Murmurs echoed amongst the audience members, their confidence wavering as they looked at the current standings. Was T Opera O expectant to win, whilst being trapped amongst her own peers? Or would the race be led by the other favourites Narita Top Road and the scheming Stay Gold.
Nobody could with certainty decide on the next moves of how the race would conspire, as the stumbling form of one of the leaders had become more obvious. Their momentum now faltered under the pressure, as the announcer took notice.
"A-ah! It seems as though Tamamo Inazuma is beginning to start falling behind! With only a bit more than a kilometre left! The final turn is amongst the racers soon, but what will our favourites do!" As her voice grew under the heightened tension, diverting the attention of many of the crowd.
Anticipation for what would transpire, as Hokkai Rousseau had also begun to falter slightly. Perhaps it was due to not having participated in a G1 since 1996. But as it was for many other talents, whose skills were to degrade over time after their peak maturation.
A mellow sigh came from Hokkai Rousseau. This was her final race, a departure from the track. Yet to race amongst the current best, it had sparked her passion, her desire to win. With no future in racing, it was to allow her to use her body to its fullest, and to expend what stored up energy she had still coursing through her veins.
An urgency to cling, a wish to finally be able to claim a G1 race. From losing to Sakura Laurel and Mayano Top Gun, was she to become just like many others, or break out of this losing streak once and for all, just as King Halo had done a month prior..?
Yet they were losing, each second was bleeding distance, as their bodies had begun to fail, betraying their pleas for it to persist for just a minute more. Inazuma's betrayal more fatal as Hokkai Rousseau was forced to take the brunt, to lead their own suicide march. A march that would either lead to a brilliant victory or a fleeting loss.
Tamamo Inazuma gazed back, their vision narrowing as their body fell into the pack of predators. Razed to the bone as they collapsed into the pit. A fate that assured no coming back. If a front runner fell behind, there was no return for such a person.
With one front runner down, and just under a kilometre left, the pack had begun to tighten. Tension building up between each racer. Who was to fall next? Who would be the first to commit to a final push?
At the speed they were performing at, elbows clipped each other lightly, yet they were still driven by the clear goal. It didn't matter what would happen, it just mattered whether they were to win or not.
As Narita Top Road stared at the formation, she had realised something internally. Slowly, the formation surrounding T Opera O would collapse. Yet once it did fold under itself, there was no way to win.
Several months had passed since they last met on the track, yet in such little time, something changed. Something that made her aura oppressive. It was not one of pride, it was one of certainty, assurance that she'd conquer.
With such a fearful foe upon her, she decided to accelerate, and to commit with it. To not yield to fate, to reject it. However, Rascal Suzuka, who had last to both Special week and Narita Top Road last year, also understood what course of action to take.
A two way acceleration, around four furlongs from the finish line. Turning with the track. Such acceleration was risky, immoral. To perform this when you are turning was insanity. Perhaps it was, but it was the one way to best goliath.
The crowd, once blurred by tense air, roared to life. "W-WOAHHH! NARITA TOP ROAD AND RASCAL SUZUKA ARE ACCELERATING! ACCELERATING DURING THE FINAL TURN! WHAT WILL OUR FAVOURITE DO? SHE'S STILL TRAPPED WITHIN THE PACK!"
As the masses flickered their eyes from both the duo, and T Opera O. To see what she'd do, and how she'd break free. Yet everyone had forgotten about Stay Gold. There was no panic drawn by her expressions.
What was instead displayed, was an almost amused indifference, a scheming mind who was too silent. Too quiet for how she usually acted. And that was what disturbed some of the crowd. Her small yet nimble stature allowed her to move in ways that many others couldn't replicate.
Her body contorted, zig-zagging through small gaps produced between the opponents surrounding her. There was no fear of running into other racers, because what lacked in height, she made up for fearless pride. Crashing into Narita last year, as well as biting at Special Week's tail were just some of the well known examples of her reckless behaviour.
Yet what was the most known aspect about her was how she moved. Brash and dangerous, in how she performed manoeuvres and how she overtook others. Slowly creeping up to the front, a sly snake that crawled to its prey. Yet when she finally got to the front, she would finally be able to claim a G1 for herself.
But today wouldn't be that day. Nor would Hokkai Rousseau or Rascal Suzuka claim their first G1's. Because the conqueror was just about to strike.
The jail that had boxed in TM Opera O had failed. A jail that the guards had thought was locked, yet the key had already been smuggled into her cell. Only courting them to have those surrounding her believe that it was fool proof.
As she was now taking charge, to become the leader of the new millennia. To become the conqueror of century's end.
Strides that were once concealed under a veil, now were displayed in full pride. As the favourites were all accelerating at once, each one unique in their own ways. A strong gust of wind flowing as TM Opera O followed the slip stream of those ahead. To use those ahead as the cavalry, to expend their energy whilst conserving one's own, was a technique she had stolen from her cousin years prior.
But it was useful. As now the four of them were all in the home straight. Under three furlongs in distance. Nobody dared to speak. Not the audience, or the Presenter, as hushed silence fell over the crowd.
Just three furlongs left, but five strong contenders remained. As Stay Gold had begun to steer wide, now freed from the tussle within the mid pack. Though not yet within the direct reach of the top three currently standing.
With TM Opera O behind, and Hokkai Rousseau and the other two still ahead, there was distance to be made up for. Yet distance was not the issue. The issue had always laid with the existence of TM Opera O.
The apex predator, who was now lunging at her prey, had become the rightful heir of her mother's surname. And that truly shook Stay Gold. Not the fact that she was to lose, but that the monster within her classmate had finally let themselves loose.
All five of the favourites had appeared to be on similar standing, yet between those participating, it had become clear of what was to transpire. As Hokkai Rousseau had begun to degrade. Her body had betrayed her as she fell behind Narita Top Road and Rascal Suzuka for the final time.
Her racing career, now over with no chance of a heroic return. No chance to claim a G1. Simply born to race in unlucky generations. Yet those ahead of TM Opera O? Their form was breaking, cracks forming under the skin. Their cadence had become out of tune. For now was the time for her to finally claim first position.
And claiming she did. Not through forceful takeover, but through rightful ownership. Clean, wide strides of class, laden with the greed of a dictator. To dictate what this year would become, a year she would own.
Everything had finally been decided. As she overtook the failing front runner Hokkai Rousseau with ease. Then she began to step over the terrorist. The unlucky foe, born strong, yet not strong enough compared to her classmates.
Finally, the two strongest stood ahead, a three way duel, each holding a sword in hand. But with TM Opera O, came an inherited swordsmanship, one that then slew down Narita Top Road, before being pointed at Rascal Suzuka.
Yet Rascal wouldn't back down, not to recline herself to second. Not without a fight, as they fought for a final time, one to decide who would stand on top. Though as their arms flailed, each wielding their blade, Rascal Suzuka had been struck by the blade of TM Opera O, under the outstretched arm of others.
As Rascal Suzuka sighed, watching the back of TM Opera O who bested her, and had won the race. "Ah… They have made worms' meat of me…" As a flurry of cheers and roaring erupted throughout the crowds.
The conqueror had won, as the Spring Tenno Sho came to a close.