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Main category: The Cart Before the Ponies images

Today's lesson: Physics?

The Ponyville Schoolhouse.

The foals talking and waiting for Miss Cheerilee.

"Good morning, Miss Cheerilee!"

"Good morning, everypony! I hope you brought your thinking caps..."

"...because today we're going to learn about physics!"

Confused foals.

"Specifically, the use of force in energy conversions!"

"In this case, using mechanical work to convert potential energy into kinetic energy!"

"The what now?"

"Um, Miss Cheerilee? That sounds a bit over our heads."

"Yeah. Why would we even need to know that stuff?"

"Oh, it's very important."

"In fact, you'll most likely end up using it tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? What for?"

"Why, for participating in the..."

Drumroll, please!

"...Applewood Derby!"

Sounds like fun!

"Whew!"

"For a second, I thought we were gonna have to.."

"...you know, learn stuff."

The Applewood Derby explained

"We get to race in the Applewood Derby tomorrow?"

"That's so cool!"

"My family's talked about it for years..."

"...and now I'm finally old enough to race!"

"Now hold on to your horseshoes, everypony. You've got a lot of work to do before you're ready to race."

"Yeah, but... not schoolwork, right?"

Cheerilee is not amused.

"There'll be a block of applewood..."

"...just like this one waiting for you at Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow..."

"...and you've got one day to turn it into a race-ready cart."

Aw, man.

"Oh, yeah... That is a lot of work."

"Luckily, you'll each get to pick an older pony to help you!"

"But choose wisely..."

"...because they'll also have to ride in the cart with you during the race."

"I think I know just the pony to ask."

"Just remember, everypony. Your cart has to be able to finish the race..."

"...if you want to win one of the awards."

Left to right? Fastest for finishing. Most traditional, for a replica of classic. Most creative design.

"Hoo-wee! Those ribbons are the bees' knees."

They sure are, Apple Bloom! They sure are!

"All right then, class!"

"You've got a lot to learn if you want to build a race cart!" D'oh!

"Aww... I knew there was gonna be a catch!"

Snips has no idea.

What prizes do the Crusaders want to win?

On the way home

"Have you seen what the carts used to look like in the olden days?"

Let me see!

Talk about timeless designs!

"When Ponyville started the Derby, they decided to use the wood from our apple trees for the carts."

"The race has been a part of Sweet Apple Acres ever since."

"I just think these old carts look so cool!"

"But I guess you and Applejack will probably win the award for the most traditional, huh?"

"The Apples usually do..."

"...but honestly, I'd rather build the fastest cart there is and win the race!"

Scootaloo coming through!

"But... I'm pretty sure Scoot and Rainbow Dash'll take that award."

"You know, I race around so much on my scooter, being the fastest isn't such a big deal."

"Maybe I'll try to make..."

"...the wildest looking cart I can think of!"

"Go, Crusaders!"

Asking for Rainbow Dash's help

Rainbow Dash's home

Whoosh!

"I want you to have as much fun as I did when I was a filly!"

"Wait, Cloudsdale has a derby too?"

"Sure! Practically every town in Equestria has one!"

"I still remember racing my cloud cart..."

"This is so awesome! Woo-hoooooo!"

It's not Rainbow Road, but I'm okay with it.

And it's fast, too.

Ah, yes, those bullies are still there.

Back in the present...

"And lemme guess. You won fastest cart."

"Heh, obviously!"

"I'm all over it!"

Her trusty trunk

"Don't worry, I've got a lot of––"

"––Whoa."

"Ideas of my own."

"Um..."

"What are you looking for?"

"The blueprint for my derby cart, of course!"

"I'll have to change it a little, 'cause this race is on roads, not on clouds."

"But trust me, your cart is gonna be amazing!"

Flying dumbbell!

"Um, okay, Rainbow Dash, thanks!"

"How awesome is this?"

"With Dash on my team, how could anything go wrong?"

Asking for Applejack's help

"Well, I'm mighty flattered you wanna work with your big sis on your cart."

"I mean, the Applewood Derby did—"

"—start on our farm! I know!"

"Well, I couldn't be more proud to help my little sister take the prize for most traditional."

"Actually, I was kinda thinking of somethin' else."

"Like... fastest?"

"Fastest?"

"Apple Bloom, things aren't like they were in the old days."

"The fastest cart now has gotta be slick and modern and—"

"Exactly!"

"Not Apple at all."

"The Apples win most traditional."

"Why would anypony want to win anythin' else?"

"Now why don't you head off and get some chamomile vines, some hickory sticks, and some apple barrels..."

"...and I'll show you what an Apple family cart should look like!"

"I guess I do have a family tradition to uphold..."

Asking for Rarity's help

"The Applewood Derby?!"

"Of course I'll help!"

"Wow. Uh, Rarity, I didn't know you'd be this excited."

"Me? Oh, why..."

"...I'm just itching to right an old wrong from long, long ago!"

"I designed my own cart when I was just a filly..."

"...and I was positive I was going to win the prize for most creative, hooves down!"

"You? Second in most creative? To whom?!"

Derpy wins, Derpy always wins!

"You mean my hooves."

"Yes, that's what I said – my hooves."

"Darling, I hope you're ready to get an early start tomorrow!"

"Uh... how early?"

Up very early

Working on Scootaloo's cart

Working on Apple Bloom's cart

Working on Sweetie Belle's cart

The cart-building montage

Seriously, Scootaloo? Haven't you had enough of the chicken memes?

Is that an Angry Birds reference?

I don't know, Rarity. But I think those fringes are a nice touch.

Unsatisfied with the carts

"Hey, Crusader... How's it goin'?"

Chicks, ducks, and geese better scurry...

"Passenger seat?!"

Not good.

Before the race begins

More fanfic fuel: Who is this newly-introduced Hooves?

The Applewood Derby race / Derby Racers

Sweetie Belle screaming.

Scootaloo screaming.

Apple Bloom screaming... with frustration.

"Let me out, I'd do it over..."

"...if I only knew howww!"

The wheels are coming off the cart.

Oh, horseapples!

Uh-oh, here it comes.

WAM!!!

The carts destroyed

Look at this. We went from Applewood Derby to Demolition Derby.

Not happy.

Here it comes.

"They're not your caaarrrts!"

"Huh?"

"We were supposed to design them!"

"And we were supposed to drive them!"

"The Derby was supposed to be for us, not the three of you!"

"Now you've ruined it for everypony!"

Diamond Tiara and her butler are not happy, Rarity.

Looks like this swan's wings just got clipped.

The do-over

Great design, and probably fast enough, anyway.

Well, some traditions simply can't be ignored.

See? Traditional carts don't have to be plain.

Relax and leave the race to the foals

Miscellaneous