- CHAPTER 17 -
THE REPECHAGE EVENT - PART 1
“Here we are boys and girls! Lion County's Technological High School,” Principal Celestia says, “show ‘em what you got!”
”T-that’s their High School?!” Sunset Shimmer nervously says.
"Goodness! The Penguins have an amazing looking high school, and that stadium next to their school sure is something else," Sandalwood says.
”This place is way better than the dump we call a school…” Trixie says under her breath.
”I heard that!” Vice Principal Luna says, “if any of you are willing to pay tons of money to study a single semester here then be our guest and we’ll gladly expel you!”
Trixie shuts her mouth immediately, but Vice Principal Luna lets out a laugh.
”It was just a joke kids, relax!” Luna says, however nobody laughs at her ‘joke’.
”Sheesh…these guys must be loaded,” Thunderbass says.
”They are…and they usually look down on other teams, especially the Tigers, they’re quite a bunch of arrogant folks Ah tell ya what,” Applejack says.
”Eeeyup,” her big brother adds his insightful comment.
”Don’t be scared of them and their money guys, once we defeat them our victory will be even sweeter,” Rainbow Dash lets out a laugh.
”How come Captain?” Derpy shyly asks.
”Well duh! All that money they spent on their fancy stadium and athletes, and we beat them with half the budget!” Rainbow Dash pumps a fist in the air.
“Half? Try no budget instead…” Aria mutters while giving Celestia and Luna the stink eye, they just whistle an innocent tune before giving you some advice.
”Remember team, it’s all about having fun. Buuuut winning is also good, also…think of winning as the only important thing right now okay?” Vice Principal Luna says, "so fun might have to wait. So yeah...no fun allowed."
You all stare at her in confusion, but just shrug it off and prepare yourselves.
”We’re counting on you…especially YOU, Rainbow Dash,” Principal Celestia says in the sweetest and somehow menacing tone of voice, “win!”
They leave the bus and make their way to the stadium, Rainbow looks quite nervous, you just place a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s okay Rainbow, I’m gonna give my 110%!"
"Are you? You look pretty distraught Anon. Something on your mind?" Rainbow Dash says, noticing your lack of concentration and worried face.
"Oh no no Captain! I'm fine!" You say to Rainbow Dash, she however doesn't look too convinced by your answer. As you all prepare to exit the bus you’re greeted by an angry crowd which showers you with tomatoes and other vegetables.
”What the-?!” Sunset Shimmer says as she hastily dodges a tomato thrown at her which unfortunately hits Brawly Beats on the head, the attackers belong to Lion County’s Academy. The Tigers.
”What are you peasants doing here?” The Tigers’ captain, Fizzy Champagne asks, “cheaters like you shouldn’t be allowed to participate in the tournament!”
”C-cheaters?!” Applejack freaks out at captain of the Tigers, "what in tarnation did you mean by that?!"
”Are you deaf or something honey?” Fizzy Champagne asks, “I said! What are you doing here? How did the Ministry of Education let you in once again?!”
Fizzy Champagne throws another tomato and hits Applejack directly in the face.
“Whoa! You okay Jackie?!” You say, grabbing Applejack from behind and trying your best to clean her face up with a hanky, however Applejack slaps your hand away and runs to harm the Tiger’s captain. You immediately grab your friend by the waist to prevent her from getting into a fight with Fizzy Champagne.
”DARNIT! LEMME GO ANON!” Appplejack orders you.
“EASY JACKIE! EASY! SHE AIN’T WORTH IT!” You struggle to say, now holding Applejack by the waist.
Sheesh! Applejack sure is strong! You really can’t hold her anymore so you try to shuffle your hands to get a better grip...what’s this soft thing you’re feeling now? Applejack immediately stops on her tracks.
”Umm…sugarcube? Those are my-“
You quickly realize that you were touching her breasts and you immediately let go of Applejack, she covers her chest with both arms, feeling quite embarrassed.
”HA HA HA HA HA!” Everyone on the Tigers’ team laughs at you two.
”These losers actually managed to beat Pleasantview and Crystal Prep? This tournament will be easy!” One of their players says.
”Well yeah, it’s easy when they cheated their way through the competition…and now they’re back,” Fizzy Champagne says.
”Dangit y’all! We didn’t cheat!” Applejack yells, “it was all a big misunderstandin’!
Fizzy Champagne looks disgusted as soon as she hears Applejack's accent.
”Eww…I’m sorry hayseed, I don’t speak poor,” Fizzy Champagne looks at Applejack with disdain, Applejack justs gasps, ”if you didn’t get the memo, this is the Repechage Event, not the County Fair!”
The Tigers let out a laugh. Applejack grits her teeth.
”Well, let’s get this over with guys…if this excuse of a team is what the news couldn’t keep their mouths shut about then we will have no problem on winning, don’t you agree?” Fizzy Champagne asks her teammates.
”YEAH!” Everyone says.
Man, the Tigers are a bunch of stuck-up jerks.
“You okay Jackie?” You ask to your friend now that she had time to breathe and relax.
”Yeah…don’t worry pardner, thanks for that by the way," Applejack happily says, "if I punched Fizzy’s smug face then we would’ve been disqualified for sure.”
“We’ll get them. Don’t worry about that," Flash Sentry says, "for now we should go and get changed, darn these tomatoes, I really liked this shirt…”
Twilight and the rest of Rainbow’s friends arrive to the scene.
”Hey everyone!” Twilight warmly says with her eyes closed, and as soon as she opens them she interrupts herself, “are you ready for — what happened to you?!”
”The Tigers happened…” Aria says as she cracks her knuckles, “I have a new team to hate now.”
”Yeah! Those meanies attacked us and called us cheaters!” Sonata adds, “Oh I’m like, soooo upset right now!”
”Really?” Twilight asks in shock.
”Uh huh, for realzies!” Sonata replies, stomping one foot on the ground, “grrrr! This was a new jacket!”
Awww…Sonata looks so cute when she’s angry, Aria however looks like she’s gonna kick anyone’s butt to saciate her lust for blood, including yours, even if you're her teammate. You all take a few steps away from her, safety first!
Rarity lets out a gasp as soon as she notices you.
”Oh dear...look at yourselves! I certainly cannot stand watching you looking like that!” She says as she notices you all covered in tomatoes and other garbage.
“Don’t worry Rares, we were gonna get changed anyways. And if they try to do anything to the uniforms you made for us they’ll pay!”
Rarity appreciates your kind words regarding her efforts on making the uniforms you have stashed in your gym bags, but she still won't make eye contact with you, she tries to smile at you, but then gives you another stern look.
"Rares? It's Rarity to you! HMPH!"
What did you do?!
Pinkie Pie can't stand the atmosphere between you and Rarity and quickly changes the subject.
”So, what’s the plan?!” Pinkie Pie asks, “should I sneak into The Tigers’ locker room and spray them with itch powder?!”
“One; do you always carry that sort of stuff with you? And two; and risk getting kicked out of the competition again due to alleged cheating? Right now people aren’t very friendly to us if you haven’t noticed Pinkie…” Applejack says to her crazy friend.
”Aww…you’re no fun Applejack.”
As soon as Applejack finishes that sentence a bunch of parents and other supporters of rival teams pass by whispering some hurtful words you rather not to pay attention to.
”Dang it y’all! How are we gonna prove everyone that we didn’t cheat?!” Applejack asks, she looks to be the one most hurt from these false accusations, you just sigh.
“We’ll have to win every event,” you say, while everyone just turns around to look at you.
”Uh, sugarcube?” Applejack asks.
“If we show everyone that we’re capable of winning every event they’ll acknowledge that we didn’t cheat, and that in fact…we’re just THAT good! Good enough that we wouldn't need to cheat.”
”Is such thing even possible?” Fluttershy shyly asks.
“Can’t hurt to try. Last time we relied too much on the scoreboard. This time it’s a knockout event, only one winner. So we must give all we got!”
No one was expecting you, the new kid, to say that.
”The newbie is right!” Rainbow Dash says, “come on team! Let’s show The Tigers who’s boss!”
”YEEEAH!”
Huh, your little speech worked to get everyone fired up.
”Ah’m sure gonna give everything ah got ta’ clear our name!” Applejack says, “come on fellas! The rest of the teams are waiting for us!”
30 minutes later, at the Lion County’s Technologic High’s soccer pitch. Superintendent Discord is giving out his introductory speech and giving out the rules, you stand in line behind Rainbow Dash, who is carrying your school’s banner.
”Psst…Anon!” You hear from behind.
“What is it Sunset?” You ask.
”You did a good job back there…everyone is quite inspired!”
You look around and notice how everyone looks quite excited to start the event, Trixie is stretching her body, Mac does some warm up exercises. Bulk flex his biceps…wait, he always does that. Yeah, they are pretty pumped up.
You then look at Celestia and Luna, who look quite intrigued over your sudden burst of positive emotions, Superintendent Discord notices as well and he adds to his introductory speech.
”The Board of Directors of the Ministry of Education somehow allowed Canterlot High back on the event…huh, perhaps the rest of the teams should watch out for Canterlot High’s cheats.”
”BOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The crowd in the stadium jeers at your team.
”DANGIT! WE DIDN’T CHEAT!” Applejack yells from her place in the line of players.
”I’m sorry young lady…but, do you want to get points deducted over that outburst?” Superintendent Discord threatens Applejack. She however remains silent.
”As I thought…moving on-!”
Well, your team certainly isn’t Superintendent Discord’s favorite.
”Superintendent Discord surely can’t stand us can he?” Sunset Shimmer says.
“I wonder what beef he’s got with us…perhaps Principal Celestia can clear that up for us once we win this event and rub it on his old wrinkly face.”
”That’s the spirit Anon!” Rainbow Dash happily says.
"-so, what will be new in the repechage? Since we will repeat the same events from the last game, we decided to make a new rule,” Superintendent Discord says.
”A new rule?” Flash Sentry asks.
”The contestants shall not take part in the events they took part in the qualifiers.”
What?!
”If any of them do, their team will be deducted 100 points.”
”Good call Rainbow Dash…” Sunset Shimmer says.
“Hmm? What do you mean Sunset?” Rainbow Dash says.
”I’m glad you proposed to train for all events! Otherwise we wouldn’t have gotten better at them…”
“Hey, what can I say? It was Anon's dive that gave me the idea to do this. So! You’re not gonna run in the Relay Race Anon, nor dive in the High Diving contest, and running in the Relay Race event is off the hook for me as well,” Rainbow Dash says.
“Cross-Country it is then...” you say to Sunset and Rainbow Dash.
”You read my mind…say, why do you always follow behind Sunset every time you trained for that event?” Rainbow Dash asks you.
“Uhhh…”
Superintendent Discord takes a paper out of a basket.
”THE REPECHAGE EVENT STARTS NOW WITH THE…RELAY RACE!”
The crowd goes wild.
It begins…
”Alright folks!” Rainbow Dash says, “relay race goes first…thanks to my rigurous training we now are all capable of participating in each event.”
”But what if we’re not good enough captain?” Tennis Match asks.
”Nah, I totally trust each one of you to give everything you got. So! For the relay race I’ll be choosing-” Rainbow Dash looks at each member of your team.
”Thunderbass!”
”Awwright!” He happily says.
”Heath Burns!”
”Gotcha!” He replies while pumping his fist in the air.
”Lyra and Sweetie Drops.”
”YEAH!” They both say at the same time and give each other a high five.
”Curly Winds!”
”I’m gonna give it all!” He says.
”And last but not least, Flash Sentry!”
”…cool,” he says before combing his extremely long and pointy hair.
”Very well people, we’ve trained hard and made good progress so far, so! Let’s follow Anon’s advice and humiliate those stuck up jerks and Superintendent Discord!”
Everybody cheers as Rainbow Dash places her hand at the middle of the huddled up group, then everyone starts stacking up their hands. You place your hand at the top, and suddenly realize someone’s hand is missing.
“Aria?” You ask.
”Ugh, do I have to? This is so lame…” the grump of the group groans.
“Come on, we can’t do it without you,” you say with a smile, she finally gives in and places your hand on top of yours.
“Ew Aria, your palm is all sweaty…” you say, making a disgusted face at her.
”A-Anon?!” Aria says before a blush starts to form on her face from embarrassment.
“Relax, I’m just kidding,” you reply, she mumbles some insults under her breath.
It’s time for the cheer!
”1-2-3 The Wondercolts are going to WIN!” Everybody says.
“That wasn’t so hard now was it Ari?” You tease once again, Aria Blaze doesn't find it funny however and grabs you by the shirt and forms a fist with her other hand.
”Don’t ever call me like that Anon! Or you’ll regret it!” She threatens you.
“B-but Sonata always calls you like that…I think it’s a cute nickname!” You happily say to her.
”I-it’s not cute you dolt!” Aria blushes even harder and pushes you away from her, everyone just laughs at her cute outburst.
”Had your fun Anon?” Rainbow Dash says while arching an eyebrow and using an upset tone of voice, “come on folks, the event is about to start!”
A couple of minutes later...
“Welcome! Welcome everyone to the first event of the repechage! The relay race!” A voice says on the Penguins' speaker system.
"Wait a minute, that voice. Is that Pinkie Pie?” You ask.
”Yep,” Applejack adds, “I can’t believe they gave her the job…”
“What job?” You ask.
”The Penguins’ announcer caught a nasty cold so Pinkie Pie volunteered to replace her, the Penguins’ principal was looking for someone who could speak loud and inspire everyone with school spirit,” Applejack says, which only makes you let out a chuckle.
”What’s so funny Anon?” Applejack asks.
“It’s funny to me how Pinkie Pie is perfect for that job, however I think the Penguins’ Principal is gonna have to look for someone who can shut her up.”
“I’m your host Pinkie Pie! I’ll be narrating today’s events and of course, my friend here is going to join me! Say hi tooo…TWILIGHT SPARKLE! Canterlot High’s Top student!”
Another voice joins the narration on the speaker system.
“Thanks Pinkie! Welcome everyone! Are you ready to have Fun Fun FUN? Wait, why three funs? Are you sure you wrote this script correctly Pinkie Pie?”
”Huh, looks like you were right Anon, Twilight’s gonna make an unbiased, albeit kinda borin’ commentary …we’ll have fun nonetheless,” Applejack lets out a giggle.
You look at the stadium’s bleachers. One side is filled with Tigers’ supporters, wearing that ugly blue and orange uniform, on the other side, the Penguins’ supporters, wearing their navy blue and white striped uniform.
”How come they are sittin’ that far away from each other?” Sonata asks.
“Oh, don’t you know Sonata?” They really HATE each other,” Rainbow Dash says.
”Like our school and Crystal Prep?” Sonata asks again.
”Oh no, this is much worse…they actually tend to get into fights and other nasty stuff,” Rainbow Dash says, you hear plenty of insults disguised as cheers coming from the Penguins’ supporters directed at the Tigers’ players and viceversa.
”Told you, their rivalry is quite famous, at least in Lion County anyways…nobody really cares about them outside their county.”
The race is about to start, a loud BANG is heard coming from the official’s gun.
”GO THUNDERBASS!” Rainbow Dash yells.
“Thunderbass takes the lead!" Pinkie Pie says on the speakers, “followed by San Franciscolt’s Cogs Haughty Muffin, the Tigers’ Lemon Pie and lastly the Penguins’ Star Avalanche. Close race ain’t it Twilight?"
“Indeed, with that speed they are 1 second apart from each other, if my calculations are correct, Star Avalanche needs to to run at a speed of-“
“Star Avalanche passed Thunderbass which is now second!” Pinkie Pie interrupts Twilight.
Uh oh. Star Avalanche passes the baton to his teammate, followed by Thunderbass who passes it to Heath Burns, Heath Burns runs after Morning Dew, however he can’t catch up with her.
“Now Tigers’ Jean Croissant passed both Heath Burns and Morning Dew! Wowie! What a race don’t you think Twilight?!” Pinkie Pie asks.
“Indeed, what a powerful display of strength…things are starting to look grim for both Canterlot High and San Franciscolt academy!” Twilight says.
Rainbow Dash looks quite nervous.
“Relax captain…it’s not over yet!” You say to Rainbow Dash.
“Jean Croissant and Morning Dew hand their baton to Prickly Cacti and Rose Petal! What a furious race!”
“Here comes Heath Burns, and Curly Winds takes the baton…” Pinkie Pie says.
Curly Winds runs as fast as possible and manages to catch up with the Tigers’ Prickly Cacti, however Cacti hits Curly’s stomach with his elbow, making Curly lose some air and therefore, speed.
“WHAT THE-?! THAT’S CHEATING!” Rainbow Dash yells, the officials say nothing, and Superintendent Discord looks pleased.
”Aren’t you gonna do something Superintendent Discord?!” Principal Celestia angrily protests.
”Do what? I didn’t see a thing,” He calmly replies before continuing to eat his popcorn, Vice Principal Luna looks like she wishes she could hate someone to death.
“Prickly and Dew hand their batons to their teammates Rubber Glove and Glass Flask, Curly Winds hands Lyra Heartstrings his baton…and last but not least the Cogs’ Olive Leaf hands it to Winter Tune.” Twilight says.
Lyra runs faster and manages to catch up with the Tigers’ Rubber Glove, however Rubber Glove just smiles at her in a mocking way and outruns her.
"Rubber Glove passes Radiant Jewel his baton, then Glass Flask passes it to Spider Web, Lyra to Sweetie Drops and Winter Tune to Baked Goods,” Twilight says.
”Crud! We’re still in third place!” Rainbow Dash says.
”Ha Ha Ha! Better luck next year you hobos,” Fizzy Champagne says, “don’t forget to clean up our locker rooms when we’re done, we wouldn’t want to deal with your salt.”
”Dangit y’all! Ah sure can’t stand people who think they are better than everyone else…” Applejack grits her teeth.
“Don’t worry AJ, we’ll get them at the Cross-Country event!” You say.
”Count me in sugarcube!” Applejack angrily says.
“We’re about to end this race ladies and gentlemen! Spider Web passes her baton to Cinnamon Roll, Radiant Jewel hands it to Royal Oak, Sweetie Drops to Flash Sentry and Winter Tune to Summer Time!”
Flash runs after the Penguins and Tigers team members.
”Come on Flash! RUN!” Rainbow Dash begs to Flash who is still in third place.
“Oh Twilight! What a race! I’m sooo nervouscited!” Pinkie Pie says.
“That’s not even a word and I agree with you! We will have quite an ending, perhaps we will get to see a glimpse of Flash Sentry’s skill.”
”...what?” Rainbow Dash asks dumbfounded.
Flash Sentry looks at the cabin where Twilight and Pinkie are commenting from.
“Uh, Twilight?” Pinkie Pie asks.
“Yes, Flash Sentry’s got everything to win, apart from being quite handsome and popular, he’s a key piece of Canterlot High. Quite a breath taker don’t you think Pinkie?”
Flash Sentry’s face goes bright and his pearly whites show up on the stadium's screens. It looks like he gained strength and courage from Twilight's words.
Flash Sentry starts running faster, Rainbow Dash cheers for your teammate.
Wow! You’ve never seen Flash run that fast before!
“Flash Sentry passes Cinnamon Roll!” Pinkie Pie says on the speakers.
”Cinnamon Roll?! What are you doing?!” Fizzy Champagne yells at her team member.
”Hah! Suck on that Princess Meanie! Run sugarcube run!” Applejack yells to Flash Sentry.
“Flash Sentry passes Royal Oak!” Twilight says.
"What do you think you’re doing Royal Oak?!” The Penguin’s captain Platinum Star yells, “don’t let that pretty boy defeat you!”
“Eeek, Flash Sentry is at the lead! The finish line is a few feet away from him…AAAAAND- FLASH SENTRY IS THE WINNER!” Pinkie Pie yells.
Both Fizzy Champagne and Platinum Star can’t believe what happened, your team and your supporters go crazy. Celestia and Luna hug each other, Superintendent Discord throws his popcorn away and crosses both arms.
”Hah, would you look at that…we won,” Rainbow Dash mocks both the Penguins and the Tigers.
”It ain’t over yet you plebeians! You were just lucky,” Fizzy Champagne angrily says.
Flash Sentry joins the rest of the team to celebrate their first victory.
”Good job Flash!” Rainbow Dash says and messes up his hair.
”Thanks captain!” He says before looking at you, “and thanks to you too Anon!”
“Me? Why me?”
”Because you believe in us, at first I thought you were crazy when you said we had to win all races, but now I see why you said it!”
You don’t know what to say.
”Cut it Flash, we know why you ran that fast,” Applejack says with a smug grin on her face, Flash Sentry just blushes.
”Yeah…that might’ve been yet another reason, not gonna lie.”
“What a race Twilight! After this event we’ll go to Cross-Country, I’ll list the results! In first place goes Canterlot High, second place goes to Lion County Tech High, third place goes to Lion County Academy, and last place goes to San Franciscolt Academy…"
“Why yes it was Pinkie Pie, I knew Flash would…”
Twilight’s smartphone starts to ring so loud it can be heard on the speaker system.
“EEEEK! It’s Timber Spruce Pinkie! What should I say to him?!” Twilight asks in a delighted tone of voice.
“Uhh…Twilight?”
Flash Sentry’s smile turns into a frown almost instantly, Twilight forgot to cut the speaker’s feed.
“Helloooo Timby~”
Pinkie Pie cuts the feed, everyone present feels the awkwardness present in the air. Poor Flash Sentry…Derpy even pats Flash on his back.