Author's Notes:

As this chapter finally begins to introduce the characters, I ask that you refer to the Prologue chapter or the main page for this story to see the designs for the characters.

Rotor's eyes spun like pinwheels trying to comprehend all the information that just entered his brain. He scratched his head in confusion then began making small movements as if trying to put two and two together. "So let me get this straight, for years and years twilight studied under the princesses only to become one herself?"

Spike nodded. "Right."

"And she just so happen to be one of the main ponies who could wield the elements of harmony."

"Right."

"Alright alright, but there is still one thing that confuses me, you said that dragons in that world seem to grow from greed, how's that work?"

"I never really understood it myself."

"That makes sense I guess, but you have no idea how you got here?"

"On a scale from 1 to 10, I'm at a negative 3."

"Ok, my head hurts now, and geez you killed an hour and a half with that."

"Took me just as long when I explained it to Sonic."

"Well now that that's over, do you still want to get some gear or should I go wrap my head around everything you told me?"

"I would recommend option number two but I need some gear."

"Alright then, as I said an hour ago, the shop's in the back, let's get you settled."

Spike and Rotor made their way into the back of the garage and through the door. After traveling through a small hallway, they emerged inside the shop. Blue paint covered the walls with rings painted over it. From Spike's perspective, the wall they faced held dozens of Ex shoes and gloves. On the wall they emerged from were clothes tailored just for racing. To their right, the front door and display showcasing the gear, and to the left, the front counter. Inside the counter were accessories like glasses, wristbands, headbands, goggles, etc. Rotor guided Spike over the counter and directed his attention towards behind the counter. Spike's eyes shone like stars as he stared at the collection of boards that Rotor hoarded on the wall. "Whoa...Sonic wasn't kidding when he said you're the best."

"Ha! Sonic said that?"

"Yea actually."

"Huh, I thought he was kidding when he said he bragged about my shop. Well then choose whichever one you like and we'll get you set up with the ge--Hey hey hey, is that Sonic's blue Star you're holding?"

"Yea, he said I use it to race but I never really bothered since I have no idea how you guys even remotely balance on these death traps."

"You have to let me take a crack at that thing, please please please, I have been dying to modify this board for ages but Sonic keeps saying, it's fine the way it is."

"Go nuts." He said handing off the board.

Rotor took the board from Spike and stashed it inside a room just beside the left side of the counter. "I will see you later." He whispered to it.

"Hey, I know which board I want."

"Hmm? That fast huh? Well, which one were you looking at?"

"The one on top."

"Oh boy, I knew there would be a drawback to stacking those boards so high. Alright then...alley-oop!" Rotor jumped up and up attempting to grab the board but with no success. The fifth time he tried, he ended catch his foot on the counter and tumbling over. "Ow, this might take some time."

Nicole popped out Spike's wrist and floated upward. "You could've just asked me you know."

"I forget you can fly sometimes."

"You're forgiven," she said taking the board off the rack and lowering it down. "Now here," she said handing it off to Rotor.

"Alright let's see here...the Wind Star huh."

Spike cocked his head confusion mostly because he thought all boards were the same. "Wind Star?"

Rotor began making very keen adjustments to the board as he talked. "Yep, it specializes in midair racing. Stream like curves for aerodynamics, well-balanced attributes when compared to average stats, increased top speed, air ride capability and.."

"Hey Rotor."

"Gear shift in yacht type for riding turbulence.."

"Rotor! Do me a favor and back it up would ya? Pretend I'm a 5-year-old and start from the beginning."

"Oh man, I'm sorry. I forgot you're not from this world."

"Yea thanks for that."

"Let give you the run down. This board specializes in mid-air racing, basically means you can fly demonstrated by the bar that connects the two exhaust and the curves that increase its ability to ride the wind as well when you collect a certain number of rings, it can modify itself into this form here which helps better the flying attribute."

"It can change forms simply by collecting these gold ring things? How's that work?"

"It's complicated, and It also has another form but that, I'll let you see for yourself. Second, every board has stats that stand out from other gear. Every gear has different stats and attributes that separate them so get to know the board before riding it. All stats work on from zero to six, six being the best so far this board, it's stats would look like dash-3, limit-1, power-3, and curve-5."

"That's somewhat confusing but I think I got it."

Make sure to aim for a board with good stats and it fits your style. The last thing is the type of board. Each board has a special type that comes with it, speed, power, or fly. Speed is for those who like to move fast and stick to the quickest routes. This ability gives them dominating speed over the competition as well as the ability to grind on rails. Power is for muscle heads like myself who enjoy pounding things to dust. This ability makes them very resistant to damage and they can plow through any obstacle in their path if necessary. Last is fly for those who enjoy the wind rushing past their ears. This type allows them the use of certain paths that are too high for normal riders to reach. Simply put, with the help of fly panels, they can dash straight over the competition with the power to fly and often are the second fastest on the track. Did you get all that?... Spike?"

"Um...I think I got it...maybe....kinda...not," he said scratching his head attempting to process the information.

"Do you want to go over it again?"

"No no, I think I can figure it out."

"Alright, then time for gear."

"What else do I need?"

"Well for one, the magnetic shoes."

"I'll pass."

"Wait what? Why pass on the shoes, you're going to be falling off a lot without them."

"While that's true, I just don't feel comfortable in those death traps. They didn't really have them in Equestria so you know, it would take me longer to get used to those before the board."

"I guess you're right on that. Alright then take a look inside the counter and find yourself a nice pair of glasses or goggles your choice."

"What are they for?"

"Some people kinda have to get used to having the wind in their eyes like that so they wear glasses and goggles to block out the wind. Most of the time though some of the places people ride can get kinda dusty and disorienting so the glasses help them see even if sand is blasting them in the face."

"Alright then, those look good."

"Cool. Anything else gloves or wristbands, etc?"

"No, think I'm good."

Alright then, you are set, my friend. Remember to cite the motto every day just for luck."

"Motto, what motto?"

Nicole instantly appeared next to Spike with her hand over his mouth. "He didn't say that hehe, we'll be going now."

"Our motto is.."

"Rotor don't you dare recite that motto."

"This is my board. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My board is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my board is useless. Without my board, I am useless."

"You have got to be kidding me. Quick Spike, let's go before he starts singing." Nicole quickly and forcefully pushed Spike out of the store and back in front of the house. "Whew, glad to be out of there. Spike, what's wrong?"

Spike pointed up to a large billboard playing a video. In the video, they showcased some of the extreme skills demonstrated in some of the past Grand Prix. "Are you kidding me, Sonic wants me to race and I have to compare up to that? I haven't placed one foot on the board yet, and they're doing double backspins and 1080 front flips." He dropped his head facing the ground and began to comically sulk. "I'm done for."

"Oh Spike cheer up." She held his chin up with one hand and began to gently caress his cheek. "Come on, I don't want to see any tears now, I'm here to help you remember?"

He looked with a slight pout. "...Right."

"Now pick yourself up, show me a smile, and let's go find ourselves a team."

"Know what, you're right. What's the worst that could happen? Thank Nicole."

"No problem dear."

Spike's face instantly shifted red as he heard the words, "dear." He coughed away the blush and began making his into the park. Proceeding back into the park, he nervously walked back to the intersection and after moments of preparation, he took his first steps towards the EX-park. Not even a second after reaching the edge of the park, he dropped to the ground rubbing his head while his board fell to the ground without a scratch. "Ow, what was that?"

A voice panicked yet sincere met a face as Spike opened his eyes. "Oh my god, I am so sorry, I was riding and I didn't see you and I just couldn't keep my attention forward, what is wrong with me?!"

"Hey calm down whoever you are I'm ok."

"Whew, glad to hear it." She extended a hand to Spike and helped him up. "So what brings you here stranger?"

"Well, I'm a rider now apparently so I thought I'd come and join a team or something."

"You're looking for a team too, that's great! just so happens that we're looking for another member to complete our team. It's gonna be amazing, I just know we'll wi..."

Spike covered her mouth with his claw. "We don't even know each other yet and you're already setting us up as a team. Let's iron out the basics first then we'll come to that."

"Okie Dokie, the name's Korbin the cat."

"I'm Spike the dragon."

"A dragon? So cool! Is it true that if we pull your tails you breathe fire?"

"Wait don't!"

Korbin gave his tail one big yank and out came a stream of fire. He snapped his jaws shut with his hand and removed Korbin from his tail with the other. "Um...Sorry."

"Just don't do it again please."

Another voice came from behind him making him jump in fear. "Korbin are you bothering this nice dragon?" Spike breathed a sigh of relief as he turned to face the voice belonging to a overly attractive feminine figure. "I assume she's already introduced herself so I guess I'll do it to. Hello, nice to meet you, my name Lindsey the monkey."

Spike remained frozen on the spot as the monkey came into view. "Uh...H-hi..."

"Excuse me sir. is there something wrong?"

The blush returned to his cheeks as he coughed in embarrassment. Why is everyone in this freaking world cute? "Um...n-no nothing at all, just...I'm Spike, nice to meet you."

"Likewise. So what brings you here Spike?"

Korbin jumped and put an arm around her. "He's looking for a team to crush the competition with." Her tone providing heavy emphasis on the word crush.

"Is that so? Well, well it just so happens that we have a spot open if you're willing to show us what you got."

Spike's scratched his head and turned around making his way to pick up his board. "See, about that--"

Korbin jumped up in front of him making him drop his board in fear. "Whatcha hiding huh?"

"Well I...It's...I-I'm a little rusty is all, is there anywhere we practice in private maybe?"

"Well no, really the entire city is kind of the riding grounds."

Well then is there somewhere where most people don't ride a lot?"

Korbin held her chin in thought. "Well, there is that old course from the first Grand Prix."

Lindsey patted Korbin on the back and nodded. "Of course, they shut that road down for training purposes but it's so basic no one sees it as a challenge."

Spike nodded and picked up his board once more. "That's perfect."

"Alright then, please meet us there in an hour. There we will test your ability."

"An hour! I mean that's...perfect yea." Lindsey and Korbin walked off into the distance and vanished along the horizon while Spike stared in shock. "One hour? One hour?!"

Nicole slowly faded back into the real world with concern on her face. "I think you may have made a regrettable decision."

"Nicole, I have one hour to learn how to ride one of these things and I can't even stand up on one."

"Don't you worry Spike, I can teach you."

"Have you ever rode one of these before?"

"Once or twice."

Spike dropped his gaze to the floor. "I'm so screwed."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am."

"No I mean we still have help, remember Rotor?"

"Wasn't he chanting something when we left him."

"Yes, but I'll snap him out of it. Not sure if one hour is enough to teach you some of the more advanced things but we can get you good enough to get by."

"Let's hope he comes through."

Spike jogged back to Rotor's who was still in some kind of trance at the counter chanting. Nicole popped out and hovered just over Rotor. "This will just take a second."

Spike looked disgusted as she stuck her forefingers into both his ears. She started counting down from three and as she reached 1 she let out the electrical charge of energy. Rotor began vibrating like an earthquake as the electricity surged through his body. Finally, she removed her fingers and floated next to Spike. "What in Robotnik's mustache?!"

"You feeling better Rotor?"

"Nicole?! I told you to s-stop d-doing that."

"What it's the only thing that snaps you out of that stupid trance you always put yourself in."

"W-what do y-you guys need?"

"Well see Spike here has just found himself a team."

"R-really congratulations buddy."

"Hold the applause until you hear the issue. His tryout for the team is in an hour."

"And.."

"He can't ride a gear."

"W-what, a-afraid of the c-competition?"

Spike touched the tip of his foreclaws together. "I don't know how to...ride...the board."

"Oh, that's bad, you're probably gonna bomb...hard."

"That's why I need you to teach me."

"Well, I should've guessed that with you being from another world and what not, but you really expect me to train you in an hour?"

Spike dropped to his knees and put his hands together. "Pretty please."

"It's gonna be tough but alright then, you got yourself a teacher. But only one hour, I don't think I can get everything down in that time."

"I just need the basics."

"That's doable. I know a little road just down the street that should be perfect for the job. Come on."

Spike and Rotor made their way south of the shop, passed the park, and into a drainage tunnel. About five minutes passed before they finally came out the other side. "Dear Celestia, I thought you said the road was small?"

"It is compared to most streets." Spike found himself looking at a gigantic street surrounded by sand and dirt. The street itself was about the size of a football field in width and length. "They use this section of the city to build the roads and highways and this one seems to be done. The workers seem to be off today so we should be good to go." They all made their way down from the small cliff and into the gigantic ditch. As Spike's feet touch the futuristic glass and metal, he placed his board down in front of him. "Alright Spike get on."

"Get on what?"

"The board. Hop on but make sure your dominant foot is on the back."

"I don't know."

"Don't worry, the board stabilizes itself until you actually want it to move now get on you big baby."

"Um..here goes nothing."

Spike slipped his right foot onto the back pad and his left onto the front. "Good make sure you got your balance and lean forward slightly."

"Slightly got it."

Spike closed his eyes as he jerked his entire body forward. The board shot off like a rocket from under him leaving him defying gravity and spinning in the air. Rotor grabbed Spike out of the air and place his feet on the ground. "This is going to be a long hour isn't it?"