It was quite a pleasant winter's afternoon, the sun was shining and there was snow on the ground. Down at Sweet Apple Acres,
a group of ponies were preparing for what looked to be a race.
"So, are we racing with or without carts?" Takumi asked.
"Without" Rainbow answered "I don't think the path we're using could fit the ten of us with carts".
"Good point" Kenji replied.
"This path runs around the orchard to the barn, that's the finish line" Applejack told them "No shoving, ramming or any kind of cheating
allowed or you'll be disqualified" she finished, glaring at Rainbow Dash.
"What? Do you think I'll cheat like I did in the Running of the Leaves?" Rainbow asked "If I may recall you cheated too!" she
said pointing a hoof at Applejack "I'm past that, I'd rather run a clean race and win fair and square".
"I know I cheated and I highly regret it, letting my competitiveness get the best of me like that" Applejack admitted "I wanna
run a clean race too".
"Do I even want to know what happened?" Iketani asked.
"It's a long story" Twilight told him.
"Come on guys!" Itsuki exclaimed "let's stop chatting and get on with the race!".
"Yeah, I wanna see who wins this" Apple Bloom added "I'm bettin' it's gonna be Takumi".
Applejack looked at her little sister with a look of shock and betrayal while Rainbow Dash snorted and laughed loudly.
"Looks like your lil' sis is betting against ya" Rainbow said still laughing then her gaze turned towards Scootaloo "I bet you're
rooting for your honorary big sister" she added proudly.
"Actually, I'm rooting for Iketani" Scootaloo told her with a blush.
Rainbow's proud smile turned into a look of pure shock and horror, Applejack laughed loudly.
"Not so funny when it happens to you, is it Rainbow?" Applejack asked chuckling.
Rainbow Dash shot her a glare and snorted in annoyance.
"Alright everypony, let's get this race started" Twilight announced and everyone lined up on the starting line.
Scootaloo ran up to Iketani, put her hooves on his side and kissed him on the cheek "Umm...that's for good luck" Scootaloo said
nervously, rubbing the back of her neck and blushing furiously.
Iketani chuckled and wrapped a hoof around her "Thank you" he told her with a smile, then he got ready to race.
Three, two, one go!" The Crusaders shouted happily.
"And they're off". Spike said as the group began to gallop, with Scootaloo pulling Spike, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle in a
wagon on her scooter.
"Applejack takes an early lead with Takumi close behind and Rainbow dash in third".
"Rounding the first bend, Takumi edges out Applejack as Iketani passes Rainbow".
"Further down the line we have Pinkie Pie in fifth, Kenji in sixth, Twilight Sparkle and Rarity in seventh and eighth, Fluttershy
and Itsuki are trailing behind in ninth and tenth".
"Back at the front Iketani has pulled off a surprising move and has moved into first, with Rainbow in second, Takumi is holding
Applejack at bay for third".
"Rounding the next group of trees Iketani has swung too wide cutting of Rainbow Dash, Takumi and Applejack, allowing Pinke Pie
to take a short-lived lead, as Kenji takes off with a new found burst of speed."
"Coming to a straightaway, Takumi and Rainbow Dash take off for a neck-at-neck lead, with Iketani in third followed by Kenji
and Applejack running side-by-side for fourth".
"Pinke Pie is running out of steam and Rarity and Twilight have moved in for fifth and sixth, with Fluttershy and Itsuki
still bringing up the rear".
"The leaders are coming up to the final bend and, oh my gosh! Rainbow Dash is down and she slid right into Takumi, Applejack
Kenji and Iketani. Rarity, Twilight and Pinkie have been slowed down by the carnage and it's...Itsuki, followed by Fluttershy
in second, Rarity in third, Pinkie Pie in fourth and Twilight in fifth".
Down at Ponyville General, after the race, the five racers had just been released with a few bumps and bruises.
"That was wild" Iketani said as they walked through town.
"What happened back there?" Kenji asked.
"Yeah, Rainbow. What happened?" Applejack asked.
"Well, I was trying to beat Takumi in that last bend and, I guess I pushed it a little too far". Rainbow replied. "I'm sorry
you guys".
"It's okay Rainbow" Takumi said "It's not like you were trying to take me out."
"I still feel bad about it" she said.
"No one got seriously hurt and that's all that matters" Iketani said
"I don't know what I would have done if my two favorite ponies were hurt" Scootaloo said, not having left either of their sides.
"We're okay Squirt" Rainbow said "No thanks to me"
"Rainbow Dash, you need to stop beating yourself up." Rarity said "All has been forgiven, darling."
Suddenly Spike stopped, got a weird look on his face and belched a green flame. Then a scroll fell into his hands. Spike handed
it to Twilight.
"It's an urgent letter from the Princesses regarding the four of you" she said, gesturing towards their new friends.