//------------------------------//
// Episode 10: "The Equestria 500" 
// Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 13 
// by twilightsparkle3562 
//------------------------------//

…

…

Being a colt, Shining Armor had deep interests that he greatly enjoyed. Among them was derby racing which included the annual Equestria 500. By a stroke of luck, this year the race was held in the same stadium where the Equestria Games were held not too long ago.

"Check it out, Cadence!" Shining Armor cried excitedly as the carts were placed at the starting line while they watched from the VIP section. "Take a look at them, the best of the best! The crème de la crème!" Then he noticed something and gasped! "Oh my Celestia, it's Hot Rocket!"

Hot Rocket was a brown coaxed unicorn colt wearing a gray driving suit and helmet. He boarded a silver and black colored kart with the number seventeen printed on it to the roar of the crowd.

"He seems to be…your personal favorite, dear." Cadence stammered. She wasn't much of a fan of events such as this.

"Come on Cadence, he isn't that bad," Twilight replied, sitting next to her sister-in-law. "Hot Rocket is one of the most passionate and approachable drivers out there. See? Even Flurry Heart is interested!"

The alicorn foal opened her eyes in delight, paying very close attention to her father's passion for racing.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts," The announcer cried in a booming voice. "Welcome to the Equestria 500! The competitors are taking their places at the startling line and the race will begin momentarily!"

Boarding their carts, the drivers prepared to make their move as the lights in front of them went from red to yellow. Once the lights went to green, the race began!

"COME ON, HOT ROCKET! YOU CAN DO IT!" Shining Armor excitedly screamed!

"Hot Rockitty!" Flurry cried as she flew over to Shining Armor and the father and daughter cheered excitedly.

"Was that her first word…?" Cadence muttered to Twilight in disbelief.

"I think her first word was 'Daddy'," Twilight replied while nudging her sister-in-law in the side. "If I'm not mistaken. No need to worry yourself."

Cadence begrudgingly agreed with Twilight but had no idea that her husband's passion for racing would be brought into their personal life.

…

…

As they watched the race, Cadence continued to endure her husband's loud cheers as the checkered flag flew after one hundred laps.

"And it's Hot Rocket by a nose!" The announcer cried as the cart with the number seventeen edged out a cart with the number twenty four on it, much to Shining Armor's delight.

"Yes, he won! He won!" Shining Armor cheered as he tossed Flurry Heart into the air several times, making sure to catch her with his magic! Then he teleported away from the box.

Both Twilight and Cadence grabbed Flurry Heart and followed Shining down to the winners circle where Hot Rocket was celebrating the win with his pit crew.

"Boogity! Boogity! Boogity! Another win in the books, y'all!" Hot Rocket cheered as his crew sprayed milk all over him. "We took the big prize! Whoo! I'd like to thank all the fans who came out here to support us! We couldn't have done it without you guys!"

Appearing in front of the winner, Shining Armor excitedly made his way up to his favorite driver. "Well, who do we have here?" Hot Rocket laughed.

"Hot Rocket, I am a huge fan of yours!" Shining Armor replied with a smile. "And I just wanna say, you were tremendous out there!"

"Uh, who is this guy?" Hot Rocket wondered as Shining Armor shook his front right hoof. "Is he a fan?"

"I reckon he's the Prince of the Crystal Empire," Aacrew member replied. "And your biggest fan!"

Realizing who he was, Hot Rocket understood right away. "Well, if it isn't the Prince of the Crystal Empire himself," he laughed. "Delighted you came all the way down here to see me and celebrate my win, your highness!"

"It's such an honor to meet you, Hot Rocket! I've been a big fan of derby racing ever since I was a colt!" Shining declared before chanting. "Boogity, boogity, boogity!"

"Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!" Several ponies cried out as Twilight and Cadence appeared along with Flurry Heart.

"Hot Rocket, on behalf of the Crystal Empire," Cadence declared, trying to hide her disinterest through a forced smile. "I would like to congratulate you on your victory!"

The presence of two princesses made Hot Rocket bow to them.

"Why, thank you so much, Princess Cadence," Hot Rocket remarked. "You know, I've always wanted to meet you but never really got the chance to."

"Well you see, I'm not much of what you call a racer," Cadence nervously chuckled. "But I try to tolerate it for my husband's sake."

"Heh, racing is fun for anypony," Hot Rocket declared. "Here, have some milk." Taking a bottle of milk, Hot Rocket popped the cork and milk squirted out right in Cadence's face.

For a moment, the crowd was shocked by what happened, but Cadence swished the milk away from her face. "Yes, thank you," Cadence nervously chuckled.

As he left the stadium to return to the castle later on, Shining Armor continued to revel in the fact that he finally got to meet his favorite driver. "I will look back on this day forever, Cadence," He happily declared with Flurry Heart on his back. "Imagine you, Twily, Flurry Heart and I meeting a racing legend."

"Yes, I get that. Especially with the milk." Cadence awkwardly replied as she tried to squeeze some more of the milk out of her mane.

Shining just replied. "Come on Cadence, how often do we get to witness let alone meet a celebrity of racing?"

But Cadence still was having trouble processing her husband's racing interest. "Probably not a whole lot of racers," She said while trying to be as honest as possible. "It makes you wonder if you would ever drive one of these carts one day, not that I hope you will."

"Maybe Spike could help as well," Twilight suggested, much to Shining Armor's delight. "He would make a great crew chief!"

Of course, Cadence could only roll her eyes in disgust at this suggestion.

…

…

The next morning, Cadence was at a sewing machine in her quarters making a dress for Flurry Heart to wear when her daughter would take the first big step in her life since being born. "Mistmane, won't this be a cute dress for Flurry?" Cadence asked as Mistmane walked into the room while Cadence held the garment up.

"It should be," Mistmane nodded. "Flurry Heart will love it, Cadence. My, how foals grow up so fast."

"Well, there is no better time to start an education than by looking your best," Cadence remarked to the Pillar of Beauty. "Although, if yesterday is any indication she'll probably grow up wanting to do what her father enjoys. Seriously, Mistmane, what does Shining Armor see in racing carts?"

"It's just something he enjoys, child," Mistmane explained Just like Starswirl enjoys lecturing others," She then whispered to Cadence. "Although between you and me…I think it's stupid."

This caused the two mares to share a chuckle. Just then, Shining Armor came into the room with a look of wonder on his face.

"Well, if it isn't the Crystal Empire's number one racing fan." Cadence remarked in a playful tone.

"Nice to see that you acknowledged that," Shining grinned. "What's that you got there?"

"It's a dress for Flurry Heart to wear for Preschool." Cadence explained as she held it up with her magic

Shining Armor inspected the pink dress closely and it further caused him to think more about his current situation. "It's…nice," He remarked. "It's got your color, Cadence."

"That's all?" Cadence blinked in surprise and concern.

"No, that's not all," Shining nervously replied. "It's just that…well, this may not be a good time considering we have a pillar here standing right here with us."

"Oh, what are you talking about?" inquired Mistmane.

"Well…how shall I put this?" Shining Armor paced back and forth in front of the two mares for a few moments before finally stopping. "Have you considered our daughter's future education, Cadence?"

This made Cadence and Mistmane share another chuckle much to Shining Armor's bewilderment.

"I'm serious, guys!" Shining Armor protested. "There is no better time to start getting the bits we need now to secure Flurry's college education. I mean…her wings are already at the college level!"

"She's an alicorn, Shining Armor," Mistmane remarked. "She's going to grow into them."

"Not to mention she's already a child prodigy," Cadence added. "Trust me, dear. Why worry about her education when Flurry is only a foal?"

"She'll be a mare one day, Cadence and I'm going to do everything in my power as a father to make sure Flurry Heart has everything she needs for an education," Shining declared. "And it just so happens that there's already a good way to do it."

Almost immediately, Cadence rose from the sewing machine and looked her husband deep in his eyes, knowing exactly what he was going to say. "Shining Armor, I forbid you from…"

"-It's the only way," Shining declared. "I'm going to race in the next Equestria 500!"

Cadence's eyes widened with shock and disbelief about what her husband had just said!

…

…

"Racing in the Equestria 500?!" Cadence replied through a series of sharp gasps. "I…I…I…ohh!" Then she spread her wings and fell to the left, needing to be caught by Mistmane's magic to avoid hitting the floor.

"I think she took it well." Mistmane remarked as she held onto Cadence.

"It's the only way, Cadence!" Shining firmly insisted. "If I win the race, I can secure the money for our daughter's educational future! You want her to go to college someday, don't you?"

"Shining Armor…are you insane?!" Cadence gasped, trying to look into his eyes as she got to her hooves. "Racing for our daughter's future when there are other ways to raise money? What's the matter with you? She hasn't even started preschool yet, college is a long way away."

"Come on, Cadence! You would do the same for me if I was in Flurry Heart's position," Shining protested. "The first prize for this week's race is 500,000 bits. That's more than enough for a head start. And I know I can win!"

But Cadence remained steadfast. "Out of the question, Shining Armor! If something were to happen to you out on that racetrack…"

"I would just use a spell to save myself! Besides, those carts are designed specifically to protect the racers in any accident." Then she sighed deeply and buried her face in her hooves. She grunted as Mistmane stuck her hoof on Cadence's shoulder to console her. "Shining, please, you must reconsider!" But her husband had already left.

Making his way out onto the streets of the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor remained determined to compete for Flurry's education. "I can't understand it," He said to himself as he sat down at a café table. "Why won't Cadence see that I'm trying to be a good role model to Flurry Heart by competing in this race? Even if I don't win the race, I will still get something! It's just one race, a chance to prepare our daughter for the future."

Then Shining got an idea. "Wait, didn't some of Twilight's friends help their sisters compete in the Applewood Derby back in Ponyville? Maybe they can help me!"

…

Sure enough, a few days later, Shining Armor sent for three of Equestria's princesses and their sisters to meet him in the Crystal Empire along with Spike and Twilight. Aboard the royal train, they were all eager to expect the outcome of this summons.

"Tryin' to win somethin' for your niece, Twilight?" Applejack remarked. "I think your brother is either insane or out of his mind."

"Well, you guys know that once Shining Armor makes up his mind, he usually sticks with it." Twilight replied.

"If you ask me, maybe he's trying to prove a point to Cadence and the Empire," Spike suggested. "That he can do more than just be a prince or even captain of the royal guard."

"Spike, you know that Shining Armor has always been into these kinds of activities. We grew up with him, remember?" Twilight pointed out.

"I still think gettin' our sisters to compete in the Equestria 500 is a bit much, but I think you're up for the challenge to qualify. Right, Apple Bloom?" Applejack asked.

Polishing her driving helmet, the youngest of the Apple family agreed wholeheartedly with her big sister. "At least Shinin' Armor was nice enough to let us use our carts from the derby do over for the race," She added. "Unlike your previous carts."

"Well, at least Shining Armor is trying to do a good thing for Flurry Heart," The Princess of Generosity chimed in. "Securing her financial future."

"My concern is mostly for Cadence," Twilight spoke up. "Some wives can't handle the desires that their husbands have, sometimes for good reason. But my brother has good intentions, even if he's jumping the gun on this."

As the royal train pulled into the Crystal Empire's train station, Shining Armor eagerly awaited the arrival of his helpers.

"I trust you have some interest in racing, Shining Armor?" Twilight asked as they deboarded the train. "Like when you were a colt?"

"It's more than a desire, Twiley," Shining whispered, bending down to her level and the level of her friends. "I need to get Flurry Heart prepared for her future education and to do that…I need that prize money. If I can get it by doing something I like, I don't see what's so wrong about that. I'll be careful."

Then, teleporting them to the castle, Shining Armor had gathered Twilight and her friends in the main courtyard along with the CMC's cars. "Guys, I really need your help here," He told them. "I may not be much of a racer, but I'm going to give it a shot."

"Well, what can we do about it?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Can you guys pit crew?" Shining Armor asked, taking a deep breath. "As in maintain the cart, keep it running and ensure that it runs properly?"

"Well," Rarity chuckled nervously. "We can certainly try if you want. Of course, we'll have to work fast and…"

"-Just pretend you are trying to meet a deadline for one of your fashion shows," Shining Armor interjected. "Instead of fashion, it's automobiles. Applejack, can you and Rainbow Dash do tires?"

"Yeah, I can do left and Applejack can do right, right?" Rainbow questioned her fellow athlete.

"Hold it, hold it, RD," Applejack declared while stamping her right foreleg down. "I work better on the left side, you do the right."

"But…"

However, Twilight was quick to silence the both of them with a clearing of her throat. "Just help out my brother, alright?" She remarked to the two friends/rivals.

"And Twily?" Shining Armor asked. "Since you are my little sister and served as my best mare for my wedding…can you be the crew chief?"

"I'll do my best," Twilight replied. "And Spike will be co-crew chief with me."

"Aw thanks, Twilight." Spike declared while. blushing slightly.

"But uh, Shining Armor," Sweetie Belle asked. "This is all great and all, but…do you even have a cart?"

Almost as if on cue, Shining Armor teleported them again, this time to the lower rooms of the castle. There, amongst the crystal caverns was a derby racer. It was white with red, white and blue stripes in the center and the number fifty three painted on the hood and doors.

"Well, what do you think?" Shining Armor asked, eager to get the opinion of Twilight and her friends. "Did your brother build himself a nice racer or what?"

Twilight stepped forward to inspect the car, delighted by her brother's hard work.

"It's a great cart, Shining Armor," Twilight said as she walked around the car. "What's with the number though?"

"Had a dream about a cart that came alive and it had the number fifty three on it, so I used that number." Shining explained.

"Do you think it's capable?" Rainbow Dash wondered.

"Of course it is, I've spent all my free time day and night working on this since Sombra was defeated for the second time," Shining proudly puffed out his chest. "It's bound to win something!"

But Twilight had one more question for her brother. "B.B.B.F.F., I think you've certainly outdone yourself," She remarked while looking back at him. "But have you ever tested it for safety purposes?"

"Of course I have, Twily. I never do anything major unless I test it," Shining insisted. "It's just like with that castle security system I created. Now let's get some rest, we all have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

…

…

All night long, Cadence couldn't sleep. The thought of her husband racing in the Equestria 500 was too much for her to take in. "All this for our daughter's future? To do something dangerous as racing for prize bits?" she questioned herself in the darkness of her throne room dressed in only her nightgown. "I just don't think it's safe for him to be doing this."

Just then, the door opened and in stepped Mistmane, wearing a silver bathrobe. "Mistmane, did I wake you?" Cadence asked. "Sorry if I did."

"No, no, I was awake anyhow," Mistmane replied. "You've been very troubled tonight, my dear."

"Mistmane, what am I going to do with him?" Cadence sighed. "I've tried getting Shining Armor to change his mind ever since dinner and he still is adamant about this silly racing. What if he gets hurt doing it? I don't want him to think I'm being unsupportive or that I'm not worried about obtaining bits for our daughter to go to college, though. He's right that we need to consider that."

"I understand your concerns, Cadence" Mistmane sympathized while placing a hoof on Cadence's shoulder. "Sometimes there are things that a pony must learn on their own. It would appear this is one of them."

"I hope he doesn't have to learn anything aside from the fact that this is silly. But it's only qualifying tomorrow…not the race itself." Cadence sighed in concern.

Just then, the two mares were startled by the flashing of a light that came in through the window and emerging was Luna, having sensed what was happening.

"Aunt Luna, what are you doing here?" Cadence asked.

"I sensed that you are troubled, Mi Amore Cadenza," Luna answered as she hugged her adopted niece. "This is about Shining Armor and his passion for racing, right?"

"It is," Cadence sighed while walking back towards the throne and sitting down. "I don't think he should be doing this. But I'm afraid that if I say something, he'll just get upset about it."

"I agree with what Mistmane says that he needs to figure this out on his own," Luna suggested. "But don't be surprised if I am also commenting on the race itself."

Cadence became surprised by this revelation! "You, Aunt Luna?"

"Of course," LUna nodded. "I need to do something aside from teaching. In fact, the students encouraged it."

Suddenly, Cadence began to get herself an idea on how to make her husband come to his senses. "Aunt Luna, can I ask for your help with something?" she asked, beckoning her to step forward. "If there is only one pony who can make Shining Armor understand how dangerous racing is..."

…

The next morning, Shining Armor arrived at the Crystal Empire's stadium dressed in a navy blue racing uniform.

The best drivers in Equestria were doing last minute preparations on their carts before the qualifier. And as Shining Armor's cart was rolled in, Hot Rocket was astonished to see that the Prince of the Crystal Empire was attempting to qualify."Hey there," he called out to Shining Armor, catching the prince's attention as he rolled out from underneath his cart. "Hey your highness!"

Hearing the voice, Shining Armor walked over to Hot Rocket's garage.

"Morning, Hot Rocket! See anything different?" Shining greeted.

"Since when did you start driving?" Hot Rocket asked.

"I've always had a knack for it," Shining Armor answered. "But honestly, I'm just trying to compete for the prize money. I need it for my daughter's education."

Getting up, Hot Rocket made his way over to Shining Armor's cart and walked around, carefully inspecting it. "It's not bad for a first time entry," he remarked.. Have you tested it?"

"Yeah," Shining Armor answered, trying to fib his way around it. "I tested a few days ago."

"Look, your highness," Hot Rocket remarked. "I respect you for trying to follow in my hoofsteps, but…do you think it's worth getting hurt for something as silly as prize money?"

"It's not silly," Shining Armor nervously chuckled. "I've been putting this cart together for a good while now."

But Hot Rocket couldn't help but notice that one of Shining Armor's wheels was loose. Then he noticed that the seat belt was not properly secured. "You might want to reconsider, buddy," He advised his fellow stallion. "I've seen how these carts work and to tell you the truth…" Almost as if on cue, the car suddenly began to shake and fell apart right in front of Shining Armor who could only look on in horror!

"Oh dear!" Twilight muttered.

"I don't think that cart is going anywhere." Spike added.

"It…it can't be!" Shining Armor cried. "How could this happen? My cart was perfect! I inspected it myself."

"Apparently, that's not good enough." A voice belonging to Cadence said as she walked towards her husband who could only tremble with fright. But he was not prepared for what was to happen next!

"Attention!" Luna shouted from the press box using her royal Canterlot voice. "The number fifty three cart driven by Prince Shining Armor has been disqualified due to failing inspection!"

"What?!" Shining Armor cried. "Did…did you do this, Cadence?"

Cadence stood steadfast. "No I did not, Shining Armor. The cart was not sabotaged. You failed to understand that just because you love something doesn't mean you can live it."

"Cadence is right," Mistmane added as she and Flurry Heart arrived on the scene. "Sometimes, we all can get caught up in the moment and don't always fully understand the dangers of our passion."

"Yeah, I'm going to have to agree on this one," Hot Rocket declared. "If you had taken this cart out on the track…you very likely would have lost more than a chance at prize money. I've seen more than my fair share of crashes where the racer unfortunately doesn't trot away to race another day. Far too many have been taken before their time, and their carts undergo far more rigorous inspection than what your cart had to endure today."

Having found this epiphany, all Shining could was sink to his hooves. "What in Equestria was I doing?" he asked himself, his eyes filled with a blank expression. "I could have…"

"Ended up in worse shape?" Hot Rocket replied, tapping him on the shoulder. "Word of advice, your highness, just focus on what matters…being a prince and standing by your wife's side. There are plenty of safer ways to save for college, especially when your little one's not even out of diapers yet."

Getting to his hooves, Shining Armor ran over to Cadence and hugged her tightly. "Sorry, Cadence," he whispered. "You and Flurry Heart are more important than some silly contest. I just got so swept up with the realization of where that first day of preschool would lead, and because the race was so fresh in my mind I thought..."

"-Well, at least you know how I felt," Cadence whispered back. "I love you, Shining Armor." Seeing her parents hug, Flurry Heart flew over and joined them while the others looked on.

…

…