The day of the start of the Pro Tournament has finally arrived, and Scootaloo surely was excited. She would face even faster contenders, even tougher tracks and maybe even bigger rivalry than in the previous two tournaments. After receiving another enhancement from Rushing Wind and some more Zone Training with Hanzal, in which she reached Zone 29 this time, Scootaloo felt ready.
The first race was held in Detrot, a city to which neither Rainbow Dash nor Rushing Wind or Scootaloo have been. But just like many other cities, this one looked fantastic as well. They soon found the track and Rushing Wind took a look at it.
"A nice speedy track with some tight sections and some turns to take. It's kinda like an imperfect speedway with some waves in it. It reminds me of another track from 'Wipeout', I think it was Anulpha Pass...", Rushing Wind explained.
When she heard the word 'speedy', Scootaloo was a bit worried. She was only able to hit slightly more than 9 wing power, and that's the requirement for the Pro Tournament. But, she knew a lot of techniques, so she thought that it may be possible to win.
"Hey. You can do it. Just focus on everything you've learned so far, from both Rush and me, okay?", Rainbow Dash said.
"I will! Bid me good luck!", Scootaloo responded and went to the track. Then, she saw three Pegasi with blue flightsuits, obviously those were the Wonderbolts that Maverick was talking about. She saw Spitfire, Soarin and Fleetfoot, and from what Rainbow Dash was told, those three ARE really fast.
When Scootaloo went to the starting line, she knew that it would be tough. This time, there were 24 contenders, and she started in Position 15. Once again, she took a launching stance and waited for the green light to take off...
As she did and got to a high speed, she noticed that several Pegasi were just getting away from her. Scootaloo tried to slipstream them, and that helped for most of the bit, but she could only slowly catch up to the contenders in front of her.
At the start of Lap 2, she was only able to pass one contender, so Scootaloo knew that she needed to play riskier, taking the turns way faster than she usually would. But that also accomplished little, since she needed to stay in the slipstream of the Pegasi in front of her to not fall back. The track was not the problem, it was easy to master - the problem is the sheer speed of the other contenders.
She managed to pass two more Pegasi, but at the start of Lap 3, she only was in 12th Place, with two more laps to go. Scootaloo truly gave it her best she got, but there is almost nothing she could do. She got two more positions as she entered the final lap and even got another one before she passed the finish line.
However, all that she was able to achieve was ninth place. She knew it was still the first race, but Rushing Wind said to her that a good start into a championship makes a path for the win. But every contender was just so fast, and Scootaloo had problems keeping up.
After the race, Rainbow Dash and Rushing Wind came up to Scootaloo. "Damn, you had a hard time out there, didn't ya? Your opponents seemed super fast compared to you...", Rainbow Dash said.
"And considering how risky you raced during laps 2, 3 and 4, I can only tell you did your best out there.", Rushing Wind said.
"I know... but how am I able to go this fast like the other contenders? They're so much faster...", Scootaloo said in worries.
"Remember your training, and the techniques me and Hanzal taught you.", Rushing Wind said, "You could need them for the next race, which takes place in San Pranciscolt. Word has it that the track is a tough one, so this might be a chance for you to take the win."
Despite the initial defeat, Scootaloo was filled with courage again, and felt ready for the next race.
San Pranciscolt, later that day...
Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash and Rushing Wind looked at the amazing city, and like the other cities, another great sight. Just like Detrot, neither of them was here.
Although Scootaloo was still nervous because of the other contenders in the races, she didn't want to give up just yet.
The race track was near the town hall, and it was like Rushing Wind described - with a lot of tough turns.
"Now, Scootaloo... We believe in you. Just don't give up and take as many positions as you can.", Rainbow Dash said.
"Yes. Just make sure that you place high in order to still stand a chance in winning the overall standings.", Rushing Wind said.
"Okay, I'll give it my best!", Scootaloo said and went off to the track. As she wanted to head for the starting line, someone spoke to her.
"Hey. You're Scootaloo, right?" It was Spitfire.
"You... You're Spitfire.", Scootaloo realized.
"Yes. Before we start... I know that the first time we met wasn't as gracious, but I'm still surprised that someone as you takes place in a tough competition like this one. Also how you won the Amateur Tournament, honestly, I'm impressed.", Spitfire said.
Filled with courage, Scootaloo went to the starting line, Position 9, and waited for the light. When the light turned green, she took off, and so the others in front of her.
Rushing Wind was right - the track had a lot of tough turns, and utilizing the techniques she learned so far, she was able to get through all of the turns quickly and without losing too much speed.
However, the same problem arose once again - everyone in front of her was way faster than she was. And even with slipstreaming, she was not able to get even one position in Lap 1.
But, by repeating the flying line and going a bit riskier, Scootaloo passed one contender and was now in eighth place. That was just one contender, next were seven even faster contenders, with about 2 laps left.
Scootaloo tried as hard as she could, perfected the flying line, but whatever she did, it was only so much she could do to get closer to just ONE contender. None of the techniques she learned could get her this one position...
In Lap 3, at least. By repeating this line and risky flight style, she was able to pass the contender in front of her, and Scootaloo still wasn't satisfied with it.
The second race wasn't much better - Scootaloo ended up in seventh place. She was exhausted, and felt the strange feeling of defeat in her heart.
One of the Wonderbolts walked up to her. It was Soarin.
"Scootaloo, why do you even bother trying? Someone as young as you shouldn't be messing with veterans like us.", Soarin said.
Scootaloo could tell that he was upset, but she said: "But I still have a chance, and with enough practice..."
"You're too slow for the Pros, little one! You're a nobody!", Soarin scolded her.
Scootaloo couldn't believe what she heard. A Wonderbolt actually scolded her for being too slow. Instantly, this destroyed all of her confidence as well as self-trust.
Defeated, Scootaloo went away from the track. Just two races in, and things looked very dire for her. Everyone was just too fast for her, and she saw no possibility to win.
These fast contenders may be the end of the tournament for her...