Chapter Text
Epel soon mutters, "Consarn it…"
Marja walks over, "Epel."
"I'm sorry we didn't win, Meemaw," Epel apologizes in remorse and disappointment, "You won all those races, and I didn't live up to that…"
Marja remains silent.
"Everyone in town expected better from us…" Epel says.
Again, Marja remains silent.
Trinket and Grim were cheering for us… And Briar and the others raced along with us," Epel adds.
Marja continues to remain silent.
And Epel expresses his frustration, "It just really gets my goat!"
Marja remains silent and soon says with a smile, "You did good, Epel!"
"Huh?" Epel responds confused.
Marja says, "You kids pulled out all the stops! Why, there hasn't been a race that exciting in decades. You made this a sledathon to remember. Thank you, Epel."
"Aw, Meemaw…" Epel says with a smile.
Soon, Briar says, "Epel, it's too bad that we've lost, but we ended up having an amazing time at the end! The race was amazing!"
"Briar is right. I mean, you really helped us as well, and even gave us the courage to go over a ravine," Sereia says.
"Yeah. That was awesome," Jasper says.
"Yes. We actually had a good time at the end," Tanzanite says.
Epel smiles and blushes, "Thanks guys. I'm flattered!"
Then Marja says, "All right, kids, let's see if we can turn those frowns upside down. Feast your eyes on that," and turns her head.
Everyone does the same.
Epel says in amazement, "Wow! Get a load of the sunrise!"
Everyone else reacts, "Oooh!"
"That feeling you get when you and your friends watch the sunrise after finishing a race… That's somethin' only racers can enjoy," Marja says.
"You're right. It's absolutely beautiful!" Epel says.
"It's wonderful," Briar says.
"A truly unforgettable spectacle…" Sebek says.
"And it was a very exciting race," Sereia says.
"It's warming my weary body after the long night of racing," Jade says.
"Yes. It's nice to have a bit of sunshine after the race," Tanzanite says.
"Yeah," Jasper says.
Idia then says, "I should record this…"
"I guess our Harveston trip's almost over. It's been wonderful to be back… And boy, was it ever a ride," Epel says.
The group remains silent.
And Epel says, "I kinda wanna yell out into the sunrise right now!"
"Heh, I know what you mean," Sebek says.
"Likewise," Jade says.
"Agreed," Idia says.
"Okay, let's all do it together!" Epel says.
Then turns to Briar and her team, "How about you all join in as well?"
"Well, I guess," Briar says.
"I suppose," Sereia says.
"Might as well," Jasper says.
"Okay," Tanzanite says.
"On my cue…" Epel says, and counts, "One, two, three!"
And with the Harveston Sledathon comes to an end, Epel, Briar, and their teams have a great time, even though they lost to the Seven Swords. Of course, despite the loss, they end up having a great time.
And as the sun rises, the Apple Lanterns and Woodland Speeders shout, "AH'M SO TEED OFF!"