Chapter 13: The Big One

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Rainbow Dash breathed nervously. She was as scared as she was excited, she had seen the crowd outside.

Now before they got here, Rainbow Dash and Scarecrow competed in the little scouting event, winning easy. But Scarecrow told her that this would be a lot bigger. And when he said a lot bigger, he meant A LOT bigger. Scarecrow walked up to where she was.

"You nervous?" Scarecrow asked.

"Wha- nervous? Who, me? I'm not nervous." Dash said. Scarecrow raised and eyebrow.

"Listen, it's okay to be nervous. This is my first time here as well. Just remember everything me and Tim taught you and you'll be alright." Scarecrow put his hand on her shoulder, and as he started to walk back to where his bike was until Rainbow Dash's voice stopped him.

"Hey, do you think you can…well, say a small prayer for me?" Dash asked him. Scarecrow smiled.

"Sure thing." Scarecrow put one of his hands on her shoulder and they closed their eyes, Scarecrow saying a quick prayer of thanks and protection. After he had finished, one of the technical crew told them that they needed to start heading out for the best trick event. Dash and Scarecrow nodded, putting their helmets and goggles on.

Scarecrow started his dirt bike, the one he and Applejack worked on, and Rainbow dash revved the engine of her dirt bike, a 2015 250 2-Stroke model, which Tim let her customize. She painted it, of course, cyan blue and put a drawing of her cutie mark on one of the blue panels. The two, along with 4 other drivers, rode out to hear and see the immense crowd.

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"Hello and thank you for joining us here and X-games 24, I'm Jake Newell and I'm here with professional FMX rider and free stylist Tim Meeks. How are you Tim?" Said a man wearing a suit, donning a red tie. He had his sandy blonde hair combed over.

"I'm doing great man, I'm ready to see these tricks cause these are some great free stylists that are going to show off today!" Tim exclaimed.

"And the riders are setting up on top of the ramp, lets take a look at who's competing this year." Jake said. On the arena's giant video board it showed a list of the names of the people who were competing, along with their picture.

"Look, there's Nick!" Twilight exclaimed, pointing to the board. Nick and Rainbow were able to get their group VIP area tickets, so they were basically right at the action, staying on the side of the track. The group cheered, as did a lot of fans in the stadium. Jester figured that these people were only cheering cause they get to watch these guys do crazy shit.

"There's Dash!" Rarity then exclaimed. It showed Rainbows picture on the screen, which got some cheers and whistles. She had a big, confident grin, and winked at the camera. Rainbow Dash fist pumped when she saw her picture on the big screen.

"Oh, doesn't she look marvelous with her gear on, the helmet may be a little too much, but the suit is awe inspiring!" Rarity exclaimed. Rainbow Dash had on blue and yellow colored motocross gear, which was sponsored by Fox motocross. Scarecrow was beside her, he was donning the red and black Red Bull gear he had on at Tim's house.

Rainbow and Scarecrow looked at each other and gave each other a thumbs up. Tim and Jake could be heard over the speakers.

"So now ladies and gentlemen, the line up will be as followed:

First to run is Taka Kanauji of Japan. Second is Vincent Kerbela of Australia. Third is Jason Garcia of Mexico. Fourth is Boris Petrinko of Russia. Fifth is Nick Walker of the U.S., and last but not least, Rachel Dash of the U.S." It was announced.

"We also would like to inform the drivers and fans that this years winner will not only get an X-games gold medal, but this trophy also!" Tim exclaimed, a picture of the trophy appearing on the board." Jake said.

"Now let's go crazy because best trick 2018 is beginning now!" Tim then hollered, and everyone in the stadium started cheering.

The first person, Taka Kanauji, was cleared and he went down the ramp, speeding for one of the launch ramps. When he launched, he did 1, then 2 backflips, and landed it. The crowed cheered immensely, and the video board said he got a 89.25, which currently put him in first.

One by one the riders went, performing tricks, and as of now on the first run, Jason Garcia was in first with a no handed front flip.

"Think you can beat that?" Rainbow Dash asked Scarecrow as he revved his engine, which got the crowd cheering

"Watch and learn." He said with a smile as he slowly went down the ramp, but he went full speed when he got to the bottom, heading for the closest ramp. Just as he launched, he leaned back, showing he was going to do a backflip.

He pulled his feet up to the handle bars, setting one under it, and pushed his free leg and body outwards, doing a one footed Cordova while doing a backflip. When he started to get level again, he quickly adjusted to get back on the bike, and he did it just in time as he landed.

The girls were ecstatic, they had just seen Scarecrow pull off a trick that he told them was very hard. The crowd went just as crazy as they did, and Scarecrow fist pumped and then pulled out a cross necklace he was wearing, holding it in his palm. The other bikers were clapping, all except for Boris.

Scarecrow drove his bike back up the start ramp, and Dash fist bumped him.

"Great job!" She happily exclaimed. They looked at the board to see that Scarecrow was now in first with a 93.70. Dash and Scarecrow cheered.

"Surely we can get the trophy now, and get the element!" Dash exclaimed. After they had all finished their first run, they had a 10 minute break while the focus was shifted to street skating.

Dash was checking her bike when out of the corner of her eye she saw Boris going to a dark corner. She decided to see what he was doing, so she walked to one of the other riders and started to make a conversation with them, but she was listening out of Boris.

"Do not worry sir, I will win it. Yes sir Makarov." Dashes eyes widened at the name "Makarov". she had to tell Scarecrow. Dash finished her conversation with the other rider, and went back to Scarecrow.

"Nick, that Boris guy, he's working for Makarov!" she whispered to him. Scarecrow stopped what he was doing and looked at her.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Positive, I heard him talking to Makarov, like he has a little communicator." Rainbow Dash informed.

"Right… We can't expose him out here, we'll have to win the trophy and then get him for questioning." Scarecrow said. "Just try not to get noticed by him. I'm going to get some water." Scarecrow said. Dash nodded and went back to her bike. She didn't see Boris sneaking behind her back to Scarecrow's bike.

"That American delinquent is their team's only chance of getting the element." He muttered. Grabbed a near by wrench and made his own "adjustments" to the bike. Boris got an evil smile before quietly putting the wrench back and stepping back to his bike, somehow undetected by the others.

After the break had finished, the group went a second time, trying to beat Scarecrows score. Taka, Vincent, and Jason couldn't get a higher score, and Boris started to go down the ramp. He launched and leaned the bike backwards while doing a saran wrap. He spun the bike around as well, trying for a 360. He was luckily able to land it, and the crowd went crazy. Boris saw that the judges gave him a score of 95.45, putting him in first.

"Perfect…" he muttered with his wicked grin.

"How are we suppose to beat that?!" Dash exclaimed. Scarecrow looked at the ramp, and back at Dash.

"I'm going to have to try that trick I told you about." Scarecrow said. Dash got a shocked look on her face.

"But Nick, you said you almost died the last time you tried that own move of yours." she exclaimed.

"I know, I know, but we have to win." Scarecrow said. He revved up his engine, getting the crowd cheering.

"How could he possible beat that last trick Tim?" Jake asked. Tim had a bit of a shocked look on his face.

"I know one trick Nick has tried, and if he can stick it, he'll get first without a doubt, but it's very risky, very dangerous." Tim said. "He calls it the "Dead Man's Hand"

Scarecrow started down the ramp, and hit full speed as he got to the bottom. As he went up the launch ramp, he pulled back, starting the backflip. As he flipped back, he put his body over the handle bar, doing a kiss of death. He then let go of the bar with his left hand, hanging on with his right. He kept his body stiff, making a straight line with his body and the bike. He looked like a corpse holding on with one hand to a back flipping bike, thus the name, "Dead man's hand"

Scarecrow knew he now had to finish the trick by getting his body over the top of the bike's front tire and let go and cross his arms, like a corpse in a coffin. He did so as fast as possible, and the crowd was already going crazy.

But just as he was about to grab the bike again, he heard the chain on the dirt bike snap, and the sound of it locking up into the back tire, causing it to swiftly rise upward. It blindsided Scarecrow, and all he could do now was just try to avoid crashing on his head. But he was already speeding at the ramp, and as he tried to spin around to avoid face planting and breaking his neck, he landed on his left shoulder, and still he hit his head hard on the ground. He was barely conscious, but he knew he couldn't move.

He feared that he had broken his back and that he was now paralyzed. But before he could think anymore, he heard the bike land behind him, and he then felt the 230 pound bike crash onto him, then falling off., the crushing force knocking Scarecrow out.

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The cheering immediately went to gasps and screams as they Saw Scarecrow's body go limp. The girls and guys could only watch in horror, the video screen replaying the accident so everyone could try to figure out what had happened. Tim had already left the commentators table and ran out to where Nick was, and a medical team was out there.

Rainbow Dash thought he was going to make it, until she heard the snap from the bike. She wanted to cry, but she knew she had to stay strong. She looked down at the bottom of the ramp where the other bikers were, and she could see Boris, who was behind everyone else, smiling.

"He must've done something to Nick's bike, causing him to crash!" she exclaimed to herself.

All the excitement Rainbow Dash had had now turn to worry.

After seeing the malfunction that occurred causing Scarecrow to crash, she wasn't even sure if he was still alive. She was breathing hard, obviously nervous. When Scarecrow said that this event was life risking, he wasn't kidding, as she had just seen.

She could see some of the other riders saying a small prayer for Scarecrow as he was put on the stretcher, but the riders and fans started clapping and cheering when Scarecrow slowly came to and put one arm up with a thumbs up, the medical team taking him out and Tim having to return to the commentators box.

This gave Dash confidence. She knew she had to beat the Russian that was in first, she knew that this gained even more meaning than just getting Rarity's element.

Dash planned the trick she was going to do, and the crowed started cheering as she revved her dirt bike and proceeded down the ramp. She was planning the steps as she went down the ramp, and as she launched, she began.

She leaned the bike backwards, starting the backflip, but she pulled her legs up and made her body straight over the bike as they flipped. She then let go of the bike, clapping her hands behind her back, then grabbed the back of the seat, doing a tsunami, then pushed herself forward, and with the momentum, she did a front flip in the air while the bike was back flipping, and she timed it just right to land on the seat. She grabbed the handle bars and set her feet on the pegs, and landed the bike. The crowd roared in cheering and whistling, and camera flashes, as it had been all night. Both Tim and Jake could be heard cheering for her.

"Oh my goodness! And the judges say Rachel has won it!" Jake exclaimed. Rainbow Dash ran to the top of the dirt hill and held her arms up in victory, the crowd cheering. She then went back down and saw her friends, and she took off her helmet and goggles as she ran to the group, the girls hugging

"That was awesome!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Yeah, woo hoo!" Fluttershy meekly exclaimed.

"Darling, you looked fabulous!" Rarity complimented.

"Oh my goodness ,you did it! You won! I mean I knew you would win but now that good! You should really become a pro, maybe take a dirt bike to ponyville even!" pinkie exclaimed.

"Thanks girls. Say, where's Applejack?" She asked.

"After you landed the trick, Applejack went after the medical team. They let her go with them to the hospital, I guess as a comforter to Scarecrow when, and hopefully, he wakes up completely." Twilight explained.

Rainbow Dash understood. "I'm going to get the trophy and then we'll head for the hospital they went to. Tim told me and Nick before the vent started that he can take the bikes back." she said. She then went to a podium that had Boris on it in 2nd, and Taka on the 3rd. Dash jumped up to the first and flexed her muscles, Taka clapping for her.

"This year's best trick event champion, Rachel Dash!" Tim exclaimed, giving her the gold medal and the trophy as well. Dash held it up proudly. After the cameras cut off, Tim and Rainbow Dash rejoined with the group.

"I'm going to help my crew get Rachel's and Nick's bikes hooked up to take back to my house, after that I'll drive to the hospital. Just let me know where it is." Tim asked.

"I've got you covered mate." Ghost said. Tim ran off, and the group then went to the special parking where they parked their vehicles.

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Princess Celestia had been keeping close eye on Equestria ever since the mane 6 had left, and two days had passed. She had not even sensed the disappearance of Discord and Queen Chrysalis until it had been to late.

"Sister, you have been up the past two days and nights…" Luna said, concerned for her sister's well being.

"I simply cannot sleep until I know everything has been put back to balance… I do worry about them though…" Celestia said.

"Sister, if you may allow it, I can carry a book of spells with me into their world, If I use my magic correctly, I can teleport to where the mane six are currently at on this other world, also disguising myself as a human." Luna said.

"We do not even know if Humans are capable of magical possibilities." Celestia said.

"Even so, I can still keep in touch with you since had become mind linked." Luna said. Celestia turned around, the dark bags of sleepless nights starting to take shape.

"Luna, my beloved sister. I know you are very courageous, and have become much stronger in your magic, but I am still not sure." Celestia said.

"Celestia, my beloved sister. When I was nightmare moon, you lead this great land on your own, hoping for my return. Now the elements, the very thing that saved me from corruption, are in danger. I must go and help find them. My heart and our friendship shall guide me." Luna said, getting close to her sister.

Princess Celestia started to tear up some, she was so proud of how her sister had matured.

"Very well, but try to check in with me as much as possible via our mind link." Celestia said. Luna nodded, taking a couple of steps back. Her horn began to glow, and a portal opened up behind her Luna turned to face the portal, then looked back at Celestia, who nodded, tears in her eyes. Luna took in a deep breath and went through the portal, it closing behind her.

Celestia sighed, and looked back over her beautiful kingdom.

"be safe my little sister…" Celestia said, holding back tears.

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"I just called Applejack, she said that Scarecrow is in the ER and they're having to operate on his spine. She said the doctor told her that the his spinal cord was fractured, but it's not broken so bad as to where he is paralyzed. He also suffered a concussion and a dislocated shoulder." Rainbow Dash told the group. They were all in the SUV they had earlier, the car even still had room for a couple of people.

"Thank goodness." Specter said. He was driving them to the hospital that Scarecrow and Applejack were in. The group talked about the recent events until they all heard a spark inside the car.

"What was that?" Ghost asked. Then, in a flash, a young Caucasian woman, almost the same age as the rest of the girls, appeared in the car naked, and landed in the laps of Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Everyone looked backed, everyone screaming from being caught off guard. The woman screamed as well, but It was Twilight who stopped the hollering.

"P-Princess Luna?" she asked, her eyes going wide. The blue eyes, Moderate cobalt blue hair, and a moon cutie mark on her butt….flank…..whatever.

"Twilight? Is that you?" Luna asked. The two then rejoiced and hugged, happy to see each other.

"Well, I'm sure this is a nice reunion and all, but WHO THE HELL IS SHE?!" Ghost blurted out.

"This is Princess Luna, Co-ruler of Equestria. She is the one that controls the night." Twilight proudly stated. Ghost had a bit of an embarrassed look.

"Oh. Sorry for yelling M'lady." Ghost said. Luna cocked her head sideways.

"It's alright." Luna said.

"Princess, what are you doing here?" Rarity asked.

"I have come to help find the elements of harmony. Since you all had used them to free me, I could feel a certain connection to them." Luna explained. She then looked around.

"Where is Applejack?" Luna asked.

"We'll explain on the way princess, but first, you need some clothing on." Rarity said with a chuckle. "Good thing I brought this!" She showed a bag, one she had been carrying with her ever since they left for Virginia, and pulled some clothes out.

"Rarity, you've done it again." Rainbow Dash chuckled. As Luna put some clothing on, Ghost called Applejack.

"Hey, It's Ghost. How's he doing?" Ghost asked. After a minute or so, Ghost nodded.

"Right, we're almost there, you said it was in the ER, floor 6?" He then asked. "right, Bye." he said, hanging up.

"What has happened? Has someone gotten hurt?" Luna asked.

"Sadly, yes, we'll explain on the way." Twilight said.

"And I have this video I recorded to show it! It had all of Rainbow Dashes and Scarecrow's tricks!" Pinkie pie happily said, showing Lune her phone.

"What is this?" Luna said, holding the phone.

"We have a lot to cover…." Twilight said.

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"You've failed me." Makarov said. Boris grimaced.

"How was I suppose to know that the Rainbow one would do that to win!?" he replied.

"One must always be prepared." Makarov said. "And I do not need people who are not. Goodbye."

Boris then heard a beeping noise, and he heard from the radio, "Do svidaniya Proval" the voice of Makarov said.

"I should've known better than to take a car from Makarov." The car exploded, the blast killing Colonel Petrinko.

"No one gets anything done now a days. At least he had successfully put that one American into injury. I hope he doesn't make it." He said with a dark hearted chuckle