Chapter 3
Twilight knew that Rainbow Dash's suspicions about Clark were unfounded, but she had done more looking up of Clerkalariet, and she was becoming more interested in this pony that seemed to have built a legend, but one that time seemed to be erasing. For whatever reason, though the older ponies knew who he was, the younger generation had no idea. She felt it sad this was the case, and felt that, maybe, his memory should be preserved. Yet, before she could do this, she had to learn more about him. However, she also now realized her own library was inadequate to handle the task. She then wrote to Princess Celestia to ask if she could visit the Canterlot library. As quickly as Spike sent the letter off, a response came back that it would be more than a pleasure to have her come. Thus, within a couple of days, she was in that library.
"So, it is Clerkalariet you show interest," stated the Princess after formal greetings were made, "May I ask more about why?"
"Well," said Twilight, "We have a new pony in Ponyville, and he has connections to him. He even donated a few books and magazines to the library that talked about that time. It seems by what he gave that this Clerkalariet was quite the hoof racer."
"That is actually an understatement," said Celestia, "He was the greatest hoof racer history has ever known."
"What makes you say that?" asked Twilight.
"I actually had the privilege to watch him race," answered Celestia, "You could never know his greatness unless you actually witnessed it."
"How do I do that?"
"Hmm… I think the library has a few films of his races. Let us take a look."
With that, they were going through the film section, and they found the three key races for the Triple Crown. First was the Ducky Derby. In that, Shemp charged out early, staying right behind the leader, with Clerkalariet bringing up the rear. Twilight said, "But, he's last…"
"Wait for it," said Celestia, and just as she said that, they were hitting the backstretch, and suddenly, Clerkalariet charged out and started putting the pack behind him. By the middle of the stretch, he was going to the front, and Shemp took advantage of that, coming up and coming alongside Clerkalariet. They bobbed back and forth for the lead, but finally, down the home stretch, Clerkalariet took off and managed to ge length lead and win easily. Twilight said, "Wow, that was amazing how he came up like that and just passed everyone."
"That seemed to be his tactic in all his races," said Celestia, "Shemp was quite the runner, but just did not have it that day. Everyone was very impressed and wondered if there was a chance at the Triple Crown after such a long time."
Next was the Speak Nice Stakes, and once again, it was the same thing, but this time, he beat Shemp by about 3 ½ lengths. Shemp appeared a bit annoyed after his second loss to Clerkalariet, and she began to wonder if the rumors started then. Twilight then said, "That was very good, but I haven't seen the spectacular part."
"Oh, that is coming up!" said Celestia, as Spike readied the last film. Twilight then said, "There are only four other ponies."
"That is because everyone feared Clerkalariet and Shemp by this point," answered Celestia, "And considering what had happened before, everyone pretty much considered this a match race."
The gates opened and the ponies took off. However, this time, both Shemp and Clerkalariet took off and took the lead. Celestia then said, "The crowd around me was all wondering what was going on. Normally, Shemp hung near the front and then took off while Clerkalariet bided his time and then took off. It was as if he was biding his time, waiting for something from the other ponies and then going then, but not that day."
With that, they were hitting the backstretch, and Twilight commented, "That track is huge!"
"The race was 1 ½ miles," responded Celestia, "Indeed, the reason why the crown is hard to win is because of this race. Many young ponies like this are not ready for the distance of the Bell Mountain Stakes and do not manage to do as well. This day, however, would be different. The talk around me was that they were going too fast. No earth pony could keep up that kind of pace and not blow out before the end of the race."
In the middle of the backstretch, Clerkalariet began to open a lead. In fact, not only was he doing this, he was making it look effortless. He was thee, then four, five, seven, nine lengths ahead and looking more like a machine than a pony. In fact, Shemp, who was charged with determination and seeming anger on his face trying to best his rival, but then looked with stunned amazement as he watched Clerkalariet take off, and then begin to fade back as the rest of the ponies caught up to him. Soon, he went to the back of the pack in disbelief as Clerkalariet kept extending the lead. "Everyone was concerned that Clerkalariet was going to pass out, but he just kept going." added Celestia. However, Twilight was being mesmerized by what she saw, and was stunned that anything she was seeing. She had no idea that an earth pony could do this. He crossed under the wire a whopping 31 lengths ahead of the pack. "Incredible…" was all she could say, and saw in the film some earth mares were visibly crying. What surprised Twilight was the fact that she noticed she was also crying at this. She said, "Why are they crying?"
Celestia put a loving wing around her old protégé and said, "You have to understand something: in that day, though unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies lived in peace and harmony, the earth ponies still felt themselves a bit under the other two, in that, they had no special powers or could not fly. They never stopped to think that they were just as important, forgetting that, without them, all the farming and building they primarily did would never be done in quite the way that they can do it. Yet, they began to feel themselves as mere tradesponies and common."
"That's so said," said Twilight.
Celestia sighed and said, "Yes, it was, but that changed on that one day. On that day, the world watched an earth pony fly for the first time without ever leaving the ground. He did not use magic, and needed no wings to do what he did. It was hard work, determination, and much in practice that got him where he was, which is true for any kind of pony. Moreover, he had a dream to be the best, and sent a message to the other ponies, especially the earth ponies: never let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve your dreams if you are willing to put in the work. You can be special, no matter who you are. No longer would earth ponies feel inferior, because even they could be special in all they do."
"But…but why am I crying," said Twilight.
"Oh, silly pony," answered Celestia lovingly, "Do you not understand? All your life, you have yourself strived for perfection, and wished to see what perfection looked like. Today, you saw it."
Going by the other things she had already read, she was amazed anyone could ever forget something like this. She had to ask. "Princess, why do few ponies talk about this? Why have I never knew of this until now?"
"That has much to do with the rumors I am sure you've heard about by now," answered Celestia, "Never once did Clerkalariet protest what was said about him, Shemp being the loudest among them. Yet, when he left, announced his retirement, everyone was shocked. He never gave an explanation as to why, and disappeared. Meanwhile, Shemp went on to have the career he should have had, and very successful, but he always has spoken of never being able to get out of Clerkalariet's shadow."
Twilight pondered this as she heard the ting of sorrow in the voice of Celestia, remembering what had divided her and Luna at one time. Twilight then wondered, "I wonder if there is a way for him to get over this?"
"Unknown," answered Celestia, "With him being gone, it may never happen."
Again, she pondered this, and feeling sad how it all ended. After some personal time, Twilight made her way back with some food for thought.
Meanwhile, Clark was meeting the track team for the first time. Indeed, this was merely and amateur thing, and local—nothing professional. However, by the looks of it, they needed some help! Since Big Macintosh was a member of the field aspect of the team in pulling, Applejack was out to watch the practice, now that there was a new coach. Along with that was the rest of the six, minus Twilight, being she was in Canterlot. Clark was walking up and down, talking to the team, and he said, "Okay, today, we'll watch y'all go through yer workouts so I can see what y'have in you right now. I'll be takin' notes, and then we'll get a practice regiment ready fer ya. I don't expect no miracles right away, but I hope t'make you a competitive team. Yet, never forget, it's the joy of competing that should be foremost in yer minds, with winning right behind it. I mean, if there's no need t'win, why keep score?"
They all chuckled at this, and they all split up to their different disciplines with the assistant coaches. Clark went up into the stands where the mares were sitting to watch. He had his notebook out, and was ready to take notes, and more so on the runners, considering that was his forte. Pinkie was all excited, saying, "Oh goodness! This is so exciting! All the action, running, jumping, throwing… I'll plan a victory party after this!"
"Um…Pinkie," said Applejack, rolling her eyes, "This is just a practice. They still ain't had their first meet yet."
"Oh, um…" she said, pondering, "Then we'll have a party to celebrate our coming victories and then parties for victories! It will be so much fun!"
Clark just laughed at the silly pony and said, "If we win the regional championship at the end of the season, I'll look ya up."
Fluttershy seemed to want to ask something, but seemed to hesitate. Clark picked up on this and said, "Hey, sunshine, y'all seem like you want to say sumpthin?"
She fidgeted a bit, not sure what to say, but also feeling relieved that she was invited to speak, and said, "Well, it's nothing really, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to."
She looked away slightly shamefacedly, but Clark said, "Hey, it's okay. Ask anythin' y'want."
"Really?" she said, looking as if some great privilege had been granted her, and she said, "Just what happens at a track meet?"
"Oh, you've never been t'one?" he asked with genuine curiosity. She looked scared, as if she should have been to such a thing, and she said, hushed, "Oh, I'm sorry! Should I have seen one? Have I missed something I should have done?"
He smiled at the shy pony and said, "Ah, don't worry yer pretty little head. You ain't done nuthin wrong. Tell me, you grew up in Cloudsdale, right?"
Again, she felt like she was being examined and said, "Well, yes," all timid, and he said, "Oh, well, that explains. I'm sure you've seen things more associated with pegasus sports. I can understand why y'don't know about earth pony sports."
She nodded, and he said, "Well, that's okay if y'don't know."
She then looked relieved, as if a weight had been taken off her back, and he wondered what it was that made the poor girl seem so timid. Rarity whispered to Clark, "Believe me, she's become far more open since she's been our friend. You should have met her at the first."
He whispered back, "If she ever let me near her."
He then said, "Well, this sport's also called Athletics, and the event actually is several sports goin on at once. You have runnin' events, pulling events, jumpin' events for distance, height, and stadium jumpin'."
Everyone was listening now, and he said, "First, we have th'sprints, then we have th'middle distances both on the cinder track, and that grass track just on th'inside of the cinder track. After many of th'events in th'middle are finished, they set up th'course fer one of th'distance events. It involves starting on th'cinder, then crossin' over to th'grass on the back stretch, down th'front on the grass, then back to th'cinder in the back all the way t'the finish. Then the last event is set up, startin' at one end of the park and then winding back n' forth to the end called the steeplechase. That one is th'longest event, and th'most gruelin'. It combines jumpin' and racin', designed fer all-around athletes."
"What are some of the field events? "asked Rarity.
"Well, we have weight pullin'," he answered, "Bale tossin', hammer throw, high jump, stadium jumpin', dressage…"
"Oh, dressage!" said Rarity, "That is such an elegant form! I learned that as a filly in dancing class!"
"And do you think you can still do that?" asked Pinkie.
"Oh, with a bit of practice, I could," she pondered, "But, I'd need a good caller."
"Caller?" asked Applejack, "Whatcha mean? Is that like a square dancin'?"
"Oh, don't be so gauche, darling," said Rarity with a hoof wave, "The pony carries a load that shifts and moves, but in doing the moves, the load must stay perfectly still, or as still as one can make it, and still perform with precision and grace. However, there is somepony that stands on the edge, giving commands as to what move to do and when, but it has to be done silently with the subtlest of movements."
"Sounds dull t'me," said Applejack.
"Ah, you would be surprised at the skill it takes," she said, "More so if you have someone Spike's size who can do it all from your back."
"Hey, if y'all can do it," said Clark, "We'd love t'have y'all."
"But, what's this other kind of jumpin'?" asked Applejack.
"Well," answered Clark, "That involves two events, really. One is in th'stadium, and one is held outside th'stadium in a cross-country event."
She showed some interest and said, "What does that involve?"
"One is more negotiatin' a course, the other is more rallyin' over jumps, and decision making," answered Clark, "In cross-country, there is a set time that a pony is expected t'be able t'get through it at a brisk pace but not at breakneck speed. Each pony heads out one by one, and then they try t'keep to that time, no more and no less, all the while makin' jumps. The winner is the pony who keeps it closest to the expected time in either side of the time. However, if there is more than one with a matchin' time, the scorin' system comes into play. On each jump, there are parts that are easier t'jump and harder. Points are given or taken dependin' on the jump one takes: nuthin fer the average jump, negative fer th'easier, and bonus fer th'harder. Y'also get deductions fer pickin' one and failing to make the jump the first time. Three failed attempts and yer disqualified."
"That sounds interestin', considerin'," said Applejack, thinking she could do something like that.
"Too bad I have wings," said a pouty Rainbow dash, "I know I could beat you!"
"You could tie 'em down and try," said Applejack, taking that as a challenge.
"Well, yer not forbidden if ya don't use wings," said Clark, "Why not try?"
"Really!" said Dash, all excited, "And what about the stadium thing?"
"Well that's a short course of various jumps of number and height," said Clark, "In that one, ya do several rounds. The first two, y'try t'get through without knockin' off logs, bricks, or whatever the jump is made of. Ya get sumpthin called faults if ya do. Y'get four fer each part of an obstacle y'knock down, and six fer balkin at a jump. Three balks and yer out. After the first round, those with the most faults are eliminated. Then, the jumps are made higher, and ya go again. Then there's another elimination. None of this is timed until the final round. The jumps are made higher, and you are timed. Th'one with the fewest faults that does it quickest is th'winner."
"I'm up to it!" said Applejack.
"Well, um… I want to do that, and the steeplechase!" responded Rainbow Dash in a mark of one-up-ponyship.
"Hey, yer on!" said Applejack, all excited, and Clark, surprised, said, "Okay, since you two are so anxious, get out to that midfield and join the rest of the jumpers! Let's see ya do it."
With that, Rainbow dash had Fluttershy tie down her wings and they headed out to the practice jumps to see what they could do. Pinkie was all bouncy, saying, "My friends are going to be track stars, oh boy!"
Clark laughed, seeing how happy they were, and said, "Well, I tell you: most of my early life was spent groomin' fer this sport, so, I really didn't have a lot of friends at the time, but seeing y'all's friendship gives me a warm feelin'."
"Well, we've been through a lot together," answered Rarity, "And every day only makes us closer."
"I just hope I can make friends here," said Clark, "It will seem so nice to be doin' this instead of deal with th'fierceness of competition."
More emboldened, now that she was getting to know Clark better and seeing he could be a friend, Fluttershy then said, "Oh, is it that bad?"
Clark sighed and said, "Well, it can be. I mean, there can be talk of this and that, people accusin' you ah not bein' honest and all. I mean, at the level one's gettin' paid t'do it, where I was, ponies do what they can t'get into yer head, just t'try to throw you off yer game and get the edge. I mean, th'better you do, th'more prize money one makes. I just got sick of that."
"Oh dear," said Rarity, "That is so uncouth. I mean, wanting to win that bad brings out the worst in one."
"And you should know!" said Pinkie, all gleeful about it, to which Rarity gave a look of, "Really," to which Pinkie then said, "Okay, sitting quiet now!" and plopped down. Rarity then said, "Speaking of hard competition, I understand you knew the great Clerkalariet. Did you ever race him?"
He stood quiet, staring over the practice, and then said, "Well, let's just say I was involved."
"Did you ever beat him?"
Again, he sat silent, and then said, "Well, there was one time, but I don't wish t'speak of it."
"Unpleasant memories?" answered Rarity with some sympathy.
After a space, he finally said, "T'some extent, yes," to which he sighed and said, "But that's havin' been another pony in another life. That's then, this is now, and this is much better."
"Oh, good," she said, "It is so much better to put your past behind you."
After that, she began to think out loud and said, "Hmm… Perhaps I should ask Spike fer help with the dressage. I am sure he would love it…" but Clark was not listening. He now seemed still, lost in thought. "Is it really behind me?" he pondered in his mind. He then shook his head, and got his focus back on the practice. He had a team to build, and he just had to let some things go.