November 6th, 3095 Imperial Calender (1522 AD)
Sweet Apple Acres
Pound Cake zipped through the trees, carefully weaving back and forth to avoid impacting them. The fence came into view, and he gave a smirk. At seemingly the last second, he pulled up, shooting into the sky. He carved through a cloud like a hot knife through butter, before coming to a stop and panting. He flew leisurely back to the barn, where Southern Rose was sitting with her Uncles watch.
Pound landed, grabbing a sports bottle of water nearby and shooting a spurt into his mouth. "How'd I do this time?", He asked.
Southern squinted, before replying, "'Bout thirty point five-seven. A full second better."
"Woohoo!", he exclaimed, pumping his free wing. "Best Young Fliers, here I come!"
"Oh, you tryin' out too?", another voice said. "Great! I'd love the extra competition."
The two turned, seeing Danger Zone coming up through the trees. Her goggles were over her eyes, but her neck gaiter was pulled low, showing off her wide and toothy grin. Pound Cake turned away slightly, hiding a faint blush.
Southern, on the other hoof, eyed her curiously. "Wha' are you doin' on my family's property?"
"Oh, sorry", Danger Zone said. "I had just finished off hangin' out with Depressi, and Cloudsdale was in this way. I saw Ground Pound here busting clouds, so I figured I'd drop by, see what's what."
"Y-yeah", Pound Cake said. "I, I was practicing for the Young, Young Fliers Competition."
"Again, that's great to hear. I mean, as much fun as it's gonna be flying against Sky Skimmer and Cirris, a new player on the field would be fun. So to speak, of course." She blew a bubble of pink gum, before asking, "So, is this how you're practicing? Trees and an aristocrat's pocket watch?"
"I, I mean", Pound began, only to be cut off by Danger Zone.
She said, "I'm kiddin'. I mean, Apple Spirits is doing the same thing in Appleousa, if Miss Fleetfoot is right. It's not the worst place you can practice. Anyway, see you!" With that, she took off, disappearing in a blur of mustard yellow.
Southern Rose said slowly, "Ok. You wanna run it again?"
"No", Pound Cake said. "I'm gonna go get a milkshake." With that he took off, leaving Southern Rose by herself, looking off in the direction he flew off in.
++++~++++
Pound Cake, true to his word, sat at one of the booths at Sugarcube Corner, a chocolate milkshake in front of him. He took a sullen sip, resting his head on his hoof. "What's the point?", he muttered.
"Is something wrong?", Pinkie Pie asked, having popped up next to him from behind the counter. "You look sad."
"No, I'm fine Pinkie", he said, taking another sip. "Just... taking a break."
"No, I know that's not it", Pinkie said, her voice becoming not as cheerful. "I know you're hurting on the inside. I felt the same way after-"
"After you messed up with Rainbow Dash", Pound Cake said. "I know."
"Ok then!", Pinkie said, suddenly appearing next to him in a doctor's coat, pressing a stethoscope to his chest. "So, I'm getting a few different readings. You're... unsure of yourself. You don't think you can win the Young Fliers Competition?"
"I'm... not sure that's how it works", another voice said. The two turned, spotting Depressi standing in the door.
"Oh, hi Depressi!", Pinkie said, seemingly teleporting to him and eschewing her coat and stethoscope in the process. "What can I do for you? Cookie? Cupcake? Cake? Whatever you want, I can get you!"
Depressi leaned back a bit, getting his head as far away from hers. "Eh, no thank you. Sweet isn't my forte." He gave her a small note and said, "Aunt Scootaloo just wants a few cupcakes for Miss Apple Blooms foal shower."
"Of course! I'll be right on it!", Pinkie said, once again zipping away. She reappeared behind the store counter, calling, "Cheesie! We need vanilla cupcakes, stat!"
Depressi turned his attention to Pound Cake, trotting up and sitting across from him. "So, is what she said true?"
Pound Cake snorted. "She's eccentric, but she's right this time. I... I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Press on and give it a shot", Depressi said. "That's all you can do."
"I could quit", he muttered.
Depressi sighed. "Quitting is going to get yourself nowhere. What would happen if everyone quit?"
"That's easy for you to say!", Pound said. "You're the son of a war hero. The current youngest winner of the Young Fliers competition, the only pony in living memory who was able to perform the Sonic Rainboom... three times! Not to mention, you're really skilled yourself."
"You make it sound like you have no skills", Depressi said, tapping a paw on the table.
"Next to it", Pound Cake said. "I'm the son of some bakers in a small town. I practice using trees and my friend's uncle's watch. And at least four of the people I'm going up against are the kids of Wonderbolts! I think I have a right to be nervous."
Depressi sighed, shaking his head. "Nervous, yes. Cowardly, no."
"Cowardly!?", Pound Cake yelled, standing up and getting in Depressi's face. "Who are you calling cowardly!?"
"You", Depressi said, evidently restraining himself. "You're unwilling to even try. Like I said, if everyone gave up in their attempts, Pryha would be a collection of constantly warring states and you'd all be frozen like... What are those flavored ice things? On the flat sticks?"
"Popsicles?", Pinkie interjected.
"Yes, gratias", Depressi said. "Like Popsicles."
"And again, am I wrong?", Pound Cake said.
Depressi sighed again. "You know, my mother was just as nervous as you were when she was performing in the Young Fliers."
"Really?", Pound asked, looking at Pinkie. She smiled sheepishly, before bolting off. "Pinkie never said anything about that. She just said she did a Sonic Rainboom."
"Well, she did", Depressi said. "As my mother said, she swapped out her place in the contest a few times so she would go last. Of course, that's when the incident with Miss Rarity happened, and mother included some words about Miss Rarity that I don't wish to repeat here." He flicked his head over at another table, where the CMC were having milkshakes of their own, each covered in tree sap and pine needles. "Point is, it can't end that poorly. It's not like you live in or have family in Cloudsdale anyway. I'd be more nervous if I was competing, as my Grandparents live there."
Pound remained silent, and Depressi looked at him. "Was it something I said?"
"No, it's not. You're fine", Pound Cake said. "I... I just need to give it some thought."
"Fine", Depressi said. "The cupcakes are done anyway. Vale, Amicus." Depressi retrieved the box, leaving shortly afterward. Pound Cake stared into the now soupy concoction that was his milkshake. He sighed himself, before grabbing the flight goggles that rested on the booth next to him. He turned them over in his grip, before setting them on the table and
"I'm gonna win. Come Tartarus or high water."
++++~++++
1 Week Later
Cloudsdale Arena
Pound Cake sat on one of the benches in the competitors area, breathing slowly to himself. A small series of cords held a placard with the number 15 printed on it. The same number that Rainbow Dash had when she had won the Young Fliers Contest? Coincidence, maybe? Or, maybe just sheer dumb luck? More than likely the latter.
Off by the door, a trio of ponies sat on another bench. One he instantly recognized as Danger Zone, while taking a bit longer to recognize the other two. One, a mare with white and orange-streaked mane and a pale blue, bordering on white, coat he recognized as Sky Skimmer. The other, a navy blue mare with two-toned pale green mane, was Cirris. The three of them were chatting amongst themselves, occasionally laughing.
After a few more minutes, a stallion entered. He had a pale yellow coat and light blue mane, adjusting a cowpony hat on his head. He made a noise between a chuckle and a sigh, before saying in a thick accent, "Well, this is certainly more intense than goin' through the orchards, that's fer sure."
"Alright, fillies and colts", Danger Zone said, standing up and flexing her wings. "Get ready to see how a master of the skies aces things." She then walked out the door, pulling down her goggles and raising her neck gaiter as she did so.
The other stallion seemed to notice Pound Cake, as he began to trot over to him. "Well howdy, partner", he said, smiling warmly. "What's yer name?"
"Uh, Pound Cake", Pound said softly, not really sure what he wanted.
"Cool. Name's Apple Spirits. Mind if ah sit with ya?", he asked.
"I-I don't see why not." As Apple Spirits sat next to him, he asked, "So, what do you want?"
"Just tryin' to be friendly." He paused for a bit, before adding, "Ah can tell ya ain't from around here. Figured you were a bit intimidated."
"Yeah, you're right", Pound said. "I'm from Ponyville."
"Oh!", Apple Spirits exclaimed, smiling a bit wider. "You're that one colt that Southern keeps on mentionin'. Or, wait; You ain't related to Mr. Rich, are ya?"
"No."
"Never mind then", he said. "Ah still think she mentioned you. Ya practiced in her orchard, right?"
"Yeah. Use the trees and her uncle's pocket watch to time me", Pound said.
Apple Spirits grin faded a small bit, and he asked, "Why so glum? Ah mean, ah do the same, 'cept ah don't have the pocket watch. Just mah friends countin'."
"Why?", Pound asked. "I mean, you are the kid of a Wonderbolt, right?"
"Yeah, but Appleousan clouds get hotter than a Pryhan furnace in the day, and ah can't see further than the brim of mah hat in the dark. Now, ya didn't answer mah question."
"I-I guess it's just jitters", Pound said. "I've never done anything like this before."
"Heh heh. Hay, neither have ah", Spirits said. "Ah'm just doin' this for the prize bits."
"Then how are you so... so calm!", Pound asked.
"Well, mah pa-"
"Which one!?", Cirris called from across the room, while Sky Skimmer snickered.
"Oh, fer Land sakes", Spirits muttered before turning to the two mares. "Wha' Dontcha do this to Danger Zone?"
"Cause you're funnier to do it to", Sky Skimmer replied.
"Those two, ah swear", he muttered, before turning back to Pound Cake. "Point is, he has some quote along the lines of 'Just keep pushin' on'. Ah don't remember exactly right now, but that's the gist of it."
"Thanks", Pound said.
After another few minutes, Danger Zone reentered, sweat staining her neck gaiter and panting. Sky Skimmer asked, "How'd it go?"
"Just fine and dandy", Danger Zone said, removing her coverings and letting her fur breath. She looked over at Pound Cake and flicked her head towards the door. "Your turn, Ground Pound. Knock 'em dead."
Pound Cake nodded, pushing past Apple Spirits and heading into the arena. He exited out of the locker room onto a large cloud platform, with a bunch of smaller clouds floating in the arena. All around him sat ponies, a good couple thousand, watching him. A small box sat in the wall, with several ponies in Wonderbolt dress uniforms inside.
Next to him, a Royal Guard said, "Hey. You ready?"
Pound nodded. "Y-yeah."
"Alright. I'll signal to the box. When I blow the whistle, you can start. Try not to crash."
That last comment didn't exactly fill him with confidence, but he had little choice in the matter, now that he was out in the open. He sighed, doing the breathing exercise he had seen Miss Twilight do a few times. He took this moment to scan the crowd, hoping to maybe spot his parents or friends. He finally gave up after a few minutes; the stadium was massive, and looking for six-to-seven particular ponies was next to impossible.
*TWEET!*
Pound sprang off of the cloud in a burst of speed, heading for the center of the arena. At the center, he pulled into a corkscrew, spinning up and up at an increasingly fast speed. He became aware of the trail he was making, chasing it like a dog chases its own tail. That meant he was going fast enough, and for the hard part to begin.
He pulled out of the corkscrew, swooping down to pass through a maze of cloud pillars. He ducked back and forth, careful to avoid them. Unfortunately, he clipped one of the pillars, hissing in pain and altering course in order to avoid a collision with another pillar. Deciding to call off the rest of the maze before he had the opportunity to full-on crash, and pulled up.
He shot straight up like a flare, before turning into a dive and leveling out again. He finally made it to the platform where he started, holding out his hooves in order to slow his impact. They did so, him skidding along the surface for a bit before grinding to a halt. He began to pant, sweat pooling down from his head like a waterfall. Then, another sound overtook his panting: Cheering.
++++~++++
A few little bit later, all of the contestants were called out into a large platform right in front of the judge's box. Several Wonderbolts, all not affiliated with any of the contestants, sat inside, while one of them came out from the box with an envelope.
A microphone was placed in front of her, and she said, "Attention. Before we announce the rest of the winners, we must address the winner of the contest." He opened the envelope, and Pound snuck a look up the line of contestants on either side of him. All of them, even Apple Spirits, were sweating bullets. "Due to a lack of consensus among the judges, a tie has been declared for first place."
An audible gasp sounded throughout the arena and a few of the competitors. Pound Cake just swallowed nervously. The Wonderbolt continued, "I am aware, as many of you are, that this is an incredibly rare event; the second of its kind throughout the history of his contest. As such, and due to the lack of a real course of events in place for such an occasion, the winner will be decided by a coin toss."
One of the Royal Guards produced a coin, and said, "Would contestants 14 and 15 please step forward." Pound did so, as did Danger Zone next to him. Both stole a look at the other, before looking at the Royal Guard. "Contestant 15. Call it now."
"Heads."
The Guard tossed the coin in his wing, and it went spinning around in the air. Sunlight bounced off of it and shot rays in all directions, like a flying mirror. Pound could barely watch it. It fell back, falling into the guard's wing, who slammed it into his foreleg. He removed his wing and lifted his head to declare the result.
"Tails."
"With that", the judge said. "Danger Zone is the winner of the Young Fliers Competition!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd once again as Danger Zone ascended the winner's block to receive the headdress. Pound lowered his head, before stepping up when his name was called for silver.
Next to him, as more places were called, Danger Zone whispered, "Good show out there." She noticed his dejected look, before lightly tapping him with her wing. "Hey, you came close. Hell, came down to dumb luck. If you had called the other side, you'd have won."
"I guess", Pound said, feeling a bit better about it, when it was put like that. "Thanks."
"Right, right", she said, shooting him a confident smirk. "So, wanna go get coffee and hit the gym sometimes? I got a membership, so I get access to the premium room. It has the kind of expensive stuff the Frumentarii use; if Sky Warp is to believed, that is."
"Sure", Pound said, now genuinely smiling. "I'd like that."