Work Text:
Personality:
I think Deep Impact would have a similar personality to Rudolph: charismatic, graceful, ambitious, and smart. However, they would be more reserved and quiet, constantly having a stoic expression. They would have a natural commanding presence, which would make other Tracen students scared or revere them. However, I think they would develop a more expressive and caring personality later in their story. I could also see them being weak to praise from their loved ones.
Story:
Deep Impact, an amazing talent, who was scouted by Tracen Academy from amazing practice runs. They came to Tracen with one goal in mind: to be the peak of the Umamusume kind. To do that, they would need a stellar racing record, one that surpassed the one that Japan considers the "Emperor", Symboli Rudolph.
When they first come to Tracen, they would be faced with the typical tour we've seen in the anime. But when they meet Rudolph for the first time, they instantly understand "Eclipse first, the rest nowhere," and proclaim to Rudolph. "I'll leave a legacy that'll put yours to shame; everybody will soon know that even the Emperor is nothing compared to me." This would spread like wildfire throughout the academy, and they would think that Deep is just some arrogant Uma who'll be humbled.
However, they would show their talent by winning their debut race by 4 lengths without breaking a sweat. Proving that fact even further when they win the Wakagoma Stakes by 5 lengths. At this point, the spotlight would slowly shift to them as they tell the news that they are going to be the next "Undefeated Triple Crown." People eat this up, as when they race in the Yayoi Sho, there are many cheers and a few boo's from Rudolph fans. They'd go on to win as their plan moved along.
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They would be the favorite for every race from then on; no matter what anyone else did, she would come in first. She would keep the promise she made, being the second Undefeated Triple Crown, and she even began being named "The Shadow Emperor". Many people began comparing her to Rudolph and wondering who was better between the two. However, Deep would be focused on her next race, the Arima Kinen.
She decided not to enter the Japan Cup so that she wouldn't risk getting injured. Many people thought this race was going to be handed to Deep, even she thought there wouldn't be anyone who could match her. However, an underdog was sharpening their fangs in the background. After being on a losing streak for so long, they were willing to put everything on the line to win.
The Arima Kinen was going well. Deep had a position on the outside but had confidence that her stamina would hold out for the race. Gradually moving up to the front, the last 400 meters were reached. Kicking herself into gear, she started her spurt. From 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd...2nd...2nd? She realized that she wasn't in first place. Looking forward, she saw an Uma with an expression full of willpower and want. An Uma who put her all into every step they made; her thirst for victory had grown into something more. A power that even Deep Impact didn't understand. It didn't matter how much she pushed herself; Deep couldn't pass her. As the finish line was approaching, from the bottom of their heart, Uma yelled a triumphant cry as they won their first G1.
"IT'S HEART'S CRY!!! DEEP IMPACT HAS BEEN BEATEN! DEEP IMPACT HAS BEEN BEATEN! HEART'S CRY TAKES IT!! AT LONG LAST, SHE'S TAKEN HER FIRST G1 VICTORY!"
Deep felt confused, so much so that it overrode any sense of defeat. She thought that this would be a certain victory, that this would make her the new peak. In the end, she was defeated, something she thought impossible. Rudolph watched from the top of the racecourse as she stared at Deep, looking curiously and a bit concerned. This was racing, where anything was possible, even an underdog winning against a seemingly invincible figure. Rudolph would know better than anyone; she knew that Deep had talent that matched her own, but what matters is the mindset and willpower to continue forward even when faced with defeat. This would be the true test of whether Deep would reach the top or fall to the bottom.
She felt her goal had slipped past her; she had devoted her entire life to it, only to have it snatched away at the most opportune time. Deep would fall into a slump at this point, trying to understand what she was missing. What Heart's Cry had that she didn't? She wouldn't race for most of the winter and push herself unnecessarily hard during training, trying to understand that question. She even went to Heart, trying to get her to answer, but was met with a nasty reply, "Huh? You became an Undefeated Triple Crown without understanding that much?! Seriously, were the other racers somehow more incompetent or just that bad?... Tch, figure it out yourself! Even if I told you, I doubt you'd understand with that small noggin of yours!"
For Deep, they needed to know what they were missing if they wanted to achieve their goal. However, this would surely lead to her self-destruction if she continued. So, her trainer and friends decided to come up with a plan to knock her back into shape. They took her on an impromptu trip around several prefectures, despite her reluctance to go. Deep didn’t see any point in this, but the more they traveled, the more people they encountered, and many turned out to be fans of hers. At first, she felt ashamed as she lost for the first time and hurt their expectations of her. However, many didn’t care about that; they only wished to see her run again, even having hopes that she could create a new winning streak and take more crowns than even Rudolph.
At the end of this trip, Deep realized what this was all about. Looking at her trainer and friends, she wondered why they would go through such trouble. “It’s because we care about you; we don’t want to see you crush yourself and carry your problems by yourself. We’ll help carry this burden and walk alongside you every step of the way.”
Deep felt a surge of emotions; she was so focused on figuring this out herself that she forgot the people by her side. She wasn’t alone in all of this. A rekindled resolve appeared within her, breaking apart the anxiety and despair she was feeling. She continued racing while finding the missing piece she needed, this time with her loved ones.
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On March 19, she entered the Hanshin Daishoten for her first race in her senior year. Showing herself to be the ‘Shadow Emperor’ by winning by over 3 lengths. Afterwards, she set off for the Spring Crowns, Tenno Sho Spring, and Takarazuka Kinen. (The Osaka Hai hadn’t been a G1 during Deep Impact’s career.)
She won the 2 crowns, even breaking the record in the Tenno Sho. Her continued success silenced any doubters who would’ve appeared after her loss. Wearing 5 crowns, she set her sights on the last set, the Autumn Triple Crown; by winning them, she would have 8 crowns, surpassing the Emperor and becoming the new peak. She was planning to dedicate the rest of her training to only the Autumn Crowns.
However, the media decided to push for another race for Deep Impact to take on. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the most prestigious race for any Uma to run in, and the dream race to win for Japan. Deep has shown to have otherworldly skill and talent, enough to take on the world. The racing community collectively wanted to see her take it on and finally bring home the trophy for Japan. There was a conflict, though. If she attended the Prix, then racing in the Tenno Sho wouldn’t happen. For Deep, she was always worrying over her physical condition to make sure she didn’t get a career-ending injury and leave her goal unfulfilled. To train and race in 2 G1 races in the same month, with one of them being in a different country, would put too much strain on her.
This was up to Deep Impact; her trainer will support whatever decision she made. In the end, wanting to give back to her fans who continued to have hope for her, she decided to go for the Prix. If she won, that would’ve been enough to make her the new pinnacle. Changing the training regimen, she began training for the overseas G1.
(This is where I was kinda stumped on what to do. IRL, Deep Impact attended the Prix and got 3rd. But was disqualified due to using a banned drug. I could put this in, and it fits in with the backstory I have planned. Though if Deep were ever added to Umamusume, they would definitely change this to something else, like an injury that took her out of the Prix. This could also work with what I have planned. I flipped a coin and decided to go the injury route.)
Fate had other plans, though. Whether it was due to the sudden change in training, pushing herself too hard for her fans, or the lack of recent supervision on her health, it all led to the same outcome. While training, Deep felt a sharp pain in her leg, causing her to have a bad tumble and further injure herself. She was rushed to the hospital, where it was shown that she had broken her leg.
To properly recover, she couldn’t train, let alone race, for months. Her goal for the Prix had crumbled to dust, and even the Tenno Sho was impossible now. Obtaining 8 crowns was no longer feasible; her dream of becoming the new pinnacle of racing had shattered before her eyes.
This time, it didn’t matter what sort of comfort or apologies others gave her; Deep just wanted to be alone. In her lonesome, she remembered her past.
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She was a sickly child, constantly in and out of the hospital. Her parents worried over her constantly, not wanting to be a burden; she always hid her pain and said she was fine. She was used to feeling tired, nauseous, aching, and heaving. Forcing herself to mature, the only solace she found was in watching races. The Umas running against each other was always amazing to see. However, she was always antsy to see one Uma in particular, Shinzan.
When she started, nobody had any expectations of her. They thought that she was gonna be 1 of the thousands that fade into the background, but she proved them wrong. She defeated all the Umas considered ‘rising stars’ and showed her true potential in every race. In an interview, she talked about how she was injury-prone as a child and how every day was a struggle.
“If everything you said is true, why did you still try to become a racer, knowing the risks that come with it?”
“Heh, does something like injury matter when compared to your dreams? If you truly felt an uncontrollable passion for something, then you’d do whatever it takes to achieve it. For many, all you need is a miracle, and if one isn’t granted to you, then create it with your own efforts!”
For the sickly Deep, those words struck her very core. She wanted to be like her, to run and show that she wasn’t just a weak child but an amazing Umamusume. When Shinzan was on their Triple Crown run, they won the Satsuki Sho and the Japan Derby, but lost twice in a row before the Kikuka Sho. Watchers began to doubt whether she could be the next Triple Crown winner; even Deep worried. But when asked, she treated it as if it were nothing. Instead, she looked at the camera and reassured everyone that the third crown would be hers.
Deep wanted to see that run in person; luckily, she got the chance. Her parents had to transfer to Kyoto for work, so Deep would be there when the Kikuka Sho happened. Wishing to see it in person more than anything else, she disobeyed the hospital rules and snuck out to the Kyoto racecourse. She was able to see her first in-person race, and one that would change the trajectory of her life.
On the final straight, when it looked like the other racers were closing in on Shinzan’s front-running, she pushed herself more than ever before. A second wind surged through her body as she flew down the track. The way she ran was enough to silence everyone for a moment; every step of hers made her seem more powerful, and her presence shone on everyone. What Deep saw was nothing short of divine.
When Shinzan crossed the finish line, her divine presence caused everyone to cheer for her. No matter how anyone felt about her before, they couldn’t help but cheer for her. For Deep, all the emotions she had hidden and tried to push down came flooding in at once. She fell and cried for the first time in forever. Shinzan proved her words: from being a nobody to going down in history, it’s everything Deep had dreamed of, and she saw it could happen. No longer did the sick girl who was confined in a room exist; instead, an Uma with a dream higher than the sky and uncontrollable passion was born.
“Hic…Hic…I want to…I want to run like that! I want to reach you!!”
Deep created her own miracle, as just a year later, she came out of the hospital healthier than ever. Taking on every practice race she could, she showed the effort and talent she wielded. Eventually, she got recognized and was invited to Tracen.
Now, she was yet again in the hospital bed, looking up at the moon. She remembered what her original goal was: to shine like Shinzan, to reach and bathe in divine light. However, it transformed into something more due to constant wins. To her, she got too greedy; her miracle was created through her efforts, but she morphed it with her arrogance and expected everything to become hers. This was the result: a broken leg and a renewed dream.
When her trainer came by in the morning, she told them about her original dream. How everything came to be, and it was her own fault for ending up back where she began. Deep wanted to know one thing from her trainer.
“Trainer, can you help me reach that point? I know I can’t do that by myself, but if you’re by my side, then maybe a new miracle can be created. One that holds the wish of a sick, young girl.”
Her trainer swore to make that possible, that they’d always help her, every step of the way. A new Deep was made that day, one with a brilliant dream and the skills to support it.
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Deep would announce their retirement from the Twinkle Series at the end of the year, and her fans expressed their guilt for making her train too hard for the Prix when she wanted the Tenno Sho. However, she reassured them and asked them to support her during the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen. She would’ve made a surprisingly quick recovery from her broken leg and trained for her last races.
During her last races, she would’ve run differently. Instead of the oppressive yet elegant way she usually ran, it would now let her shine brilliantly and reveal the miracle she and her trainer had created. Winning both races, she would leave all watchers inspired, no matter how they felt about her before; everyone cheered and recognized her as not the ‘Shadow Emperor’ but ‘The Hero of Japan’.
Aftermath:
After everything that happened, I think Deep would join a committee or club. I’m leaning toward her joining an events committee, one that oversees and plans every event involving Tracen Academy. Her personality would be more expressive and outgoing, causing more people to follow their lead. In most cases, Deep will be thorough in her work and make sure every detail is perfect to put on a great event, but sometimes I’d see her following along with some crazy idea from one of her followers or friends. The student council sees her as a great teammate until those times.
Relationships:
Trainer - I’d see Deep’s trainer as a contrast to her. Their trainer would be the type to wear their heart on their sleeve and be very kind to everyone; they’d probably cry more at Deep Impact’s first defeat than Deep has cried in their entire life. They would also be forward with their feelings about her, telling her how amazing she is, beautiful, charismatic, and goal-driven. Deep is weak to compliments from loved ones, so this would break her stoic expression and make her flustered.
Symboli Kris S - The IRL horses were good friends, so it’d be the same here. I see them not saying anything to each other most of the time; they just kinda stare and understand what the other is trying to convey. That would change when Deep gets more expressive, but it’d be a great friendship nonetheless. She’d also be important in getting over their first slump. Maybe Kris S could also join the event committee that Deep leads.
Heart’s Cry - They would be odds with each other during their careers, not really talking and resent the other. However, after that, Heart would try to get Deep mad and rage-bait them. But Deep would hold great respect for them, as they're the only one that defeated them. So, Deep would think their close friends, despite Heart saying otherwise. However, Heart’s Cry would go out of their way to do things for them whenever they forgot to take a break.
Symboli Rudolph - Due to Deep’s proclamation, they’d have a big rivalry, trying to see who’s best. But after Deep’s career, they’d become good friends who’d share a cup of tea frequently. However, whenever someone mentions who’s faster, it would always lead to a no-holds-barred practice match.
Tokai Teio - This isn’t a vital relationship, but I thought this pairing would be funny. Teio wouldn’t like Deep at all during her career, since she’s trying to overshadow her idol. But during her last two races, Teio would think Deep is really cool. However, she’d rather do anything than admit that, since she thinks it would be betraying Rudolph. Meanwhile, Deep would try to better their relationship.
Contrail - They’d be similar to Rudolph and Teio. Contrail would join Tracen in hopes of following Deep’s footsteps and joining the Event Committee on their first day to be closer to their idol. However, I think when Deep gets comfortable with Contrail, they’d be more outwardly affectionate with them than Rudolph is with Teio. There would also be some sort of dad trope that Deep obtains, like Rudolph did when Teio joined. I’m leaning toward sports dad, but I would like to hear what you guys think.
Impactlings (Gentildonna, Verxina, Vivlos, Satono Diamond, Gran Algeria, Loves Only You, etc.) - The children would hold Deep Impact in high regard and maybe idolize them. Deep would see the potential in every one of them and support them through their career. Since Deep is more forward with their emotions as well, I could see them doting on them. Some would like it, while others would be annoyed, but under the right conditions, Deep could dote on any of them as long as they like.
Conclusion - Deep Impact would be a highly respected Uma, who’d lead their own group at Tracen Academy, with similar influence to Rudolph. They’d be ambitious and stoic, but would change as their career continued and learn the value of having loved ones by their side. They’d create many relationships and learn more about themselves.