Author's Note: I am not an editor or a professional writer. I will write this and edit it to the best of my ability. I also do not own Uma Musume, which is owned by Cygames. Watch the animes and read the mangas, for they are pretty good. Finally, please enjoy.
Tsukasa Takajima POV:
It was the day before the tournament began and this past week has been hectic. After arrival, the team did what they wanted on the first day before being stopped by Hachi and brought back to the hotel. They got a bunch of new stuff and soon practice began. No one was trying to spy on our training yet, but I know that won't last long. Soon enough Steel began running in Open tournaments.
At first, the whole team came in disguise and began watching Steel's races, but soon everyone realized the competition at this level is ass. Especially watching Steel jog past every competitor and win was boring. She also does three a day only the staff following her stay with her at this point. Everyone prefers training over watching Steel stomp weaklings over and over. Now she's at the double digits and she still believes I'll ever let her be seen by anyone.
I check that the staff is ready and the gear is ready. The coaching staff is prepared and the team is good. Still, as Steel travels she goes around the country and has basically visited almost every town and city in New Zealand. She even brings back a picture and a souvenir at each place. She was treating this as a vacation.
Still, our heads have been hearing whispers of a mysterious conqueror annihilating all of the Opens and a mysterious team. They were talking about us and our team's symbol has been going around the regional scene here in New Zealand. Heck since they introduce players individually no one has any idea what the team's name is. They only know the symbol cause it's on Steel's uniform. Now it was the night before the tournament and the team was resting easy before it.
Vic is back fishing, Mama is sharing pictures and souvenirs with Steel, and Gray is looking at rumors online and spreading some more. Rose is at the pool with Spice, ImP, BlaD, and Norn. GW is meditating with Iguro who is joined by Rain, Lily, and Jo. Sweets and KiWi are watching TV in one of the hotel rooms. They were all watched by a head and a group of servants.
Mina is with Hachi, Takeshi, and Suzu preparing for tomorrow. Hana is watching over Gray with a device of her own. Mana is at the pool watching over the team members. Iguro is obviously with the meditation group. Ayana is in Japan, and Ana is with Vic.
Juna is watching both the souvenir duo and the TV show duo as they have decided to be in the same room. Yuto and I are now checking our plans for the last time before going to sleep. We soon heard Hachi's group return, and it was the dinner bell ringing. It means it was dinner then sleep preparation time. We all gathered around the dinner table set up by Juna's team.
Still, before we could eat Mina spoke saying," Everyone before you begin feasting, I have a speech to give." Everyone stopped and began listening as she spoke saying," My precious heads, and my talented athletes tomorrow starts our long journey to glory. No one will expect anything from us, no one will see us coming, but I promise all of you that by the end of this season, everyone will watch you leave victorious over all your opponents. This is not a promise, but a spoiler of future events. I also expect nothing less, and as time passes we might all see less and less of one another as work will become busier."
She then continued saying," Yet I still expect you to dominate every foe in front of you! I want you to crush their dreams, be their nightmares, and if you fall I expect you to tenaciously stand up again seeking redemption! We are the Dark Wear Fashion Corporation and you are the Bloody Broncos, now bring glory to those names! Now am I clear?" Everyone stood up and began chanting loudly and repeatedly," Yes, yes, YES!"
The dinner ended and everyone was pumped for tomorrow. Now it was time to sleep. My alarm soon rang and we all awoke and began preparing. It was race day people. The staff went ahead to the stadium, and a bus picked us all up. Everyone was ready and soon we drove to the stadium.
Soon everyone put on their masks before getting out of the bus and went to the stadium's locker rooms. We were assigned one as many teams don't get along and the players in this league are very violent. They all put on their uniforms as I waited outside to be called in by one of the female assistant coaches. Once inside I saw the team wearing their uniforms and saw that they had added their own decorations. They also added bands wrapped around their arms to help with the ruse.
Vic had an armband saying 'Captain,' while wearing knee and arm guards. Mama Blues wore a Vice Captain band with a scarf and goggles around her neck. Gray wore a Tactical Officer band with a jacket lightweight gauntlets and a chain in her jacket pockets. Next, Rose had a Negotiator band and wore clothing with her uniform that made her move easier and look good at the same time. GW had a Team Disciplinarian band and a dress with her uniform making her more ladylike.
Rain had Hard Work Band on her and loose clothing with padding all over to both endure and move better. Lily had one that says 'Strongest,' on it which was a lie, and a fit that made her look serious. Steel has one saying 'Team _,' with the bottom part covered by another blank band, and a track uniform over her uniform signifying she's not racing today. Then Spice had a Long Distance Expert Band and a few pieces of jewelry all over herself and sunglasses. The ImP with a band saying, 'Super Star,' and wearing a punk rock jacket over her uniform.
Then it's BlaD with a Music Uma band on her and a rock jacket with her uniform. Sweets has a band saying,' Caution: Hits Hard,' on her with padding and guards to hit harder and block. Jo has a body cam on her body and a band that says, 'researcher,' on it, while carrying a computer to analyze opponents. Norn has a band saying, 'Diva,' on it while looking fashionable yet effective. Finally, KiWi has a band saying,' Caution: Crazy,' on it with just almost nothing but a uniform and goggles.
Like first Spice, is she just trying to look like a complete asshole or is it just instinctive at this point? Now all seem ready and with some help we had some players remove some of the unnecessary stuff they were wearing. Soon enough I began my speech saying," Okay everyone is fine and ready to go. You know what you have to do and we know the races we're doing today. Now for a reminder for everyone I will announce it all again."
I soon took my notes out saying," First race is a flat race on turf, relay style, with a mile distance. The racers are Lead off: Tyrant Rose, Leg 2: Mama Blues, Leg 3: Great Wonder, and Anchor: Edged Lily. Rose avoids the crowd and escapes to get the lead, that's why your Lead off, your agility is key to this." Rose responded," Gotcha coach I'll introduce the team to the world." I nodded responding," Yes, a handsome and strong introduction is a good one, now Mama Blues once she hands you the baton your speed is key to building distance."
Mama responded," You got it, but did you also get my request?" I answered saying," Absolutely, you guys can break the record for this race type and relay mile today." They all nodded as I continued saying," GW your leg 3 cause you're an expert in n this race, be careful and keep yourself under control." She nodded saying," Of course, the mission will be accomplished." She then covered her mouth not knowing where that comment came from, but it did give me confidence.
I then spoke to Lily saying," Lily it's time to show you off to the world and give them a preview. Go dominate them." Lily responded," Yes, Sir!" I then moved on confident in those four doing their jobs. I announced," Next race a Flat Marathon on Turf, Spice I trust you'll take this seriously?" Spice then responded," You even gotta ask Coach? This is my debut, it's time for all of them to meet their king."
That response was cool I have to admit, that's when I said, " Cool, next race after that is an Obstacle Mile race on dirt, Norn you got this? Cause it's time to introduce one of our superstars." Norn spoke saying," You got it, baby." She winked at me making Steel glare right at her and making her back down. I then continued saying," Next race is a mixed obstacle and flat dirt race they're introducing for the first time ever this year."
I showed the broadcast on the wall saying," This track will have half flat and half obstacle all split into quarters, and will follow obstacle race rules. Meaning striking and weapons are on the table. Lead off: Black Diamond, Leg 2: Victory Gate, Leg 3: Tactical Gray, Anchor: Imperial Punk. BlaD you're great at dirt and are a great front runner, I want you to capture the lead and avoid the crowd you got that?" BlaD spoke saying," Oh, kicking off the finale before the performance you got it coach."
I nodded saying," Vic your adaptability is incredible leave them speechless captain." She just nodded obviously getting in the zone. I then moved on saying," Gray this your grounds, you got the third leg to break those idiots in the words of Coach Nobunaga." She responded," Yup Yuto and I planned something for these fools." I nodded and moved on saying," Finally ImP it's your time to shine, get the win, and introduce yourself."
She nodded saying," You got it Coach, I'm gonna make them remember me." I then continued saying," Good, now Rain, Steel, Sweets, Jo, KiWi, you're on standby just in case anything happens, but you're sitting out today. Steel is still recovering from her many races this week." I saw her flip me off saying," Fuck you darling, you know I'm not." Everyone laughed and I continued saying, " The rest we are still keeping a surprise till we get to Buenos Aires later this month."
I soon finished it off by saying," Now I want everyone here to give a preview they've never seen before. We need them to remember us and our name, while making them ask for more. The team's out there think they're some of the best in the world, but you will show them they're not even close. Now let's get out there and dominate!!" Everyone stood up screaming in agreement and soon we went to the track.
We were at the tunnel and the tournament staff gave us our assigned team section. They were areas where teams sit like a baseball dugout or a soccer field sideline. They existed so the audience could see each of the teams and their members. The well-known teams get dugouts with fencing as it's a spectacle seeing who comes out to race. While less-known teams get areas with awnings separated by makeshift fences made with cheap materials.
We got our assigned area and soon everything began. They announced teams as they came out of the tunnel and headed to their area. There were no big well-known teams here today, but there were some promising ones. Enough to attract an audience and have them cheering for them. Soon a staff member signaled it was our turn so we lined up and soon we stepped out there.