The big day had arrived. Countless horse girls lined up for the race, their faces taut with tension. Understandable, given the stakes—this was the Tenno Sho (Autumn), one of the eight major races. For Mejiro Rampage, a daughter of the Mejiro house, sitting this one out was unthinkable. She was fired up, stretching with her usual vigor, but something was off. Other horse girls eyed her with a mix of awe and fear. Was it her undefeated ten crowns? No, it was something else entirely—
"The shield every horse girl chases, forged by trained legs on the path to glory—today's main event, the Tenno Sho (Autumn)! This race is historic, a Tenran race graced by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, the first time they've attended a race bearing their name. Despite the unfortunate rain, today will be etched as a page in history."
A Tenran race. The presence of the Emperor and Empress had the competitors pale, clutching their stomachs or swallowing hard after scribbling "person" on their palms for luck. That kind of reaction was normal—who wouldn't be rattled with such an audience? Behind Their Majesties, waving cheerfully, stood Mejiro Asama, Speed Symboli, Ramone, Rudolf, and a reluctantly dragged-along Sirius.
"Look at those pale faces," Rampage chuckled. "Even the Prez is playing dirty."
"And you're just fine?" McQueen shot back, her voice tinged with nerves. "How are you so calm?"
"Dunno," Rampage said with a shrug. "Guess I just want someone to see my run."
"Who, Their Majesties?" McQueen asked.
"Nah—my little sisters. Cute as hell, aren't they?"
McQueen and Ryan immediately thought of Rice, Rampage's beloved pet, but she meant Bright and Dober. Especially Bright—she'd grown so close during their time at the estate that she'd once crawled into Rampage's bed, fast asleep, completely at ease.
"Forget that," Rampage said, eyeing them. "You two gonna keep it together? Don't let the imperial spotlight make you choke."
"Hmph!" McQueen huffed. "You're the odd one here! We've steeled ourselves to race in front of Their Majesties!"
"Yeah, I'm nervous as heck," Ryan admitted. "But running with you, Ran, kinda tricks my brain into focusing. I'll be fine."
"Rampage!" a voice boomed, cutting through the chatter.
All eyes turned to the source, unfazed by the stares. Lady Saber, the Knight of Dust, strode forward with a confident grin.
"Yo, Lady!" Rampage greeted. "Looking lively, huh?"
"No need to ask," Lady Saber replied. "You're ready, aren't you? Someone of your caliber wouldn't slip up on a stage like this."
"Hah! I plan to live up to expectations," Rampage said. "Let's see how the Knight of Dust fares on turf."
"Fufu, maybe I'll rebrand as the Knight of Storms today," Lady Saber said, chest puffed out.
Her knightly win-suit and bold demeanor shone, amplified by the drizzle turning the track into a heavy, power-demanding bog. For a dirt specialist like her, this was perfect—closer to her domain than pristine turf.
"I'm here to hand you your first loss," Lady Saber declared. "Not Ryan, not McQueen—me. I'm ready to stir up a storm."
The crowd gasped. To challenge Rampage, hailed as the mightiest, with such brazen confidence was audacious. Yet Lady Saber's eyes held no doubt—only burning resolve. She meant to win. Rampage couldn't help but grin.
"Now that's the spirit I love," she said. "You're ready to take me down, huh?"
"I wouldn't step onto your stage otherwise," Lady Saber replied. "Are you ready to lose, Queen of the Turf?"
"Dumb question," Rampage shot back. "I'm always ready to win."
Sparks flew between them, leaving the other horse girls stunned, swallowing hard. But the tension broke as they burst into laughter, high-fiving as they passed. Lady Saber's smirk lingered as she headed to her gate.
"Is Lady that good?" Ryan asked, wide-eyed.
"Her trainer says she's mainly a dirt runner, only dabbling in turf," McQueen noted.
"No clue how she'll handle turf," Rampage said. "But she's strong. No question."
It wasn't just her running—Lady Saber's aura was electric, brimming with intent to topple Rampage. Underestimating her as a dirt horse would be a mistake. Rampage saw her as a top threat.
"Still, you two seemed pretty chummy," Ryan said, a hint of envy in her tone. "Felt closer than me and you."
"We've only clashed a few times," Rampage said, slinging an arm around Ryan. "But going all-out forges a bond. Nothing beats the connection from a real fight."
Their battles had bred a deep understanding, perhaps even surpassing Ryan's in some ways. Ryan's face clouded with a touch of jealousy, and Rampage chuckled, pulling her closer.
"Don't get it twisted," she said. "No one gets me like you do. Lady knows my strength, trusts what she can read from it, but there's plenty she doesn't know."
"Right," Ryan said, blushing. "Ugh, why was I even jealous?"
"You adorable dork," Rampage teased, ruffling her hair.
"Hey, cut it out, Ran! Gate-in's soon!" Ryan protested, squirming.
Their playful roughhousing drew stares, but Ryan and McQueen were grateful. The antics melted their nerves, replacing tension with confidence. They could run their best now. Gate-in time arrived.
"Let's introduce the third favorite: Mejiro McQueen, winner of this year's Tenno Sho (Spring). Her stunning Kyoto Daishoten run sets her up to complete the Tenno Sho double!"
"Second favorite: Mejiro Ryan, the Triple Crown horse girl who conquered the Takarazuka Kinen!"
"And the overwhelming top favorite: the undefeated ten-crown champion, aiming for the world—Mejiro Rampage! The Mejiro house dominates one through three. Can anyone breach their fortress?"
The Mejiro family's dream: to conquer the Tenno Sho. For that, they ran. The race was moments away.
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
"So, she's branching out to dirt too… quite the broad vision," a voice remarked.
"My pride and joy," another said.
"The pride of my friend's grandkid!" a third chirped.
"She's quite the favorite, isn't she?" someone noted.
"Hey, Rudolf, you jerk!" Sirius hissed. "How dare you…!"
"Quiet, Sirius, or Their Majesties will hear!" Rudolf whispered.
"Just spin it into a heroic tale for the kids," Ramone suggested.
"There's a limit, you know!" Sirius snapped.
"Sirius, over here," Asama called. "Their Majesties want to hear your stories."
"Eek—y-yes, ma'am!" Sirius stammered.
Unbeknownst to Rampage, this was unfolding in the stands.
Postscript
And… after over ten years of posting, I've received an illustration! Thanks to RPG-7, we have an AI-generated artwork of Rampage. It's featured in the table of contents, but let me share it again. A huge thank you to RPG-7!!
[Illustration Display]
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