February 6th 1940
The Newmarket racecourse buzzed with excitement. The new era of Umamusume was about to begin and the crowd couldn't wait to see it.
The first Debut race of the year, the Newmarket Maiden Stakes.
The stands were a riot but the infield was a different story entirely. All the anticipated umamusume were walking through the tunnel silently, each determined in their own right. The tension could cut diamonds.
One black haired uma with gold highlights and blue eyes stood out from the rest however. This little uma was, of course, Avalon.
'Wait! We cant timeskip twice in a row!! That's gotta break some kinda rule!'
—
For the past month, Avalon had trained as she had for the 4 before that. Hellishly brutal stat training, although the training cut back slightly after Chris told Avalon what race she was participating in.
Overall it was a very… rough experience. Though Avalon trained her technical ability in her free time to Chris' reluctance.
Due to all this training, you would think, 'what about all of Avalon's studies, or friends even?'. Well, Sun Chariot and Godiva actually volunteered to help out with Avalon's training but then their trainers stopped them.
Something about 'not showing the enemy your musket.' Avalon had no clue what that meant but she didn't really mind either way.
There was one who stayed behind though.
The ever-odd Point l'Eveque, casually sleeping away on the grass behind the racecourse obviously. She snuggled up to Chris like she was a teddy bear.
Honestly the funniest face Avalon had seen Chris make, ever.
Either way, Point l'Eveque would come by every time Avalon was training to do just about… nothing.
It was odd but no one really minded, the days blended together and eventually we came back to the present day, not a lot that can really happen in a month, right? (Satire).
—
'Uuu… Author is my life just some game to you? I did other stuff!'
Oh right, she also played cards with Violet, Boneless, and the delusional uninvited guest every night.
Violet has a weird obsession with cards, huh?
Off topic!
Anyway, the Newmarket racecourses announcers began to introduce the competitors one by one,
[Number 6, Sir Belmont!]
[Number 3, Fleet Foot!]
[Number 1, Victory Roll!]
The names kept piling on, and eventually, it was Avalon's turn,
[Number 7, Avalon!]
Avalon walked onto the turf and looked up at the stands. Every eye was on her, this brought back some unwelcome memories. Avalon forgot to breathe for a second, then calmed herself down.
'...Shit.' Avalon soured, 'Even here you choose to haunt me. It's been more than 15 years… so why?'
For the longest time, Avalon has had a weird type of social anxiety, you could call it akin to stage fright.
She could deal with small crowds and people one on one, but when it's a massive crowd of people staring holes into her? Nope, she completely freezes and her body locks up.
Why is she like this? Story for another time.
With a little assistance from the Race staff, Avalon was led to the track without much trouble.
'Calm down Alice… deep breaths it'll all be fine. Look for someone you know…'
Thankfully, while the crowd was sizable, it wasn't one Avalon couldn't handle at all, it was just very uncomfortable for her.
So she reluctantly looked to the stands, it wasn't a lot of people, maybe 40-50. Managing to get a good look, Avalon spotted an eyepatched umamusume and sighed in relief.
"Sigh~ oh good, Chris is here." She smiled weakly.
Chris, in the stands, noticed this out of character look from Avalon and tilted her head slightly.
[Number 9, Lovely day!]
[Number 5, Cream Cheese!]
Moments later, the last 3 remaining Umamusume were being called out. The three most favoured to win.
[Number 2, The third most voted to win, Vest liner!]
[Number 8, The second most voted to win, Storming home!]
[And Number 4, The undisputed most voted to win, Kilroy!]
All three entered the track with an unspoken confidence, as if this race was a guaranteed win for them. It was clear to all the other racers that their ego was through the roof, and for good reason.
They were undeniably strong, Avalon could see that much with insight. Each of their average stats waved between 300-500, truly top brass umas.
After the three got their 15 minutes of fame, all of the.racers were asked to line up according to their assigned number and prepare for the race.
—
At around the same time, in the stands stood 6 umamusume Avalon knew… Well, one was in a wheelchair and one was sleeping on her shoulder but still.
Christmas in Berlin.
Point l'Eveque.
Sun Chariot.
Godiva.
Violet Eclipse.
And finally, Boneless the snake.
Hm? What do you mean there's only 5 umamusme named?
…
…
…Oh.
And Violets tag along, Don Quixote I guess.
Anyway!
These 6, and Don, had come to watch Avalon's debut race but something about Avalon seemed off.
"Does she seem a little different to you?" Sun Chariot began the conversation.
"Hmm… I see what you mean. I hope she's okay…" Godiva responded.
"Ava has always been a little odd, for as long as I've known her at least." Said the uma who owned a snake as a pet.
"Weird, say you? I fail to see aught amiss with her. To mine eyes, she seemeth perfectly fine!"
"Of course you wouldn't see it." Violet sighed.
The two junior umas watched this interaction and simultaneously thought in a small shock,
'What are the top two classic year prospects doing here…?'
"She'll be fine." Then Chris spoke up.
All heads turned to her, of course the sleepy one was still laying on her shoulder like it was the most comfortable thing in the world.
"I don't praise that kid often, in fact I don't think I ever have but…"
"But?"
"But she has something not many can claim to have, some view it as weird and even more so, completely unrelated to racing. However, for a great chaser like me and her, it's the sign of a natural born end-closer."
The 4 listened intently and understood what she was saying, wondering what this 'something' was.
"Come now, out with it! Keep me in suspense no longer!" Don said.
"Sigh~ tell me this, Miss Delulu, what do you think a great chaser's most crucial element is?"
"Why, the answer is obvious! Overwhelming speed and unrivaled might, of course! And furthermore, my name is not 'Miss Delulu'! I am Don Quixote!!!"
"Speed and power are definitely important factors for a great chaser, sure. But that applies to every umamusume who calls themself a racer regardless of what running style they use." Chris explained.
"Then maybe, positioning?" Violet chimed in.
"Doesnt really make sense for a style that runs at the back all race to focus on positioning, does it?" Chris countered.
"Experience?" Sun chariot asked.
"It's her debut…"
"Hehe~ maybe it's courage?" Godiva followed up.
"Again. Every racer would need that."
After all the wrong answers, the little sleepy uma stirred and opened her eyes,
"Yawn~ it's timing… for an end-closer, if you sprint ahead too early, your stamina will deplete fast and if you do so too late, you've already lost." Eve answered.
A beat of silence spread among the 5, that was the most they had heard her speak.
But…
"Close, but not the answer I'm looking for." Chris said.
That pricked at Eve's curiosity, she was a little more awake now, just a little.
"Watch Ava closely and you'll see what I mean." Chris commented while pointing at the black haired uma with her only arm.
Avalon's earlier face was gone completely, it was now hardened to a very serious expression. As if her previous anxiety never existed.
3-!
The countdown began as all the umamusume shifted to a running stance.
"Avalon is a once in a lifetime, natural-born Great chaser…"
2-!
The umas all lowered their stance more, ready to fly out onto the turf.
"And that is because…"
1-!
The gates flew open! Umamusume whooshing out of the gates like a bird free from its cage.
[And they're off! Coming out in front is Number 4, Kilroy! Right behind are Number 8 and Number 2, biting onto Number 4's tail and refusing to let go!]
[Behind is- huh?]
Something rather peculiar happened.
All of the umamusume had begun to run on the track, as they should be doing. But for some reason…
One of them still stood in the gates, Still in a race ready posture.
It was Avalon.
1 second passed.
Then 2
Then 3.
4.
And by 5 seconds Avalon had finally begun to start her run, but not in a full sprint or anything.
No.
She ran as she usually would, as if the race gates had just opened and all the racers were right next to her. Avalon's face was neutral, as if this was an intended purpose.
"What's she doing?!" Sun Chariot grimaced.
"Oh dear…" Godiva said
"Why did she wait…?" Violet asked.
"..." Don remained silent this time.
Chris noticed the silence, "Oh? Did you figure it out?"
"...What manner of monster hast thou nurtured into being...?" Don asked with what seemed like excitement, "I fear I scarcely wish to know the answer."
"You see Miss Delulu… What makes Avalon so extraordinary isn't her ability." Chris smirked.
Meanwhile Avalon's face on the track shifted slightly, her lips curving unnaturally.
"...It's her unnervingly sadistic nature when she races someone."
—
END OF CHAPTER
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