Chapter 4
Twilight headed back to Ponyville, filled with wonder and amazement. It was the next morning, and she caught up with the others at Apple Acres, Applejack was on her chores, but seemed in a hurry to get them done. Rarity was there, but seeming to be in a fenced in spot, walking here and there, but in a very precise fashion of movements and trots. She seemed a bit shaky, but that gave the air that she knew what she was doing. Twilight landed and set down Spike just in time to hear Rainbow Dash state, "…but I can't see how this is a sport! It just looks like you're walking around."
"Oh, but there is so much more to see than you think," said Rarity, "Dressage is very precise, but is more so with the caller and pony."
"Ah, I read about this," interjected Twilight, "but, why are you doing it?"
"Oh, dear Mr. O'Leary made us a kind offer to be a part of the track team," said Rarity, "It is most amazing how many events shall be transpiring at one time."
"Wait, track team?" asked Twilight, a bit confused, "And what do you mean, 'we'?"
"Well, we went by the downs and saw the team practice for the first time," answered Rarity, "And we heard some of the events going on, and both Applejack and I offered to be a part."
"Oh really?" said Twilight, now keenly interested, "What will Applejack be doing?"
"Oh, she'll be running cross-country and the stadium jumping," answered Rarity with a bright smile.
"Ooh," responded Twilight, "If anyone can pull off that, it's her."
"But, I still don't get this dress-a-gee thing," said Rainbow, confused.
"That's 'dressage', sweetie," answered Rarity, "And it is more involved like I said. It is more than prancing. A signal pony stands outside the area, and with the most minimal of movements to mark the movements. As for me, I have to do whatever is called with the most precision, yet natural flow, I can muster."
"Oh, that sounds like figure skating!" offered an excited Pinkie, "Except it's on sod and not on ice, and come to think of it, you're not wearing skates, but you're not memorizing a routine, someone is doing it for you, which makes me wonder if the caller is your brain, but it can't be, because you are you, and you know the moves, and…"
A hoof came over her mouth, and mumbling could be heard as she tried to continue, and then stopped, realizing she was backlogging air into her cheeks. It was Applejack, who then said, "I think they get it."
"But, I think what she's doing is so pretty!" Fluttershy finally added, "It flows so well and it seems it takes a lot of concentration."
"Oh, indeed it does," commented Rarity, "Yet, I am glad our little Spikey is here! I'd like to ask him a favor."
"Me?" he said, both curious, and then suddenly smitten by the pony of his dreams asking him to do anything for her, "What is it you seek."
"Well," she pondered, "If one can find a caller that can rest on your back, this adds to the score."
"I don't get it," he said, now shaken out of the mesmerizing, and said, "How would I do that?"
"You would sit on a saddle," answered Rarity, "and hold on to a bridal, and sit as still as you can. Yet, at the same time, you would be giving me nudges with your knees, ankles, and toes to let me know when to do what, and you have to do what you can not to be seen you are doing this."
"Oh, that sounds hard," said Spike, a bit worried, "Especially with some of the things you were doing."
"Ah, but I'm sure that's no problem for my little Spikey-wikey!" she said nuzzling her cheek against his, which instantly made him blush, "Here…"
She put on a saddle with stirrups and had someone aid her with a bit-less bridal. She then said, "This bridal is more to give you a chance to keep yourself on if you feel yourself slipping, and you can even use it for subtle tugs to let me know how to move. Hop on."
Spike did not need a second invitation, and was in the saddle with a quickness. With that, she began to introduce the movements to him: piaffe, passages, extended and collected gaits, pirouettes, flying changes, and so forth. Yet, as she went on, Spike was having more and more trouble keeping on board, and kept begging her to slow down. However, she was too into it to notice, and when she went into a piaffe, Spike slid back and found himself bucked onto the ground. Moreover, he panicked, and gave a good yank to the reins as he went, first pulling her up to her hind legs with a harsh whinny, and then wound up landing on top of Spike! Rainbow Dash gave a chuckle and rolled her eyes, saying with the style of sarcasm she was able to muster, "Wow, I see you winning tons of events this season."
Rarity just snuffed and said, "It was only his first time! We'll be ready for certain."
She got up, and Spike just moaned, saying, "I didn't know this was a contact sport… Ooh…"
Twilight laughed, and then said, "Well, do you think you can do it?"
"Well I don't…" Spike started to say, but then Rarity got the pouty eyes going, which melted him in an instant, recovered him, and he was soon up on his feet, saying, "Let's do it!"
"Ah, that's my favorite dragon," said Rarity, "Now, come: we have much to go over."
Rarity then looked over at Applejack, and noticed some bruises on her shins, saying, "And what happened to you."
She rubbed the back of her neck, a little embarrassed, and said, "Well, I gave it a try at th'practice, but I found out that the jumpin' was a bit more than what I would do at a rodeo."
"Really?" asked Twilight, as Big Macintosh came by and just offered his usual, "Yeee-up," as an answer to that. Twilight then added, "And what was the problem?"
"Hmm…" pondered Applejack, "Well, I guess it has sumpthin t'do with how they set up them jumps. Some were wide, and then you had these double and triple jumps at different heights… Tarnation! It was more involved than I thought! Guess I'm gonna halfta to do a lot more jumpin 'round the farm, and a whole lot more apple buckin t'get my jumpin legs stronger fer them wide ones. Boy, my shins sure paid the price for this yesterday!"
"It sounds like so much fun," said Twilight, as Fluttershy then ventured, "Well, how was your visit?"
"Yeah," said Rainbow Dash, now turning her attention to Twilight, "What did you find out?"
At this, everyone stopped to listen, and she got this distant look in her eyes with a contented smile, considering what she learned all meant. "I saw the most amazing thing," answered Twilight, "Can you believe an earth pony could fly without leaving the ground?"
They all looked at each other, and then back at her, as Rainbow Dash asked, "Meaning…"
At this, she described what she saw in the most vivid details. Now, they were mesmerized, and lost in the wonder of what they now knew to be more than just a story, but the legend of possibly the greatest earth pony anypony had ever known. However, her face took on a bit of sadness, and said, "Yet, the sad thing is, our generation and younger, unless they are involved with earth pony athletics, are starting not to remember this. It seems his story, at least to me, is too important to be lost. Maybe we can do something to remember him: a race in his honor, a museum, maybe I could write a book… Yeah, that would be awesome to give that a try!"
"Cool!" said a now excited Pinkie, "Now you can call yourself a princess AND a best-selling author!"
"Um… I think I actually have to write if first before that happens?" answered Twilight in a chuckle.
"Oh, details," said Pinkie with a gesture, "Knowing you and your eye for detail, best seller would be a forgone thing! In fact, I could plan your book rollout party, when you make the best sell list, when you TOP the best seller list…" and so on, pondering all the ways she could celebrate this. Ignoring her, Fluttershy then had to ask, "Well, how would you get started?"
"Good question," pondered Twilight, "Maybe I can start with Mr. O'Leary. He was around at that time. Maybe he could tell me a thing or two and give me some ideas—get me pointed in the right direction."
"Uh… Well, I think he's a bit shy," offered Fluttershy, "I mean, he doesn't seem to go around town a whole lot, and only seems to be at the track when the practice. Perhaps he doesn't want to be bothered."
"Maybe we can catch him at the right time?" offered Twilight, "In fact, you can help me, Fluttershy."
"Me?" offered back a surprised Fluttershy, "Oh no, I couldn't do that. I know so little about him."
"Um...that would be the purpose of the visit," added Twilight, "You have to actually meet someone to know them better."
"Oh…" said Fluttershy, not sure if she wanted to do this. Twilight said, "Come on: it will be okay. I'll send him a message in advance so he can be ready to receive us."
"Mmm…That would be better," responded Fluttershy, "I certainly would like to receive advanced notice."
"Right then," she said, "Can I borrow Spike for a moment, Rarity?"
She nodded, and he hopped off to take a letter.
She got a response rater quickly, stating that he found her project intriguing. He said that he could only offer so much, but then said that he would do what he could. He asked to meet her on his veranda that afternoon at sunset after dinner. They flew up and landed as he relaxed, with a mint julep, and a couple for his guests. "Greetings, my dear princess," he said, raising up to give a bow.
"Oh, please," she said, "You don't have to do that. I still am getting used to this princess thing, and I really don't feel comfortable with it unless it's some kind of formal occasion."
"Ah, and she is the perfect gentlemare," he responded retaking his seat, "Please, would y'all care to partake?"
"Oh, sure, what is it?" she then asked.
"It is a drink from the solid south," he said, "It is also traditionally drunken at th'Ducky Derby. It is a mint julep."
She thanked him and took a spot as she pulled in the tumbler. It seemed slushy, and cold to the touch, and he warned them both, "Be sure to sip it very slowly and make it last. Enjoy the flavor of each sip as long as you can to keep a decent pace."
Not sure what was meant by that, they took a small sip, and both had interesting reactions. Indeed it was both sweet and minty, and even a bit refreshing, but it was also something they felt going down. It went down smooth, but it was first warm, and then cooling. One thing is for certain, and that their sinuses felt clear. "My, is this some kind of potion?" asked Twilight, "What is in this?"
"It has finely crushed ice," he answered, "Mixed in with just enough sugar to sweeten it, and about four or five mint leaves, and about two ounces of a spirit per glass."
"Spirit of what?" asked Fluttershy.
"Um…I think I know what he means," she said, "And he is right: sip very slowly!"
Once it seemed they were feeling a bit more relaxed, Clark asked, "So, what is it that I can assist such an ambitious young mare with in such an undertakin'?"
"Well," pondered Twilight, still savoring the first sip, "I went to the library at Canterlot, and I managed to find the films of Clerkalariet when he won the Triple Crown. I then learned that his story was fading, and people were actually beginning to forget just what he accomplished, and I feared such things being lost. Thus, I want to make sure such a seemingly miraculous pony was never forgotten."
He smiled kindly, and almost looked like he was going to tear up a bit, but then said, "Well, I can start by sayin' that I knew him when we were just a pair of ambitious young colts."
"You knew him?" answered Twilight, genuinely surprised.
"We both came from th'same place," he answered, "I was a young and gifted colt, with a love fer runnin' and speed, just as much as he was. Both our parents thought the same thing, and that we both had potential fer great things, and we both ended up a goin' to a trainin' camp/school for gifted colts and fillies t'allow us schoolin', and a chance t'become genuine racin' ponies. She had it on a former plantation that was converted into a trainin' facility."
"Is that how racing ponies get their starts?" she said, adding a nod to Fluttershy, "Hey, go easy. About half the sips you're taking."
Lost in thought, he continued, saying, "Mostly…but some also come from good schools, get discovered, and other such things. In our case, this was a school run by one Mrs. Sweedly. She had a keen eye fer good ponies, and was the most generous and kindest headmare anyone could ever had wanted. Havin' raced herself on the filly circuit, she knew everythin' about the game. Of course, we were in a school with many other potential legends, so the competition on the track was just as fierce as it was in the classroom. Indeed, Clerkalariet was ahead of us all, and it showed. Runnin' was his life. He seemed addicted to it, as if, if he could not run, he would fade into nuthin."
"Well, it seemed like there could be potential for trouble," answered Fluttershy, seeming more smiling and chatty than normal, "I mean, what if some ponies didn't like that he was doing so well?"
"Funny y'all should mention that," responded Clark, "Because there was some jealousy. I mean, it did seem that sumpthin like what we was doin' was natural t'him, as if he was born fer this. Some admired him. Others became jealous, thinkin' that he must a been doin' sumpthin to get an edge, and not quite honestly. Truth was, he was what he was because he worked so hard at his craft. He'd be puttin' in some extra hours of tranin' absolutely a perfectionist: never satisfied with good enough. I am sure you could picture sumpthin like that?"
She rolled her eyes and laughed, saying, "Actually, more than I would care to admit!"
She then looked at Fluttershy, who was a bit quieter now, but seeming to have slowed down on her tumbler, she not knowing that she had liked the flavor so much, she had actually finished her tumbler and had poured a second from the pitcher on the table. Clark went on to say, "Because of that, they started a'ridin' him sumpthin fierce. He was certainly takin' a lot of teasin' from th'jealous ponies who were not willin' to do the hard work he was willin' t'do. Because of that, he started fallin' behind in everythin'. His grades suffered, and suddenly, he wasn't doin' as good as the other ponies."
"Oh, that's so sad!" responded Fluttershy, but with a bit more gusto than she normally would have.
"Yes," said Twilight, "That seemed so mean."
"It's sumpthin I learned early in the game," he answered, "Gamesmanship. Sometimes, it can be friendly rivalry, tryin' to get th'edge on someone, but sometimes, it can be quite cruel; sometimes called 'ribbin' on the square.' Them ribs can hurt! Yet, trust me, none of this went unnoticed by Mrs. Sweedly. I remember the night after supper he went outside t'just ponder things, lookin' quite down in the muzzle. I followed, and wanted to say sumpthin to bring him up, but Mrs. Sweedly beat me to the punch, so to speak. She sat down, put her arm around him and said, 'Now don't y'all be goin' wobbly on me. You're too good a pony fer that.' He then said, 'But, maybe I ain't no good, like they is sayin.' She sighed and began to gently tousle his mane and said, "Honey, that ain't true at all, so get that silly little notion out'ch yer head. Darlin' you gonna halfta learn right now: there is just some ponies who'll never have the want to's t'do the things it takes t'be good at what they do. You, on the other hand, have that fire, that spirit in you. You want t'run; you know it's all y'all think about, ain't it?' He nodded, startin' to cry a bit, but suckin' it back up. She then told him, a pointin' to the dorms, 'You see them dorms and all who is in 'im? Well, let me tell you the truth: half of them ain't goin' nowhere in their careers. Some may do well, others make a livin', but there ain't but a few that's gonna do the kinds of thing I think you could do if you wanted. Now you: I see y'all maybe the next Triple Crown winner, and maybe win the Feeder's Cup as well' He then said, "Do y'really think so, ma'am?' and she said, 'Oh, absolutely, Little Red,' (that was a nickname he would carry, but later be called Big Red,) 'Don't let anyone tell you can't have yer dreams. They can only be caught if they are like you: willin' to work hard enough t'be fast enough to catch 'em! You are fast enough. Go get 'em!' After that, there weren't nuthin gonna stop him. He started t'win amateur race after amateur race, and all eyes were on him."
"My goodness," mentioned Twilight, "That is so incredible! This Mrs. Sweedly sounds a lot like my former mentor—Princess Celestia."
"Oh, she was more than a mentor," he added, "She was like a second mother t'him, and she was there fer as many races she could be. She was there fer each jewel in his Triple Crown."
"Okay, so what happened in his first race?" asked Twilight, "I bet he must have blown the field away."
Clark began to chortle a bit and then laugh, as he said, "Far from it."
"Really?" she said, confused and now genuinely curious, "What happened."
"I was in that race with him," he answered, "And I tell you, he was a nervous as a long-tailed cat in a rockin' chair contest!"
Twilight laughed, but then became concerned when she heard Fluttershy say, (after a stretch of quiet,) mumble out in sadness, "Oh, that poor, poor kitty."
Before she could react, he went on to say, "He learned quickly about th'pro game, and learned some of the tricks some veterans pull t'throw somepony off his game. He lost his pace and panicked. I wound up right with him as we hit the wire both out of th'top three. You see, as y'race through the season, y'get points for yer placin' in the race. The most go t'the top three: win, place, and show. He remembered what they did, but he was mad at himself that he actually let them get into his head. Mrs. Sweedly had t'calm him down and help him remember that this was only one race; there would be other chances. He seemed th'most scared that he let her down, but he was surprised when she was just as pleased as punch at his first performance, a bein' this was only his first race and finished fourth. That helped him, and from that day on, he never looked back. In fact, he never finished less than show ever again, finishin' first 16 of his first 21 races."
She was jotting this all down with relish, and then asked, "So, if he was so good, why did he retire so soon?"
"Well…" he started to say, looking like he was thinking about what to say, but then he looked at Fluttershy, looking three sheets to the wind, almost unconscious, and now looking like she was ready to sip off the pitcher! She was holding it like a lost kitten as she said, "Oh, I tho love you, Jint Mulep…mmm."
"Oh no…" moaned Twilight, "Something tells me she hasn't had much 'adult beverages' in her lifetime. I guess I can ask you another time for that answer. I have to get her back home."
He laughed, understanding, thanked her for coming, and let her take her friend home.
By this point, she was out of it, and Twilight was now having to walk her home, half draped on her back, with her hind hooves dragging on the ground. However, as she walked, she had time to think about what she had been told. Something seemed odd. It was not odd that he would know some intimate things about this, considering they went to the same school. Yet, somehow, he seemed to be too familiar with things. How did he know that much detail? It was odd, and she would have to try to get that info if she was really going to write a book of history on Clerkalariet. However, this train of thought was stopped just outside Fluttershy's house, who then seemed to be coming too, woozy, moaning, and saying, "Home? How did I get here?"
"I half carried, half dragged you here," sighed Twilight, "I told you to go slow."
"Ugh," she then said, green at the gills, "I don't feel so good…"
"No, wait until…" Twilight started to say, wanting to finish with, "…I get you off my back…" but Fluttershy let loose with a load of chum before she could get her down. Twilight moaned, not believing her misfortune, saying, "Let's get you to bed."
"Ooh, please," said Fluttershy, "I just want to sleep this off and feel better in the morning."
"I don't think so…" thought Twilight, knowing what awaited Fluttershy at the rising sun.
Once home, Spike was already in bed, and she went to the bathroom to clean up before she bedded. Once she did, she decided to find out what "spirit" he was on about in that drink she had enjoyed. She managed to find a book on mixed drinks, and laughed when she found out that the "spirit" was actually bourbon, and that the mint julep was actually considered a very strong drink, but not meant to be drunk quickly, just as Clark had warned. Knowing the dangers of alcohol for those who indulged too much, she then knew she would explain to Fluttershy what had happened to her, hoping it may keep her from that, because it just didn't seem that someone like Fluttershy really needed to be involved with things like that. With that, she went through Zicora's book of potions to help Fluttershy out the next morning when she would awake and find out that gravity works better than she ever knew.