Nashville, Tennessee, otherwise known as the City of Music, was one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. And it has adapted really well to the relations between Earth and Equestria. So many things has happened to the city since then. The city has also been growing in terms of sports popularity, as many ponies from Equestria wanted to see how humans do sports. From the Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans, to the Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators. But the biggest sporting event in Nashville has been Auto Racing. In 2021, NASCAR and IndyCar returned to the city for the first time in a decade. NASCAR holds their races at Nashville Superspeedway, located just outside of Nashville, in Lebanon, and IndyCar holds their races on a street circuit that crosses over the famous Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge, which crosses over the Cumberland River. But it's not just sports, ponies also come over and join the humans in listening to music, sharing drinks, and just to have fun. Truly, Nashville has been THE hottest ticket for Equestrian vacationers.

On the streets of Broadway, in Downtown Nashville, six specific mares were walking down the sidewalk to meet up with a friend. Applejack, who was wearing her usual red button-up shirt, blue jeans, and Stetson hat that she wore when working in Sweet Apple Acres, was leading the group. Behind her were Rainbow Dash, who was wearing a white shirt with her cutie mark on it and blue gym shorts, Fluttershy, who was a green dress, Pinkie Pie, who was wearing a pink and blue party dress, and Rarity, who was wearing a white blouse and long purple skirt.

Normally, Twilight Sparkle would be accompanying them, but she had to attend a meeting in Canterlot with the other princesses, so she had her new student, Starlight Glimmer, to take her place. Wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans, she was, of course, new to everything.

"So, this is Nashville?" Starlight asked, looking around at the many buildings, the riverfront park, and the iconic AT&T tower.

"Yes it is," said Applejack. "Why?"

"It looks more like Manehattan," Starlight answered. "Only smaller."

Rarity wrapped an arm around Starlight. "Well darling, you'll love it here," she said. "It's got everything. From scenery to rich history."

"Heh," Rainbow chuckled. "And it's also got the coolest sports ever. From NASCAR, to IndyCar, to the NFL, to the NHL, and-"

"Now, now!" AJ interrupted. "We all came here to see Mike, not to go sight-seeing." Rarity and Rainbow groaned, but they knew she was right.

Starlight couldn't help, but be curious. "So, who is this Mike Rogers?" she asked.

"Well," Pinkie began. "He's a friend of ours and he's also our first friend we made here on Earth."

"But, why do you girls want him to sign up for this contest with Countess Coloratura?" asked Starlight.

"Well, he was a music lover back when he was in high school," explained Applejack. "After he graduated from college, he tried to get to the big time, but he couldn't. He tried everything, from going on this TV show called American Idol to another show called The Voice, but all of those failed. In fact, the latter of which, ended with him getting told by the judges to improve his singing voice, which he did, but when he re-joined the show, he was eliminated in the first round. So, that's when he decided to just give up."

"So what has he been doing all this time?" asked Starlight.

"After giving up on his music career, he discovered that he also loved racing. So he gathered up whatever funding he could get and got an opportunity in a late model race at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway," explained Applejack. "He ran REALLY well, finishing 3rd when the checkered flag flew. His great performance caught the attention of many NASCAR team owners; Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs, Richard Childress, Justin Marks, you name it."

"It wasn't just NASCAR team owners," added Rainbow Dash. "Several IndyCar team owners also took notice of him; Chip Ganassi, Roger Penske, Michael Andretti, AJ Foyt, Bobby Rahal, and Michael Shank."

"He now races part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, NTT IndyCar Series, and the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship," explained Applejack. "He just signed some new contracts. He'll drive a third car for Richard Childress in 13 NASCAR Cup Series races, a fourth car for the newly rebranded Andretti Global in 11 IndyCar races, and Chip Gannasi's 01 Cadillac GTP car in IMSA's 5 Michellin Endurance Cup races. He loves what he currently does, although, I'm hoping this contest with Rara will help get his confidence in music back."

"Do you really think he'll go for this AJ?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Of course she does Rainbow!" exclaimed Rarity. "Remember, he's made a lot of videos since we first met him, and he sounds really good, so I think it's worth a shot."

"Yeah!" Pinkie shouted in her usual hyperactive voice. "You just gotta stay positive in this AJ!"

Applejack smiled. "Well, we shouldn't be long from now."

After walking for a few more blocks, the 6 ponies finally reached their destination. It was a purple building with a sign that hung on the side. Starlight couldn't help but be baffled by it's weird name, as the sign read, 'Tootsies Orchid Lounge'. They entered the iconic bar and began searching for Mike. After searching through the bar, they spotted him.

"There he is," said Pinkie.

"What does he look like?" Starlight asked.

"He's that man with the black hair, wearing a blue shirt and tan pants," pointed Rarity.

The six ponies walked towards Mike. When Mike turned to his left, he saw his pony friends walking towards him. Except one.

"Hey Mike."

"HEY, AJ! So glad you and the girls could make it. Hey, where's Twilight?"

"She couldn't come darling," replied Rarity. "She was called to Canterlot for a meeting with Celestia, Luna, and Cadance."

"Oh, I see," Mike replied.

Just then the bartender came in, smiling when he saw the 6 ponies. "Hey, AJ! I take you and your friends want the usual?"

"Sure thing, John," replied Applejack.

John poured 6 glasses of cider and gave them to the 6 mares.

Mike then noticed the pony who was with them. "So who's this?"

"Oh, that's Starlight Glimmer," replied Applejack.

"Ah, so you're Twilight's new student," said Mike.

Starlight looked away nervously. Mike noticed this and instantly knew why. He went up to her and reassured her, "Hey, it's alright. We've all done terrible deeds in the past. So word of advice, what's past is past, and you are not that pony anymore." He smiled, which made Starlight feel much better. "So, AJ. I got your call a few days ago and you said you wanted to meet me here for something."

"Well, you see Mike, we all need your help," said Applejack.

"I'm always happy to help my friends," replied Mike. "What is it that you need?"

Applejack took out a flier from her pocket and showed it to Mike. Mike looked at the flier and said, "A singing contest? You know gave up on music a long time ago, right?"

"Yes, we do, but look who it's for," Applejack said while pointing at the prize at the bottom of the flier.

"Countess Coloratura?" asked Mike. "Oh wait, isn't that your childhood friend, Rara?"

"Yes. She's trying to get her career going again after she went through a big financial hole. Her new manager, Sapphire Shores, wants to pair her up with a human artist."

"What, why a human artist?" asked Mike.

"Because she feels like it might help with the relations between Equestria and Earth," replied Applejack. "Plus, you already have some experience in music."

"Look, I don't know girls. I haven't performed in years," explained Mike. "And I just don't see myself, a guy in his late twenties, getting the chance of a lifetime to perform with a celebrity pony like her. Not to mention, the NASCAR season just ended last week with Ryan Blaney taking the title. And you all know how short my off-season is as IMSA's season opening race, the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, is on the last weekend of January. That's 3 months from now."

The ponies looked at each other with concern. They knew how short the racing off-season was, but they didn't know it was THAT short. This meant that whatever Sapphire had in mind, had to happen NOW.

"Well, you experienced contests like these before. Yes, they didn't end well, but that didn't stop you," Rainbow Dash explained. "And don't think we've seen your videos because we did and you sound good in them. Plus, you have us and we'd be more than happy to help you. And I'm sure you can easily get along with Rara when you win."

"IF I win," Mike corrected.

Applejack, being the Element of Honesty, tried to reassure Mike and said, "Look sugarcube, I know your feeling very unsure of yourself right now, especially since this is a lot to take in, but Rara and I had been friends since we were fillies, and the last thing I want is to see her go through a depression because her career is over. Could you at least give it a shot?"

Mike looked at Applejack's pleading eyes, then to the other ponies. They looked back at Mike with worried expressions on their faces. Mike realized that he had to make a decision. He then realized that he had nothing to do during this off-season, which meant he had 3 months of spare time before the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. He took a deep breath and sighed. He made his decision. "Alright, I'll give it a shot."

Applejack's face lit up. "YOU WILL?!" she asked in excitement.

Mike smiled. "Yes," he said. "What do I have to do in order to sign up?"

"Well," Applejack explained. "All you have to do is submit a recording and then perform at the contest, which will be in 3 weeks from now. So your gonna have to do nothing these next few days but try to get your singing voice back."

Mike sighed, but he knew this is the price he had to pay. "Great," he said. "Although, when you return home, let Twilight know about all this."

"Will do, partner," replied Applejack. She then waved the flier to John. "Yo John, can you post this flier somewhere around here? I'll have more of them mailed out to some of the other businesses around here later on."

"Sure AJ," replied John, as he took the flier from Applejack and walked away, leaving the group alone.

Mike then raised a glass. "I hereby raise a toast," he announced. "For a new opportunity!"

"For a new opportunity!" Everypony said in unison as they clanked their glasses together and took a few sips.

To Be Continued.

Author's Note

And that's chapter 2. Now with all of the introductory stuff out of the way, it's time for the main story to begin.