Prologue: Turbo Kart Racing
Turbo Kart Racing has been and always will be the most ridiculously "EXTREME!" sport in Equestria.
The race track of the Equestrian Cup stretches all around the land of ponies, the Finish line being in Canterlot.
The race itself is only one lap long, but it is one lap of pure unadulterated Hell.
The Karts are designed to destroy the competition or simply survive, depending on one's preference.
The only winners in Turbo Kart Racing history have been those willing to hurt the other racers using the karts' many functions. The current reigning champions are the D Squad, the most cruel team in racing history. They consist firstly of ex professional wrestler Payne "The Stone" Jackson, who loves to shout rock based catchphrases that even the prime-time sitcom The Brimstones would laugh at. Secondly, there is Northwest, a dimwitted oaf who loves to disgustingly devour the racer in last place. Thirdly, there is Zoey Chinn, a stone cold mare who is deceitful and cunning. Finally, there is there leader, Danny Bag, whose first name inspired the team's name.
Together, they tore through every race(and every racer) to get to the top and achieve fame and fortune in the professional racing industry.
However, their greatest race ever was against none other than our group of heroes.
Chapter 1: A Day at the Races
One day, Dragon Charge, who had been made an alicorn by his mentor Princess Luna after he and his friends saved Equestria from an army of gargoyles, joined his friends in attending the annual Turbo Kart races in Canterlot.
Of course, his childhood best friend Critic the earthpony was there, and so were his new friends; a nerdy pegasus stallion by the name of Retro Geek, who through an experiment had gained the ability to summon the powers of his favorite video game characters, and Tenacity, a mysterious and not very talkkitive mare pegasus pony who got stronger with anger. The two pegasi greeted Dragon and Critic at the front lobby of the stadium that the racers would start at.
"Hey, guys!", Retro Geek waved happily.
Dragon and Critic waved back as they were approached by the two.
"I didn't take you for a racing fan.", Critic said to Retro.
"I'm not, but I really didn't have anything better to do. Thanks for inviting me.", he replied. "Mom's here, too. She's a huge racing fan."
"Oh, yeah? Where is she?", Dragon asked, curious to meet her.
Retro pointed to a pegasus mare with dark brown hair, brown eyes, yellowish white fur and a cutiemark of a burning tire. Retro nervously took them over to meet her.
"Oh, you must be Retro's friends! How are you all today?", she said with a warm smile.
"Pretty good, Mrs...", Critic started.
"Wildfire, my name is Wildfire.", she stated.
After introductions, Dragon spoke up.
"I hear you're a racing fan?"
She immediately replied, "Why yes, of course! The awesome cars, the high speed, the noises of the engines... oh, but nothing compares to seeing a car I don't like crash and burn."
As the group grew slightly uncomfortable, she continued. "The metal clashing, the windows shattering, the crunching sounds, oh, and the magnificent explosions! It's so... thrilling.", she explained, keeping her smile as she spoke.
After a moment of silence, Critic shouted, "You're AWESOME!"
"Thank you, Critic.", she said. "Now Retro, if you want me to drive you home...", Wildfire started before being interrupted by her son screaming in horror.
This screaming went on for a solid minute before Retro regained his composure and politely replied,
"No, thank you, Ma'am."
"Okay, then, see you later.", she waved to the group as they went to the snack bar.
There, Dragon Charge ordered the hayburger and a Mister Jigg, Critic ordered the haydogs and a Joka Cola, and Tenacity got a big pretzel and an orange soda, while Retro was indecisive.
While waiting for him, they saw Wildfire get three haydogs, six hot tofu wings, some nachos, and a large sundae and large Mountain Shoe.
"She has a high metabolism, though she does exercise, too.", Retro explained, walking over with two pizza slices and a Cherry Joka. "Cherry Joka, this place has everything.
The group then went out into the stadium to search for seats. Dragon and Critic found two empty seats right next to each other, as did Retro and Tenacity on the other side of the stadium. Retro turned his head to Tenacity and talked to her.
"So, you like racing?", he asked.
She groaned for a second before answering.
"No, but my great, great, great, great grandfather's nephew's wife's daughter's third cousin sixty nine times removed's grandson's great, great aunt's adopted son once knew a great mare who was almost ran over by a car before a racer pushed her out of the way. Racing's been in the family ever since.", she explained.
Retro looked fascinated, but soon replied, "Can you explain that again?"
She rolled her eyes.
Dragon and Critic quickly grew bored of waiting for the racers to get there, and so they did various things to pass the time by, including games of Heads or Tails, Tic-Tac-Toe, and I Spy.
"I spy with my little eye, something... dark grey with red hair.", Critic clued in.
Dragon sighed from boredom before answering.
"It's Tenacity."
"Right", Critic stated. "Now I spy with my little eye something... purple maned with orange fur."
"Let me guess... for the fiftieth time.. Retro.", Dragon exclaimed sarcastically, getting tired of the same two things. "Your little eye is very unimaginative.", he said.
Tenacity sighed. "I'm gonna go back to the stands to get some more soda, I'm parched with this hot weather.", she said. As she started to leave her seat, Retro followed after her.
"Me, too, my hooves need stretching.", he said, standing up.
"And I'm out of pizza", he added a minute later.
As the two went into the stands, Retro began talking. "Nice for the four of us to get to hang out again, eh, Tenny?"
Tenacity nodded quietly.
"Have any other friends?" He asked, curious.
Tenacity shook her head.
"Bummer, I was thinking we could invite more ponies over for board games."
They both remained silent for a little while before Retro spoke up again. "Ever played Risky? It's a war based board game."
Tenacity spoke. "No."
Retro got excited. "I'll bring it to the castle next time we meet up. Oooo, you're going to love it!"
Tenacity smiled a bit. "Looking forward to it.", she stated.
They went up to the concession stand, and Tenacity refilled her drink, but before they could get very far, a stallion approached Tenacity.
"Hey, beautiful.", the earth pony remarked, flashing a cocky grin at her. "Come to cheer me on?" He put his arm around her shoulder.
"Actually, I just came to see the race with my friends, thank you.", she replied, trying to move past him and back towards the seating area.
However, when she moved, the stallion moved in front of her and placed his arm around her again.
"C'mon, ditch the losers, roll with The Stone instead.", he said.
For some reason, he felt the need to point out, "That's me, by the way." He put his face close to hers. "Can you smell what The Stone is cookin'?"
Tenacity's face grew repulsed as she put her hoof over her nose. "Unfortunately, yes. It's quite potent, I'll give you that.", she said, trying to walk past him again.
He once again grabbed her, getting her a bit frustrated.
"Look, I advise you unhand me before things get...", she started before hearing her friend's voice.
"Hey! Show some respect for the nice lady.", Retro said angrily.
Tenacity spoke to him, "Retro, I can handle this myself. Stay out of it.", she warned him. He began to walk towards his seat before The Stone opened his mouth again.
"Yeah, go on, ya gay little wimp."
Despite not being the homosexual type, Retro began to calmy approach him and tell him why that last sentence was so messed up, but Tenacity's anger had already been set off.
"You JERK! Don't... talk... to my friends... that way!", she shouted, furiously punching The Stone in the face repeatedly. He began screaming as Retro tried to calm his friend down.
Quickly, the rest of the D Squad ran over to see what was going on. Dragon and Critic also ran over, hearing the screams from their seats.
"What's up? We heard some little girl wailing, and...", Dragon started.
They looked over at Tenacity, who had been grabbed by a security guard and The Stone, who was crying into Zoey Chinn's shoulder. Danny, the Squad's leader, Looked over at Dragon with angry eyes.
"These your friends?", he asked, pointing to Retro and Tenacity.
"Yes. Why?", Dragon questioned.
"The mare attacked my buddy here."
Retro immediately spoke up.
"Your buddy was being a disrespectful punk to Tenacity!", he shot back.
Danny looked at the security guards. "Take them away.", he commanded.
"Wait, we payed for this, and your 'buddy' harasses my friends? Seems like he got what was comin' to him.", Dragon said.
"How about a deal? We race you for the right to stay."
Danny smiled at this. "You really know what you're getting into?"
Dragon ignored him. "But let's make it interesting. If we win, you all have to wear a dress to the rest of your races for this year."
"Alright", Danny said confidently. "But if we win, your gal pal has to join our team. We could use a bodyguard."
Dragon was hesitant at first, but Tenacity, still in angry mode, shouted, "DEAL!"
And so, the bet was made.
