Chapter 2: Qualifiers
Over the course of the next few weeks, the thoughts of nearly everypony in Ponyville were focused on the race. Each and every single team wanted to be the one that won the race. Ponies quickly formed teams with friends or family and they got to work on assembling their go karts. Vinyl Scratch quickly teamed up with her marefriend Octavia while the six members of The Cutie Mark Crusaders teamed with each other. Snips and Snails decided to team up too but they had several problems assembling their go kart.
Twilight Sparkle and Trixie were working together to build the best vehicle that they possibly could. Thankfully Twilight Sparkle's experience with science proved helpful as she designed the kart that the duo would ride in. Trixie was eager to help and the duo talked with each other as they worked. Their vehicle had a design that combined the styles of both of their stage outfits. The kart shined in different shades of purple and it had several stars decorating its surface.
"Trixie really enjoys spending time with you Twilight." Trixie said as the duo used their magic to levitate the vehicle's engine into place.
"I really like being with you too Trixie." Twilight Sparkle replied as she made an adjustment to the engine's position.
"Trixie wishes that she had more time to spend with you." Trixie muttered. "Perhaps Trixie could take a small break from her performances."
Twilight Sparkle immediately stopped working and she stared at Trixie with a firm expression. While she was slightly touched that Trixie would consider taking time off of work for her, she did not want Trixie to put her career in even the slightest jeopardy. She knew that Trixie loved being a showmare and she didn't want the blue unicorn to give up her dream. Trixie's career as a showmare was comparable to Rainbow Dash's desire to join The Wonderbolts as well as Rarity's passion for fashion. Twilight Sparkle wasn't going to let Trixie give up something that she loved so much.
"Trixie don't talk like that." Twilight Sparkle said seriously. "Being a showmare is your dream and I won't let you give that up for me." The two ponies looked each other in they eyes as the alicorn continued speaking. "Believe me I love spending time with you but your happiness means more to me than anything else. Besides, it makes our time together even more special when it's a special occasion."
Trixie smiled as she continued working on the vehicle and a small blush had appeared on her face when she realized that Twilight Sparkle had used that word that she hadn't yet used: love.
Meanwhile Lightning Dust was working with Applejack to get their vehicle ready. Being partners with the cowgirl was not the daredevil's first choice but it was the best choice she had since Rainbow Dash and Gilda had already teamed up with each other. Aside from the pegasus and the griffon, Applejack was easily Lightning Dust's greatest friend. The duo was extremely eager to race against their friends and both were certain that they would win. Their vehicle had been painted in a teal color that was similar to Lightning Dust's body color. Orange flames had been painted on the front of the kart and the sides had been decorated with several lightning bolts. The engine as well as the exhaust pipes in the back of the vehicle had been painted in a golden color like Lightning Dust's mane. The duo was certain that their kart would carry them to victory.
Other teams were building their go karts as well. Rainbow Dash and Gilda had put together one of the fastest karts in the entire world of Equestria. Each go kart would be given boosters as part of the race so the two fliers were very excited to see just how fast they could go. Their kart had been painted in a simple blue color. Neither of them cared much about how their kart looked. Spike and Rarity's go kart wasn't as fast as the others but it truly was a sight to see. Rarity had focused on making the vehicle look good while Spike made sure that it was as quick as it was pretty. Each duo from The Cutie Mark Crusaders had very unique looking go karts. The kart driven by Scootaloo and Apple Bloom as well as the one used by Sweetie Belle and Babs Seed were painted in a similar fashion to the rock band outfits that they wore. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon opted for a much less eye catching vehicle. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy had a bright pink go kart that had been designed quite well. Fluttershy had been nervous when the party pony had asked her to join her team but she couldn't bring herself to refuse. Every team worked on their go karts until the day of the qualifying races.
After a few weeks, the other teams began to arrive. Their go karts had already been built so they were just waiting for the race to begin. These teams came from all sorts of places ranging from massive cities like Canterlot to small towns like Appleloosa. Each and every team was excited and determined to win. The night before the qualifying races saw all of the teams turning in early for a good night's sleep. The night passed by quickly and soon the sun slowly began to rise into the sky above Ponyville.
The next day began and forty teams of ponies woke up with excitement filling their minds. Each and every team was eager to get behind the wheel of their go karts and win the race. Before they could take part in the derby however, they needed to win the qualifier. The forty teams had been split into four groups and each group would race against each other. They would all take part in a simple race and the top three teams would advance to the big race. The track they would use was a simple oval shaped circuit. Each team needed to complete three laps around the ring.
The first ten teams got into two rows of five and were waiting for the signal to begin the race. Rainbow Dash and Gilda were in the front row on the left side. Behind the duo were their friends Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. Gilda looked to her right and her eyes widened. She gave Rainbow Dash a nudge and the pegasus' jaw dropped when she saw that the kart next to them was occupied by Spitfire and Soarin. The Wonderbolt Captain looked at Rainbow Dash and grinned. The two pegasi didn't have much time to chat because an official had gotten into the spectator's platform next to the starting line.
"Ponies." he said. "Start your engines!"
Instantly the roars of ten engines were heard along with the cheers of the crowd. All of the ponies who were waiting for their race were eager to see who they could be competing against. Along with the other racers the stands were filled with excited ponies. A set of lights placed in front of the competitors flashed red then yellow and then they turned to green to signify that the race had begun.
Rainbow Dash immediately pressed down on the gas pedal and their kart took off with nine other karts right behind them. Gilda held on to the back of the kart and she was ready to swap at any time. The karts were built to allow the two drivers to switch positions at any time. The pony in front would drive the kart while the pony in the back would use the boosters as needed. Rainbow Dash and Gilda were in the lead with Spitfire and Soarin right behind them. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were in third place and they were barely holding their position. The first lap ended and the two Wonderbolts had narrowed the gap between themselves and the two fliers.
"It's been a while Dash." Spitfire said as she tried to pass the duo.
"Hope you don't mind us winning." Soarin continued with a grin.
Rainbow Dash grinned as she cut her idols off. She might have admired Spitfire but she wasn't going to let her win if she could avoid it. Gilda had her talon ready to press the button that would trigger the boosters. Rainbow Dash waited for a moment and then she gave the griffon her signal. Instantly Gilda pressed the button and their kart was pushed forwards at blazing fast speeds. The duo left Spitfire and Soarin in the dust as they rounded the fourth corner and started their final lap. Meanwhile Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie had caught up with The Wonderbolts and they were trying to get into second place. However Spitfire and Soarin were not going to let that happen. The top three teams rounded the final corner and Rainbow Dash and Gilda took first place with The Wonderbolts behind them and Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy earning third place. The crowd cheered as they saw the names of the top three teams displayed on a sign and they waited for the next race to begin.
After a few moments, the crowd began to cheer again. The next ten teams had made their way onto the track. Twilight Sparkle and Trixie were in the center of the back row with Spike and Rarity right in front of them. Snips and Snails were on their right while the kart on their left side held Princess Celestia as well as Princess Luna. All of the teams were ready to race and the lights began to flash. Spike held the steering wheel in his hands as the light flashed yellow. The lights turned green and nine teams sped from the starting line. Snips and Snails however had some troubles. A puff of smoke was seen and their engine died completely. The two colts did everything that they could but their kart simply wouldn't run. They pushed the vehicle off of the track and lamented the fact that they had lost without even having a chance to race.
Meanwhile Spike and Rarity had taken the lead but it was short lived. The Goddesses of Sun and Moon had passed right by them and their kart was able to give them a huge lead. Twilight Sparkle and Trixie had made their way into third place and they were rounding the fourth corner when they caught up with Spike and Rarity. The second lap was underway and The Princesses were still in the lead but Twilight Sparkle and Trixie were quickly gaining ground on the two of them.
"Rarity now!" Spike yelled as they made it onto a straightaway several seconds after the other two teams.
Rarity pressed a button and the duo's go kart rocketed forward. They sped along the track and quickly caught up with the top two teams. The three go karts rounded the fourth corner once again and the final lap began. Twilight Sparkle and Trixie kept their lead up and used their booster whenever they could. They managed to put a large amount of distance between themselves and the other teams. They rounded the final turn and were the clear winners of the race, Spike and Rarity managed to take second place while Princess Celestia and Princess Luna took third. The audience cheered for the teams as they made their way off of the track. Only two more races were left and then the big race would be able to start.
The third group of teams pulled onto the track and the crowd roared. Situated in the center of the front line was the team of Applejack and Lightning Dust. The daredevil had taken the wheel while the cowgirl was in control of the switch that would trigger the boosters. Vinyl Scratch and Octavia were on the far right of the front row and they were ready to race. The DJ unicorn put on a pair of goggles that were very similar to her sunglasses while the cellist nervously held the back of the kart. Lightning Dust and Applejack had confident grins on their faces but both of them groaned when they saw who was next to them. Flim and Flam had pulled their kart next to the duo and both of them were smiling. Applejack gave the two stallions a glare of loathing while Lightning Dust made sure that they knew she was watching them. The daredevil had become fond of Applejack and as such she hated the duo for trying to destroy her family's business and run them out of town. The lights flashed from red to yellow and then to green. The ten go karts blasted off from the starting line and the race was on.
Lightning Dust was definitely extremely skilled behind the wheel of a go kart. She pushed the vehicle to its fullest potential and quickly took the lead. Right behind them were Flim and Flam followed by Vinyl Scratch and Octavia. The other teams were having some issues with their karts. Some of the karts had had their tires popped while others were having engine troubles. Flim and Flam were chuckling to themselves as they looked behind them. At this rate, it would be smooth sailing for them. As long as their go kart crossed the finish line they'd be in the race. The second lap began and only three of the ten teams were still in the race. Vinyl Scratch was dodging past the many obstacles that were in her path. The back of Flim and Flam's vehicle was designed in a way that prevented the DJ from seeing that they were the ones dropping those obstacles in the first place. Octavia was holding on for dear life as her marefriend was doing everything in her power to keep them in the race. The third lap commenced and the other teams had already pushed their karts off of the track. Applejack was glaring at the two stallions behind her as Lightning Dust kept driving as fast as she could. Somehow the cowgirl knew that Flim and Flam weren't playing fair but there was nothing that she could do about it. Much to her relief, Applejack realized that she and Lightning Dust had won the race. Flim and Flam had taken second while Vinyl Scratch and Octavia won third place by default.
The crowd was getting anxious as they watched these races. So far nine teams had made the cut so only three spots were left open. The ponies in the stands were eagerly awaiting the fourth and final qualifying race. They cheered at the top of their lungs as they saw the ten teams make their way onto the track. Side by side at the front of the pack were the teams of Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Babs Seed, and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The six fillies were excited to race against each other and they were determined to win. The lights changed from red to yellow and then to green as ten teams sped off one last time.
Despite being much younger than their competitors, The Cutie Mark Crusaders were extremely skilled at driving. They quickly took the lead and they left their opponents in the dust. The purple and black go kart driven by the singer and guitarist of the rock band was in first. Following closely behind the duo were Sweetie Belle and Babs Seed. The kart driven by the keyboardist and drummer of the foursome had been painted in pink, bright green, and red. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were in third and their go kart was painted in the same shade of purple as Diamond Tiara's mane. The trim of the vehicle had been painted silver by the bespectacled filly. Each of the six young ponies had smiles on their faces as they rounded each turn with ease. They kept their lead throughout the rest of the first and second laps and they were still in front when the final lap started.
"This is awesome!" Scootaloo shouted as she rounded the corner. A grin was showing on the purple clad pegasus' face as she swerved around the second turn.
"Ah'm having so much fun." Apple Bloom cheered as she held onto the kart with one hoof and kept a tight grip on her headpiece with the other hoof. The four members of the rock band had decided to wear their stage outfits. There was no real reason for it but they felt that they might as well match the design of their go karts. Sweetie Belle's bright emerald green eyes which were surrounded by pink makeup were narrowed in fierce determination. Babs Seed was holding onto the back of the go kart and she was laughing hysterically. The red clad pony was having the time of her life. Sweetie Belle had told her that racing in go karts was a ton of fun and she wasn't lying. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon smiled as they followed the young rock stars around the third corner. The six fillies rounded the final turn and the race was over. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom had won the race with Sweetie Belle and Babs Seed taking second place. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon earned a third place finish and they were proud of themselves. The audience cheered as the twelve teams that had won made their way onto a raised platform that was placed in the very center of the racetrack. Tomorrow each of the teams would compete in the big race to see who would win the grand prize. The crowd left the stadium while the teams ate a good dinner and went to bed early for a good night's rest.