The tumultuous noise from the cheering fans was so great that Red Line had to strain to hear as the announcers began broadcasting over the loudspeaker.
“WEEEELCOME FILLIES AND COLTS TO THE FILLYDELPHIA DERBY! This is an exciting day, isn’t it, Laurette?”
“That’s right Madden, to think that only two hundred laps are separating these fine young athletes from becoming the Fillydelphia Derby Champion. Along with the honour of becoming a local hero, the winners will qualify for a shot at the big time: the Royal Canterlot Derby!”
“LET’S HEAR IT FOR THOSE RACERS!!! Who do we have with us today, Laurette?”
“We have some of the very best rising stars on the track today Madden, but most of the buzz is centered on the stallion who has taken the Fillydelphia racing circuit by storm, Red Line!”
“WELL THAT’S NO SURPRISE LAURETTE! Red Line has dominated the Fillydelphia racing scene for the last four years. I believe he has won every major event since he burst on the scene! Reminds me of myself at that age, those were the times— ”
“Yes, well you’re absolutely right there Madden, but this is the first time he has had the chance to qualify for the prestigious Canterlot Derby. That kind of pressure can affect even the most talented racers.”
“YOU’RE RIGHT ABOUT THAT! WHY, I REMEMBER THIS TIME—”
“Sorry to interrupt, but it looks like the racers are taking their places”
“LISTEN TO THAT CROWD! Sounds like some ponies are READY FOR A RACE!”
The announcers’ amplified voices had whipped the ponies in the arena seats into cheering frenzy. It took several minutes for the crowd's roar to die down to a steady buzz of excitement, but little by little, the deafening noise of the stadium was replaced by an anticipatory hush. The tension was thick in the air as Red Line took his place at the starting line. Looking to his left along the row of racers, Red Line spotted the familiar faces of Wild Fire and Spectrum. Lips pulled back in a friendly smirk, he nodded to his friends; Good luck, guys. I’ll save you a place on the winners’ block.
Looking to his right, he noticed a familiar pegasus taking her place beside him. And just my luck, he thought, rolling his eyes. Every competitor in the circuit is here today and I get stuck next to Sandstorm. Of all the racers in attendance, Sandstorm was his biggest competition in the roster. She and Red had entered the derby scene around the same time and both had quickly set themselves apart from the pack. Some rivalry between pegasi of their skill was to be expected, but it had always seemed like Sandstorm had a special chip on her shoulder for the stallion. I suppose I can’t really blame her. It must be tough knowing you're always gonna be second best.
“Hope you’re hungry, Red Line, because you’re gonna be eating my dust all the way to the finish!” said the familiar voice of Sandstorm as she noticed him looking.
“Listen Stormie, as much you would love for me to spend the race behind you admiring your flank, I have a qualifier to win here,” Red Line replied with a smirk. Just in earshot, Wild Fire huffed at Red’s retort and locked her gaze forward, a study in furious concentration. Still facing forward, Red Line grinned smugly as he heard the outraged mare’s comeback sputter and die on her lips. Ha, I may have hit a nerve there. Looks like somepony is gonna be off her game today.
“Bronze would look better with your complexion anyway, Stormie. Me, I’m thinking gold brings out the colour of my eyes,” said Red with a wink; cutting off whatever reply Sandstorm was working on. Feeling her stare, he looked back over at his rival. Wow, she’s really mad, he mused to himself, guess we're not in the mood for banter today.
“You know, you’re not the only pony who has worked their flank off to get here today. This is the biggest race of our lives. Some of us take that seriously.” Sandstorm swished her dusty-pink tail in annoyance as she spoke.
“That’s where you and I are different babe. This may be the biggest race of your career, but me? This is the foals' league as far as I’m concerned. When I get to the Canterlot Derby, I’ll be watching you and the others cross the finish while relaxing in my seat with the gold around my neck. Assuming you even qualify that is...” Red Line trailed off, throwing his opponent a sidelong look.
Grim-faced, the tan mare turned toward the track and tensed up. “One day, you'll find out that you're not Celestia's gift to racing. And I’m gonna make sure I'm there to see your face when it happens!" Sandstorm said, spitting the words through tightly clenched teeth.
"You’re going to be waiting a long time for that, Stormie!" Red Line called back, smirking. "I'm in my prime, and I'm not slowing down anytime soon. Still, it's nice to know you want to spend more quality time with ol’ Red." He had her really worked up now. Sandstorm was an incredible racer, but he'd competed with her enough times to know her inside and out. Little things got to her, throwing her off focus. Especially today, Red considered. She must really be nervous about this one. He didn’t really need to get in her head like that. They both know that he had the edge in wing power, but for some reason he found it satisfying to rib her like this.
A small nagging voice told him that riling her up when she was already stressed out was going too far. “That’s just the way this game is played,” Red muttered to himself, silencing his doubts.
The warning signal trumpeted over the static noise of the stadium, interrupting any further conversation. Expectant silence replaced the clamour that was once again taking hold of the ponies in the staggered arena seating. All eyes in attendance moved toward the athletes lined up on the cloud-built track floating above the center of the grounds.
Waiting for the official to raise the starting horn, Red Line looked back down the row of pegasi, thoughts drifting to his other competition. His only other real threat in this line up was Wild Fire. His friend was a bit slower than he and Sandstorm, but had better handling than anypony he had ever met. Even Me, he thought begrudgingly. More than once she had placed in a race because a faster pony found themselves blocked any time they tried to pass the cream coloured mare. Racers' intuition could make up for a lot, and she had it in spades. Doesn’t matter, thought Red Line. She can’t block me in if she can’t get ahead of me in the first place. These thoughts fresh in his mind, Red lost himself in the arrogance that came so easily. This wasn’t a race to him; it was just a formality leading to his true destiny.
The official took the starting horn in hoof and raised it up to his lips. This is it, Red Line's eyes turned forward and locked onto the cloud track. The world fell away as he focused on the task ahead. The drone of the outside world barely reaching him, Red felt confidence welling within. Speed was his special talent and he was in his element. He had no doubt that he was the fastest flier not only in Fillydelphia, but all of Equestria.
Red ran through his mental checklist. Stretch out; he fully extended his well developed wing muscles one after the other. Loosen up; he twisted his powerful neck from side to side until an audible snap was heard. Get your footing; he dug his hooves one at a time firmly into the spongy cloud of the starting line. Ritual complete, the light-grey stallion wore a fierce smile. Red Line’s wings started to flap, picking up speed and lifting his rear legs up off the ground. He was a coiled spring; a cannon ball just waiting for the fuse to burn down. Dimly aware or the other racers assuming a similar position, his cherry-red eyes narrowed behind his brass flight goggles.
Before the starting note had finished leaving the horn, Red Line unloaded all of his pent up power. Hind legs kicking down and adding a massive jump start to his flight; his buzzing wings opened up and began slicing through the air. A faint red corona followed in his wake as he powered through the first turn of the track. Ears folded back and crimson mane whipping in his wake, Red Line risked a look behind. Noticing he already had a significant lead; Red Line wore a lopsided grin. This is gonna be easier than I thought, but I guess not everypony can be the best can they?