The turn of the century.
A new year had begun, and as such.. The reign of the conqueror had come within Japan. The weather that had been forecast today was cloudy, yet the turf was firm and in good condition.
Today after all, would be considered one of the most grueling races an Uma Musume could partake in their career. The spring Tenno Sho. Being around two miles in length, only those with monstrous stamina could survive its grueling distance, with the first racers finally coming onto the track.
A roar of cheers erupting from the crowd. Both Uma Musume and humans cheering for either their friends or those they idolised the most. With Rascal Suzuka and Narita Top Road emerging from the entrance.
Being the half sister of the prodigious Silence Suzuka, Rascal Suzuka with her long, flowing strands of bay hair fixated her collar, glancing over at the stands to find her older sister. Waving at her slightly. With Narita Top Road behind Rascal, her bright personality beamed. Brimming with a fighting spirit as she acknowledged her own fans.
Only twelve racers were assigned to today's race, and with Rascal Suzuka and Narita Top Road coming out onto the track, now three of the five favourites for today's race had appeared. Only the fourth and first were left. As a languish, short Uma Musume joined the group.
Stay Gold, in her usual attire, had come before the crowd. Although her appearance was a stark contrast to the rest of the racers today, she had always been a favourite amongst the Uma Musume who were participating today, even if her personality on the track was borderline sinister.
Yet before anyone could further bask in any discussions, the fan favourite had finally arrived. Her strides exploded with pride as a crown was laid on her head, as she threw back her cloak in a flamboyant manner. The announcer screamed into the mic to welcome TM Opera O as she raised her arms into the air.
"Today we arrive at a new century! A proclamation to what shall become new stories, and my kingdom! As Uma Musume derived from the desire to run…LET'S GIVE IT OUR ALL AND WRITE HISTORY WITH OUR ACTIONS!" With her explosive statement booming through the venue, a cacophony of claps and cheers alike resounded back to the ground.
As she turned away from her fellow competitors, entering one of the booths. With the others following in suit to enter their designated paddocks. Each one suited their own racing style as the air that surrounded the race was under palpable pressure, inflicted by all those present today.
Graded races were of a high standard. As such, today's race was considered in high regards. A national G1 that was second to only the international Japan Derby in how intense it was. A race that had led to Narita Taishin's eventual retirement, and in the future Fenomeno's.
A deafening silence came from the crowd, with the announcer finally speaking after a momentary pause. "From now on, the 121nd Spring Tenno Sho will be held today …START!" As the gates widened open.
A flurry of runners emerging from the paddocks as they ran out, a torrent of thuds that shook the ground lightly in every step that was taken.. The mid pack revolving around the favourites.
With Narita Top Road in fourth place and TM Opera O in seventh, whilst Hokkaido and Tamamo Inazuma entered the lead. Everyone had performed well in their starts. As the pace chasers resigned themselves to wait for the chance that would open near the end.
This was a race built on stamina, not on the sheer speed and power. As such, a breakaway would be impossible unless one reached the realms of those who became world leaders. Yet it had been many decades or even over a century since such a feat had last been performed.
A rumbling of foot steps resounded into the air, each step violent as two hundred metres had already passed by in a little over twelve seconds. Then four hundred by twenty four seconds.
The pressure imbued towards the leaders of the pack of Tamamo Inazuma and Hokkaido was overbearing. Fangs bared at them as they felt their flesh slowly being torn at. Skinned by the predators lurking. Yet they pursued onwards, as this was to be expected of one of the most prestigious titles.
A spectacle that graced many in the sight of the sixth Japanese G1 to be performed in the new millenia. Just mere weeks ago, the Satsuki Sho had occurred as the first leg of the triple crown, with Air Shakur winning. Now, it was likely suspect that the favourite, TM Opera O would win.
Yet the front runners persisted. If no one were to challenge, then possibly they could win. Hopeful thinking that only when they were to start, that it'd be too late for them to make back the distance.
With the favourites away from them at the current moment, the only thing they could do was to keep these monsters at bay. The distance became outstretched, as time passed, yet insistent on its slow pace.
Each second was grueling, tearing away at their own sanity. To run, was to survive. As such, even at over a kilometre having been trekked, stubborn persistence was what had taken over.
TM Opera O watched from the mid-pack, buried amongst the people surrounding her. Trapped in a prison which they believed was unbreakable. But hadn't they also stated that when it came to the titanic? Hadn't the people believed in the falsified ideal that it was unsinkable, and absolutely unsinkable..?
Yet she let them delude themselves, to let them believe that she was kept under chains. She had learnt a lot from her previous losses, and this year. She had planned to devour the pie which had her name on it, with the candles still on it.
Sweat had begun to build up on the faces of Hokkaido and Inazuma, their breathing becoming increasingly ragged. Yet fear had begun to set in. Even with almost half of the race behind them, these monsters kept up. The ambient noise that erupted from the crowds dulled, with only the constant rumbling of hooves and one's own heartbeat being what's left.
But their momentum.. it had begun to fall, the distance was slowly being reclaimed. Front runners, they couldn't preserve the pace over a three kilometre distance unless one had been bestowed a god given talent. But fate was now taking the reins, and it was forceful.
Soon, they'd be swallowed up by their competitors.