“As we said, we have teamed up with Good Morning Equestria so you, the fellow listeners at home, won’t miss any of the action at the Equestria Games here in the host city of Manehattan,” Starlight welcomed every creature back for a new day of sports and action, “And I am joined by a member of Good Morning Equestria, Autumn Blaze.” The kirin waved her hoof excitedly.
“It’s quite a difference working on a different show, but I am looking forward to this special sports event,” Autumn thanked Tempest for her welcome. It was just the two of them for today, looking out across the main stadium where one of the highlights of the games was about to begin. The crowds were as large as ever, eagerly waiting for this race to begin. Many creatures were chatting in anticipation, waving flags to support their kingdom or simply munching on stadium food and observing the track down below.
Looking down, Autumn smiled as she saw Spike, Rarity and Applejack amongst the audience. With Twilight in the royal booth, Pinkie somewhere commentating the games somewhere else and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy being part of the relay, they were the only ones left to support Ponyville. Rarity had outdone herself again, providing cheerleading dresses, much to Applejack’s reluctance to put it on. However, they were proud to their to support Ponyville. Spike was more than happy to put on Rarity’s outfit without hesitation.
“Since Pinkie isn’t here to support her town, she has sent a letter,” Tempest said as she opened it. However, the moment she did, the sound of a party canon going off can be heard as confetti and coloured smoke flew out of the letter. The hosts looked stunned before Autumn sighed.
“I should have seen that one coming,” Autumn sighed before trying to focus back on the events at hoof.
“In the past, it was known as the pegasi relay, but due to the opening up to kingdoms far and wide, the name has been changed to the flying relay for creature equality and no singling out, according to the Equestria Games Committee,” Autumn explained.
“For those who don’t know the flying relay, it involves three members per team who can fly, obviously,” Tempest explained, “They must carry a horseshoe through various obstacles, such as hoops and corners around the flying track.”
“They must pass the horseshoe to the next relay flyer and so on, before the final member must fly vertically to reach the finish line first,” Autumn continued, “So which team should we be looking out for today, Tempest?” Tempest looked at the list of contestants, made by the organised Twilight Sparkle:
1. Ponyville
2. Changeling Kingdom
3. Griffonstone
4. Cloudsdale
5. Las Pegasus
“Cloudsdale is the one to look out for obviously,” Tempest chuckled, “I mean, their team consists of the Wonderbolts, the best of the best when it comes to flyers. Of course their main rival will be Ponyville, which consists of Wonderbolt member Rainbow Dash as well.”
“Let’s not forget that this is the first time that the Changeling Kingdom is at the Equestria Games,” Autumn looked at the list in her magic, “We will be wishing them the best of luck as they make their debut at the games.”
“And it looks like the athletes are taking up their positions,” Tempest observed down onto the track. Team Ponyville consisted of the usual team of Bulk Biceps at the first part, Fluttershy in the middle and Rainbow Dash completely the final stretch of the race. Cloudsdale consisted of the famous Wonderbolts, with Soarin at the start, Fleetfoot in the middle and Spitfire at the end. The others were waiting patiently, all willing to perform at their best for their kingdom or city. A stallion at the ground floor walked up with a flag and whistle.
“On your marks, get set…GO!” The stallion waved a flag, causing the first set of flyers to fly forward at create speed.
“And the flying relay begins!” Autumn was looking down on the track, trying to keep an eye on the teams as they flew at great speed, “The Changeling Kingdom has a great start, taking over Griffonstone as they approach the first corner.”
“However, it’s Cloudsdale that are putting on an impressive distance between the other racers,” Tempest tried to keep up with Soarin’s fast flying, “He has made it through the first corner and is now flying through the hoops with ease. Ponyville’s Bulk Biceps is keeping up the best he can. How Rainbow Dash is going to make up the final wing of the race is any creature’s guess.”
“Now Soarin has successfully passed the horseshoe to Fleetfoot, who now takes the lead. Bulk Biceps has just managed to scrape in at second, passing it onto Fluttershy, who is trying to close as much distance as she can with Cloudsdale,” Autumn was quick to pick off where Tempest left off.
“Griffonstone and the others are trying to catch up as much as they can. It seems that Las Pegasus has fallen behind,” Tempest looked back on the other competitors.
“Now Fluttershy has kept up at a reasonable pace as she is just a few wingbeats behind Fleetfoot. Fleetfoort now passes through the hoops, as does Fluttershy, who pass their horseshoes to Spitfire and Rainbow Dash. It’s all to play for now!” Autumn and Tempest were now on the edge of their seats.
“Now Rainbow Dash and Spitfire are head to head as they fly through the rainbow hoops and do the vertical climb upwards,” Tempest commentated the last leg of the race, “And the winner is… No way, it’s Ponyville this time!” A large cheer could be heard from all around the stadium as Ponyville broke Cloudsdale’s long history of winning this event.
“Unbelievable,” Autumn relaxed on her seat, “There you go, fellow listeners, you have witnessed an Equestria Games first! With the Changeling Kingdom claiming their first medal of the games, a bronze.” At the finish lines Spitfire and Rainbow Dash gave a hoofbump in appreciation. Tempest and Autumn smiled at the sign of sportsmanship.
Soon it was time for the medals’ ceremony and national anthem, luckily with no Spike. The changelings stepped up first to receive their bronze and bouquets, followed by Cloudsdale with Silver and Ponyville with the gold. The group and crowd all stood for the national anthem and was followed by a huge sheer at the end.
“Hope you all enjoyed the flying relay, and we will be back for more sports and action at the Equestria Games!” Autumn said farewell to their listeners for now as the teams posed for a photograph on the Manehattan Telegraph.