Part 1: The Terrible Trio
The students of Canterlot High were on spring break. Everyone was out and about, going to different places and enjoying the lovely spring weather. Some students had made big plans for the week, but Sunset Shimmer and her friends were taking their vacation one day at a time.
On the first day, Twilight, Sunset, Fluttershy and Applejack went to a big beach many miles north of Canterlot. Twilight had recently gotten a shiny new purple sedan, and all of her friends wanted a chance to ride in it. So that morning, Twilight was the one who drove her friends up the interstate highway to the beach. Rainbow, Rarity and Pinkie were busy that day, but the other four girls still had a splendid time, relaxing in the sun and enjoying the cool ocean water. They stayed on the beach for many hours, but eventually the sun began to set, and after drying themselves off and changing back into their usual clothes, they began heading home.
“Well, that was a great way to kick off spring break!” said Sunset.
“Oh, it was!” agreed Fluttershy. “I had a lovely day!”
“And with yer brand-new machine, gittin’ here was half the fun!” added Applejack.
Twilight grinned. “It sure was! This new car is amazing! Rainbow will be jealous when she finds out you three got to ride in it and she didn’t.”
Twilight’s brand-new car made good time along the interstate, and the big bridge that led into Canterlot from the north was soon in sight. Since the Saturday evening traffic was light, Twilight was feeling very relaxed, but then she noticed three shiny sports cars coming up fast behind her. The red car began to tailgate, while the silver and blue cars pulled up on either side. All three flashed their lights and revved their engines.
Twilight became nervous. “What are these three doing? If they want to pass me, they should just go around me!”
Applejack grimaced. “Ah think these three jokers are lookin’ ta race ya!”
“I hope not!” Fluttershy muttered. “I hate reckless drivers!”
“Well, if they want a race, you should give them one!” Sunset said firmly. “Don’t let them intimidate you!”
“But what if we get a speeding ticket?” Twilight asked.
“More likely, one of them hot-shot street racers will.” said Applejack. “Put yer foot ta the floor and go for it!”
So Twilight did. She pushed the gas pedal down as far as it would go, and at the same time, so did the street racers. They sped four abreast across the big bridge, but then the street racers shifted into a higher gear and took off, leaving Twilight in the dust. As sleek as Twilight’s new sedan was, it still couldn’t compete against a sports car. “Well, I guess I lost.” Twilight admitted, as she lifted off the gas and slowed to a more normal speed.
“It wasn’t about winning.” said Sunset. “It was about showing those street racers that you weren’t scared of them. Your car may not be as sporty as theirs, but you still showed them a thing or two.”
“That’s true.” said Twilight. “I’d rather not do that again, though.”
Twilight continued along the highway for several more miles, as familiar buildings from her home city flashed by. The exit for the main road into the suburbs soon appeared, and Twilight smoothly got off the highway. She dropped off each of her friends before heading home herself. None of the girls thought any more about the street racers they’d encountered, at least for the time being.
The next day, Twilight and Sunset went to the mall for lunch. Once again, Twilight drove her brand-new car. The mall parking lot was quite crowded, as it often was on Sundays, so Twilight had to settle for a space some distance away from the food court entrance. As Twilight and Sunset got out of the car, three familiar-looking sports cars – one red, one silver, one blue – tore into the lot and parked in the same row as them. “Oh, shoot.” Sunset remarked. “It’s the street racers from last night.”
The drivers of the sports cars then got out. They were all girls around the same age as Twilight and Sunset. “Not only that,” Twilight groaned, “but I also recognize the drivers!”
“Really?” Sunset asked. “Who are they?”
“Scarlet Flames, Chrome Streak and Capri Blitz.” Twilight replied. “They were the worst students to ever attend Crystal Prep. They skipped class all the time, never did homework, vaped in the bathroom, the list goes on. Cadance expelled them shortly after she became principal. I heard they left Canterlot after that, but it looks like they’re back in town.”
“Oh yeah, I remember you telling me about them once.” said Sunset. “I wouldn’t have thought they’d have their own sports cars, though.”
The street racers began walking over to Twilight and Sunset. “Well, if it isn’t the egghead!” the driver of the red car called. She had tan skin and short red hair, and wore a red tank top and magenta shorts. Scarlet Flames had always been an impulsive, reckless hothead. “I was wondering whose ass we beat on the highway last night!”
“Yes, very funny.” Twilight said sarcastically. “Good to see you three again, too. Having fun being a danger to everyone else on the road?”
“The only dangers on the road are people who drive too slow, like you.” the driver of the silver car laughed. She had white skin and medium-length gray hair tied in a ponytail, and wore a black tank top and violet shorts. Chrome Streak had a huge ego, but a small brain. “We’re racing drivers now. We don’t go slow!” she sneered.
“It’s all fun and games until someone gets seriously hurt.” Sunset retorted.
“Come on, take a chill pill!” the driver of the blue car chuckled. She had light blue skin and long flowing aquamarine hair, and wore a blue tank top and aquamarine shorts. Capri Blitz was snarky and rebellious, and had no regard for anyone but herself. “What’s the point of having these fancy cars if we’re not going to have any fun?”
“Well, with that attitude, you’re bound to get into an accident one of these days.” said Twilight. “And what are you doing back in Canterlot anyway? I thought you hated this city.”
“Showing off our hot new rides!” Chrome boasted. “Winning races pays good money.”
“Plus we’ll stick it to all the losers who thought we’d never amount to anything!” Scarlet added.
“That’s because you got expelled.” Twilight said bluntly.
“And it was the best thing that ever happened to us!” Capri squealed. “While you’re stuck in boring old high school, we’re the queens of the road and the racetrack!”
Twilight and Sunset exchanged a look. They could see there was no use arguing with the street racers. “Well, if you’re enjoying yourself, we’ll leave you to it.” Sunset finally said. “We’ve got to go now.” She and Twilight quickly turned and headed to the food court.
“They haven’t changed a bit since I last saw them.” Twilight remarked.
Sunset nodded in agreement. “I don’t get a good vibe from those three. Hopefully they don’t cause any more trouble for us.”
Meanwhile, the street racers were complaining among themselves. “That egghead still thinks she’s better than us!” Scarlet growled.
“She’s even worse than the last time we saw her.” Chrome muttered.
“We’ll show her who’s boss!” Capri snickered.
After lunch, Twilight and Sunset were on their way back home again. They had left the mall and were driving along the main road when Sunset looked in the mirror and saw Scarlet, Chrome and Capri coming up fast behind. “It looks like Scarlet, Chrome and Capri are on our tail again…” she informed Twilight.
Twilight sighed. “Let’s try to outrun them.” She stepped on the gas and went as fast as she was willing to go, but it was no use. Scarlet, Chrome and Capri soon raced past and began driving very erratically. They cut in front of Twilight and veered back and forth across the road in a synchronized fashion. “What the hell are they doing?!” Twilight cried. “If they’re trying to intimidate me, I’m not going to stand for it!”
“If you want to get around them, you’ll have to think like a racing driver.” Sunset advised. “Wait for a gap, and then go through it. If one of them crashes into you, that’s on them.”
Twilight nodded. She narrowed her eyes and began looking for a gap. But every time one of the street racers moved out of a lane, another one moved into her place. Scarlet, Chrome and Capri were blocking all three lanes of the road, and there was no room to pass. Eventually, Twilight gave up. “This is impossible!” she groaned.
“Just take a side street.” Sunset suggested. “We’ll find a different way home.”
Twilight did just that. At the next side street, she turned off the main road while the street racers continued on their way. She sighed with relief, and although avoiding the main road caused the drive to take longer, she had a much easier time when she wasn’t stuck behind a trio of erratic street racers. She eventually arrived at Sunset’s apartment building, and dropped her friend off.
“Well, see you later, Twilight.” Sunset said as she got out of the car. “Get home safely.”
“You too, Sunset.” Twilight replied. “I will.”
Unfortunately, Twilight’s problems with her old Crystal Prep classmates didn’t end there. Over the next few days, she seemed to run into Scarlet, Chrome and Capri no matter where she went. They tailgated her, cut her off, revved their engines, and at one point nearly ran her off the road. She was getting very fed up with them, and the final straw came on Thursday morning.
That morning, Twilight was meeting up with her friends at the Sweet Shoppe for breakfast. Since her house was only a mile or so from the cafe, she decided to walk there rather than driving. It had rained the night before, so there were lots of puddles on both the roads and the sidewalks. Twilight stayed dry for most of the way, but as she walked along the last block before the Sweet Shoppe, she saw Scarlet, Chrome and Capri speeding along the road in the opposite direction. Well, at least I’m not on the road with them this time, she thought to herself.
There was a huge puddle at the side of the road, and as the street racers flew by, Scarlet suddenly swerved to the right and drove straight through the puddle. Dirty water splashed all over Twilight. “Oh, come on!” Twilight yelled. “What the hell is your problem!?!” She trudged into the cafe feeling wet, filthy and exhausted.
Her friends were shocked to see her in such bad shape. “Oh dear!” Rarity exclaimed. “What happened to you, darling?”
“Scarlet Flames, Chrome Streak and Capri Blitz.” Twilight deadpanned. “That’s what happened.”
“Those three again?” Sunset asked. “Yeesh.”
“You can say that again.” said Twilight. She grabbed a corn muffin from the plate in the center of the table. “Those hot-shot street racers seem to follow me no matter where I go.”
Rainbow slammed her fist into her palm. “It sounds like those three are bullying you, Twilight, and we won’t stand for that!”
“Do they have a problem with you or somethin’?” Applejack asked.
“It definitely seems like it.” Twilight replied. “They’re the troublemaker girls who got expelled from Crystal Prep a couple years ago.”
“Oh right, I remember them now!” said Rainbow. “I saw them at the Friendship Games. Useless lowlifes! I was glad when they left Canterlot.”
“Unfortunately, they’re back, and they’re racing drivers now.” Twilight continued. “They race around the city in their fancy new sports cars, and ever since Sunset and I met them in the mall parking lot, they’ve been bent on ruining my spring break. Every time I’m on the road, they find me and start bullying me. You know, cutting in front of me, revving their engines, forcing me onto the shoulder. I wish there was something I could do to put an end to their reckless behavior!”
“They sound like real meanies!” Pinkie said angrily. “I say you give them a taste of their own medicine – as long as their own medicine isn’t cake or pie or something else sweet!”
“Exactly!” Rainbow agreed. “And I have the perfect idea!” She turned back to Twilight. “You need to beat them at their own game!”
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.
“Challenge them to a street race.” Rainbow replied. “And win. Then they’ll think twice before trying to pick on you again.”
Twilight thought for a moment. “That’s a good idea, but I don’t think my car can go as fast as theirs.”
“Maybe, but you’re much smarter and more careful than them.” Fluttershy pointed out. “With the way they drive, they’re bound to get into some kind of accident.”
“And them sports cars ain’t known for bein’ so reliable, either.” Applejack added. “As long as ya keep a cool head, Ah don’t see why ya can’t beat ‘em.”
At that moment, Scarlet, Chrome and Capri entered the diner and strode over to Twilight’s table. “Hey, Twilight!” Capri said with an insincere smile. “How are you and your friends doing?”
Twilight glared. “Scarlet drove through that puddle out there and splashed me! How do you think I’m doing!?!” She pointed to her wet clothing.
“That’s because we’re putting you in your place!” Scarlet snapped. “You think you’re so much better than us just because you got better grades in school. Well, we’re the queens of the road now, and we don’t stop for nerds like you!”
“And we don’t tolerate jerks who drive like maniacs and bully our friends!” Rainbow shot back. “If you think you’re so much better than Twilight, why don’t you race her?”
“Yes!” said Twilight. “I challenge you three to a street race!”
Chrome burst out with laughter. “Seriously? You think you can beat us? That little purple car of yours may be new, but we’re real racing drivers and our cars have a lot more power! You can race us if you want, but I hope you’re ready to lose!”
“Au contraire.” Twilight said smugly. “I’m ready to win.”
“Suit yourself.” Capri smirked. “Meet up with us here again at nine tonight. I have the perfect race course in mind.” She whispered something to Scarlet and Chrome.
“Oh yeah, that’s a good one!” Chrome giggled.
“She won’t last a minute going through those bends!” Scarlet cackled.
Twilight raised an eyebrow. “What place are you thinking of?”
“I’m not going to tell you!” Capri laughed. “We’ll show it to you tonight.”
“Now if you’ll excuse us,” Scarlet said rudely, “we’re going to go get breakfast.” She and her two friends turned and walked over to the counter.
“Are you sure about this, darling?” Rarity asked Twilight. “I don’t trust those three ruffians to race cleanly.”
“If this is what it takes to get them to stop harassing me, I’m going all in.” Twilight said firmly.
At nine o’clock that night, Twilight returned to the Sweet Shoppe, driving her own car. Scarlet, Chrome and Capri were already waiting. “Oh good, you made it.” said Capri. “Just follow us and we’ll show you the course. I’ll lead.”
“Fine.” said Twilight. She got back in her car and waited for Capri to pull out.
Capri pulled out onto the road first, followed by Chrome and then Scarlet. Twilight followed at the rear. The street racers led Twilight out of the downtown area and through dark, narrow roads that she had never seen before. Where are they taking me?, Twilight wondered. Probably some sketchy place far away…
They eventually arrived at a rundown industrial park, full of abandoned buildings, concrete walls and rusty fences. Capri passed under a long metal footbridge, and then she suddenly hit the gas and took off. Chrome and Scarlet followed suit. Twilight realized this was the start line, and not wanting to fall behind, she floored it as well.
Capri, Chrome and Scarlet flew down the old road at an incredible speed, as Twilight struggled to keep up. They then braked and made a hard left turn down a smaller road, then another left which took them onto an elevated road with a concrete wall on one side and nothing more than a thin railing on the other. The next right turn took them down a ramp to ground level, and after a long left-hand curve around an old gas tank, they came out on a picturesque road that ran along the Canterlot coastline for a mile. Twilight was finally able to relax for a while and enjoy the ocean view, but then the street racers swerved left onto another road that led to a bridge over the interstate. After crossing the bridge, Twilight nearly threw up on the rapid descent back down. The street racers rounded another left-hand curve and entered a dark tunnel that ran below the interstate. Twilight could barely see anything except the taillights of Scarlet’s car. After half a mile underground, the street racers led Twilight out of the tunnel and back into the industrial park. They came to a stop just before the footbridge.
Twilight had never driven so fast before in her life. Her stomach hurt and she was extremely winded. The street racers, on the other hand, looked perfectly relaxed as they got out of their cars. Scarlet knocked on Twilight’s window, and Twilight rolled it down. “What… do… you… want?” she panted.
“That was one lap of our race course!” Scarlet declared. “Are you scared yet?”
“No! Of course not!” Twilight lied. “Crazy course, but a lot of fun! How many laps will the race be?”
“Five laps.” Chrome replied. “And you could barely keep up with us on one!”
Twilight smiled. “So what if I can’t go quite as fast as you? I’ll just hang back and wait for you to have an accident.”
“Oh, we’ll see about that.” Capri chuckled. “Anyway, how does this time on Saturday night sound?”
“Nine o’clock, Saturday?” Twilight asked. “Sure. The roads should be mostly empty by then.”
“The roads around here are always empty.” Scarlet retorted. “This neighborhood’s a ghost town.”
“And I suppose that’s why you hang around here.” said Twilight. “Anyway, I’m going home now. Good night.” Twilight turned around and quickly drove out of the industrial park. She had acted confidently in front of the street racers, but she felt extremely nervous inside. She knew that she ran the risk of wrecking her car, and that if she lost the race, Scarlet, Chrome and Capri would be more insufferable than ever.
On Friday, Twilight told her friends about the plans for the race, and on Saturday night, they all came out to cheer her on. Sunset and Pinkie accompanied Twilight to the starting line, Rarity and Fluttershy stood on the coastal road, and Rainbow and Applejack would watch from the bridge over the interstate. They were all excited for the race, but not every girl approved of the location.
“I cannot believe Twilight agreed to race in that grimy industrial park!” Rarity remarked.
“I don’t like this part of the city either.” Fluttershy agreed. “But as long as she beats those bullies, I’ll be happy.”
Sunset and Pinkie rode in Twilight’s car as she drove into the industrial park. “You’re a great driver, Twilight. You can do this!” Sunset said encouragingly.
“I believe in you, Twilight!” Pinkie cheered. “Those three meanies have nothing on you!”
“Thanks.” said Twilight. “I’ve got a tough race ahead of me, though.”
Twilight pulled up to the starting line, and Sunset and Pinkie got out of the car. Scarlet, Chrome and Capri had already been waiting for a while. They glared at her and revved their engines, but Twilight ignored them.
Sunset and Pinkie walked up onto the footbridge and found Lemon Zest standing there with a pistol and a checkered flag. “Hiya, Lemon!” Pinkie called. “Whatcha doin’ here?”
“Chrome asked me to be the grand marshal.” Lemon replied. “First time any of those three contacted me in years! I agreed to do it because I wasn’t busy tonight, and I really want to see Twilight pull an upset victory.”
“We’d love to see that too.” said Sunset. “How long until the race starts?”
Lemon checked her watch. It was 8:57pm. “Three more minutes!”
Down on the road, Scarlet, Chrome and Capri had rolled their windows down and were talking to each other. “Three against one.” Chrome said smugly. “Twilight doesn’t stand a chance.”
“And if she does challenge us, we’ll run her off the road!” Scarlet growled.
“I doubt we’ll need to, though.” said Capri. “We’ve got this one in the bag.”
Lemon Zest’s watch struck nine. “All right, here we go!” Lemon said excitedly. Sunset and Pinkie stood back as Lemon pointed the gun into the air. She counted to three, then fired. All four racers slammed on the gas and took off. “Woohoo!!! Go Twilight!!!” Sunset and Pinkie cheered.
The four cars sped toward the first turn in a flash of red, silver, blue and purple. They were all side by side as they began braking, but it was Scarlet who took an early lead ahead of Twilight, Capri and Chrome. Twilight was pleasantly surprised to find herself in second place. There was no room to pass on the narrow road, but when Twilight arrived at the next turn, Capri was all over the back of her. Capri quickly dove down the inside and made the overtake. Twilight took a deep breath and began speeding up the ramp to the elevated road.
Twilight had made a better start than she’d expected to, but it was becoming clear that her car was no sports car. Scarlet and Capri were starting to pull away from her, and Chrome was drawing alongside. Chrome then began moving to the left, pushing Twilight closer and closer to the railing. Chrome eventually got past, and chased after Scarlet and Capri. Twilight was left sweating and breathing heavily, having come within inches of being pushed over the edge. She shook her head and decided to hang back for the rest of the race. She didn’t want to risk an accident, and hoped that the street racers would have their own.
Scarlet and Capri streaked around the gas tank side by side. Capri was on the outside of the curve, but took advantage of Scarlet’s slipstream to sail into the lead as they came out onto the coastal road. Chrome then drew alongside Scarlet, and she got past as well. Scarlet seethed as she was demoted from first to third within a matter of meters.
Several seconds later, Twilight rounded the curve and set off along the coastal road. Rarity and Fluttershy clapped and cheered as she came into view. “You can do it, Twilight!” they shouted. “Come on!”
“Do you think Twilight can catch them?” Fluttershy asked after Twilight had passed.
“It’s only the first lap, darling!” Rarity replied. “There’s plenty of time!”
As Capri, Chrome and Scarlet reached the end of the coastal road, they began to bunch up again. Chrome swerved to the inside of the turn and took the lead, while Scarlet also got past Capri. By the time Twilight arrived at the turn, the street racers were already onto the big bridge. Rainbow and Applejack booed and hissed as the three sports cars whizzed past.
When Twilight came zooming across the bridge, Rainbow and Applejack clapped and cheered. “Let’s go, Twilight! You’re awesome!” Rainbow called.
“Yeehaw! Go get ‘em!” Applejack shouted.
Twilight smiled and flashed Rainbow and Applejack a thumbs-up as she passed by. She then held her breath as she reached the opposite side of the bridge and began the descent back to ground level.
Chrome emerged from the tunnel in the lead, followed by Scarlet and Capri. All three ran line astern as they passed under the footbridge and began the second lap of the race. “Dang… looks like they’ve got a big lead on Twilight already.” said Sunset.
Twilight then came into view. “Oh, there she is!” Pinkie cried. “Go Twilight! Go Twilight!”
“Do you girls think she can still win this?” Lemon asked.
“I’m sure she can.” Sunset said thoughtfully. “Scarlet, Chrome and Capri may be faster, but Twilight’s a lot smarter.”
As Scarlet rounded the gas tank for the second time, she moved out of Chrome’s slipstream and took the lead back. Capri remained frustrated behind. All three sped down the coastal road and were out of sight by the time Twilight came around the curve. Twilight was taking a smooth line, but her car’s rear wheels suddenly slipped and she spun around.
Rarity and Fluttershy gasped. “Oh no!” Fluttershy cried. “Twilight!”
Twilight fought to regain control of her car. Facing backward, she turned the wheel hard and completed a full 360-degree spin. Once the purple sedan was facing the right way again, she sped off down the road once more. This time, Rarity and Fluttershy cheered for her even louder.
“That save was simply divine!” Rarity lauded. “Keep it up and you’re sure to win this race!”
Twilight waved to her friends and breathed a sigh of relief. She had nearly crashed into the water, but her great save had emboldened her to push her car’s limits. She flew down the coastal road much faster than she had ever gone before. “Scarlet, Chrome and Capri, here I come!” she said.
Scarlet remained in the lead as she flew across the bridge. Just behind her, Chrome and Capri were running side by side. Capri was determined to get past, but Chrome would not yield. As they descended toward the tunnel, Capri was about to overtake when Chrome suddenly cut across her. The left-rear corner of Chrome’s car made contact with the right-front corner of Capri’s car, and Chrome lost control. The silver car smashed into the wall just before the tunnel, spun around and then hit the wall again. Pieces of metal flew everywhere, and one of the tires broke off as well. While Scarlet and Capri continued on their way, Chrome was out of the race and her expensive sports car was destroyed. Battered and bruised, Chrome weakly climbed out of the wreckage.
Twilight was hurtling down toward the tunnel when she saw the cloud of smoke, and the silver debris strewn across the road. “Ow… that’s gotta hurt!” she remarked. She slowed down and carefully made her way around the accident zone. Once she was past and into the tunnel, she went full speed ahead once more.
Sunset, Pinkie and Lemon watched the red car rush under the footbridge, followed by the blue car. “There go the meanies – wait, there are only two of them!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Where did the third one go?”
Sunset then got a text from Rainbow, and she showed it to Pinkie and Lemon. “Chrome crashed before the tunnel!” Rainbow’s text announced. “One down, two to go!”
Pinkie and Lemon burst out with laughter, and Sunset found it hard to contain her own, as Twilight passed under the footbridge in hot pursuit.
On her third trip along the coastal road, Capri out-dragged Scarlet and moved back into the lead. Capri then began to pull away, while Scarlet maintained a large gap to Twilight. Chrome sadly watched as her two friends raced on without her.
Twilight could feel her car shaking and vibrating. The little purple sedan wasn’t used to going at such high speeds for such a long period of time. Nonetheless, Twilight pressed on, making sure that the tail of Scarlet’s red car didn’t leave her sight.
Capri maintained a comfortable lead over Scarlet as she began the fourth lap. The blue car whooshed through the first two turns and onto the elevated road with ease. Scarlet had taken the lead around the gas tank curve once before, and she aimed to do so again. She ran within Capri’s slipstream through the turn, then moved to the outside and drew level. Capri began moving to the right to defend, but Scarlet refused to back off. She moved further to the outside in response, and then she ran out of room. Scarlet drove straight off the road, crashed through a fence, and tobogganed down into the ocean. She climbed out of her partially submerged car, swam to the shore, and cursed Capri’s overly aggressive defense.
“Bye bye, Scarlet.” Capri said as she looked in her rear view mirror. “Guess it’s just me and the egghead now.”
Fluttershy and Rarity had seen the whole incident unfold. “There goes Scarlet!” Rarity laughed. “You know, this is poetic justice at its finest. Scarlet splashed Twilight with water the other day, and now she’s the one who’s all wet!”
“You’re right!” Fluttershy chuckled. “I’d better text Sunset about this.” She pulled out her phone and began composing a message.
Capri was now the only sports car driver left in the race. Her shiny blue car was performing perfectly, and she was well out of Twilight’s reach. With a large lead and only one more lap before the checkered flag, she began to kick back and relax. Her car’s V8 engine purred comfortably as she glided out of the tunnel and into the industrial park to start her final lap. This win is in the bag, she thought to herself. I’m the fastest girl in the world!
Some time later, Twilight tore under the footbridge and her friends cheered for her again. “Come on, Twilight!” Pinkie squealed. “One lap left, one meanie ahead! Go get her!”
Twilight knew that she was running out of time to catch Capri, and resolved to make her last lap her fastest lap. She attacked the next corners at an incredible speed, late on the brakes and early on the gas. But try as she might, she couldn’t quite reel Capri in.
Capri thundered across the bridge, the lights of the whole city sparkling in the distance. In just three more miles, she thought, she would take the checkered flag and win by a huge distance. She’d driven flawlessly all night, and although her two friends would both be footing heavy repair bills, she and her car had conquered some of Canterlot’s most fearsome streets. Best of all, she would firmly put Twilight in her place. She became so caught up in her dreams that she forgot to be careful around the site of Chrome’s accident.
Capri sped through the debris field, and as she did so, a piece of metal from Chrome’s car punctured her right front tire. She didn’t notice anything at first as she raced into the tunnel, but then she felt her car beginning to vibrate rapidly. She found herself slowing down and drifting to the right, and then realized she had a flat. She jerked at the steering wheel and hit the gas even harder, but it was no use. She would just have to struggle to the finish, but she figured she still had a big enough lead over Twilight.
Twilight remembered to slow down as she made her way around Chrome’s wrecked car, and as she rushed through the tunnel for the last time, she could see Capri’s taillights getting closer and closer. How is she slowing down that much?, Twilight wondered. Well, I may just have a chance to beat her to the finish!
In the industrial park, Lemon Zest got ready to wave the checkered flag. She saw Capri come out of the tunnel first, but then noticed the shredded tire on the blue sports car. “Capri has a flat!” she yelled to Sunset and Pinkie.
“Capri has a flat?” Sunset exclaimed. “Then that could mean –”
“GO TWILIGHT!!!” Pinkie cheered, louder than ever before. “YOU CAN WIN THIS!!!”
As Capri crawled along the last stretch of road to the finish line, Twilight came flying out of the tunnel. “Here I come!” she shouted. She was reeling Capri in at an incredible rate, but the end was coming up fast. With only a few meters to go, she pulled alongside Capri and then drew just ahead as they arrived at the footbridge and passed the checkered flag. It was an extremely close finish, but by half a car length, Twilight Sparkle had won!
Sunset and Pinkie ran down from the footbridge and straight to Twilight’s car. A speechless Twilight rolled down her window. “YOU WON! YOU WON!” Pinkie squealed with delight.
“What a way to win it, too!” Sunset added.
“I am so relieved!” Twilight finally said. “And shocked! I can’t believe I won!” She opened the door and got out of her car, feeling very sore. Sunset and Pinkie hugged her anyway.
A dejected Capri got out of her car and bent down to inspect her right front tire. Sure enough, it was completely shredded, and the front suspension would probably need repairs too. She muttered several profanities, then stormed over to Twilight. “You only won because I got a flat!” she protested.
“Hey, a win is a win.” Sunset retorted. “Flat tires can happen to anyone.”
Capri sighed. “All right, you have a point. I guess you won fair and square, Twilight.”
“Thank you.” Twilight said with a smile.
“By the way, are Scarlet and Chrome okay?” Capri asked.
“I think so.” Twilight replied. “Scarlet’s pretty wet, but she looks fine. Chrome’s got some bruises, but I think that’s all.”
“Oh, good.” said Capri. “I guess we’ll reconvene at the sports car repair shop.”
As Capri pulled out her phone to call for a tow truck, Twilight drove home with Sunset, Pinkie and Lemon. Fluttershy, Rainbow and Applejack rode home with Rarity. They all hoped that Scarlet, Chrome and Capri had learned to not be so reckless.
Twilight took her car to a repair shop the following day as a precaution. She got it back just two days later, and the following Saturday, she and Sunset were on the road to the mall once again. They found a spot near the food court entrance, and headed inside to get lunch. Scarlet, Chrome and Capri were sitting together at a small round table. All three looked miserable.
“Well, if it isn’t you again.” Scarlet muttered.
“What’s the matter?” Twilight asked.
“My car’s going to be in the repair shop for at least another week.” Scarlet replied.
“And my car was completely totaled.” Chrome groaned. “And I had just gotten that thing. It’ll take a long time for me to win enough money to buy a new one.”
“It’s no fun when only one of us has a car.” Capri admitted.
Sunset smiled knowingly. “How about you save your fast driving for the racetrack from now on?” she suggested. “Take it easy on the roads.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” Scarlet agreed. “And we’re sorry we bullied you last week, Twilight.” Chrome and Capri nodded in agreement.
“I forgive you.” Twilight said with a smile. “I have to admit, you did bounce back from getting expelled. You three can really drive!”
“Thanks.” Capri said modestly. “Do you… want to be friends?”
Twilight grinned. “Sure! Maybe one of these days, you can take me to a racetrack!”
Scarlet, Chrome and Capri agreed, and the five girls ate lunch together that day, happy to have smoothed over all of their bad blood.
