//------------------------------// // Equestria 500 // Story: Earning Freedom // by Daxisle //------------------------------// Equestria 500 Sitting upon the higher stands, Macintosh and his friends sat fighting against the bitter morning cold and higher altitude air. The girls talking loudly and smiling with anticipation for the days events. Save for Rarity, whom had left the lower stands to speak with some local higher end types up in the VIP box. Not that either he or Spike was sad about that, all things considered. While the others had run off to have some time in the city, the stallion stayed behind within the monolith of a stadium and wondered about in search of something informative. He'd visited the capital only a few weeks ago, and the hustle and bustle of the city was more exhausting to him mentally than he would have liked. Luckily, the ponies who ran the race were more than happy to let him stay inside and wonder about. Oddly, the environment he was in gave him a strange urge to find out which of the Wonderbolts had the highest chance of winning the race. He wasn't sure if it was the excited onlookers outside, or the myriad of pictures that lined the walls, but it was something. Finding some fliers in one of the lobby areas, the stallion opened it up and gave a quick glance over. Still, after doing a little reading on the fliers themselves, he decided to take the bet up with Spike. While the drake was more than happy to put his five bits on Spit Fire, Mac had a secret weapon. Striker had steadily progressed his flight time over the past five years, if the correlation was correct, he'd be a heavy contender this year, maybe even the victor. While not one much for gambling, the anticipation was exhilarating. Money on the line, a pegasus representing his chances, the loud and excited crowd demanding the race to begin, it was one of the most exciting times of his life. Well, when he wasn't in immediate danger, anyway. "Omigosh this is going to be so awesome!" Twilight shook her smiling head. "We know, Rainbow Dash, you've said that already." Rainbow rolled her eyes and teasingly moved her hoof up and down to mock. "Only because it's true, Twilight!" The apple stallion was in full agreement, this was pretty awesome. "So, Applejack, how are you feeling about YOUR performance?" The rainbow mare asked, jabbing her friend with her elbow. The cow pony chuckled. "A might nervous, but Ah think I can handle it. Thanks fer helpin' me learn the routine." Rainbow smiled proudly. "What are friends for?" "IT'S STARTING! IT'S STARTING!" Pinkie chanted loudly, pointing to the approaching announcer. The crowd quickly settled and quieted as the pegasus stallion tapped his microphone. "Mares and Gentlecoalts, welcome to the 223rd annual Canterlot 500!" The crowd let out a cheer. It is with great pleasure that I may present to you today, the Speed Demons of the Sky: The Wonderbolts! The crowd went into an uproar of stomping and screaming as six jet blue figures swooshed over the packed arena. Preforming a few stunts before closing in together and flying straight up to release a single, massive firework over the crowd. "Nice entrance." Spike remarked with a smirk. "Eyup." The pegasi took their places on the starting line while the announcer pony jabbered on about sponsors, rules, and some other jargin that Macintosh didn't care about. There were only eight ponies racing, each numbered according to their seeded expectation. As expected, Spitfire and Soarin were number one and two, with Striker being number four. "Who're you rootin fer?" Applejack asked, looking to the others. "Spitfire, duh." Rainbow cheered. "I'm going with Soarin on this one, he put up a much better fight against my magic than any of the others." Twilight replied. Pinkie didn't take any sides, she was just happy to be around so much energy and thrill, and Fluttershy was as nervous and timid as ever. "What 'bout you boys?" Spike puffed out his chest and grinned. "My money's on Spitfire of course!" "That's my dragon!" Rainbow said holding out a hoof for a given high five. "What 'bout you, Mac? Spitfire or Soarin?" "Strikah." Mac said sagely. The mares looked at him with furrowed brows, most of all Rainbow Dash. "Striker? Why him? He's never been able to beat Spitfire or Soarin." Mac offered a half knowing smirk as his only reply before returning his attention to the lower ring. His confidence all for show, on the inside he was a little nervous. The bet he and the drake had made wasn't by any means substantial, but if there was one thing the stallion didn't like doing, it was wasting money. "Racers! Take your positions!" Each of the eight lowed their lower bodies, and began fluttering their wings. "On your mark, Get set, GO!!" "Woo Hoo! Ah haven' had this much fun in ages!" Granny Smith proclaimed as she wiped a small trace of blood from the corner of her mouth. Sin silently walked into the kitchen after her, offering no witty retort or reply of any kind. All he could see through his hate filled eyes was red with a small side of marshmallow green. His speed and mobility were severely limited thanks to his body's condition, but neither that nor the continual pulsation of agony from his ribs stopped him. Hell, he didn't even register pain anymore, the only thing on his mind at the moment was slamming this mare's face into the ground until her faux teeth came out. Granny, for her part, held the upper hoof. She may have been old, but she was still one of the Apple clan. "Aww, what's wrong, colt? Nothin' to say?" Sin came to a stop half a meter away and took a swing. Granny easily moved back and chuckled. "C'mon boy, surely ya'll can do bettah th'n that!" Acquiescing, Sin swung again, but this time used his core muscles to power his his head and slammed it directly into the mare's jaw. Comically sending her dentures from her mouth to go swirling to the ground. With only a second to recover, the apple elder spun on her legs and gave a nice buck to the Federalists chest. Pleased with her strike, she turned to observe her work, only for her mouth to gape. She'd his Sin's chest, but the desired effect had gone with age. The stallion merely looked at the point on his chest than looked back at her, his stoic/angry face never changing. "Uh oh." Was all she could manage before another slap sent her staggering across the dinning table and onto the ground. "Lap 495!" cried the announcer. Finally stoping to catch his breath. This was the first time Mac had ever attended an event like this, and this would honestly be his last. Aside from the majority of it being quite boring to watch eight ponies flying around and around, the announcers never EVER shut their yaps. Literally, the two would just take turns talking, and talking, and talking about the race. Looking to his left, all the others seemed to be in the same boat of boredom as him, aside from Rainbow Dash. Even Pinkie was checking the alarm clock she kept stashed in her mane from time to time. Sure it was very exciting in the beginning, thrilling even; but after the fifty first lap or so, it all subsided to tediousness. Well, aside from the number 8 going full force and slamming herself into the cloud wall, that was both comical and concerning. "C'mon Spitfire!" Rainbow exclaimed to herself, biting her lip. The Wonderbolt leader had held the lead for the majority of the race, Soarin only over taking her a couple of times and only for so long. Three more laps to go and both were now neck and neck. Mac felt his heart beat begin to kick up as the race came to it's merciful end. He looked a little to the left to find Striker a fourth a lap behind. Strange as it was, he still held some hope the alabaster pegasus would win. It wasn't the money, five bits wasn't really all that important, but the fact he had an investment was. "Going on the 498th lap, Spit Fire and Soarin are neck and neck! It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone here that the these two would be the front contend- wait, what's this?" Mac smirked. "It looks like number three, Striker is making his way past the pack and up to the front runners!" The crowed gasped as the pegasus shot forward, his wings flapping a mile a minute. "Woah, Link, I think Soarin and Spitfire might have a new contender for this year's champion! No, seriously, get over here and look!" A few rustling sounds over the intercom later another voice gasped. Sweet buckin' Celestia, Speedy, you might be right." Striker slowly but gained until he too was neck and neck with the leaders. "What the hay?!" Rainbow Gawked. "Who the heck is this guy?" She looked left to find a smirking Macintosh and Spike bitting his claws in anticipation. The rest of the girls were watching with baited breath. Under Mac's cool demeanor, his heart was going faster than Strike's wings. Was he going to actually pull it off? Was Striker actually going to win? The stallion's eyes slowly wondered over to Rainbow, who in a moment of realization, snarled before returning her attention to the race. "COME ON FIRE! SHOW 'EM WHO'S BOSS!" "We're on the final lap folks, it looks like it's Spitfire! No, wait, Soarin's taken the lead, no Spitfire again! Wait, did Striker just pull ahead? They're half way down the final lap, it looks like Spitfire's taken the commanding lead!" Macintosh's smirk turned into a small grimace as Spitfire shot ahead of the other two. His eyes went both to Spike and Rainbow, who returned with smug grins. "And Spitfire takes the inner ring to the finish line! Looks like she's- No way... Mac's breath caught in his throat, his adrenaline now in over drive. Striker had just shot past Soarin and was neck and neck with Spitfire yet again. Number three has caught up with the leader. I can't believe it, it's too close to tell! Time slowed down, 20 meters. Mac's eyes widened, realziation dawning that he might actually win. His bet might actually come out victorious! 10 meters. He stood up, his lips pressed. 5 meters. He gripped the rail hard enough he heard it crack. Finish! Cried the announcer as the two sped by the finish line, flashes of light from camaras going off as they passed. It was close, too close to tell. We're getting the photo's now to see who won. Just a moment. A zebra from the stands came and collected the pictures from cameras at the finish line and quickly rushed up to the announcer's box. "Pft, what am I worried about." Rainbow chuckled, exhaling heavily. "Spitfire won, no question." "Ah don't know, Rainbow." Applejack disagreed. "That Strikah feller was on her like caramel on a candy apple." Rainbow rolled her eyes and dismissed her friend with a lazy wave. "Nothin' to worry about, AJ. Say, aren't you supposed to be getting ready for the performance?" She gasped. "Yer right!" And with all the speed and twice the grace of a rabid bull, Applejack pushed past the few whom sat between her and the stairs and made way for the lower levels. Once her associate departed, Rainbow turned her attention back to Macintosh. The calm and knowing smile he held made her snear almost immediate. It was wrong, he knew it was wrong; but it was too comical to see the typically proud and cool speedster so flustered. "Somethin' wrong?" He asked polity. Attention ladies and gentelcolts! Interrupted the announcer. Ourselves and the judges have studdied the photo finish and what a battle it was! However, there can only be one winner, and by the evidence presented, they shall be named! Rainbow and Mac locked eyes, beads of sweat pouring down the pegasus profusely. And here it is, folks, the moment you've all been waiting for. The winner, by the skin of their teeth, is- "GRANNY! I'm home!" Applebloom called happily from the front door. Sin and Granny Smith held their positions with a small gasp. The former holding a chair over his head while the latter gripped a spatula in her mouth ready to swing. Yay, now you get to beat up an old mare in front of her grandchild! Yea, there were some lines that the Federalist was not willing to cross, beating down a loved on in-front of a child is one of them. He couldn't blame his injuries or lack of fighting skills for the battle that took place between the two. This Granny Smith was one of the toughest ponies he'd ever come across for he age. "Truce?" he growled, placing the chair down. "Fer now." Granny replied, the two quickly straitening up the kitchen as best they could before the tiny hoofsteps found their way into the room. "Granny, wha' happened?" The filly asked curiously. The elder turned her head with a kind smile. "Oh nothin' deary, Ah jest had a little accident n' Sinny here was kind enough tah help me clean up." The aforementioned grunted to himself as he used a rag to wipe up some broken glass and apple jam that he didn't remember breaking. He hated being called by that name. Once the rag had absorbed its share he lifted it up and tossed it into the trash can while the family members spoke. "Yer a bit late comin' home deary, Where yer orange friend?" "Scootaloo's not feeling very well." A smaller alabaster and lilac filly proclaimed. She must have been one of Applebloom's school mate. "On our way back to School, she was complaining about feeling a little sick, and I don't think that mean night pegasus helped much." "Sweet Milikki, what did Shade do this time?" "That right? Well, Ah'm sorry tah hear that 'bout yer friend. Why doncha girls go outside n' play fer a spell? We can't have youngin's bein' 'round broken glass n' all." "Okay, Granny." The cream filly obeyed. "Oh yea, Sin." The stallion pressed his lips to hold back an undoubtedly aggravated retort, "we told yer friend 'bout you bein' here." She gave frown and paused, as if trying to put the next sentence in the right words. "He didn't seem too worried about you, though." Sin chuckle grunted. "Shade wouldn't." He replied simply. Sad thing was, he wasn't sure if that was just his cynicism or if he meant it. Shade was a chaotic stallion to be sure, but the Federalist would have to be blind not to see he held obvious favor with him. "Alright. Oh and Fluttershy said she was gonna come over n' check on ya when they all got back." Oh joy, the walking "bill to be" wants to come and visit with me. "HA! How cute, you're about to be nursed back to health by-" Finish that sentence and I swear to Tapio I will imagine images that will keep us both up for days on end. "Wow, touchy. Ever consider that just because she appears weak and helpless that doesn't mean she'd want legislation to protect her?" Ever consider to piss off? "I see, thank you." The stallion nodded his head before going back to cleaning. Once the young ones were out of the house, he picked up his speed and finished up the rest of the kitchen before moving to the living room. "Don't move too fast." Granny soothed passive aggressively. "Why? It's obvious you don't want me here." Sin replied calmly, placing a table back up right and resetting the clock onto it. Granny admitted that he was right with a bit of a chuckle, but showed slight concern for what ever damage she may have inflicted. Sin gave her an empty smirk, verbally scoffing at the idea before walking passed her to the door. His smile brightened as he felt her eyes burn holes into the back of his head, that was until he opened the door. A blinding and head ache enduing light assaulted his eyes, forcing him to block it with his foreleg. How many years had it been since his naked eye had experienced sun light? Sin heard a comment from granny but walked out before she could finish. Between the two hells, this one was definably the easier to deal with. It was an inconvenience and uncomfortable experience, but he needed to find his saddlebag. Be it luck or just his foresight, he'd already prepared for such an event and had a second pair of goggles in his inventory. He chanced a squinting glance forward to find he was coming to the end of the farm, once off the property completely, he'd try and figure out where his bag had gone. It should be back at camp, unless he took it somewhere, he didn't really remember seeing it at his campsite, but he was pretty drunk or really hung over since last he cared. .Add to that he now had to worry about what Granny was going to tell Mac. The Federalist hadn't left any bruises on her and had a case to be made, but if worse came to worse, his association with Macintosh ending would be an acceptable loss. But that was for later, now, he needed to get to camp. One problem at a time, boss. One problem at a time. Rainbow and Spike each let out sighs of relief after the announcer revealed Spitfire to be the winner of the race. Twilight swished her foreleg in a "darn it" fashion and the others just cheered for the sake of the either the victory or the fact it was finally over. Mac, for his part, sat laid back indifferently and watched the award ceremony below. It was close, very close. Next year, Striker would most likely be the first place winner. But today, he stood on the second place podium, which suited the apple stallion just fine. Especially with the frustrated glare stuck on certain flier who may or may not have given him a nice buck sat himself on the third place pedestal. Eyeing the expectant stare of Spike, Mac tossed the owed bits and maintained his sagely calm. "Aww, c'mon Mac." Spike pouted, ignoring the coins in his claw. "You're just going to keep that smile on your face the whole time? I was sweating bullets over here!" The drake wiped off a bit of sweat for comedic effect. "Eyup. Whacha expectin' me ta do?" Mac asked innocently, knowing full well he was depriving his friend the emotional reaction the drake desperately wanted. The two held a brief back and forth, Spike trying to exaggerate the situation to get a reaction and Mac continually down playing and dismissing it. With each dismissal, Spike grew more and more stressed and emotional in his attempts. Irony, thy name is Big Macintosh. Luckily, Twilight interjected and ruined it all by laughing at the drakes overly emotional investigations. Directly after the ceremony, Applejack was lead out with five of the Wonderbolt Seniors. Happily there was another hour of sunlight left, so at least they'd be able to see it. "I hope she'll be alright." Fluttershy pipped, her eyes looking on in worry. "I wouldn't worry, AJ and I practiced this, remember?" Rainbow said with a wink. She was right, his sister was one of the toughest ponies in the Equestria, she was an Apple after all. With a drum roll, the Wonderbolt performance began. At first, AJ just stood in the middle of the racing arena while the pegasi flew around with fireworks going off as they preformed stunts. Many of which made Mac's stomach turn just watching them. Especially the ones involving the fliers coming within a hoof of the audience at such a heightened speed, the rushing air knocked ponies out of their seats. One certain theme made itself very well known. Whenever Soarin would get within fifty yards of him, the pegasus stallion would always give Mac a little teasing smile. Too bad this would be the last the two would ever see of each other. The finally finally began when all five of the Wonderbolts zoomed too the middle, darting right for his sister from all sides. Mac felt his body tense the closer they grew. 'It's all an act,' he repeated in his head. 'She'll be fine.' Just as the five were about to make contact, they side dashed into a perfect circle around her, closer and closer to the ground until they'd begun to gallop. Applejack, for her part, stood like a stone, not even flinching when it looked like they'd slam right into her. Suddenly, the five bolted right at her and with their combined wing power, carried her into the air with the grand finale of fireworks. Mac smiled and the crowd cheered. The day was finally over. He may have lost the bet, but his sister was fine and the show was pretty darn exciting to watch. Observing Applejack's happy smile while ten stories in the air brought him a strangely warm feeling in his heart. That was until she embraced on of the fliers in a passionate kiss mid flight. Ma's eyes widened and his heart sank when he realized, the stallion of her affections was none other than the same bastard who'd assaulted and taunted him through out the entire show. Soarin.