//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: The Applewood Derby // Story: Eric Sparkle and the Crystal Caverns // by Skywalker215 //------------------------------// It was another spring day at the Ponyville Schoolhouse. All the students were chattering excitedly with each other when Cheerilee made her presence known. “Good morning, Miss Cheerilee!” all the students said in unison. “Good morning, everypony! I hope you brought your thinking caps, because today we’re going to learn about physics!” said Cheerilee. “Physics?” Scootaloo wondered. “Mm-hmm! Specifically, the use of force in energy conversions! In this case, using mechanical work to convert potential energy into kinetic energy!” Cheerilee replied. “The what now?” Apple Bloom asked. Eric, Zuni, Marina, Slapstick, and Holly looked confused too. “Um, Miss Cheerilee? That sounds a bit over our heads,” Sweetie Belle said raising her hoof. “Yeah. Why would we even need to know that stuff?” Scootaloo added. “Oh, it’s very important. In fact, you’ll most likely end up using it tomorrow,” Cheerilee replied. “Tomorrow? What for?” Apple Bloom asked. “Why, for participating in the... Applewood Derby!” said Cheerilee as she flipped her blackboard revealing the blue prints for a racing cart. The students all gasped and then cheered excitedly. “Oh, phew! For a second, I thought we were gonna have to, you know, learn stuff,” Snails said as he wiped his brow. “We get to race in the Applewood Derby tomorrow? That’s so cool!” Scootaloo said as she did a hoof-pump into the air. “My family’s talked about it for years, and now I’m finally old enough to race!” Apple Bloom added as she clapped her fore-hooves excitedly. “Now hold on to your horseshoes, everypony. You’ve got a lot of work to do before you’re ready to race,” said Cheerilee. “Yeah, but... not schoolwork, right?” Snips wondered. “There’ll be a block of applewood just like this one waiting for you at Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow, and you’ve got one day to turn it into a race-ready cart,” Cheerilee explained. She pulled down a shade that had a picture of what the applewood chunk looked like. The students groaned, except for Eric, Holly, Marina, Zuni, and Slapstick who were still curious as this was new to them. “Oh, yeah... That is a lot of work,” Scootaloo said. “Mm-hmm. Luckily, you’ll each get to pick an older pony to help you! But choose wisely, because they’ll also have to ride in the cart with you during the race,” Cheerilee replied. “Hmmm... I think I know just the pony to ask,” Scootaloo said. “Me too!” Sweetie Belle replied. “Me three!” Apple Bloom added. Eric raised his hand and asked, “What’s the Applewood Derby?” “Since this is new to you and your non-pony friends, the Applewood Derby is an annual cart race which has been held in Ponyville since two years after it was founded.” Cheerilee explained, “Just remember, everypony. Your cart has to be able to finish the race if you want to win one of the awards; Fastest - for winning the race, naturally, Most traditional - for the best working replica of an original Applewood cart, and Most creative - for the cart with the best overall design.” “Hoo-wee! Those ribbons are the bees’ knees,” Apple Bloom said dreamily. “Uh-huh...” said the rest of the class in the same dreamily tone. “All right then, class! You’ve got a lot to learn if you want to build a race cart,” Cheerilee said. “Aww... I knew there was gonna be a catch!” Snips complained. After school, Rocky, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon were walking together as Scootaloo was on her scooter and waved to the two fillies as she rolled by. Holly, Zuni, Marina, and Slapstick went to their homes. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Eric were walking side by side a short distance away as Sweetie Belle was using her magic to carry and read a book as they walked together. “Wow! Have you seen what the carts used to look like in the olden days?” Sweetie Belle asked. She then showed a picture of some ponies wearing olden attire and driving a classic cart. “Yeah, I know all about them. When Ponyville started the Derby, they decided to use the wood from our apple trees for the carts. The race has been a part of Sweet Apple Acres ever since,” Apple Bloom replied. “Your family really has amounted to everything in the history of Ponyville, Apple Bloom,” Eric said. “I just think these old carts look so cool! But I guess you and Applejack will probably win the award for the most traditional, huh?” Sweetie Belle said as she put the book back in her saddlebag. “The Apples usually do. But honestly, I’d rather build the fastest cart there is and win the race!” Apple Bloom said before Scootaloo zoomed past them on her scooter. “But... I’m pretty sure Scoot and Rainbow Dash’ll take that award,” Apple Bloom finished. “I want to build a fast cart too, and maybe win second place,” said Eric, “I’m also gonna ask my parents for help.” “You know, I race around so much on my scooter, being the fastest isn’t such a big deal. Maybe I’ll try to make the wildest looking cart I can think of!” Scootaloo said. “Really?” Apple Bloom asked. “Sure! If I win most creative, you can totally win the award for fastest!” Scootaloo replied. “And I can win the award for most traditional!” Sweetie Belle said excitedly. “Sounds like we’re all gonna try somethin’ different. I can’t wait to tell Applejack!” said Apple Bloom. “Let’s get to it!” Scootaloo replied. “Go, Crusaders!” the four friends cheered and shared a hoof/fist bump together. Soon enough, Scootaloo went over to Rainbow’s cloudominium and was telling her all about the Derby. “Are you kidding?! Of course I’ll help with the Applewood Derby! I want you to have as much fun as I did when I was a filly!” Rainbow said. “Wait, Cloudsdale has a derby too?” Scootaloo asked. “Sure! Practically every town in Equestria has one! I still remember racing my cloud cart...” Rainbow replied, sighing contently. **Flashback** ”This is so awesome!” Young Rainbow shouted happily, wearing an aviator’s hat and goggles, as she zoomed about the cloud racetrack in her cart and then went through a loop-de-loop, “Woo-hoooooo!” **End flashback** “And lemme guess. You won fastest cart,” Scootaloo said, causing Rainbow to open her eyes and come back to reality. “Heh, obviously!” Rainbow replied, waving her fore-hoof off in a dismissive manner. “So what do you say? Will you help me make my race cart?” Scootaloo asked. “Help you? I’m all over it! I’ve got tons of ideas,” Rainbow replied. “Don’t worry, I’ve got a lot of— Whoa.” Scootaloo tried to say as she was cut off when something flew over her head, “Ideas of my own. Um...” Another object flew over head and then a soccer ball bumped and knocked over a nearby flower vase. “What are you looking for?” Scootaloo asked. “The blueprint for my derby cart, of course!” Rainbow replied as she held a gold trophy with a blue ribbon on it, “I’ll have to change it a little ‘cause this race is on roads, not clouds. But trust me, your cart is gonna be amazing!” Rainbow then ducked back inside of her chest and tossed out a book, a dumbell, and a suitcase. Scootaloo did her best to dodge the items since they all came flying at her. “Um, okay, Rainbow Dash, thanks!” Scootaloo said nervously as she turned to leave, “How awesome is this? With Dash on my team, how could anything go wrong?” At Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom was telling Applejack about helping her at the derby. “Well, I’m mighty flattered you wanna work with your big sis on your cart. I mean, the Applewood Derby did—” Applejack tried to say before she was cut off. “—start on our farm. I know,” Apple Bloom interrupted. “Well, I couldn’t be more proud to help my little sister take the prize for most traditional,” Applejack said. “Actually, I was kinda thinking of somethin’ else. Like... fastest?” Apple Bloom replied. Applejack scoffed, “Fastest? Apple Bloom, things aren’t like they were in the old days. The fastest cart now has gotta be slick and modern and—” she retorted. “Exactly!” Apple Bloom pointed out. “Not Apple at all. The Apples win most traditional. We have since the Derby started! Why would anypony want to win anythin’ else?” Applejack said, “Now why don’t you head off and get some chamomile vines, some hickory sticks, and some apple barrels, and I’ll show you what an Apple family cart should look like!” “I guess I do have a family tradition to uphold...” Apple Bloom replied sheepishly. At the Carousel Boutique, Sweetie Belle was surprised to see Rarity’s reaction when she told her the news. “The Applewood Derby?!” Rarity said gasping and then giggled excitedly as she bounced on all four of her hooves, not even caring that she had several upper class ponies starting at her in a snooty fashion, “Of course I’ll help!” “Wow. Uh, Rarity, I didn’t know you’d be this excited,” Sweetie Belle replied. “Me? Oh, why, I’m just itching to right an old wrong from long, long ago!“ said Rarity. **Flashback** Filly Rarity smiled as she watched the judge come to see her creative cart, which was white with a purple feathery accents on it. “I designed my own cart when I was just a little filly,” Rarity narrated, “and I was positive I was going to win the prize for most creative, hooves down! But I came in second. Second! Filly Rarity was then shocked to see her cart got a second place ribbon. She looked devastated and on the verge of tears. “You? Second in most creative?” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, “To whom?!” Filly Rarity then looked to see that the blue ribbon has gone to a filly Ditzy Doo, who had build a cart that looked very amaturish, to her at least. The other ponies cheered for filly Ditzy as she stood on her hind legs. Filly Rarity watched as a large dark cloud appeared over her and poured rain on top of her. “But I learned a valuable lesson,” Rarity narrated. Filly Rarity’s had tears creeping in her eyes as she glared at filly Ditzy jealously and angrily. **End flashback** “I learned to know my audience, and the race cart audience wants big! They want bold!“ said Rarity. Sweetie Belle and the other customers were all just staring at her. Rarity then glared at them. “Chop chop! Everypony out! We’ve got work to do!“ Rarity ordered. The upper class ponies all chattered indignantly as they left. Rarity then closed the door. “This will take all of my considerable skills...” said Rarity as she marched into the foreground with a notepad in her magic grip and she started to scribble and hum to herself, “...but I will fashion the biggest and boldest Derby cart to ever win the prize for most creative!” Sweetie Belle just gave Rarity a worried look as Rarity continued to scribble her notes. “Actually, I was sorta thinking of something more... traditional?“ Sweetie Belle replied. “Oh! Please, darling, leave tradition to the Apples. We’re doing big, we’re doing bold!” Rarity said with an annoyed look on her face and laughed haughtily, she then hummed some more, “Soon the prize for most creative will finally be in my hooves!” She then smiled with determination as Sweetie Belle gave her a skeptical look. “You mean my hooves,” Sweetie Belle replied, feeling a bit indignant. “Yes, that’s what I said – my hooves.” said Rarity, before being stern, “Darling, I hope you’re ready to get an early start tomorrow!” She then trotted off. “Uh... how early?” Sweetie Belle asked worriedly. At the Castle of Friendship, Eric had notified his parents about the Applewood Derby. “I don’t know if you racing is a good idea, sweetie, ‘cause you’re six years old and this seems dangerous,” Twilight said. “But, Mommy, being six or even five never stopped me from holding my own against Glacio’s minions. Thanks to my magic training with you and daddy,” Eric replied. “I think you should let him race, Twily. If he can hold his own against Glacio’s minions, then surely he can handle the Applewood Derby,” said Storm before turning to Eric, “After all, I was your age when I started racing in the Canterlot Mountain Derby and I won it six times, ‘cause I have the 1st place trophies and ribbons for fastest to prove it.” “You make a good point, honey,” Twilight said before turning to Eric, “Okay, Eric. You can race in the derby tomorrow, as long as you have me with you.” “Thanks, Mommy,” Eric replied as he hugged her. “By the way, Eric. You won’t need to worry about making your own cart, ‘cause I brought my old one down so you can fix it up and race in it,” Storm said, “I even invited Moonshadow, Stardust, and your grandpa to watch you race.” “Cool. Maybe I’ll give it a new paint job too. Thanks, Daddy,” Eric replied. It was still dawn when Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Storm led the Cutie Mark Crusaders to the area of Sweet Apple Acres where they and their adult partners would go to assemble their race carts, and to where Eric would fix up his dad’s old cart. The four friends were each pulling a kart loaded with building the supplies and all had very drowsy looks on their faces. It was then they reached an area of the farm that had some very tall walls surrounding it. The nine ponies, plus Eric could hear some construction sounds from inside the walled area. Sweetie Belle let out a tired yawn and then groaned “Rarity, the sun’s not even up yet,” she complained as Scootaloo walked past her in the background with a cranky look on her face. “You’re telling me, Sweetie Belle,” Eric added in a tired tone. “Oh, apples, quit complainin’! In my day, we were up even earlier!” Applejack replied. “Hey, I’d get up in the middle of the night if it means my cart crosses that finish line first and wins fastest!” Rainbow remarked. “And my cart wins most creative!” Rarity added. “And my cart wins most traditional! Hoo-wee, it’s gonna be a good day!” said Applejack. “You mean our carts, right?” Scootaloo asked rather indignantly. “Yes, that’s what we said, darling,” Rarity quickly replied. “Yup,” Applejack added in agreement. “Our carts,” Rainbow corrected. The three older ponies walked away as the Cutie Mark Crusaders just shared worried looks with each other. “Their carts? It almost sounds like they’re planning on building them without us,” Apple Bloom said. “I’m sure they meant “our” carts. Like, the team cart, right?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Of course! I mean, they’re all our older sisters, practically,” Scootaloo replied. “Plus, they’ve all done this before. I’m sure they know best. Let’s just buckle down and get to work!” “At least my mommy is allowing me to race in my daddy’s old cart once I fix it up, with him helping. I’m lucky I don’t have to worry about mommy hogging it,” Eric added. With determined looks on their faces, the four friends pulled their wagons toward the wooden fenced areas that were considered their team’s top-less cart garage. As the sun started to creep into the sky, the other fillies and colts with their respective adult partners were busy working on their own carts. In addition to the Cutie Mark Crusaders and their respective older sisters, plus Eric and his parents, Diamond Tiara had partnered up with her butler Randolph, Snips and Puppydog Tails, Train Tracks with Crimson Skate, Sugar Stix and Winter Lotus, and finally Crackle Pop and Ditzy Doo. Applejack had covered hers and Apple Bloom’s cart with an apple red tarp and Rainbow didn’t resist putting up an entrance sign made of cloud towers and a rainbow banner. One thing to notice was the fact that the adults were busy working on the carts themselves while their filly partners hadn’t even arrived at their garages. Scootaloo was already tiring out having to pull her wagon loaded with supplies alone. Rainbow showed her no sympathy. “Scootaloo, where have you been? I’ve only got ‘til noon to make the fastest cart ever!” Rainbow snapped, then zoomed away as Scootaloo recovered. “Uh, about that. I was really thinking of going for the most creative prize. I mean, I know all about speed already, so...” Scootaloo tried to say. “Exactly! It’s all about speed! You’ve gotta get across the finish line to win a prize, so we might as well get there first, right? Hey, I left a bunch of paint cans by the road. Bring them up here, would ya? Nothing as fun as painting racing stripes on the winning cart!” Rainbow interrupted her. Scootaloo sighed and agreed reluctantly, saying “Right... Fun...” She then walked off the collect the paint. At Applejack and Apple Bloom’s garage, Applejack was under the tarp working on the cart while Apple Bloom was forced to sit nearby and hadn’t been allowed to do much of anything. “Spendin’ time buildin’ a cart with my big sister? Why, this is just tee-riffic! Um... how can I help?” Apple Bloom said, trying to stay optimistic. She smiled sheepishly and noticed that Applejack wasn’t listening. “You can feast your eyes on... this!” said Applejack excitedly as she removed the apple red tarp to reveal the kart. Apple Bloom gave a wide smile and then it quickly turned into shock. There before her was an apple red traditional cart. “I-I mean, it ain’t quite finished yet.” “Oh, good,” Apple Bloom replied in relief. “But don’t it have the makin’s of the best cart you ever did see? Uh... is somethin’ wrong, Apple Bloom?” Applejack asked. “Actually, I was kinda thinkin’ of somethin’ a little more modern, and less rickety. With maybe a chance of winning?” Apple Bloom suggested, poking one of the pole holding the cart roof up and making it wobble about. “Bless my hooves, I thought we covered this! Tradition is all that counts! And who knows tradition better than Apples? Nopony, that’s who! So are you an Apple, or are you an Apple?” Applejack said annoyingly as she slammed her Stenson hat on the ground, then snorted. “I’m an Apple, but... what if I just take off this fringe?” Apple Bloom asked, then went to step into the front part of the cart. “No, not the fringe!” Applejack protested, then looked away as she heard a crashing sound. The front part of the cart broke off completely. “Ugh! Why, shoot! Now I’ve gotta start all over from scratch! And it’s almost race time!” Applejack said angrily. “Oh. So, maybe we can redesign it then? Just a little,” Apple Bloom asked. “No time! And who’d want to redesign somethin’ that’s already perfect?” Applejack snapped. “Right...Perfect...” Apple Bloom replied dejectedly. “Okay, so I sketched out some of my ideas. How about a nice yellow fringe on top?” Sweetie Belle said as the sound of wrench was being under underneath a tarp that Rarity had put over the cart. “Oh-ho-ho-ho, darling. The fringe is not exactly big! And that yellow is the least bold color I can imagine!” Rarity replied. “Well, it doesn’t have to be yellow. But I really do love the old-timey style. Like this,” said Sweetie Belle. She then showed Rarity a picture of what she wanted her cart to look like. Rarity looked at the picture with large eyes and then quickly recovered. “Sweetie Belle, precious face, “old-timey” is just another word for passé. Remember, big and bold! I do have a reputation to uphold! It was one thing to lose as a filly, but can you imagine if I didn’t win the most creative now? Ponies might stop buying my couture!” Rarity replied. “But we’re supposed to be doing this together!” Sweetie Belle protested. “Yes, of course we are, darling. In fact, we just finished.” Rarity said, then removed the tarp. Sweetie Belle went agape at what she saw, “Voila! I know. You’re speechless.” There before the two sisters was a cart in the shape of a swan that had a crown and necklace just like Celestia’s. “Well, if that isn’t big and bold, I don’t know what is! Isn’t it wonderful?” Rarity asked. Sweetie Belle just gave Rarity a skeptical look, but it went unnoticed as Rarity walked up to the cart and hummed to herself. “Right...Wonderful,” Sweetie Belle replied dejectedly in agreement. At Eric and his parents’ garage, he was had finished fixing up the old cart and gave it a red paintjob, he also painted the number 95 on the sides. “What do you think?” Eric asked. “It looks great, sport. Nice touch with the racing number. I had that when your mom and I first participated in the Running of the Leaves,” Storm replied. Rainbow continued to work on hers and Scootaloo’s cart. Scootaloo then thought it would be a good idea to put a giant chicken head on the front for a hood ornament. Just as she rushed away to get a pair of chicken wings to attach to the sides, Rainbow shook her head disapprovingly and took the chicken head ornament off, leaving Scootaloo shocked and annoyed. Later on, Rainbow had flew away and come back to find that Scootaloo had put the chicken wings into the sides of the cart. She looked at them disapprovingly. Scootaloo then returned holding a chicken head on a stick when she saw Rainbow fly above her with the removed chicken wings. Scootaloo was left disappointed and ignored. At Applejack and Apple Bloom’s garage, Applejack was working on the large wooden wheels for the cart. Apple Bloom then tried attaching spoiler to the back of the cart and then quickly walked away. Applejack, holding a garland in her mouth, bucked the spoiler off just as Apple Bloom came back. Apple Bloom was shocked and a little hurt. She then tried to paint some flame decals on the sides and then walked off again. Applejack wasted no time painting the flames off and walked away, leaving Apple Bloom sad and ignored. At Rarity’s and Sweetie Belle’s garage, Rarity was adding a fresh coat of paint to the cart. Sweetie Belle rushed up and tried tying her yellow garland around the top. Rarity was taken aback and Sweetie Belle smiled. Rarity then smirked as she removed, gave Sweetie Belle the brush, and walked away. Sweetie Belle felt most annoyed. A little note of interest was that while other carts had steering wheels, Rarity’s and Sweetie Belle’s cart used a pair of dual sticks that had gems on them to control the steering with a third stick for something else. Rarity then walked away, but when she came back, Sweetie Belle had replaced the control sticks with a rustic steering wheel. Rarity glared. Sweetie Belle then rolled her eyes and put the control sticks back into place. While Rarity was pleased, Sweetie Belle felt annoyed and ignored. At Eric and his parents’ garage, they were testing the cart’s steering and brakes, and they were also drying the paint with a fan. They also doing a final inspection on the chassis. As the other pony pairs were excitedly finishing their carts, Sweetie Belle was just sitting alone at the top of a nearby hill when Apple Bloom came up to her. “Hey, Crusader... How’s it goin’?” Apple Bloom asked tiredly. Sweetie Belle sighed as she pointed to the swan cart that Rarity was shining and said, “Rarity’s definitely made the biggest, boldest cart anypony’s ever seen.” “Wow. Well, Applejack’s built somethin’ so traditional, it’s practically an antique,” Apple Bloom replied. Sweetie Belle looked agape at the apple red cart with green garland along the rooftop. It was then Scootaloo arrived and sighed loudly and said, “No matter what I say, there’s no talking Rainbow Dash out of making the fastest cart in Equestria.” “At least my mommy respected the idea I had in mind. In fact, I’m lucky daddy talked her into letting me race at all,” Eric added. “Good for you, Eric. But it doesn’t look like any of us ended up with what we wanted,” Sweetie Belle pointed out. “But... I’m sure our older sisters know what they’re doin’. Right?” Apple Bloom asked. “Right,” Scootaloo replied. “Right,” Sweetie Belle agreed. “And even if our carts aren’t exactly what we had in mind, it’ll still be fun to drive them to the finish line,” Apple Bloom said. “Sure! The race is the best part!” Sweetie belle replied. “Yeah! CMCs behind the wheels!” Scootaloo agreed. “Way to think positive, girls,” Eric said. The four friends cheered and gave each other a hoof/fist bump. “Derby racers to the starting line! Derby racers to the starting line!” Cheerilee called. The four friends went over to the track, then Eric got into his cart with Twilight alongside him, he couldn’t help but hear his friends complaints. “Mommy, my friends aren’t satisfied with their carts since their sisters did virtually all the work and they didn’t get the designs they wanted,” Eric said. “You’re right, sweetie. The nerve of their sisters, hogging the carts from your friends,” Twilight replied, “That’s just wrong.” At the starting line, the fact the three adults were in the driver’s seat and alone hadn’t gone unnoticed by Cheerilee, who was wearing a cheerleader’s outfit. “Um, aren’t you all missing somepony?” Cheerilee asked. “They’ll be along,” Applejack quickly said. “And, uh, usually the younger ponies drive the carts,” Cheerilee pointed out in a hushed tone. “Darling, do these look like usual carts to you?” Rarity replied. Cheerilee just rolled her eyes, then Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo got into the carts alongside the older mares and strapped themselves in, and so did Eric. “Speed...I...am...speed,” Eric said to himself. “Good self motivation, Eric. Your dad used to say that when he was racing in this cart, and also during the Running of the Leaves,” Twilight replied. “It was also from a movie I’ve seen,” said Eric. Cheerilee sounded the bugle and said, “Racers! On your marks, get set, go!” “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!” Sweetie Belle screamed since the high momentum and being so high above the ground scared her. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!” Scootaloo screamed since the speed was a little too fast for her comfort zone. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!” Apple Bloom screamed...at the fact the cart was way too slow! So slow that even Cheerilee was staring with wide eyes at the cart from the background. “Can’t we go any faster?!” Apple Bloom complained. “Faster? Don’t be silly. This is perfect!” Applejack exclaimed. Apple Bloom just groaned. (Derby Racers) The crowd cheered as the racers turned a corner, then as they past another house, then a third time as the racers crossed a bridge, then a filly cheerleader appeared, along with a colt cheerleader, and finally Cheerilee herself in the middle of them. “Having any fun yet?” Scootaloo asked. “Nope! Maybe if we could go a little faster!” Apple Bloom said. The crowd cheered as the racers drove by, then again as four ponies did a wave, then again a third time as the racer drove past, and three ponies popped out from behind a hay bale, including Bulk Biceps wearing a soda hat. Rarity then used her controls to open the wings of her swan cart, which prevented two racers on both side of her cart to pass. Rainbow Dash pushed down on her steering wheel to make the cart go even fasters, which made Scootaloo lips flap about. As the racers came to an intersection, the CMCs shouted in unison, “Look out!” Everypony has crashed into each other in a large heap of ponies and broken up carts in the middle of the intersection. Everypony groaned, but fortunately, aside from a few scratches and bruises, nopony was seriously hurt. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, including Eric weren’t in the large pile of ponies or broken carts. They had all jumped clear, but still had gotten slightly battered and scratched up from the landing. “Eric, are you alright?” Twilight asked. “I think so, but I hurt a lot,” Eric replied trying not to cry. “Oh! My beautiful swan cart is an ugly duckling!” Rarity complained dramatically. “And my old-time cart is a rootin’ tootin’ wreck!” Applejack said in a sad tone. Rainbow Dash then passed the two of them pushing the remains of her cart. “It still counts as a win if I push my cart across right?” Rainbow asked as one of the wheels bounced forward after it broke off completely. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were furious and just looked at each other. “They’re not your carts!” the four friends yelled angrily. Everypony else, including their older sisters looked at them. “Huh?” Applejack, Rainbow, and Rarity asked cluelessly. “We were supposed to design them!” Apple Bloom snapped. “And we were supposed to drive them!” Scootaloo added. “The Derby was supposed to be for us, not the three of you!” Sweetie Belle said sternly, “Now you’ve ruined it for everypony!” “It was very wrong of you to hog your sisters’ carts and steal the show! You should all be ashamed of yourselves!” Eric yelled. The three older sisters shared sad looks with each other. Then they looked back and saw that everypony else was giving them glares or upset looks. Rarity whimpered as one of the wings to her cart came off completely. “Yes, well, I suppose we might have gotten a teensy bit carried away...” Rarity said. “But I thought you all wanted our help,” said Applejack. “We did! We wanted you to help build our carts. But we all ended up with carts that are what each of you wanted!” Apple Bloom replied. “Mm-hmm!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle hummed in agreement. “But why didn’t you say anything?” Rainbow asked. “You’ve all done the race before,” Scootaloo replied in her defense, “I just figured you knew best.” “Plus it’s hard to speak up to older ponies,” Sweetie Belle added. “Oh, I certainly understand that. But you mustn’t think older ponies automatically know best,” Rarity said. “And we probably could have done a better job of listening to you,” Rainbow added. “Oof. I guess we owe all three of you an apology,” Applejack finished. “Maybe not just us,” Apple Bloom said. The three mares turned to see that the other racers were still glaring at them. Cheerilee then stomped up as well, looking just as angry and upset. “Um, how do you feel about a do-over?” Rainbow suggested with a nervous chuckle. “I think that’s a wonderful idea! But maybe the older ponies should sit this one out,” Cheerilee replied. Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow just smiled sheepishly. Later, Rainbow was wearing a red cap and purple pit crew outfit as she finished painting Scootaloo’s cart. Scootaloo now had her very own cart designed to look like a fire phoenix. “Thanks for helping us fix up our carts,” Scootaloo said to Rainbow, “Pretty creative, right?” Rainbow smiled in reply. Applejack, now wearing a green cap with a blue pit crew outfit, was testing out the spoiler on Apple Bloom’s kart. The yellow filly now had her own honest-to-goodness race cart. “I know it’s not traditional,” Apple Bloom said, “But it sure looks fast, don’t it?” Applejack just smiled in agreement. Rarity was wearing a light blue cap and cerulean blue pit crew outfit, she added the yellow garland to Sweetie Belle’s green traditional cart. “You know, darling,” said Rarity, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but that yellow fringe is bold after all.” It wasn’t long before the three fillies were heading toward the starting line with their new carts. “Thanks, everypony,” said Sweetie Belle, “We couldn’t have done it without you.” Rainbow and Scootaloo shared a high-five before the three fillies drove away. “Yup, I sure am glad Miss Cheerilee agreed to run the race over again,” said Applejack. “Well, it isn’t every year I get to say this twice, but...” said Cheerilee, “Derby racers to the starting line! Derby racers to the starting line!” It was then the fanfare music began to play once again. The racers then took off down the ramp for the second time. Apple Bloom to an early lead with her speedy apple race cart, and Eric behind her in his dad’s old cart. “And it’s probably best keeping all the grown-ups on the sidelines,” Rainbow added, “But what are we supposed to do now?” “I think I have an idea.” Rarity replied. “Ahhh!” Rarity sighed as she sipped some juice through a straw, “Much better! Honestly, I’m not sure why we wanted to race those carts in the first place.” “Seriously!” Rainbow sighed in agreement, “This is the most relaxed I’ve been all day.” It was then some spectators cheered as the carts zoomed down the track. Of course, Sweetie Belle was far behind, but she was enjoying her low top speed traditional race cart and waved hello to the spectators. Apple Bloom was in the lead with Scootaloo not too far behind. “Go, Scootaloo, go!” Rainbow cheered excitedly, “Woo-woo-woo-woo!” She then looked to see Applejack was glaring at her while Rarity had a huge smirk on her face. “Uhh, I mean...,” Rainbow stuttered and laughed nervously as she went back to reclining on her lounge chair, “This is the life, right ponies?” Rainbow just sighed contently but still lifted her shades and smiled as she watched the race. While Scootaloo wasn’t going for the fastest cart, she still placed in third and Apple Bloom successfully took first place. Sweetie Belle scored the most traditional prize and Scootaloo had managed to get the most creative for her phoenix cart. Eric won second place for fastest. The ponies surrounding the four friends cheered, including Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity’s boyfriends, Forest, Smokey, and Jasper. “Way to go, little cuz!” Stardust said as she and Moonshadow hugged him. “You made us proud, kiddo,” Moonshadow replied. “Congrats on second place, me bucko,” Forest added. Lancer then came up to him and said, “You’ve got a lot of stuff, kiddo.” “Thanks, grandpa,” Eric replied as they hugged, “I’m glad you came.” Moonshadow went over to Cheerilee and said, “That was come great cheerleading you did out there. Pardon me for saying this, but you look gorgeous in that outfit.” “Thank you, Moonshadow. You’re such a flatterer,” Cheerilee replied. “Would you care to join me at Sugarcube Corner for a sweet treat?” Moonshadow asked, “And maybe have dinner with me tonight, too?” “I’d love that….sugar bear,” Cheerilee replied as she playfully teased him. The CMCs looked on as they were happy that their teacher finally had a special somepony. “I can’t believe it, our teacher finally found the perfect stallion,” Apple Bloom said. “I’m glad that he turned out to be mine and my mommy’s cousin, Moonshadow,” Eric added. “Great job winning second place, cutie boo,” Sweetie Belle said as she kissed Eric on his face. Eric blushed up a storm and they shared a kiss.