The Rise of Passion

Starlight didn't want to hash things out right there in the locker room, despite having gone directly there. Instead, she dragged the two of them back to her box, and had them sit down in chairs, silently staring at them for several minutes until Gourd Crunch broke the silence. "Did you see the race?"

"I did," answered Starlight immediately. "But why don't you tell me about it, anyway?"

"I won," declared Gourd, pushing out his chest proudly.

"And I'd believe that if I hadn't seen you cheating."

All colour drained from his face and he began sweating. "Ch-cheating? I'd never cheat, I'm an... an honest farm worker. I'd never cheat my customers, nor would I cheat my new fans. The very Idea!"

Starlight stared him down, then took a side glance at Double Diamond. He had curled up, trying to be as small as possible and stay out of the fight.

"Double Diamond, what do you think? Did he cheat?"

Double Diamond looked up at her, then to a scowling Gourd, then back to her. He swallowed hard and shook his head.

"Oh, no? What was it you were talking to him about at the last turn?"

"Tax exemptions!" he blurted out. It was pretty obvious that he was in way over his head, and just ready to say anything to make this go away.

"Tax exemptions, huh?" Starlight clearly wasn't buying it. "What are your write-offs this year?"

Silence.

"Come on, Double Diamond. You were talking to him about tax exemptions. What kind of purchases are you writing off as business expenses?"

He was shaking now, unable to think up an answer when put on the spot.

"His skis," answered Gourd, "and the cost of his medical bills from when they were broken over his back."

"Yeah, those!" agreed Double Diamond. "We were discussing how I have exemptions for my injuries!"

"Oh, dear," said Starlight, lifting her hoof to her mouth. "It's pretty awful that your manager didn't reimburse you for your expenses."

"No, she did," nodded Double Diamond. "She's always watching out for me like that."

"Ah," nodded Starlight. "So you're committing tax fraud."

Silence once again filled the room.

"If you were cheating in the competition, you'd only need to give me a reason, and at worst, you have to redo the race. Instead, since you were only conspiring to commit felony tax evasion, which is particularly egregious because you're also defrauding a charitable organization, that's going to result in your earnings being rescinded, five years each in prison, and a fine up to a hundred thousand bits. A lovely little chat we've had. Guards?"

As the guards stepped forward, Gourd grabbed Starlight's hoof. "Wait!"

The sudden contact resulted in the guards rushing him, grabbing his shoulders, and pinning him to the chair.

Starlight looked down on him. "Something you want to say, dear?"

Gourd swallowed hard. "We had a deal, he and I. He'd throw the race, and I'd give him half the winnings and the key."

"What key?"

"As we rounded the final corner, I reminded him that, if he finished first, I'd break the key that unlocks his chastity cage."

She turned to Double Diamond. "Show me."

Keeping his head low in shame, he lifted his back leg. Sure enough, attached to his genitals was a steel wire cage with spiky nubs pointing inward. It was clamped around his balls, locked in place with a rotating padlock. The only way out without the key would be to either injure himself irreparably, or risk injuring himself irreparably. His whole body shook, unable to cope with either scenario.

She turned back to Gourd. "Where's the key?"

"It's in my locker."

She folded her hooves. "Do you still want to claim your victory?"

He nodded.

"Then here's how you claim it. This guard," she pointed to the one on his right, "Is going to go down to your locker and collect the key. Double Diamond will be unlocked. His half of the winnings, as well as your half, will be given to the San Palomino Foundation for Education Through Sports Scholarships. In addition, all of the money you made through these races combined will be sent to the very same foundation."

"I think I'd rather take the loss."

"Then it's ten years in the dungeon for you, Double Diamond is given the key, and your assets are still given to the foundation. It's what's going to happen, and I'm letting you pick the route. The easy way, or the hard way?"

He took a deep breath. "I guess I won."

"Good boy," she smiled. "There's even a silver lining to this. All that money you're donating is going to give you a very nice... tax exemption." She cackled at her own joke and sat down, waving the guard off to go collect the key.

Ten minutes later, Double Diamond was unlocked and the two were being escorted by the guards to the podiums. Starlight had to go, as well, as she would be the one announcing and giving out the medals.

"In third place, Snowshoe!" She hung the bronze coin around his neck. "Anything to say to the crowd?"

"I never would have made it if it weren't for my family!" He held it aloft. "This one's for you, momma!"

She smiled and moved onto the next podium. "In second place, Double Diamond!" She draped the silver medal around his neck. "Anything to declare?"

"Thank you all for your support! I hope to see you all next year!" As the crowd roared, he leaned down and whispered a quiet "Thank you" into her ear.

"Come see me tonight at the castle," she said back. As she moved onto the final podium, it was Gourd that was the one shaking. Several guards were nearby, keeping him from loudly announcing what had happened in private. "And our first-place winner, Gourd Crunch!" The applause swelled as she draped the medal over his neck. "Any parting words?" She narrowed her eyes.

He swallowed hard. "I could not be here were it not for my education. That's why..." He took a deep breath. "That's why all of my winnings, not just for this race, but for all of my races this season, are going to the San Palomino... Foundation for Education Through Sports Scholarships."

The crowd gasped, then shouted out with joy at the massive donation. It was huge. It was obvious, however, that his manager was not very happy, turning and storming out of the stadium. Much was about to change, and only a select few knew why.