The Equinic Diary Of Team Independent Unity             'Kate bends her torch towards the parabolic mirror and smiles as the suns rays ignite the torch. Bullfrogmb and Socalslew light their torches from the sacred flame and begin their homeward journey'… The sky illuminates a brilliant white… and Kate is gone. I turn and find my fellow brothers and sisters of Team Independent Unity, each donned in their black racing silks, prominently displaying the gold Lion Crest, our symbol of speed, strength, and loyalty. The torch is passed from one to another, and then back to me. We kneel and face the pinnacle of Olympus. We pledge our allegiance, to see the hallowed flame safely through our journey home. A great bolt of lightning dances through the cloudless sky. The Gods have deemed us ‘Guardian’s Of The Flame’. I tell our team to gather their horses. "We’ve got a long grueling journey ahead of us, and we’ve only got 3 days to get the flame safely home." As Jbarba was saddling Deadly Con, he asked, "But Socal, we are Independents. Exactly where do we call home?" "That I can’t tell you, my friend. I posed that same question to Kate, high atop the mountain. She told me that the Gods, and the flame will lead us to sacred grounds we can call our home." With that, we were off and our journey began. Day One As we began our journey down the mountain, we were each aware of the dangers that loomed ahead. The mythical creatures of the mountain were no secret to us. Nor were the mountain bandits, for whom the Equinic’s torch and it’s sacred flame could bring great riches. My teammates insisted that I carry the flame on the first leg of our journey. I was flanked on my right by Masterab on his colt King Cat, and on my left, Lonespeed aboard his colt Tower Storm. The rest of our team traveled behind us in formation, two abreast. We were progressing nicely, when suddenly, from behind a rock, stumbled a small drunken dwarf like character. He was wearing a Penn State sweatshirt, a ballcap with the inscription ‘Liberals Suck’, and a pair of hip boots. He was sloppily chugging down a bottle of ‘Crown’, and slurring something that sounded like "Boycott the Independents". We found out later that what he was actually saying was "Boy, I’ve got caca in my Depends". Then with no warning, he ripped off his clothes, to expose himself in nothing more then fishnet stockings, and a thong monogrammed with ‘TA’. When he broke into a medley of Liza Minelli show tunes, we knew it was time to leave. Far down the trail, we could still hear him screaming "I will beat Raider, I will beat Raider , I will, I will, I will!" Strange Little Fellow May Never Beat Raider... But Does A Mean Rendition Of Cabaret As dusk set in, we found a clearing, and decided to pitch camp for the night. Bennyhill, Hyp, and Worldbeatr set out to try and catch us some of the brook trout we saw upstream, while Fallon, and Tullbrink3 went hunting for local grouse and pheasant. Soon the three fishermen returned with a bountiful catch, and we all gorged ourselves on grilled trout, and sashimi. We told stories of our greatest racing victories, and shared suggestions that could possibly help us in our quest for Equinic’s gold. It was now quite late, and we were becoming concerned, as our two hunters had not yet returned. We would bed down for the night, and start a search for them at first light. At the break of dawn, we were awakened by laughter. Fallon and Tullbrink3 had made their way back to camp. We asked what had happened? They looked at each other with suspicious grins. Fallon told us something about being chased for miles by a huge, 3 headed dog, and how they had to spend the night in a tree. Later however, we found out that they actually stumbled upon a forest of ‘Tree Nymphs’, and spent the night enjoying their company. (Kinda puts a different spin on the term ‘spend the night in a tree’). Fallon & Jbarba’s ‘Tree Nymphs’ Day Two Fappiano99 brewed us tea from the wild mint leaves which were growing in abundance throughout the area of our campground, and Salgal fried up the wild quail eggs we found while gathering fire wood the night before. When we finished eating, we mounted our horses, and were off on the next leg of our journey. Happybarn, on his lightning fast 3 year old Lemon Drop Alley, took the lead, and the torch for this portion of our journey. From the back of the pack, Calle, atop Charlie's Tiger, started singing "Mustang Sally". It wasn't long before the rest of us joined in. Each trainer took turns starting a new sing along...that is until Jbarba started doing his best 'Hit Me Baby One More Time'. We'll probably never let him live that down, but heck, it was all in fun anyhow. We traveled another couple of miles, when suddenly from the sky came an ear piercing shreek. A shadow was cast over the entire morning sky. Like a comet, a huge monsterous Raven like bird, swooped down from the sky, grabbed the torch tightly with it's talons, and flew off. We were all stunned and shocked...all except for trainer Eternity that is. She said "no way Tweetie"!, and suddenly she was hidden in a cloud of golden smoke. The smoke cleared to reveal Eternity, upon her now 'winged' lightning fast steed, Hard Cat. She said "That Raven's not gonna pull a Modell on us!" "That torch isn't going anywhere but where it belongs!" Hard Cat spread his wings, and up into the morning sky they went. Evil Raven Swoops Down To Snatch Torch Eternity and Hard Cat rammed the raven in a mid air, full speed collision. This only served to further piss off the nasty bird. The raven placed the torch in it's beak, and headed straight for Hard Cat and Eternity, with sharpened talons open and ready to strike. But Hard Cat was too quick and agile for the big bird. As the raven lunged to grasp the two in it's deadly claws, Hard Cat did a triple flip with a half twist (scoring: 6.0-5.9-5.9-6.0-3.0, the 3.0 coming from the DelPen judges, but that's a different story), and avoided the raven's attack. Then with all his might, Hard Cat delivered a powerful kick to the big bird's head, and the sky exploded into a burst of feathers. Eternity raced towards the falling torch, and caught it before it hit the ground, the flame still burning brightly. As feathers showered down from the sky, we overheard Eternity say, "Nevermore Raven...Nevermore!" Eternity & Hard Cat Take Off To Battle Evil Raven The Journey Continues.... A golden cloud of smoke once again encircled Eternity and Hard Cat...and just like that, it was gone. Eternity was back in her team silks, and Hard Cat was again wingless. We asked in amazement, 'how she did that?' She shook her head astonished, and said that she had no idea. Shockwave2 quietly attributed it to a case of raging hormones. We remounted our horses, and quietly resumed our trek onward. As the day grew on, we noticed a drastic change in the scenery, from the rugged mountain peaks of Olympus, to the vast colorful meadows of the mountain highlands. We were growing hungry, and saddle weary, and contemplating setting up camp for the evening, when suddenly, a small strange character appeared before us. "Hello little one" "And whom might you be?" He replied "The locals call me Zed, but you can me Zgreat". "I am the one who knows all. I have the answers to all who have questions" Simshady stepped forward and said "The only question we have, is where's a good place around here to pitch camp, and catch something for dinner?" Zgreat replied "Round here, one doesn't pitch camp or hunt food. Round here, one heads straight for Ally's." "Ally's, we asked?" "Yes, Ally's said Zgreat. Short for Planet Allywood, the most happening place in the Highlands. It's owned and run by a Humagryph named Alicyn. "A Humagryph I asked?" "Yeah, a Humagryph, half Human and half Gryphon. A gorgeous creature is she. Her Mum was a cab driver in some place called Nebraska, and her Daddy, a Gryphon from the shire 'Merv'." Chop jumped in and said "Well, Gryphon, Human, or whatever...I'm starved. Do they got any grub at this place?" Zgreat answered, "Oh yes Laddie, You Can Get Anything You Want, At Alicyns Restaurant!" Zgreat (The Locals Call Him 'Zed') As we neared Ally's, we could tell that this was no posh swanky martini type lounge, but instead, a roughneck, anything goes roadhouse bar and grill. Loud music blared from inside, and stale cigarette smoke poured from each window. We dismounted and tied up our horses, and headed to Ally's. As we got to the entrance, we witnessed one of the sickest, most discusting sites any of us had ever seen. There, just outside the entrance doors, was a fellow they called Glfstrmdork. He was sitting there for all to see, 'spanking his monkey'! Bertamiran asked discustedly, "Why are you doing that here?" Glfstrmdork only made a few grunting noises, and mumbled something about it being the Euro's fault. Glfstrmdork Spanking His Monkey Warning...Not For The Faint Of Heart We step through the entrance and pause in our tracks. Gmstables quietly quotes the famous words of Obi-Wan Kenobi as they entered the Space Port Bar in Star Wars, "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious." As our eyes scan the floor, we find a startling array of weird and strange creatures, never before even drempt of by most of us in our worst nightmares. I stepped up to the bar with Pirate and Dettori. In a rough and gravely voice, the bartender asked us "What'll ya have?" I answered "Give us 3 beers, whatever you've got on tap." The bartender slid 3 steins down our way. The 3 of us toasted to the success we anticipated to come on Equinic's day, and then we took a swig of the beer. Almost as if it had been choreographed, in unison the three of us each spit out the beer with a big "Yuck!!!" "What is that stuff, I asked?" The bartender told us it was 'Cornweiser', brewed in Nebraska, and imported by Alicyn, many kegs at a time. "What's the matter? You don't like it? Well let me tell you, strangers...you aint gonna get no Coors Lite here!" We noticed that the bartender wore a t-shirt bearing the words 'If ya think this sucks...you could be in Vermont'. We asked him what that meant, but all he told us was that it was a long story. He stared at the torch, now being held by Dettori, and said "What a mighty fine looking thing you've got there. If ya wanna leave with it, you best keep a mighty tight grip on it." With that, Dettori clutched the torch noticeably tighter. I asked the bartender what his name was. He said it was Dave, but the locals called him 'Dipper Lip'. He told us that he had been run out of Michigan, and then Las Vegas, and with no where else to go, he remembered the words of a Vermont counselor who had told him to 'go to Hell'. When he found this place, he knew he had arrived. Suddenly, the lights dimmed to a pale glow, and a hush grew over the crowd. Into the room, entered one of the most exotically magnificiant creatures I've ever seen. The locals got down upon their knees, and while bowing, chanted "Hail Alicyn, We're not worthy". Alicyn, the Humagryph, was enchanting indeed, and from the top of her head, to the tips of her wings, she simply radiated beauty. Alicyn first smiled, then giggled, then snapped her fingers and said, "Let's party!" Alicyn, The Humagryph Proprietor, Planet Allywood In an instant, the strobe lights began to flash, the band cranked it up a notch, and the dance floor filled with every type of creature imaginable. The Dance Floor At Ally's One Wild Party! (May take a Moment to Load) We all decided to join in the festivities. That is except for Spinround, whom Dettori had handed the torch off to. Unbeknownst to us, Spinround had decided to have his own private party with a bottle of tequilla. Suddenly, we heard a piercing yell from Jenniek, "The torch! The torch!!!" Spinround's 'Private Party' The Journey Continues.... During Spinround's less then conscious state, the torch had been snatched! We searched the building high and low, but we could find no trace of the sacred flame. We asked everyone in sight, whether they had seen anything, but it appeared as if no one was talking. "Honor amongst thieves", said Pullaway. I approached Alicyn and lowered to one knee. "Mistress Alicyn, our torch bearing the sacred flame of the Equinic's has been stolen. No one here will talk. Can you please help us?" She replied, "You are not Canadian, therefore, I would not normally help you. However, being a liberal humagryph, I do believe in Team Independent Unity, and therefore I will guide you to someone who may be able to furnish the answers which you seek". She told us, "As you travel the Highlands path downwards, you shall eventually come across a petrol station. It'll be a quiet place, as there are no cars on the Olympus Highlands. There, you will find an attendant who wears a shirt with a name patch that reads 'Sal'. Refer to this man as 'Buda'. The Buda is the local Mob boss, and he knows all." I thanked Alicyn and started rounding up the team. We mounted our horses and were off to find the 'Buda'. We traveled through the night, and at first light, we came upon the petrol station. Day 3 A man with an Upstate New York accent stepped out of the service bay, lifted the tail of Kelsobarn's horse Brigadoon, and asked "Fill 'er up?" We asked to see the Buda. This man asked us, "Uh, does da Buda owe youz any money?" We told him "No, we come to ask him for help." "Oh, well den, in dat case, Hiya! I'm Da Buda!" What can I do's fer yas? "Mr. Buda Sir" we pleaded, we have been chosen as guardians of the sacred Equinic's flame. While at Ally's last night, the torch was stolen from us. We have been told that you may be able to lead us in the right direction to find our torch." The Buda replied "Ally's Place, huh? A hot little number she is...even if she is half Gryphon". Yeah, I might know somethin' bout yer torch there, but it'll cost youz." I asked, just what exactly will it 'cost us' Mr. Buda?" The Buda mumbled, "Uh, what do you know bout fixin' races?" 2Smorefun blasted out with "We don't fix races Buda! We're an honorable group of independent trainers. If you want to be rewarded for helping us to find what is rightfully ours, then you just bet on our horses come Equinic's day. Then you shall reap a great reward!" The Buda turned a bright shade of red, and we all were concerned about what he may do next. He then burst into laughter, and said "I like this little guy! Full of spunk, he is!" The Buda then told us that earlier that morning, he had been approached by 'The Pye People'. "The Pye People" I asked? "Yes, The Pye People" he replied. "A race of slimey little rodent thieves, ruled by an evil Lord, who pray on that which belongs to others" "They offered me your torch this morning, but in return, they wanted my Digiturf password. I told them "No way Maggots! Not my Digiturf!", and so down the path they went." We thanked the Buda, and began our search for the Pye People. As we rode away, the Buda shouted to us "Be sure to email me!". Local Mob Boss 'The Buda' We rode on for hours, until the vast meadows disappeared into a muddy bog. Huge toad stools rose from the ground, each one seemingly teaming with giant slugs, some the size of small dogs. The smell in the air was of a foul blend of rotting fish and smouldering sulpher. Then we saw them...the Pye People. Disgusting little goblins with claw like hands. They sat feasting on a roasted slug, and were unaware of our presence. There, nestled between two rocks was our torch, flame still burning brightly. A 'Pye People' I gave the sign, and we raced into their camp. They rose, and began slashing at us with their sharp claws. They grabbed the torch, and began to toss it to one another, until it ended up in the slimey claws of the largest of them all...The Lord of the Pyes. The Evil Lord stood atop a large rock formation. In the center bubbled a natural spring of warm mineral water. The Lord of the Pyes shouted "Halt!!!" "Turn over your horses to us at this moment, or I shall extinguish your sacred flame in the waters of these rocks!" Spinround, determined to make amends for his screw up the night before, decided to take matters into his own hands. He shouted back, "Eat Pye and Die, Slimeball!!!" "Go Rivendell!!!" Spinround and his horse Rivendell took off like a bolt of lightning, flattening toad stools, slugs, and any Pye People in his way. He ducked beneath the swinging claws of the Evil Lord, and grabbed the torch. Rivendell applied a mighty kick to the Lord's midsection, and at last report, he was seen sailing past Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and at least 14 other locations. The rest of the Pye People asked "What can we do now?" I heard Seveii mumble, "You could always join SERA". The torch was ours again, and we were now homeward bound once more. We sloshed through the mud and muck of the bog, and then came to a clearing. The mud turned to sand, not just any sand, but a sand of gold. In front of us roared a sea of sapphire blue water for as far as the eye could sea. The sun shone bright and warm. Could this be heaven? As Arazi99 and Skipaway59 splashed into the great sea, and held their own 'surf riding on horseback competition, Jbarba approached me and asked, "Socal, I thought that Kate said the Gods and the flame would lead us home. Is this 'home'?" Suddenly, a soft mystical music filled the air. A puffy golden cloud began to float down from the heavens. Atop that cloud was Kate, adorned in the robes of a Goddess. We knelt before her and raised the torch. I approached Kate and said, "We have brought the sacred flame down from the peaks of Olympus. You assured us that the Gods and the flame will see us to the sacred hallowed grounds which we can call home" Kate smiled. The Goddess Kate Once again, all turned to a brilliant white. As the brightness subsided back to the light of day, we found that we had been brought home. Team Independent Unity had been placed on the most sacred grounds of all. We felt a tremendous energy of emotion, strength, and pride overcome us all. We now stood upon the ruins of Ground Zero, The World Trade Center. We knelt and prayed for those who had been lost to the rubble beneath us. We dedicated our team's Equinic's games to their memories. In the breeze, we could hear Kate's whisper... "These holy grounds are home to all that is good. The spirt of those who perished here, shall live on forever, and shall bring strength and hope to all in need. They shall grace the Equinic's Games, to see that all competitors, man and beast, come home safely. Do not forget them, as they shall not forget you." The Sacred Grounds of Ground Zero Kate's words faded into the wind, and we rose to find ourselves surrounded by several hundred fellow Sim trainers, cheering and praising us for our small roles in the journey of the Equinic's flame. We held the torch high, as we shook hands and greeted many friends. Roys and Snowchief made their ways through the thick crowds to reach us first, and get an exclusive story of our journey for the SRF. Ldyssecret was gloating with joy, and had welcome home kisses for us all. Ldyssecret has kisses for everyone! Our journey was complete, and we each felt a great sense of accomplishment. After greeting what seemed like hundreds of well wishers, we came upon a large contingent of friends from the ASR. We passed the torch once more, from team member, to team member, and when it got back to me, I handed it over to their leader, Gaz. We wished them well on their journey home, and asked them to take good care of the sacred flame, and to always remember all they felt, and saw here atop Ground Zero. Good luck to all of the Equinic's Teams! May your journey's and races be safe. **Disclaimer** This story was written in jest and good fun! All characters are fictitious, and any similaries to those living or dead, are simply coincidence.