Charging recklessly through the raging winds, Air Groove could clearly sense McQueen breaking through her blockade with astonishing speed.
How is this possible?
Air Groove had already unleashed at least seventy percent of her power. Even if she couldn't completely suppress McQueen, she should have at least managed to contain her. Yet the sensation transmitted through the wind told her unequivocally: McQueen was moving unimpeded through the tempest.
Air Groove glanced sideways and saw an arc of electricity graze her eyelashes.
The swirling sand and dust formed a curtain, pierced by jagged scars of lightning. As the curtain tore open, a glimpse of divine power was revealed.
Mejiro's silhouette emerged, plasma crackling around her.
The invisible wind began to writhe, and chaotic thunder swept across the racetrack, tearing apart the suffocating breeze that had enveloped the arena.
"Look! It's McQueen!"
The crowd erupted in gasps as the wind surrounding the racetrack vanished, revealing Mejiro once more.
For a moment, words caught in their throats.
Mejiro's grace and elegance had vanished. Forged in thunder, her very presence radiated awe and dread.
Is this her new form?
If not for the faint human silhouette visible within the lightning, Air Groove would have doubted she was facing a living being at all.
Anything that stood in its path would be annihilated by the Thunder Armor. Air Groove, as someone who had witnessed grand spectacles before, quickly recovered from her initial shock.
Though McQueen charged forward with relentless momentum, the lingering effects of her leg injury were still evident. A subtle imperfection in her gait, barely perceptible, remained even in this new form, defying complete concealment.
"Too fast! The next turn is almost here!" Despite having already suffered for her recklessness, McQueen seemed incapable of learning her lesson.
"If you won't stop, I'll make you."
Approaching the turn, the two racers chose drastically different strategies. This allowed McQueen to close the gap and enter the turn almost simultaneously with Air Groove.
The closer they got, the more intense the heat became. Imagine standing beside a colossal beast wreathed in thunder and lightning, its face hidden in shadow, its fangs the only visible feature as you crane your neck to look up.
The oppressive aura bore down, making it nearly impossible for Air Groove to move her feet. Fortunately, the turn prohibited physical contact, a welcome reprieve for her.
"You can't stop me!"
"Is that so?"
Air Groove's calm voice carried on the gentle breeze, bringing with it a faint floral fragrance.
The breeze's intentions remained unclear, but its sudden shift made McQueen wary.
The wind enveloped Air Groove, forming a protective barrier that allowed her to move freely around McQueen.
"The wind hasn't dissipated yet. What's she plotting?" McQueen suddenly froze. "No! This isn't right! I shouldn't care about her plans! There's only one thing I need to do!"
Without further hesitation, McQueen accelerated, attempting to overtake Air Groove. She concealed her surging murderous intent beneath a veneer of composure, biding her time, ready to unleash her decisive move. Just as she approached the exit of the turn, Air Groove's figure materialized like a ghost, unexpectedly blocking McQueen's path.
Again, she had appeared without warning.
"The battle in the turns isn't just about technique and speed. Stop here, Mejiro."
Air Groove's expression sharpened. After a few more turns, they would reach the final long straightaway. By dominating the turns, victory had already fallen into the Empress's hands.
"Even if you could do it again, you wouldn't make a better choice. How regrettable."
Air Groove's words pierced McQueen's ears. Even through the thunder armor, Air Groove knew McQueen was glaring at her.
"Perhaps... but I have the pride of an Elite!"
Blocked from executing the turn perfectly, McQueen refused to slow down. Instead, she pushed her speed even higher.
Air Groove was shocked. "She's going for that lightning-fast cornering technique? But she's accelerating now? There's no room left!"
The two brushed past each other, McQueen charging straight toward the guardrail. The distance was perilously short, practically a blink of an eye.
"Stop! You'll crash into the guardrail and shatter into pieces!"
"No!"
Is she insane? There's absolutely no room to turn at this distance!
"Even if it means ending the race, I have to stop her! I can't let a talented Umamusume vanish like this! Never!"
The thought had barely formed in Air Groove's mind when a bolt of lightning shot skyward. This time, it struck even deeper, burying her entire ankle in the soil. The wind stilled, and McQueen stood frozen, unmoving.
Air Groove tried to accelerate but found herself paralyzed, forced to watch helplessly as the electric arc arced toward her.
Through the shimmering thunderous armor, McQueen glared at her.
In the next instant, the gray figure blurred, and McQueen's afterimage appeared beside Air Groove, staring up at her from below.
"You think I'm dangerous? Congratulations."
Her eyes had changed—no longer clear spring wells, but now seething with crackling lightning.
The very essence of her being... has transformed from within.
"I'll do this because I can! I'm never listening to anyone again!"
The words rang like thunder, carrying a savage intensity—a ferocious determination to tear apart everything before her. Lightning flashed from her bared fangs.
Not planning to listen to anyone? Air Groove repeated inwardly, then broke into a delighted grin. A perfect response! Bring it on!
That's the spirit!
They both accelerated simultaneously. McQueen's every stride dug deep into the ground, as if she meant to tear it apart.
Air Groove's steps were lighter, graceful as the wind.
On the racetrack, a grand drama unfolded—a new masterpiece by the celebrated actress Mejiro McQueen.
Her opponent was no longer the Evil Ghost, but the Empress herself.
What is that thing? The spectators watched in awe.
The once clear sky above the racetrack suddenly darkened with storm clouds. A low rumble filled the air, and crackling lightning seemed to pulse with life.
The endless turns grew monotonous, but the lightning streaking across the track denied all retreat.
Maintaining maximum speed, thanks to her newly awakened eyes.
It wasn't some extraordinary ability, just the ability to see her surroundings clearly even at extreme velocity.
Unremarkable, yet perfectly suited for McQueen.
The wind surged past the lightning, faster than the bolts themselves, coalescing into a barrier of wind that blocked her path.
Even with her high-speed vision, McQueen struggled to surpass the Empress.
The wind howled, whipping up sand and stones, a tempest raging across the racetrack like a torrential storm.
As the two clashed, wind and thunder converged into a raging storm.
Not enough.
Seeking her own destruction, daring to challenge the heavens.
Thunder surged beneath her feet as she unleashed a fraction of divine power. Her gravity-defying kick caught everyone by surprise—though they knew Mejiro McQueen would attempt it, what difference did that make?
An unstoppable, absolute force. No matter how hard one tried, this kick was simply beyond reach.
A natural prodigy, a brute force that shatters all in her path.
Riding the momentum of thunder, acting as the will of the heavens.
"I won't lose to a monster with mere talent!"
Striding across the wind, each step covering a thousand miles. As the Empress, her sharpest weapon was her pride.
"To become the ideal of the people, I will remain unwavering!"
"I have my own! The pride of an Elite family!"
Mejiro swayed.
The clouds parted, and the Primordial God descended from the sky, wielding both heaven and thunder.
Mejiro's blood defied the raging storm, transforming her mortal form into divine essence.
The blessed covenant—the primordial god's protection.
"Impossible! Is that... a God?!"
Behind McQueen, the silhouettes of the Three Goddesses gradually materialized. No one had ever truly seen them; their appearances were merely based on legend and perception.
Yet even so, the sight left the crowd speechless with awe. In that instant, the very nature of the race had been transformed.
Even President Rudolf was stunned. Never in history had an Umamusume caused such unprecedented upheaval—it was nothing short of a divine miracle.
The Three Goddesses cradled Mejiro in their arms, while something profound transformed McQueen.
When she awoke within the Forbidden Gate once more, she found herself still surrounded by emptiness.
In her youth, she had forged a deep bond with her dearest friend, ushering in the Twin Stars Era. Yet even the most celebrated genius could not rival the power of the Goddess Bloodline.
Believing she had found a kindred spirit, she suppressed her fears, afraid that losing this companion would leave her utterly alone once more.
Unknowingly, she had shackled herself with self-imposed chains, failing both herself and her dearest friend.
"I'm leaving now. I won't wait for you this time."
This time, she didn't look back, seeking no response.
A misty haze veiled her brilliant eyes, her lips pressed into a slightly bitter line for what seemed an eternity.
Trapped by the Rival's Vow, she had sacrificed her freedom only to find herself paralyzed by indecision. The self that couldn't find an answer must be despicable to you.
"Go, McQueen. A noble Elite should never wait for anyone. Even alone, you must strive forward, show your retreating figure, my—McQueen."
The curtain had already fallen on the first act of Mejiro McQueen, the Celebrated Actress. From here, a new journey begins.
The two suddenly smiled contentedly.
Potential: MAX.
Mejiro McQueen - End of the Skies.
Transcending the mortal realm, she released her lingering attachments, finally settling her worldly debts.
Final Chapter.
Give me your answer!
Thunder roars unrestrained, rewarding obedience and crushing defiance. Beneath the Divine Throne, such trifles hold no significance.
Thunder's peals serve as chimes, guiding mortal souls through fleeting impermanence.
Beyond the heavens, thunderous footprints stretch across the cosmos. This time, there are no Twins—only Mejiro remains.
In the Annals of Time, the Primordial God reigns supreme over all living beings.
"I want to be able to feel proud of myself, right until the very end. As long as I keep running—until the final moment on the track, until I can't take another step—surely I'll reach my ideal."
A gentle breeze, unbidden, caresses every beating heart.
"The flower of talent blooms in the soil of the soul. Mejiro McQueen, you possess the most enviable gifts. As your Senpai, it brings me great joy to guide you. Allow me to offer you one last gift: this fruit of evolution is called 'Defeat.' Here, I will fulfill my duty as Empress."
A tearing tinnitus erupts, offering her everything without reservation.
"I am Air Groove. As long as my conviction remains unshaken, my ideal will surely sprout. To demonstrate this, I, as the Empress, will lead the way forward!"
If the path ahead is shrouded in mist, I will become the gentle breeze of the human realm.
Cling fiercely to the love in your heart, and on the distant shore of your ideals, proudly raise your head.
The first spring breeze of the new year sweeps through Tracen Academy.
By two horse lengths, the victor is the Empress Air Groove.