“Sure you can’t stay?” I asked, following Cloudchaser to the train door.
“Are you going to miss me that much?” Cloudchaser teased looking back at me.
“Maybe.” I shifted my eyes skyward, innocently.
“Uh huh, well maybe when you get back we can spend a little time together.” Cloudchaser closed what little distance there was between us quickly, smiling at me mischievously.
“Just a little?” I asked stealing a quick kiss.
“You’re pitiful,” Cloudchaser laughed, wrapping a foreleg around my neck as she pulled me into a much lengthier kiss. “There, something to hold you over until you get back.”
“Bleek!” Star Sprint exclaimed, expressing his distaste for public displays of affection.
Track Pace hadn’t lied when he warned me about him being under hoof. He had been asking Cloudchaser a lot of questions today though, mostly about the Wonderbot Academy. It was nice to have a break, and it gave me a good idea as to how good she really was with foals; she was pretty patient so far.
“You’ll keep an eye on him for me right?” Cloudchaser smiled at the colt.
“Yup, anypony wants to get to him, they have to get through me!” Star Sprint took a fighting stance beside me.
“Good to know you’ve got the best security in Equestria.” Cloudchaser giggled before looking back up at me. She wanted to say something more, but the warning of the train whistle signaled the end of our goodbye.
“Be safe babe.” I said hugging her.
“I will, win this one for me.” Cloudchaser returned the gesture, giving me a quick nuzzle before boarding the train.
---
Two months had flown by, especially with a marefriend waiting for me at Ponyville. I couldn’t let myself get distracted however, today was the big day; the day that would determine my future with Sky Mark.
I felt stronger than I ever had before, even as a human. Lean Streak was a pretty good trainer, and had started to grow on me as a friend. His strict attitude had softened a bit, and he had thankfully gained a sense of humor, especially after I pulled him into the pool once during training, much to his dismay.
Today was no joking matter however; the barely audible commotion of the steadily crowding track seats was a clear indication of that. It did little to settle my nerves; I had to prove that I could do this. Fond memories of Cloudchaser wishing me luck before returning to Ponyville were my only comfort, knowing I had one pony rooting for me.
“You ready hot shot?” Lean Streak asked, tossing a roster towards me.
“Not really…hey, where am I on here?” I asked confused.
“Sky Mark didn’t like Daniel, didn’t sound…normal. So I had to come up with something that the league would approve and Sky Mark would sign off on,” Track Pace explained. “You’re official track name is Blue Bullet.”
“Blue Bullet?” I almost laughed, cocking an eyebrow at him.
“What? I threw over fifty names at him! Don’t give me that!” Track pace huffed.
“Sky Mark must think I’m going to flop.” I sighed.
“You’ve got the chance of a life time in front of you. Whitefire is racing today, you beat him and you’ll catch more than just Sky Mark’s attention.” Lean Streak smirked.
“You really expect me to beat him? He’s ranked in the top fifteen; I’m just some smuck from Ponyville.” I scoffed.
“I didn’t train you to be some run of the mill smuck. You’ve got the stuff to prove everypony here wrong, you proved me wrong, so don’t tell me you can’t do it. You go out there and you show those featherheads what you’re made of, got it?” Lean Streak asked rhetorically.
“Yes sir.” I replied.
“No, say it like you mean it!” Lean Streak slammed his hoof against the cold concrete.
“Yes sir!” I said with more confidence behind my voice.
“Good, now suit up. We’ve got a race to win.” he said with a knowing grin.
The suit consisted of an almost silk like mask, with a matching vest, both forest green in color. I could tell Track Pace had done his best without Sky Mark’s support. He had done his part, now it was my turn to come through for him, and I wasn’t in the habit of letting ponies down.
After slipping both articles of clothing on, I followed Lean Streak down the long, dimly lit tunnel. The stomping and cheering was steadily growing louder, causing my blood to stir. There was another racer in the tunnel that glared at me hatefully, I brushed him off, this was a competition after all.
Finally, we reached the track, my heart pounding in my chest as I observed the crowd that had come out to watch us. A sharp slap to my side snapped me out of my state of disbelief. Ike was grinning like an idiot, joined by his brother Mike.
“I guess you already know about who you’re up against huh?” Mike asked.
“Yeah, what about the others?” I didn’t want to underestimate any of them, being the new colt on the block.
“They’re all small time, just focus on getting past W-“ Ike was interrupted by a swift punch from Mike, silencing him as a stallion and mare pegasus approached us.
The mare was much shorter than the stallion, her coat was yellow with a purple and red mane and tail. She smirked at Track Pace and Lean Streak, ignoring me completely. The stallion was almost as tall as Big Mac. His coat was solid white his mane and tail were silver with black streaks running through them. His blue eyes locked onto me, sizing me up.
“I didn’t expect you to even show up; I guess Sky Mark paid you overtime to come out her just to watch the races huh? Must be nice.” the mare said.
“We’re here for him. You’d be wise to go back to your booth, April Rain.” Track Pace warned.
“Him? Really? Where did you find this one? In a ditch somewhere?” April Rain laughed.
Lean Streak was silent; he looked over at me with and shook his head no briefly. I wanted to respond, but he wanted me to hold back. I nodded and reluctantly swallowed my pride, for the moment.
“Well, at least you have him trained. Your work Lean Streak?” April asked, frowning when my trainer remained unresponsive. “Whitefire hasn’t had a good race in a long time, at least try to give him that, newbie.”
Whitefire continued to stare down at me, his presence was by no means malicious, but his silence made me wonder what was going on in his mind. His black outfit was a bit more detailed than mine; he was the spitting image of everything I felt like I was supposed to be.
“Uh, good luck today.” I said.
Whitefire remained silent, walking towards the starting line. The other racers were gathering there now, all of them eyeing the silent stallion nervously, was he really that good? He had to be if he was in the top fifteen, but to the point that the others were that skittish of him made me wonder if I had any real chance today.
“Don’t get psyched out!” Lean Streak stormed in front of me, pulling on my mask until I was eye to eye with him. “Don’t be afraid, get angry!”
“Hey, you’ve got this. Send that prissy mare home crying for us, got it? Ike, go put a thousand on him.” Track Pace said, Ike giving a salute before galloping away.
“A thousand bits? Are you nuts!?” I asked.
“No, just confident,” Track Pace said as he turned his head towards a screen that was beginning to count down. “They’re about to start.”
I left my team, the only real support I had today. Nopony knew my name, knew why I was here, or cared whether I won or lost except them. Still, having a few friends was better than having none at all. Besides, I wasn’t here for glory, or to beat my chest; I was here for her.
“Position six.” an earth pony said as I approached. Being on the outside meant I would have to work to get into the inner position. Lucky me, Whitefire was in position one.
“Remember why you’re here.” I whispered to myself as the noise from the crowd started to pick up.
3…2…1…BANG
“And they’re off, Whitefire immediately breaking away, followed by-“ an announcers voice boomed above the noise from the spectators.
I ignored his fast paced gibberish, leveling out above the marker like I had been taught to do. Everything was going good so far, I was already in fourth. Today fourth wasn’t going to cut it; I had to bring Whitefire and his sponsor down a notch.
I watched as the second place racer tried to pass Whitefire, only to be left behind as he put more distance between the would be challenger. It was the same story for another racer trying to catch up to him; it was as if he wasn’t even beginning to tap into how fast he could really fly.
---
“They’re leaving the second turn, why is he not trying to take it from him? He should be pressing him!” Mike exclaimed nervously.
“He knows what he’s doing, have a little faith.” Lean Streak snorted, hiding his own concerns.
The two pegasi that had tried to pass Whitefire were now falling behind, one even fell below the line, disqualifying him. Moving Daniel up to third, it wasn’t good enough though; Sky Mark wanted a win.
“Why isn’t he trying to catch up to him?” Track Pace asked, leaning over to Lean Streak.
“He’s waiting for the right opportunity. He doesn’t want to get outpaced by Whitefire so he’s letting the other dimwits try and tucker him out. I just hope it doesn’t-oh no…what’s he doing?” Lean Streak’s theory was tarnished as Daniel began to speed up towards Whitefire as they entered the third turn.
“Is it too late to change the bet to Whitefire?” Ike sighed.
---
Whitefire’s neon green flight trail was an impressive sight, especially up close. It seemed to explode with energy as I started to approach him, steadily gaining on the track favorite. I had been pacing myself after watching the others recklessly charge forward, now it was time to try and give Whitefire a dose of his own medicine.
He wordlessly glanced back at me, increasing his speed to what he felt was appropriate. Sweat was visible on his brow, but he didn’t give the impression that he was fazed by the stress he was putting his body through.
His endurance is incredible, I’m going to have to dig deep to beat him…here we go! I snarled as I picked up speed alongside him.
Whitefire glanced back at me once more, surprised that I wasn’t falling back like the others. For a split second I thought I saw a smile as we exited the third turn. I was now flying beside him, flight muscles burning, heart pounding, but having the time of my life.
Where did you find this one? In a ditch somewhere? April’s words echoed through my head.
‘Time to show her what a ‘ditch’ pony can do!’ I glanced over at Whitefire whose smile was starting to grow. He couldn’t help it if his sponsor was a jerk, he seemed like an okay stallion who just wanted to enjoy the race instead of be concerned about the bits involved.
My lungs were burning now as sweat started to mat my coat. Whitefire was starting to lose his composure as well, he had been masking his exhaustion well, but it was finally catching up to him. Still, he didn’t seem angry or upset that I was still beside him, he seemed happy.
I couldn’t help but smile as well, as we exited the final turn, finish line in sight. It was now or never, I forced my tired body forward, surging ahead of Whitefire, only for him to catch back up, refusing to yield first place to me.
A bright flash caught my attention as we flew past the finish line. I started to slow down on unsteady wings; keeping up with Whitefire had been the perfect stress test for me. Now, the question was who had won after being neck and neck right until the camera flash.
I looked up at the board that was meant to display the position of the racers. There, in first place, was my name, well, the name Track Pace had come up with. I pulled the sweaty mask off of my face in disbelief, I had actually beaten Whitefire?
“No way…” I mumbled, the cheers from the crowd were continuing to rise in volume again as the announcer finished his spill about who the victor was.
The ground rushed up to meet as I was tackled in a group hug from Ike and Mike. Lean Streak sighed as he approached me with a smile breaking through his tough exterior. The two brothers helped me back up after the initial excitement was over; I was exhausted and couldn’t fully share their enthusiasm.
“I’m proud of you, Daniel.” Lean Streak said.
“No…more Rookie?” I asked, still trying to catch my breath.
“Don’t get too used to it, winning this doesn’t mean I’m going to start going easy on you. It only gets harder from here on out.” Lean Streak replied, his gruff voice returning full force.
Whitefire walked past my mentor, ignoring the others as he zeroed in on me. A small smile was still on his face, even though he had come in second, he didn’t seem bothered by not winning overall today. He extended his hoof to me, which I bumped with my own.
“You’re one tough flyer. I don’t think I want to go up against you again anytime soon…no offense.” I said.
“Likewise....what’s your real name?” Whitefire asked.
“Daniel.” I replied.
“An odd name for an odd pegasus…I won’t forget it.” Whitefire commented.
“There you are!” exclaimed a harsh voice that made me flinch. “You! You little upstart! Do you have any idea how much I just lost because of you!?” April Rain glared at me furiously.
“April!” Whitefire snapped, his deep voice causing the mare to cower. “Leave him be, he won fair and square.”
April Rain’s response made me question who was really in control in their relationship. I had assumed Whitefire was the strong silent type that simply went where he was told, but he had character lying beneath those cold blue eyes.
“Until we meet again.” Whitefire turned around, his smile fading as he did so. I could have sworn I heard April Rain mumble something under her breath as she walked beside him.
“I don’t like that mare.” I sighed.
“That makes two of us,” Track Pace said casting a quick glance towards the defeated duo. “I knew you had it in you. It’s time to see if we can’t make this official, you held up your end of the bargain after all.”
"What now?" my muzzle scrunched up in confusion.
"Sky Mark wants to speak with you." Track Pace explained.
---
It had been a while since I had been in Sky Mark's office. The baby blue stallion sat at his desk, a business pony smile stretched wide across his muzzle. It put me on edge, even though the old stallion probably couldn't hurt a flee if he tried now.
"Well, I'll be honest, I put money down on Whitefire," Sky Mark confessed, my expression falling into one that clearly displayed my desire to kick him in the balls. "That being said, Track Pace put a thousand down on you and turned a huge profit."
I remained silent, unwilling to play whatever game it was Sky Mark was trying to draw me into. I didn't trust business men back on Earth, I wasn't about to trust business ponies either.
"You gonna say something?" Sky Mark asked, raising an eye brow at me questioningly.
"I'm very tired, you just confessed to betting against me, what would you like me to say?" I asked calmly.
Sky Mark's only response was to take a long drag from his cigar. Track Pace's eyes bounced nervously between the two of us, as if he was expecting a fight to break out at any given second.
The old pegasus suddenly lost his composure, bursting into a fit of laughter. He leaned back in his seat, dropping his cigar on accident. He looked back at me only to laugh again, irritating me slightly.
"Oh, Track Pace, why'd you have to find a racer who's easy to bust in the balls!" Sky Mark managed to get out before dissolving into another laughing fit.
I rolled my eyes, I thought earning Lean Streak's respect was hard. Getting Sky Mark to take me seriously would be a miracle.
"Oh mercy....you're gonna have to loosen up before we start talking contracts." Sky Mark straightened himself out in his seat, focusing on me once more.
"Sorry, the whole betting against me thing doesn't really jive well with me." I said.
"I see, well if you want to get technical about it, you weren't my racer. You were, and still are, Track Pace's responsibility at the moment," Sky Mark dropped his cheerful attitude in favor of a far more serious one. "I'm offering you the chance to be a real racer."
Sky Mark motioned for me to come closer with his hoof. I did so reluctantly, spotting a folder on his desk that had my "track name" on it. I had wanted a job, but being employed under Sky Mark left an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, unless.
“Who would I answer to now?” I asked.
“Well, we’d get you a proper trainer, I’m sure Lean Streak has put you through Tatarus and back. Not to men-“ Sky Mark replied.
“No deal.” I said, enjoying the surprised look on the stallions face.
“…are you serious?” Sky Mark’s tone was cold now, as if I had just slapped him across his smug muzzle.
“Sorry, but I won because of the team that trained me. I don’t want a new one.” I had to stand my ground now. How could I just abandon the ones that actually had faith in me?
“I’m not going to offer you this chance again. Lean Streak had a good run, but his time is over now. You have to think about the future, about what you want. Forget those other guys; this is your opportunity to be somepony.” Sky Mark leaned forward on his desk, pressing his hooves together to support his head.
“So you can do the same thing to me in the long run? Good luck with your life, Sky Mark.” I turned to leave the office and was about to push open the door when I heard him call out to me.
“Suit yourself, there was another candidate anyways, from Ponyville, like you. He’s going to be the one to put that little mud hole you crawled out of on the map. This was your one chance…remember that on your trip home.” Sky Mark mocked.
“I may have crawled out of a mud hole, but at least I’m not some heartless monster, that thinks others are just disposable tools.” with that, I left Sky Mark’s office, hearing a loud, furious shout come from within once the door had closed again.
It was hard to keep a strong mask on as I left the building; after I had worked so hard I had been given a deal I couldn’t accept. I had come to Las Pegasus with only one friend by my side, Track Pace. Lean Streak, Mike, Ike and Star Sprint had all been there for me in one way or another, I wasn’t going to just dismiss all of the work they had put in to making me what I was.
“Daniel, wait!” I heard Track Pace shout as I unfurled my wings.
“Make it quick please.” I said, delaying my take off.
“Do they really mean that much to you?” Track Pace asked.
“Yes, you do too. I was just some accident from Ponyville, you guys helped make me something. I don’t know how else to say it.” I replied.
“Well…then I guess I’m out of a job too.” Track Pace sighed.
“Don’t quit because of me-“ I said.
“You don’t understand, you were part of a deal. I had to get Sky Mark a racer, if you don’t sign, I’m out of a job.” Track Pace interrupted me.
“So what am I supposed to do now? I got five ponies fired in one day….shit!” I exclaimed kicking a nearby empty bottle away.
“Go home to your sister, spend some time with your marefriend. Everything will work out fine…you trust me?” Track Pace asked placing a hoof on my shoulder. I started to look down, until a firm shake from the unicorn got my attention again. “Hey, none of that now, let Sky Mark be a prick. Just trust me when I tell you everything’s going to work out, okay?”
“Yeah….what about you?” I asked, cocking an eyebrow curiously as he fished something out of his pocket.
“It’ll take more than one bad day at the office to keep me down. If you want to live in Las Pegasus you’ve got to have an ace in the hole. Speaking of which, I believe this is yours.” Track Pace said passing me a check.
“That’s a lot of zeros…” I said looking at the check wide eyed.
“Don’t blow it all at once alright? Go home, and do what I told ya. Like Sky Mark said, you’re my responsibility.” Track Pace said, patting me on the back before walking away.
---
The overnight train ride was mostly a sleepless one. One of which I spent most of my time staring down at the mask that I had worn yesterday. Vacant eye holes stared back at me, their emptiness a grim reminder of what I had walked away from. I was thankful that I had the train car to myself to reflect on my decision.
“I let everypony down….” I sighed, letting the mask fall to the floor.
Should I have just signed myself over to Sky Mark? It was too late to go back now, but he clearly had no intention of changing his mind about getting rid of Lean Streak and the others. In an effort to try and stand up for them, I had only gotten another pony fired. How could Track Pace still want to be friends after that?
I could finally feel exhaustion start to win over my will to stay awake. The stress from worrying about what I was going to do next didn’t help either. My head slowly started to bob as I fought in vain to stay awake.
“Just for a second…” I mumbled, giving in to my tired bodies’ desire for rest.
---
Filthy Rich was reading the paper per his morning ritual, word was spreading quickly about the upset at the Las Pegasus races. He was a bit miffed that his bet on White Wash had been, well, a wash. Still, Whitefire didn't fare much better coming in second too...no, it couldn't be.
The stallion in the picture had a very familiar cutie mark. He had heard about what happened, and seen him after the change, but he never expected him to make something out of a bad situation. He looked to the side roster to see who the luck businesspony was that had signed him, only to let out a huff of confusion when he didn't see anypony's name beside "Blue Bullet".
"Whoever agreed to that name deserves to be beaten until they find a creative bone in their body to break." Filthy Rich said shaking his head.
The name wasn't that important, what was important was the floating racer from Ponyville. Somepony had seen a diamond in the rough, and they weren't wrong. Filthy Rich had seen a few of his friends putting up little post to welcome him back to Ponyville, he was coming home soon.
The businesspony nodded as he quickly came to a decision about how best to “welcome” this stallion back.