Good morning, Miss Cheerilee!
Good morning, everypony!
I hope you brought your thinking caps,
because today we're going to learn about physics!
Physics?
Specifically, the use of force and energy conversions!
In this case, using mechanical work
to convert potential energy into kinetic energy!
The what now?
Miss Cheerilee?
That sounds a bit over our heads.
Yeah, why would we even need to know that stuff?
Oh, it's very important.
In fact, you'll most likely end up using it tomorrow!
Tomorrow? What for?
Why, for participating in the…
Applewood Derby!
For a second I thought we're gonna have to…
you know, learn stuff!
We get to race in the Applewood Derby tomorrow?
That's so cool!
My family's talked about it for years,
and now I'm finally old enough to race!
Now, hold on to your horseshoes, everypony.
You've got a lot of work to do before you're ready to race.
Yeah, but…
not schoolwork, right?
There will be a block of applewood just like this one
waiting for you at Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow.
And you've got one day to turn it into a race-ready kart.
Oh yeah, that is a lot of work.
Luckily, you'll each get to pick an older pony to help you.
But choose wisely,
because they'll also have to ride in the kart
with you during the race.
I think I know just the pony to ask!
Me too!
Me three!
Just remember, everypony,
your kart has to be able to finish the race,
if you want to win one of the awards.
Fastest — for winning the race, naturally.
Most traditional — for the best working replica
of an original applewood kart.
And most creative —
for the kart with the best overall design.
Those ribbons are the bees' knees.
Alright then, class.
You've got a lot to learn if you want to build a race kart.
No! I knew there was gonna be a catch!
Wow, have you seen what the karts used to
look like in the olden days?
Yeah. I know all about them.
When Ponyville started the Derby,
they decided to use the wood from our apple trees for the karts.
The race has been a part of Sweet Apple Acres ever since.
I just think these old karts look so cool.
But, I guess you and Applejack will probably
win the award for most traditional, huh.
The Apples usually do, but honestly,
I'd rather build the fastest kart there is and win the race!
But, I'm pretty sure Scoot and Rainbow Dash will take that award.
You know, I race around so much on my scooter.
Being the fastest isn't such a big deal.
Maybe I'll try to make the wildest-looking kart I can think of!
Sure! If I win the most creative,
you can totally win the award for fastest!
And I can win the award for the most traditional!
Sounds like we're all gonna try something different.
I can't wait to tell Applejack!
Let's get to it!
Go-o-o Crusaders!
Are you kidding?!
Of course I would help with the Applewood Derby!
I want you to have as much fun as I did when I was a filly!
Wait, Cloudsdale has a Derby too?
Sure. Practically every town in Equestria has one.
I still remember racing my cloud kart.
This. Is. So. Awesoooome!
Aand let me guess…
You won fastest kart!
Obviously!
So, whaddaya say?
Will you help me make my race kart?
Help you? I'm all over it!
I've got tons of ideas.
Don't worry. I've got a lot of…
Ideas of my own.
what are you looking for?
The blueprint for my derby kart, of course!
Oh, I'll have to change it a little,
'cause this race is on road, not on clouds, but…
Trust me, your kart is gonna be amazing!
Okay, Rainbow Dash, thanks!
How awesome is this?!
With Dash on my team, how could anything go wrong?
Well, I'm mighty flattered you wanna work with your big sis on your kart.
I mean the Applewood Derby…
…started on our farm. I know.
Well, I couldn't be more proud to help my little sister
take the prize for most traditional.
Actually, I was kind of thinking of something else…
Like… fastest?
Fastest?
Applebloom, things aren't like they were in the old days,
the fastest kart now has gotta be the slick and modern…
Exactly!
Not Apple at all.
The Apples win most traditional.
We had since the Derby started.
Why would anypony want to win anything else?
Now, why won't you head off and get some camomile vines,
some licorice sticks and some apple barrels,
and I'll show you what an Apple family kart should look like.
I guess I do have a family tradition to uphold.
The Applewood Derby!
Of course I'll go!
Well, Rarity, I didn't know you'd be this excited.
Me? Why, I'm just itching to ride an old run from long, long ago.
I designed my own kart when I was just a filly.
And I was positive I was going to win the prize for most creative, hooves down.
But I came in second.
Second!
You? Second for most creative?
To whom?
But I learned a valuable lesson.
I learned to know my audience,
and the race kart audience wants big!
They want bold!
Chop-chop! Everypony out!
We've got work to do!
This would take all of my considerable skills,
but I will fashion the biggest and boldest derby car
to ever win the prize for most creative!
Actualy, I was sort of thinking of something more… traditional?
Please, darling, leave tradition to the Apples, we'd win big, we'd win bold!
Soon the prize for most creative will finally be in my hooves!
You mean, my hooves.
This is what I've said, my hooves, darling.
I hope you're ready to get an early start tomorrow.
How early?
Rarity, the sun's not even up yet!
Oh, Apples, quit complaining.
In my day we were up even earlier!
Hey, I'd get up in the middle of the night,
if it means my kart crosses that finish line first and wins "Fastest".
And my kart wins "Most creative".
And my kart wins "Most traditional".
Hoo-wee! It's gonna be good day.
You mean our karts, right?
Yes, that's what we sad, darling.
Our karts!
Their karts? It's almost sounds they're planning on building them without us.
I'm sure they meant "our karts" like the team kart, right?
Of course! I mean, they're all our older sisters. Practically.
Plus they've all done this before.
I'm sure they know best.
Lets just buckle down and get to work.
Scootaloo, where have you been?
I only get till noon to make the fastest kart ever.
Uh, about that.
I was really thinking of going for the "Most creative" prize.
I mean, I know all about speed already, so…
Exactly! It's all about speed.
We got to get across the finish line to win the prize, so we might as well get there first, right?
Hey, I left a bunch of paint cans by the road.
Bring them up here, would ya?
Nothing as fine as painting racing stripes on the winning kart.
Right, fine…
Spending time buildin' a kart with my big sister?
Well this is just terrific.
How can I help?
You can feast your eyes on… this!
I… I mean it ain't quite finished yet…
Oh, good…
But don't it have the makings of the best kart you ever did see?
Is something wrong, Apple Bloom?
Actually, I was kinda thinking of something a little more modern and less rickety.
With maybe a chance of winning.
Bless my hooves, I thought we covered this.
Tradition is all that counts.
And who knows tradition better than Apples?
Nopony, that's who!
So, are you an Apple, or are you an Apple?
I'm an Apple, but…
What if I just take off this fringe?
No! Not the fringe!
Why, shoot!
Now I've gotta start all over from scratch.
And it's almost race time!
Oh, so maybe we can redesign it then?
Just a little.
No time!
And who would redesign something that's already perfect!
Right… Perfect…
Okay, so I sketched out some of my ideas.
How about a nice yellow fringe on top?
Oh, darling, the fringe is not exactly big!
And that yellow is the least bold color I can imagine!
Well, it doesn't have to be yellow.
But I really do love the old-timey style!
Like this!
Sweety Belle, precious face.
"Old-timey" is just another word for "passé"!
Remember big! And bold!
I do have a reputation to uphold.
It was one pain to lose as a filly.
But can you imagine if I didn't win the most creative now?
Ponies would stop buying my couture!
But we're supposed to be doing this together!
Yes of course we are, darling.
In fact, we just finished!
I know. You're speechless.
Well, if that isn't big and bold, I don't know what is!
Isn't it wonderful?
Right. Wonderful.
Hey Crusader, how is it going.
Rarity has definitely made the biggest,
boldest kart anypony has ever seen.
Wow!
Well, AppleJack has build something so traditional
it's practically an antique.
No matter what I say,
there's no talking Rainbow Dash out of making
the fastest kart in Equestria.
Doesn't look like any of us ended up with what we wanted.
I'm sure our older sisters know what they're doing.
Right?
Right.
And even if our karts aren't exactly what we had in mind.
It'll still be fun to drive them to the finish line.
Sure! The race is the best part!
Yeah! CMC's behind the wheels!
Derby racers to the starting line!
The race is about to start, Scootaloo!
You better shake a leg if you wanna ride in the winning kart!
You, too, Sweetie Belle.
There's only one seat left aboard this creative masterpiece,
and it's just for you.
Whoa, ponies! Wait for me!
This traditional kart handles at the exact perfect pace:
slow!
And I got the passenger seat all warmed up for ya, Apple Bloom!
Passenger seat?!
They're the only older ponies driving!
First they built the karts,
now they're gonna drive them?!
I know they were all excited to help, but
I don't think they're really helping anymore.
We better hurry if we wanna be part of this race at all.
Aren't y'all missing somepony?
They'll be along!
And, uh, usually the younger ponies drive the karts.
Darling! Do these look like "usual" karts to you?
Racers, on your marks!
Get set!
Can't we go any faster?
Faster? Don't be silly!
This is perfect.
Go! Go! Go!
Check me out, racing the derby.
Check out my old-fashioned kart
Check me out, racing the derby
In my original work of art.
Check me out, faster than ever.
There's no pony can catch me now.
Let me out, I'd do it over
If I only knew how!
Giddyup, derby reacers!
Go! Go! Go!
My kart's the most original.
Designed with imagination.
My kart's the most traditional.
Just plain, no complications
Look at me. I am the ace.
Might as well give up the chase.
Wish we could stop this race.
Start to getting do it our way.
Having any fun yet?
Nope! Maybe if we could go a little faster?!
Giddyup, derby reacers!
Go! Go! Go!
Gotta get some attention,
If I want that ribbon.
Gotta burst the limit further,
Blow away the competition.
Gotta coast on through.
Just relax, we're gonna cruise it.
Guess I don't really care,
Since we're clearly gonna lose it.
See, everypony's watching.
Presentation is a glory.
Just passed you even faster.
Speed is king, end of story.
Bigger, bolder down the track.
Love the view from the back of the pack.
Won't stop, we're on the attack.
Too late to take it all back!
Giddyup, derby reacers!
Go! Go!
Look out!
My beautiful swan kart is an ugly duckling.
And my old-time kart is a rootin' tootin' wreck!
It still counts as a win if I push my kart across, right?
They're not your karts!
We were supposed to design them!
And we were supposed to drive them!
The derby was supposed to be for us,
not the three of you.
Now, you've ruined it for everypony!
Yes, well, I suppose we might have gotten a
tinsy bit carried away.
But I thought you all wanted our help.
We did. We wanted your help to build our karts,
but we all ended up with karts that each of you wanted.
But why didn't you say anything?
You've all done the race before,
I just figured you knew best.
Plus it's hard to speak up to older ponies.
Oh, I suddenly understand that.
But you must not think older ponies automatically know best.
And we probably could have done a better job of listening to you.
I guess we owe all three of you an apology.
Maybe not just us.
How do you feel about a do-over?
I think that's a wonderful idea,
but maybe the older ponies should sit this one out.
Thanks for helping us fix up our karts.
Pretty creative, right?
I know it's not traditional, but it sure looks fast, don't it?
You know, darling, I can't believe I'm saying this, but…
that yellow fringe is rather bold after all.
Thanks everypony.
We couldn't have done it without you.
Yep. I sure am glad Miss Cheerilee
agreed to run the race over again.
Well, it isn't every year I get to say this twice, but…
Derby racers to the starting line!
Racers! On your marks!
Get set!
Go!
And it's probably best keeping all the grown-ups on the sidelines,
but what are we supposed to do now?
I think I have an idea.
Much better.
Honestly, I'm not sure why we wanted
to race those karts in the first place.
Seriously.
This is the most relaxed I've been the all day.
Go Scootaloo, go!
I mean…
This is the life. Right, ponies?
HAPPY PONYEND anon2anon sunnysubs.com