Subject 49: Race To Make The Case
“Okay kid, listen. First thing’s first. We’re gonna get you something to eat, and then--”
But she wasn’t done. She was ready to go further. “Okay fine...but after that, I’m gonna participate. I’m gonna show everypony that I’m not...who I was.”
I fell silent. I liked her idea. Maybe if she did run, she would be seen as somepony who followed through on her plans. But first, I needed her to relax. “Hang on, kid. Let’s take a break.” I took her to a nearby sandwich shop. Corkscrew's family owned it. They had the best pastas and hot sandwiches around. But I decided to get her something a bit...different. We both sat outside at a table with the warm sun that welcomed us.
I set a fresh, steaming bowl of lentil soup in front of her and a glass of lemonade. “Oh...thank you, sir…” she thanked me and started to sip from the bowl.
I was happy to see her eat something, though I wasn’t hungry. When you need to focus on something so important, eating a lot becomes secondary. “No problem. But now...let’s back the scene up a little. Just what all did you do to catch the attention of a famous singer and former alicorns?”
When I looked up, she had finished half of the bowl of soup already. Damn, just how hard had she been working? “Oh um...I put out posters and fliers. Made use of the local newspapers, billboards, and...Twilight.”
I nearly spat out my tea. “All of this in three days?”
Cozy’s response was a silent nod while she avoided eye contact.
Most impressive. Her talent for ‘manipulation’ was rather deceptive. Cozy’s cutie mark was the Rook. A stalwart, strong piece on the board that can only travel vertically or horizontally in a straight path to kill unknowing foes. Stronger than the exclusively-diagonal Bishop and awkward-to-control Knight, this piece is often considered strongest next to the Queen itself.
It originated from the siege tower. A weaponized vehicle that could only roll in a straight line, but tall enough for the individuals hidden within to scale the ramparts of the enemy castle. A trojan of sorts. Military experts reported that the initial designs were laughed off and considered insignificant until they were used to win wars.
Or so they said. I wasn’t a historian.
Regardless, Cozy Glow’s mind was filled with untapped potential. Potential that could either save the world or destroy it. Unfortunately, the latter was attempted and failed. But maybe the former…
“Amazing job, kid,” I put a hoof on her head and ruffled her mane to see how she’d react. A gesture one would make to a younger sibling.
For a split second, I noticed her glare at me, but the expression went away just as fast as it had appeared on her face. She casually swatted my hoof with her own. “No need for any of that, sir. I’m just doing what anypony else would do.” Once she finished eating, and the contents of the glass were empty, Cozy got up from her seat. “Alright, I think I’m ready. The race starts soon so I need to go stretch. Wish me luck.”
“No problem, kid…” I waved at the young mare as she left.
But I wasn’t having it. There was no way I was going to simply let her out of my sight so easily. I officially needed all hooves on deck to watch out for her. If she was going to run this race, then things needed to be kept safe. Especially given the fact that the trial against Neighsay was set to begin the day after tomorrow.
Once everything was set into place, I paced along the trail for the Running of the Leaves. All the way from the finish line to the starting line. Nothing suspicious or out of the ordinary yet. But I refused to lose my cool.
Eventually, on my way back there, I ran into the Mayor.
“Ah, Mr. Vestige,” she greeted me with a smile. She was getting ready to kick off the marathon that was set to begin in just a few minutes. “Here to watch Cozy run with the Leaves?”
I nodded. “Indeed. I’d participate myself, but...well I’m rather past the state of frivolity with my occupation.”
“There’s nothing frivolous about a good run,” she replied, “But most importantly, I sincerely hope whatever little idea she had works out. Ponyville’s Traditions are still dear to us all. But some ponies think they’re not worth keeping around. Can you believe that?”
Of course I could. Someone somewhere always wanted to ruin the fun of someone else. But I wasn’t going to stand for it. “Naturally. But the important thing is doing what makes you happy--assuming it doesn’t harm yourself or others around you of course.” Though I was surprised to hear the Mayor knew of Cozy’s plans, I guess it made sense. One would have to get permission from the political leader to enact anything. “Um...just what did she tell you she would do?”
The Mayor gazed at me with a secretive sort of smile. “Oh...you’ll find out soon. Things are looking up. If you catch my drift, heheh…”
“Up?” I tilted my head towards the sky. What I saw was not something I had expected. Several Pegasus ponies flew in the air with a massive banner that read: ‘RUNNING OF THE LEAVES. THE MOST EPIC HOOFRACE.’
The Mayor grabbed a megaphone and shouted. “All contestants please report to the starting line!”
Crowds started to form. All of the folks that wanted to race started to gather up. Just as Cork reported, Ms. Coloratura was one of the contestants. Though she lacked all of her usual makeup and sported a simple look with her hair tied back and a number on her flank: 70.
Former Princess Luna and Princess Cadance also arrived in casual sports attire--which simply amounted to hoofbands. Luna was number 21 and Cadance was number 69.
“Seriously?” I heard her comment as she looked at the number placed on her flank. “Somepony on the race management team is super immature.”
Luna simply laughed at her expense, which made the slightly annoyed Princess of Love to giggle with her.
To keep things fair, Celestia enchanted the track which disabled all of their special alicorn abilities. Wait, Celestia was here too?
“Celes--”
“Shhh!” she shushed me while she hid behind a tree to mask her presence. Guess she didn’t want to be found out today. Heh.
The last special guest was Gabby, one of the Griffon ambassadors between the two races. I still wondered how well she would do in a race that she wasn’t allowed to fly in. She was numbered 40.
Cozy Glow took her spot in the starting line at the edge away from everyone else. Her eyes were shut. She must have been focusing hard on something. That was what I thought since I saw her exhale, and open her eyes just a few moments later. She was numbered 18.
Once everyone got to their positions, the crowd grew larger and larger. More ponies--and various other creatures--than ever before had arrived for this occasion.
“Well I’ll be…” To say that I was impressed would be an understatement. The kid actually managed to pull this off and bring in more attention to an event that was nearly canceled. However, whether or not we would have any donors was yet to be seen. For now, all we could do was hope that the race would go on without any hitches.
The Mayor’s voice rang out over the crowd through the megaphone once more. “We are gathered here today to kick off the beginning of the Fall and Harvest Season with the Annual Running of the Leaves!”
The crowd let out whoops and cheers of joy. The racers steeled themselves.
“Such an amazing turnout today!” the head of Ponyville continued, “Let’s all have fun out there, and don’t forget: Everypony is a winner no matter where you place! Runners! Are you ready?”
“YEAH!” cried all of those at the start line in unison.
“On your marks...get set…”
HONK!
The Mayor pressed down on an air horn which gave the signal for everyone to begin, They all took off at a brisk, but moderate gallop. After all, it was a marathon, not a sprint. But more importantly, I had eyes above and below to keep tabs on this little race. Yes, Cozy getting the support of donors was the priority, but I had a sneaking...suspicion. A feeling, so to speak.
No, no. Something was up. I knew it. Things were going too smoothly. Call it paranoia, but part of me just couldn’t shake the feeling of...something wrong. Call a detective’s intuition.
“Where are you going?” I heard the Mayor ask from behind me.
“To keep an eye out.” I started a brisk walk on the side of the path in which the Running took place. Beautiful bronze leaves were felled from the trees. A sight that relaxed me somewhat. But even so, something was wrong here. I feared for the kid’s safety.
Turns out my suspicions would be unfortunately rewarded.
I didn’t even pass through one-quarter of the marathon’s pathway before I came across something odd. I could smell something inorganic that came from one of the leaf piles. “Hm?” I stepped onto the empty track, and dug into the pile. From within, I found...an old piece of apple-shaped jewelry? A golden necklace with an apple pendant to be exact. This had to belong to a member of the Apple family. And next to it…
“No…”
Pink pegasus feathers. An exact match to Cozy’s coloration. No. No way. I refused to believe that the kid would do something like this. Someone had to be setting her up. Why? It was simple. Once the marathon was over, pegasus ponies would bring in strong winds to blow the fallen leaves around. When that came to pass, these piles would be uncovered and reveal the stolen items!
“Shit!” That would incriminate Cozy and undo all of the progress she made up to this point! With dread in my stomach, I looked ahead at the rest of the track. Dozens and dozens of leaf piles all laid about from the work of the racers. This was bad. I’d have to go through each one in order to be absolutely certain of what was happening here.
Fortunately, I had an ace up my nonexistent sleeves.
I made use of Flash Drive’s magical communicator that I had placed in my ear. “Cork, Neon, Flash, Gutter. Come in.”
“Sir!” They all sounded off together.
I explained the situation to them, and gave them each an objective. “Cork and Gutter, fly ahead of the racers and see if you can spot anypony suspicious.”
“On it boss!” he said.
“Let’s bring ‘em down! ORA-ORA!” she replied.
“Neon. Stay hidden in the crowd and question anyone you deem suspicious.”
“Right-o, boss. Let’s give ‘em a proper welcome.”
“Flash Drive, I need you here with me to go through these leaf piles and gather evidence.”
“Right then, bruv. I’m with ye.”
“Alright...let’s bust this case up. Eyes wide open, crew. Eyes wide open.”
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😟 Someone is framing Cozy and is likely in the race? 😠 Damnit! Cozy painstakingly arranged all this to earn the populaces' trust, not damage it! 😟 Hope Pale and the others get ahead of this and stop these guys before it gets worse.
10458992
That's what happens when certain individuals still hate your guts. Don't worry, they'll figure it out.
I could never understand chess. I don’t get why the king only moves one while the queen moves anywhere.
Someone rob from Applejack’s farm?! They must be dumb to rob from an Element from Harmony and they’re might be many pink pegasi that matches Cozy’s color. Maybe her parents?
10459049
It's a strange game for sure. But Rook is one of the strongest.
And yeah, they're kinda dumb for that.
Who is it? You'll find out soon...
Only one issue Celestia and Luna are still Alicorns I think you ment to refer to them as former Princesses.
Honestly I my self thought it made more sense for Celestia to become a full time Teacher and Principal of the Unicorn School once she gave up the throne and Luna to become more dedicated to her roll as the Head of S.M.I.L.E. Either that or retire for like 100 years before growing tired of it and start a "Royal Rotation" with the ruleing princess(es) retiring every 100 years while another came out of retirement to replace them for the next 100 years. That wat the Immortal rules could avoid lapses in sanity caused by beuricratic drugery by taking extended personal time every so often.
10459456
You know what, that might've been a good idea. But the princesses really want to just relax instead of doing more work. They've been busy for centuries! XD
Here's a little tidbit between two characters. Use it or not, it's your choice.
Pale: "You know, if you keep calling me 'Sir', it'll make me feel old."
Cozy: "You keep calling me 'Kid', it'll make me feel young."
Pale: (smiles) "How about, for argument's sake, we call each other by name and not something that can potentially peeve us off. Deal?"
Cozy: (smiles) "Deal."
10459518
Now that's just adorable! Is it a reference to something?
10459556
No, just something I came up with inside my head. But it'd be cool if it was a reference, though. I might have more if it helps for future posts.
10459629
I like it. It's a nice exchange! 😁
10459645
😉 Thanks. Let me just say that this is a great story that actually addresses the flaws in the show that the writers didn't bother with. Like Cozy's fate, for example. The whole point of the show was to have balance in the world, not imbalance. Good can't survive without evil and vice versa. Pale is the type of pony who likes to ensure balance in the world, even though there are others that disagree like Quick Draw. And I'm happy that he started with Cozy because, to me, she was dealt a bad hoof by equestrian society and decided to fight back and not be pushed around anymore. Which is why I'm rooting for this to work. I can't speak for Chrysalis or Tirek, but Cozy needs this. She needs this fresh start to have a life that was unjustly denied from her.
And if this shadowy group has a problem with that to the point of collateral damage, then they are the true monsters. Not Cozy.
Yes, Cozy has made enemies and did bad things in the past. But that's in the past. It should stay where it is. Right now? She's trying to better herself and they are hindering that. There's an old saying, 'Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.' Neighsay is no different. So I await his trial. And here's to hoping for a future for Cozy.
10459680
Aw thank you! Yes, the intent behind this story is to address several flaws. Not just with the writers, but with the very foundation of Equestria itself and how certain individuals are treated unfairly based on where they come from. (Such as Sombra). As well as the flaws within Celestia and Luna's rule and how Twilight can improve. As an added bonus, exploration of the potential of the earth pony race is something that the show really failed at. Pegasi and Unicorn abilities are given lots of development, but earth pony abilities aren't Shame. So I decided to do it all myself.
And yes, Neighsay imo was redeemed far too fast for it to be believable for me. He wasn't given the proper time to be a true antagonist, so I decided to do that for him here. We never learn why he was so racist against non-ponies and why he does things the way he does. So I do intend to explore that with the trial. Cozy will get her chance for sure.
Hope you enjoy the rest!
10459697
😁 Believe me, JM, I will.
10459490
Well they ARE immortals, they "retired" for now, but in the future who knows?
Cozy actually pulled it off it seems. Looks like she shares Pale's work ethic. Hopefully Pale and his group can stop this silly framing attempt.
I don't think she likes being treated like a kid.
I don't think this is the E gang's doing as it is not that extreme. Could actually be an Apple family member.