Looking around, you feel some breath on your neck.
  1519. >Wheel is sleeping on your chest, fur soaked in cold sweat.
  1520. >You see a small smile on her face.
  1521. >Her warm body rises and falls to a rhythm.
  1522. >You realize you have a hand under her, and her hooves are surrounding it.
  1523. >Turning your attention, from your sleeping partner, you decide to give your other girl a rest.
  1524. >Looking around, you see the key and remote in the cup holder.
  1525. >Reaching over, some of your joints crack. You grab the remote.
  1526. >Pressing the button, the engine revs a last time and shakes the car, before it turns off.
  1527. >The mare on your chest stirs, disturbed by the change.
  1528. >She nuzzles her face into your collarbone, moaning.
  1529. >You can’t help yourself, but to rub her back. Something she likes judging by how she calms down.
  1530. >Laying there for a while, you try and think back on the last two days.
  1531. >Try as you may, you can’t
  1532. >Your dick is really sore, and you’re covered in sweat and some other stuff.
  1533. >Though you don’t have a bad hangover.
  1534. >Maybe you don’t have a hangover at all. You’re not sure.
  1535. >You think you’re back asleep or something, until something on your chest jerks.
  1536. >”Hfmfm.”
  1537. >She makes cute sleeping horse noises.
  1538. >You lay your head back down on the cloth seats.
  1539. >The rear is much roomier than you’d thick.
  1540. >This is a Tardis of a car, way bigger on the inside.
  1541. >How did you even end up here?
  1542. >How far off course did you go?
  1543. >”Hey babe.”
  1544. >Wheel hovers her head over your face.
  1545. “Morning.”
  1546. >She has a pang of doubt in her eyes.
  1547. >”You OK? Sleep well. We got a little crazy last night.”
  1548. >She nervously laughs.
  1549. “A little?”
  1550. >”Yea, yea I know. You’re ok though right?”
  1551. >You laugh
  1552. >Then you flick her nose and she gets off your chest.
  1553. >The two of you get out of the car to look at the mess the two of you had made.
  1554. >You don’t know when a spanner that big got involved, but you rather not worry about it.
  1555. “Well... Lets get to cleaning then...”
  1556. >You two spend the next few hours cleaning.
  1557. >Putting every tool and part back where it belongs.
  1558. >Finally settling down for rest after the final part is away.
  1559. “Lord. How did we make this much of a mess?”
  1560. >”Don’t question it babe. I learned not to.”
  1561. “Now what?”
  1562. >”I don’t suppose you cook. I’m starving.”
  1563. >You two woke up late mid day, and spent a good 2 hours cleaning up.
  1564. >Didn’t even eat last night. But you can’t cook to save your life.
  1565. “Not my specialty. No.”
  1566. >”Yea I thought so. Not like we have a kitchen anyway.”
  1567. >The two of you think for a while.
  1568. >”Wanna eat out? There’s a nice pizza place, but it’s a little far.”
  1569. >Pizza would be a nice familiarity in this weird place.
  1570. “Sure, pizza sounds good.”
  1571. >”Awesome babe. Your carriage or mine?”
  1572. >You’re gonna have to ride in a pony car one day, but from what you’ve seen, you’re gonna delay that as long as possible.
  1573. “Mine obviously.”
  1574. >”I guess I’ll have to show off another time then.”
  1575. >Wheel heads off to gather some money, and you make sure you still have your things.
  1576. >It’s like you’re in another world, but you ought have your licence if you get pulled over.
  1577. >”All right. You ready?”
  1578. “Yup. Let’s roll.”
  1579. >The two of you enter your car and drive out into the midday sun.
  1580. >though you wouldn’t know it’s midday if it wasn’t for the clock on the radio
  1581. >”Pizza place is a bit out of the way, take a left and head north on Apple. It’s a ways up, I’ll tell you.”
  1582. >You follow her directions and head up that main road.
  1583. >Focusing on the calming drive, you lose track of time, or space.
  1584. >You don’t talk much, occasionally you catch her stealing glances at you.
  1585. >Beyond that, she leans on the arm rest and stares at the horizon.
  1586. >It’s a little awkward.
  1587. “Say Wheel.”
  1588. >”Hmm?”
  1589. “That race, yesterday. It was hardly a race, it was just a straight line.”
  1590. >”You don’t do that in ‘Ronto?”
  1591. “Sure we do, it’s called a drag race. But it’s only a quarter mile long, and it just tests acceleration.”
  1592. >”You’re making up units again babe. The race is a test of endurance, for both the car and the driver.”
  1593. “First off, a mile is a perfectly valid unit. And second off, what kind of endurance?”
  1594. >”Well. Don’t you feel tired after driving a lot time?”
  1595. “I guess, but if it’s just a straight line, I just feel sleepy. I don’t even have to press the pedal, I have cruise control.”
  1596. >”Not everyone has a funky car like you darling.”
  1597. >You’re both silent for a few more minutes.
  1598. >”Right here.”
  1599. “Huh?”
  1600. >”Take a right on the next road.”
  1601. >You follow your instructions, and head onto a smaller emptier road.
  1602. >”Say, why are you pressing the pedal to go?”
  1603. “What do you mean?”
  1604. >”The pedal, it’s to stop right?”
  1605. “I have two pedals. One for gas and the other for brakes.”
  1606. >”Huh, neat. So you don’t use any magic at all?”
  1607. “Not unless contained explosions are magic.”
  1608. >”Sounds like magic to me. It’s amazing you don’t get tired. Some racers sleep a whole day before and after a race.”
  1609. >The two of you stop talking for a while, and she directs you through a maze of windy roads.
  1610. >Nothing here is familiar, it’s like you’re in a different country.
  1611. >Nothing like the Ontario landscape you’re familiar with.
  1612. >”I see you like to tackle corners.”
  1613. >She snaps you out of your trance.
  1614. “What do you mean?”
  1615. >”I mean, you’re taking these curves with some serious speed. And your car is handling it.”
  1616. “I’m not going that fast.”
  1617. >She giggles
  1618. “Out of curiosity, are there races with curvy tracks?”
  1619. >”Hah. Knew it. Yea there are, but before you get your hopes up. Getting into one takes a lot.”
  1620. “Aww, why’s that?”
  1621. >”A lot of this ‘business’ is just an excuse to get out rivalries and young ambitions.”
  1622. “Didn’t think I’d head you sound sophisticated, Wheel.”
  1623. >”Hey, I’m not some thick skull or a pin head.”
  1624. “Sure.”
  1625. >You pause.
  1626. “Pin head.”
  1627. >She grumbles a little, but then laughs. And you join her.
  1628. >”Anyway. You gotta find somepony willing to let you on their tracks, or sign up with some race racket.”
  1629. “You’ve been doing this for a good time, surely you know some people.”
  1630. >”I do, and I could probably drop you a line. But it’s not about the manager. It’s the racer. Truth is sweetie, most racers make money at big events, like yesterday.”
  1631. >She looks out the window thinking.
  1632. >”But to get better and get invitations to paying races, you gotta race out here.”
  1633. “Out here?”
  1634. >”You’re adorable when you act like you don’t know. Street racing darling. Illegal, but fun.”
  1635. “Neat.”
  1636. >You get back to driving and consider what she’s just told you.
  1637. >You’ve outran cop cars before. Surely you could try some street racing.
  1638. >Not with her of course, she doesn’t have to know.
  1639. >”Hey, you’re not thinking about street racing are you?”
  1640. “No, why would I be?”
  1641. >”Nice try. Anon, it’s very dangerous. A lot of fillies end up hurt.”
  1642. “Since when did danger matter to a professional racer like you?”
  1643. >”Not to me, I’m worried about you. It takes concentration, skill, split second decisions.”
  1644. “You don’t think I can do it?”
  1645. >”I’m just worried about you.”
  1646. >You both silently drive for the next while.
  1647. >”There’s the place.”
  1648. >She points to a little store out surrounded by some other stores.
  1649. >There’s a big ‘Cheezy’s pizza’ sign with lights.
  1650. >”There’s parking by Willows hardware.”
  1651. >You park your car, and the two of you enter the store.
  1652. >The inside is nice, looks like a higher-class pizza hut.
  1653. >You still mull over what Wheel told you, putting no thought into sitting and discussing what to order.
  1654. >But, here in the Willows, now, here's the deal, tomorrow's for squares, and tonight's for real.
  1655. Meanwhile.
  1656. >A line of various carriages stands at one side of a lone road.
  1657. >A Silver Neighsan, behind a white Neighsan and finally a Orange Minataur.
  1658. >It’s pitch black in the night, a few lamps and moonlight gleams off paint.
  1659. >A group of ponies stand by their cars, some shining their beloved carriages.
  1660. >The silence is broken as 3 carriages drive up the road towards the group.
  1661. >A Midnight Blue, custom MoonShip. With shining silver rims. It’s a carriage made for speed.
  1662. >Following it is a pearl white custom vehicle of unknown make or model. The rims are gold. And looks similar to the MoonShip, but different enough.
  1663. >The final carriage is a red Nieghsan. Not very impressive looking, but the driver looks like she knows what she’s doing.
  1664. >The cars stop in a line on the opposite side of the road.
  1665. >A large blue mare steps out of the lead vehicle.
  1666. ”Ladies.”
  1667. >”Princess-?”
  1668. ”Just Luna when we’re here. Which one of you is the fastest on this track?”
  1669. >The mare with the silver Nieghsan steps forward.
  1670. >”That would be me. Liftoff. Welcome to Ponyville. We’re the Ponyville Speeders.”
  1671. “Thank you. I’ve never tried this track before. Lets see if we can keep up with you
  1672. ---
  1673. >Carriages zip all over the curvy back roads of ponyville.
  1674. >The Blue carriage leading her team, despite not knowing the road.
  1675. >”I can’t keep up with her! I thought she didn’t know this road.”
  1676. >The Silver Nieghsan is far ahead of her other 2 friends, but nowhere close to the newcomers.
  1677. >The driver of the blue car effortlessly controls her vehicle through the curves of this road.
  1678. >Every component of her carriage is tuned to handle these corners.
  1679. >Although bored, she observes every bit of the road.
  1680. “This track is amazing. The roads are hazardous and one turn follows another.”
  1681. >Her team follows her well, though the red carriage does struggle.
  1682. “Interesting, this track ends in a roundabout. An added challenge of dodging racers behind you.”
  1683. >”I’ve lost them! This is impossible. Lost at my home track...”
  1684. ---
  1685.  
  1686. >The racers return to the place where they met, and the driver of the blue carriage leans into the window of the white car who’s tailed her this far.
  1687. >The driver of the white car is obscured, and looks to be wearing some covering clothing.
  1688. “You may leave if you wish. We will practice with the Ponyville residence.”
  1689. >Regardless of her current position, the blue mare retains her regal though outdated tone.
  1690. >The white carriage breaks formation, and drives away.
  1691. >The blue mare approaches the defeated panting ponies.
  1692. >”You are the fastest on this track, princess.”
  1693. “Yes. But I think we can help each other. Are you willing to practice?”
  1694. >The losers look at each other, and nod.
  1695. >They kept riding, those midnight cruisers. Seeking their bounty of fortune and fame.
  1696. >“That was some good pizza, but I can’t believe you guys don’t eat anchovies.”
  1697. ”Anon, It’s not funny anymore. I just ate. Ugh.”
  1698. >You two walk to Anon’s carriage.
  1699. >He just shortens it to car, must be a colt thing.
  1700. >You two are leaving a pizza place stuffed, with your weird colt friend.
  1701. >There’s a space between the colt and friend.
  1702. >Racers don’t need coltfriends.
  1703. >It’s like he can’t be normal, he gets weirder by the minute.
  1704. >Now he’s talking about eating little fish on his pizza.
  1705. >You thought he was joking, but turns out he likes meat on his pizza.
  1706. >Thinking about it makes you wanna throw up.
  1707. >But he is cute...
  1708. >He can eat your meat any day.
  1709. >The dude starts his carriage, and it makes that weird noise before it makes some kind of low rumble.
  1710. >Like the car is hungry or something.
  1711. ”You alright to drive?”
  1712. >“Yea I’m good, why?”
  1713. ”Just asking. Eating makes some ponies tired.”
  1714. >And by some ponies you mean colts, with plots to build.
  1715. >”Nah, I feel pretty pumped.”
  1716. >Babe you keep talking like that, and you’ll get pumped real good.
  1717. >”Good to know.”
  1718. >He’s a crazy good driver, at least you think he is.
  1719. >Maybe it’s just his crazy carriage.
  1720. >He wants to race, but this is a mares game. You can’t put him in danger.
  1721. >Not that you care or anything, just cos you owe him for saving your plot.
  1722. >Racers don’t need coltfriends.
  1723. >He pulls out of his parking spot and out on the road.
  1724. >His control of the wheel is perfect, one of those paw things on the wheel and he can make the car go wherever he wants effortlessly.
  1725. >His other paw is on the thing he called a ‘hand brake’ he clicks a little button on it over and over.
  1726. >Driving down the long road, he seems restless. Tense.
  1727. >Uh oh. Hope it isn’t cos last night.
  1728. >His hand goes from this long bar he calls a ‘shifter’ and his handbrake, over and over.
  1729. ”So, you thinking about anything?”
  1730. >Gotta find out what’s on this colts mind.
  1731. >”No, nothing.”
  1732. >Typical. Something is wrong, he just won’t say it.
  1733. “So you have music right?”
  1734. >Yea that’ll work. Just play something smooth and cuddle right up to him Wheely.
  1735. >”Yea, use my mp3 player.”
  1736. >He points to a little brick on the center console with a little cable going into a slot.
  1737. >You press buttons on it, and you can see his albums.
  1738. >You cycle through each album.
  1739. >None of the tracks or album titles sound familiar.
  1740. >You cycle through an album with your wings to see if there’s anything interesting.
  1741. >Hearing the sound of a carriage going very fast, you look up
  1742. >Anon sees too and quickly swerves to the right to avoid hitting a carriage not following it’s stop sign.
  1743. >”Fucker!”
  1744. >His sudden movement causes you to push something on his music thing with your wing.
  1745. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu5TDEpAqwQ
  1746. >As soon as you do this, a countdown starts.
  1747. >4...3...2...1
  1748. >”Good choice.”
  1749. >Anon says smiling and steers his car to the way the carriage was going.
  1750. >A guitar sounds.
  1751. >He pushes a button on his shifter and the car makes a deafening roar and immediately gains speed faster than anything you’ve ever seen before.
  1752. >You see the carriage that crossed him right ahead.
  1753. >He’s approaching a corner he has no idea about.
  1754. “Anon watch out!”
  1755. >You try to warn him, but he’s already in it.
  1756. >He passes the carriage that crossed him effortlessly.
  1757. >Accelerating far, far ahead of that mare, he enters another corner faster than before.
  1758. >You hear the screeching tires make, any racer knows to avoid that sound.
  1759. >But he, he’s excited by it.
  1760. >You admit the music is intoxicating.
  1761. >The music, speed, g forces and carriage noises, together.
  1762. >This is something you’ve never experienced in a race.
  1763. >You’re terrified.
  1764. >But you want him to do more.
  1765. >You see two more carriages ahead, and then it hits you.
  1766. >He’s on the race track.
  1767. >This place isn’t for somepony like him.
  1768. >It takes experience to go as fast as he’s going in this place.
  1769. >The curves have curves.
  1770.  
  1771. >Curves he’s making look like strait lines.
  1772. >His tires screech, but he keeps right on the curves.
  1773. >This colt is crazy.
  1774. >This colt is gonna die today and he’s gonna take you with him.
  1775. >But there’s a gut feeling you have.
  1776. >Maybe.
  1777. >Just maybe.
  1778. >He can do it.
  1779. >You put that thought aside as your eyes widen
  1780. >he steers his carriage into the fastest turn your pretty sure has ever been done.
  1781. >You clench your teeth, and hold on for dear life.
  1782. >The music is deafening, only the tires screeching is louder.
  1783. >Your heart is pounding.
  1784. >Teeth clenched.
  1785. >Sweating a river.
  1786. >You’re so scared you feel calm all of a sudden.
  1787. >Another sharp turn approaches
  1788. >Not even the sweat can stick to you with this speed.
  1789. >Your eyes are dry.
  1790. >Maybe you’ll just close your eyes and it will be all over.
  1791. >Yea, just close your eyes, and let the calmness take over you.
  1792. >Nothing but calm...
  1793. ---
  1794. >You keep your eyes glued to the track.
  1795. >This place is difficult, there’s a decline making speed control difficult.
  1796. >The corners are sharp, and soon the road will end, forcing a racer to change her direction on the spot, fast.
  1797. >In the corner of your eye, you see a light.
  1798. >In your rear view mirror, a light appears and gets closer very quickly.
  1799. “They caught up? It’s about time.”
  1800. >Seeing another corner approaching, you smirk to yourself.
  1801. “Not for long.”
  1802. >You say to yourself and speed up.
  1803. >The carriage behind you is right on your tail as you enter the corner.
  1804. >You hear the sound of tires screeching.
  1805. >Did that mare lose control?
  1806. >Looking over your shoulder you see a weird red carriage right at your flank, not showing a sign of worry even at this speed.
  1807. “What is that? Some kind of griffon make? Crystal pony? Some weird handmade Changeling thing?”
  1808. >You focus back on the road.
  1809. “Whatever it is, it’s not keeping up to me.”
  1810. >Keeping all means of overtaking blocked, you continue down the track.
  1811. >Eyeing your opponent every now and then.
  1812. >The carriage doesn’t look all that impressive. The hood is short and stubby, shouldn’t have much power.
  1813.  
  1814. >The rear end is too high up, it shouldn’t be balanced very well.
  1815. >The red carriage keeps up through every turn and every bend.
  1816. >You eye bits of rust around the fenders. Metal should be making her slow. Yet it’s not.
  1817. “Is this some kind of bad dream? My latest, precision tuned MoonShip is being tailed by some red rust bucket?”
  1818. >This simply shouldn’t happen.
  1819. >Sweat forms on your face, your breathing is ragged as you try and keep your carriage under control through these sharp turns.
  1820. “By the stars.”
  1821. >Soon you have to slow down as the end of the road approaches and you will have to make a high speed turn around.
  1822. >As you slow down you leave your right open.
  1823. >Your opponent capitalizes on that and passes you.
  1824. >You note other flaws with the design of her carriage.
  1825. >Still you don’t dare to try and speed up with her, as you eye that road end sign.
  1826. “Doesn’t she know the road?! After this slow curve the track ends in a turnabout!”
  1827. >She’s ahead of you now, and deep in the curve going very fast.
  1828. >She maintains her speed still in the curve, showing no concern.
  1829. >Suddenly, you see the end of the road, as your opponent hurdles towards it at high speed.
  1830. >You see her brake lights come on, and you prepare to compensate for her mistake.
  1831. “I knew it! She’s going too fast, there’s no room left to slow down!
  1832. >She’s in the roundabout before she knows it and...
  1833. >Your eyes widen, in anticipation.
  1834. >She steers to the left
  1835. >Her tires screech a deafining screech.
  1836. >Then suddenly
  1837. >Her rear wheels simply lock up.
  1838. >Her entire carriage swings around on a bit.
  1839. “WHA-WHAT!?”
  1840. >Like a top her car revolves around the front wheel, the rear end entirely swings around with a loud screech.
  1841. “REAR BRAKE TURN?!”
  1842. ---
  1843. >Just as smoothly as she entered, her carriage makes a loud roar and she blasts off in the opposite direction of you.
  1844. >You recover from your shock just in time to enter the turn a little too fast and miss your time window.
  1845. >Slamming the brakes you compensate as well as you can and narrowly avoid crashing.
  1846. >You spin a little too far and end up facing the way you came.
  1847. >But you can’t go on. You simply stop.
  1848. >Your carriage is fine, but...
  1849. >You get out of your car and look at the ground, rethinking what you just saw.
  1850. >The red car left it’s marks.
  1851. >Long black streaks in a loop.
  1852. >Her tires are very thick, how did she pull that off?
  1853. >Rethinking to that moment, when her rear wheels just locked up.
  1854. >You think to yourself
  1855. ‘We can’t believe it.’
  1856. ‘Was that some sort of phantom, windigo of some racer who died at this point?’
  1857. ‘She perfectly snapped her wheel to change direction, then locked her rear wheels, to force the rear wheels to lose all traction.’
  1858. >The fresh memory plays in your mind.
  1859. ‘A perfected technique... Of a driver with ultimate knowledge of her vehicle.’
  1860. >You look up to see some headlights heading your way.
  1861. >It’s the other ponies you were racing.
  1862. >They stop and get out.
  1863. >”Luna! Did you see that red carriage?!”
  1864. >You nod at them and look to the moon.
  1865. >“Who was that?”
  1866. >You don’t answer instead thinking.
  1867. ‘My pride is torn to shreds. To think my latest track spec MoonShip can be defeated by some red rust bucket.’
  1868. ‘What is that red carriage?’
  1869. >You get back in your carriage without a word and head home.
  1870. >This night still belongs to Luna, when she’s dancing all alone, 40 floors above the city.
  1871. >”Anon! C’mon wake up.”
  1872. >You heard the mare before, she’s been trying to wake you for a while.
  1873. >Course she got plenty of sleep last night.
  1874. >She passed out sometime on the drive home. Awoke when you got home, but you convinced her to go back to sleep.
  1875. >Not sure if that’s healthy, but she slept.
  1876. “Couple more minutes.”
  1877. >”Ugh.”
  1878. >She lets out a sigh, and you think she’s gonna let you sleep as she gets off the bed.
  1879. >You hear the sound of blinds opening and the morning sun burns your closed eyes.
  1880. >You groan to her action.
  1881. >”I’ll be downstairs, I have breakfast come down when you’re ready.”
  1882. >Whatever. You’re gonna sleep.
  1883. >Any minute now, sleep again.
  1884. >Already feel it coming.
  1885. >Alright damn it that mare found your weakness.
  1886. >You get up in bed, and rub your eyes.
  1887. >Lets get on with it then.
  1888. ---
  1889. >You finish your morning routine taking your sweet time.
  1890. >You head down the stairs where your manager is sitting at her shop table.
  1891. >”Good morning.”
  1892. >You take a seat on one of the tiny chairs.
  1893. >Really I’d be better to sit on the floor.
  1894. >You yawn in response to your manager, who giggles back.
  1895. >”Here, made some breakfast. Just an omelette and some tea.”
  1896. “Thanks.”
  1897. >You scratch your hair and pick up a fork.
  1898. >”You’re crazy, y’know that?”
  1899. >You look up at her with a mouth full of food and raise your eyebrow.
  1900. >”Don’t act like you don’t know, you’re driving last night?”
  1901. “What? On the way home? Was it bad?”
  1902. >”Oh you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
  1903. >She sounds unsure of herself.
  1904. >Oh well, she passed out anyway you’ll just convince her it was a dream or something.
  1905. “I thought you fell asleep after we played some music.”
  1906. >She relaxes and opens some papers looking away from you.
  1907. >”Yea... fell asleep.”
  1908. >You finish up your breakfast and tea.
  1909. “So what’s the plan today?”
  1910. >”That’s what I wanted to ask you.”
  1911. >Sounds like you’ve over stayed your welcome.
  1912. “I don’t know how to get home, but I’ve been here a while. I should probably get on the road.”
  1913. >”Well I mean. If that’s what you want.”
  1914. “You have something better?”
  1915. >”Anon, I-I want you to stay.”
  1916. “Stay?”
  1917. >”Well I mean, here with me. You’re obviously good with carriages, even if you don’t know how they work. At least until you figure out how to get home.”
  1918. “I mean. It’s either that or just roam around.”
  1919. >At this point you have no idea how far away from home you are.
  1920. >Nothing here is familiar.
  1921. >Alex Jones was right; this is some interdimensional shapeshifting thing you’ve been sucked into by the lizard people.
  1922. >Actually maybe not.
  1923. >Either way there’s not much for you to do. And here you’re pretty set.
  1924. >Plus Wheel is kinda cute.
  1925. “Alright.”
  1926. >”So you’ll stay?”
  1927. “Until I find my way home.”
  1928. >She looks kinda happy.
  1929. >She reclines in her chair, and pulls some pieces of paper and letters.
  1930. >”Well since you’re staying. I have an offer for you.”
  1931. >She pushes a piece of paper towards you.
  1932. >It’s a contract of some kind, you read through it.
  1933. >”How would you like to be my number 5 driver?”
  1934. >This contract looks fair, split of income, race earning and otherwise.
  1935. >You own yourself, your car, and your brand name. Whatever that is.
  1936. “Number 5?”
  1937. >”Well... One of my driver’s in the hospital right now. I should check in on her. And another, is complicate.”
  1938. “And the other 2?”
  1939. >”Oh, number 5 just means 5th driver under me.”
  1940. “Alright. Sounds fair.”
  1941. >You eye over the contract some more, and pick up a pen.
  1942. >”Take your time reading it over, I promise you no tricks though.”
  1943. >You sign on the contract, and slide it and the pen to her.
  1944. >You give her a smile and she responds with a sweet one.
  1945. >”Thanks.”
  1946. “So now what?”
  1947. >”Well, before we can get you racing, we gotta get you certified.”
  1948. “I thought I already raced once?”
  1949. >”Well uh... Lets just say that was just following an older version of the lawbook.”
  1950. “I guess that’s fair enough.”
  1951. >”Anyway, before we can do that. There’s something bigger we have to deal with.”
  1952. >She gives you a letter with her wings.
  1953. >”Read that out will ya?”
  1954. >You eye over the letter, it has some official looking stuff.
  1955. “AHEM ’Hear ye citizens of Ponyville. By the grace of the Stars Sun and Moon-“
  1956. >”Skip the first part, start with the ‘Our princess’”
  1957. “’Our princess Luna has requested all racers, certified or not, participate in a event to highlight the importance of safety in racing’ a safety meeting for racers?”
  1958. >”Yea...”
  1959. >Wheel takes the letter back from you.
  1960. “So? This happen often?”
  1961. >”Well, that’s the thing. This is new.”
  1962. “So, what are you saying?”
  1963. >”Nothing, I’m not saying anything. But I think the princess is trying to find somepony.”
  1964. “Why would she be trying to find someone?”
  1965. >”Let me tell you about Princess Luna. She’s one of us. She’s a street racer, I’ve ran into her a few times.”
  1966. “A princess is breaking the law? I’m sure someone’s made comments about abuse of power.”
  1967. >”Nah, if anything it’s why racing isn’t completely illegal. Anyway, not only is she a racer. She’s really good.”
  1968. “How good?”
  1969. >She grins at you.
  1970. >”I see I got your interest. I can’t tell you how good she is until you go up against her. But I will say she’s very good.”
  1971. >She takes a sip of her tea, and so do you.
  1972. >”But she doesn’t take losing very well.”
  1973. >She swirls her cup, then empties it.
  1974. “You think she’s using the safety meeting to find the car that beat her?”
  1975. >”I’m not saying that. Just suggesting it.”
  1976. >The two of you sit in quiet for a minute, and you finish your tea.
  1977. >You eye your car parked in the corner of the garage.
  1978. >Her 2 racing strips down the side and red paint make you forget her more pedestrian functions.
  1979. >”Anyway, we gotta go to the meeting tomorrow.”
  1980. “Alright, I’m just gonna have a look over my car.”
  1981. >”I was just gonna say, it’s better if we take my daily car. It’s more subtle. They’ll be plenty of flashy cars there, maybe we’ll try to seam boring.”
  1982. >You can see what she’s saying.
  1983. >If the princes is looking for something weird, your car would stand out hard.
  1984. “I’m fine with that.”
  1985. >”Great babe. Now. I gotta teach you how carriages work.”
  1986. >She gets up and uses her wings to give you a come-hither.
  1987. >You roll your eyes, but follow.
  1988. >Oh well, no matter what.
  1989. >You’ve got provisions, and lots of beer. The keyword is survival on the new frontier.
  1990. ---
  1991. >This colt is adorable when he thinks he has any idea of what’s going on.
  1992. >His face is pure confusion.
  1993. >He keeps trying to compare things that don’t make sense.
  1994. >”It’s impressive how Spartan your carriage is.”
  1995. >Still you can’t blame him, he looks interested.
  1996. >Or maybe you’re just saying that because he’s a keeper.
  1997. >He is an insane driver, not like other colts. Insanely good.
  1998. >That part isn’t because he’s a keeper.
  1999. “Gotta keep her light sweet cheeks. Not all carriages can be like yours you know.”
  2000. >Speaking of his carriage, you gotta figure out how it’s so good.
  2001. >Ugh but having to learn from a colt...
  2002. >Well I guess it’s him, and he’s the furthest thing from a normal colt.
  2003. >But still.
  2004. >He’d probably start talking about why he chose the color or something.
  2005. >As long as nopony finds out I guess.
  2006. >”Yea but your carriages are too focused on lightweight and power. They’re really losing out with this suspension.”
  2007. “Sweetheart, some mare smarter than you or me have got this stuff figured out.”
  2008. >”That mare don’t seem to know anything about weight distribution by the looks of it.”
  2009. >He’s so cute when he thinks he knows what he’s talking about.
  2010. “Here, lemme show you around my car.”
  2011. >Well might as well get it over with.
  2012. >There’s a weird noise when he presses a button on that tiny thing of his.
  2013. >Sounds like a bee or something.
  2014. >And the lights flash. There’s so many lights.
  2015. >Most carriages just have front lamps, some fancier ones have rear ones.
  2016. >And they’re just one color.
  2017. >This colt has front white lamps, rear red, and then 2 up front that are orange, and 2 more in the back that are white.
  2018. >Then he’s got 3 smaller lights up above by his rear view mirror, and his whole display and controls light up like Hearthswarming.
  2019. >Speaking of mirrors, he’s got 3 of them. Most carriages don’t even have 1.
  2020. >Dude’s got to have mommy’s money behind him.
  2021. >Though he doesn’t seem the type.
  2022. >He’s pretty collected and grounded, not pissy at all.
  2023. >Course you may have a thing for him so you’re probably a little bit confused.
  2024. >Maybe.
  2025. >Racers don’t need colt friends.
  2026. >He steps inside the car, and does something that makes a loud metal thud noise.
  2027. >”I’ll show you the guts and then we’ll work our way in.”
  2028. >He walks up to the front of his carriage and lifts up the front hatch.
  2029. >Inside is it’s the same mess of pipes wires and metal as before.
  2030. >You notice on one piece of silvery metal huge letters read “Split Port Induction”
  2031. “What’s that mean?”
  2032. >You point to the silver metal
  2033. “Split Port Induction.”
  2034. >”Oh that. It’s the engines shtick. Or well used to be. It’s not actually a split port induction anymore, I just really liked the stock valve cover.”
  2035. >He’s so cute when he’s nerding out.
  2036. >Unlike you, you look cool when you explain carriage stuff.
  2037. >Colts dig it.
  2038. >Probably...
  2039. >”Anyway good to start there I guess. That’s kinda the heart of the system, the engine. She’s a 2.0 liter 4 banger with 4 valves per pot, and a single overhead cam.”
  2040. >Adorable. Damn, where have you been all my life?
  2041. >You should probably be listening, control yourself, he’s just a colt.
  2042. “Sweetheart, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Start at the beginning, how does this engine work?”
  2043. >”Yea, I don’t really get your carriages either.”
  2044. >Aww poor sweetie.
  2045. >He’s so cute.
  2046. >Sweet Celestia, control yourself.
  2047. >”You gotta piece of paper or something? I’ll just draw it and explain the basics.”
  2048. “Yea I guess that works, hold up.”
  2049. >The colt is a bit cuckoo, a little cute, but he’s a good friend.
  2050. >Of all things, you should be thinking about.
  2051. >You shake your head and search through your drawers for a stack of paper and a pen or something.
  2052. >But you still think about the freaky colt.
  2053. >Frankly, his tabs look iffy, even if he says they’re good. But as it stands, he’s rolling with you, so knock on wood.
  2054. >You’re tripping
  2055. >Bad
  2056. >This isn’t Trono. This isn’t even Canada, or Earth.
  2057. >Actually, it might be Chernobyl. That one’s still on the table.
  2058. >Turns out these horse dog guys, ponies. Can do honest to god magic.
  2059. >It’s how their cars work, they use magical stuff to turn a big flywheel that has these crystals that makes the magic stronger or something and that makes a little magic make many turns so you can move with it.
  2060. >Or it stores the magic, and you can drive around without needing to always be on the magic.
  2061. >It’s like mechanical advantage, or maybe magical advantage.
  2062. >Or something
  2063. >Maybe something about sentient horse dogs should have raised red flags earlier.
  2064. >Oh well.
  2065. >You gotta show your partner your car.
  2066. >She doesn’t even know the most basic details.
  2067. “So this valve gets pushed by the cam, and it exhausts the burnt stuff out on the exhaust stroke.”
  2068. >Pointing out each component to explain it’s function.
  2069. >Your poor drawings of the 4 stroke cycle seem to be working pretty well.
  2070. >”L-like a steam engine?”
  2071. >Oh well there’s some much needed common ground.
  2072. “Yea, except steam engines are external combustion engines where steam is what actually does work. Internal combustion uses the stuff being burnt to work.”
  2073. >”That’s insane.”
  2074. “It’s pretty cool, that cycle happens 6 times every second in each cylinder at idle. At redline it’s like 25 times every second, per cylinder.”
  2075. >You should dial back the nerdiness.
  2076. >Shits lame.
  2077. “Everything else is to make the cycle work better. That black box and pipe is just an intake with a filter so nothing bad gets into the cylinder.”
  2078. >”What about your transfer? You said it works all by itself?”
  2079. >If only she knew the Pandora’s box that are automatics.
  2080. “Basically it’s just gears that change so the wheel spins at different speeds than the engine. I assume just like your transmissions?”
  2081. >”Yea except ours have metal gears with chains.”
  2082. “Mine has a planetary gear, like this.”
  2083. >You draw a shitty sun gear with 2 planets and a ring.
  2084. >It’s no technical drawing, but it does the job.
  2085. >”How on equestrian does that clock work?”
  2086. “One of these gears is connected to the engine, say the sun gear, so it turns with the engine. If the sun gear turns that means the 2 gears around it called ‘planets’ want to turn. If you lock the ring gear in place, then the planets orbit the sun.”
  2087. >”W-what? Babe, you gotta stop wearing clothes.”
  2088. >What?
  2089. “What?”
  2090. “That’s my excuse, for not catching a lick of what you said.”
  2091. >You scratch your face and think.
  2092. “Ok, when a bigger gear turns, the smaller gear it’s meshed with turns faster, right?”
  2093. >”I know how gears work, sugar. Yknow what? Don’t worry about it.”
  2094. >She leans in and kisses your cheek.
  2095. >”Your cute head has better things to worry about.”
  2096. >Fucking pony.
  2097. “Sure whatever. Anything else you wanna know?”
  2098. >”Nah. I’ll learn along the way. Besides, I’ll be the one fixing him anyway.”
  2099. “Hah, like anyone but me is gonna touch her.”
  2100. >She walks towards a counter, and picks up her car keys.
  2101. >Then she grabs the note you got from the princess.
  2102. >”I’ll find something else to touch don’t you worry.”
  2103. >She walks grabs a small backpack, you never noticed before.
  2104. “Going somewhere?”
  2105. >”Gonna go see a few ponies. C’mon, get in. I’ll show you how a mare drives.”
  2106. >You get up and walk to her carriage.
  2107. >She smugly walks over, pokes a key into the door and opens it.
  2108. >They open just like your doors.
  2109. >”Sir.”
  2110. >She signals you with one arm. Hoof?
  2111. “Thanks.”
  2112. >You take a seat in the carriage, the seats are a bit too small for you, and the ceiling too low.
  2113. >This thing is tiny, there’s no real dash though so you don’t have your knees pressed against much.
  2114. >Though that does mean your legs are the crumple zone.
  2115. >You can see it’s more carriage than car.
  2116. >The front seat is arranged like normal with a tranny tunnel and a step rising from the center.
  2117. >On it is a shifter looking thing, but not an H patter. More like a linear pattern with lock positions. An E pattern with one down.
  2118. >The steering wheel is like a 60s car, except it’s made of wood.
  2119. >You’ve seen early cars this thing has a lot in common with.
  2120. >The cabin is fully closed though, hard top.
  2121. >You sit in the cramped cabin, it’s hard to see out. The windshield has good visibility, but all around is blind.
  2122. >The door is solid with a small window too short for you
  2123. >The rear has no door windows but it does have a curved bench seat.
  2124. >And the rear window is a small square panel that’s obviously made for a shorter animal.
  2125. >Wheel gets in the door and climbs in.
  2126. >”Sorry to keep you waiting, Lets get going sweetie.”
  2127. >You don’t see what she does, but her car makes a low whine.
  2128. >She moves the stick towards her and pushes it down.
  2129. >The car thumps out of the already open garage door.
  2130. >”Excuse me darling.”
  2131. >She gets out of the car, you notice she didn’t put the car into park or anything.
  2132. >Maybe it doesn’t have a park or brake.
  2133. >The garage shutter comes down slowly, and she puts a lock on at the base.
  2134. >She runs back to the car.
  2135. “Alright, now let’s get going.”
  2136. >The car makes that same whine as before, as she backs out a bit further.
  2137. “I gotta say wheel, these wheels did not take bigger people into account.”
  2138. >She puts the car into up and left, and joins traffic.
  2139. >”Sorry darling, this is my daily ride. Don’t worry, you’ll get to meet ‘The Beast’.”
  2140. “I just hope it has more leg room.”
  2141. >She chuckles, as you struggle to keep your legs from breaking anything.
  2142. >”Pull that bar, it lets the seat move back.”
  2143. >You pull the bar, and sure enough the seat slides back.
  2144. >You slide it farther and farther to give your feet some comfort until you hear a thud and the seat falls lower.
  2145. “Did I break it?”
  2146. >Wheel looks over laughing.
  2147. >”Don’t worry about it. It just fell off the adjusting rack, won’t go farther than that.”
  2148. “Damn, I was just starting to get comfortable.”
  2149. >She giggles to herself, and struggles to keep concentration on the road as she looks at your awkward form.
  2150. >”How much space do you need anyway?”
  2151. “What can I say? I’m a big boy.”
  2152. >”I know.”
  2153. >She continues driving, but you catch her gaze every so often.
  2154. >Oh well.
  2155. >You two are gonna go mix in the streets.
  2156. >and make it.
  2157. >”A hospital?”
  2158. >Your new friend asks.
  2159. >Not colt friend.
  2160. >Just friend, who happens to be a colt.
  2161. >With benefits.
  2162. >Racers don’t need coltfriends.
  2163. “Yup, I gotta see my number 2 driver.”
  2164. >”She have a name?”
  2165. >You pull into the parking lot, and put your carriage in a spot.
  2166. “Err. Yea, but she’s a little touchy on it.”
  2167. >”Alright, lets go.”
  2168. >You hop out and circle your carriage.
  2169. >He’s already out, stretching.
  2170. >Damn he looks good.
  2171. >’Stop this’
  2172. >You internally scold yourself and return to what you where doing.
  2173. “Cmon Anon,
  2174. >The two of you walk into the hospital, getting your fair share of weird looks.
  2175. >Although, it’s Anon who’s really getting the looks.
  2176. >Damn mares better not be eyeing him up.
  2177. >Anon opens the door.
  2178. “Thanks.”
  2179. >You try not to think of it too much, but It’s like he’s teasing you.
  2180. >At least no one else knows about him; it can stay between the two of you.
  2181. >”Hello wheel.”
  2182. >You wave and say your hello, as you walk to the stairwell.
  2183. “I went to school with her.”
  2184. >Anon nods.
  2185. >The two of you climb the stairwell, then walk down the hallway to the patient rooms.
  2186. >You knock on an unassuming door.
  2187. >”Come in.”
  2188. >You hear a groggy voice say, and you open the door and enter.
  2189. “Hey sis, how are you doing?”
  2190. >”What’s up wheel? Took your sweet time getting to me huh?”
  2191. >She doesn’t look mad, but you feel bad.
  2192. “It’s not like that mare, just sorry…”
  2193. >”I’m just bucking with you mare. Who’s that?”
  2194. “This is Anon, she doesn’t talk much, but she’s my number 5.”
  2195. >”Nice to meet you, lets see how long you last against me.”
  2196. >She puts a bandaged hoof out, and Anon walks over and curtly accepts it.
  2197. “When do you get out?”
  2198. >”Buckin soon I hope, I’m bored out of my mind.”
  2199. “I hear you. You get a note about a little thing going on tomorrow?”
  2200. >”Princess Luna’s safety thing? Yea what about it.”
  2201. “You going?”
  2202. >”Maybe, you?”
  2203. “I think I sorta have to.”
  2204. >”Right...”
  2205. >You eye Anon standing in the corner looking out the window.
  2206. >Damn that colt, he does things to your heart.
  2207. >”Miss Scootaloo?”
  2208. >A nurse pokes his head into the room.
  2209. >You hear a low chuckle from Anon.
  2210. >”Ugh. Yea what?”
  2211. >”The doctor would like to examine you soon. Your guests will have to leave.”
  2212. “Yea that’s fine, we’re getting out anyway.”
  2213. >The nurse shuts the door behind her.
  2214. >And the three of you return to silence.
  2215. >”For the record, only my friends can say my name.”
  2216. >She speaks to Anon, who smirks and puts his hands up in surrender.
  2217. “Well Scoots.”
  2218. >She groans.
  2219. “We should go.”
  2220. >”Yea, yea. Hey if I get out today, you mind picking me up?”
  2221. “Of course mare.”
  2222. >”Thanks.”
  2223. >The two of you turn to leave, Anon exits first.
  2224. >You look back at your number 2 racer.
  2225. “Take care, Scoots.”
  2226. >She gives you a smile.
  2227. >”Don’t get too sappy, I’ll see you later.”
  2228. ---
  2229. >You two leave the hospital
  2230. >Anon walks ahead of you, and gets to the cartridge first.
  2231. >”Where to next, boss?”
  2232. “Just a couple other mares we gotta see, then we’ll get some lunch.”
  2233. >You start the car, and pull out of the parking lot.
  2234. >The mid afternoon sun makes the inside toasty, but this cheap thing doesn’t have windows that open.
  2235. >”Fucking hell wheel. Pop a window, eh?”
  2236. “Sorry babe, all we have are these vents.”
  2237. >He reaches over to a vent to open the metal slider.
  2238. >”Shit! Fucker hotter than a 2-dollar pistol.”
  2239. “You ok?!”
  2240. >”Yea. Shit’s just hot.”
  2241. >Your heart settles down, and you start on the next leg of your journey.
  2242. >The cabin does cool down as you drive, and air rushes in.
  2243. >It’s been a while since you’ve gotten to just drive.
  2244. >It’s a nice feeling.
  2245. >”So if you don’t mind me asking, how did she end up in the hospital.”
  2246. >Damn.
  2247. >You where hoping he wouldn’t bring that up.
  2248. >He should know.
  2249. >After all it was your fault, but it hurts.
  2250. “Yea… She got into a crash on the track.”
  2251. >”Yea I guessed as much.”
  2252. >That’s it?
  2253. >He’s not gonna ask you more?
  2254. >Damn this colt.
  2255. ”You’re not gonna ask about the accident?”
  2256. >”No?
  2257. >He looks over confused.
  2258. >”You feeling alright, Wheel?”
  2259. “Yea. Yea fine.”
  2260. >You drive down a dirt road.
  2261. >and stop just short of a big fence gate with ‘sweet apple acres’ over it.
  2262. “I’ll tell you more lemme just talk to this mare.”
  2263. >You quickly get out of the car, gotta be quick.
  2264. >That big brother of her doesn’t like you hanging around.
  2265. >Bucking stallion.
  2266. “Hey Apple.”
  2267. >”Howdy Wheel!”
  2268. >She opens the gate for you, and you enter and close it behind you.
  2269. “Nothing much. Did you get a letter from princess Luna?”
  2270. >”Ah don’t think so, no.”
  2271. “Really? I’d think you’d get one seeing as the princess-“
  2272. >”Well howdy Wheel.”
  2273. “Afternoon, Applejack.”
  2274. >”ah heard you kids talking about the gatherin tomorrow.”
  2275. >The mare pulls out the letter from her hat.
  2276. “Yup, you know about it?”
  2277. >”Know about it? Hah, Ah know the whole story.”
  2278. >”Ahm ah the only pony here with no idea what’s going on?”
  2279. >The yellow pony pipes up annoyed.
  2280. “Sorry Applebloom. Princess Luna sent out an invite for all ‘racers’ for a safety meeting at the fairground.”
  2281. >”Why’s that? Somethin happen?”
  2282. “I dunno, I came by to ask you.”
  2283. >”Well lucky for yall, ah know.”
  2284. >You hear your car door open, and Anon gets out.
  2285. >”You!”
  2286. >Applejack calls out to anon.
  2287. >Anon walks over to the fence.
  2288. “You know Anon?”
  2289. >”Well ah didn know his name, but ah sent him down your way for a busted wheel in his cartridge.”
  2290. >”Well hello again. Sorry Wheel I couldn’t stay in that fuckin oven anymore.”
  2291. >”Well ah’ll be. I’ll call ‘Mac out, he’ll bring out some good Apple family apple juice!”
  2292. >The mare proclaims proudly.
  2293. >Uh no, Big Mac already told you off once, you hope he doesn’t mind you now.
  2294. >”Oh thank you, but I don’t think we have the time.”
  2295. >”Nonsense! ‘Mac could keep ya company while us mares talk. Ahpplebloom, let Ahnon in.”
  2296. >Both you and Anon open your mouth, but it’s too late
  2297. >”Big Mac! We have visitors.”
  2298. >The mare walks off towards the house.
  2299. >”Well shit, wheel. Ah’ll get ah few chairs.”
  2300. >Applebloom heads off for the barn
  2301. >Anon looks to you and shrugs.
  2302. “Well I guess we’re stuck here.”
  2303. >”Yup. Anyone watching?”
  2304. “What? No?”
  2305. >The bucking colt jumps and sails smoothly over the fence gate.
  2306. >This crazy bucker is gonna be the end of you.
  2307. >”That felt good.”
  2308. “Sun, stars and moon, Anon.”
  2309. >You shake your head, but can’t help but laugh.
  2310. >”Lets go, I’m thirsty.”
  2311. ---
  2312. >The three of you sit around a barrel, cider mugs in hoof.
  2313. >”So lemme get this straight. Princess Luna lost to some red carriage and now she tryna find who beat her?”
  2314. >”Well it ain’t nothin official. But yer cousin Caramel saw with his own two eyes.”
  2315. “Any idea on who the red carriage was?”
  2316. >”Caramel say the thing was so fast, all they saw was a red flash and a white stripe.”
  2317. >Damn, that’s Anons carridge.
  2318. >He’s got 2 white stripes down the side of his car.
  2319. >Dunno what they’re for, but they look good.
  2320. >”Ah don’t believe ah word of this. Princess Luna ain’t ever lost to nopony. An’ nopony has a carridge that fast but Princess Luna ‘erself.”
  2321. “Yea, that sounds a bit iffy. Sure nopony brought some special cider out that night?”
  2322. >”Yall kids are still young. Weird things happen, ah know for fact.”
  2323. >Darn mare calling you kid, she’s not even that old…
  2324. >But she does have a point, she was a racer back when Dash was still racing.
  2325. >Damn it Spoked, if you hadn’t fainted you would have the best seat in the house to watch Anon win.
  2326. ”So how would she know if she’s found the mare anyway?”
  2327. >”Ah dunno. She’s a bit weird though, ah’ve been told she can tell what kind of racer ya are just by lookin at you.”
  2328. >You gulp, and drink some cider.
  2329. >”You know somethin Spoke?”
  2330. “N-no-“
  2331. >*COUGH*
  2332. >You cough the cider you just inhaled,
  2333. >Damn it Applebloom.
  2334. >You clear your throat and open your mouth.
  2335. >”So what is it partner? Don’ worry, nothin leaves this table.”
  2336. >You mull it over in your head.
  2337. >Would they even believe it?
  2338. “I think I know who the red carriage was.”
  2339. >The two close in on you, wide eyed.
  2340. >Even the older mare can’t help but be curious.
  2341. “I think it was Anon.”
  2342. >…
  2343. >…
  2344. >”HAHAHAHAHAHA!”
  2345. >The two mares start laughing, with Applejack taking the lead.
  2346. >”Woohy. That’s a good one, Spoke.”
  2347. “I’m not kidding.”
  2348. >You protest.
  2349. >”Really Spoke? A colt beatin Princess Luna? Are ya feelin alright? Ya need another cider?”
  2350. “He’s not your average colt, he’s from some place called ‘Ronto where all the racers are stallions.”
  2351. >”Uh huh?”
  2352. >Well everyone knows Applejack is a stubborn one.
  2353. >”Ah dunno Applejack, what about Rumble, he’s a colt.”
  2354. >”Yea but that ones got bigger teets than some mares. He don’ count. An ah think he likes stallions.”
  2355. >”Ah don’t think that’s true sis.”
  2356. >”That’s cos ya think he’s cute.”
  2357. >”That ain’t it! Sides, he’s with some filly from Las Pegasus.”
  2358. “Mares, I’m serious! I was in the car with Anon.”
  2359. >That gets the mares attention.
  2360. >”Hold up sugarcube, why’dnt ya say that before?”
  2361. >”Yea! Ya had the best seat.”
  2362. >”So wha’d ya see?!”
  2363. >They both lean in closer.
  2364. “W-well I remember him getting cut off by a red carridge, a SR20 I think.”
  2365. >”Tha’d be the car yer cousin was ridin.”
  2366. “Yea! Well they cut Anon off, and Anon wasn’t having it, so he followed.”
  2367. >”Now that ya mention it, Caramel does remember the driver runnin a stop and passing a big carriage.”
  2368. “That’s gotta be us!”
  2369. >”Ah still don’t belive it. What happen after Anon passed Caramel?”
  2370. “W-well, I don’t know…”
  2371. >”Whad’ya mean ya don’t know!?”
  2372. >Applebloom exclaims disappointed.
  2373. >Damn it spoke.
  2374. >Your big mouths done it again, now what are ya gonna do?
  2375. >You can’t just tell em what happened…
  2376. >Can you?
  2377. “W-well i… Uh…”
  2378. >”Cmon Wheel! Spit it out!”
  2379. “I *mumble* passed *mumble* out.”
  2380. >”Ya what out? Speak up mare!”
  2381. >Applebloom is positively jumping.
  2382. “I passed out.”
  2383. >You say quietly, but they hear.
  2384. >Applebloom stops mid bounce.
  2385. >The sisters look at you, and you shrink a little.
  2386. >Then they look at each other.
  2387. >..
  2388. >..
  2389. >”PFFFT HAHAHAHAHA!”
  2390. >The two burst out laughing.
  2391. >Applebloom rolls on the ground struggling to breath, while Applejack has faceplanted on the barrel and sounds like she’s crying.
  2392. “I-I’m serious!”
  2393. >You try to protest but the two just burst into another laughing fit.
  2394. >Good going Wheel.
  2395. >You embarrassed yourself.
  2396. “You’ll see! He won the 20 wings!”
  2397. >They immedaitly stop laughing and pay attention.
  2398. >”Wait what?”
  2399. “Yea, 2 days back at Speed. He beat the record!”
  2400. >”Ah thinks ya need to go home and rest, sugarcube.”
  2401. >”Yea Spoke, that ain’t funny. Thos’r some serious ponies, ya know that.”
  2402. “I’m not kidding! It reall ha-“
  2403. >”Hey Wheel, I think it’s time we head out, eh?”
  2404. >You see Anon walking quickly out of the house.
  2405. >Big Mac is prancing behind him.
  2406. >Bucking stallion and his bucking thighs.
  2407. >”Well that was wonderful. Good time was had by all ‘Mac, I’m pooped.”
  2408. >Anon exaggerates his movement, you’re not entirely sure what he’s trying to do.
  2409. >”Eeyup~.”
  2410. >The red stallion’s weird, but no more than usual.
  2411. “Yea, I guess we should get going.”
  2412. >At that, Anon makes a funny beeline to your car, while smiling.
  2413. >”Yer welcome any time sugarcube, yer a good laugh.”
  2414. >You’re not sure if that’s a good thing.
  2415. “Yea… Thanks.”
  2416. >”Oh, an. Tell me how that meet goes.”
  2417. “You’re not going?”
  2418. >”Cider season starts soon. Sides, ah don’t even drive.”
  2419. >You say your goodbyes, and get back to the car.
  2420. >Anon grins a toothy uncomfortable grin.
  2421. >You begin turning the car around.
  2422. >”Drive faster man.”
  2423. >Anon whispers worryingly to you.
  2424. >You pick up the pace.
  2425. “What? What happened?”
  2426. >”Nothing don’t worry, hurry.”
  2427. “Did you break something? Did you do something illegal?!”
  2428. >”No no! Just don’t worry about it.”
  2429. >You quickly leave the country road.
  2430. >You’re not sure what’s going on, but as mom said.
  2431. >’The Inner Machinations of a colt’s mind are an enigma’
  2432. ---
  2433. >You can see the hospital now.
  2434. >Granted it’s hard to miss, being the tallest building in ponyville.
  2435. >EX tallest.
  2436. “So how’d you like that ‘Mac anyway? Make a new friend?”
  2437. >You try to make small talk, and maybe find out Anons weird behaviour.
  2438. >”He’s like a brick wall that evolved just enough to speak words.”
  2439. >You burst out giggling at his marely bluntness.
  2440. >”Beyond that, I have a very large storage for repressed memories.”
  2441. >You laugh at his nonsensical comment.
  2442. “So I take you didn’t get along?”
  2443. >”He’s aight, solid 7 out of 10”
  2444. >You laugh at his sudden change in tone.
  2445. “Whatever dude. Hospital.”
  2446. >The two of you go through the motions and enter the hospital.
  2447. >Scootaloo is waiting in the lobby for you.
  2448. >Her hospital gown is off, but a lot of her is mummified in bandages.
  2449. >”Hey Wheel!”
  2450. “Glad to see you up an’ about!”
  2451. >She looks happy to see you.
  2452. >She’s probably just happy to get to walk around.
  2453. “Sorry to keep you waiting dude.”
  2454. >”Nah, I told the nurse to take my room. Mare being on all fours feels great.”
  2455. “Well then, lets get going.”
  2456. >”Yea mare. Mind if I drive?”
  2457. >She’s itching to get back behind the wheel.
  2458. >But it’s probably not a good idea to let her drive right now.
  2459. “I think you need to chill.”
  2460. >”Yea, damn you’re right.”
  2461. >She bounces all down the hospital steps, and into the lot.
  2462. >”I’m just so pumped. You feel me?!”
  2463. >She uses her half bandaged wings to point to Anon, who promptly returns the point with his hands with a snap noise.
  2464. >”My filly!”
  2465. >The two hoof bump, and get into your car.
  2466. >You get in hot on their tail.
  2467. “Where to Scoots? Wanna get a bite to eat or something?”
  2468. >”Nah, drop me home. A cute number and his dad moved next door, and I wanna cash in on these bandages. You feel me Anon?”
  2469. >Anon reaches back, with a balled hand and Scoots gives him a hoof.
  2470. >”Hooah!”
  2471. >You start on your journey, driving out of the lot and join the traffic.
  2472. >”I tell you Wheel, me and Anon. We’re gonna get along just fine.”
  2473. “Yea, she sure is something else.”
  2474. >You eye Anon, who rolls his eyes and smiles at you.
  2475. >This bucking colt.
  2476. >The trip is a haze of idle driving, and Scoots retelling old stories to Anon.
  2477. >This darn colt.
  2478. >You just love him more and more.
  2479. >In a friendly way.
  2480. >Racers don’t need coltfriends.
  2481. >”Hey stop here Wheel. I’ll walk the rest. Right in front of that cute little number.”
  2482. >You stop the car at the side of the road, and scoots opens the door.
  2483. “You want me to pick you up tomorrow?”
  2484. >”That’d be real cool, thanks Wheel.”
  2485. >She almost out the car, but she turns her head around:
  2486. >”Oh yea ‘Non. You’re a cool dude, mare. Call me Scoots.”
  2487. >Damn, you didn’t realise they’d bonded so well.
  2488. >A final hoof bump between you 3, and Scoots is on the road.
  2489. >You begin your drive home.
  2490. >”What a fuckin guy, eh?”
  2491. >Anon looks at you.
  2492. “Yea, she’s something else. Crazy good driver though. She’s been driving from a real young age. Granted you didn’t need a cert back then.”
  2493. >Anon falls quiet, and leans back in his seat, eyes closed.
  2494. >*Honk*
  2495. >You get startled
  2496. >Darn colt distracted you.
  2497. >You wave an apology to an annoyed looking mare who smiles back at you.
  2498. >Anon doesn’t question it, though he might be asleep.
  2499. >You smile and force yourself to look away.
  2500. >You both have a weird day tomorrow.
  2501. >Hopefully all goes well.
  2502. >Either way, if he needs a little lovin,
  2503. >He’ll have you runnin, and you know you’ll be around.
  2504. >You recline in a chair too small for you.
  2505. >You look at your phone, no Wi-Fi, no service. Even your stored maps don’t work.
  2506. >And the damn thing is running out of battery.
  2507. >You eye your sleeping manager.
  2508. >Maybe you shouldn’t call her that.
  2509. >She steadily breathes wrapped up in a blanket on a messy bed.
  2510. >You want to pick her up and hold her.
  2511. >Damn cute ponies.
  2512. >The sun rose a few minutes ago. Weird, you don’t remember sun rise.
  2513. >It just sorta turned on.
  2514. >Oh well, you’re hungry.
  2515. >You decide to scavenge the makeshift kitchen for anything edible, and get out of your chair.
  2516. >Wheel stirs as you step on the creakiest floorboards known to man.
  2517. >Or pony.
  2518. >Thankfully she’s a heavy sleeper.
  2519. >You use the bathroom and begin walking down the stairs.
  2520. >You walk straight to the fridge.
  2521. >Well you say fridge, it’s more like a shelf with some foods, and it’s a little cooler inside.
  2522. >Whatever you call it, other than a few drinks and scraps, it’s empty.
  2523. >You go to the cupboards, and luckily there’s a box of ‘applecrunch’
  2524. >You quickly get to work, there’s no milk, but you’re not afraid of dry cereal.
  2525. >After assembling your college cuisine, you go to take a seat on the shop couch.
  2526. >Only to find Scoots sleeping on it.
  2527. >Well shit, you go to the shop table and take a seat.
  2528. >You eat your food, and read some notes left on the table
  2529. >Nothing important just a list of parts.
  2530. >”That shit is real crunchy my mare.”
  2531. >Looks like you woke up Scoots.
  2532. >You open your mouth to respond but remember not to.
  2533. >”Right, you don’t talk.”
  2534. >She almost sounds let down.
  2535. >Poor little pony.
  2536. >Or maybe you’re just saying that because she’s smaller than spoked, and looks adorable.
  2537. >Either way, you finish your meal and round the table to clean the bowl.
  2538. >No need to scrub it, just a rinse will do.
  2539. >You suddenly feel a weight on your back, and blue wings wrap around you.
  2540. >”Morning babe.”
  2541. >She rubs her soft cheek against yours, covering your neck in her messy hair.
  2542. >You can’t help but smile.
  2543. >Until you realize Scoots wide eyed and staring in disbelief and confusion.
  2544. >You don’t say a word but push her cheek with yours.
  2545. >She takes the hint and looks ahead.
  2546. >It takes her a second to realize but she sees the orange pony staring, and you hear a gulp.
  2547. >”Scoots! When’d you come over?”
  2548. >The orange pony shakes her head and snaps out of her own disbelief.
  2549. >”Wow Wheel. I didn’t know you swung that way.”
  2550. >”No I don’t! It’s not-!”
  2551. >She drops off your shoulder, and rounds the table to speak directly.
  2552. >”Hey mare it’s cool. Don’t worry I won’t tell nopony.”
  2553. >You almost laugh at the mare stammer.
  2554. >’How you gonna get out of this one wheel?’
  2555. >”Hey it’s cool, dude. We’re still cool, and-“
  2556. >”I’m not a filly fooler!”
  2557. >”Hey c’mon mare. Yknow we just joked around right, it’s cool if you like-“
  2558. >You finally giggle.
  2559. >”No! I’m not-“
  2560. >”Hey mare relax, I know it gets lonely in the shop.”
  2561. >Wheels pleading eyes look at you, and you can’t turn her away.
  2562. “Alright I’ll save you.”
  2563. >You speak up in a half laughing dull tone, and both of the mares look up.
  2564. >”Anon?! You’re a colt?”
  2565. “Yup.”
  2566. >”See! I’m not a filly fooler.”
  2567. >Wheel proudly proclaims.
  2568. >She then grabs Scoots.
  2569. >”But you can’t tell ANYPONY!”
  2570. >”Dude… Yo! Princess Luna! This dream is bucked up; can I get another one?”
  2571. >Her yell echoes in the shop, but the person it was intended for clearly doesn’t hear.
  2572. >”This isn’t a dream.”
  2573. >”Damn, daughter.”
  2574. “You guys want cereal? It’s some good shit.”
  2575. >You hold up the box of Applecrunch and a couple bowls.
  2576. >The two look at each other, and then casually walk to you.
  2577. ---
  2578. >”Mare. Maybe I shouldn’t have left that hospital.”
  2579. >”I told you everything Scoots.”
  2580. >The three of you sit around the table, and the two ponies eat.
  2581. >”So, Anon. You’re cool with this whole thing?”
  2582. “Yea.”
  2583. >You answer bluntly, and shrug.
  2584. >”Damn.”
  2585. >She eats the rest of her cereal and thinks for a second.
  2586. >“You’re a cool colt, Anon. You and me, we’re still cool.”
  2587. >She puts a hoof out, and you bump it.
  2588. >Wheel gets up to clean the bowls.
  2589. >Scoots calls after her jokingly.
  2590. >”Wheel, what was that cringy stuff? ‘Goodmorning babe’ really? I thought you had more game than that mare.”
  2591. >You see Wheels nose scrunch and she goes red in the face.
  2592. “Yea I don’t know either. We banged like once.”
  2593. >Scoots bursts out laughing, and Wheel face turns redder than you thought possible.
  2594. >She looks at you ashamed, and adorable.
  2595. >You can’t help but smile at her.
  2596. “We gotta go to that thing today.”
  2597. >At least you can talk like normal. Not being able to say a word is annoying.
  2598. >”What thing?”
  2599. “Yknow the one with the princess something or other, and cars.”
  2600. >”Sister, what?”
  2601. “The safety thing.”
  2602. >”Oh yea! Damn Anon, this morning’s a buckin trip.”
  2603. >”Wait what time is it?”
  2604. >Wheel pipes up after her period of silence.
  2605. >”Quarter to 11 dude.”
  2606. >”We’re late.”
  2607. >Wheel exclaims and picks up the pace.
  2608. >She scrambles to gather things you don’t know the significance of.
  2609. >”Lets go!”
  2610. “Wait let me get something.”
  2611. >You unlock your car, and run your hand over her smooth hood.
  2612. >You retrieve a little speaker and your mp3 player.
  2613. >Never know when this will come in handy.
  2614. >the two of you follow her into the car, and you hit the road.
  2615. ---
  2616. >The journey lasts a good 20 minutes, despite wheels driving.
  2617. >You can see she’s a good driver, for pony cars anyway.
  2618. >You guys pull into a dirt parking lot with other carriages lined up like at the track.
  2619. >The three of you exit your ride and wheel takes the lead through the lot.
  2620. >You spot a pink and gold carriage you recognize.
  2621. >Nudging Scoots you whisper:
  2622. “What if I run into someone who knows me?”
  2623. >”Darn I dunno dude. I’ll warn you?”
  2624. >She whispers back.
  2625. >That works you think.
  2626. >She has no idea who knows you, but it’s better than nothing.
  2627. >You pat her back as you approach a purple unicorn sitting at a desk with a bored looking little lizard.
  2628. >Wait she has wings too. So she’s an alicorn? Maybe.
  2629. >”Hey, Spoked. Wheel.”
  2630. >”Hello Wheel. Hello Scootaloo, I didn’t think I’d see you here. How are you feeling?”
  2631. >”Hey Twilight. Yea we got princess Luna’s letter. I’m fine…”
  2632. >You tune out the chatter and look around the place.
  2633. >It’s a big field, with a simple stage in the center.
  2634. >Signs are scattered around the place directing everyone to the stage.
  2635. >On stage there’s a group of ponies playing some sort of mix of orchestra and synth.
  2636. >It sounds alright.
  2637. >”Hey Anon?”
  2638. >You look down to Wheel.
  2639. >”Hello Anon.”
  2640. >The purple pony looks up at you.
  2641. >”Please go with my assistant Spike, and fill in this paperwork.”
  2642. >Wheel looks at you nervously.
  2643. >”Your friends will meet you at your seat.”
  2644. >”Can we wait fo-“
  2645. >”Sorry Wheel, we must keep ponies flowing.”
  2646. >Wheel rolls her eyes, and the little purple lizard takes you to a secluded table.
  2647. >”You better not say anything, and I don’t appreciate unwelcome comments.”
  2648. >The little lizard comments in a young male voice.
  2649. >he brings out a few sheets of paper.
  2650. “What?”
  2651. >You bluntly respond, and the lizard looks up suddenly.
  2652. >”Oh I didn’t know you where a guy. Finally, never enough guys at these meets.”
  2653. >He cheerfully puts a hand out.
  2654. >”I’m Spike!”
  2655. “Anon.”
  2656. >”So do you race or?”
  2657. >He asks you and trails off unsure.
  2658. “Yup. How about you 'bud?”
  2659. >He seems happy with your response.
  2660. >”Nah, Twilight won’t let me. Besides I don’t have the money for a carriage.”
  2661. >He sounds let down.
  2662. >”Man I wanna buy one of these GE4A!”
  2663. >He excitedly holds up a newspaper clipping of a sleek looking carriage.
  2664. >It looks like a 90s sports car, cool aesthetic but different enough.
  2665. >It doesn’t have popup headlights so points lost.
  2666. >”It’s perfect for me! It has adjustable everything so I can drive it!”
  2667. >He sounds excited, you don’t wanna let him down.
  2668. “That’s a good looker. Maybe I’ll show you my car some time.”
  2669. >”That would be so cool!”
  2670. >He sits back down, and recollects himself.
  2671. >”Sorry I get excited. The mares don’t take me seriously. Anyway let’s get to filling this stuff out.”
  2672. >He pulls up the paper again, and begins robotically asking you questions.
  2673. >”Name?”
  2674. “Anon Y Mous.”
  2675. >The questions are simple stuff; you respond as robotically as he asks.
  2676. >”That’s the last of them. Your seat is 3-F, up close to the stage.”
  2677. “Thanks man. And hey, don’t tell anyone I’m a guy.”
  2678. >You feel like you gotta throw that in there.
  2679. >”Yea dude! Maybe I’ll catch you out there!”
  2680. >He snaps his claws at you, it looks dumb but his enthusiasm is adorable so you snap back.
  2681. >You walk to the benches, and find your seat.
  2682. >Wheel looks relieved to see you.
  2683. >”Anon!”
  2684. >She calls and waves.
  2685. >You take a seat next to her. The bench is uncomfortably low.
  2686. >Wheel is about to say something, when suddenly:
  2687. >”RACERS OF EQUESTRIA! PUT YOUR HOOVES TOGETHER FOR OUR PRINCESS LUNA.”
  2688. >The announcer calls out, and a blue pony twice as tall as the others walks out from behind the curtains.
  2689. >You notice ponies with gold helmets and spears on either side of the stage
  2690. >Obviously guards, but not many.
  2691. >Ponies clap and cheer at her arrival
  2692. >Or maybe clop.
  2693. >You feel something prod your back.
  2694. >”Hey mare, I can’t see anything.”
  2695. >A pony behind you complains.
  2696. >You slide forward, and off the bench, sitting on the ground.
  2697. >The soft grass is frankly much more comfortable.
  2698. >”Damn mare, you’re a real dude.”
  2699. >Princess Luna begins her speech, which you immediately tune out.
  2700. >You look around; the ponies are paying their utmost attention to the stage.
  2701. >You mentally play some music.
  2702. >Moving your head to a rhythm only in your head, you ignore all of what the pony is saying.
  2703. >You feel a gaze, and notice the Princess on the stage is looking right at you.
  2704. >Snapping out of riders on the storm, you meet her gaze.
  2705. >She stops her speech for a second and takes a breath before looking away and continuing.
  2706. >She carries on with her speech about practicing in safe locations.
  2707. >You notice her eyes dart to you often.
  2708. >Opting to ignore her once more, you go back to playing music in your head.
  2709. >Wheel can tell you what she said later.
  2710. >Once again bobbing your head to a non-existent guitar.
  2711. >Running in the night makes you lose time, until a hoof gently hits your side.
  2712. >”Anon.”
  2713. >You turn your head at Wheels loud whisper, and her worried eyes direct you to the Princess looking right at you.
  2714. >”Hello Racer. Yes, ye tall one. Please stand up.”
  2715. >You do as your told, and you meet her gaze.
  2716. >She offers you a smile you do not return.
  2717. >”What name do you go by?”
  2718. >She asks you in a loud but gentle voice.
  2719. >She sounds very young, college aged even. Not the princess voice you where expecting.
  2720. >You do not answer her.
  2721. >Some time passes, and Scoots speaks up.
  2722. >”She’s Anon, Princess!”
  2723. >”Scootaloo! We did not see you there, hello!”
  2724. >Scoots groans.
  2725. >The princess focuses her attention at you again.
  2726. >”Well hello, Anon.”
  2727. >You nod.
  2728. >”We understand. You may answer us in nods.”
  2729. >Young or not, she sounds confident.
  2730. >”We believe you a mare who wishes not to waste time, so we will not hold you or anypony much longer.”
  2731. >You don’t answer, she continues.
  2732. >”You will race me to help demonstrate proper vehicle handling. Is that OK?”
  2733. >”Princess she’s no-“
  2734. >”Silence please, Scootaloo. Allow her to answer.”
  2735. >You don’t like her attitude.
  2736. >Not further thinking, you nod and her eyes light up.
  2737. >”Excellent! Do not fret, this is not about winning or losing, simply about learning.”
  2738. >She talks a little more about the importance of learning from those better than them, eyeing you during the whole process.
  2739. >”You may be seated now. The ground works too.”
  2740. >You hear the ponies giggle as you return to the ground
  2741. >You’re gonna beat her.
  2742. ---
  2743. >”Why didn’t you just say no dude?!”
  2744. >”You don’t even know how to drive a carriage!”
  2745. >Scoots and Wheel circle you, worrying for you.
  2746. >You take a sip from your punch cup, looking at the ponies mingle in the field.
  2747. >Some taking cover from the light drizzle that started.
  2748. >Ignoring your panicking pony friends, you lean back on the bench that is surprisingly perfect for your height.
  2749. >”What if we got out of here? Like we escaped?”
  2750. >”Yea! We’ll just drive off!”
  2751. “Guys. I’m gonna race her.”
  2752. >You look down at the ponies, who are shocked by your response.
  2753. >Wheel opens her mouth,
  2754. >”Hey Anon, I gotta lead you to your car and the track.”
  2755. >Spike interrupts your manager.
  2756. >You get up, and follow the lizard, who tries to make conversation with you.
  2757. >Wheel and Scoots walk close to you, not saying a word.
  2758. >Spike leads you to a dirt track with a car parked next to it.
  2759. >”Whoa! An Ascension! I thought it was just a concept!”
  2760. >The little guy rushes excitedly to the car, and you follow him.
  2761. >It’s a big carriage compared to everything else you’ve seen.
  2762. >Smaller than your car, but it’s about as long as a NA Miata.
  2763. >Skinnier though, everything looks lightweight.
  2764. >Which is impressive considering the comparison.
  2765. >It’s jet black, the rain water sticking to it is picturesque.
  2766. >The front is long and sleek with no protrusions what so ever, not even a lamp like you’ve seen on other carriages.
  2767. >The front rises up to a flat angled windshield, and the roofline is never horizontal.
  2768. >The rear is a very angled fast back.
  2769. >The front is a smoothed wedge, with a protruding flat lip.
  2770. >It looks like an 80s XJS with it’s huge hood and small cabin proportions.
  2771. >Except this is a 2 seater so an even shorter cabin, you can’t help but admire.
  2772. >It looks good.
  2773. >That long hood, you don’t know what’s under it, and you know there isn’t. But your hoping for an LS.
  2774. >The tires however are very skinny.
  2775. >Thicker than some of the cars you’ve seen, but they’re like train wheels.
  2776. >They are metal framed however; unlike the other cars you’ve seen.
  2777. >”Like it?”
  2778. >Princess Luna almost startles you.
  2779. >You look to her, and nod.
  2780. >”A fine feat of workmanship and engineering. One of two we will have you know.”
  2781. >She lifts the hood.
  2782. >”We think you can appreciate this.”
  2783. >You’re not sure what it is actually, it looks like a formed brass sheet with 4 humps ending in a bellhousing that attaches to the car.
  2784. >The long hood is not entirely justified.
  2785. >”A novel rotary condenser, a driver no longer must strain her magic, and it features no delay as traditional condensers are plagued.”
  2786. >You don’t know what she’s talking about, but the inside does look good.
  2787. >Although there’s a few hoses and vacuum lines too few for your tastes.
  2788. >”We put 4 of the condensers in here. It is the most powerful magic-less vehicle yet!”
  2789. >She sounds proud, she looks at you for a reaction, which you don’t give her.
  2790. >She looks away, seemingly disappointed.
  2791. >You get on your knees and look under the car.
  2792. >It’s fairly Spartan save for a brass prop shaft going to the rear.
  2793. >”A novel concept! Tube of brass driving rather the usual chain!”
  2794. >She once again sounds excited, the other ponies and spike listen and observe in awe.
  2795. >You follow the shaft to the rear.
  2796. >Leaf sprung solid live axle.
  2797. >The shaft and axle with a small covered housing, looks like just a bevel gear set, no diff.
  2798. >The front is individually mounted wheels on swinging arms with a simple rack and pinion steering.
  2799. >You’re dying to ask about the lack of shocks or dampers.
  2800. >Your disappointment must show; the princess looks away unsure.
  2801. >”We will begin soon, please familiarize yourself with the vehicle.”
  2802. >You nod, and take open the door.
  2803. >The princess walks away to a crowd of ponies.
  2804. >Darn.
  2805. >This thing is small…
  2806. ---
  2807. >Your time familiarizing flew by too fast
  2808. >Wheel and Scoots gave you a crash course on driving carriages
  2809. >Thankfully this thing is pretty close to your car, according to what they said about cars anyway.
  2810. >Standard accelerator on the right and brake on the left.
  2811. >The tricky part is the transmission.
  2812. >The stick lets you select the gear, and a lever on the shifter engages it.
  2813. >It’s like a preselector.
  2814. >The third pedal where the clutch would be, is a small rarely used neutral pedal, used ‘pretty much just to start’.
  2815. >Other than that, the car feels good if cramped. The visibility is excellent.
  2816. >The interior is sparse, with not much to do, not even the windows roll down.
  2817. >There are strange carvings in the interior, almost like switches and buttons where replaced with shaped wood.
  2818. >It’s strange and uncomfortable feeling.
  2819. >You look over and see your opponent in an identical looking but differently painted car.
  2820. >Here’s is midnight blue, with decals matching her mane, and her cutie mark on the rear quarter panel.
  2821. >She looks busy with something.
  2822. >Wheel knocks on your window, you open the door and she leans in on 2 hooves.
  2823. >”Listen, Anon. I know you gotta race her, I get it. But don’t try to win.”
  2824. >You give her a questioning stare.
  2825. >”You win, nopony has ever beaten Princess Luna, and we don’t know what will happen if you win.”
  2826. “No pony has beaten her ever?”
  2827. >”No pony. Nopony has even come close.”
  2828. “Well unlucky for her. I’m not a pony.”
  2829. >You answer confidently.
  2830. >Totally out of your ass of course, this isn’t your car, you don’t even know how it drives really.
  2831. >”That’s the thing, I think you can beat her. That’s why I’m asking you not to.”
  2832. “You worried about me?”
  2833. >You tease her.
  2834. >”Yes! Tartarus damn it! I’m worried about you!”
  2835. >You can hear her almost choking up.
  2836. >”I-I-“
  2837. >You kiss her before she can complete her thought.
  2838. >She blushes as you move away.
  2839. “Alright. But I’ll be hot on her heels.”
  2840. >She breaths out in relief, and lays her head on your lap.
  2841. >”The track is slickstone.”
  2842. >Scoots pokes her head.
  2843. >”Stuff is hard to drive on when it gets wet. It’s like ice when it’s wet.”
  2844. >Thankfully, wipers are one of the few features this thing has
  2845. “Thanks scoots.”
  2846. >”No problem mare. Weatherponies tried to have the race called off, but the Princess insisted.”
  2847. >You guess the weatherponies would know about the weather.
  2848. >You thank your two friends, send them on their way and close the door.
  2849. >”How come I don’t get a kiss?”
  2850. >”Shut up.”
  2851. >You buckle a surprisingly robust belt, and turn on your wipers.
  2852. >The wipers squeak but clean the windshield well.
  2853. >Ponies line the track, some fly above.
  2854. >You see Wheel hovering at the edge of the track.
  2855. >Scoots opts to stay on the ground.
  2856. >”RACERS! START YOUR VEHICLES!”
  2857. >You hear your opponent’s car whine to life.
  2858. >You push the aptly labeled ‘start’ button, and you hear a low whine and a sound that doesn’t sound OK.
  2859. >Wheel looks at you worried.
  2860. >You remember the neutral peddle, and try again.
  2861. >The car whines to life.
  2862. >It sounds like a supercharger whining without the exhaust note.
  2863. >It has a slight mechanical rumble to it, probably some gears.
  2864. >You see the face of relief on your manager.
  2865. >Your opponent moves up to the starting line, and you begin to slowly follow.
  2866. >Creeping through rows of cheering ponies to the main track ahead.
  2867. >Reaching into your pocket, you pull out your little speaker and mp3 player.
  2868. >You set the speaker down in a hole on the center console
  2869. >It fits nicely, and scroll through your mp3 player.
  2870. >What’s a race without music?
  2871. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofexj-CXOnI
  2872. >The song starts up slowly
  2873. >The road gradually turns from loose gravel into hard pavement
  2874. >The crunching tires turn to smooth road noise.
  2875. >But you can feel the loss of traction as you leave the gravel.
  2876. >You adjust the volume.
  2877. >Your cars speed up, traveling side by side, both of you shift simultaneously and floor it, as you pass a clear red line.
  2878. >Keeping up with the pony, neither of you can go very fast with the slick road.
  2879. >Both you and your opponent feel nothing but wheel spin if either of you try to accelerate much.
  2880. >You see the first turn showing up, you ease off the accelerator as does your opponent.
  2881. >You’re on the outside, you smoothly enter the turn.
  2882. >You feel your car begin to understeer so you gently ease on until it’s turning.
  2883. >Wheel is flying trying to keep up next to you.
  2884. >Your sloppy turn put you behind the Pony.
  2885. >But not by much.
  2886. >You see the next turn, and you notice your opponent eyeing.
  2887. >You’re on the outside again.
  2888. >The pony slows a little late and you notice her wheels lock for a split second.
  2889. >She skillfully controls her car even after the wheel lock.
  2890. >You ease off the throttle right before the turn, however as you enter you apply a little.
  2891. >Defeating the understeer, you re-remember that solid axle.
  2892. >Your car slightly oversteers and you counter and apply more throttle to prevent spinning out.
  2893. >She’s further ahead now, your hood is barely next to her.
  2894. >Speed is precious; you can’t lose or gain it quickly.
  2895. >Both of you have 4 speeds to play with, yet neither of you can go past 2.
  2896. >The brakes and tires are also not the best.
  2897. >You realize, you need to learn to use this car and fast, as a series of chicanes is coming up.
  2898. >Your opponent continues to eye you.
  2899. >For whatever reason, she seems confused.
  2900. >The first chicane is a few meters away.
  2901. >Suddenly your opponent blocks you and you quickly swerve to avoid hitting her.
  2902. >She’s forced you a little back, but more importantly you’re on the inside of the first turn.
  2903. >You remember what the last two turns taught.
  2904. >Easing into the turn, you apply throttle as soon as you’re in to not understeer, counter steering against the over steer.
  2905. >Your opponent is still ahead of you.
  2906. >She makes a risky play, and blocks you dangerously forcing you to trade positions with her again.
  2907. >You’re on the inside of this chicane as well.
  2908. >Gritting your teeth you speed up into the chicane.
  2909. >Keeping your cool as best you can, you masterfully execute the curve with no loss of speed.
  2910. >She’s still ahead of you.
  2911. >The race and music are pumping your blood.
  2912. >Your opponent continues her dangerous switching games almost colliding with you.
  2913. >She’s forcing you to stay on the inside.
  2914. >Her eyes are on you again; you swear you see a hint of worry in her eyes.
  2915. >But that could just be you trying to feel better.
  2916. >You exit the last chicane hot on her heels.
  2917. >The track straightens out once again.
  2918. >And the two of you gain speed.
  2919. >Unexpectedly the Princess swerves into you and you slow down and swerve to not hit her.
  2920. >She’s just annoying you.
  2921. >She has to be.>There’s no reason for her to want to lose speed too.
  2922. >You decide not to speed up and follow a car distance behind her.
  2923. >She slows down to match you, then she brake checks you.
  2924. >You quickly counter, and end up right next to her.
  2925. >She’s put herself at a disadvantage.
  2926. >Why?
  2927. >Your friend is flying right above your window
  2928. >Wheel’s eyes are dripping with worry, and you remember what she said.
  2929. >The music changes.
  2930. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrhiiQb-4aM
  2931. >You see a wide curve ahead.
  2932. >You slow down.
  2933. >The princess sees this, she swerves into you, almost hitting you, you slow down further.
  2934. >She slows, brake checks you, you dodge her and slowdown.
  2935. >She’s not letting you lose.
  2936. >She wants a fight.
  2937. >You think of Wheel, what would happen if you won?
  2938. >You can’t win.
  2939. >Your mind wanders, but the turn is still coming.
  2940. >The blue car swerves again catching you off-guard.
  2941. >Your instincts take over and you guide your carriage around her and overtake her staying on the outside.
  2942. >Your heart is pounding as you approach the curve too fast to slow down.
  2943. >With a mind drunk on adrenaline, you hit the curve at speed.
  2944. >With skill you didn’t know you had, you stomp and release your neutral pedal before understeer sets in.
  2945. >The sudden change spins your rear wheels out.
  2946. >Without another thought, you pound the accelerator and use your palm to turn the wheel counter steering.
  2947. >The world flashes by as your carriage…
  2948. ---
  2949. >Loses control!
  2950. >She’s entered that turn too fast and she’s lost control!
  2951. >No.
  2952. >She hasn’t.
  2953. >She’s not driving off the track.
  2954. >She’s driving…
  2955. “Sideways?”
  2956. >You whisper.
  2957. >Her carriage stays on the road like a train on tracks.
  2958. >But how can it be? You saw her rear wheels spinning free!
  2959. “What are you?”
  2960. >You whisper under your breath.
  2961. >She’s taken the lead, and you struggle to accelerate to her.
  2962. “Curse this slick road. Our wheels have no traction.”
  2963. >You hear her upshift.
  2964. >Has she gone mad?
  2965. >Or maybe you are the one who has lost her mind.
  2966. >This creature has stuck to you like nopony has ever before.
  2967. >Another turn comes up; you get as close as you can.
  2968. >Dangerously close to her, she’s forced to the inside.
  2969. >Her driving doesn’t seem to change, no set in of panic.
  2970. >You hear her carriage downshift, but she doesn’t brake.
  2971. >Entering the curve at breakneck speed, her rear spins out again, and the carriage swings.
  2972. >But then, as if by some magic ponykind has yet to learn it just stops.
  2973. >She’s sideways again, tracing the curve like she’s part of it.
  2974. >Her speed and finesse clear the curve while you’re only halfway.
  2975. >Sweat streams down your face.
  2976. >You thought your first defeat was a fluke.
  2977. >An unknown track, an unknown opponent, perhaps some magic.
  2978. >No, you lost then as you will lose now.
  2979. >A superior opponent.
  2980. >There’s a final chicane and a turn.
  2981. >You won’t be able to defeat her.
  2982. >But you refuse to be far behind.
  2983. >Speeding up towards the chicane, your opponent is about a carriage and a half ahead.
  2984. >Your opponent allows you, and gives you the outside.
  2985. >You see his eyes.
  2986. >They’re burning with a passion you’ve never seen before.
  2987. >You hit the first turn at high speed, but nowhere near as fast as your opponent.
  2988. >Her technique is immaculate.
  2989. >Her carriage slips sideways through the first turn.
  2990. >Then without bothering to straighten, she changes direction and she slips through the second turn.
  2991. >You barely manage to exit the first turn and she exists the third at immense speed.
  2992. >Your mind and body are at their limit.
  2993. >Putting every ounce of being into the turns, you manage to exit the chicane 4 carriages behind your opponent.
  2994. >You see the finish line right past one last curve.
  2995. >You speed up as quickly as you can, thinking you’re catching up to your opponent.
  2996. >But alas. she’s slowing down.
  2997. >You’ve lost utterly. twice.
  2998. >You know that.
  2999. >But she won’t let you fail in front of your ponies.
  3000. >Your carriages match speed, and you travel next to her.
  3001. >You look into her eyes.
  3002. >You never noticed her face before, she was just an opponent.
  3003. >But now she looks. Different.
  3004. >You see the last turn coming up, and both of you match speed as you enter the curve.
  3005. >She performs her slip technique, and you keep your grip.
  3006. >Her slip is exaggerated, flashy for the crowd, but not the fast monster technique you saw moments ago.
  3007. >Both of you exit at the same speed, and head for the finish line side by side.
  3008. >You look into her eyes one more time.
  3009. >They’re.
  3010. >Masculine.
  3011. >Not the thinking eyes of a mare, but the passionate ones of a stallion.
  3012. >You two cross the line, bumpers lined and eyes locked.
  3013. >She’s part of your dreaming, the end of your life so far.
  3014. >Or something halfway in between.
  3015. -----
  3016. >Time is of the absolute essence, you remind yourself.
  3017. >Moving as quickly as you can.
  3018. >”Princess Luna!”
  3019. >You hoof your way through the crowd.
  3020. >Your ponies are oblivious to your intentions, only piling further in front of you.
  3021. >”Tell us about the race!”
  3022. >Ponies surround space around you, all want to speak to the ‘victor’ of the race.
  3023. >Despite what you thought, that mare had slowed down just as you crossed the line.
  3024. >You won.
  3025. >Or so the ponies think.
  3026. >You know in truth you are no winner.
  3027. >Further, your mane splitting victory has excited the crowd with an energy you have not seen for a time.
  3028. >They are relentless, filled to the ear with a primal fury.
  3029. >”Princess Luna?! How did that mare!-“
  3030. >The crowd strips you of the precious little time you have left.
  3031. >Who you seek is up ahead, you can see her.
  3032. >That cursed mare left her vehicle as soon as the race ended.
  3033. >She navigates the ocean of ponies with the same finesse as she navigated the track.
  3034. >Her thin features are like a quick corvette while you a clunky barge.
  3035. >She has entered the parking lot; your time has almost ran out.
  3036. >If she leaves, her version of history becomes truth.
  3037. >No pony would ever believe if you told of your defeat.
  3038. >The truth must be told.
  3039. >But alas, time,
  3040. >You see her paws open the door with the strength of a stallion.
  3041. >A simple idea of the never ending continuum, or perhaps ponykinds attempt at understanding change. Time.
  3042. >Whatever philosophers may argue it may be, yours has run out.
  3043. >Her vehicle begins to move, as you stand at the edge of the parking lot.
  3044. >She has escaped you once more.
  3045. >Your third defeat.
  3046. >The voices of ponies fade around you, and you focus your mind.
  3047. “We don’t know how, or when, but.”
  3048. >You breath in and moisten your eyes.
  3049. “We- I will find you.”
  3050. >With your mind clear and focused, you return to reality.
  3051. >Ponies surround you as if nothing happened, still dazzled by you.
  3052. >You must fulfill your duty, before you may work on yourself.
  3053. >”Does red really make your carriage faster?”
  3054. “Yes.”
  3055. ---
  3056. >”The mare followed you through the curves despite your harassment?”
  3057. >She doesn’t believe you just like any other pony.
  3058. >She kicks a small rock off the track.
  3059. >”My heart knows you speak the truth, but my mind does not.”
  3060. “Sister, no mare has ever kept pace with us through even the first curves. You know this.”
  3061. >”Yet this mare not only kept pace, but beat you?”
  3062. “Yes.”
  3063. >She walks to her carriage, and sits in the driver’s seat.
  3064. >The secret carriage as you two refer to it as.
  3065. >No Royal seals, not even a dash of official paint.
  3066. >He holds as many secrets as your other belongings combined.
  3067. >You take a seat, his frame barely moved by you.
  3068. >The two of you begin slowly moving without a word.
  3069. >”News of your manesplitting victory have spread to every ear and mouth, sister.”
  3070. “We know. It is as we feared.”
  3071. >”Curious the ponies have not questioned your opponent or her identity.”
  3072. “Indeed. What are you suggesting sister?”
  3073. >”I wonder if she is the work of our imagination. Or maybe the imagination of a friend of ours.”
  3074. “We have already dismissed such possibility. Chaotic magic is not compatible with our vehicles; his magic would effect us.”
  3075. >”Then perhaps he could have applied his magic elsewhere?”
  3076. “Unlikely Tia. Magic does not grant skill, unless his magic simply imported or created a creature of vast skill.”
  3077. >”Hmmm.”
  3078. >You two fall silent once again, and you two retrace the track you followed earlier today.
  3079. >Your sister observes each feature with her inquisitive gaze.
  3080. >You lack her eye for detail, but still make the effort to observe the road.
  3081. >”This is where you saw the monster emerge?”
  3082. >She stops the carriage at the curve.
  3083. >The memory is fresh in your mind.
  3084. >You thought you had bullied her into reaching the end of her skill.
  3085. >But you where wrong, you merely brought out a monster within her.
  3086. >An elegant monster if such a thing can be.
  3087. “Yes sister.”
  3088. >The two of you exit your vehicle once again.
  3089. >You follow your sisters investigative eye.
  3090. >There are thin black marks burned into the road.
  3091. “Her signature. We have seen her signature in Ponyville as well.”
  3092. >”You say she drove a different carriage, correct?”
  3093. “Skill is in the hooves, not the wheel.”
  3094. >”I understand.”
  3095. >You and her follow the path of the marks.
  3096. >The streaks follow the curve as if they are intended features.
  3097. >”These tracks make little sense. Her carriage should have faced the inside of the curve, yet you say she traced it?”
  3098. >Tia sounds frustrated, your emotions must have traveled to her.
  3099. “Yes sister, her carriage wished to travel the natural path, yet she kept it following the curve.”
  3100. >Returning to the carriage once more, you ask:
  3101. “Sister. Do you recognize the creature I described to you?”
  3102. >She pauses outside the carriage, thinking before entering.
  3103. >”No.”
  3104. >An answer too simple for her.
  3105. >You pester her further.
  3106. “A-“
  3107. >She cuts you off.
  3108. >”Do you remember the tales of old, before the equestrian tribes?”
  3109. >You’re not sure where she plans to lead you, but you decide to follow her.
  3110. “As much as anypony else. A strange time of beasts and anarchy?”
  3111. >She traces the track, and thinks.
  3112. >”Mythical magic-less creatures, with slender bodies and grandstanding posture.”
  3113. >Surely it must be coincidence. Simply vague descriptions matching some features.
  3114. “Such was reconciled as folklore even a thousand years ago sister. A time simply before history.”
  3115. >”Reality turns to fables in time. You of all ponies know this, dear sister.”
  3116. >She is right.
  3117. >In a mere thousand years, all memory of you faded and the mare in the moon was simple folklore.
  3118. “The old tales talk of powerful dragons and hydras being driven to the brink. Proud Griffons as simple pets, even our great ancestor Pegasus was tamed.”
  3119. >You close your mouth.
  3120. >Is it possible?
  3121. >Your mind struggles to reconcile the reliability of word of mouth through the generations.
  3122. >Surely, it cannot be.
  3123. >Surely she is simply a particularly hairless minotaur.
  3124. >Or at most a reclusive tribe on the far side of the crystal mountains.
  3125. >Perhaps a lost member of a sea faring civilisation from the great western ocean.
  3126. >But if it is true. Then:
  3127. “Would she be dangerous, sister?”
  3128. >Your carriage exits the track and travels to the reasonable world of the road.
  3129. >Tia shakes her head.
  3130. >”My apologies, Luna. We are probably both dizzy from your defeat.”
  3131. >She smiles as you begin the drive to Canterlot in the midnight traffic.
  3132. >”She is probably just a creature we have yet to make contact with.”
  3133. >You close your eyes and sink into your seat.
  3134. >She’s right.
  3135. >She was special yes. But in skill, surely she is no millennia old beast.
  3136. “You are right sister. We could not have won forever after all.”
  3137. >Convinced you have found the answer, the two of you finally relax for the drive ahead.
  3138. >Still it almost makes too much sense.
  3139. >You close your eyes and your mind churns
  3140. >You’ve been whipped back in time.
  3141. >Zebra kings, fairy things to the birth of ponykind.
  3142. >Perhaps you may share in natures secrets.
  3143. >”Scoot kick me that five 8ths.”
  3144. “Here. Any luck getting that wheel off?”
  3145. >”Nope. Buckin thing is stuck.”
  3146. >The two of you struggle over the large farm carriage.
  3147. >Darn thing has never seen a spot of grease in ever.
  3148. >Every nut and bolt is stuck, and every metal surface has a layer of rust.
  3149. “You said it was an easy job, Wheel.”
  3150. >”Yea, yea, I was wrong, buck you.”
  3151. >Thing came in for complete frame work, brakes and wheels, but it’s fought you every step of the way.
  3152. >Wheel struggles with a wheel net.
  3153. >It looks like the square has turned to a round leaving nothing for the wrench.
  3154. >”How’d the rust cleaning go?”
  3155. >She seams like she’s ready to give up.
  3156. “There was a lot, but nothing I couldn’t take care of.”
  3157. >”Cool. Thanks Scoot.”
  3158. “We can’t paint without that bucker being off though.”
  3159. >She sighs and hangs her head.”
  3160. >”I know.”
  3161. >You check the old brake drums. Rust has eaten most of the metal.
  3162. >The drums look like a good iron pair too. The originals would be brass.
  3163. >Neither of you have seen so much rust on a carriage.
  3164. >Ponies take care of their carriages, they’re not cheap after all.
  3165. >And even the ones that don’t, well even those don’t rust this much.
  3166. “Say Wheel. Who’s is it anyway?”
  3167. >”Some Rock farm outta town. It’s their rock and salt hauler.”
  3168. “You talkin about the Pie’s? They’re-“
  3169. >”There you are. Whats up?”
  3170. >You’re cut off by Anon.
  3171. >Wheels weird coltfriend or something, or maybe not they don’t act like an item.
  3172. >Crazy cool colt, not a bad one at all.
  3173. >”Finished?”
  3174. >”Yup. Came down to see if you needed some help.”
  3175. >Wheel had him doing some paperwork.
  3176. >Buckers fast with those paws of his. You can see why Wheel likes him so much.
  3177. >”We’re alright here.”
  3178. >Wheel bluffs.
  3179. >”That doesn’t look alright.”
  3180. >He points at the nut Wheel’s struggling with.
  3181. “We’ll get it eventually. Probably have to cut it.”
  3182. >You offer your input.
  3183. >”Yea, fucker’s real stripped, eh. Here let me try something.”
  3184. >”No, Anon. Really we got this, sweetheart.”
  3185. >You roll your eyes.
  3186. >”I can’t make it any worst than it already is. Move over.”
  3187. >Despite her protest she moves out of the way and the stallion lowers himself down to the wheel.
  3188. >You walk over yourself.
  3189. “Thing has nowhere for a wrench to grab.”
  3190. >”Yea, fucker’s real stripped. You got a chisel?”
  3191. “You gonna cut it off?”
  3192. >You reach into a nearby toolbox and find the tool, and matching hammer and give it to the waiting colt.
  3193. >”Not yet.”
  3194. >You look from his side, and Wheel leans on his shoulder.
  3195. >He takes the chisel and scribes a line where a flat used to be.
  3196. >Following up with a thin groove he cuts into the nut with the chisel.
  3197. >Then he looks at it for a second.
  3198. >He puts the cutting edge of the chisel into the grove he cut and hammers it from the side.
  3199. >He whacks it a few times and Wheel starts up:
  3200. >”Don’t worry darling, we’ll cut it.”
  3201. >”No need.”
  3202. >He says and you see the nut start to turn.
  3203. >Little by little at first, but it turns more with each whack.
  3204. >After a good couple wacks, he lets off with the hammer and finishes it off with his hand.
  3205. >”There’s your nut.”
  3206. >He reaches over his shoulder to Wheel.
  3207. >This colt’s really something else.
  3208. “Nice one, dude.”
  3209. >You offer him a hoof, and he bumps it.
  3210. >Wheel takes the nut, and mutters a thanks hiding a very red face.
  3211. “The wheel is still stuck to the drum though.”
  3212. >You say trying to pry the it off the brake.
  3213. >”Watch out.”
  3214. >You move away, and Anon stands up and kicks the edge of the wheel.
  3215. >The wheel lets go of the drum immediately.
  3216. >”Just hit your problems until they go away, Scoots.”
  3217. “You’re a major dude, Anon.”
  3218. >You laugh, and grab the wheel.
  3219. >hauling the thing to the others, and grabbing a can of paint on the way back.
  3220. >Turning around to see Wheel put her hooves and wings around Anon awkwardly.
  3221. >Anon stands up holding her.
  3222. >This colt just doesn’t let up. You smirk.
  3223. >Slowing your pace you watch the two ‘lovebirds’ whisper.
  3224. >Well Anon whisper, Wheel’s just squirming.
  3225. >Anon moves in for the kiss, and Wheel freezes.
  3226. >You can’t help feel a little jealous.
  3227. >That’s a brand of stallion you’ve never seen.
  3228. >not that you’ve seen that many.
  3229. >He puts down the still squirming Wheel as you put the bucket of paint down.
  3230. “I’ll get to work on this. You can start painting the other side.”
  3231. >”Cool Scoots.”
  3232. >”I’ll paint. Anon do you mind taking that bed apart?”
  3233. >”Sure, I got my tetanus shot.”
  3234. >You shake your head at the dude’s nonsense comment.
  3235. >Getting to work on the hauler with your wire brush and scraper.
  3236. >It’s real nasty. Rust caked with dirt, white spots what you assume is salt.
  3237. >Poor thing.
  3238. >”Hey scoots you got the wacky stick?”
  3239. “The what?”
  3240. >”Hammer.”
  3241. >You roll your eyes.
  3242. “Buckin hell Anon. Here.”
  3243. >You pass the weird colt the tool, and get back to cleaning the rust.
  3244. >You scrape at the flakes of metal.
  3245. >You keep catching yourself eyeing the tall stallion on the bed.
  3246. >He’s struggling with a particularly rusted bolt and nut.
  3247. >He’s focused, determined.
  3248. >Shaking your head you eye your manager.
  3249. >She’s focused where you were a minute ago.
  3250. >Almost drooling, you smirk.
  3251. >Buckin Wheel.
  3252. >Still, dudes got a lot going for him.
  3253. >You shouldn’t be thinking like this. You’re better than this.
  3254. >He’s far from the fancolt groupie, guy’s a mustang through and through.
  3255. ---
  3256. >The three of you stand back to bask in your hard work.
  3257. >The once rotted out old hauler, now looks almost new.
  3258. “Buck, I hope I never see rust like that again.”
  3259. >You Exclaim to the group, and you mean it. The iron frame of the carriage was entirely covered in rust.
  3260. >You scrapped off so many layers you where afraid you won’t have a frame after you where done.
  3261. >”That wasn’t so bad, Scoots. You should have seen my ‘98 Dakota.”
  3262. “No way, anymore rust and anything would fall apart.”
  3263. >”Believe me, it was worst. Most of the body in that thing was construction adhesive.”
  3264. >”Scoots, take care of the rest. I got some office work.”
  3265. >Wheel walks off, but not before annoying you with a kiss to Anon’s cheek.
  3266. >The two of you walk to your work table where Wheel left new drums, shoes, springs and a few other things.
  3267. >”Hell of a truck though. I gave it away at just under 500k. Dunno what happened to it, but the thing was too rusted to do any work on cos you couldn’t raise it.”
  3268. >You cringe at the idea of a carriage that rusted.
  3269. >Shaking the thought you lift a box of hardware for the drums.
  3270. “That’s awful, dude.”
  3271. >You look over the table again, not sure if you’re missing anything.
  3272. “You wouldn’t happen to anything about drums would you?”
  3273. >”I’ve worked on a few.”
  3274. “Great, help me with these.”
  3275. >Wheel would probably be annoyed with you making him work again, but she’s not here now.
  3276. >Besides, guy wants to work and you two works well.
  3277. >He picks up all drums in one go, while you carry the box of hardware and shoes.
  3278. >You sit down next to the front drivers side of the hauler.
  3279. >The backing plate is clean and newly painted.
  3280. >”Damn, that’s looking good.”
  3281. >You agree it is looking good.
  3282. >”Do you have the cylinders?”
  3283. “The what?”
  3284. >”The cylinders. Yknow the part the fluid pushes out to move the shoes, and work the brakes.”
  3285. >You have no idea what part he’s talking about.
  3286. “I don’t know of any cylinders’ dude. But here’s the actuator lever.”
  3287. >You fish out the part and hold it up to the stallion.
  3288. “You gotta cable that pulls these, and they make the shoes move.”
  3289. >”Cable brakes only?”
  3290. >He seems a little surprised.
  3291. “Well yea, how else do ya do it?”
  3292. >”Hydraulics?”
  3293. >You don’t know what he’s on about.
  3294. >”Whatever, Scoots. Lets get to it.”
  3295. >You nod and begin assembling the parts.
  3296. >Anon holds a shoe up to it’s position and you pass a pin through.
  3297. >”These pins are always a pain, eh?”
  3298. >Anon holds up a pair of pliers and tries to fasten the spring pin.
  3299. >It only takes a few attempts and he’s got one on.
  3300. “Let me do this one, hold the pin.”
  3301. >He does, and you struggle to use the pliers and turn the pin under spring tension.
  3302. >How is anypony supposed to use these darn things?
  3303. >Buckin unicorns.
  3304. >”You need a hand?”
  3305. >You consider it, he’s a cool dude after all.
  3306. >But, can’t just let a colt take all your glory.
  3307. “I got this.”
  3308. >You struggle some more.
  3309. >Anon holds the pin and shoe like a major dude.
  3310. >You focus just on just the pin.
  3311. >After a couple choice curses, you manage to turn the end cap and fasten the shoe.
  3312. >”Nice, Scoots.”
  3313. >You fish out 2 springs from the box, and lay them on the drum.
  3314. “Here.”
  3315. >”Alright. Lets see how many eyes we finish with.”
  3316. >You laugh with the cool colt.
  3317. >He puts a spring loop in it’s place, and uses the pliers to grab the other.
  3318. >Gritting his teeth he starts to stretch the spring to the other hole.
  3319. >You flinch and look away when his pliers slip.
  3320. >”Fuck!”
  3321. >He exclaims and grabs the spring again.
  3322. >He stretches the spring again, grunting a little.
  3323. >You notice the shoes displace a little with his attempt.
  3324. >Reaching over you grab the shoes and with a few more grunts he manages to slip the spring in the hole.
  3325. “Nice dude.”
  3326. >”Still got one more to do.”
  3327. >You continue holding the shoes and with a few more grunts and groans he manages to slip the last spring in it’s place.
  3328. >A few more bits of hardware and you’re finished.
  3329. >You lift the drum, ready to put it in it’s place.
  3330. >”We should grease the metal contact here.”
  3331. “Should we?”
  3332. >”Well yea. The metal parts get hot, and they’re rubbing against each other.”
  3333. >He has a point, but you’re unsure.
  3334. “I don’t know about that dude; the brake dust is gonna mix with grease.”
  3335. >”Brake dust is gonna stick to everything anyway, and gummed up grease is better than no grease.”
  3336. “I dunno dude. Lemme ask Wheel.”
  3337. >You quickly get up and walk to wheel in her office.
  3338. >Looks like she’s got her hooves full, her desk is covered in paper.
  3339. >She’s hastily switching writing on 2 sheets of paper.
  3340. >Occasionally stopping to eye a few other sheets.
  3341. >You don’t want to bother her.
  3342. “Hey, Wheel.”
  3343. >”Sorry, sis. Not now. I gotta finish this.”
  3344. >You think about asking anyway, but it’s probably a bad idea.
  3345. >Besides. Anon looks like he knows what he’s doing.
  3346. >Plus he’s got a point, every carriage lubes metal to metal contact right?
  3347. >There’s no way you’d just listen to him cos you like him.
  3348. >You’re not like that.
  3349. >Right?
  3350. “So what kinda grease do we use?”
  3351. >”High temperature. I usually do copper antisieze.”
  3352. >You don’t know what that is, but you see a tub of grease labeled ‘high heat’…
  3353. >…On the top shelf.
  3354. >Buck.
  3355. >Darn it Wheel, why you gotta play a sister like this?
  3356. >Anon is busy looking at the hauler. You quickly trot over to a ladder.
  3357. >Quietly as you can, you drag it over to the shelf.
  3358. >You climb up and reach for the grease.
  3359. >You’re still a bit short.
  3360. >Buck, being short has finally backfired.
  3361. >Oh well, at least colts dig it.
  3362. >Prolly.
  3363. >Reaching on 1 hoof and grunting a little harder, you touch the tub and,
  3364. >Your hoof slips off the ladder.
  3365. >You almost hit your chin on the shelf as you fall.
  3366. >Right into a pair of waiting forelegs.
  3367. >Buck.
  3368. >He feels really good.
  3369. >Some hard muscle, and he’s got that warm bed feel.
  3370. >’Please Stars, Moon, Sun.’
  3371. >You pray to yourself.
  3372. >’Let him drop me so I can die happy’
  3373. >He lowers you and puts you on the ground.
  3374. >”You OK?”
  3375. “Y-yea, th-anks.”
  3376. >You grumble.
  3377. >”I got the grease, lets get back to it.”
  3378. >You grumble a few more unintelligible things and drunkenly walk behind him.
  3379. >He kneels down at the work station, putting his hidden rump right at eye level.
  3380. >You lean around him to see his exposed forearms at work.
  3381. >He takes a small glob of grease on his claw and rubs the metal.
  3382. >Buck.
  3383. >He slides behind the shoes, rubs between the slot.
  3384. >Buuck~
  3385. >His finger with another glob of grease, rubs the springs.
  3386. >”How’s that feel Scoots~”
  3387. “Yeaah”
  3388. >He uses two claws and delicately rubs them around the adjustment screw.
  3389. >You exhale hard.
  3390. >And a paw pushes you snapping you out of the trance.
  3391. >”You feeling OK Scoots?”
  3392. >He’s looking right at you, concerned and confused.
  3393. >You open your mouth, unsure of what to say.
  3394. “Y-yea, I’m good.”
  3395. >You say nervously, with a burning face.
  3396. >”You sure? you almost cracked your skull open on that counter. You wanna relax a bit? I can handle this.”
  3397. >He sounds concerned.
  3398. >His sweetness makes you feel real good, and really bad.
  3399. ”Y-Yea. I’m OK. I’m just gonna use the little fillies room, quick.”
  3400. >”Alright man. Relax a bit.”
  3401. >You quickly make a bee line for the shop washroom. Entering and lock the door.
  3402. >It’s a good thing Wheel keeps everything clean, or you’d feel grosser than you do.
  3403. >You climb up to the basin and look at yourself in the mirror.
  3404. >’Don’t do it Scootaloo. It’s not right.’
  3405. >The mare in the mirror says.
  3406. >You admit; you’ve been doing it way too much.
  3407. >5 times since that race with Luna, and that was only a day ago.
  3408. >And every time all you think of is him.
  3409. >This is getting out of hoof.
  3410. >You mentally scold yourself some more. But, your mighty need takes control of you.
  3411. “It’s not fair!”
  3412. >You say to nopony in particular.
  3413. >You close your eyes and lay your head on the cold counter.
  3414. >Reaching a hoof between your legs…
  3415. ---
  3416. >You wash your hooves another time, still not feeling clean.
  3417. >Splashing water over your face, you try to wash the guilt away.
  3418. >’It’s just not right.’
  3419. >You think over and over, scolding yourself.
  3420. >But what can you do? You are but a mare, and he’s a darn fine stallion.
  3421. >You finally unlock the door, and exit the bathroom.
  3422. >Doing your walk of shame back to the job you should be working on.
  3423. >That mustang’s putting a drum on the rear brake.
  3424. >’Good going, he’s done it alone while you rubbed it out.’
  3425. >Scolding yourself some more,
  3426. “Hey, Anon. Sorry that took a while.”
  3427. >You apologize to your friend. But not for what you should be.
  3428. >”No worries, Scoots. I got the second drum done.”
  3429. “Damn dude. I’m sorry.”
  3430. >You thought you where done feeling this bad after you got your cutie mark.
  3431. >But nope, you’re feeling that bad again.
  3432. >”Don’t worry, man. I’m glad you’re back, lets get’er done.”
  3433. >Darn. He’s so bucking sweet. You wanna hug him.
  3434. >Maybe you can redeem yourself if you work hard now.
  3435. >Aww, who are you kidding? You’re bucked up. But you have a job to do.
  3436. >The two of you get back to it, your mind is a little clearer after your break but you feel like a bad pony.
  3437. >You work the hardest you think you’ve ever worked.
  3438. >Putting every bit of yourself into stretching springs.
  3439. >Putting more effort than you have in any race into pinning shoes.
  3440. >Forcing yourself to some limit to make sure the adjusting screws are track perfect.
  3441. >And making sure each drum is mirror polished and perfect before slipping it on.
  3442. >Making sure no wheel nut thread touch the drum to prevent the minimum of damage.
  3443. >And just like that the two of you look at the hauler, good as new.
  3444. >Anon cleans the emblem bringing out a shine, a detail you didn’t notice.
  3445. >”She’s looking good isn’t she?”
  3446. “A lot better than what came in. We gotta clean up here.”
  3447. >You begin to work, anon taps you on the shoulder.
  3448. >”We worked hard, dude. Take a last look at it.”
  3449. >Not knowing what he’s on about, you turn back at the hauler.
  3450. >New wheels reflecting sunlight from the window. Gleaming.
  3451. >Once rusted metal painted to a smooth black.
  3452. >Weathered wood resealed bringing out an aged beauty.
  3453. >Silver drums shining between the spokes of refinished wheels.
  3454. >And like a bright jewel, a red emblem surrounded by a golden brass grill.
  3455. >You feel weird. a whole new feeling. Your eyes feel moist and you almost tear up, but of joy.
  3456. >”She’s looking good isn’t she?”
  3457. >Mesmerized by the carriage, you let out a short:
  3458. “Yea.”
  3459. >”Take pride in your work, Scoots. No one else will.”
  3460. >You get it.
  3461. >You’ve felt it before after a race, but then it’s almost dulled by the excitement.
  3462. >This is different.
  3463. >”Alright, we’ve got work to do.”
  3464. >Catching one last glance you return back to the real world
  3465. >Bucking Anon…
  3466. ---
  3467. >”I hardly know my way around. Why’d Wheel give me the list?”
  3468. “I dunno dude. Does it say apples?”
  3469. >Anon digs into his pants and pulls out the neatly folded piece of paper.
  3470. >You walk up to the stall with Applebloom working.
  3471. >”Heya Scootaloo. Still haven’t hurt ya-self again?”
  3472. “Oh buck off.”
  3473. >You playfully push your old friend.
  3474. “Say, I haven’t seen Sweetie in a while. You?”
  3475. >”Nah, she been busy with another Colt from Manehatten.”
  3476. “Another?”
  3477. >”Yah. Gals got game, but no brains.”
  3478. >’It’s good to know somethings don’t change much.’
  3479. >You shake your head and smile.
  3480. >”So what ya’ll up to?”
  3481. >She quickly moves close to you and signals to Anon.
  3482. >”Ain’t that, the weird colt who hangs with Wheel?”
  3483. “Ya, you met him?”
  3484. >You respond in a low voice, Anon is looking at both of you with his forelegs crossed.
  3485. >”Wheel brought ‘im to the farm. ‘Mac likes him.”
  3486. >’Never picked Big Mac to be that kind of stallion’. You think to yourself.
  3487. >’Two colts goin at it would be buckin sweet. But not anon, I can’t have that. Can I?’
  3488. >”Not like that ya bucker!”
  3489. >Applebloom hoofs you right in the shoulder.
  3490. >You grumble and rub your already sore arm.
  3491. “Ow, I didn’t say nothing!”
  3492. >”Ah know you where thinkin somethin.”
  3493. >Yea you know you where, but she doesn’t need to know that.
  3494. “I wasn’t thinking nothing. ‘Sides, Anon’s my new partner. He’s Wheels new driver.”
  3495. >”Wait wha?”
  3496. >She moves close again and whispers.
  3497. >”Ya know he’s a colt right?”
  3498. “Yea, so?”
  3499. >She moves away shocked.
  3500. >”So? Ya feelin OK Scootaloo?”
  3501. >She looks at you questioning and almost concerned.
  3502. “Yea, Anon’s a cool dude, dude.”
  3503. >”I can hear you guys, right?”
  3504. >Anon calls over from the other side of the stall, and you both look at him guilty.
  3505. “Come around, Anon.”
  3506. >He walks over with those long legs of his.
  3507. >’Damn it Scootaloo, it hasn’t even been 2 hours.’
  3508. >He stops next to you and looks down at Applebloom.
  3509. >”Hi. Applebloom?”
  3510. >He reaches out a closed paw and Applebloom gently taps it.
  3511. >”Tha’s me. Good to see ya ‘non. What ya’ll up to today? Wait ‘for you go on. How’d that meet go?”
  3512. >It takes you a minute but you remember the ‘meet’ she’s talking about.
  3513. >The business with princess Luna is still fresh in your mind.
  3514. >You’re surprised she hasn’t heard the hot news of princess Luna’s closest victory.
  3515. “You haven’t heard?”
  3516. >”Nah, ah’ve been real busy. Ah’ve been hearin alotta talk ‘round the stall though. What happen?”
  3517. >You look at Anon, who looks down at you.
  3518. >He’s trying to say something, but you’re no good at getting it.
  3519. >What you do know is that you can’t let slip what Anon did.
  3520. >”Well? What happen? Don’ leave a mare hangin.”
  3521. “Well, uh… Princess Luna, had a uh…”
  3522. >Tripping over your words, you try to buy time as your mind thinks of something.
  3523. >”Princess Luna challenged a mare to a race and it was real close, but Luna won.”
  3524. >You wanna correct him just calling the princess by her name, but his save was solid.
  3525. >”Darn, guess that’s what them mares are sayin. Who was racin?”
  3526. >”We where late. So no idea.”
  3527. >Applebloom laughs but looks disappointed.
  3528. >You swallow a lump, thanking the stars for Anons save.
  3529. >”Wheel let y’all be late? She’s losin her touch.”
  3530. >She shakes her head, and finishes laughing at her self.
  3531. >”Anyway. Ya’ll’re probably busy.”
  3532. >Quickly Snapping out of whatever overcame you
  3533. “Yea, we just had to get a few things.”
  3534. >”Apples are on the list, a dozen.”
  3535. >You grab the fruit and pay Applebloom, who gives you a sweet discount.
  3536. >You say your goodbyes to your old friend, it’s too bad you don’t get to see them as often as you used to.
  3537. >Then it’s off with your new friend to the next stall.
  3538. >Then to another, as you round out your list.
  3539. >A couple more fruits, and you two walk to the other side of the market.
  3540. >”So that Apple Bloom, she your old friend?”
  3541. “Yea. How’d you know?”
  3542. >”I’ve had a few.”
  3543. >He smiles at you, but he doesn’t look too happy to say that.
  3544. >You wonder if it’s something on his mind.
  3545. >He’s probably the coolest colt you’ve ever met; you’d love to know him better. Not like that.
  3546. >But also like that.
  3547. “We all go back. The ponyville carriage scene that is.”
  3548. >He hums in response.
  3549. >Thinking for a minute you go on:
  3550. “Wheel’s a few years older, but most of the racers around here grew up together. It’s different around here.”
  3551. >You laugh, and smile.
  3552. “Guess Ponyville was always different.”
  3553. >You realize you’re starting to ramble and stop yourself.
  3554. >Anon smiles back at you, and tells you the next few things on the list.
  3555. >Couple boxes of nails, some other hardware, a bunch of other odds and ends.
  3556. >This might be a grocery list now that you think about it.
  3557. >Maybe that’s why he gave her colt the list.
  3558. >Yea ‘her colt’
  3559. >Bucking Wheel.
  3560. >”A cutting board, frying pan and a pot?”
  3561. >Anon reads the last few items on the list, confused.
  3562. >That mare’s tryna spruce up that barely used kitchen isn’t she.
  3563. >Bucking Wheel.
  3564. >”Yea over here, Anon.”
  3565. >Some of the stalls are starting to pack up, you can feel it’s gonna be dark soon.
  3566. >You should get this last few stuff and get inside before dark.
  3567. >The two of you quickly trek over to the kitchen stuff store.
  3568. >You almost wanna let Anon talk, as you see her only customers are other colts.
  3569. >But colt or not you gotta keep him mostly on the down low.
  3570. >Lucky for you, Cold Cuts was always a pushover.
  3571. >Funny a mare like her ends up surrounded by stallions all day.
  3572. >Some mares don’t know what they have.
  3573. >You get the final few things from her, and start walking back to your carriage.
  3574. >”Hey Anon!”
  3575. >You turn around to see Spike walking with Twilight.
  3576. >He turns to her and says something, they separate and he walks over.
  3577. >”What’s up dude!”
  3578. >He reaches a hopeful balled claw up at Anon.
  3579. >Guy’s already shorter than you, trying to get Anon is really reaching.
  3580. >Anon bends down and taps the guy’s claws.
  3581. >”Just running a couple things.”
  3582. >Anon almost whispers back to him.
  3583. >”That’s cool, dude! I never got to congratulate you back at-“
  3584. >It’s late but the market place still has plenty of prying ears.
  3585. >This dumb little dragon is about to make a real mistake.
  3586. “Hey Anon we should really get going.
  3587. >You cut him off, and thankfully the Princesses swap the sun and moon.
  3588. >Anon looks at up bewildered, like he’s never seen the sky before or something.
  3589. >You poke him a little, and he comes back to it.
  3590. >”Yea…”
  3591. >He looks like he just saw a ghost or something, and he doesn’t believe his eyes.
  3592. >”yea we should. Thanks, Spike. I’ll look you up sometime.”
  3593. >He puts a balled up paw and Spike hits it excitedly.
  3594. >”Y-yea Anon! Take it easy, d-dude!”
  3595. >He points two claws at Anon who waves him goodbye.
  3596. >You decide to take an alleyway between Sugarcube Corner and a couple stores.
  3597. >It’s a little extra dark, but you can keep the stallion safe.
  3598. >Or you would if he was scared in the slightest.
  3599. >Darn dude is cooler than ice, any other colt would be telling you to take the road.
  3600. >Even Rumble chickened out when it came to dark alleys.
  3601. >”You!”
  3602. >Out of nowhere a mare appears as you two round a corner.
  3603. >You almost jump, but instead the bags keep you weighted to the ground.
  3604. >Anon stops next to you holding bags of goods, not shaken in the slightest.
  3605. >”I know the truth! What happened between you and Princess Luna.”
  3606. >The mare exclaims, ignoring you and looking at Anon.
  3607. >You don’t recognize her, she has a black coat, she’s clearly waxed to be pearly.
  3608. >Bucking mare.
  3609. >Other than that, she’s got a dark purple mane, and eyes hidden behind a pair of white glasses and gold frames.
  3610. >You don’t know what look she’s going for, but she’s got style you’ll give her that.
  3611. ”What the buck are you talking about?”
  3612. >She turns her attention to you.
  3613. >”You know exactly what I’m taking about!”
  3614. >She looks back at Anon, who looks like he’s done for today.
  3615. >”I will defeat you, where even Princess Luna could not. And then I will put the Manehatten Track Fillies back on the map!”
  3616. >Anon doesn’t respond.
  3617. “Cmon Anon, let’s get out of here.”
  3618. >You poke Anon with a wing, but he’s looking right at the mare.
  3619. >”I will defeat you where you defeated Princess Luna the first time. Your own home lap!”
  3620. >Anon turns to you and looks.
  3621. >You can’t let him go off racing some crazy mare.
  3622. >You try to drag him away again, and thankfully he complies.
  3623. >He starts to turn.
  3624. >”Tomorrow night! The race starts 2 hours after sun down! Be there!”
  3625. >You two start walking away.
  3626. >”Be there, Coward!”
  3627. >Anon snaps his neck to her and you can see a spark in his eyes.
  3628. >the mare slinks behind another alley.
  3629. >The two of you quickly cover the distance to your carriage.
  3630. >Anon doesn’t seem very responsive.
  3631. >You hope he’s not thinking about racing that mare.
  3632. >For his sake.
  3633. ---
  3634. >Rolling in your bed, thinking back on how much happened.
  3635. >Way more than you banked on this morning.
  3636. >But of all the things, the one keeping you awake is that mares challenge.
  3637. >Who was she?
  3638. >’Manehatten Track Fillies’
  3639. >That’s a name only remembered in a bad light, but you’re struggling to remember why.
  3640. >What you do remember is that they made a lot of foul plays.
  3641. >But they disappeared a few years back, could they have been training in the Manehatten circuits in secret?
  3642. >That circuit was shutdown after a lot of ponies got hurt, could it be running in secret?
  3643. >You close your eyes, trying to calm your racing mind, trying to only focus on the important things.
  3644. >That circuit is real curvy, not like Ponyville but it has them.
  3645. >That place has water pooling the slipperiest mud, and old broken roads.
  3646. >Carriage wheels would spin out or off the track if they hit any at speed.
  3647. >That doesn’t give them an upper hoof on our circuit, though. Does it?
  3648. >You stare at you ceiling.
  3649. >Ours has curves, real curves. It was made that way.
  3650. >Our roads are made like the Canterlot mountain road for Princess Twilight.
  3651. >The Canterlot mountain road…
  3652. >You cringe, and shake your head.
  3653. >but our circuit it’s dry and new.
  3654. >Maybe that’s what these mares are playing at, they’re known for playing dirty.
  3655. >Maybe they plan to toss water on our track to make it more like theirs.
  3656. >With water on the track, our curves would become a nightmare.
  3657. >Especially for a racer who’s never seen pooled water.
  3658. >Even if they can’t take the curves fast, they know how to handle themselves with water.
  3659. >Any other racer would spin out.
  3660. >Your mind darts from one thought to another, but then it rests on one:
  3661. “I gotta warn, Anon.”
  3662. ---
  3663. >What are you doing?
  3664. >Your sleepy mind is still thinking on that darn mare, and her stupid challenge.
  3665. >You hardly got a wink of sleep, but you slept in.
  3666. >Trying to brew a cup of coffee has never been this hard.
  3667. >The only thing your mind is stuck on is warning Anon.
  3668. >But what can you really say? Just tell him what you think?
  3669. >It’s not that simple, he’s not a mare. Even if he’s ice cool, he’s still a colt.
  3670. >Maybe you should tell Wheel, he’s her colt anyway.
  3671. >Ugh, that thought annoys you. Wheel can’t even handle him, lucky bucker.
  3672. >You shake your head; you shouldn’t be thinking like that.
  3673. >She’s your friend. He’s your friend. You’re just sleepy, just need your coffee.
  3674. >The thing is almost done, you go back to your cooling breakfast.
  3675. >It’s no masterwork, but it’s food and you’re hungry.
  3676. >Even so your mind is stuck to the same thought.
  3677. >Would those Manehatten mares really mess with the circuit?
  3678. >Have you just lost your mind over a colt?
  3679. >Buck.
  3680. >You’re not like this, not even Rumble got you this good.
  3681. >You grind your teeth, annoyed at yourself.
  3682. >Why do you care anyway? He’s not your problem and you’re not his.
  3683. >You almost down your fresh mug in one go. Your mind feels clearer.
  3684. >Buck, you got some problems.
  3685. >You better sort them out before you go proper crazy like some mares.
  3686. >But first.
  3687. >You quickly shovel the rest of your breakfast, and down the rest of the coffee.
  3688. >You have a friend to warn.
  3689. >Slamming the door shut, you’re on the path to Wheels place.
  3690. >You’re real late, it’s late afternoon.
  3691. >You scan the sky for any of your old friends, or her.
  3692. >Nopony of note in the sky today though, a lotta folks moved.
  3693. >Still most of them stayed, you eye that Snails who grew up really good.
  3694. >He’s got a herd with a couple business mares from Las Pegasus.
  3695. >Whatever, you’ve got stuff going on.
  3696. >You’ll forget all about this once your carriage is rebuilt and you’re on the track again.
  3697. >The rest of the long trek is a haze.
  3698. >You try to turn the handle of the shop door, but it’s locked.
  3699. >They can’t be asleep, it’s almost evening. You go around back and knock on the door anyway.
  3700. >You look inside through a shop window, Wheels carriage is gone, but there’s a weird covered carriage hidden in the back.
  3701. >You’ve never seen that thing before.
  3702. >Looks like a big thing, tyres the likes you’ve never seen before, but it doesn’t have the shape of a hauler. Looks like a Moonship, but you can’t think of a match.
  3703. >You shake your head, that thing isn’t important now.
  3704. >Wheel is gone, and Anon probably with her.
  3705. >Trying to find them would probably be a hard time.
  3706. >Besides, you don’t even know what you wanna say to him.
  3707. >Kicking a rock off the carriage lot, you start walking into town.
  3708. >The roads empty today. Maybe something’s going on.
  3709. >It’s a weekend, you’d think Ponies would be out and about.
  3710. >A group of mares pass you by talking to themselves, you don’t know about what, but they’re excited.
  3711. >You hit the square and see it’s fairly barren too. Even the stalls are half missing.
  3712. >But there’s the mare you where hoping for.
  3713. “Hey Applebloom, where’s everypony gone?”
  3714. >”Heya Scootaloo. Haven’t ya heard?”
  3715. >Applebloom passes a small piece of paper to you.
  3716. >’Race Night. Ponyvilles own vs Manehatten Track Fillies’
  3717. >Your jaw drops.
  3718. >Buck.
  3719. >”These have been making rounds. Some big race ‘bout to go down tonight.”
  3720. >Your mind is frozen, no thought new or old comes to you.
  3721. >”Ya all right Scootaloo? Ya look like ya seen a ghost?”
  3722. “I gotta warn Anon!”
  3723. >You dart from Appleblooms stall and run to Sugarcube Corner.
  3724. >The first place that came to your mind.
  3725. >The café is barren with just the Cakes working and,
  3726. >”Hiya Scootaloo!”
  3727. >Pinkie appears in front of you.
  3728. “Pinkie have you seen Ano- Wheel?”
  3729. >”AnoWheel? Is that what we’re calling this ship? It’s not catchy. Maybe WheelNon? Wait can you even ship Anon?”
  3730. >Pinkie starts nonsensically talking to herself.
  3731. “Wheel! I need to find Wheel.”
  3732. >”Nah. Shouldn’t you be asleep too? There’s a race tonight ya know?! Everypony’s asleep to catch it later!”
  3733. >You feel the dread.
  3734. “I know.”
  3735. >You say quietly as you turn around and leave. Where to next?
  3736. >You dart around town aimlessly for a long while thinking of where to go next.
  3737. >Sweet apple acres? Nah why would Wheel go there?
  3738. >Wheel hates townhall. Don’t blame her, every time you go there you end up a couple bits short.
  3739. >The co-op markets? But we already did her groceries.
  3740. >The Crystal Castle? That’s the next big building in town.
  3741. >Maybe they’re visiting Spike or Twilight.
  3742. >You don’t think twice and run to the castle, and open the door.
  3743. >Twilight and a few of her friends are there, listening to Spike who’s standing on the table.
  3744. >”…And Princess Luna barely pulled ahead, Anon was closer than anypony has been!”
  3745. >Buck
  3746. >He’s told them about Anons race with Princess Luna
  3747. “Spike!”
  3748. >”Hello Scootaloo.”
  3749. >Twilight greets you, followed by AJ, Fluttershy and Rarity.
  3750. >”Is everything OK? You seem exasperated, darling.”
  3751. “Spike you weren’t supposed to tell anypony that Anon won against Princess Luna!”
  3752. >”But I didn’t. Anon didn’t win. Wait, did Anon…”
  3753. >Darn it Scootaloo. Your scrambled mind really bucked up now.
  3754. “No! Exactly, Anon didn’t win! But-“
  3755. >”Scootaloo. D-did Anon win!?”
  3756. >Spikes eyes are almost sparkling; you’ve never seen him so excited before.
  3757. >You sigh and look around.
  3758. “Ok listen. Everypony.”
  3759. >All of the mares and spike come closer to you.
  3760. “You can’t tell anypony this.”
  3761. >You eye every mare for attention before continuing.
  3762. “Anon won that against Princess Luna. He used some insane slip technique nopony has ever seen before. Princess Luna could barely keep up.”
  3763. >”Slip technique?”
  3764. >Twilight pipes up.
  3765. >”Ah not this horseapples again. There ain’t no way a colt’s beatin Princess Luna.”
  3766. >Applejack dismisses you.
  3767. “Believe me or don’t, it’s what happened. He slowed down close to the finish line on purpose so he wouldn’t technically win.”
  3768. >”But why?”
  3769. >Spike sounds almost sad.
  3770. >”Yea like that’s what happened. Crazy slip technique? What’s goin on with ya’ll racer fillies nowadays?”
  3771. >”Scootaloo, are you sure that’s what happened?”
  3772. >”Would you like some tea, sweetie?”
  3773. >”Yes darling. I’m no racing mare, but even I know passion blinds all of us.”
  3774. >The mares question your already frustrated psyche.
  3775. “Yes! YES! That’s exactly what happened!”
  3776. >The mares seem a bit startled.
  3777. “I know it’s what happened! I told him not to win! Me and Wheel!”
  3778. >You take a deep breath, thinking back to your part in all this.
  3779. >Maybe you should have just let Anon win. Stars know that crazy colt would have done it.
  3780. “We where afraid. So we told him to lose.”
  3781. >You try to justify your actions.
  3782. >A orange hoof lands on your shoulder.
  3783. “The Track Fillies found out, and they challenged Anon to a race. they’ve told the whole town with fliers.”
  3784. >”Wait, the fliers? I gave those out.”
  3785. >Spike pipes up again.
  3786. “YOU WHAT?!”
  3787. >”W-well, I sorta followed you two. That Mare challenged Anon. And I thought…”
  3788. >You don’t even know what to say. Your racing heart has almost stopped.
  3789. >And maybe that’d be for the better.
  3790. >You look at the ground.
  3791. >”Spike, you shouldn’t have followed Scootaloo and Anon. That is rude.”
  3792. >Twilight scolds him, but the damage is long done.
  3793. >All of Ponyville will be trackside expecting a race.
  3794. “The Track Fillies where banned for altering tracks. They’re home track is a wavy mess with pools of water that spins out carriages.”
  3795. >You’re whispering, almost to yourself.
  3796. >You feel a tear rolling down your cheek.
  3797. >You’re not even sure why. But somehow you feel like this is your fault.
  3798. >The mares listen silently.
  3799. “A lot of ponies got hurt.”
  3800. >”S-sorry.”
  3801. >Spike looks like he’s about to cry.
  3802. >You’re not mad at him, you’re just mad at yourself.
  3803. >Why didn’t you take the road?
  3804. >Why didn’t you warn him before?
  3805. >Why didn’t you wake up earlier?
  3806. >You’re supposed to watch out for your partner, your friend. But you really dropped the ball.
  3807. >Looking out the window. The light changes.
  3808. >2 hours, that’s all the time you have.
  3809. ---
  3810. >You’ve never ran this fast before.
  3811. >Your legs are aching, but that doesn’t matter.
  3812. >The shop is unlocked, the upstairs are lit, those two are home.
  3813. >Somehow you gotta convince that crazy colt not to show up.
  3814. >There’s a town waiting for a race, but they don’t know Anon.
  3815. >They’ll just have to live with the disappointment.
  3816. >Besides more races will come, even if it’s wrong to walk out of a challenge.
  3817. >That doesn’t matter. Those mares are gonna hurt Anon, and you can’t have that.
  3818. “Hey Anon!”
  3819. >You call out in the middle of the shop, and you hear noise upstairs.
  3820. >Followed by a shadow in the stairwell.
  3821. >He comes into view, holding a funny looking Wheel.
  3822. >He’s wearing less than he usually does, but you can’t think about that right now.
  3823. >”Hey Scoots. Everything alright?”
  3824. >”What’s up sis. Goodtime to show up, yknow…”
  3825. >Wheel trails off.
  3826. >She’s clearly had a drink or two, but she’s not wasted. Yet.
  3827. >You don’t know what to say.
  3828. >You’ve thought about it all day, this kept you up all night, but now he’s right in front of you and you don’t know what to say.
  3829. >Wheels with him, does she even know?
  3830. >”You alright, Scoots?”
  3831. >Strictly no, but you gotta chill out mare.
  3832. “Where were you guys all day?”
  3833. >”I took ‘non here to register.”
  3834. >Her squirming in that stallion’s forelegs is doing things to you.
  3835. >But you’re on a mission right now.
  3836. >”You were looking for us, Scoots?”
  3837. “Yea!”
  3838. >You blurt out.
  3839. >You take a deep breath, and think for a minute.
  3840. “A-anon, could I speak to you for a second. A-alone…”
  3841. >Yea that’s totally what you say to a stallion while his mare is right there.
  3842. >Anon looks at Wheel who kisses him, and he puts her down.
  3843. >She stumbles over to you, but she doesn’t clock you just gets really close.
  3844. >”I’ll leave you two alone.”
  3845. >She whispers almost in your ear.
  3846. >You’ve never heard her like this before.
  3847. >”Goodluck, he’s real somethin’ else, that’s for shure.”
  3848. >She gets closer, closer than you thought possible. You recoil a little uncomfortable.
  3849. >”Things go right, I’ll see ya upstairs, sis.”
  3850. >With that whatever it was, she turns around and walks off.
  3851. >The two of you watch her tipsily climb the stairs until you can hear her hooves upstairs.
  3852. >”Yea, I dunno what that was about, either.”
  3853. >You finally relax. Funny a colt can make you panic and relax in such a short time.
  3854. >”You feeling alright, Scoots?”
  3855. >He comes down to your height.
  3856. >Well almost your height.
  3857. “I’m fine. Anon. Please. Don’t go to the race.”
  3858. >”What race?”
  3859. “The one you where challenged to by the mare yesterday!”
  3860. >”Oh yea! Sorry I forgot about that.”
  3861. >Immediately you feel a load taken off your wings.
  3862. “So you’re not gonna go?”
  3863. >”I didn’t plan on it. I’m kinda tired too. You look too.”
  3864. >You sigh a deep sigh of relief, and quickly hug him.
  3865. >He unexpectedly hugs back.
  3866. >He’s warm, and you’re beyond glad you could make sure he’ll be alright.
  3867. >He lets go.
  3868. “I was so worried, dude. Those darn Track Fillies are dangerous.”
  3869. >”Really… huh.”
  3870. “Those buckers got kicked out of racing for dangerously altering tracks. Throwing water on corners and stuff like that.”
  3871. >”Right…”
  3872. “Yea, it’s just like their home circuit. They’ve got wavy roads with lots of places where water pools. They’re undefeated.”
  3873. >”Undefeated?”
  3874. “Yup, but not fairly. They always pull some crazy stunt, to mess with the other driver.”
  3875. >”Is that so.”
  3876. >You’re about to ramble on, but then you catch yourself.
  3877. >Sweet colt is still listening to you, smiling at you.
  3878. >Get it together mare.
  3879. >You let out another breath.
  3880. “Well. Thanks, Anon. I should let you go.”
  3881. >”No worries, Scoots. I’ll catch you later. Get some rest.”
  3882. >He gets up and gives you a balled paw, you gently tap it and he starts walking away.
  3883. >You should get out of here and get some well needed sleep, but you can’t help but watch him walk away.
  3884. >He walks upstairs and you hear his steps upstairs.
  3885. >You stand around, satisfied and feeling good inside.
  3886. >Taking another deep breath you start to leave, but you remember to ask Wheel what the plan for tomorrow is.
  3887. >She won’t mind you dropping in upstairs, you do it all the time.
  3888. >Quickly you trot up the dim stairs and down the dark hall.
  3889. >It’s mostly quiet up here, hopefully those two aren’t asleep.
  3890. >The door to Wheels room is open, you push the door a little and your jaw drops.
  3891. >The room is dark but there’s a small lamp providing a little light.
  3892. >Little light that reveals what your wide eyes shouldn’t be seeing.
  3893. >Anon’s on top of Wheel.
  3894. >She’s lost in his chest, her wings and hooves wrapped around him.
  3895. >You breath deeply as you see him pull out of her.
  3896. >The light perfectly reflects off his glossy member.
  3897. >Your mind’s yelling at you to get out of here, but your mind’s not winning.
  3898. >A spare forehoof reaches down between your legs.
  3899. >You bite the other to supress a moan.
  3900. >You know this is wrong, but you can’t help yourself.
  3901. >Anon moves at a smooth and steady pace, and your hoof keeps up with him.
  3902. >Wheels not so quiet anymore either.
  3903. >You’ve never knew she could end up under a colt, she did say he was something else.
  3904. >Jealousy fills you, but you’re so hot you can’t help but rub yourself.
  3905. >Your scolding mind is in full force, but that doesn’t stop your hoof.
  3906. >His hips get faster, and so does your hoof.
  3907. >Wheels moans have turned to gasps, she’s almost as lost as you are.
  3908. >You wouldn’t be so quiet either if it wasn’t for the hoof in your mouth.
  3909. >Leaning on the door frame, you’re lost in the scene presented to you.
  3910. >Wheel lets out another gasp, yell and holds Anon for dear life.
  3911. >The stallions face has a smug smile, as he slows down for Wheel.
  3912. >You rub harder jealous of the mare, rocking your hips.
  3913. >He gives her a few moments, and then he’s back at it unphased.
  3914. >She’s barely there anymore.
  3915. >And you’re getting close.
  3916. >You dig your teeth into your hoof as Anon speeds up again.
  3917. >He loses his pace a little, and so do you.
  3918. >You feel the pressure rising inside, and your breathing losing rhythm.
  3919. >Letting a moan out, Anon buries himself into Wheel with a loud grunt, who reacts with a hollow yell.
  3920. >You feel your climax hot on the tail of his.
  3921. >He waits a moment, and he pulls out the barest amount.
  3922. >Your body shakes as his stallionhood pulses and some of his seed drips off.
  3923. >That’s the last thing you remember before your world goes hazy.
  3924. >You don’t know after how long, but you open your eyes on your friend’s bedroom floor.
  3925. >You’re soaked, and never felt so unclean.
  3926. >The working hoof is as wet as the space between your legs.
  3927. >’You’re bucked up’ Scolding yourself some more, you look around.
  3928. >Anon is lying on top of Wheel, looks like they’re asleep.
  3929. >You gotta get out of here.
  3930. >You’re disgusted at yourself, and the wet feeling on your body.
  3931. >Disgusted or not, the jealousy is still fresh in your mind.
  3932. >Your stupid need got in the way of what you should have been doing again.
  3933. >You grit your teeth and get up, angry at yourself.
  3934. >Quickly back down the hall and stairs, you head for the bathroom.
  3935. >Too disgusted to look at yourself, but the memories of what you saw are fresh in your mind.
  3936. >Maybe what you did wasn’t wrong, but you know it wasn’t really right.
  3937. >You close your eyes.
  3938. >He looked so good, in the available light. He was that lucky mares Saturday night.
  3939. >one hour and 40 minutes from sundown.
  3940. >That bucking mare better show up.
  3941. >You angrily eye every carriage in the distance, any one could be hers.
  3942. >But no, that’s not true. She’s got her Red Beast.
  3943. >You know you’d be disappointed with anything less.
  3944. >’He moves around the road like he’s on tracks’
  3945. >The ponyville mares told you about that carriage.
  3946. >The anticipation is killing you, and the crowd is just as charged.
  3947. >All of Ponyville is lined up on the side of the track.
  3948. >They’ll be witness to your grand victory, then you’ll reveal what happened to Princess Luna.
  3949. >Restoring the name of the disgraced Manehatten Track Fillies.
  3950. >You know you can win this without help.
  3951. >But just in case your companions have some tricks up their sleeves.
  3952. >You grin a devious grin thinking of that mare coming up against your home track.
  3953. >Now if only that mare would show up.
  3954. >If she doesn’t…
  3955. >You can play another game.
  3956. “Mares of Ponyville.”
  3957. >You gather the ponies attention.
  3958. “There are a mere 5 minutes until our race is set to start! Yet your best is not here!”
  3959. >The ponies seem to worry a little, no town would allow a challenge to go unaccepted.
  3960. >”Ponyville never backs down!”
  3961. >A mare calls out.
  3962. “I would hope so.”
  3963. >Down the road you see a carriage pull up, you almost feel the excitement.
  3964. >But it’s not the Red Beast, just a small unit.
  3965. >Out of which Princess Twilight Sparkle and some of her friends step out.
  3966. >You cringe, hopefully she’s not here to shut down the party.
  3967. >She walks to the crowd, and looks ready to announce something.
  3968. >But she stops dead in her tracks, as if somepony is instructing her.
  3969. >She looks at her friends and shakes her head.
  3970. >You look away and eye your time piece.
  3971. >The race should have started, it’s 2 minutes past.
  3972. >Is she really not going to show up?
  3973. “I see Ponyville really is full of cowards!”
  3974. >You announce to the crowd.
  3975. >The crowd responds with an angered buzz, but you know they’re worried.
  3976. >After all their contender hasn’t showed up.
  3977. >You angrily pace the road, looking down it expecting, hoping and wishing.
  3978. >You see that little orange filly walk up the side of the road, with purpose.
  3979. >She looks right at you.
  3980. >You smirk at her; you should ask her about her delayed friend.
  3981. >10 minutes after the race should have started.
  3982. >If this was a professional game, she would have been disqualified long ago.
  3983. >The filly starts walking at you, but then she stops dead.
  3984. >The crowd goes silent.
  3985. >There’s the sound.
  3986. >A powerful pulse no other carriage makes.
  3987. >The Red Beast.
  3988. >A shiver travels your spine.
  3989. >You look down the road and surely there is a bright light, brighter than any carriage lamp.
  3990. >She’s not going fast, probably saving her energy for the race.
  3991. >You frustratingly can’t make out any details.
  3992. >The orange filly goes wide eyed and the crowd goes wild.
  3993. >She pulls up and parks right next to your carriage.
  3994. >Her carriage is as breathtaking as you where told.
  3995. >His paint is a glossy blood red with 2 thin stripes down the side.
  3996. >His design is gorgeous, sharp angled panels.
  3997. >Huge Bright front lamps, glowing red rear lamps. All moulded with the body to make a seamless creation.
  3998. >The windows obscure the creature piloting the contraption.
  3999. >His wheels are strong metal, and a thick tire covers them.
  4000. >Swallowing a lump, your carriage feels inadequate.
  4001. >You shake your head. Inadequate or not, you will defeat her.
  4002. >The rear door of the carriage opens and a little purple dragon hops out smugly joining the crowd.
  4003. >You scoff at having 4 doors on a race carriage.
  4004. >Forcing yourself to find other imperfections with your opponent’s vehicle, you note his use of metal.
  4005. >Heavier than wood, and his excessive material should make him slower than a snail.
  4006. >But not according to what you’ve heard.
  4007. >Your opponent’s carriage makes a deafening roar, snapping you out of your trance and stirring the crowd into a frenzy.
  4008. >You quickly get into your own carriage, and try to make him sing.
  4009. >Try as you might, your opponent’s carriage has you beat.
  4010. >Her warcry drowns out any other sound.
  4011. >Either way, your trackmare steps up between the two of you.
  4012. >She raises one of her flags, and then the other.
  4013. >You have some doubt in your mind, but there’s no time for that. Your mare looks right at you.
  4014. >And without another action she drops both flags.
  4015. >Without a thought you accelerate harder than you ever have before.
  4016. >Your opponent moves with you, but you get ahead of her.
  4017. >You grin to yourself thinking you’ve taken the lead, but you see the Beast sticking to you like glue as you see the first curve coming up.
  4018. >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFODclG8mBY [Embed]
  4019. >Ponyvilles signature Canterlot mountain styled curves, and you’re too fast for it.
  4020. “There’s less than a hoof between her and me. Is she not letting me brake?!”
  4021. >You think loudly to yourself as you cautiously brake.
  4022. >If you hit her, her carriages heavy body won’t be effected at all, but you would surely spin out.
  4023. >Her proximity to you doesn’t let you slow to a good speed and so you enter the curve faster than intended.
  4024. >You hear your tires scrape, but you manage to keep your carriage on the road.
  4025. >She’s unimpressed, through the curve her distance to you doesn’t change.
  4026. >A hoof behind, she’s close enough to feel you.
  4027. >Sweat drips down your face, as another curve approaches.
  4028. >The roads are too narrow for her to overtake you.
  4029. >Hopefully your companions took care of the few sections where passing is possible.
  4030. >The mare is still stuck to you; you try to brake as much as you can before you enter the curve.
  4031. >Your heart is pounding as you pray to the stars and hold onto your carriage for dear life.
  4032. >The scraping tires are a racers worst nightmare, at this rate they won’t last till the end of the race.
  4033. >With luck you didn’t know you had, you manage to navigate the curve faster than before.
  4034. “I can’t keep this up. If I go any faster, I’ll be off the track!”
  4035. >You see the crowd at every corner, pegasi flying above trying to keep up with you.
  4036. >Your victory.
  4037. >You hope.
  4038. >You try to take back some of the control your opponent has over you.
  4039. >You gently brake to lower your speed.
  4040. >Your opponent doesn’t give you much leeway, and you see the next curve approaching.
  4041. >The road will widen ahead; you’ll be spending the rest of the race defending your position if the landslide doesn’t do the trick.
  4042. >But at the speed you’re approaching, you may not make it to the rest of the race.
  4043. >You enter the curve a league faster than before.
  4044. >Your carriage leans to one side.
  4045. >Feels like your inside wheels aren’t even on the track, but as ironic as it is the screeching of tires reassures you they are.
  4046. >Somehow you exit the curve alive, and quickly accelerate.
  4047. >Your joy is short lived, There’s a wide section coming up.
  4048. >You see rocks, pebbles and slippery mud on the left side of the gentle curve.
  4049. >Just like home.
  4050. >You force a smirk, surely those would make any carriage lose control.
  4051. >You accelerate ahead making sure to guard your lead.
  4052. >Some of the mud has slid onto your side as well, but you’ve trained for this your entire life.
  4053. >She must have seen the obstacles and dodges them accordingly.
  4054. >You look in your wing mirror and you see her moving up to overtake you.
  4055. “From the inside?!”
  4056. >Guarding your lead you have to drive over the debris filled road.
  4057. >Not completely but enough to make you uncomfortable, until you exit the curve.
  4058. >Unfortunately for her, you’ve managed to keep her firmly behind you.
  4059. >Unfortunately for you, her proximity is continually egging you to speed up.
  4060. >Furthermore, those high speed curves have worn your front tires substantially.
  4061. >You can feel their lost grip.
  4062. >Another wide section comes up, and your traveling at a speed you did not anticipate.
  4063. >The speed makes your wheel’s spin as you go over the slippery ground.
  4064. >Your opponent tries to take the inside again.
  4065. “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to let you pass here!”
  4066. >You exclaim worried and speed up mid curve.
  4067. >You panic a moment as your carriage ignores your command to turn.
  4068. >This is a sensation you’ve never felt before.
  4069. >As if you’ve lost your steering wheel and the carriage only travels forward.
  4070. >You regain control some how, and narrowly avoid hitting the guard rail.
  4071. >unfortunately your moment cost you, and you see the final wide section ahead.
  4072. >You see your opponent on your right, and you’re on the slipperier side.
  4073. >This section has a curve, which the two of you enter with speed.
  4074. >You see your opponent try to take the clean road.
  4075. >With every bit of your being and every prayer in the book, you accelerate.
  4076. >Pushing your carriage and yourself to the edge of it’s ability.
  4077. >But more importantly ahead of the Blood Red Beast.
  4078. >After a moment you look into your mirror contempt that you’ve defeated your opponent at this curve.
  4079. >Your wing mirror shows nothing but dark road and a distance carriage.
  4080. >That’s not your opponent, just a follower.
  4081. >You check the rear mirror and she’s not there either.
  4082. “The Beast disappeared?”
  4083. >You say aloud questioning your eyes.
  4084. >But You hear its signature sound and the crunching of rocks and pebbles.
  4085. >Reality hits you like a brick and your world slows down to a halt along with your heart.
  4086. “No…”
  4087. >Your eyes widen.
  4088. “Can it be?!”
  4089. >Denying the thought, but you turn your head to your other side.
  4090. >Deny you may, your eyes don’t deceive you.
  4091. >The Red Beast is shoulder to shoulder with you, driving on ground that would destroy any lesser carriage.
  4092. >Moreover she’s not just controlling, she’s gaining ground.
  4093. >You recover from your shock and feel anger.
  4094. “I won’t let you win!”
  4095. >You announce and accelerate hard again.
  4096. >The sheen of water is fresh on that curve; your companions took care of that.
  4097. >Following her example you do the same, accelerating in the curve.
  4098. >A foolish mistake on your part, you feel that sensation again.
  4099. >Your steering has stopped working in the curve and you’re heading for the guardrail at high speed.
  4100. >Panicked you stop thinking about the race and worry only about saving yourself.
  4101. >You stomp on the brake,
  4102. >Your carriage reacts in a way you didn’t even know possible.
  4103. >Snapping around you end up facing the wrong way down the track.
  4104. >A white carriage speeds at you, a chaser trying to keep up with the beast.
  4105. >You go wide eyed, but the driver skillfully dodges your out of control carriage.
  4106. >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zampNCtC898 [Embed]
  4107. >Finally you hit the guard rail and scrape to a halt.
  4108. >The white carriage and your opponent are both far down the track.
  4109. >Your heart is pounding and your world is shaken, but you’re not hurt.
  4110. >The same can’t be said for your precious carriage.
  4111. >You close your eyes. Thinking on the demon you just faced.
  4112. >Everything was in your favor, your companions made sure the track was just like home.
  4113. >Yet that mare and her Red Beast navigated all your obstacles, and you fell for your easiest one.
  4114. >No… You get it.
  4115. >Tears stream down your face.
  4116. >It wasn’t the track, or the carriage.
  4117. >It was her.
  4118. “A thousand bits to fix this, then.”
  4119. ---
  4120. >”It’s like art, when you observe it.”
  4121. >You follow the red carriage, not a first for you.
  4122. >But this time you’re not her target.
  4123. >”She’s going to pass her.”
  4124. >Your sister directs your attention you as she drives.
  4125. “You say she’s going to pass sister, but…”
  4126. >The mare ahead in her black carriage is defending her position incredibly.
  4127. >Regardless the red carriage makes it’s play, attempting to take the inside from the black.
  4128. >You can see the carriage ahead struggle, but move ahead just enough to block her.
  4129. >Tia narrowly avoids the rough debris the Red Beauty easily tramples over.
  4130. >The two of you are hot on their tails, but your sister would be lying if she said it was easy.
  4131. >The road ahead is more of the same, the signature Ponyville curve soiled with Manehatten foul play.
  4132. >The red carriage makes an early play, trying to pass once more.
  4133. >Her play forces the leading carriage to accelerate mid curve, a hasty move you know to avoid.
  4134. >Her hasty reaction does save her lead.
  4135. “Sister do you see…”
  4136. >You don’t know how to describe the phenomenon your eyes are seeing.
  4137. >Her front wheels are turned the way of the curve, yet her carriage is stuck traveling forward.
  4138. >”Hmmm.”
  4139. >Tia’s as fascinated as you are.
  4140. >You may have experienced this, but you’re not sure.
  4141. >The carriages speed out of the curve, and the two of you maintain your distance.
  4142. >The final curve is approaching and the red carriage tries the same play as her last.
  4143. >You feel disappointment by her lack of creativity.
  4144. >But not for long.
  4145. >The black carriage moves to counter just as she had before.
  4146. >Quickly and single-mindedly covering the area where her opponent is attacking.
  4147. >The Red Beauty brakes quickly, reaching just behind the carriage, and quickly coming around the other side.
  4148. >In a single motion, she’s swapped sides with her opponent, with her opponent consented.
  4149. >You can see Tia is more than impressed. She’s almost in awe, a rarity for her.
  4150. >Not that you can blame her.
  4151. >The Beauty uses her much superior acceleration and speeds up to pass the black carriage, who is too busy countering her last attack to see the new one.
  4152. >She’s almost past, when mid curve the Manehattan mare recognizes what has happened, and she accelerates.
  4153. >Her acceleration backfires and she experiences the same phenomenon again.
  4154. >Her turned front wheels mean nothing as her carriage slides forward.
  4155. >She slams on her brakes; a mistake you know never to make.
  4156. >The Red Beauty passes her just as she spins out of control.
  4157. >Your eyes meet and your sister narrowly avoids her out of control carriage.
  4158. >The two of you ignore the helpless mare and chase the Red Beauty.
  4159. >He’s far head already, crossing the intersection where you first fell in love with him.
  4160. >Tia gives chase, but she’s no match and through the curves the Beauty stays ahead.
  4161. >”Amazing. She has no fear of conventional warnings.”
  4162. “Hmmm?”
  4163. >”Her tires are warning her, yet she ignores them. Masterfully.”
  4164. >You haven’t seen your sister this excited in a long time.
  4165. >She seems even more excited.
  4166. >”Sister. Luna. Is that the road end?”
  4167. “Yes sister. Observe her.”
  4168. >Tia gets as close as possible as the Red Beauty enters the circular roundabout, and stops.
  4169. >There she is again.
  4170. >She enters at speeds no carriage could compete, but she snaps her wheels and her rear wheels lock up.
  4171. >Her carriage traces the inside of the circle, once, then twice.
  4172. >The Ponyville crowd is simultaneously in awe and charged.
  4173. >She’s showing off, but her control and technique is none the less amesome.
  4174. >On her third trace, she points herself back down the track and blasts off towards the finish line.
  4175. >Your lungs beg for air the Red Beauty’s performance stole.
  4176. >The two of you draw a breath at the same time.
  4177. >You turn to look your sister in her eyes, and she turns to you.
  4178. >She’s excited, in awe. A smile plastered on her.
  4179. >When the stakes are sky high she always shines.
  4180. >You look down the track as she tackles another curve.
  4181. >The Red Beauty rides your moonbeam down the inside line.
  4182. ------
  4183. >”Your paper work came in.”
  4184. “Cool.”
  4185. >”Even cooler. I got us a real race. Official and everything. Real bits too.”
  4186. “Cool thanks, Wheel.”
  4187. >You lazily eat your bowl of weird apple flavored cereal. A ponyville favorite apparently. You prefer rice crispies.
  4188. >Vanilla.
  4189. >The huge shop is starting to feel really small. You’ve been cooped up in here Since that race.
  4190. >As far as you know Wheel never found out about your involvement, though she’s been talking about rumors of some ‘Red Beast’ and she’s probably getting suspicious.
  4191. >You decide to stay indoors and let you and your car rest, at least until ponies stop talking about red cars.
  4192. >It’s not all bad, you and Wheel jog around the shop in the morning. Plenty of exercise and sun you’re sure, and there’s plenty of work to be done, even if Wheel doesn’t like you doing any of it.
  4193. >What does bother you is Scoots disappearing.
  4194. >She’s not showed up at the shop since the night of the race. Wheel said she wasn’t home either.
  4195. >She’s probably doing alright, but something is really bothering you.
  4196. >”Here, ‘Non-buns.”
  4197. >You turn and glare at your manager. Who shifts her eyes with a slightly ashamed face.
  4198. >”Yea OK. I’m working on them. They’re getting better, right?”
  4199. >She’s got you there, though anything’s better than ‘nonnybutt
  4200. >You look at the papers she put next to your food.
  4201. >It’s some identifying information, some info about your car, generic paperwork. Only things of note are you’re a female which you know about, and a familiar racer number.
  4202. “Why’s my number 291?”
  4203. >”What do you mean? Isn’t that your number? Where the letters important?”
  4204. “What are you talking about Wheel?”
  4205. >”The racing plates on your car. The numbers are 291.”
  4206. “My licence plate? Oh, I, I guess that’s cool.”
  4207. >”I thought those where racing plates. It’s not a big deal, it’s just for bookkeeping.”>She shuffles through a pile of papers and letters.
  4208. >She’s been working real hard for the past few days; you hope it’s not because of you. Maybe you should do something about that.
  4209. >Not that she ever lets you help her and you don’t push her much past getting defensive and rosy cheeks.
  4210. >”Besides the fans will name your carriage. If you do good, that is.”
  4211. >She passes another piece of paper to you, a map of a track.
  4212. >It’s a standard slot shaped track, with one side having a curvy road leading in to the main track.
  4213. >”I’ll be honest, Anon. I’ve never seen this place in person, but it’s only a few wings long, a simple first past the post race.”
  4214. >She walks closer and passes another slip.
  4215. >”And the money is too good to pass up.”
  4216. >You agree, that’s enough zeroes for the risk.
  4217. >But you feel a little uneasy. Not about the race itself, but it feels like someone out there is trying to lure you to the race.
  4218. >New racers usually start out on short beginner tracks, with low or no pay.
  4219. >This track isn’t a beginner track judging by those marks, and a meaty payout if that number is real. It just doesn’t smell right.
  4220. >Your mind wanders a little at the idea, and you wonder if scoots going missing is related.
  4221. >Maybe you’ve been in here too long. After all, what do you know about alien pony racing?
  4222. >You finish the last of your cereal, and turn in your chair to face Wheel.
  4223. “When?”
  4224. >”You’re a gem yknow that?”
  4225. >She hops up on your lap with a single flap and you pull her in. She won’t admit it, but you know she likes that.
  4226. >”We’ll check in tomorrow. Race is noon the next day.”
  4227. >Letting her get really close, she rubs her fur on your cheek, and you rub her back.
  4228. >In honesty, you’re not sure how serious she is about you and her, but you won’t complain about a good thing if she doesn’t.
  4229. >Besides she’s cute.
  4230. >She Likes to hug you with her wings, and rub her chest fur on you.
  4231. >You’ve stopped caring about how weird that is at this point. It’s for the best.
  4232. >Besides, she’s soft.
  4233. >You rub the base of her wings and give her kiss on the cheek in response, you know she loves that. She’d fall down if you weren’t holding her right now.
  4234. >The two of you snap out of it when the shop bell rings.
  4235. >She looks at you with an annoyed red face, and hops off. You get up and follow her as she rounds the corner.
  4236. >”Hi y’all.”
  4237. >It’s that Apple pony from the stall. Scoots friend.
  4238. >”Hey Applebloom. What brings you in?”
  4239. >You silently wave to the small pony, and are immediately distracted by her truck through the shop window.
  4240. >It’s weirdly familiar. It doesn’t look like any of the other pony cars you’ve seen. maybe you’ve been inside too long, but you’re sure you recognize it.
  4241. >”Hiya Wheel, Hey Anon. Ya’ll got time, Wheel?”
  4242. >”Wheels always got time. What’s up?”
  4243. >”Sis’s Cyclone needs a few new chains.”
  4244. >You unwittingly snap to her recognizing that name. You quietly follow the mares as they bring the truck in.
  4245. >Cyclone. You toss the name around your head and examine the truck.
  4246. >Maybe you’ve gotten too used to the carriage like cars to think this boxy looking truck is special. It just looks like any 80s short cab work truck, but no there’s something different.
  4247. >A glossy black with deep red embossed logos on each door and once on the tailgate. Cyclone.
  4248. >Chiselled square grill, with another red logo on it, flanked by square headlights, rectangular turn signals. Cyclone.
  4249. >The body is moulded to form a thick side bumper around the wheel well matched to the front bumper which has 2 square embedded fog lights, and turn signals. Cyclone.
  4250. >Aero lips on the bumper under each foglights, and around the wheels, shiny chrome forward canted rims with logos on each one. Cyclone.
  4251. >It rides low for a truck, and the bed is covered, along with cleanly painted and chromed trim and decals.
  4252. >Suddenly it clicks in your head.
  4253. >You knew you recognized it. It’s obviously an aesthetic copy, it has to be. What are the chances of a pony car looking exactly like it?
  4254. >Though some details are wrong in the best ways, the aero is all integrated into the wood body, the original was plastic add-ons.
  4255. >The logos where all paint, not embossed, and especially not this high quality. Just painted lettering.
  4256. >And most importantly, they’re all spelt wrong. Or actually they’re spelled right, which is why they’re spelled wrong.
  4257. >”You like it, Anon?”
  4258. “Hmm?”
  4259. >”I see you grinning at it.”
  4260. >You’d be lying if you said you didn’t like it. Even if it’s not the real thing.
  4261. “I thought I recognized it.”
  4262. >”Really? Sis says only like twe’ty exist.”
  4263. >”Prolly saw it on a poster, Applebloom. This is a Moonship Cyclone, Anon. A one of a kind sports truck.”
  4264. >The truck rises up on the lift and you feel a little let down. Just another pony carriage under it’s façade after all.
  4265. >”Sis says it’s real fast for a truck.”
  4266. >The mares talk about the truck, but you tune them out.
  4267. >They don’t know half of it, and you fell for the bait and switch. Though it’s still strange, how could it look so similar?
  4268. >Wheel’s never heard of a single car you’ve brought up, how likely are they to know of an obscure pickup?
  4269. >You shake your head and get to helping.
  4270. ---
  4271. >”Bucking- Where’d that pin go?”
  4272. >Wheel struggles to reinstall one of the transmission chains inside the truck.
  4273. >Turns out, this truck is special even here, just in a different way. It’s loaded with advanced features you’re not hearing the end of.
  4274. >”Bucking, all wheel drive my flank! What in the world was Princess Luna thinking?!”
  4275. >Applebloom giggles and look at you, you return her a smile and a shrug. Wheel struggles to hold the chain around it’s sprockets and reinstall a pin.
  4276. >”Yer really hating that, Wheel. Maybe ya need a break?”
  4277. >Applebloom teases her and giggles some more.
  4278. >”Shut up! You wanna try this?”
  4279. >”Ah think ya got it.”
  4280. >The two of you relax on a tool box with some apple juice. You want to help, but Wheel insisted she can do it herself.
  4281. >She has the chain ends in both her hooves, the chain pin in one wing, and the chain tool in the other wing. You know how she feels, like she wasn’t born with enough limbs.
  4282. >But the two of you just lean back and watch the show.
  4283. >”Say Anon, Scootaloo find ya couple days back? Ah’ve never seen a mare go that fast.”
  4284. >Uh oh. Time to play it cool, feign ignorance. You’re just a stallion or colt or whatever right?
  4285. “Yea, she said something about some race or something.”
  4286. >”Yea, ah saw her there. Glad ah went, it was crazy. Ah didn’t see ya’ll there.”
  4287. “Uh, yea, we didn’t go. Wheel was tired, and we where almost asleep.”
  4288. >That’s a half truth, and Wheel will corroborate your story so it’s all good.
  4289. >”What! Wheel, ya didn’t see the race?!”
  4290. >”No, mare! I was out of town and didn’t know so we hit the hay! You saw it?!”
  4291. >”Heck ya! Red Beast blew some Manhattan filly outta the water! The ribbon didn’t even hit the road and it was gone!”
  4292. >”The Red Beast was gone?”
  4293. >”Yea! Some ponies tried to follow him, but nopony could. Not even Twi, an she did magic!”
  4294. >”That fast?”
  4295. >You feel like you should be flattered, you eye the canvas cover camouflaging your econobox, and hope it’s enough to hide her.
  4296. >The bumper lip is visible, but the paint there has chipped away from thousands of kilometers and isn’t red enough to reveal her.
  4297. >”Anyway, it’s a shame ya’ll didn’t see it. Ah’ve never seen anythin like it before.”
  4298. “Oh well. How’s that chain going?”
  4299. >”I’m working on it, wish I had more wings. Who was the Manehatten filly, Applebloom?”
  4300. >Damn it. You know you can’t get Wheel off a race topic. You don’t know why you’ve been hiding yourself all this time, but you can’t tell her now.
  4301. >A thousand lies to hide one lie right?
  4302. >”Ah dunno. Manehatten Track Filly or something.”
  4303. >Wheel does a double take, stops working, putting everything down and looks at Applebloom in disbelief.
  4304. >”W-what?”
  4305. >”Ya ok Wheel? Ya look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
  4306. >”Manehatten Track Fillies?! Those buckers-“
  4307. >Wheel clenches her teeth catching herself. You’re glad she put down her tools, Looks like some old wounds just opened. You walk closer to her.
  4308. “You alright?”
  4309. >She eyes you, but shakes her head and ignores you.
  4310. >”Applebloom, who’s the Red Beast?”
  4311. >”Ah dunno. Most ponies barely got a look at him, he was too fast.”
  4312. >Wheel curses under her breath and stamps a hoof.
  4313. >”What- what about the driver? What was her name?!”
  4314. >”Gee, ah dunno, Wheel. It was mighty dark, nopony saw her.”
  4315. >”Damn!”
  4316. >This isn’t like her, you don’t know what it is, but something’s really eating at her.
  4317. >Maybe you should just tell her what really happened. But it feels like it’s more than just that.
  4318. >Wheel paces back and forth interrogating Applebloom, you decide to excuse yourself and do her work.
  4319. >Just 4 chains to put on, sounds easier than being in between whatever’s going on.
  4320. >You start with the one Wheel was working on while she angrily speaks to an increasingly nervous Applebloom.
  4321. >Starting by starting the pin in one link, then holding each end in one hand. You use the tool to force the pin through the whole link, and check for protrusion, before moving on.
  4322. >Ignoring the angered yelling you work on the other one. Following your previous procedure, you manage to attach the second chain on the rear and move up front.
  4323. >The work is peaceful and you know how to deal with it unlike the mares arguing. Even if you feel the pangs of guilt, you gotta think things through before saying anything.
  4324. >The front chains are harder to do with the more crowded area, but with only a little modification of your technique you manage to fit the chain.
  4325. >You notice the front suspension, double wishbone but with a leaf spring in place of coil overs. Interesting to say the least.
  4326. >The final chain is the hardest, the location of the chain puts it right next to some big brass component in the engine bay.
  4327. >But with only a fraction of the curses compared to the mares, you manage to fit the final chain to it’s sprockets.
  4328. >The commotion dies down just as you finish, and you turn your attention back to the none too happy mares.
  4329. >Feeling awkward you turn the center shaft to try and avoid the elephant in the room and test your work.
  4330. >”Wheel, Ah-“
  4331. >”Just shut it, I gotta get back to work.”
  4332. >”Now wait-a-minute Wheel, yer bein real rude.”
  4333. >”Shut up, Applebloom. You don’t know the half of it.”
  4334. >The mares begin a new bout of arguing, and you don’t have work to hide behind so you step up. Of course you don’t really know what to say.
  4335. “Stop.”
  4336. >Nice, real smooth. If only you’d thought about what to say afterwards, cos now eyes are on you.
  4337. >”Don’t come into this, Anon. We-“
  4338. “Wheely. Your voice is getting sore.”
  4339. >She looks away with a slightly red face, and you walk over to the warzone.
  4340. >You lean down to Wheel who tries to get away, until you run a hand down her neck, and you can see her anger dissipate.
  4341. >With wheel a little calmer, you really think about what to say next. You’re sure you can repeat something you saw on TV.
  4342. “Something’s bothering Wheel, Applebloom. She doesn’t mean to be rude.”
  4343. >Yea that sounded about generic enough.
  4344. >”Ah know. Ahm sorry ah can’t help ya, Wheel. An fer yelling.”
  4345. >”No I’m sorry.”
  4346. >Wheel pipes up and leans closer to you. You’re just glad that worked.
  4347. >”I didn’t mean to get mad, Applebloom. I’m not angry at you, just those damn-. I’m sorry for being rude.”
  4348. >Wheel walks over to Applebloom, and the two settle their differences with a hoof bump and hug.
  4349. >You sit down back where you where satisfied with a job well done, and sip some well earned apple juice. A man earns his drink and all that, even if this ain’t your Molson.
  4350. >Actually that’s not a bad thing.
  4351. >Molson’s awful.
  4352. >”What the buck. Anon did you put these on?”
  4353. “No it was a ghost. Wooo.”
  4354. >”You bu-. You didn’t need to do any work.”
  4355. “But I wanted to. Besides, you spot that sick suspension?”
  4356. >Wheel shakes her head, smiling again, walking back over to you, and flies up to your vacant lap.
  4357. >”You’re a million bits, you know that?”
  4358. >”So like, ya two datin’ or somethin’?”
  4359. >Wheel’s face turns red and her nose scrunches up.
  4360. ---
  4361. >”So now what? It’s all you?”
  4362. >”It was always all me.”
  4363. >The red mare scoffs, inhaling from a smokey brass pipe.
  4364. >She eyes a familiar black carriage come into the lot and park. Its side covered in a fresh battle scar.
  4365. >Moments later, the driver enters the café with her own battle scars.
  4366. >”And, look who the cat dragged in.”
  4367. >The red mare says dismissively before turning her attention to her pipe.
  4368. >”What happened to you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
  4369. >”If what ponies are saying is true, she might have.”
  4370. >The others speak to the new troubled mare, before the red mare rudely interrupts them.
  4371. >”So, Strike. How’d it feel to lose a ponyville mare?”
  4372. >”Shut up. You don’t know anything.”
  4373. >The black mare answers quietly in defense, though nervously. The red mare only giggles in response.
  4374. >The red mare runs a soft hoof over strike’s neck, and the black mare moves away.
  4375. >”Nothing? I know you lost, Slippy. Even with all the work we did.”
  4376. >She pauses to take in and let out another puff of smoke in the other mares face.
  4377. >”Number one driver.”
  4378. >She says with contempt.
  4379. >”I don’t know, Swipe. Everypony talking about that Red Beast. He’s really something else. Like a beast from tartarus itself. And the mare driving…”
  4380. >The red mare remains unconvinced and annoyed by the notion.
  4381. >”Oh please. It’s one of Wheel’s carriage. We took care of her other two, this one won’t be hard.”
  4382. >”That mare makes the road move around her, you won’t beat her.”
  4383. >The silent mare speaks up. Enticing another smirk from her teammare.
  4384. >”Oh? Like her, fillyfooler?”
  4385. >The red mare strikes the other mares butt, making her recoil and enticing a yell.
  4386. >”You won’t get it. Go race her! You’ll see!”
  4387. >”I will. And unlike you, I’ll win.”
  4388. >The red mare confidently responds, and looks out the window admiring her pride and joy.
  4389. >”Her Red Bucket is no match for my AB16.”
  4390. >All the mares follow her gaze to the glossy red machine parked outside.
  4391. >Its small and unassuming looks hide a wicked weapon in plain sight.
  4392. >”I’m going to defeat her. No…”
  4393. >She eyes the protrusions on her front bumpers, and licks her lips.
  4394. >”…Destroy her.”
  4395. >All the mares look at each other unsure of the red mare’s intentions, though aware of her maliciousness.
  4396. >After a long moment of silence, she empties her pipe into an ashtray and stands up, stretching her hooves.
  4397. >”Catch you fillies in ponyville.”
  4398. >The mares do themselves and their friends a favor. They don’t try to bargain with a selfish gene.
  4399. >Selfish gene don’t take no prisoners.
  4400. ”Hello Wheel. Anon.”
  4401. >You feel like a stranger entering the room, but he doesn’t let you get away with that for long. Excitedly getting up, he almost runs over to say hi.
  4402. >”Scoots! Where the hell did you go? Got me mad shook, dude.”
  4403. >He doesn’t sound like he’s faking it either. Not that you where ever any good at this stuff, but he’s happy to see you.
  4404. >He offers you a closed hand, and you take it but avoid his eyes.
  4405. >You don’t want to see those eyes. They make you feel something, something you’ve fallen for once and you feel like you’re falling for them again.
  4406. “I was busy.”
  4407. >Answering almost coldly, you know he doesn’t deserve that, and even you can see he’s let down.
  4408. >Without much thought you join your team huddle around a map on the coffee table.
  4409. >”Filly, we where worried about you.”
  4410. >You believe her. Wheel takes good care of her racers. And you’re her friend.
  4411. >But what would you even tell them? How you felt? Even you don’t know that. And that’s just weird.
  4412. >You felt cheated, you still feel cheated. But you know it was all your own fault.
  4413. >You stuck your nose where it didn’t belong, and you got stung. but you know it was the right thing to do and you’d do it again.
  4414. >Heck the sting was all you too. You’re fighting with nopony but yourself, everypony else is just caught in the middle.
  4415. >”Well anyway, glad to see you, Scoot. Did you see the track?”
  4416. “Yea.”
  4417. >”Well? What do you think? You guys are out there in an hour.”
  4418. >’Atleast one of them is your friend Scootaloo. Will snubbing your friend make you feel better?’
  4419. >You scold yourself. They need you, and you have a job to do. You can deal with your feelings later. For friendships sake.
  4420. >You shake your head clean, thinking about the matter at hoof.
  4421. >There’s the thought in your mind, you’re not much use. Not with that stallion at the wheel. But by those eyes, you know he would never let you feel that.
  4422. “The map isn’t everything; this place is built around an old quarry. There’s a lot of sand on the track. Slippery sand.”
  4423. >Anon keeps his eyes on you. You know he doesn’t need to.
  4424. >Your mind takes you back to that night. Manhatten mud couldn’t even slow him down. he could circle this place in his sleep.
  4425. “It’s also an old track, it’s narrow, passing isn’t possible in most places.”
  4426. >Maybe for anypony else. You saw the rock covered mud caking Ponyville. Racers think they’re in tune with their carriage. But his is a part of him.
  4427. >There’s only one pony who could even get close to that.
  4428. “But there’s places here and here where the carriage may fit. We miss this section because…”
  4429. >You stop and see Anon following your every gesture to the map, and listening to your every word.
  4430. >You’d swear he’s doing this just to make you feel better. But no, you’re not the smartest filly, but you know when somepony is for real.
  4431. “And here’s the worst bit. See that curved bit along the track?”
  4432. >All of them follow your hoof on the map, and along it the road snaking up the side of the track
  4433. >”A service road?”
  4434. “Usually. Today it’s our start.”
  4435. >”What?!”
  4436. >Wheel snaps at you.
  4437. >”That’s not fair, the regulations say-“
  4438. >Wheel sounds charged at the added challenge. Not her usual style.
  4439. >Anon doesn’t know it, but she’s what the other managers fear. She’ll take a bite twice her size and come out on top.
  4440. >”All start’s gotta be the same from finish. It is.”
  4441. >Wheel looks nervously at Anon and you follow her. He’s studying the map, reading it in a way neither of you can understand.
  4442. >”Buck… Anon-“
  4443. “Don’t worry about it. Doesn’t look like it’s gonna be a problem.”
  4444. >”Anon, that thing is a slippery curve ridden uphill. You’ll-“
  4445. >You remember the talks Wheel gave you. Ever single one pushing you to win. And you did, every time.
  4446. >Well. Almost every time.
  4447. >But she’s different with Anon. Why would she do that? Is she playing him? Or is she really just scared?
  4448. “I’ll be fine.”
  4449. >He downs his mug, and walks off.
  4450. >Wheel stops, but you know she’s worried about him, you hear it in her voice, it’s just like yours a few nights ago. And you’d be lying if you said you weren’t worried now.
  4451. >Your heart is afraid, but in your gut you know he can do it, and you know she knows that too.
  4452. >He has something. Something? Something you’ll never get. Something no other racer has. It’s a passion, Princess Luna pointed it out.
  4453. >You saw it once before in another colt.
  4454. >”We should get down there.”
  4455. >Wheel sounds unsure.
  4456. >But she didn’t see that night.
  4457. ---
  4458. >”Scoots.”
  4459. >You try to keep ignoring him, but you’ve been hearing and thinking of every attempt at small talk he’s made.
  4460. >”Something bothering you? You OK?”
  4461. >That catches you off guard and you inhale a little deep, still not responding.
  4462. >The two of you wait on the line, strapped in waiting for the signal.
  4463. >His car is as awesome inside as it is outside. Some weird material covers everything, a hard black stuff.
  4464. >It’s comfortable too, not the lightest seats, but it’s like you’re sitting in a chair at home. There’s buttons and knobs and lights everywhere
  4465. >More luxurious than any handcrafted Royale, and yet if your eyes don’t lie, more power than any Moonship.
  4466. >You’re one of the few ponies who will ever sit in this amazing thing, but you’re not in nearly as much awe as you ought to be.
  4467. >It’s almost as breathtaking as it’s owner.
  4468. >That colt. That bucking colt.
  4469. >Why is he asking if you’re OK? Does he care? Why does he care?
  4470. “Yea.”
  4471. >”You don’t sound like a ‘yea’. What’s got you feeling down, Scoots?”
  4472. >He sounds sincere, worried. Twi would give him a friendship reward.
  4473. >He does care. You don’t know why, but it’s like you can feel him. He waits for you and then looks away when you don’t talk.
  4474. >”Hey Scootaloo.”
  4475. >He talks quietly, he sounds unsure.
  4476. >”I’m sorry. I know you where worried, and I said I wouldn’t go, and I should have thought about you… But…”
  4477. >He pauses for a minute. You want to stop him; you should stop him. He had every right to go out there and race.
  4478. >Heck, even daredevil herself couldn’t match his moves. He’s got teats bigger than any other race pony.
  4479. >”But I couldn’t stop myself. I know-“
  4480. “No. It’s not you.”
  4481. >You reply quietly.
  4482. “I’m still worried, Anon… But you’re the best gosh darn racer I’ve ever seen.”
  4483. >Your cheeks feel warm, and you want him to do something. But you’re not sure what.
  4484. “Sorry, I’m gonna keep worrying, Anon… and you…”
  4485. >Pausing, you feel a million stones lighter, you get it now, and you accept it.
  4486. >You don’t wanna lose him, he’s a one in a million colt, better than before, even if he’s just a friend.
  4487. >Sweeter than cake, as good a friend as any element, and a racer with no match. But he’s a mustang nopony can hope to control.
  4488. “…You keep, racing.”
  4489. >Anon gives you a smile, and gently punches your shoulder.
  4490. >Laughing at the dumbest thing you’ve ever said, you feel a lot better now. And in perfect time.
  4491. >The signal to move up sounds as Anon lets his Beast roll forward, you eye the light post, displaying a bright orange.
  4492. >Anon presses something and a glowing green bar appears on one of the button clusters in the center:
  4493. >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QZHzd7z4Vs
  4494. >”I won’t be able to hear you in a few seconds. Final words, Scoots?”
  4495. >You think and only one comes up. Though you know he doesn’t need it.
  4496. “Win, Anon”
  4497. >The post turns green.
  4498. ---
  4499. >Accelerating as hard as you know how to. Just as your manager said to.
  4500. >Mister Luck is smiling on you for once, hard road and straight line. You feel bad for the mare below you, but you can’t afford to do anything about it.
  4501. >There’s a strange noise emanating from her road, like the savage cry of some everfree beast.
  4502. >You dare not check if there’s lightning to that thunder, not with this first curve approaching.
  4503. >The roar is getting louder, more primal too like a real animal is behind it, and your curiosity forces you to seek the source.
  4504. >Expecting a hidden view of nothing, you see a storm the likes of which you’ve never seen.
  4505. “Wha…-“
  4506. >Taking a ragged breath, you’re speechless. Smokey dust screens the beasts approach up the unfavorable road, hot on your tail and without relent.
  4507. >You instinctively accelerate harder. Not twice thinking of your actions.
  4508. “No. It can’t. Just some dust the wind is picking up… Surely.”
  4509. >Disbelieving your lying eyes, and wanting to calm your panicked heart, you turn your head again.
  4510. ”How is she moving so quickly?!”
  4511. >You angrily demand an answer from nopony.
  4512. >The road she moves on is like a serpent, and it’s slick with fine sand. Yet that beast straightens the serpent, and fuels a storm with the sand.
  4513. ”So heavy it broke the weigh-in.”
  4514. >You tell yourself, which does nothing for your heart as the tempest of dust continues to gain.
  4515. >Once you thought he was simply handsome, all vanity and no performance. By the way your heart is racing and the sweat streams down your face now, that you didn’t expect this.
  4516. >The corner approaches fast, and your path will soon intersect with the beast.
  4517. >The beasts section is facing the wrong way, a serious disadvantage. Maybe luck will shine on you yet.
  4518. >Your speed of entrance is ludicrous and yet your senses are only overwhelmed by the dust tempest as it reveals itself.
  4519. >A shooting star launches through the corner, trailing a jet of flaming dust thick enough to cut.
  4520. >Luck is a cruel master yet, he placed the beast at a disadvantage yet still on your tail.
  4521. >His once gorgeous rosy face, now seems to holds a snarl red with fury, and with a roar to match.
  4522. >The mare inside however alien, has a look you’ve never seen on a racer.
  4523. >Focused. No ‘racers snarl’ and zipping eyes.
  4524. “Am I alive?”
  4525. >You question yourself, feeling a strange numbness all over.
  4526. >No not a numbness, an overload of emotions that you thought you had forgotten a long time ago.
  4527. >The mare clings to you like she’s part of your carriage. No, you’re the one caught in her storm.
  4528. >Your magic feels overpowered by the proximity. Coupled with his deafening roar that only pulses louder every time you consider slowing down and you think if you’ll survive this to the end.
  4529. >The road is downwind and slick with sand, there is no way to slow down or speed up, or change direction too quickly.
  4530. >Your only hope is to weather the storm and pray to survive.
  4531. >You force your scrambled mind to concentrate as much as possible, as you see a widening section ahead.
  4532. >You’re uncomfortable when she’s so close, but she can’t pass you if she’s sticking to your rear, and there’s no mare or carriage that can change their path quickly enough. You gulp.
  4533. >’at least not one of this world.’
  4534. >The wide section approaches as half your senses stop working as you focus on splitting your attention on only your rear mirror and the road.
  4535. >You see the mare insides eye shift ever so slightly, her calmness scares you and you miss her obvious signal.
  4536. >Her paws snap into the liveliest movement you’ve seen from her and her carriage complies snapping itself over next to and behind you.
  4537. >”What in Tartarus?!”
  4538. >Instincts you didn’t know you had take over as your life flashes before you making you miss a few seconds of the world.
  4539. >When you come to you’re still in the lead and that handsome devil still behind you. The mare inside has a small unnerving smile on her face.
  4540. >Your head hurts, you overexerted your magic in your save, you don’t know if you can take that one more time.
  4541. >This race has turned into an ordeal you weren’t prepared for in the slightest. But what could ever prepare a mare to face this devil?
  4542. >All the races, rigged. Even this one. Doctored to put the other racer at a disadvantage. But destiny has caught up to you.
  4543. >She follows you like the guilt you feel, even if you both have reasons. You lost your honor when you took that bag.
  4544. >But maybe not all of it. This and every race, you have and you will give it your best, and you’d rather go with the devil than give up.
  4545. >You clench your teeth. You’re in the lead for now, but your pounding heart knows your destiny is to lose.
  4546. >The finish line is not much past the final upcoming curve, and to make matters worst: before the curve is also the wide section where your opponent will overtake you. Although you don’t know how.
  4547. >She has you outclassed, but it doesn’t matter. While you can work your magic, and your carriage is under your control, you’ll fight.
  4548. >You have a few tricks too; the slick sand can’t stop you as long as you keep the same speed, and you can still move.
  4549. >Heart isn’t under control but your conscience is clear and your mind is focused, and just in time.
  4550. >You clench your teeth tighter than before and again let half your senses drop to focus the important ones, as the devil chases you into the wide section.
  4551. >Focused this time, the mare flicks her eyes and then just as you expect her carriage follows, your instincts take over once more.
  4552. >Your life flashes once more, but your focus pays off, you hear a powerful roar pulse and the devil changes his direction.
  4553. >Too little too late, your instincts control your body, even if your mind catches her, it’s nowhere as fast as her moves are.
  4554. >Her paws and carriage move in unison like they’re part of the same creature, and his powerful roar follows his immense speed.
  4555. >The two are quickly next to you and she meets your eye for just a moment.
  4556. >Kind eyes, and a warm smile. She puts up two of her plushy claws in a V. Making you smile like you’ve never smiled before.
  4557. >You’re in the eye, and it’s a respite from your ordeal. A reward even.
  4558. >Just as quickly as it was upon you, the storm passes. The devil and angel enter the curve at an unimaginable speed and you can only watch.
  4559. >His tires screech and you see his tail wag, but she holds the leach through it.
  4560. >A cyclone rages through that curve, and loser or not you’re just happy to not be stuck in that.
  4561. ---
  4562. >So lost in the gorgeous display, you miss the rest of the ‘race’ and come to a stop past the line into your pit.
  4563. >You’re sure you’re going to wake up any moment and princess Luna is going to give you a lesson in honor.
  4564. >But then the Red Devil opens, and a pair of strong legs step on the ground, followed by a slouching alien. From here you wouldn’t believe anypony, but she’s real.
  4565. >Her manager speaks to her and she turns to look at you with that same warm smile. But sunnier now that the storm has passed.
  4566. >You smile back and come back to your senses.
  4567. >Your body is shaking, your head hurts, your teeth are chattering and your heart is still pounding. You know your carriage is gonna need work.
  4568. >The overwhelmed senses, anxiety, pain, fear – they reignited a fire in you that racing had lost. Ever since that damned mare gave you that bag.
  4569. >Any other day a shocking defeat like this would be a tragedy, but today your smile holds.
  4570. >You where beaten clean in a stormy shower, and while your body is aching your soul feels pure and satisfied.
  4571. >The stars are bright tonight; the air is sweet. Although you know your summer’s over now.
  4572. >That handsome devil speaks and There’s a strange new music in the street.
  4573. >”Wher’d ya get the money?”
  4574. “I’ve been saving since Twi started paying me!”
  4575. >”I don’t pay you, you get a wage for being my assistant.”
  4576. “Yea, whatever. She pays me.”
  4577. >Applejack isn’t impressed, but whatever, everypony else can’t stop looking at it. She’s probably a little jealous.
  4578. >Sure you can fly, but so can any pegasus. But you have The crown jewel of magic-less carriages. A real GE4-A, and not many have that.
  4579. >This is the best day of your life, and the start of a new one. This time you won’t be a assistant, you’re going to be a racer!
  4580. >”Well it’s definitely got charm, darling.”
  4581. >Even she likes it! She’s doing those magic things to see what looks good with it; you’d ofcourse let her decorate it. Though it can’t get too heavy or it won’t be fast.
  4582. >You hope Anon likes it, maybe he’ll race you!
  4583. >You’re a little jealous of his carriage but the Spark can hold it’s own! Besides, it’s all about the driver and you’re a fast learner.
  4584. >”Are you sure it’s a real Spark, Spike?”
  4585. “Ofcourse it is, Twi! Look at it! It’s so cool!”
  4586. >You’re sure it’s a Spark. What else can it be? It’s got the weird griffon logo, and it’s got the Spark logo.
  4587. >”And again, you only paid 2000 bits for it?”
  4588. “Yea! It’s such a good deal!”
  4589. >She looks skeptical, but she doesn’t know anything about cars. Wheel will check it out soon and let you know if it needs anything.
  4590. >Not that it needs work, it’s in great conditions. Almost mint.
  4591. >Anon lives with Wheel you think; she just went in to get a couple tools. Hopefully Anon comes out and sees it.
  4592. >You gotta learn from Anon, Rarity doesn’t care about carriages. You could totally be the driver in the relationship!
  4593. >Maybe you’ll get good enough to join Wheel! Then you can really race it. The red even compliments Anons color, maybe he’ll be your partner!
  4594. >Look at that red, it’s lighter than his in the sun, but real races happen at night anyway.
  4595. >”Ah don’ get what’s so special about some griffon carriage. Ah bet the ol’ cyclone could run it down!”
  4596. >”Haha, no way sis. That there is a carrige made for the racin’ cup. Cyclone ain’t that fast.”
  4597. “Yea! It was designed to race in the GE. It’s even in the name. Grand Escape, Apex!”
  4598. >”Uh huh. What’s the 4 for then?”
  4599. “Uh. I dunno.”
  4600. >The Apples start bickering among themselves, but you’ve got other stuff to deal with.
  4601. >”Sorry for the wait Spike.”
  4602. >She’s here! You know she’s gonna love it. You should ask where Anon is, he’s gotta see this.
  4603. “Hey Wheel! Here’s my carriage.”
  4604. >”A real Spark? GE4-A spec?”
  4605. >She likes it! She’s eyeing it up and down, it’s like she’s so amazed she doesn’t believe it.
  4606. “Yea! Isn’t it cool!? When I saw it for sale I just couldn’t let it go!”
  4607. >”Yea… Yea it looks really good.”
  4608. >She looks like she’s studying really hard, she’s probably noticed something really cool you missed, after all she knows everything about carriages.
  4609. >”Say, Spike. How much did you pay?”
  4610. >”2000 bits.”
  4611. >You opened your mouth but Twi butted in. She thinks it’s not a real Spark, something about really below value or whatever.
  4612. “Yea! What a good deal right?!”
  4613. >”Yea… Really good deal.”
  4614. >She’s still thinking, whatever. You wonder where Anon is, he’d really appreciate it. He might even know more than Wheel.
  4615. >”Lifts, mare.”
  4616. >You’re almost startled by Scootaloo putting down the metal lift. But seeing Anon behind her excites you. He’s gonna love your new carriage.
  4617. >”Thanks Scoot. Thanks ‘Nonny.”
  4618. >Anon glares at Wheel. You’re silently waiting for him to notice your car and tell everypony how cool it is.
  4619. >”This is Anon. Anon, Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy. Yknow the rest.”
  4620. >Wheel points at the ponies in order. Hopefully they get over it quickly so they can get back to your Spark.
  4621. >”Hello Anon, we’ve heard a lot about you!”
  4622. >Ugh, Twi’s wanted to meet him since she couldn’t find any information on ‘human’. She better not tell you to ‘take a note’.
  4623. >”Yes, Darling. Though not that you where so… large.”
  4624. >Hey. You can be large, larger even. Just need a couple hundred years…
  4625. >”Hi, Anon. I’ve never seen a creature like you, are you from the Everfree?”
  4626. >Ugh, even Fluttershy? Can’t everypony just get back to your carriage?!
  4627. >”Hello. Nice to meet you all. I don’t know what the ‘everfree’ is.”
  4628. >There he waved to everypony, introductions are over, now everypony can focus on your carriage.
  4629. >”’Mac was askin ‘bout ya, Anon. Yer welcome on the farm, yknow. If yer not too busy beatin a princess that is.”
  4630. >You almost groan as the mares start up again and even Wheel’s distracted from your carrige.
  4631. >”Did you really beat princess Luna? She’s said to be unbeatable.”
  4632. >”Wheel ‘ere said ya beat her in ponyville too.”
  4633. >Look, even Anon doesn’t wanna talk about it. Cool racers don’t talk about their races. Besides he wants to check your carriage.
  4634. >”Well… Uh. That’s not the official story.”
  4635. >”What about at the meeting? I was too busy to watch the race myself. The paper work for such an event is very important after all. Did you really win?”
  4636. >”Ah, well. Yknow that’s, like… Not the uh, official story.”
  4637. >He’s too distracted to talk about it. The mares just don’t get that. Bro wants to see your carrige.
  4638. >”What about here in ponyville? That was amazing, darling.”
  4639. >No, you can’t let them get started on that race. They’ll never get to your carrige if they do. And he doesn’t look like he wants to either.
  4640. “Hey Anon, what do you think about my new carriage?”
  4641. >See he didn’t wanna talk about the race. He’s probably talked about the race everyday since. He walks around your car and looks it up and down.
  4642. >”Nice.”
  4643. >’Nice’?
  4644. >That’s it? You feel a little let down. He smiled at you sure, but it’s not just nice.
  4645. “Nice?! Like?”
  4646. >You know he doesn’t talk much, he’s like Big Mac, just needs a little push and he’ll talk a lot more, you’re sure.
  4647. >”Nice like, uhh. Enough to get out onna tray.”
  4648. >’Get on a tray?’ Is that some weird expression from where he’s from?
  4649. >Either way, Ponyville or not, a GE4 isn’t just nice!
  4650. >This is a-
  4651. >”So, Spike. Where’d you buy it from?”
  4652. “There was an ad in ‘Wheel & Tire’.”
  4653. >”Did it come all the way from the Crystal empire?”
  4654. “Well yea, why?”
  4655. >”It’s not a GE4.”
  4656. >’It’s not a GE4.’
  4657. >It echoes in your head for a minute. Surely you just misheard. Right?
  4658. >You don’t want to believe your ears, that’s not possible. It can’t be. Your whole world feels like it’s come crashing down.
  4659. “It’s not a Spark? Th-then what is it?”
  4660. >You hope for a good answer, but almost don’t want to hear what she has to say.
  4661. >”Well it’s a Spark, but it’s a A3-U spec. I thought it was fishy, only griffon racers have real ones.”
  4662. >Shouldn’t have listened to her. You where so happy. So excited. It’s not a real Spark, just a real boring A3…
  4663. >”The giveaway is the top, it would have a hump if it was a real 4-A, cos the condenser is bigger. Sorry, I guess you don’t know what that is.”
  4664. >You know what a condenser is…
  4665. >It feels like heart break. You knew it, Twi was right. It was too cheap, too good to be true.
  4666. >”See I told you, Spike.”
  4667. >She did tell you. But you didn’t listen, you where too excited to listen…
  4668. >”Told ya Applebloom, the ol’ cyclone can run it down.”
  4669. >”Ah think a squirrel can run it down, sis.”
  4670. >Clenching your claws, you feel angry at yourself. You always do things like this.
  4671. >You’re not a racer. You’ll never be a racer.
  4672. >”At least it looks good, Darling.”
  4673. >That’s not good enough, and everypony knows it. It’s a fake, a copy a lie.
  4674. >”Should have bought a ZE6-B.”
  4675. >You’re an idiot.
  4676. >That’s all there is to it. You can’t ever do anything right, not without Twilight.
  4677. >Your eyes are blurred with tears, and you don’t know what to do. This was all you ever wanted.
  4678. >The mares are still busy giggling to themselves like fillies. Laughing at your failure.
  4679. >Applejack was right, colts can’t race. Anon’s just a rare exception, you’re just a messup.
  4680. >You asked for this.
  4681. >Without another thought, you run away with tears in your eyes.
  4682. >You want to fly, but you’re too hurt and can’t focus enough to fly. But you can run, as fast as your little legs can carry you.
  4683. >Far, far away, you wish you could run away to another life. But unfortunately you only get as far as the other side of the shop.
  4684. >at least nopony can see you here, and nopony bothered following you. You cry against the wall, letting your tears stream down the bricks.
  4685. >Angry at everypony, angry at your car but mostly just angry at yourself.
  4686. >You hate being a ‘dumb little colt’, why can’t you do anything right?
  4687. >You try so hard, but even then everything is your own fault, you’re just a big failure.
  4688. >This is why Twi’s gotta watch over you. You can’t be left on your own-
  4689. >”Yo Spike. Man.”
  4690. >You take a deep ragged breath, and move your tear soaked claws off your wet eyes.
  4691. >Though your eyes are blurry, Anon is hard to miss. He gets close to you and kneels down.
  4692. >”Don’t be like this dude.”
  4693. “But my A3…”
  4694. >”Who cares? You gotta car, don’t you? Most ponies don’t, And it’s in great condition, Wheel said that.”
  4695. >He’s right, most ponies still don’t have a carrige, and yours’s is almost mint.
  4696. >”Wanna know how much I paid for mine? 35 hundred bucks.”
  4697. “Really? It’s so cool though…”
  4698. >You don’t believe him. Not after you’ve seen his machine in action. There’s no way it was only 3500 bits.
  4699. >”Hell yea, man. It’s an econobox. Barely made over 100 horses. I just needed a car at the time.”
  4700. >He doesn’t sound like he’s just telling you to make you feel better. And you saw him beat princess Luna in an identical carrige to hers. If anypony knows about this, it’s him.
  4701. >”I dropped over 10 grand modding it though, but that’s the real way to do it. No factory car is gonna be what you want, your car is what you put into it.”
  4702. >He’s right. All the best racers mod their carrige, it’s why Wheel is so good at racing.
  4703. >”And let me tell you, dude. Spend your time pouring sweat, not tears.”
  4704. >He’s right. You can’t cry like a little foal, you’re still on the path to be a racer. You nod your head and wipe a few tears.
  4705. >Anon readjusts himself, and stands up.
  4706. >”So, How’s it drive?”
  4707. “What?”
  4708. >’How’s it drive’ well you don’t know. You haven’t actually driven it yet, and nowhere close to how a racer can drive.
  4709. >You got into driving when Pinkie let you drive her family truck, and you barely get to drive outside of that.
  4710. >What’s a carrige supposed to feel like to drive? You don’t even know that.
  4711. >”Yknow? How does it feel like to drive?”
  4712. “I… don’t know…”
  4713. >Feeling a little ashamed you look at your claws, and avoid his line of sight.
  4714. >”Dude. That’s the real crime. Get inside and hit the road.”
  4715. “But I don’t know how to drive like a racer!”
  4716. >”Who cares? Do you know how to drive at all?”
  4717. >He asks and looks at you as if to tell you that you can drive, not really questioning.
  4718. “Y-yea…”
  4719. >”Then that’s where you start! I started with my dad telling me to park the LeSaber.”
  4720. >He’s right. You won’t learn anything until you really start driving.
  4721. >And you drive better than Twi already, so maybe you still can get really good.
  4722. >But how will you learn all alone?-
  4723. >”Tell you what. Don’t tell anyone, we’ll roll tonight. What do you say?”
  4724. >You feel your excitement and smile come back. Better than ever.
  4725. >Anon, the dude who beat princess Luna: TWICE, is going to teach you to drive.
  4726. >A3 or not This may still be the best day of your life.
  4727. ---
  4728. >This is SOO COOL.
  4729. >You’ve driven the ponyville track at least four times now, and Anons given you tips along the way, you can feel you’re getting better.
  4730. >Your Spark may not be a GE4 but it feels really good, everything works with you. Nothing feels too far away like in other carriages.
  4731. >The two of you are relaxing at the roundabout, you gotta get this part right, it’s a real challenge for everypony.
  4732. >Except Anon of course.
  4733. >After this is a bunch of curves anon calls ‘hair pins’ and a big climbing curve that leads back to the start.
  4734. >The track is designed like Canterlot, but it’s nowhere near that dangerous.
  4735. >Nopony ever races Canterlot.
  4736. >”It sucks no one ever follows me long enough to get to the hairpins. It’s not as fun alone.”
  4737. >He’s so confident. Like a real racemare. You wish you could be like that. You’re nervous the whole time you’re driving.
  4738. “What are hairpins like Anon?”
  4739. >”I can’t tell you that.They’re tight quick turns. You gotta learn-“
  4740. >Anon’s distracted as 3 carriages quickly pull into the roundabout, and stop abruptly.
  4741. >They’re not ponyville racers, you know all of them and those aren’t their carriages.
  4742. >They stop in a line blocking the exit. You spot their sticker and you think Anon does too.
  4743. >’Manehatten Track Fillies.’
  4744. “A-Anon?”
  4745. >You ask quietly, but he doesn’t say anything and you look at him, he’s eyeing them quietly. It’s like he sees something, but he doesn’t say anything.
  4746. >It’s all so cool. He’s so cool, like a real racer. Maybe one day you’ll be that cool.
  4747. >two of the carriages open their doors and some shady looking mares step out, and stop to eye the two of you. You wish you where as relaxed as Anon.
  4748. >”We’re looking for the driver of the Red Beast. Who is she?”
  4749. >A mare yell at the two of you but anon doesn’t answer and you’re too scared in place to answer.
  4750. >”You hear me? Who’s the driver of the Red Beast?”
  4751. >She yells louder this time, making you flinch.
  4752. >“Who’s asking?”
  4753. >Anon answers and the mares smile and begin walking closer. You almost run, but you’re still frozen in place.
  4754. >”Look fillies, a stallion! Two colts all alone? Nice carriage, honey.”
  4755. >Thankfully Anon’s getting the worst of it, you’re not sure you can take that. You don’t like the way they look at you at all.
  4756. >One of them stops just short of you, eyes your carriage then stares down at you.
  4757. >”That ain’t the red beast is it? Is it yours?”
  4758. >You’re scared as you’ve ever been, especially without Twi. You can’t answer.
  4759. >The mare stamps her hoof and repeats her question.
  4760. >”You there? Is it yours, pipsqueak?”
  4761. >You gulp and open your chattering teeth.
  4762. “Y-y-yes. It’s mine.”
  4763. >”Is that so. Real GE4. That’s something. Wait a minute.”
  4764. >She does a double take after she says that, and eyes your carriage really closely.
  4765. >”Hey Flipper, that’s no GE4. Look at the hood.”
  4766. >The mares start laughing among themselves.
  4767. >”HAHAHA! Colts think they’re racers, don’t they?!”
  4768. >”Hey, mare. They’re prolly fastest at the spa!”
  4769. >”HAHA! With a fake GE4!”
  4770. >”Why don’t you two get some marefriends to drive you?! This is just embarrassing, colts.”
  4771. >You feels some tears swell up in your eyes, and look away at your carriage.
  4772. >”Don’t you think about racing us in that thing, colt! HAHA!”
  4773. >”We’d invite you into our real racing carriages but racers gotta stay light.”
  4774. >The mares walk away laughing, stopping at their carriages one more time
  4775. >”Cya, colts. Try not to get in our way.”
  4776. >They enter their carriage and quickly drive away, leaving you on the verge of crying and trying to understand what happened.
  4777. >”Spike.”
  4778. >Anon quickly knocks you out of your stunned state, and grabs your shoulders.
  4779. “Y-yea?”
  4780. >”Give me your keys.”
  4781. >He’s almost demanding, and you don’t know what to say. You want to ask him why, but you find yourself giving him what he wants without saying a word.
  4782. >”Get in.”
  4783. >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chnSSpCLz18
  4784. >You follow his command and he sits in the driver’s seat, starting the carrige quickly and before you know it, he’s after those mares.
  4785. >He’s already showing you speeds you didn’t know your carrige could do. You’re tossed around as he covers ground, and cycles through speeds.
  4786. >His speed and aggression with the shifter is in a class of it’s own. He smashes it into gear, and doesn’t let up on the car at all.
  4787. >The road gets darker as the moon is obscured behind the hills and your carriage speeds down the hill at speeds that no other racer would attempt.
  4788. >In time you’re sure is technically impossible, he’s caught up to the mares who harassed you mere moments ago.
  4789. >Down the dark track the only light is the carriage lights, and you’re amazed how well Anon can control the carriage in almost total darkness.
  4790. >There’s no belts in this thing, so you somehow stand up and grab hold of the dash board handbar to keep steady, and give yourself a better view of the road.
  4791. >The best decision you’ve made, because you see one of the infamous ‘hairpins’ coming up.
  4792. >Your mind is telling you to stop him from doing this, but your body is not responding, and the best it can do is hold on.
  4793. >Those mares are a few carriages ahead of you, and they all brake to tackle the turn, Anon doesn’t brake he merely eases off the throttle, and downshifts.
  4794. >The first mare disappears around the curve like a proper racer, and the second follow her, then the third.
  4795. >Proper racer or not, Anon doesn’t let up and no sooner has the third mare disappeared around the curve does Anon hit it with an attack nopony would believe.
  4796. >He snaps the carriage and pounds the throttle, and you’re not sure what’s he’s done, or how in equestrian it’s possible.
  4797. >You wouldn’t believe your eyes, if your body wasn’t twisting and suffering under his moves.
  4798. >And neither is the third mare who stares at the two of you wide eyed as you pass her mid turn, with your carrige side ways.
  4799. >Anon pays no mind to the mare he left behind and focuses on the remaining two as he straightens the carriage.
  4800. >Your moment of respite is short lived as he aims himself on to the next target.
  4801. >He shifts up another gear and accelerates even with it being impossible to see beyond a few hoofs.
  4802. >You watch the mare behind you slowly slip further and further away as Anon fearlessly darts down the hill.
  4803. >The mares ahead must also be getting serious, the second one tries to get into position to block Anon towards the inside of the curve.
  4804. >Anon doesn’t let a single thing scare him, he gets close enough to touch the mare trying to block him.
  4805. >You grit your teeth and cringe terrified of crashing at speeds like this, but Anon keeps calm eyeing his speed every now and then like it’s just another drive.
  4806. >His hand stays rested on the shifter, and occasionally his eye moves slightly to the rear mirror.
  4807. >Even Scootaloo and Wheel have a race face, but you’ve never heard much less seen of a racer who keeps this relaxed.
  4808. >He may be relaxed, but sweat is streaming down your face and your as scared as you’ve ever been seeing the next curve coming.
  4809. >The only thing worst than being in this carriage has got to be being in that mares carriage.
  4810. >This mare is so close, she keeps trying but can’t brake to safely take the curve, you can only imagine what she’s thinking.
  4811. >In a desperate attempt to not crash she slams her brakes, and Anon is quick to make his move.
  4812. >He slams the shifter down, and snaps quickly next to the mare, accelerating ahead into the outside of the curve.
  4813. >Your claws dig into your seat to try and maintain balance as he makes his next move.
  4814. >Knowing some que you don’t, he snaps the carriage and brakes hard but only for a split second, before slamming the throttle.
  4815. >Once again your carriage faces inside the curve while tracing the outside like one of the guard rails, but even faster than before.
  4816. >Your sweat trickles to the side of your face and not even your insides are fast enough for the carriage.
  4817. >Your claws almost let go at the immense speeds, but you clench them as tight as you can and try to spot the opponent.
  4818. >The panicked mare barely enters the curve at a speed she can control and you can see her terrified face for a moment as she tries to just survive through the curve.
  4819. >Your carrige on the other hoof blasts out of the curve and Anon targets the final mare.
  4820. >Anon upshifts and the already steep decline gets steeper, he’s even faster than before the other mare keeps braking to try and remain in the realm of reason.
  4821. >A realm Anon has no need or thought of, as he makes no attempt to slow his descent.
  4822. >It feels like you’re floating, not like flying, but like the world is no longer holding you down.
  4823. >You’re barely breathing against the force on your chest, and it feels like your heart is struggling to work.
  4824. >The only part of you that feels alive is your claws which you clench on the handle bar in anticipation of Anon’s next move.
  4825. >The whole town was talking about the ‘Red Beast’, but here, in yours, you get his carriage isn’t the only beast.
  4826. >Somehow he’s turned your A3 into a machine that’s putting carriages beyond it to shame. You shudder thinking what he would do in a real GE4, or his own carriage.
  4827. >His calmness is unnerving and even more when you remember, he’s not done yet.
  4828. >The mare ahead makes an unsure attempt to block him, as the hairpin comes closer.
  4829. >Anon doesn’t even acknowledge her attempt, and the mare quickly backs off and clears your way admitting defeat.
  4830. >That doesn’t seem to mean anything to Anon as he attacks the curve harder and faster than before.
  4831. >The tire noise deafens your clogged ears, you’re sure they’re going to explode, and Anon is pushing the rest of your carriage to the brink along with you.
  4832. >Against the forces you manage to turn your head to see a terrified mare soaked in sweat staring at the two of you wide eyed and mouth open.
  4833. >If there was a face to go along with seeing a ghost, that would be it.
  4834. >You turn to Anon who’s also eyeing the mare he just passed and he finally lets some emotion through his blank confident stare.
  4835. >A small smile.
  4836. >The last thing the mare sees before he’s out of the curve and down the last of the track.
  4837. >You feel relief thinking he’s going to slow down, but he doesn’t, and a stream of bottled up emotions catches up to you.
  4838. >You scream.
  4839. >Terrified of the speed and forces you’re mind is just feeling, Anon just eyes you and smiles warmly.
  4840. >”Feels good, doesn’t it?”
  4841. >He asks quietly, but you’re in no state to answer.
  4842. >But it does. You get it. It’s a rush.
  4843. >The rush of. Of, Something. This feeling’s not just thrill, it’s something more, that’s what it means to be a real racer, this rush is what we’re all chasing.
  4844. >And despite you’re protesting mind, you’re excited for the next curve and that next rush.
  4845. >He flashes another crooked smile as if to say ‘hon, I believe you’ve lost your mind’
  4846. >You’re mind races, but you’ve had a minor change of plans, you’re gonna be here another night.
  4847. ------
  4848. >Curses. She was once again a league too fast for you.
  4849. >No matter what world you try to catch her in, she’s always a step ahead and you always too slow.
  4850. >You take a deep midnight breath as you catch a last glimpse of her soar down the hill. Her prey left scrambled in her wake.
  4851. >All you yearn for is a glimpse at her face again. Those eyes mesmerized you the first time and your desire to see them again has become a burning need.
  4852. >Alas, she keeps herself from you. Outside of a carrige she simply vanishes, not even ponies who’ve seen her work know who she is. Behind a wheel, she’s even harder to catch.
  4853. >Even teleportation hardly allows you to taste her dust as she jets past.
  4854. >You take another deep breath and look at your moon and the stars. You wonder if she’s ever thought about you, where you a worthy opponent? Does she even remember you?
  4855. >There was a fire of jealousy burning when you saw Scootaloo in her carrige at the Dustbowl. That fire was rekindled tonight.
  4856. >This is a feeling you’ve never had for anypony, but she’s nopony, she’s amazing. You wish it was you instead of Spike or Scootaloo. You wish you could at least hear a word from her.
  4857. >You shake your head.
  4858. >Even if you don’t want to leave the shadow you’re chasing, It’s time you made your way back to Canterlot.
  4859. >You bid her farewell and focus your mind and in a flash travel back to the castle.
  4860. >If only you could make the ghost appear as easily. Stars know you’ve focused hard enough.
  4861. >“Sister.”
  4862. >Tia surprises you. The night is your domain and she like others typically spends it slumbering. Only the racers come into your world.
  4863. >”I hope that mare has been allowing you to observe your duties.”
  4864. >You knew Tia was going to catch you at some point, your attempts at subtlety have been amateur at best. This hopefully doesn’t lead to a lecture.
  4865. “Why would you think that, sister? I have completed my duties.”
  4866. >”Really? You seem to spend every waking moment chasing her. Just because Twilight can handle Equestria doesn’t mean we don’t have responsibilities Luna.”
  4867. “But I finished my duties…”
  4868. >Is all you grumble as you begin walking to your chamber to prepare to end the night.
  4869. >You hear steps behind you.
  4870. >”So what did she do tonight?”
  4871. >Her question catches you off guard, she sounds like you when your parents returned from distant lands.
  4872. “Sister?”
  4873. >”How did the mare drive tonight!? I overheard a guard talking about the DustBowl, A-I! I wish you had invited me.”
  4874. >Her enthusiasm has caught you off-guard. Racing was always a distant hobby of hers. Perhaps it had something to do with you, but as far as you know she has never cared.
  4875. >Perhaps that ghost is magical after all.
  4876. >”Cmon. Don’t keep me waiting. Tell me!”
  4877. “She drove Spikes A3-U and tore apart three Manehatten racers.”
  4878. >You answer almost flatly. Even you don’t believe your voice. Foul play aside, Those Manehatten mares bring the best to the track.
  4879. >”A3… I had my suspicion when his letter came, but didn’t have the heart to tell that poor dragon …”
  4880. >She looks away, she’s unsure. She opens her mouth a few times, before she laughs to herself and regains composure.
  4881. >”I was going to question myself. Surely it had to have really been a 4GE, but I remembered the mare we’re dealing with.”
  4882. >You two giggle between yourselves like school fillies.
  4883. >”Sister. Tell me more.”
  4884. “I wish I had seen more. I saw her slip technique, she seems to glide on the road like my Moonlight on the sea.”
  4885. >You close your eyes to better recall the events in order.
  4886. “She was accompanying Spike, teaching him I suppose, it is a shame that poor dragon will never fully grasp the knowledge she holds. By some luck they parked in that forbidden road end. Her road end.”
  4887. >The memories of tonight feel both new and distant. You almost doubt your own memories if she is in them. She feels like a creature sent to punish you. A new form of Tantabus.
  4888. “I wish I could hear her words to him. Whatever hidden knowledge they held eluded me. Then Manehatten mares came to harass poor Spike. They laughed at him, he was almost in tears.”
  4889. >In that moment there was only one mare in all of Equestria. You know she is no friend of Spike. Yet…
  4890. “Her passion… I received only a measly amount of the fury she held. She gave chase to those mares, despite being woefully underequipped. For the sake of Spike.”
  4891. >Your eyes feel moist again. With tear filled eyes your heart was by your old opponent’s side. She fought for somepony else. Pride and treasure is all most racers fight for. Often yourself to your shame.
  4892. “Her passion fueled both her and must have fueled the carrige. She caught up to the mares in moments, and she didn’t stop. I cannot explain what I saw after. She was more magnificent and unreachable as my night sky.”
  4893. >You open your eyes and try to think of details of what really happened, but although you feel her in your heart as real as your feelings. Her physical memories elude you.
  4894. “Sadly, all I remember are me trying to keep up and her flashing by. I have one clear final memory: her disappearing while keeping her pace, and her opponents in shambles behind her.”
  4895. >The two of you share a moment of silence. You finally take a look at Tia, who has an emotion you have never seen before. A mix of genuine amazement and amusement.
  4896. >”That mare surely holds some magic.”
  4897. “Perhaps. I think her skills are her own, and there’s passion in them.”
  4898. >”I wasn’t thinking of her skills. Those are no doubt her own. I’m talking about the effect she’s had on you.”
  4899. “What are you suggesting?”
  4900. >”All other ponies describe her style as terrifying, reckless, her opponents fearful of their lives. Yet you always talk about her like a romantic poem.”
  4901. “I don’t understand what you wish to imply.”
  4902. >She looks out the balcony thinking slightly smiling. You don’t know what ‘gotcha’ she has on you, or if she’s truly made an observation.
  4903. >The room is silent again, while Tia thinks. Each second she spends feel like an eternity you don’t want to miss.
  4904. >”Sister…”
  4905. >You listen carefully, thinking of how to respond to anything she says.
  4906. >”…Are you in love?”
  4907. >There was no thought that could have prepared you for that question.
  4908. >Her face is sincere; she doesn’t seem to be poking fun at your obsession.
  4909. >Now your mind races again, surely you simply find her amazing, and a role model. Surely you don’t harbor feelings for an alien you have never spoken to.
  4910. >What is the answer? ‘Are you in love’ you almost don’t want to know the answer either way. Love is too abstract for you to understand. The only aspect you know is that you will never have feelings for a mare.
  4911. “No.”
  4912. >You shake your head defensively. You cannot love any mare, and despite her magnificence, you cannot love that mare.
  4913. >”I’m not taking a jab at you, Luna. I think your heart has found somepony at last, sister.”
  4914. “No. I cannot love any mare, sister. It is not in my nature. I love her skill, and her… passion. I hold no feelings for her. Besides, I have never even heard her voice.
  4915. >She giggles. That bucking mare, how could she? She’s toying with you now surely. Curse you for taking her seriously.
  4916. >”Shame you know so little about Love, Luna.”
  4917. “As if you know a single thing more.”
  4918. >”I accept that. But you will accept that you are in love.”
  4919. >Grumbling and looking away, you almost leave her to rave alone, if she did not step closer.
  4920. >”But sister, I do know that those who dare to love are blessed with miracles…”
  4921. >You try to find meaning in her ominous statement, but you come back empty hoof.
  4922. >”Good Luck sister. And good morning.”
  4923. >She heads off to raise the sun and her daily duties, leaving you confused and annoyed.
  4924. >Surely you are simply tired and impressionable from the show of force you saw, there is a line between admiration and love, and you surely have not crossed such a line.
  4925. >However you fear some truth in her words, as you stare out into the last of your night.
  4926. “I hope you hear me; I hope for a miracle.”
  4927. ---
  4928. >Another jet of dirt shoots out as your wheel spins free.
  4929. >”Keep pulling, Wheel!”
  4930. >You put every bit of energy into pulling the stuck carriage. The thing almost went over the side, lucky for Rosey it caught on a group of rocks.
  4931. >Unlucky for you, it’s still caught in that group of rocks.
  4932. >As much as you want to complain, you’re more than happy to see Rosey OK. Even if you’re going to kill her for this.
  4933. >”Just a bit more!”
  4934. >Teeth clenched you put a little more into your carrige hoping both he and the rope keep hold.
  4935. >Then Suddenly you jerk back in your seat and you feel no more resistance. You cringe thinking the rope broke, but you take a breath of relief once you check the mirror.
  4936. “Bucking- Yknow some help would have been great, Glace’.”
  4937. >”I’m not getting anywhere near that drop, Wheel.”
  4938. “Scared to mess up your mane, colt?”
  4939. >”Hey. I can’t fly, birdbrain. And you know my carriage.”
  4940. “Yea yea, excuses excuses.”
  4941. >The mare playfully pushes you, and you two walk over to the recovered carriage. Rosey’s pride and joy: ‘Wild Rose’
  4942. >Rosey’s one of the best drivers you know, she shouldn’t have had this happen. She’s a professional too.
  4943. >Somepony might have it out for her and whoever got terrifyingly close.
  4944. >You look over your shoulder. Redheart and another assistant are working on Her. she didn’t look that bad when you got here, but they’ve covered her in bandages.
  4945. “Yknow what happened?”
  4946. >”Nope. I was chasing, but you know Rosey. I was far behind, maybe a couple wings. I did see another carriage join from a service road, something red. And fast.”
  4947. >’Red and fast’ there’s some words you’re getting sick of hearing. Not that you’ve ever seen him, you have no idea who or what he is. But you know to not trust him.
  4948. >”Rosey doesn’t like to race anypony like that. Maybe she just lost control.”
  4949. >Rosey doesn’t just ‘lose control’ and with how much he’s been turning up, you know something real fishy’s going on.
  4950. “Red carriage huh…?”
  4951. >You try and study the mares carriage further, looking for any clues, signs of foul play.
  4952. >”You don’t think it’s.-”
  4953. “Who else could it be? I’ve never seen him, but you’ve heard everypony talk.”
  4954. >That ‘beast’ has been bugging you for a while now. Ponies say he travels in horns. And yet, until that night nopony had ever heard or seen head or flank of him.
  4955. >”I guess… That Manehatten mare crashed too. But… that was an accident, even she said so.”
  4956. >And now there’s stories of him turning up everywhere, rumors of races he’s won, mares he’s put to shame, even yesterday you overheard a group of mares talking about getting smoked by ‘red and fast’
  4957. “Was it?”
  4958. >Sure he can just be that good, and his mare knows how to drive. But legends are earned.
  4959. >”Hmm? What are you saying, Wheel? She went too fast and slipped, ponies saw that.”
  4960. >The mare behind him must be playing dirty, she has to be. There must be proof.
  4961. “Look. I’m no fan of Manehatten, but nopony that good comes out of nowhere. I don’t trust that beast.”
  4962. >The two of you stop talking and look over the carriage. You notice the absolute lack of damage, not even worn tires to blame.
  4963. >It’s clean, just like Rosey likes it. She never lets anything wear too much, her old tires are better than some ponies new.
  4964. >Suddenly your eye catches the smallest glint, a barely visible bit of red on the rear left tire.
  4965. >Rosey’s carriage has all the colors of her roses, including red, but that isn’t her paint.
  4966. >That mark however subtle, is as good as a calling card, a signature of something bucked up. You think you know what happened, and you have a suspect.
  4967. >The only thing you need is to bring that ghost into custody.
  4968. >”Wheel. Rose wants to talk to you.”
  4969. >Nurse Redheart tries to give you a professional stare, but you can see something bugging her.
  4970. >She doesn’t like any of you getting hurt, but she won’t say anything. She’ll just be the first pony on scene.
  4971. “How’re you hanging, Rosey?”
  4972. >”Wheel.”
  4973. >You get close and sit next to her. She sounds like she’s in a lot of pain, and she must be considering all the bandages.
  4974. >”That bucking mare got me.”
  4975. “I know. Red on your tire. We’ll get her, Rose.”
  4976. >”She hit me? She was good, Wheel. Fast. I didn’t know she- Ugh.”
  4977. >She tries to sooth her head; must have hit her head real hard, it looks like just thinking hurts.
  4978. >Nurse Redheart puts a hoof on you and you understand as she signals to her assistant.
  4979. >”Rosebloom, please relax. Wheel I think it’s best for us to get to the hospital.”
  4980. “Take it easy, Rosey. We’ll talk later.”
  4981. >”My ca-“
  4982. “I’m taking him to the shop, don’t worry.”
  4983. >She reclines back and gives you her bandaged hoof, you bump it before moving away to let the Nurse work.
  4984. >You don’t like seeing her like this. Or anypony for that matter.
  4985. >You wish you could make the mare responsible answer, but you know as much as you want to, you can’t blame that beast yet. All you know is ‘red and fast’ that’s not much.
  4986. >Even if you did know more, that thing’s a shadow that plays by it’s own rules. Even if somepony saw him once, he won’t show up ever again.
  4987. >This isn’t the first time you’ve been here, you wish you could make all the mares responsible answer, especially the ones you let get away. Even yourself.
  4988. >You where the one who got caught up with Manehatten. They just kept getting bigger, making bits, making names. and there you where: a leach on the belly.
  4989. >Maybe you needed to, even she and Scoots had their limits and the crowds wanted more. The racing scene wasn’t just practice anymore; it was the main event.
  4990. >But you took too long to notice how dirty they where. Not until they took Daredevil from you.
  4991. >Their disgrace wasn’t the best you could do. You let them get away too easy. And there they where to bite you all these years later.
  4992. >You crank the chain to get Roseys carriage into tow. You look closely at the hoofmade paint painstakingly done in just the right way.
  4993. >Racing needs more mares like her. Good racers, yes. But passionate ones, too many fillies are into it for the bits, they miss the bigger picture.
  4994. >And then there’s the mares who would do anything for that fame, those…
  4995. >You clench your teeth, and channel your anger into the crank.
  4996. >You almost felt happy knowing one of them got downed by that beast, especially knowing that it couldn’t have happened to a worst mare
  4997. >Most of the fillies don’t even remember ’Miss Marbles’ let alone the ponies she hurt.
  4998. >But this is different, that ‘Beast’ could be worst. He shows up wherever he feels, his tricks are hard to catch and worst of all nopony knows who he really is, or the mare behind him.
  4999. >That red mark on the tire… you remember the panic of digging Scootaloo from the wreck.
  5000. >The two of you where on the top of your game, but it took just 1 dirty trick, and a few months later you almost closed shop.
  5001. >You sunk everything to make sure those darn dirty Manehatten mares would never race again, but you never told a thing to Scoot.
  5002. >She would never forgive you. And you’ve never forgiven yourself.
  5003. >Now you have a chance. No not a chance, just a glimmer of hope to fix things. Stop ponies getting hurt, make it about the joy of racing like it used to be.
  5004. >You have Anon making steady money, and keeping you sane, Scoot is back to help you.
  5005. >That Beast isn’t gonna get away from you like Manehatten did.
  5006. >You make your promise to yourself, and drive off with Rosey’s carriage in tow.
  5007. ---
  5008. “Where’d you go anyway? I can’t sleep without you, yknow?”
  5009. >”Uh huh.”
  5010. >Darn, sometimes he can be really cold. None of your lovey dovey stuff works with him, makes you feel wrong.
  5011. >He sips from his mug without even looking at you. You want to know what’s up, but he doesn’t want to talk. Of course Scoot sitting laughing doesn’t help either.
  5012. >”I was with Spike.”
  5013. >He answers flatly, and flips a page on the table. Sometimes he gets to you.
  5014. >Still he’s a real diamond, you know that. You just wish you could talk to him like you talk to Scoot.
  5015. >Ugh, bucking stallions…
  5016. “You must have gotten plenty of sleep in his little A3. Poor colt.”
  5017. >You shake your head and laugh, but Anon doesn’t acknowledge what you said. He’s got his blank stare while he sips his mug.
  5018. >It worries you when he does that, you know he’s just thinking, but it’s so weird. He looked like that a few days ago in the dustbowl.
  5019. >Stallions aren’t supposed to do that, everything you know says something’s wrong. But you never can tell what.
  5020. >”Wheel, some new fillies in town, you know?”
  5021. >Scoot distracts you from the spaced out Anon.
  5022. >She’s probably talking about the mares you overheard yesterday. They where talking about ‘red and fast’ putting them in their place.
  5023. >Seeing the stickers on their carriages you almost rooted for that beast, but Rosey hasn’t come to get her Rose.
  5024. >Besides, those mares are newbies, not the big fish you’re after.
  5025. “Maybe.”
  5026. >”They’re looking for the beast.”
  5027. “Looking to challenge him? Rematch for getting smoked?”
  5028. >”Somepony else wants to. Manehatten, funny enough. You know her, I do too…”
  5029. >Scoot trails off, you feel that anger again, especially with the pony you almost lost right here with you.
  5030. >Here they are again. In your town, challenging the ghost. It’s like they’re challenging you, maybe mocking you.
  5031. >”They’re not keeping quiet either, you think the beast will show?”
  5032. >Scoot looks at Anon; the colt is still staring blankly at the table. He’s rubbing his carriage keys in his hands.
  5033. >His eyes are moving slowly back and forth on the page, while his finger runs over the bit of metal.
  5034. >For whatever reason you crack a smile at him. You don’t know why he’s a soothing sight, maybe marekind was never supposed to understand.
  5035. >His weird action cools you, still you feel anger, but you think on Scoot. She’s brought up a good point without knowing it.
  5036. >That Beast’s not known for saying no to a challenge. He should show up, even if not for long as his reputation would say. And you know those damned Manehatten mares will be there.
  5037. >All the mares you’re trying to catch in one place. You can’t let that slip.
  5038. “I don’t know… Do you?”
  5039. >Scoot stares at Anon running his fingers over his keys, it’s like he’s massaging them relieving some built up tension.
  5040. >Looking at her, she’s cracked a smile too, and you follow her back to the keys.
  5041. >”I think he might just…”
  5042. >She trails off smiling more, seeing something in Anons keys.
  5043. >Like a knight polishing her prized sword, or a racer her prized carriage, he cleans every speck of imagined dirt.
  5044. >You lose yourself looking in that stallion’s shiny worn keys, and his soft precise fingers soothing them.
  5045. >”What’s Canterlot?”
  5046. >His question snaps you out of your trance. You shake your head trying to remember where you are.
  5047. “What?”
  5048. >”What is Canterlot?”
  5049. >”It’s a city, Anon. It’s where the princesses live.”
  5050. “Why do you ask, ‘Non?”
  5051. >”Racers told Canterlot is off limits.”
  5052. >He reads a news headline. Something about some racers wanting to try Canterlot. Frankly even you’re glad those silly fillies weren’t allowed to hurt themselves.
  5053. >Driving normally up that road is terrifying, you can’t imagine anypony racing down. What Anon is thinking of that news article you’ll never figure out.
  5054. >”Some fillies wanted to race down Canterlot for a record. Dummies all of them.”
  5055. >Anon listens closely, it’s like he’s dropped everything to listen. If it wasn’t for racing, you’d fall in love for this.
  5056. “What she said Anon. That road-“
  5057. >The shop door slams open and echoes around the shop.
  5058. >”Wheel!”
  5059. >The two of you stop in your tracks, and even Anon’s startled.
  5060. >Glace sounds desperate and out of breath, you rush to her.
  5061. “Glace?! What’s going on?”
  5062. >”It’s Silver! She’s-“
  5063. >Glace takes a second to gasp for air and the three of you surround her. Anon offers her a mug of water, you’re glad the stallion’s on that. She drinks in one swing, and then continues.
  5064. >”Silver got wrecked! She went down! Wheel- We gotta-“
  5065. >She struggles to take in more air, as you put a hoof on her shoulder and eye Scootaloo who nods and dashes off.
  5066. >Anon comes back with another mug, and gives it to the panicked mare while you try to calm her. She’s come a long way, but you need her for a few more minutes.
  5067. “Calm down, Scoot is getting the carriage, we’ll get there fast. What happened?”
  5068. >”Clipped her, Wheel! I was just flying; I didn’t see much. Just him, a hit and Silver go down the side. Nurse Readheart is on her way, but we gotta-“
  5069. >She starts breathing heavily again, panicked out of her mind.
  5070. “Glace, focus. Where is she?”
  5071. >You shouldn’t push her, you know she’s just a filly, but you need to find out what happened. You can hear Scoot bringing out the carriage.
  5072. >”Just down the dead end, the hill.”
  5073. >Not able to help yourself, you need to ask her one more question.
  5074. >You almost don’t want to know the answer, but you gotta hear it.
  5075. “Who clipped her?”
  5076. >The look she gives your eyes is enough for you to know, as she gasps for a few more breaths.
  5077. >That mare has blood on her hoofs now, there’s no doubt in your mind who did this to Silver and Rosey, and you’re not going to let her get away with this.
  5078. >You’re going to catch that ‘Beast’.
  5079. ---
  5080. >”Where’d you learn to drive like this, Spikey!”
  5081. “I picked it up. Practice makes perfect, yknow?”
  5082. >She’s loving it ‘Spikey’! You never thought Rarity would want to come practice with you.
  5083. >She hasn’t touched a steering wheel since Dash. Driving is too uncouth for her anyway, much less racing. She’s a lady after all.
  5084. >You’ve been practicing the track backwards like Anon said to, and you know you’re getting faster. Even if the uphill hairpins sap a lot of power, the rest is downhill to the start.
  5085. >Tonight you finally get to show off what Anon taught you. Can’t mention Anon of course, mares hate it when you talk about your coltfriends, he’ll understand.
  5086. >You pass the service road at some decent speed, even if your condenser needs to charge.
  5087. >”Spikey! That’s a roundabout!”
  5088. “Hold on, Rare.”
  5089. >Yea, you sound cool for sure, now you just gotta add some ‘pizazz’ to that, and you won’t just be a colty colt anymore.
  5090. >For your next act, you do just like Anon taught you, control the speed on the entry until you’re just inside the roundabout.
  5091. >Then you quickly swing the wheel, tap the brake, your tires screech and your passenger yelps as you floor the accelerator keeping the wheel the way you want to go.
  5092. >You admit you hadn’t actually tried this at speed, but you did just like Anon told you, and the carrige does exactly what he said it would.
  5093. >Your nose points where you want to go, but the rear end swings away freely. Eventually you point the nose down the next part of the track and the rear end follows.
  5094. >It’s amazing how in tune Anon was, you’re sure some of that is rubbing off on you. Just check out this awesome turn you pulled!
  5095. >”That was amazing!”
  5096. >Take that Twi, Rarity will tell her just how cool you are!
  5097. >She whispers something about ‘if only’ but you’re sure she’s just wishing more ponies saw that.
  5098. >The road turns to a downhill and you let your carriage recharge, instead looking at the mare in your carriage.
  5099. >You almost do something, when a light appears in your rear view mirror.
  5100. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr9nY3lzso8
  5101. >Eyes darting to the source, a carriage shape flanked by lights rises over the hill. You’re eyes go wide… She’s coming fast.
  5102. >’Another racer?!’
  5103. >You don’t recognize that carriage shape. It doesn’t look like anything one of the mares in town has.
  5104. >Looking at the white mare again and the road ahead, you know now is your chance. ‘It’s your time to shine, Spikey’.
  5105. >”It’s another carriage, Spike.”
  5106. >You only think on what Anon’s taught you. And what he said to you.
  5107. “Hold on.”
  5108. >You say confidently and floor your accelerator as the mare gets close.
  5109. >She’s in your rear mirror, but she’s a carriage away, you must be keeping her at bay.
  5110. >Rarity gasps as a curved part of the road shows up, you feel your heart beating but try to keep as cool as Anon did.
  5111. >Emulating his actions, you don’t brake instead downshift and let your carriage regenerate to slow you.
  5112. >The mare behind you brakes like a normal pony but keeps very close to you as you hit the curve.
  5113. >You almost panic but hold your breath and gingerly tap your brake, just like Anon.
  5114. >It happens! The carriage starts swinging around and your chest burns as you keep your breath held, and instead work the wheel as quickly as you can.
  5115. >’…Then floor it’
  5116. >The advice echoes in your mind and you follow it to the letter.
  5117. >Through luck, or just having a good teacher, you do it and your carriage glides through the curve at a weird angle.
  5118. >And you gently straighten it out as you leave the curve, the mare’s behind you by a fair bit.
  5119. >Taking a breath you almost smile, but instead remember and force yourself to emulate Anons face.
  5120. >Checking your claws you make sure they’re on the wheel just like Anon. It has to be he best way after all.
  5121. >In the time you take, you forget to upshift and lose focus as you do that.
  5122. “Ugh, rookie mistake.”
  5123. >You whisper remembering Anons advice
  5124. >The mares lamps are close again, she’s once again only a carriage behind because of your mistake, only now she’s gaining.
  5125. >Putting a little more into your carriage, you’re determined to stay ahead but you remember there’s a curve coming.
  5126. >You’re distracted for a second by Rarity, her hooves are on your dash and her eyes wide. Some sweat is running down with her make up, and you’re sure no lady would want to be seen like that.
  5127. >She’s having a great time, and you know it, you can’t wait to tell Twi. you grin at that thought.
  5128. >Distracted again, you forget the curve, and catch yourself just in time.
  5129. >You gasp in panic and brake instead of the shift technique Anon taught you.
  5130. >That costs you as the mare and you enter the curve at the same speed, and her faster carriage gains on you.
  5131. >She’s close enough to reveal her shape, a small red thing. Darker shade of red than Anon and much darker than yours, but fairly close.
  5132. >Her machine is heavily modified, every bit of it looks weird, even weirder than Anon.
  5133. >She’s fast and you’re not nearly fast enough, she passes you in the curve and the two of you leave with her in the lead.
  5134. >You messed it up. You made too many mistakes, got distracted too much. You can’t copy Anons mind even if you can copy his face.
  5135. >Once again, you’re a failure, and you think of accepting the defeat, it’s over.
  5136. >Just like every other time, since forever and for forever. You’ll never leave your mark, you’re always going to be second to Twi.
  5137. >The dumb little brother messing up. Just like you messed up buying this garbage carriage.
  5138. >Letting off the pedal, you’ve almost accepted defeat when your eye catches a little thin black strip you left practicing with Anon.
  5139. >A deep breath and you think on what Anon said.
  5140. >’It’s not about winning or losing man. It’s about racing.’
  5141. >You can’t stop yet.
  5142. >This isn’t over, you grind your teeth and snarl. You’ll never be a racer by copying somepony else. Even somepony like Anon.
  5143. >You upshift and keep on that mares tail, she’s fast yes, but you can keep up on this slight downhill.
  5144. >Anon’s advice and lessons are running in your head. Just bits of advice just like remembering book excerpts.
  5145. >You’re controlling your breathing; your hands are in a comfortable spot even if they’re not in Anons spot. And your eyes move the way you like them.
  5146. >And they see a curve coming up ahead.
  5147. >The mare is only a carriage ahead and she looks like she’s begins slowing down for the curve.
  5148. >No idea if a real racer would do this, but you take that chance, you put yourself on the outside of the curve and gain on the mare.
  5149. >The curve comes quickly and you enter by slamming the brakes. Your car enters the strange limbo between control and out of control and the world slows down as Anon’s advice fills your head.
  5150. >‘A car is like an animal, don’t control her too much give her a little freedom’ you toss the wheel and it turns itself until you stop it at just the right amount.
  5151. >Not exactly how Anon does it, but to the same effect.
  5152. >’Give her power, don’t let the road hold her’ you floor the accelerator, and hear your tires screech behind as you tear through the curve well enough to make Anon proud.
  5153. >Passing the mare in that curve, you feel your heart lighten but remember it’s not over yet.
  5154. >’Taking off is hard landing is harder, but focus on your destination not your path’
  5155. >You do as you where told and look down the end of the curve at the straight, turning the wheel accordingly and giving the carriage power to compensate.
  5156. >In a flash, time catches up to you and you see the mare behind you still in the curve, and smile.
  5157. >Rarity sees your smile and smiles back. She’s as short of breath as you, but you know she’s glad to be.
  5158. >She swore along with the others to never race after what happened to Dash, but you know she enjoyed this and not just for you.
  5159. >You’re sure Dash would be proud to see you now, her and Scootaloo gave you a chance back then. You owe them a lot.
  5160. >But you owe Anon more. Those ponies made you a driver, Anon’s made you a racer. And that proof is here and that mare behind you.
  5161. >She’s still trying to gain on you, but the race is over, everypony knows that. This is just a hilly road before town.
  5162. >Even if you’re speeding a little, you shouldn’t race on this.
  5163. >Slowing down, you enter a final curve on a hill before the main road.
  5164. >Suddenly you’re jerked forward as something hits your rear corner with speed and you hear an awful crunching noise.
  5165. >In moments you can’t react to, your carriage drops down to the rear and loses control, you ignore the mare zipping by you and focus your lost mind on trying to control your out of control carriage.
  5166. >Another jolt hits you as your scattered mind tries to do something, anything.
  5167. >You see the world spin by as your carriage speeds to a drop on Rarity’s side.
  5168. >Somehow your body focuses for a split second and turns the wheel and floors the throttle. Your mind catches up and your action puts you on the drop.
  5169. >Your cringe and everything that lead to this moment flashes on the windscreen before you.
  5170. >Every thought and memory you can remember, you suddenly remember. Some faint and distant some vivid and fresh.
  5171. >You abruptly remember Twi teaching you to read and write and how hard she worked at it.
  5172. >Some of your earliest birthdays, becoming Twi’s assistant and all you went through, the time a pony giggled at you for trying a mares hobby.
  5173. >The first time Pinkie let you drive; the last time Dash did. Scootaloo, Wheel, and Anon.
  5174. >A distant memory of sending letters randomly echoes in your mind before fading.
  5175. >But tonight, you won. You know that. No matter what, that mare lost, you’re not a loser. You’re not a failure.
  5176. >this is what it must mean to be to die doing what you love, just like that book Twi read you.
  5177. >All the memories stop in a flash of light, you close your eyes, as you fly towards the drop, and then you dolly back, you fade to black.
  5178. >”Well!?”
  5179. ”Little guy took a beating, but…”
  5180. >You don’t know what to say. Not after what he told you. He told you like he trusted you, and you didn’t exactly hide that you didn’t believe him.
  5181. >”But what, Scoot?! Don’t leave me hanging!”
  5182. “But he’s awake, Ok!? He’s talking to Anon right now. For a while actually.”
  5183. >Wheel looks away and you try to find something else to look at too.
  5184. >Everypony is quietly waiting for their turn to meet him or trying to help Twilight. The waterworks are over but… He’s like her little brother…
  5185. >You’re sure everypony’s got Dash on their mind too, you where a mess when that happened, and now Rarity’s on the ropes.
  5186. >The two of you walk to the seats and take one quietly, just wait for the news or whatever else. Hopefully something good.
  5187. >”Morning, everypony.”
  5188. >Wheel tries to do something about the mood and gets a few waves in response.
  5189. >Mare, you feel bad for everypony when you where in there now, to think it was like this on the other side.
  5190. >”I-I need to see Sp-Spike. Is Anon done yet? Ask the nurse!”
  5191. >Twi stands and restlessly starts walking nowhere.
  5192. >”W-what about Rarity?! We need to find a nurse.”
  5193. >Pinkie puts a hoof on her and they talk between each other.
  5194. >You feel uneasy being here, this feels awful. The air is hard to breath. You’re worried about Spike as much as anypony, heck this might even be your fault.
  5195. >Maybe if he never got a taste for your ‘sport’ he wouldn’t be here. Maybe Wheel was right…
  5196. >But mare, that little dude was so into it. Especially when nopony was. You and him would go down to see Wheel and the others.
  5197. >Buck Diamond Tiara and her posse of dumb popular fillies. Used to feel so good rubbing your wins in their faces.
  5198. >Everypony turns their head to the door creaking open, and Anon walks out quickly, closing the door behind him. He looks like his usual self, but Wheel’s sure he needs somepony right now.
  5199. >Twi and Pinkie quickly move to see Spike, but Anon doesn’t join you guys in the seating area.
  5200. >”Where you going Anon?”
  5201. >Wheel stops his beeline and you join them.
  5202. >”You OK, babe?”
  5203. >She asks quietly, putting a hoof on his belly. Any other time you would roll your eyes, but he looks a little lost. This might be a bit much, even for him.
  5204. >Or maybe not, because he just looks around with his weird little eyes, and puts a hand out quickly.
  5205. >”I’m good. I’ll be back.”
  5206. >Before either of you can do or say anything, he zips out of the room leaving you two looking at each other.
  5207. >You shrug and Wheel hits your shoulder.
  5208. “Hey! Maybe he just needs a minute? Waterworks, yknow?”
  5209. >”Yea… I should follow him though. Why don’t you follow him?”
  5210. “Mare, please.”
  5211. >”Yea, yea you’re right. I have no idea what to do either.”
  5212. >You two quiet down again, though you’re glad that little talk lightened the mood.
  5213. >She hits you again.
  5214. “Ow! Stop that!”
  5215. >”You talked to Spike?”
  5216. “Yea?”
  5217. >”What did he say?”
  5218. >Oh no, you didn’t want to get to this. Poor Spike thinks he was racing a mare who hit him. Worst part he thinks he won.
  5219. >You’re not close to Spike like Twi, but you don’t like seeing the little guy down, he’s like a little cousin or something.
  5220. >Wheel’s probably gonna laugh at him, well maybe not laugh at him, but still, let the guy think what he thinks. He went through a lot.
  5221. >Wheel smacks your shoulder again.
  5222. >”Well?!”
  5223. “Cut that out! He was out with Rarity, crashed and somehow got a letter to Twi. Nothing important, OK?”
  5224. >”Really? Nothing at all? Darn…”
  5225. >Maybe you should tell Wheel something. She’s a manager after all, she’s seen weirder, like Anon. Maybe Anon rubbed off on him or something.
  5226. >But no. You didn’t say anything when he told you, but no way. Poor guy thinks he won the race, and she hit him after that. Maybe he’s lost a few marbles, he did almost go off a cliff.
  5227. >Nopony will know what happened until Rarity comes around. Maybe not even then, she hit her head hard. No point saying anything right now, anyway…
  5228. >”Who’s talked to him? Maybe he said something to somepony.”
  5229. “Twi and me. But he didn’t say much, didn’t feel like talking I guess. Not that Twi let him, if you know what I mean.”
  5230. >”Yea. Poor mare… Who went after?”
  5231. “Anon. He asked both of us to leave. Doc said only two ponies at a time so I went, but he told Twi to leave too.”
  5232. >Wheel stops and has her thinking face on, you’re not sure what she’s on so you look away at the ponies in the sitting area.
  5233. >Pinkie is back, and AJ is gone, but other than that everypony is just like before.
  5234. >Another hoof hits your shoulder.
  5235. ”STOP THAT!”
  5236. >You’re immediately embarrassed at your outburst as everypony looks at you.
  5237. >”Lets go see what Anon is up to.”
  5238. >You follow her through the hospital, and down flights of steps until the both of you spot the tall guy standing over the wreck of Spikes carriage.
  5239. “That really hurt yknow?”
  5240. >”Yea, yea. What, your orbs hurt? grow some teets. Anon!”
  5241. >He shifts and looks back at the two of you. Doesn’t look like he was crying or anything, but he has a look on his face.
  5242. >Maybe, you’re no good at reading stallions anyway.
  5243. >”You alright, darling?”
  5244. >”Yea. What do you make of his car?”
  5245. >This colt can’t act like one for a second. He’s like every other mare, as long as the mare’s alive, it’s all about the carriage.
  5246. >Bucking…
  5247. >…Adorable actually…
  5248. >”Huh, What do you mean?”
  5249. >”Like what do you think about it? It’s state.”
  5250. >”Oh, well…. It doesn’t look too bad actually…”
  5251. >She walks around the carriage while you sit down next to Anon and look up at him. Maybe you’ll see something like Wheel the ‘colt whisperer’.
  5252. >”The wheels took most of it actually. The body is almost fine, bet the frame is too. When I pulled it, this hub was on the rail. Kept him going over I bet.”
  5253. >”Right. So he crashed his front wheel, and rear wheel broke apart on impact? The tyre and rim is gone, right?”
  5254. >That doesn’t sound right. You’ve seen some gnarly crashes, but rims don’t break like that.
  5255. >Is Anon on to something? Damn, you’re sure somepony warned you about sharp stallions. Always go for the dumb ones, she said.
  5256. >That was Wheel actually. Ironic.
  5257. >”No tyre or rim. If it broke when it hit, it wouldn’t be far from the carrige. But it was nowhere…”
  5258. >”Mhmmm. So maybe it was broken before? Does this look normal?”
  5259. >”No… Spokes and rims are tough as nails, that doesn’t look ri-. Hey wait a minute. Anon, hon. You trying to lead me somewhere?”
  5260. >Looks like the self named ‘colt whisperer’ finally caught up. Took her a while.
  5261. >You feel a smile on your face as you lean into Anon to get a better listen. He continues.
  5262. >”He crashed his front wheel, that’s clear. But his rear wheel was broken before that, and no kind of impact can break all the spokes…”
  5263. >”Anon please, babe. What are you saying?”
  5264. >As much as you enjoy Anons quiet thinking voice, Wheel isn’t the only one dying to hear what he thinks.
  5265. >”Spike raced someone, and won. That someone broke his rim and that caused the crash. Someone who couldn’t take losing.”
  5266. >That hits you like a bucket of bricks. Anon has to be wrong on this, right? He’s close to but he’s not perfect.
  5267. >Could Spike really be telling the truth? He’s a beat up little colt, barely old enough to drive. He just has to be confused, maybe hit his head, maybe just lost. But…
  5268. >But, he’s right. Spokes don’t just break, and not that evenly. It’s almost like they where…
  5269. >Wide eyed and not able to keep down.
  5270. ”Wheel I think he’s right. Look, the spokes are so close, it’s like they where cut wi-“
  5271. >”No, no, no! There’s no way, Spike of all ponies: raced and won good enough for a mare to do this. NO WAY!”
  5272. >She sounds pretty sure. Bucking Wheel’s sometimes more hard headed than Applejack.
  5273. >Thankfully, the golden stallion has an ace up his fetlock. Need a stallion to get through a mare sometimes your mom always said.
  5274. >”Listen to Scoots, Wheel. Take a closer look at the cut hub.”
  5275. >Wheel almost argues going far enough to open her mouth, but she relents at Anons request and gives the spokes a quick look.
  5276. >Whatever he referred to does something to Wheel. Her eyes stop at something barely visible and go as wide as they can go. She stands there, mouth open with nothing to say.
  5277. >With a big smile, you try to find whatever Anon is pointing to, following Wheels eyes, and you go as wide eyed as her when you see it.
  5278. >Even though you know her mistake, you know exactly what she’s thinking.
  5279. >’Red and Fast’
  5280. ---
  5281. >Anon plays with a thing he keeps in his pocket. A square dark blue thing, with a M on the back. Maybe a toy or something.
  5282. >One day soon, this colt is going to drive you crazy. Actually that day might have come and gone…
  5283. >…Bucking colt…
  5284. >’Stop looking so focused on a black brick. You…’
  5285. >You try to distract yourself by thinking of something else. Like carriages… and races… and racers…
  5286. >Darn it…
  5287. >”Where the hell did Wheel go?”
  5288. >’STOP THINKING ABOUT HER THINK ABOUT ME!’
  5289. >’Shut up mind. We’re thinking about carriages.’
  5290. >’YOU SHUT UP! I NEEED HIM!’
  5291. >’I need bucking penetration.’
  5292. >’Oh don’t you get involved too! Me and mind are talking.’
  5293. >’YOU NEED TO FUCK THE HUMAN COCK, SCOOTALOO’
  5294. >”You ok dude?”
  5295. >You shake your head, and Anon is looking at you with a hand flattened out.
  5296. “Yea… Mare.”
  5297. >”Any idea where Wheel went?”
  5298. “Nope. She was in a rush to drop us though. She just told me to watch you.”
  5299. >Didn’t need to tell you twice, that’s for sure…
  5300. >”Oh? She told me to watch you.”
  5301. “O-oh…”
  5302. >Your cheeks feel warm and you suddenly can’t look at the colt anymore.
  5303. >”I’m just kidding, man. Fuckin’ goof didn’t tell me shit, just fucked right off.”
  5304. >Gosh darn it. You keep forgetting he could out banter a Appleloosa mare…
  5305. >”Yea so anyway… Wow, we’re alone. That’s rare.”
  5306. “Y-yea… We don’t spend much time a-alone…”
  5307. >’IT’S HAPPENING.’
  5308. >’Shut up mind!’
  5309. >’Moisture?’
  5310. >’No! Please no!’
  5311. >”Too bad. You’re a good time to hang out with. You’re a good friend.”
  5312. >’Friend…’ Gosh darn it…
  5313. >”I think I owe you a hug or something.”
  5314. >Wait. What’s he on about now? ‘Owe a hug’ Has he been talking to Fluttershy? That bucking mare…
  5315. “What are you talking about?”
  5316. >”I’ve been picking up on how things go around here. I owe you a hug for being my friend and all that.”
  5317. >Gosh darn it, he’s been talking to Fluttershy for sure.
  5318. “No, Anon.”
  5319. >You shake your head almost giggling.
  5320. >”No what?”
  5321. “You don’t need to give me a hug. And there’s no such thing as nice mare points either.”
  5322. >”Really? It sounded for real… Damn.”
  5323. >’I WANTED A HUG!’
  5324. >’I wanted a special hug.’
  5325. >Nope. You’re not that thirsty… Yet.
  5326. >He goes back to staring at that black thing. Wonder what he’s thinking about.
  5327. >You know something is bothering him. Well ok you don’t, but still. He’s been a little out of it for a day now. It’s probably what happened to Spike.
  5328. >Hopefully he’s forgotten about tonight. Whoever that mare is, she’s too dangerous, even for him.
  5329. >Should ask him… But you don’t want to remind him. There’s no way you’d be able to relax if he went…
  5330. “Hey, Anon.”
  5331. >”Yea? You wanna hug?”
  5332. >No- ye- wait… Do you?
  5333. >’Just play it cool, mare.’
  5334. >He’s staring right at you. How do you play this cool? What where you even gonna ask him? Why does this keep happening. This is all Wheels fault.
  5335. >And you do want a hug…
  5336. “M-maybe later.”
  5337. >Plenty smooth for you…
  5338. >”Alright Scoots. You know the time?”
  5339. “It’s a little past 8. Anon listen, I need to ask you something.”
  5340. >”Yea… Sorry…”
  5341. >Damn he quieted down. You knew something was up. He puts the square away and looks away for a minute.
  5342. >This is a first. you’ve never seen him looking so unsure. And that face is doing something to your heart…
  5343. >”Yea. I’m going tonight.”
  5344. >He’s quiet and looks you right in the eyes. You can’t look away, it’s like they’re looking inside you. They’re seeing something you don’t even know.
  5345. >You inhale and process his answer.
  5346. >It’s the answer you feared, but you know he can’t be stopped.
  5347. >Worst yet, you have no idea what Wheel is up to. She’s going to do something about ‘red and fast’ but she doesn’t know who she… or he really is.
  5348. >”I won’t try to hide it from you. And I’m sorry-“
  5349. “No, Anon… I just wanted a head start to following you.”
  5350. >He smiles and gets up walking towards you. Boo-ya, that was butter smooth.
  5351. >He stops just short of your chair and holds a hand out.
  5352. >”Well partner. Another race then?”
  5353. >You nod and take his hand.
  5354. >He yanks you up and gives you a hug you did not expect.
  5355. >But you definitely need.
  5356. ---
  5357. >You wish you where as stone faced as Anon. Your gut wrenches, you’ve got a bad feeling about this…
  5358. >And it doesn’t get any better as Anon pulls up and stops in the middle of five carriages and thier mares.
  5359. >A crowd is just past this road. You took a secret road racers use to show up quietly, only racers use this place.
  5360. >These fillies being here doesn’t worry you, what does worry you is their obviously blocking you, like they knew you would show up here…
  5361. >Their stickers tell you exactly who they are, and you know Anon has seen it too. You’re sure Wheels ‘red and fast’ is the middle one.
  5362. >It’s the smallest one for sure, and while most ponies wouldn’t, you recognize it from an old magazine and that doesn’t make you feel any better.
  5363. >Sitting down on his comfortable seat, you look down at the cavernous hoof well. You almost don’t want to step out.
  5364. >His carriage makes you feel safe. Like when you hid inside a blanket from lightning. The world can’t hurt you in here.
  5365. >But you know you can’t hide like a foal. Anon’s putting a lot of faith in you, more than you’ve earned for sure.
  5366. >You feel a soft hand rest on your shoulder and Anon leans down closer to you.
  5367. >”Don’t worry. I’m gonna kick her ass.”
  5368. “Yea. I-I know.”
  5369. >You don’t know if you know. The mare he faced that night wasn’t playing half the tricks this one is, you don’t kno-
  5370. >”Well, you talk for me now… I trust you, partner.”
  5371. >’I trust you’ You know that…
  5372. >You’re not gonna let him down. You can’t. You gotta do this…
  5373. >The two of you open the carriage door, and walk to the mares who walk towards you, you all meet in the center.
  5374. >”Well, well well…”
  5375. >A red mare steps close to Anon and looks up and down, taking in all of Anon. You don’t like it one bit.
  5376. >Quickly you step in between her and Anon keeping her getting close.
  5377. “Lets just get on with it.”
  5378. >She smiles at you and licks her lips. She’s got you nervous that’s for sure.
  5379. >”No need to be so… hasty, filly. I’ve been dying to meet her.”
  5380. >She has a low voice and exaggerates some of her words, back a few years you’d call her something. But she’s in charge here.
  5381. >”I’ll cut to the chase I suppose. Don’t want you getting bored, baby.”
  5382. >Once again she tries to get close to Anon from another angle, you quickly move to block her and she smirks at you.
  5383. >”I was recommended by a colleague. I believe you’ve met her recently… Said you are very… good…”
  5384. >She looks at two of her mares then into your eyes.
  5385. >”I think a simple race would be… no fun… So to make things interesting, I have come up with a game…”
  5386. >Two ponies bring out two metal rods with some other parts, and the mare steps back to be between both.
  5387. >”NO BRAKE DEATH MATCH!”
  5388. >She announces spreading her hooves in showcase and ends with a worrying toothy smile aimed at the both of you.
  5389. >”So what do you say?!”
  5390. >As quickly as you can you turn to Anon, pleading with your eyes to not go through with this.
  5391. >He looks down at you and gives you a sweet smile.
  5392. >You slightly shake your head.
  5393. >He slightly nods.
  5394. >You shake your head a little more.
  5395. >He nods a little more.
  5396. >You shake your head more
  5397. >He nods more.
  5398. >You shake your head as hard as you can.
  5399. >He responds with one sure nod.
  5400. >Defeated you turn to look at the mares and pass on the nod he gave you.
  5401. >They quickly move close to his carriage with one of the bars and you quickly move with anon after them.
  5402. >”You don’t seem to trust us. Why don’t you install it? It’s really easy…”
  5403. >The mare gives you a look that you can’t trust but you take her offer and take the thing from her hooves.
  5404. >It really is simple, the bar pushes against the carriage floor and its brake pedal, keeping a pony from pressing the pedal.
  5405. >You install it against you will, and the mare pushes to check your handiwork.
  5406. >The pedal has a little bit of give, but not enough to brake anything.
  5407. >She gives you a smirk and steps away, Anon sits in his carriage but you think fast and move to the other mares carriage.
  5408. >If she’s not going to play fair against anything else, you want them to be on even grounds on this.
  5409. >”Go ahead lovermare, check it.”
  5410. >You don’t respond instead checking the bar, and you can’t find anything strange about it’s installation. Her pedal works no better than Anons, and her stop pin is placed.
  5411. >Not knowing what else to do, you move away instead eyeing the mares carriage.
  5412. >It has red fang like things on her bumper, freshly painted and made of hard chitin just like the magazine.
  5413. >They’d make short work of most wheels, you feel nervous.
  5414. >Her bumper has a lip designed for only one purpose, you gulp.
  5415. >She’s built her entire carriage around destroying her competition as thoroughly as she can, and you know she’s successful at it.
  5416. >Then why the brakes?
  5417. >She’s setting the playing field against Anon as much as she can, maybe the unscheduled rain that rolled through here an hour ago was her too.
  5418. >You reach Anon leaning against his carriage.
  5419. >”Oh… one more thing.”
  5420. >The red mare calls behind you.
  5421. >”This is between you and me. No partners…”
  5422. >Anon looks down at you, and you feel sick to your stomach.
  5423. >He smiles at you, and then nods at the mare and she leaves satisfied.
  5424. >Your mind remembers something from that magazine, something you where better off not remembering.
  5425. ”Anon. That carriage can take energy from her moving! She doesn’t need her brakes! An-“
  5426. >“Regenerative braking?”
  5427. >He gives you an interested look, you don’t know how seriously he took your warning.
  5428. “Yes! Exactly!”
  5429. >He nods and gets back into his carrige.
  5430. >The other mares all get into their carriages and drive to the starting area, leaving just you.
  5431. “C’mon, lets not keep them waiting.”
  5432. >You start walking around, but Anon quickly picks you up and puts you on his legs.
  5433. >Bucker is gonna get all cute for you right when he’s gonna die…
  5434. >You want to hug him, or at least rest your head on him, but that would probably be weird.
  5435. “You’re still gonna be right behind me right?”
  5436. >”I’ll try, believe me. But I can’t keep up with you, dude…”
  5437. >Giving up, you lean on his chest and you can hear his heart thumping.
  5438. >at least you get to hear that…
  5439. “Twilight is here. She can teleport you apparently.”
  5440. >Twi is here? You’d think she’d be with Spike; she doesn’t even care about this. What could have gotten her to show up to a race of all things?
  5441. >”Yea… I’ll be behind you.”
  5442. >Snapping up you look at the colts face.
  5443. >”Anon, this mare is really dangerous. And she’s going to cheat as much as she can. Anon. Please, be careful.”
  5444. >He doesn’t say anything, but he quickly comes to a stop using a lever and the cheering crowd tells you where you are.
  5445. >He looks down at you and smiles.
  5446. >You’re ready to beg, but he gives you that look telling you not to worry and he wraps his hand around your hoof.
  5447. >His hand is warm, soft, smooth. A hundred times better than touching a stallion’s hoof.
  5448. “You’re really cute when you’re worried.”
  5449. >Your cheeks feel warm, and you look away.
  5450. >And they only get warmer when you feel two soft lips peck them.
  5451. >You don’t even care if Wheels gonna kill you, as long as Anon survives tonight, you’ll die happy.
  5452. >Without another word, you get out of the car waving Anon goodluck, and quickly scan for Twilight.
  5453. >She’s standing fairly obviously, staring blankly at the carriages.
  5454. >You get it. You’ve seen that look before, you just never expected to see it from Twilight.
  5455. >”Scootaloo. Spike told me to find you…”
  5456. “I know. Heads up, it’s not easy keeping up with him.”
  5457. >”Good.”
  5458. >She wants to see that mare lose more than anypony.
  5459. >Maybe not just lose, by that look she wants worst…
  5460. >A princess getting like this probably isn’t healthy, but you don’t question it.
  5461. >Two mares hook ropes to the carriages to prevent them moving down the hill, the ropes tied to the guard rails should slip at the hook easily when the race starts.
  5462. >”Those ropes are diffrent…”
  5463. >Twilights got an eye for detail, you know that much, and she’s noticed something nopony else would have.
  5464. >”His rope is double knotted.”
  5465. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8QhWljd2bM
  5466. >unfortunately before you can question Twilight or do something about the rope, a pony announces the race and all the mares take positions.
  5467. “She’s gonna cheat and keep Anon from moving?! We gotta do something!”
  5468. >”We can’t do anything. Not yet… it’s in the rulebook…”
  5469. >She’s right, and it doesn’t matter anyway. You where too distracted with the ropes and didn’t see ahead.
  5470. >A flag comes down and the crowd cheers.
  5471. >The red carriage quickly moves, it’s rope holding her back a little before slipping just as intended. Anons beast roars behind her, but stays in place.
  5472. >The crowd goes silent as he struggles on the line, and his rope stretches as he drags it, the cheating knot still holding.
  5473. >With purpose you quickly put a hoof forward to cut the rope, but as soon as you lift a second hoof.
  5474. >The beast roars louder and savagely snaps the rope holding him back. The crowd cheers late from the shock.
  5475. >You’re shocked too, but not as much as the mares who tied the ropes. They look at each other mouths open.
  5476. >”Lets go!”
  5477. >Twilight says before the world dazzles away and you appear at the first corner, ‘red and fast’ approaching and his Beast not far behind.
  5478. >Mere hoofs from the turn, the red magic brakes, but Anon’s beast lets out a bang followed by a louder roar instead.
  5479. >He startles Twilight who narrows her eyes studying.
  5480. >The red is fast, very fast. Against any other racer she wouldn’t need to cheat. She’s in and out of the corner quick.
  5481. >”That mare is barely holding him back.”
  5482. >But this isn’t an ordinary racer, everypony knows that. Anons carriage rocks against the curve then into it and roars as he enters the curve sideways.
  5483. >His carriage facing inside, with it’s wheels turned and he slips through the curve faster than that red carriage could hope.
  5484. >You never saw that before, not in the moment, but it’s amazing. He’s controlling what any other pony would call ‘out of control’.
  5485. >Struck with awe your world dazzles away again and reappears at the next turn, the Red is close again, but Anon is even closer.
  5486. >”I feel… interference, like somepony else is using teleportation near us. Is that normal?”
  5487. “I dunno. Maybe. The mare might be using some sort of… magic? Twi, look here they come!”
  5488. >The ground is wet from rain, and there are more storm clouds not far ahead.
  5489. >The wet road makes control difficult and you see the red skid a little as it takes it’s turn, letting Anon enter at the same place with that same explosive roar.
  5490. >Even though they enter at the same speed, there’s no cheating in a curve. Anons slip puts the other mare in her place.
  5491. >Both racers put down a lot of power out of the curve and quickly leave the two of you behind.
  5492. “Cmon Twilight! Lets go!”
  5493. >You say to her impatiently. You can’t stand to miss a second of this.
  5494. >”I’m trying! Those mares are gone, but, there’s still interference.”
  5495. >Twi complains and you see her horn lights a few times before the world dazzles and you two appear at a straight before the next curve.
  5496. >You two watch the red try to side swipe Anons carriage in an act of desperation, trying to hook her bumper under the beast’s rear tire.
  5497. >”What is she doing?”
  5498. “Her lip lets her lift a wheel, spins it out.”
  5499. >The wet road purposefully covered in mud keep Anon from getting away, even if he slowly slips ahead.
  5500. >Flashing a little ahead.
  5501. >”NO! She’s succeeding!”
  5502. >Twilight’s worried, but you feel a sense of confidence, even as you see the bumper hook under his tire a little bit.
  5503. >She tries again and her method is perfect, his rear wheel goes over her bumper lifted well off the ground and you grit your teeth.
  5504. >The beast wags, but stays under Anons control, any other carriage would have spun half way around from that.
  5505. >It’s like the rear wheels don’t do anything, or he can control which wheel is putting down power…
  5506. >”Amazing…”
  5507. >You flash again. Ending up right at the next corner, barely in time.
  5508. >The beast is already in and he’s pulling a monstrous slip, two blackened lines in his wake and you can feel the rush of air as he swipes past.
  5509. >The other mare enters as he leaves the curve, she should know she’s outmatched. Cheating didn’t get her far enough
  5510. >”Look! He’s gonna do it! Curses, interference!”
  5511. >Twilight spends precious time trying to get her magic to work, and all you can do is impatiently listen to the Beast roaring away.
  5512. “C’mon Twilight! We’ll lose them!”
  5513. >”I’m trying! There’s somepony here who’s trying as well.”
  5514. >Her horn lights and she does something.
  5515. >”There! Lets go!”
  5516. >The world dazzles once again and you appear at the infamous dead end.
  5517. >The racers are nowhere in sight, but you hear Anon’s roar, it’s like a pulsing that you can feel all through you.
  5518. >Whatever magic that thing runs on; not even Twilight can match it.
  5519. >”I’m going to do something. Hold me.”
  5520. >Not thinking, you use a wing to hold onto Twilights hoof, and she disappears along with your wing and soon your body.
  5521. >Before you can ask Twilight what she’s doing, the carriages appear right before the turn.
  5522. >Suddenly two unicorns come out of the forest on the sides of the curve, they cast something, something that makes the water shimmer.
  5523. >Twilight gasps.
  5524. >”F-freeze spell…”
  5525. >The unicorns hide back into the woods while the racers move closer.
  5526. “We have to do something!”
  5527. >You’re almost begging Twilight, as you see the racers slow down, and the red moves to Anons side.
  5528. >Before you can say or do anything, Anon snaps his wheel, but.
  5529. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_7FdXET23Q
  5530. >the red cocks back and smashes into his rear wheel with a very real hate.
  5531. >Her chitin armor protects her bumper, but Anon begins to spin out and she takes this opportunity to cheat and skip the roundabout.
  5532. >The mare passes him, as Anon spins towards the ice and barriers.
  5533. >Twilight drops the disguise as she tries her best to melt as much of the ice as possible, and you feel tears of helplessness.
  5534. >But Anon doesn’t attempt to stop his slipping carriage.
  5535. >His wheels move with the spin and he has a steady low roar as he turns end over end once and keeps going.
  5536. >He turns to face the way he came and right before his rear hits the rail, the beast lives up to it’s name and roars a deafening roar.
  5537. >Somehow his spinning front wheels dig into the ground and he launches behind the cheating mare.
  5538. >With sweat dripping you once again flash to keep up with the beast.
  5539. >Appearing near the end of the infamous ponyville snap turns. Or ’hairpins’ as Anon calls them.
  5540. >”What are you Mares doing here?”
  5541. “Wheel? We’re chasing, what are you doing?”
  5542. >”We’re gonna catch that bucking beast. We have a trap ready!”
  5543. “That’s insanity!”
  5544. >”Shush, Move over Scoot! Here she comes!”
  5545. >Wheel moves to cut a rope tied to something across the road.
  5546. ”Wait stop! Wheel! That’s not the beast!”
  5547. >You distract her just long enough for the red carriage to escape with some speed.
  5548. >”Gosh darn it Scoot! She got away!”
  5549. “That wasn’t the beast!”
  5550. >”What!? Impossible!”
  5551. >”She’s right, Wheel. That was not the Beast.”
  5552. >Twilight looks blankly at the curve exit as a familiar distant roar gets louder.
  5553. >”Than who’s the beast!”
  5554. >Wheel asks angrily, and the roar goes from loud to deafening.
  5555. >”He is.”
  5556. >Twilight camly answers as the true Beast explodes from behind the corner at monstrous speed.
  5557. >The only thing as loud as his bone grinding roar is his soul piercing tires.
  5558. >He disappears as fast as he appeared but nopony can believe their eyes
  5559. >Just inhale the burnt rubber.
  5560. ---
  5561. >Sweat pours down your face like the storm water on your carriage.
  5562. “She’s too close…”
  5563. >Your mind isn’t believing the beast behind you. This mare can’t be from this world; no creature can possibly survive the way she has.
  5564. >She should be a pile of scrap fittingly in the dead end named after her carriage.
  5565. >You saw her spin out; she was end over end before you where too far away.
  5566. >Yet she survived and she’s back on your tail with a vengeance.
  5567. >You know you made her angry, she’s turned a savage. You’ve brought out a beast you didn’t want to.
  5568. >And worst yet, the second hairpin is close.”
  5569. >”Is this the power of the beast?!”
  5570. >She should have spun out when you lifted her rear wheel clear off the ground. Yet she stayed firmly in control.
  5571. >She shouldn’t be able to make turns like she’s has, carriages facing inside the curve should hit guardrails not slip sideways.
  5572. >She should have crashed without brakes; heck she should have never left the starting line.
  5573. >Swallowing a lump in your throat, you cringe your teeth and pull the lever to engage the magic brake.
  5574. >It’s your secret weapon for winning your rigged ‘no brake deathmatch’. Your carriage slows itself and recharges.
  5575. >The rain makes it harder to slow down, and you nervously apply more braking.
  5576. >Just as you enter the curve, the beast roars louder with a bang, rattling your bones.
  5577. >She quickly moves next to you, just like she had before.
  5578. >Your insides are shaken by his savage roar as she passes you once again sideways.
  5579. >Your nostril burns with the rubber, and your tears mix with your sweat.
  5580. >Out of the curve you see her wag on the wetted road, missing her perfect technique.
  5581. >You grin.
  5582. >an imperfect exit, she may not be a pony but a person after all. And people can be fooled.
  5583. >And more importantly, they can be downed.
  5584. >Just like before you line yourself up to her rear wheel.
  5585. >She’s not speeding up too much and her roar has turned to a growl. She’s getting tired.
  5586. >You remember a section of railing ‘unfortunately’ missing right before this turn.
  5587. >Your hammerhead is perfectly aligned on her wheel and you see her front move just a little.
  5588. >All Perfect. There will be no mistakes this time.
  5589. >You quickly cock your carriage ready to put this mare down once and for all.
  5590. “DIE BEAST!”
  5591. >With a roar of your own, and target in sight, you bring the hammer down with every ounce of force you have.
  5592. >It flies through the air faster than anypony can be hope to be.
  5593. >Grinning ready to kill, the hammer is inescapably close.
  5594. >But the beast roars louder than you’ve ever heard before and it’s rear snaps.
  5595. >Your mind slows down and eyes follow him slip perfectly out of target into the last hairpin.
  5596. >Safely out of your reach, he begins his path to victory, leaving a trail of wet fog and smoke.
  5597. >Snapping back to reality, your hammer continues hurdling towards a target.
  5598. >Instinctively you slam your brake pedal to no avail, your invention works well against you.
  5599. >Closing your eyes, you smash into the guard rail. The hard chitin bounces aggressively, and you hold on for life as your rear end smashes against the curved rail.
  5600. >Your mind nor body is able to control your out of control machine as it hits the rail once more before straightening to a path. And bounces.
  5601. >The path it straightens to is the drop, and you try the brakes once more to no avail.
  5602. >Your mind returns for a moment and you apply your magic brake, but the rain makes it useless, you try to turn your wheel but the damage has destroyed your control.
  5603. >Helplessly you continue towards the drop.
  5604. “You win. One mare can’t defeat two Beasts.”
  5605. >Feeling oddly fulfilled with your defeat, you close your eyes.
  5606. >In a flash your world goes dark.
  5607. ---
  5608. >There it is. The promised, distant roar gets louder.
  5609. >In moments the roar is right out your window, and you hear an explosion as the whole building shakes.
  5610. >The roar gets a league louder but quickly disappears into the distance.
  5611. >He promised a flyby. And he delivered.
  5612. >”Was that him, Darling?”
  5613. “Yea…”
  5614. >You say calmly, almost ashamed but also full of happiness and pride.
  5615. >In a purple flash, Twilight and Scootaloo appear in your dark room.
  5616. >Twi looks different, she never believed in ghosts or spirits, but she’s seen one.
  5617. >She’s covered in sweat, her eyes are wide and tired and she’s out of breath.
  5618. >”Was he-!?”
  5619. >”You just missed him, Darling.”
  5620. >Twilight takes a deep breath and Scootaloo puts a hoof on her.
  5621. >She smiles like you’ve never seen before, and you’re sure you see tears when she looks at you.
  5622. >She single-mindedly walks to you, and you feel your own tears.
  5623. >Quickly she engulfs you in her hooves and wings, and you try to hold her back.
  5624. >”He won, Spike.”
  5625. >She whispers and you choke up and feel weak with happiness.
  5626. >The two of you lock teary eyes.
  5627. >”Just like you said he would.”
  5628. >The two of you look outside the window and listen.
  5629. “Listen.”
  5630. >Everypony hears that distant rumble. That Red Beast still rolling through the night.
  5631. ------
  5632. >She must be here somewhere; her carriage is outside masked like you, though in plain cloth.
  5633. >Curses, if you could only drop your cloak you could find her with magic.
  5634. >But as it stands, no matter where you turn it’s the same old styled halls and rooms.
  5635. >Some insanity has clearly overtaken you, all your dreams are full of her, Tantibus had less of a hold on you than her. You must speak to her if you ever wish to find sleep or sanity.
  5636. >But like always she’s a ghost that appears and disappears as she pleases, and your sudden timidness is not doing you any good.
  5637. >What you would do for her to appear, how much you would sacrifice to speak to her.
  5638. >A thousand years is nothing compared to the loneliness you feel without her.
  5639. >Her memories haunt you, and keep you on the tip of your hooves.
  5640. >Even in your dreams she only appears to tease you. Shows you wonders she is capable of, and then disappears.
  5641. >As much as you hate to agree with your sister, she is right in her assessment. Without a word that ghost has stolen your heart like no other could.
  5642. >Any doubts you had about that where erased by the crystal heart. It pulses along with your own when you think of her.
  5643. >Another hallway is another disappointment-
  5644. >But wait. Those are her companions, Spoked Wheel and Scootaloo. Famous racers in their own right.
  5645. >You wonder how they must think of the mare that is above and beyond them both.
  5646. >But never mind that. Those two are here, and they are heading your way. Surely if they are here, then your ghost must be near.
  5647. >”…What do you mean ‘you don’t know’, didn’t they give you a name?”
  5648. >”I dunno, I didn’t get a name.”
  5649. >Scootaloo questions Wheel, probably about the race they drove out here for. Her face is one of confusion and worry.
  5650. >”What about a team?”
  5651. >”No clue.”
  5652. >The young filly seems annoyed, but more so concerned. The older mare has a convincing face but there’s something that doesn’t appear right.
  5653. >As far as you remember, Wheel is a manager now. A shame really, her techniques are legendary. Even you owe her a part of your success.
  5654. >A manager should have complete details of a racer and her team. It is a rule even the hidden races follow.
  5655. >”So hold up, Wheel.”
  5656. >They halt, Scootaloo is clearly upset about the situation, and you understand by what you are hearing.
  5657. >”You don’t know the racer, or her team. And we’re using a track that was decommissioned and sold. Does this really sound alright to you?”
  5658. >That does seem like a foolish mistake, perhaps a more amateur manager might make. Wheel is no amateur, she is cunning.
  5659. >”What’s the big dea-“
  5660. >She even rivals your sister at times, your heart fears and hopes this is one of those times. Because otherwise…
  5661. >”You’re putting Anon at risk! I know h-she’s good, but you’re putting Anon in real danger!”
  5662. >”Back off Scoot. ‘Non didn’t pick you, don’t tell me how to handle what’s mine.”
  5663. >”Buck you, Wheel! This has nothing to do with that! I care about Anon, now I’m askin’ if you do!”
  5664. >Seems you’re not the only one torn over her. And you’re disturbed to hear Wheel of all managers call a racer ‘mine’. You continue listening intently to the mares argue.
  5665. >”And ‘handle what’s mine’? Mare, until a few nights ago you would still be chasing a made up ghost. You can’t control nothin!”
  5666. >”Buck off Scoot! I would clock any other mare in your place! Don’t make me do something I’ll regret, sis!”
  5667. >There’s a part of you that wants to do something. This is not healthy, this rivalry is how greed takes over, and ponies get hurt.
  5668. >Especially considering their tone of ownership of a racer. Your heart cannot withstand knowing your precious ghost is being used.
  5669. >But you can’t do anything, and perhaps it would be wrong to do anything. Even if in your heart you want nothing more than to cherish and care for her.
  5670. >If she would only allow you.
  5671. >”Listen, Wheel. I’m sorry. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”
  5672. >Thankfully you do not have to do anything. Seems harmony will prevail for today, that Scootaloo is coolheaded for a firebrand.
  5673. >Probably an effect of being so close to the elements.
  5674. >”Yea… I’m sorry too. Look, Scoot. Just trust me. You and me both know Anon’s gonna have no trouble here. Please, just trust me.”
  5675. >You do not trust her. There is something ahoof. There is no reason for a manager to keep so much from her racer.
  5676. >The duo begins moving again. You stick to them, there is something here, and you must learn more. Perhaps you can warn your ghost, she may trust you more.
  5677. >”Yea… I trust you. Say, how did you get a race here anyway?”
  5678. >”I got contacts. We’re going to her now. Don’t worry, you know her.”
  5679. >You have to keep yourself in check, you almost trip over them as they climb down the stairs. But you need to hear every word they say clearly.
  5680. >”Shouldn’t Anon come with us?”
  5681. >”Sleeping, drove all day, remember?”
  5682. >”Oh… Yea.”
  5683. >Letting the racer drive and get tired? Odd you think.
  5684. >You almost step on a tail as they stop a couple steps before a room.
  5685. >”Here’s the meeting room. Now keep cool, I’ll do the talking.”
  5686. >The door opens and despite your larger body, you slip in behind the mares.
  5687. >Inside is an amalgamation of office and storage room. Perhaps it is an unused room. Of course that would make this meeting even less savory and the orange filly’s expression would agree.
  5688. >Gently tip hoofing, you move a little way away from the two mares as one of them calls out to somepony.
  5689. >Somepony who appears in a small smoky flash, a parlor trick, she was behind one of the boxes. You recognize the pony…
  5690. >”Track.”
  5691. >”Glad you could make it… Drink?”
  5692. >’Speedy Track’ a pseudonym. You know her from a previous life, Canterlot noble and Las Pagasus crook.
  5693. >”Gimme a moment. Security and all that, you understand.”
  5694. >She extracts a device from behind an office table and you swallow a lump.
  5695. >It’s a spellbreaker, it will scramble any magic for a moment, including your cloak.
  5696. >While there is nothing these ponies can do to you, you wish to remain hidden lest you spook the scheming mares.
  5697. >Thinking quick, you move as quickly as you can without making noise, and conceal yourself behind a stack of boxes.
  5698. >”Don’t worry, it only tickles.”
  5699. >A powerful burst of magic shakes every pony in the room, as expected your cloak shatters and you are naked.
  5700. >The stack of boxes was not nearly high enough, and you sink lower to prevent being spotted. You should be hidden, even if in great discomfort.
  5701. >”Now then. I gotta say Wheel, you’ve really gotten your act together. That Anon has been very profitable, hasn’t she?”
  5702. >”Something like that.”
  5703. >”Don’t be shy… When you walked in that day I was sure I was gonna have the famous Spoked Wheel all to myself. But I’m glad you’ve been doing well.”
  5704. >”This isn’t about me, Track.”
  5705. >”I think it is… Or maybe it’s about your new star racer. I don’t know where you find them.”
  5706. >You shift a little, trying to find some space to breath, your hoof begins cramping.
  5707. >If only you could control this stupid mane, you can’t cloak yourself or cast any magic any unicorn could detect that.
  5708. >”Is everything ready?”
  5709. >”I want to be your friend-… Oh fine. Yes, everything is set up, we’re on for tomorrow afternoon. Here’s the map.”
  5710. >You try to eye the map, but can not make out any details from this distance. There are a few red marks on the parchment however.
  5711. >”Nopony can get you away from a target, I know. But fair warning, this mare isn’t gonna play clean.”
  5712. >That doesn’t sound right-
  5713. >”Hold up Wheel. This isn’t official, is it?”
  5714. >Scootaloo finally speaks up, and that worry has a little anger in it.
  5715. >”She doesn’t know? Not your style…”
  5716. >That definitely is not her style. Wheel is a pariah among other managers for friendship with her racers. She was never content with professionalism.
  5717. >This change is worrying to say the least. You wish ‘Tia was here right now; she would understand more.
  5718. >”Listen kid. I don’t know what she’s told you, but believe me, winning this is gonna make you rich beyond anything else you’ve ever done.”
  5719. >”I’m not the one racing! Anon is! Wheel what’s going on!?”
  5720. >There are instincts that tell you may need to rescue Scootaloo any moment.
  5721. >You try to adjust yourself to prepare yourself for such an eventuality, your cramping legs do not offer much confidence.
  5722. >that eventuality doesn’t seem to come, instead Track gives a confused look to Wheel who looks away grinding her teeth.
  5723. >”Listen. Both of you. This mare has to lose, it’s not just money.”
  5724. >”Had me fooled, Wheel. It’s been a long time since I’ve been played. Good going, kid. So what’s really going on then?”
  5725. >”Shut up, Speedy. Listen… ‘Icy Breeze’.”
  5726. >Like everypony your eyes widen at that infamous name.
  5727. >A pseudonym for a tragic case, Flitter Snow. A sweet filly in her younger years. Corrupted by the greed of racing.
  5728. >Many a carriage slipped on her ice laden roads. Going against her is nothing short of…
  5729. >”Insanity. Wheel, reconsider.”
  5730. >”Wheel. Anon-“
  5731. >”Shut up. I know what I’m doing. I trust Anon… You are going to have to trust me.”
  5732. >The room goes silent and you hold your body lest your aching knees creaking give you away.
  5733. >Speedy Track is at a loss of words. Scootaloo has a worry a mare only has for family or love. Wheel is calm and stonefaced.
  5734. >Even you are questioning if the mare has gone mad. Sure that gorgeous ghost has defeated many an enemy, but a track on a mountain top, against a mare of such notoriety…
  5735. >She’s sending your love to certain death…
  5736. >You must warn her!
  5737. >But you can not even find her, and the time to swap the sun for the moon approaches. That mare is a moon shadow appearing and disappearing at the blink of an eye. And you still trapped in this cursed room…
  5738. >”Somepony is here!”
  5739. >Curses. Your creaking knee betrayed you.
  5740. >”Find her!”
  5741. >You slink your head behind the boxes hoping you remain hidden. Alas they may not be able to see you, but you cannot see them either. Your ears are your eyes and you hear hoofsteps all around.
  5742. >”Come out! We won’t hurt you if you show yourself!”
  5743. >Wheel commands the tone of a predator, whatever her reason for this, she wishes to keep it hidden.
  5744. >”We won’t hurt you either way. Just come out, please.”
  5745. >You would have no sense of safety without Scootaloo. The young filly gives you hope.
  5746. >However you’re not going to reveal yourself, you must think of some escape. a cloak spell will do you no good at this time.
  5747. >”Come out, filly. This isn’t a game, you’re bucked.”
  5748. >A chill goes down your spine at the Las Pegasus Mafioso tone. You must do something fast.
  5749. >A sprint is impossible on account of cramped and ridged legs. There is no room nor direction to fly. There is only one option.
  5750. >Suddenly a hoof steps too close for comfort and it engages an instinct in your mind, making you forget all and focus on one thing.
  5751. >In a blue flash you appear outside of the building, somewhat disoriented by your half-hearted spell.
  5752. >Shaken yet excited by your near escape, you try and shake your mind clean and think elsewhere.
  5753. >Looking at the sky, your sister is prepared to lower her sun, you must find a vantage point to replace hers with your own moon and stars.
  5754. >By chance you find yourself next to the Red Beauty, still covered in a slick pedestrian sheets. This is the closest you have ever been to him. The thoroughness of the cover is unfortunate however, and you cannot get a good look.
  5755. >Smiling you shake your head and in another flash appear at the peak of one of many mountains, this one is a rare few with an icy winding road.
  5756. >’Tia is probably wondering of your whereabouts, but she lowers her sun and you raise the moon to reassure her.
  5757. >For a brief moment the Sun and Moon dance in the sky together, as they do every night. You can feel your sister through her movements, and she can probably feel your own.
  5758. >You are still shaken by your close escape, and she can feel that.
  5759. >Regardless the two of you perform your duties and the nighttime covers the land, you can almost feel the racers preparing to chase your moonlight.
  5760. >The cold mountain air no longer staved by the warmer sunlight, bites your skin through your fur.
  5761. >Even so it feels relaxing.
  5762. >You turn your eyes to the road leading from the building connected to the race track and zipping down this mountain.
  5763. >While it’s no Canterlot, driving in a place like this is an art in its own right. Moonlight glares off the ice and the path narrowly slithers between clif faces and drops.
  5764. >Few guardrail to protect you as well. Only a vary brave mare would try to race this… Or perhaps an insane one.
  5765. >Your mind immediately draws to your ghost. She will be racing something very much like this road.
  5766. >The afternoon may be a better time, but the mountain air stays cool well into the day. Her opponent is another matter entirely.
  5767. >You think of how you can warn her, but you could not even find her. Besides, why would she even want to speak to you?
  5768. >She probably doesn’t think of you at all, much less the way you think of her.
  5769. >Taking flight you follow the path down it’s treacherous downhill. Perhaps to imagine her zipping down the track, or maybe just to think.
  5770. >Either way, you will get no sleep tomorrow either…
  5771. ---
  5772. >A midnight flight always calms your nerves, though not as much as you had hoped.
  5773. >Her thoughts and memories fill your minds eye, to think of her zipping down this path what it must look like from eyes.
  5774. >How her slip technique could match this path, her rear brake lock could let her maneuver on a bit. His roar, her wit, his crackles and explosions, her sift movements and passion.
  5775. >An imaginary symphony and ballet. But you know reality is more fantastical.
  5776. >Though the night has aged you decide to return to the mountaintop from where you began. It is a fair distance away, but no more than a few minutes.
  5777. >Suddenly any nerves you calmed are aroused and shaken again as a cloud clears and an amber glow registers in your vision.
  5778. >Her.
  5779. >With purpose you fly as swiftly as you can, exerting yourself to the point of pain. You refuse to lose her again.
  5780. >The cold mountain air stings your eyes and dries your throat as you cut through fog and icy dew.
  5781. >Details unveil as you fly closer. The Beauty stands looking down the mountain road, moonlight gleaming red off his gorgeous body.
  5782. >Amber and red light each corner, a white light glows inside him.
  5783. >Your wings ache from the effort, but you refuse to slow down this close to your ghost.
  5784. >Your heart almost jumps into your throat as a door swings open and she reveals herself.
  5785. >Standing tall, looking over the downhill along with her red beauty. Entrancing, the glowing white light on her face, her long appendages.
  5786. >In your moment of distraction, you misstep your landing and ungracefully fall flat on the ground just short of her.
  5787. >Your face burns in an instant and you freeze as she turns her head looking into your eyes.
  5788. >Flopping like a fish, you manage to descramble yourself and stand on all four. Beyond embarrassed.
  5789. >Her presence is unreal; you want to doubt your senses. She has never showed herself, yet she does now… At your most ungraceful.
  5790. >As you open your mouth to speak, you choke to realize you are struggling for air and panting like a dog.
  5791. >Embarrassed you consider flying away to save face, but your body moves itself closer to her, approaching her.
  5792. >Only a few steps away, you continue limping to her like a lost foal. She turns away into her carriage and you try to regain her attention.
  5793. >Your mind scrambled trying to think of what to say, how to say it.
  5794. >Curse your heart, nopony should be able to hold you like this.
  5795. >Before a sound escapes your dry mouth, she turns back and takes a long stride, raising a paw making you gasp and recoil.
  5796. >She has a smile at the corner of her mouth, her eyes are peering right into your soul, you can feel it. In this moment you feel like a filly more than a princess.
  5797. >It takes you a moment to realize she is offering you a clear flask with a fluid inside, you accept her generous offering regardless of what it is.
  5798. >The flask is clear as the finest crystal, yet weighs nothing comparatively. A blue strip has many words but a uniquely stylized ‘Pure Life’ within a blue circle jump out at you.
  5799. >Perhaps it is a potion, or some sort of holy water. She watches you, expectedly. Whatever she has given you, it is her gift to you and you must accept it. Surely she would do you no harm.
  5800. >You attempt to uncork the flask but the top is stubborn and refuses to yield.
  5801. >An unseen paw grabs the top of the flask and you freeze as you feel her turn the container suspended in your magic. In a single turn the top comes off and your face once again burns in embarrassment.
  5802. >You take a sip from the flask to discover the finest tasting water, soothing your burning throat and it begs for more.
  5803. >Uncouthly you swallow gulp after gulp of the liquid until there is nothing in the container and your thirst is thoroughly quenched.
  5804. >Curiously the flask is light as a feather as you return it to your host who unceremoniously tosses it into her carriage.
  5805. >There is no sound of shattering as the flask hits the interior and settles somewhere within. An amazing material indeed.
  5806. >She walks to the front of her car without a word to you, and you approach her.
  5807. >Without an excuse you must speak to her, but about what you do not know. You spent so long trying to speak to her, you never stopped to consider what you would say.
  5808. “Hello. A-anon?”
  5809. >Not suave in the slightest but you manage to get her attention once again. She looks you in the eyes once again, and gives you a short smile.
  5810. “I-I wished to speak to you…”
  5811. >Stepping closer you try to talk over your crippling timidness and the biting mountain cold.
  5812. >Despite your absolutely poor presentation and form, she gives you her undivided attention.
  5813. >However you shiver gently as the sweat from your exertion cools rapidly in the mountain air.
  5814. “I ove-overheard your companions. Wheel and-“
  5815. >You shiver once again and she reacts quickly, walking from the front of her car to the side and opening a door.
  5816. >She stands at the door and you blush understanding her intention.
  5817. >Though the more formal side of you wishes to protest the invitation, the mare side of you cannot, and you quickly move to enter the beauty.
  5818. >Finally seeing not just her exterior so close, but her inside as well. You’re so excited you could just collapse.
  5819. >Perhaps this is a dream and you will awake on top of the mountain, but if that is the case you do not want to ever wake.
  5820. >Without realizing it, you are seated on the most comfortable carriage seat bar none, and she closes the door allowing a mysterious warmth to caress your cold body.
  5821. >His interior is cavernous and thoroughly comfortable, surpassing the finest carriages.
  5822. >Your head zips at every corner, and glowing symbol, every hard and soft material and every control. Admiring and studying each feature.
  5823. >Suddenly, she takes a seat next to you and closes her door. She turns a knob and the warm breeze gently intensifies.
  5824. >She returns her attention to you and your mind scrambles to try and make sense to her. However, all you manage to do is involuntary giggle like a newly marked filly.
  5825. “He- Thank you…”
  5826. >She looks away looking down the mountain road, and the light shimmering on ice knocks some sense into you.
  5827. >Your mission was to warn her of the impending danger, not to giggle like a filly sitting next to her schoolyard sweetheart.
  5828. >Even if that is a fair parallel to draw…
  5829. “I must warn you!”
  5830. >You quickly spit out, and your backlogged mind quickly spills everything you learned.
  5831. >Telling her how you spent hours searching for her, how you stumbled upon her companions by chance. Their unsavoury meeting and what was discussed, your panicked escape, subsequent calming flight, chance encounter and finally you pant out of breath:
  5832. “…And so here I am.”
  5833. >There is silence between you, just a gentle rumble from the beauty and a gentle hum from somewhere within. She stares at a glowing green part of her carriage, deep in thought.
  5834. >While you did mention her opponent, you wonder if she is aware of her reputation. Perhaps that is a foolish question…
  5835. “Anon… Does the name ‘Icy Breeze’ mean anything to you? Your opponent.”
  5836. >She looks into your eyes and shakes her head quickly to your surprise.
  5837. >You imagined a mare of her ability would have known of every opponent since Dare Devil herself.
  5838. “That surprises me… She is famous. Or perhaps infamous.”
  5839. >She offers you a coy smile and shrugs, enticing a smile from you. A lot of racers of skill become brick walls only interested in details, hard not to perhaps.
  5840. >You are glad she is personable enough. You wish she would say something, though maybe she is simply unable…
  5841. “She excels at wet tracks, using her magic to snap freeze water into ice creating a deadly skating ring…”
  5842. >She hums in response, looking ahead on to the road. Both her paws are on the steering wheel.
  5843. “…Not unlike this road.”
  5844. >Snapping back to you, she hums. It seems you have managed to pique her interest.
  5845. >Of course you are not sure of what, but you continue talking about this road, and that seems to hold her interest.
  5846. >Informing her of the sleet like dew clinging to the road like a skin, the sharp curves snaking between mountain hills and of course the ice settled in these curves.
  5847. >She hums at all the details you spill. Constant talk prevents your feeling of self-consciousness from catching up to you.
  5848. >After some time you finally have no more to say, and there is a silence between you.
  5849. >She continues her unending stare down the hill, and you see a slight grin at the corner of her lips.
  5850. >Suddenly she moves and reaches under her steering wheel, doing something that creates a loud clunk noise. Then she quickly presses a button next to her decedent gauges which produces another noise.
  5851. >Then with purpose she opens the door and steps into the cold mountain air.
  5852. >Not wanting to be left behind, you follow her quickly though substantially less gracefully.
  5853. >She moves to the front of the beauty and raises his top cover, initially you cannot see anything but she produces a small light revealing a sight as alien as the owner.
  5854. >A mess of hoses of all sizes, containers made of some white alien material, a set of belts towards you, and a big black block with two hoses attached to it on her side.
  5855. >Towards you there is a centerpiece, though not in the center, a shiny silver metal thing with ‘2.0 Split Port’ proudly embossed on it.
  5856. >It is the only thing not completely alien, you understand it is some cast metal though its purpose still a mystery.
  5857. >You are completely mesmerized by the view and filled with questions, you turn to her to find her reaching under a red cone at the end of a silver tube.
  5858. >She adjust some control, and loud clicks resonate in the space. She is deliberate in her controls and seems to be very focused on her task.
  5859. >Wishing you could help, you lean over her and to your surprise she pushes her light to you.
  5860. >Accepting it without a thought, she adjusts it in your magic and you hold it in place understanding what she wants.
  5861. >After a few more clicks she retreats, offering you a smile and raising a fat digit on her paw at you.
  5862. >Quickly she moves to a hump on the side of the compartment, three small bolts surrounding a big yellow feature.
  5863. >She inserts a knob into the top and gently turns it two clicks, then she quickly moves to the other side and does the same to the other hump. You do your best to hold the light steady.
  5864. >Retreating out from under the cover, she removes a rod holding the cover up and eyes you before allowing it to drop harshly.
  5865. >Then quickly she rounds the car with you behind her, and lifts her rear storage revealing a fair few supplies.
  5866. >But she is not interested in any of those, instead sliding a few aside and pealing the covering back revealing a hump similar to the front.
  5867. >She does some manipulation of this hump three clicks instead of two, then she moves to the second before putting the carpet back in place and closing the storage space.
  5868. >Satisfied with her work she rocks him left to right, before reaching an open paw to you.
  5869. >In a moment of confusion you almost give her your hoof, but quickly understand she would like her light back, which she takes and turns off.
  5870. >She opens the door to your seat and you accept it, before watching her round the car to her own seat.
  5871. “What are we doing, Anon?”
  5872. >You ask nervously and she turns to give you a smile that sends a shiver down your spine and makes your cheeks burn.
  5873. >Quickly she reaches over you, enticing a gasp from you and you open your eyes when you hear a click. A strap has appeared over your chest locking you in place.
  5874. >With slight worry you eye your love, she clicks her own strap into place, adjusting herself before eyeing you once more with that same smile.
  5875. >Her paw reaches to a staff standing proud between the seats and she slides it off of the ‘P’ position to the ‘D’ position, skipping ‘R’ and ‘N’ in between.
  5876. >You have no time to consider their meaning as his roar is no quieter insider and you begin accelerating at a considerable rate.
  5877. >She works some small object and music begins to echo in the car, before turning back to the road.
  5878. >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPYgzfRlo1k [Embed]
  5879. >Faster and faster down the hill, she her eyes smoothly transition from her center gauge, the road and some small green device hidden in a compartment.
  5880. >Her center gauge reads 160, though you know not what units correspond with that measurements.
  5881. >Hitting the bottom of the hill, and climbing the small incline, he allows his speed to drop though not by much.
  5882. >The uphill is a small respite, though you gulp and keep your eyes glued in front for what you know is coming.
  5883. >And it does not take long to come, like a roller coaster you two rise over the top and look down the sights. A steep foggy grade disappearing behind a mountain.
  5884. >Without any thought she pushes a small green button, enticing a louder roar and allows the beauty to drop down the hill
  5885. >All your insides are pushed into your throat as his gauge increases, with no end in sight.
  5886. >crossing the previous 160, and creeping way past 180, the number is close to 190 when the grade levels off and you draw a relief filled breath..
  5887. >A breath that does not hold long as you see the fog clearing to a sharp curve. The surface shines like a mirror.
  5888. >You hear a loud whine and feel the beauty slow as it approaches the curve, though he is nowhere slow enough as she lets off the brakes on the approach to the icy end.
  5889. >Suddenly, with a movement so sharp yet smooth she turns her wheel with the curve and harshly applies her brakes.
  5890. >You hear the sound of rubbing tires as you realize she has lost grip, and the beauty begins to spin into the curve
  5891. >But in a motion as smooth as glass her paw moves to the center staff and she shifts the position from ‘D’ to ‘2’, while her other hand works her wheel like it is part of her.
  5892. >The beauty roars and your entire body is forced against the door as she flies him through the icy curve
  5893. >Her legs move in a unison you’ve never seen, her left foot controlling her brake and her right the throttle, what would be considered an amateur mistake from anypony else…
  5894. >Guard railing whips mere hoofs past the carriage, and you’ve never felt more vulnerable.
  5895. >With movements much more graceful than your own, she exits the curve with not so much as a hiccup and you’re thrown back into the center of your seat.
  5896. >The beauty accelerates smoothly yet quickly roaring as he does, she keeps her eyes on a glowing green hidden in a compartment and in an unseen moment pushes him from ‘2’ back to ‘D’
  5897. >Her gauge reads over 120. You notice there is a set of red digits within the white ones. The needle points to 70 on the red digits.
  5898. >A white mark on her gauge reads KMH and the smaller red reads MPH.
  5899. >Those abbreviations hold little meaning to you, not that you can logically think in your current state.
  5900. >You are thankful for his bright lights or this fog would be impenetrable, though maybe not so because you see another curve as icy as the last making its way towards you.
  5901. >Using your hoofs, you prepare and brace yourself into the seat, eyeing your love and her undeterred stare.
  5902. >She is like no racer you have ever seen, no quick sharp movements full of logical thought. She only uses movements full of smoothness and deliberateness, yet emotion if such a thing can be.
  5903. >Her paw caresses her wheel, the other strokes her shifting staff and her eyes continue their graceful movements settling on that greenlight.
  5904. >A bar of light increasing towards some yellow and then red markings. Under the light bar is a number display that rises quickly.
  5905. >3000, 3200, 3500, 3700, 3900,
  5906. >In a flurry she slams her staff making him howl knocking you out of your trance and despite your bracing against the side as she perfectly controls her entrance into the curve.
  5907. >Clearly faster than before and no less terrifying.
  5908. >You resist the extreme force and force yourself into a better position to look back into the gauges.
  5909. >The number is steadily hovering at 5900 while the bars are in the yellow almost red.
  5910. >The center gauge reads 130 white number.
  5911. >Looking back out the front window, you are almost blinded by the ice reflecting her light. You do not know how she can drive without being able to see.
  5912. >Though drive she does and once again you two pull out of the curve and on another incline. Taller than before, though you know that only means the drop is steeper.
  5913. >She manipulates the beast with agility, strength, deliberateness yet passion, care and love.
  5914. >You admire her, she is not just racer, she has something you have sorely missed.
  5915. >Her eyes leave their pattern for a split moment and she looks at you.
  5916. >All you can respond with is an open mouth smile. You must look like a fool, but she blesses you a smile in return anyway.
  5917. >Her eyes are mesmerising, like gemstones reflecting your moonlight. Magnificent.
  5918. >Without a word she says something to your heart, and you relax your tensed body allowing yourself to sit better in the seat.
  5919. >Drawing a breath as she turns away, you look into her gauges to read 120 and 2100. Though the numbers still mean nothing, you don’t feel the same panic as the beauty roars pointing down the hill and the numbers rise again.
  5920. >You understand something, not by thought but by emotions. Perhaps racing was never about logic.
  5921. >Perhaps it was always passion, and music.
  5922. >All you know is that she holds your heart and all you have to do is hold on to this wonderful thing.
  5923. ------

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