Thump, thump, thump...

The pounding seemed to come from everywhere.

Thump, thump, thump...

It probably did, what with the small hole of a locker room that housed some ten or so contestants echoing and amplifying the sound. Any other noises would be difficult to hear in the quiet room, but it'd be hard to say with how silent the ponies in the room already were.

Thump, thump, thump...

Each head in the dim room was lowered in concentration, nerve-settling, or prayer. Then, one of the contestants lifted her head and looked toward the light cutting its way through the crack between the caging double-doors.

Thump, thump, thump...

The main source of the noise could be anything from blaring music, glorious applause, or the thunderous heartbeat loud in the contestant's ears. It shook her frame and rattled her core. Whatever it was, the pegasus didn't care. All that mattered was proving her worth, her value, her ability.

Thump, thump, thump...

She was more than ready to do just that.