//-------------------------------------------------------// The Rainbooms meet the Rad Rods -by Brian Sheil- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Here come the Rad Rods //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Here's an unusual meeting for you. Musical maidens meeting motorized off beats. Here come the Rad Rods Inside a diner, Rarity gathered her friends for a very important event coming to Canterlot City. "Now that you got us here, Rares," Rainbow Dash said, "what's this all about?" "I agree." Twilight added, cleaning her glasses. "I was just enjoying a good book when you called us." "I have a special announcement, darlings." Rarity announced. "There's going to be a special monster truck show at the sports arena in five days." "Hoo-wee!" Applejack cheered. "Them automobile type shows are usually full of surprises." "Here's a surprise for you. One of the drivers is that outrageous character: Rat Fink." Everybody got shocked. "RAT FINK?" Rarity pulled put a picture from her purse, and showed it to her friends. It was a photo of a human sized green rat wearing a pair of orange overalls with a bright yellow "RF" on them. "Oh my." Fluttershy gasped. "I heard of this critter." "Me too." Rainbow added. "He's supposed to be one of the most insane monster truck drivers known to anyone." "Especially in his freaky vehicle: The Rocking Roaster." Twilight said, adding new information. "Also," Rarity said, "Rat Fink is bringing along his crew with him." "A pit crew?" Pinkie wondered. "Not exactly, Pinkie. His crew is a gang of motorists labeled 'The Rad Rods'." Sunset's eyes widened hearing the crew name. "You mean Drag Lover, Gearhead, Junkyard Kid, and Dragnut?" "That's them, darling." "Oh boy. I wonder if those guys have their own vehicles." "It's very possible." This is big news indeed. At another table, Vinyl Scratch, Photo Finish, and Octavia heard the conversation. "You hear that?" Vinyl cheered. "Rat Fink and the Rad Rods are going to do a show at the stadium in five days." "Excellent." Photo added. "Me and my assistants will be ready for that show." Octavia just rolled her eyes about the news. "Oh boy." The next day, the seven friends made their way to a local race track, hearing that the Rad Rods are preparing for their show. Luckily, it was a week off from school. So, they have lots of time to check these characters out. "Are you sure those Rad Rods are around here?" Rainbow Dash asked. "From what I heard," Twilight explained, "those guys are in this track readying their vehicles for the show." Fluttershy starts to get nervous. "Rarity, about that picture you showed us of Rat Fink?" "Yes, Fluttershy." Rarity replied. "Why?" The nature lover points to something near the gate. It turned out to be the wild and crazy Rat Fink himself. "No way!" Rainbow Dash gasped. "IT'S RAT FINK!" Suddenly, Rat Fink walks over to the girls. After looking at them, he got excited. "Well, well." Rat Fink said with a growling voice. "If it isn't the Rainbooms. I was hoping to meet you." "You know about us?" Rarity asked. "I sure do. Honest cowgirl Applejack, nature girl Fluttershy, party girl Pinkie Pie, sports babe Rainbow Dash, fancy lady Rarity, groovy leather clad Sunset Shimmer, and brainiac Twilight Sparkle." Twilight was shocked at this rodents descriptions of her and her friends. "Wow! You must've done your own research." Rat Fink twirled his tail in the air as he continued his conversation. "So, you girls have come to check out me and my boys." "We have gotten very curious." Sunset replied. "We heard of you and the Rad Rods. But, we never knew you were coming to town." "Most people are always shocked at the sight of us." Rat Fink then turned over to the track. "Follow me, friends." The girls follow Rat Fink into the track area. They see a red open pit truck with a shifter that has an 8 ball for a handle. "So, this is your Rocking Roaster." Sunset figured. "You got it, Sunset." Rat Fink replied. "My pride and joy. This truck and I make a groovy team." "Unless there's a malfunction." Rarity said with concern. "Do you have your other vehicle, the Sonic Scream, on standby." "Oh yeah. I use the Sonic Scream for other performances." Suddenly, Fluttershy screamed and hid behind Rainbow Dash. "What's the matter, Fluttershy?" Rainbow asked with concern. Fluttershy pointed to a yellow skinned character with one eye and black hair. He had on dark gray pants with suspenders. Figuring who it is, Applejack approached him. "Drag Lover, I presume." "You guessed correctly, hombre." Drag Lover replied. The girls looked at Drag Lover with curiosity. "You sure are a strange looking fellow." Rarity said. "You mean because I have one eye?" Drag Lover asked. "Indeed. Many people might think you're a descendant of a Cyclops from ancient times." This got the one eyed motorist curious. "I never thought of that." Twilight started studying an interesting vehicle that uses treads instead of wheels. It's body is fashioned after a tank turret. "The dynamics of this vehicle Is amazing." Twilight chirped happily. "Careful, Twilight." Sunset suggested. "That's Drag Lover's Turbo Tank." Drag Lover then approached his vehicle. "It figures that the intellect of this group would be fascinated with my tank." "I think this is one of most unique vehicles I ever saw." Twilight praised. "It's as unique as you." "Really? Thanks." Fluttershy saw an interesting character. He is an orange skinned fellow with blue jeans, black shoes, and an engine on his head. He was waxing what looks like a teal dune buggy. "I think I've heard of you." Fluttershy said to the strange person. "You must be Gear Head." "That's right." Gear Head replied. "Pleased to meet you." "I see you're shining up your vehicle: The Beach Bomber." "Yep. Got to keep it shiny for the show." "Looks like your nature loving friend is making a new friend." Rat Fink figured. "Well," Rarity said, " despite having an engine on his head, Gear Head doesn't look too freaky." "Good point." Suddenly, Sunset felt an arm over her shoulder. She turned and saw a red skinned man giving her a sharp toothed smile. He has yellow hair and wears a torn pink tank top, yellow pants and pink shoes. "So, you're Sunset Shimmer." The freaky looking man said. "Nice to meet ya." Sunset realized who this character is. "You must be Rat Fink's best bud: The Junkyard Kid." "That's me, babe." "Junkyard Kid has been there for me for a long time." Rat Fink said. "We help each other in a big way when it comes to our rides." "Speaking of vehicles," Applejack interrupted as she turns to Junkyard Kid, "Where's yours: The Clod Hopper?" "I was just tuning it up when I saw you ladies." Junkyard replied. The girls looked at a yellow truck with a skull on the stick shifter. "Some truck." Pinkie chirped. "Huh, Dashie?" "I have to admit." Dash replied. "Junkyard Kid has got one crazy ride." "I appreciate the compliment, Rainbow." Junkyard said happily. Suddenly, a motorcycle was heard. Everyone turned and saw a wild looking man wearing an orange shirt, black pants and black shoes. Wearing a helmet, he revs up an ATV and rides by. Pinkie hid behind Applejack. "Sorry, Applejack." Pinkie said nervously. "Whoever that was, he freaked me out." The freaky person stopped to talk to the frightened party girl. "Sorry I scared you, Pinkie Pie. I thought I make a grand entrance." The girls looked uncertain as Rat Fink and his friends chuckled. "Hey!" Twilight said as she realized who this fellow is. "You must be Dragnut. And, this ATV is your Haulin Hog." "You guessed it, Alberta Einstein." Dragnut replied. Twilight giggled at his response. "Alberta Einstein. That's a good one." "Thanks, Twilight." The brainiac was pleased that she and her friends are respected by the Rad Rods. Later, the girls left the complex to go home. "Those guys aren't bad once you get to know them." Sunset said. "Indeed." Rarity added. "Despite their freaky features and attitude, they are pretty decent." Just then, a police car came along and stopped just passed the girls. Out steps a creepy policeman with white skin, blond hair, and wearing an old fashioned hat that would date to the 1930s. "Who is that?" Fluttershy asked. "I heard of him." Applejack replied. "That's Deputy Sludge. He cruises the streets in his Bruiser Cruiser to make sure Rat Fink and his boys behave themselves." The policeman then turns to the girls. "I see someone learned of my reputation." "Checking up on the Rad Rods, Deputy?" Sunset asked. "I am indeed, Miss Shimmer." Deputy Sludge replied. "When I heard that those guys are invited to perform for Canterlot City, I came along to make sure they don't hurt others." "I assume you know us since you recognized Sunset." Rainbow Dash figured. "I do, Miss Dash. I've seen one of your concerts." "I guess we have fans no matter who they are." "So, you're working security detail at this show?” Twilight asked. "That's correct, Miss Sparkle." The Deputy answered. "I'll be working alongside Officer Shining Armor. If I'm not mistaken, he is your brother." "Yes, he is. You two will work well together." The girls all nodded in agreement. "Better head for the track to make sure Rat Fink and company don't go too crazy." Deputy Sludge said. "Take care, citizens." The Deputy walks over to the track to talk to the Rad Rods. Twilight and her friends went back home. What they don't know is that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were watching and listening. "The Rad Rods are doing a monster truck show?" Diamond said. "I'm a little weary." Silver replied. "Maybe we should go to your house and ask your mother what she thinks about it." "Good idea." The two best friends left the area and headed for their home.