Time in Equestria

Chapters

Chapter one. The Beginning
Chapter two. Let the games begin
Chapter tree. War of competition
Chapter Four: Muddy Secrets
Chapter Five. It’s not over
Chapter six. An eye for an eye
Chapter seven. Home stretch
Chapter Eight. Secrets
Chapter Nine- Schemes

Chapter one. The Beginning

Now this is my first ever My Little Pony story. So I would like all of you to love and tolerate my template at this. I would also like to thank a few people for their help and kind words. The names are in no real order so no one is better than the other, also they all have really good stories, and they’re all better than mine, so if you have the time go and read them.

Time in Equestria

Chapter one

Dear Princess Celestia,

I still can’t believe that it has already been more than a year since I came to Ponyville.
My friends and I have learned a lot about the magic of friendship and we have had so many adventures, but I enjoy the nice quiet times I get to spend with them, and those are memories I will carry with me longer.

Twilight's quill hovered hesitantly above the letter as pondered what next to write. She wasn't composing a friendship report, per se, but it had been a while since she had sent something to the princess. The unicorn's gaze wandered to the world beyond her library, towards the day blessed by the sun of her mentor. A light breeze eased itself through the open window, carrying with it the scent of crisp and clean air, the product of a light rain by the weather pegasi. Sticking her head outside, the librarian took a deep breath, savoring the smell.

She sighed contentedly contentedly. 'Nothing smells quite like fresh rain,' she remarked to herself. “I wonder how long it will be before the Crusaders try and earn puddle jumping cutie marks.” Looking down, she saw another pony already hard at work splashing through every puddle she could find. Twilight smiled, “That is, if Pinkie leaves them any.”

With a happy smile, Twilight turned back to continue the letter when she heard a light rustling of leaves right outside the window. She walked over to the window and once again stuck her head out, inspecting the bright orange and yellow leaves that filled the tree, but she found nothing that could have made the noise.

That was, until the leaves exploded with the bright cyan face of Rainbow Dash. “BOO!”

Twilight gave a panicked shriek and fell backwards into her room as Rainbow Dash began to laugh hysterically. But, unfortunately for the laughing pegasus, Twilight's horn started glowing in her panic and the next thing Dash saw was a burst of stars from being hit the face by the closing window.

A short time later, a still-grinning Dash was sitting in the library holding an ice pack on her forehead. She looked over to the violet unicorn and her smile only grew. “It was so worth getting a bump on my head. Your face was priceless!”

Twilight gave Dash an indignant look before letting out a short, sarcastic laugh of her own. “Well, I’m glad you enjoyed yourself so much, Rainbow Dash. So, did you come over just to scare me? Or did you need something?” The unicorn was smiling warmly now. She never could stay mad at any of her friends, especially Dash.

“Well…actually, there was something that I wanted to talk to you about.” Rainbow put down the ice pack, making Twilight wince at the purple knot that Rainbow was now sporting. “AJ and I want to do the Iron Pony thing again this year, and were hoping you would judge it for us. I even got Spike and Pinkie to do the play by play again.”

“I don’t mean to sound pessimistic or anything, but are you sure that’s a good idea? Look what happened last year; you and Applejack almost killed each other during the Running of the Leaves.” Twilight's horn started to glow and before long a plate of cookies floated in and settled on the floor between the two friends. Dash wasted little time shoving a cookie into her mouth, munching on it happily. Everypony knew that Spike’s cookies were the best in all of Equestria. The Cakes had tried time and time again for get his secret recipes, they never succeed

“That was a one-time thing Twi. Applejack and I already talked it over. This one is going to be a fair contest with no hard feelings, and then we go on to the Running of the Leaves. And that’s also why I want you there…” Dash looked around the room to make sure they were alone. “You can help keep me in check and help me keep my cool.”

Twilight smiled as she remembered what Rainbow Dash had once asked her. After last year's Running of the Leaves, Rainbow had come to Twilight asking for an honest assessment of how badly she had been stepping out of line during the race.

Twilight was unable to deny such a request, and the two friends talked long into the night, ending with Dash asking Twilight to help keep an eye on her temper. Twilight was unsure how to tell her friend yes, that she had indeed stepped out of line a few times that day, but she did it to the best of her abilities.

So they spent long into the night two of them went over everything, and by the end of it all Dash had asked Twilight to help her keep an eye on her temper. It was something the purple unicorn was more than happy to do, even if it had turned into a full time job.

Smiling at Rainbow Dash, Twilight crossed her front legs and took a small bite of her cookie. “I will be happy to be the judge. Are you going to do it tomorrow?”

Nodding her head Dash smiled “Yeah, Applejack and I are trying to start a new tradition so we need to keep it on the day before the running of the leaves. But hey, look on the bright side, we gave you a little more time to get organized this time!”

“Well it’s still not enough to do what I want. You said you want to make this a new tradition?” Rainbow Dash nodded, “Then I think we need to open the competition to the public and let others join in. That way more ponies can have a chance and will want to keep it going longer.”

Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight with wide eyes; the huge grin on her face told the Unicorn all she needed to know. “Twilight, you’re a genius! Letting other ponies compete will prove just how great I am really am!”

“Easy Dash, you haven’t won yet. And remember Rainbow, nopony likes a sore winner.” Twilight smiled and stood up from the floor. “Now follow me upstairs, so we can get your paperwork out of the way.”

Rainbow Dash unfolded her wings and stretched them out a bit before following the purple unicorn, “Paperwork? What paperwork?”

“Well if you want this to be as big as it can be we're going to need rules, regulations, and proper record keeping. Not to mention a proper registration form.” Once she was at her desk Twilight's horn started to glow, making some papers move about until she found the one she was looking for. With a quick strike of her quill she floated it over to Dash.

Glancing at the still-wet ink, Dash sent Twilight a worried look. “Do you seriously keep registration forms at the ready? That's like…really creepy Twi.”

Twilight looked away with a slight blush. “It’s not creepy, it’s called being well prepared. Now if you’re going to compete you'll have to fill that out.”

“Fine, fine, whatever you say Twilight.But you know your such an egghead.” Rainbow Dash flew over to the desk and started filling out her form, “What the? It’s asking for my marital status?” Dash looked over her shoulder to Twilight, who was looking away. After a little bit Dash looked over her sheet to check everything. Satisfied that she was done she popped the quill out of her mouth.

“Thank you Dash. Now, can you do me a favor? After you leave can you go to Sweet Apple Acres and tell Applejack that she needs to come by and fill out her registration form as well? Oh! And please spread the word about the competition.”

“Sure thing Twilight. I’ll go and tell her right away – without AJ it would be way too easy to win!” Rainbow took off through the open window before Twilight could chastise her for boasting.

Shaking her head with a small smile, Twilight went back to the desk to finish her letter to the Princess.

Do you remember last year when I wrote to you about the Iron Pony competition?
Well I just learned that we are hosting it again tomorrow! And even better, we are opening it to the public this year. It just goes to show you that even the things you have already done can still be fun and exciting.

Always your faithful student.
Twilight Sparkle.

After reading over her letter once more, making sure every T was crossed, and every I was dotted, she rolled it up. “Spike! Spike! Can you come up here please?”

Soon she heard the patter of little dragon feet climbing up the stairs. “What’s up Twilight?” Spike poked his head through the door and saw the floating scroll. “Oh, do you have a letter for the Princess?”

Twilight had to stifle a laugh as Spike walked into the room. He was wearing a pink apron that read ‘Kiss the Dragon’ on the front of it. Rarity had given him for his birthday, so of course he never really took it off unless he had to. “Yes please, I need you to send it out while I go find Pinkie Pie.”

Spike hopped up and plucked the scroll out of the air before walking to the window. He inhaled deeply and spouted out a bit of green fire to ignite the scroll, the magical smoke whisking it away to the Princess.

“Why do you need Pinkie? …Twi? Twilight?” 'Spike looked back to his friend. The purple unicorn's unfocused gaze was on one of the papers on her desk, her mind a thousand miles away. Walking over and peering at the paper with Rainbow’s name on top, “Just tell her Twilight. You’ve never seen her going out with anypony, she might feel the same way about you.”

“What! No.” Twilight looked back to Spike with an expression that looked a cross between embarrassment and fear. “What if she's not into mares? What if the others think I'm weird, what if… What if she hates me...” Twilight's ears drooped as she hung her head low.

“Twilight, you've been moping for months now. And you know full well that Rainbow Dash is literally the embodiment of loyalty. She would never turn her friends, and if anyone else thinks it’s wrong, then they’re not really your friends.”

Spike was suddenly levitated off the ground and Twilight kissed his cheek before hugging him. “Thank you Spike, you always know just what to say. Well, most of the time anyway.”

“That's what I’m here for, sister.” Spike puffed out his chest and poked himself with his thumb.

“Well then, maybe my number one assistant would like to go over to Sugar Cube Corner and ask Pinkie to spread the word that tomorrow the Iron Pony games will be open to anypony that wants to sing up?”

“Can I get a snack while I’m there?”

Twilight levitated three bits off her dresser and in to spikes open claw. and this time it was Spike’s turn to jump up and give Twilight a big hug. “I'm already there!” Spike took of his apron and gingerly folded it up before setting it in his bed before running out to complete her errand.

XXX

“So what yer tellin’ me is that Twilight wants to make the competition open to anypony who wants to enter?” Applejack asked her rainbow-maned friend as she moved things around the barn.

“Yeah, she said it will make it more fun and keep them coming back next year. But being the egghead that she is, she want all competitors to fill out some lame form in order to enter, I think she said something about keeping records or whatever,” Dash answered, with a shrug of her shoulders.

“I reckon that makes sense, all games need rules. Like no wings,” Applejack snickered, as she ignored the Pegasus’ fake laugh. “But anyway, does that mean I need to go over there and sign up?”

“Yeah, its sorta creepy, did you know Twilight keeps a stack of random registration forms just laying around? I swear, that pony’s brain would melt if she forgot to put her breakfast in chronological order.”

Applejack smiled and tipped her hat up so Rainbow can see it. “Chronological order? Should I tell Twi that she’s rubbin’ off on ya there, RD?”

“Ha ha, anyway you don't have to sign up if you think you don't stand a chance, in that case I have a spot in my cheering section with your name on it,” Dash sang out with bravado as she hovered over the orange pony.

“Simmer down sally, you ain’t the only one in the competition after all.” Walking out of the barn Applejack looked like she was heading into town. “Y’know, neither one of us could win.”

“Are you kidding? You and I are the best athletes in Equestria, there is no way we can both lose! And besides, the competition is tomorrow. It’s not like anypony will have time to sign up or even know that they can for that matter. So chillax AJ, it’s in the bag.” Rainbow landed and began to follow behind Applejack, only to end up walking right into the earth pony. Dash was about to ask why she stopped in the middle of the road like that when she saw Applejack’s face. She was looking upwards with a big grin on her face.

“I don't think it will be that easy, sugar-cube.” Applejack pointed up to the sky.

Following her friend’s gaze Rainbow looked up, her mouth falling open in shock. There, in the sky, was Twilight's hot air balloon, a huge banner hanging from the basket to letting all of Ponyville about the Iron pony competition. It was then that both Rainbow Dash and Applejack saw a lump of pink dancing about in the balloon’s basket.

“Is that Pinkie Pie, and is she? Is she dropping candy form the balloon?” Dash asked, still in shock.

Its was at this time Big Macintosh walked by them and blow a bubble with his gum. “Eeyup.”

Applejack watched her brother walk back to the farm before looking back up to Pinkie. “So, who do you reckon will sign up now?”

XXX

“Wow Twilight, you already have five competitors signed up for tomorrow! It’s going to be a real show!” Spike spoke excitedly as he read over the registration forms, his smile faltering for a moment, “I still can’t believe you let her sign up, you know she will just start trouble.”

Twilight was busy reading her copy of ‘All Things Sports-Rules and Regulation’ when she spoke, “Spike, you know was well as I do that we can’t leave anypony out just because we don't like them. And she did say she was sorry, and that she wanted to make it up to everypony. And if she becomes our friend I can write to Princess Celestia about how giving a second chance can be the key for making new friend’s.”

“That would have been a fine letter; though it is quite a shame that I have spoiled it for myself.” Twilight's body went rigid, her eyes growing to the size of dinner plates.

Ever so slowly Twilight Sparkle stood up and turned around, her eyes roaming across the books scattered on the floor, the dirty windows, and the papers strewn on her desk. Slowly, her eyes fell on the source of the voice. “ Pr.. Pr... Princess Celestia... Princess Luna...”

Twilight's eyes slowly rolled in up to the back of her head, and a second later she passed out.

XXX

Okay, everypony, this is a cleaned up first chapter. I know it's still a bit short,but I can’t go changing it to much as it is. Thanks to my proofing team, Jcel4569 and Valaris

Chapter two. Let the games begin

Time in Equestria Chapter Two

Let the Games Begin!

It was early in the morning and Celestia’s sun had already begun warming the autumn air, its first rays casting long shadows across the farm. On the only open the plot on the Apple family’s farm, several ponies were working hard and fast, building bleachers, setting up tents, and preparing the scoreboard. Even the Cakes and a few other ponies had arrived early, and sat up small tents and a food stall’s for a little extra business. The preparations were well under way.

At the center of it all stood a purple unicorn and her dragon assistant. “Okay Spike, did you check in with Nurse Redheart yet? Is she ready to go? “

“Almost. I just got word that her tent has been set up, but she still needs to get some supplies. She said that she’ll be ready by noon,” Spike said as he read over his scroll, checking off box after box. “We still have no word from Rarity, but I did send Owlowiscious to the boutique with a letter for her. Still dont know why I couldent have gone my self.”

“because I need you hear, and if you went you would be gone all day. Now I need you to go and check on the locker room while I go and see if the announcer’s booth is ready.” Spike gave a salute before running off toward this destination, leaving Twilight to her own devices.

Twilight turned around, intent on double checking all the arenas that had been set up, only to come face to face with rose colored eyes that she’s grown to know all too well.

“AHH!” Twilight jumped back in shock, dropping her checklist to the ground. “Rainbow! Why do you keep sneaking on me?”

Rainbow Dash just shrugged and landed on the ground next to her jumpy friend. “Because you give the best reactions. Plus I thought you might need to release some of that stress you’re building up.“

“Stress? Rainbow Dash, I am not stressed.” Twilight gave Dash a confused look, tilting her head to the side.

Dash glanced around for a moment then moved in close to Twilight, causing the poor unicorn to blush brightly as the Pegasus whispered into Twilight’s ear, “Well, normally whenever ether of the Princesses are involved you start freaking out within minutes.”

Having the pegasus speak in her ears sent a chill up Twilight’s spine, all the way to the tip of her horn. But there were more pressing matters that needed of her attention. “Rainbow, how in the wide world of Equestria did you know that they were here?” She whispered urgently, looking a little annoyed. “You were spying again, weren’t you?”

“What? No way! It’s called napping, not spying,” Rainbow countered defensively, eliciting a glare from the unicorn. Dash pouted, “…OKAY, fine. So I was spying. You happy now?”

Letting out a heavy sigh, Twilight shook her head and started walking again. “Have you told anypony else that both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are here for the competition?”

“Nah, I knew it was going to be a surprise so I kept it to myself. But wow, this is bigger than I thought it was gonna to be! I mean, look at all this. We have real stadium seating, food stands, and- Umm, Twilight? Is that who I think it is?' asked Dash, her voice taking a hopeful tone as she pointed a hoof at something behind her friend.

Twilight turned around, and saw that the object of Rainbow's attention was a white unicorn, setting up a turntable near where the announcers sat. The unicorn's electric-blue mane and violet goggles left little doubt to her identity. “'Yes, Dash. That's Vinyl Scratch. Princess Celestia told me that Luna had taken a liking to her music, so I asked her to come and perform between the games. I take it that you like her work as well?” Twilight used a checklist to hide a knowing grin. Originally the idea of hiring the DJ had come Celestia's, however, it didn't hurt that Twilight knew the DJ was also a favorite of her friend and crush.

“Wow…Thanks Twilight. This is totally awesome.” Twilight stopped looking over her list and focused on her friend. “I mean look at all this. Because of you I have a another chance to be a real competitor in a real competition again. I mean, I know I won the Best Young Fliers competition, but I was so nervous I was shaking on the floor in the waiting area. Then I while I was waiting for my turn I kept switching my number with everypony else just so I could hide longer. I made a real foal of myself and I...” Rainbow Dash trailed off and started to stare at something behind the unicorn. “Umm, Twi? I think somepony needs to talk to you.”

Twilight turned around and gasped with surprise as she nearly bumped into the tallest pony she had ever seen. He was at least two heads taller than Big Macintosh and as thin as a flag pole. If that didn’t make him look weird enough, the cloak he was hiding under sure did. “Can…can I help you?”

“Umm, yes I was told that you are the pony to see about entering the competition?” The tall pony's voice was crackly and slightly squeaky, almost as if somepony was trying very hard to make a deep voice.

Both Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were trying hard to stifle their laughter. “Oh, okay sir. May I have your name please?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, umm, my name?” The pony's body started swaying from side to side as if he might fall over. A harsh whisper came from under the cloak, “Quick we need a name!”

“Shoot, how can we not have a name?” This new voice came from the pony's middle.

“Just say we’re Rainbow Dash's brother, ummm, Oh, Rabert Dash!” This voice came from the tall pony’s rear section.

“Scoots I can’t say that! Twilight knows Rainbow, and Rainbow’s right there.”

“What? Rainbow Dash is out there?!”

Rainbow Dash fell over and started to laugh uncontrollably, unable to hold it in any longer. Soon the hooded Pony fell over as well, his cloak dropping away to reveal the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“You knew it was us the whole time didn’t you?” Apple Bloom asked as she lay across the grass.

“Sorry girls, but yes I did. Why are you trying to pass for a stallion anyway?” Twilight asked, tilting her head at the three fillies.

Scootaloo jumped up suddenly, knocking Sweetie Belle off of her in the process. “I told you that Apple Bloom can’t act! I mean her sister is the Element of honesty.”

“We should have just asked if we can participate,” Sweetie Belle said, shaking the dust off her coat.

“Hey! Ah’m a great actor, in fact I’m the most actingest pony in school!” Apple Bloom shouted at her two friends.

Sweetie Belle studied her friend for a moment. “Well I hope so, because your vocabulary really sucks. Actingest isn’t even a word!”

“Seriously Sweetie Belle, do you read the dictionary when we’re not around?” Scootaloo added dryly.

Apple Bloom laughed while Sweetie Bell shot a death-glare at the orange pegasus. “Don't blame me for being smarter than you, you kiwi.”

“I told you to stop calling things I don't know the meaning of!” Scootaloo yelled in frustration and tackled Sweetie Belle, making the unicorn fall right onto a laughing Apple Bloom. The three fillies started to fight, a cloud of dust rising up around them.

Rainbow Dash looked like she was ready to watch them fight it out all day, but Twilight was not in the mood for their squabbles. Her horn began to glow and she pulled the three apart, setting them down a small distance away from each other. As soon as Twilight’s magic permitted it, the three girls zoomed up and sat in front of the two older ponies, smiling so sweetly and using their most innocent smiles that can muster, one could almost see the halos form over their heads

“So, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, can we enter? We just know that that we can earn our Cutie Marks in one of these games!” Scootaloo asked, jumping up and down on the spot.

“Sorry squirt, but this is a real head to head contest. We'll be busting our backs out there to prove who is the best. Sweat, blood and tears, you name it!” Dash announced, flapping her wings to add dramatic effect.

Twilight rolled her eyes at Dash while the Cutie Mark Crusaders looked up in awe, a ‘wow’ coming from all three in unison.

“You know girls, just because you can't compete doesn’t mean you can’t help. How would you three like to hand out water and towels to the competitors?” The Cutie Mark Crusaders glanced at each other, looking as if they were contemplating an escape. Twilight chuckled and continued, “If you do I’ll send word to all the food vendors to give you three free food all day.”

At this news Scootaloo's eyes widened and her mouth began to water, her belly growling loud enough to catch Rainbow Dash and Twilight’s attention.

“Did you not eat your breakfast this morning, kid?” Dash looked down at the orange filly, tail twitching lightly as she spoke.

“Oh, I um…I must have forgotten.” Scootaloo rubbed the back of her head with a nervous chuckle. “But we’ll do it, right Crusaders?”

“I don't know…Cutie Mark Crusader Towel Girls doesn’t sound like a lot of fun,” Sweetie Belle stated, giving her friend a skeptical look.

“Yeah, there has to be hundreds of other things we can do to earn our cutie marks.” Apple Bloom added in.

Scootaloo looked like she was ready to panic, and Twilight could see the gears turning in her little head. “But…but…If we do this not only do we get free food all day, but the chance of being covered in tree sap is almost zero!”

Both Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom exchanged looks and smiled. Apple Bloom reared up happily, “Cutie Mark Crusaders Sports Coaches are a go!” With that the Crusaders took off, ready to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting public.

“Twilight? Did you see Scootaloo there? Her whole body tensed up when she was talking to the others, like she really wanted to hand out water or something,” Dash’s wings fluttered a little uneasily.

“I didn’t see that, but I did notice how excited she got over the food. Guess she really did miss breakfast.” Twilight shook her head, before she glanced back at the three fillies as they ran about. “Anyway, I still need to set up a lot of things. Have you seen Fluttershy? She said she would help me with the final event.”

XXX

The unused fields of Sweet Apple Acres had been transformed into what looked like a huge carnival. Everywhere you looked there were tents or stands full of games or food. Ponies from all over Equestria had somehow heard of the competition, from Canterlot to Cloudsdale. Everypony seemed to be there and it was just a matter of time before the show would start.

Up in the announcer’s booth, everyone’s favorite party pony and Ponyville's resident dragon were getting ready to call the play by play for the day’s events.

“You ready for this Pinkie? It’s going to be a long day up here.” Spike asked as he stacked his papers.

“Are you kidding! You know how much I just love to talk, it’s like one of the best things in the world, well not better then chocolate milk rain. That was soo much fun! It’s sad that, that meanie Discord turned out to be such a mean meanie mean pants. But talking is soo much fun, I mean remember when I got into the poison joke and I was all like AWWW! And my tongue was dripping with drool! It was horrible, I couldn’t talk, couldn't tell jokes, and the worstiest of the worst was that I couldn't sing! Thank goodness Fluttershy is such a sweetie and helped me with my Zecora song. Oh NO! I never told her how sorry I was for making that song, I hope she's not mad. OH! I know, I can throw her an ‘I'm Sorry for That Mean Song Party’ and make her a new song and after that we can play pin the tail on the-”

“Pinkie!” Spike snapped the pink pony out of her tirade, his head spinning from trying to keep up with her rambling.

“Yes Spike?” Pinkie looked at the dragon, smiling sweetly.

Two things came to Spike’s mind. First he wondered if he could find her off switch, and the second he had to ask her himself. “Pinkie did you even take a breath during all that?”

Pinkie giggled, “Nope, I don't think so. Why?”

Spike just dropped his head onto the desk and groaned.

“Spike darling, you know better than to act like that. Or have all my lessons in proper etiquette fallen on deaf ears?”

“Rarity! No I uh… I mean Pinkie was just umm…I...” Spike stuttered, panicking as he tried to find the right words.

“Hi Rarity! What are you doing here? Did you come to help use with the play by play? OH OH, did you want me to throw you a party too?”

“No dear, I am dreadfully sorry, but I am not in need of one of your fabulous get-togethers at this time. I just wanted to give you two these!” Rarity used her magic to pull out two matching red vests. ‘Announcer Team’ was embroidered on the back of the vests in fine gold silk thread, their names decorated with small diamonds to add extra flair.

Pinkie grabbed hers and put in on quickly, her ears flicking as she checked herself out. “Wooo Rarity, these are great!”

“Seriously, you’ve out done yourself Rarity!” Spike said, smiling at his as he hugged his vest. “It’s so soft.”

“It would be a crime if I did not make them for you. Everypony knows that you are the best announcer duo in all of Equestria. And Spike, just so your not tempted to eat your vest spike I brought a little treat for my Spickie Wickie.” She floated a sack of gems with a variety of sizes and colors over to the baby dragon, “Those are some of the gems I can't use, and it would have been such a waste to throw them out. So I thought that you would take them off my hooves for me?”

“WOW! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Spike chanted over and over, drooling into the bag.

Rarity smiled, “Now if you will excuse me, I must be off. Twilight requires my assistance elsewhere.”

“Okay, bye Rarity! And thank you for the vests!” Pinkie shouted as Spike put his vest on. He gave Rarity a quick hug before sitting back on his seat.

“Would you look at us now? Not only are we the best announcing team in Equestria, but the best dressed one too.” Spike said with a proud grin as he put his headset on. “You wanna start us off Pinkie?”

“I would love to Spike.” Pinkie put her own headset on and took a breath before flicking the switch that would activate the speakers. “Fillies and Gentlecolts, welcome the first ever Iron Pony Competition!” Pinkie’s voice echoed through every speaker in the area.

“And what a beautiful Autumn day it is Pinkie! But I think you might be mistaken. Won’t this will be our second IPC?” Spike asked, adding a flair to his voice for the sake of showmanship.

“Ohh, you have a good memory Spike. But last year was only a test run to get all the bugs out, this year where all set and the competition is even open to the public! Lets not forget that the competitors from last year have both agreed to make this the first real IPC. So I hope you're ready to see some action!”

“You bet Pinkie, I’m so excited I’m almost drooling!”

“Are you sure that's not your bag of gems that's making you drool?” Pinkie said, joining the crowd in a laugh.

Spike sent the pink earth pony a cold stare, speaking in an embarrassed tone that only made the crowd laugh harder. “How about we move on and introduce the competitors?”

“Sounds good to me Spike, but I think Twilight has something to say first. Let’s see what it is,” Pinkie announced, directing all eyes to the main arena.

Twilight was standing in center stage, her mane pulled back into a neat ponytail. She was dressed in a black and white striped shirt that marked her as the referee, and sported a headset of her own.

“First I would like to thank everypony for coming on such short notice, and I am pleased that all of you came out to helped us make the Iron Pony Competition such a success!” The crowd erupted in cheers and stomping hooves. “Now before we bring out the competitors, I would like you all to direct your eyes to the right side of the field. Please join me in giving a big welcome to the keepers of the Sun and the Moon, the rulers of Equestria, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!” Twilight shouted loudly and reared up onto her hind legs.

The crowd shifted their attention to the Princesses sitting on plush cushions. Celestia waved while Luna appeared to be arguing with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The crowd all bowed at once before sending up loud cheers of appreciation and excitement.

“Thank you, my little ponies, for your heart warming welcome. My sister and I look forward to a fun filled day and to what I hope will be a most exciting contest. Would you not agree, Luna?”

All attention shifted to the Princess of the Moon, and the crowd let out a collective gasp. The Lunar Princess had Apple Bloom in a headlock while Scootaloo attempted to do the same to Luna, and Sweetie Belle was trying to pull the older mare’s legs out from under her. Thousands of eyes were looking on in pure shock and horror, though none more so than those of Twilight, Applejack and Rarity. It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop.

The Princess and Crusaders froze and blushed lightly, as soon as they noticed that all eyes were on them.

“…I …can explain?” Luna shared a look with the girls as her words echoed around the arena. With a flash of lunar magic all four of them were standing next to a mortified Twilight.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders smiled sweetly. “Cutie Mark Crusaders Pro Wrestlers!”

Nopony moved. Nopony spoke. Silence reigned…until suddenly Princess Celestia fell over and started laughing loudly.

Luna looked down at the Crusaders and spoke harshly. “You said nopony would laugh at us!”

Apple Bloom smiled and shared a dark grin with her friends, “No no, no, we said nopony would laugh at ‘us’. They would expect it from us, but you’re the Princess.”

Luna's dark face went red out of both embarrassment and anger. “Have you ever wondered what its like on the moon?” but before Luna could send the crusaders away, Applejack and Rarity ran up, pulling their sisters behind them and bowing down low.

“I beg your pardon, Your Highness. Please forgive my sister, she meant no disrespect.” Rarity held her head low, almost touching the ground.

“I’m mighty sorry mah sister was only just playin’, Princess. I’m gonna to make darn sure she’s punished,.” Applejackplaced her hoof on the back Apple Bloom’s head and pulled her down the the grown in a sloppy but forced bow.

Luna stood silently for a moment, mulling over the prospect of exacting vengeance against the three fillies for their prank. However, she dismissed the thought, knowing their actions to be harmless fun. “There has been a misunderstanding. These girls are my friends, and I assure you these little ones have done nothing wrong. I was merely assisting them in trying to find their Cutie Marks.” Applejack, Rarity and Twilight stood there speechless as the Princess continued.

“And yes, they have just played a prank on me.” Luna glared at the three fillies, “But that just means I get to play one on them as well, does it not?” She looked to Scootaloo, who nodded proudly.

“Yea. We even made Luna an honorary member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, since last Nightmare Night!” Apple Bloom added in as she pulled herself away from her sister.

Suddenly the speakers were filled with a high pitched giggling and laughing, then a loud thumping sound like someone fell from their chair. “Umm, Twilight, Pinkie looks like she is ready to pass out. Do you want me to start?”

Twilight sighed and bowed to the Princesses, “ What? But we..I mean. um...” Twilight was about the let her mind take over and panic when Rainbow cantered over and jabbed her friends side as if hitting a reset butten. “Sorry, your highnesses, now is every pony ready to begin the competition.” A cheer from the crowed, then Twilight bowed once more the the royal sisters and trend her head towards the announcers booth. “ Spike, Pinkie, Take it away!” Twilight helped Applejack and Rarity corral the three fillies back to the stands as Luna took her place next to her sister.

“Alright sports fans! First let’s give it up for today’s referee and judge, the bearer of the Element of Magic, Ponyville’s own Twilight Sparkle!” Spike announced and everyone turned to a now blushing Twilight; as she gave a nervous wave as the crowd cheered.

Pinkie popped back up and fixed her head set, “And now our first competitor, winner of last year’s Best Young Flier award and the only pony to ever do a Sonic Rainboom, the bearer of the Element of Loyalty, Ponyville’s own Rainbow Dash!”

The crowd cheered loudly and stomped their hooves, some even waving rainbow colored flags or homemade posters of the Pegasus as she flew in at high speed before going low for her Fantastic Filly Flash, skidding to a stop in front of Twilight. She bowed deeply to the Princesses as she stood next to the purple unicorn.

Spike nodded to Pinkie before taking his turn, “Next, we have the most reliable of ponies. A pony whose hard work helps all those around her, hailing from Sweet Apple Acres, the bearer of the Element of Honesty, Applejack!”

Again, the Ponies in attendance all cheered and hooted, waving orange flags with apples in the air. Applejack cantered out proudly and bowed to the Princesses, taking her place next to Dash and giving her a hoof bump.

“Well Spike, now that Rainbow Dash and Applejack are out everypony is gonna be in for a big surprise as we name the other six competitors! I mean, who knows who else is going to play! I might show up on this list! But wait, if I'm on the list how can I do the play by play? Oh, oh, I know I can run back and forth from here and down there, but if I do that I will get really tired, and if I am tired I will lose in all the games, and then I will be sad, and if I’m sad how can I help you Spike? I can’t compete, I'm not athletic! Spike what am I going to do?”

“Pinkie.”

“Yes Spike?”

“Did you sign up to compete?”

“Umm… no?” Pinkie gave the dragon a confused look.

“Then you don't have to worry about running back and forth now do you? So, do you want to introduce the next contestant or should I?”

“Wow Spike, you are such a smart dragon! You have to help me plan a party some time. Now, our next competitor will not be a pushover, coming from deep within the Everfree forest. She is the Zebra that can rhyme anytime and is certainly not an evil enchantress, give it up for Zecora!”

Zecora made her way out into the arena with a smile, and the crowd gasped at her appearance. They erupted into cheers soon after, and Zecora bowed to the Princesses as Applejack and Rainbow had done before her.

“Boy, never would’ve thought she would enter. But if you all liked that then wait til you hear this! Most of you have seen him around town, either pulling something heavy for somepony or just making deliveries, the quiet giant of Sweet Apple Acres, Big Macintosh!” Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash's mouths fell open as the big stallion walked out, somehow looking even bigger without his yoke.

The ponies that lived in Ponyville went wild, starting a chant as Big Mac made his way across the field, “Eeyup, Eeyup, Eeyup, Eeyup.” Big Mac bowed to the Princesses and took his place, ignoring the shocked look his sister was giving him.

“Wow, hope there’s room for more because Macintosh is huge!” Pinkie said happily, her smile wavering when she read the next name. “Spike is this name right?” Spike gave her a nod and she frowned lightly, “Well I don't know what I can say about this one, and Granny Pie always said if you cant say something nice..”

“Don’t say anything at all?” Spike asked

“What, no, thats’s silly, if you don’t say anything how can you offer them a cupcake? That’s just silly. So with out further adue, hailing from parts unknown, I give you Gilda the Griffin!”

The crowd was confused for a moment. Why would a griffin join a pony competition? Gilda shot out of the clouds and swooped over the crowd, causing them to cheer and whoop regardless. She took her place on the field, ignoring the glares from Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Twilight, not even bothering to bow to the Princesses.

“Now there are only three left, and our next competitor is a Unicorn coming all the way form Canterlot! He is a newly minted Royal Guard, so make some noise for Bob!”

Once again everypony stomped and shouted, but no one seemed to be coming out.

“Ummm…Bob? That's your cue buddy.” Still no one came out onto the field. Nurse Redheart trotted up to the announcer’s booth and whispered something to Pinkie and Spike. “Oh, we just got word that Bob has come down with a really bad rash and will not be competing today.”

The crowd began to whisper and talk among themselves at the news. Dash was the only one who noticed Gilda snickering.

“Well that's a real shame, but the show must go on. Right Pinkie?” Spike restacked his papers. “Our next guest also comes all the way from Canterlot, and if you don't know him by face then you will know him by name. Here is the vice captain of the Wonderbolts, Soarin!” The sky was streaked with black smoke as Soarin soared into the arena, the crowd erupted into loud cheers and Rainbow Dash’s mouth fell open at the sight. Soarin did a little flip and landed before the Princesses, bowing deeply to the two.

“And if that wasn’t enough, here’s our last, but definitely not least competitor! Coming straight from Cloudsdale, I give to you the Captain of the Wonderbolts, Spitfire!!”

The crowd was already cheering, Dash jumping on the spot as she looked over the sky. But unlike Dash and Soarin, Spitfire simply cantered out with a big smile on her face and waved to the cheering fans. She bowed to the Princesses and took her place next to Soarin.

It was then Luna and Celestia stood, two microphones floating in front of them. They looked to each other and smiled, floating the microphones down to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The three fillies gasped excitedly and looked to the Princesses, receiving a nod from both. They crowded around one microphone.

“LET THE GAMES BEGIN!”

XXX

That's chapter 2! Thank you all for the support, I hope to get some good comments from everypony. I hope you all like this chapter, I had fun writing it..

I want to thank both my Beta Readers for all their help, without them my work would never see the light of day! Proof team. I will call them the P-Team from here on out. Jcel4569 and Valaris

Chapter tree. War of competition

Time in Equestria Chapter three

Chapter three.

War of Competition

Not a single pony in the crowd was sitting as they cheered on the competitors, who were currently heading to the locker area to get prepared for the first event while on the field a few ponies were running around setting up large barrels.

“Well Pinkie, it looks like the first event has been revealed to be a rodeo classic - the Barrel weave,” Spike said, pointing out the barrels.

“Oh, how fun! This is how the test run started last year. If I remember right, Applejack had the better time, but got a five second penalty for nudging one of the barrels which gave the Win over to Rainbow. And now all we have to do is wait for our competitors to get ready,” Pinkie added

“And on that note, Pinkie, I would like to let everypony know that the competitors will all be wearing special jerseys made just for today by Rarity at the Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique and magnifique,” Spike announced proudly.

While Pinkie gave spike an odd look before starting a long rant about Sugarcube Corner, the competitors were getting ready for the events and talking amongst themselves. Rainbow Dash was torn; she wanted to go talk with the two members of the Wonderbolts, but also wanted to see what Gilda was planning. Not to mention she was more then a little ticked off at Twilight for not telling her about the Wonderbolts or Gilda. She sat quietly in the corner as Applejack approached her brother.

“What in tarnation’ are ya doin’ here Mac? I thought for sure you’d be sellin’ apples out there! I didn’t know you were gonna enter.”

“Well, after I seen you ‘n’ Rainbow Dash compete last year I thought it would be mighty fun to try it for mahself. Hope ya don't mind too much AJ, I know this is your thing and all,” the big stallion drawled.

Applejack smiled up at her big brother, knowing that he wasn’t here to start anything. But she still didn’t like the idea one bit. He was the one that taught her everything she knew about working the farm and she knew full well what the red stallion was capable of.

“Oh don't worry none, I was just surprised is all. With you here it’s gonna be a lot harder to win. Good luck out there big brother.” Applejack gave her brother a pat on the back and turned to leave, only to stop as a pail blue Pegasus approached them.

“Well, well, well. Look who fell out of the Apple tree, Big Macky Macintosh.”

Big Macintosh smiled and looked to his left. “If mah memory serves me right Soarin, it was your lazy flank what fell outta the trees while you slept in ‘em.”

Soarin and Macintosh shook hooves and gave each other a light hug, “Damn Macky, you got even bigger. You’re at least a head bigger than me now!” The pale blue Pegasus stallion teased.

“Hold your horses, Big Mac, you knew this here Wonderbolt?” Applejack gestured to Soarin with her hoof, both surprised and confused.

Both Soarin and Big Macintosh looked at her as Mac spoke, “Ah'm surprised ya don't remember AJ. Soarin here was always at the farm when you were a little filly; he would sleep up in the trees and keep me company. Heck, you called him your brother for the longest time.”

“What?” Applejack looked at Soarin’ in shock. “Then why didn’t ya say somethin’ at the Gala?”

“Well I didn’t know that you were little Applejack at the time. It wasn’t until later after eating the Pie that I knew it was from the Apple family.”

“So this is the famous Apple family you always talk about.” The three ponies looked to their right as a yellow Pegasus approach them. She was wearing a light gray jersey with bright red trim and her name stitched on the back in gold silk.

“Spitfire, I want you to meet...” Soarin trailed off as he looked over his friend, “Why are your wings glowing?”

“Oh, the ref said she had to use magic to lock my wings so I don't use them by mistake during the competition.” She looked back at her wings, “It feels really weird, but its only temporary. You'll have to do it too, Soarin.” Spitfire redirected her attention to Big Mac. “So this monster of a stallion must be Big Macintosh. And you...” Spitfire’s breath caught in her throat as she looked Applejack over, her cheeks going rosy much to Soarin's delight. “... and you must be Applejack?”

“I sure as sugar am, nice to meet ya! Any friend of Mac is a friend o’ mine.” Applejack took Spitfire’s hoof and shook it happily.

On the other side of the locker room Rainbow Dash was watching her idols talk with Applejack. She wanted nothing more than to go over there herself, but she knew in her mind what she had to do. So, taking a deep breath, she got up and walked over to her old friend.

Dash remembered all the times she and Gilda had hung out as kids, getting angrier the more she dwelt on it. Even back in flight camp Gilda was a bully… and so was she. Back then she thought the stunts they pulled were harmless pranks, but the more she thought about it the more she realized they weren’t.

“Yo Dash, what’s up? Come over to ask if I’ll take you back, even though you flipped on me? Well, guess I can. You were always cute when you were all pissy,” Gilda teased, studying her claw disinterestedly.

“Yeah, like that will happen. If I remember right I was the one that broke up with you.” Dash said sharply. “Now what are you doing here Gilda? You and I both know you don't have any friends here, and after disrespect you shown the Princesses you’re lucky you don't have mob of angry ponies out for your beak. So why are you here?” Dash asked, looking the Griffin in the eye.

“Fine. If you want to know ‘Dashie’, I'm here to put you lame ponies in your place.” Gilda answered, voice low but clear. “You see, after you flipped on me I did a lot of thinking. And I learned that you ponies all think you’re so high and mighty. Well guess what? You’re not.” Dash stood there glaring while her Ex spoke, “And I am not the only one who thinks this. A lot of griffins do, and the same goes for Diamond dogs, Dragons, and Buffalo. You ponies don't have as many friends then you think, and as for this…Iron Pony competition? It’ll be The Iron Griffin competition when I am done with it.”

It was at this time that Twilight and Rarity trotted over, stopping in their tracks as they sensed the tension in the air. “Rainbow?” Twilight ventured cautiously, “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Everything is fine, Twi. I’m just happy to have better company then this feathered dumbass.” She gave a hard look to Gilda before turning away from the Griffin, smiling kindly to the lavender mare. “So what's up?”

“Oh, we’re just here to hand you both your jerseys, and to put the Anti-Flight Charm on your wings.” As Twilight spoke she levitated two jerseys, one small and one much larger.

“Back up, what is all this about some Anti-Flight Charm? I did not sign up to be some lame pony’s little guinea pig, so keep that horn away from me or else.” Gilda threatened as she snatched her shirt from the air.

“Umm, excuse me Gilda, but you have to have your wings bound if you want to compete. It’s in the rules you read over and signed last night. So, unless you want to leave now...” Twilight was hoping for her to leave but would never say it.

“Which will do everypony a favor.” Dash grumbled, and Twilight struggled to keep her smile form growing.

“I suggest you let me cast my spell, or you let me tie your wings down with a rope.” Twilight said, stomping her hoof lightly.

After a short debate which garnered the attention of everypony in the locker room, Gilda begrudgingly agreed to having the rope tied around her wings. She stalked off to get ready, and once she was gone Twilight put her horn to Rainbow's wings to lock them down.

“Twilight why did you let Gilda enter? She’s only here to start trouble with me.”

“With that I will agree, that Griffin has the personality of a lemon tree,” Zecora spoke up.

“Eeyup.”

“I'm sorry everypony, but it wasn't my idea. I was going to tell her no, but Princess Celestia said I shouldn’t judge her by her past actions. As much as I don't like this, I can’t very well tell the Princess that Gilda doesn’t deserve a second chance.” Twilight sighed as she looked back to Dash.

“Well I’m still going to keep an eye on her and I want your help Twi. I can’t prove it, but I'm pretty sure that she was the one responsible for Bob's rash. It was something she did a lot back in flight camp.” Dash said as she watched Gilda leave out the back of the tent. “I can’t believe I was ever like her.” Dash’s head dropped low, her ears pinning back against her head.

Stepping forward Twilight brought her nose under Rainbow’s chin and nuzzled lightly into her neck in hopes of cheering up the brightly colored Pegasus. “You said it yourself, you were like her. But now you are a much better pony, you’re a great friend. You have friends that care for you, you are Rainbow Dash. Not some bully.”

“Thanks Twi, I really needed that.” Rainbow returned the hug before stepping out of it. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go see why Applejack of all ponies is talking with my idols.”

XXX

“Okay everypony, looks like we are ready to get the show on the road! And first up, the Barrel weave. It’s a simple event where the runner needs to weave around each barrel and get to the end as fast as they can.” Spike said as he watched Twilight get into position.

“That’s right Spike, but you forgot a little teenie weenie thing. If they touch a barrel they get five seconds added on to their time, and that’s a bad thing, since this competition depends on being super-fast! And those mean barrels want to mess them up and make everypony laugh at them.” Pinkie spoke as if the barrels were plotting against the Ponies.

“Pinkie, what in Equestria are you talking about?” Spike looked up at her, confused.

“Just the rules silly.”

“No, but I mean....”

“Ohhh! Looks like Twilight is ready!” Pinkie directed everyone’s attention down to arena, where Twilight was smiling and looking around at the crowd. “And now our first runner is coming to the field! It’s the big bucker himself, Big Macintosh!” Pinkie shouted.

The crowd stomped their hooves in excitement for the Red stallion as he walked over to the start of the barrel weave course. “Okay Big Mac, are you ready?” Twilight asked as she used her magic to float a stop watch next to her.

“Eeyup.”

“Okay then, you can start at the bang.” Twilight took a step back, her horn shimmering for a moment. A loud bang echoed through the stadium and Macintosh took off down the fairway, his heavy hooves digging into the soft dirt with each step.

He had swerved around barrels one, two, and three, but his large frame proved to hurt more than help, as his flank knocked barrel four over. His front legs kicked the fifth barrel right in to the sixth, but Mac had no time to stop. Shaking his head he pushed himself a bit faster, weaving around the remaining barrels flawlessly.

“21.03 seconds!” Twilight shouted as the crowd cheered, “But you also hit two of the barrels, which brings your time to 31.03.”

Macintosh shook his head and walked off the field, thinking to himself he would have done better with a fast trot. He smiled and waved to the stomping, cheering crowd before disappearing back into the tent.

“Ouch, you hate to see that happen to the big guy. His time was really good, but those barrels all but cost him this event.” Spike said shaking his head. “Good thing there will be an after party to celebrate all the competitors that should cheer him upright Pinkie?”

“That's ri.... Wait, party? What party?” Pinkie asked as all the color started to drain from her face.

“The after party your gonna…wait, you don't have a party planed?” As Spike spoke these words every citizen of Ponyville stopped and witnessed the party pony’s mane deflate.

“I.. I forgot to plan.... a party.” Pinkie’s eyes dilated and her right ear twitched. She stood up, calmly removed her headset and walked out of the booth.

“Uh oh… Okay Everypony, stay out of the way of a Pink Earth Pony named Pinkie Pie. If she approaches you, do what she says and all will be fine in the end. This is not a test, I repeat this is not a test.” Spike said with a hint of fear, looking down to Twilight for help. She was looking just as nervous as he was. “Well, I guess the show must go on, so our next runner is a Pony you can count on to help with all matters! Let’s hear it for APPLEJACK!”

Once again the crowd stomped and cheered as Applejack made her way to Twilight's side, though many of the Ponies were still looking confused as to why Pinkie left, some even a bit scared from Spike’s message.

“What are we gonna do about Pinkie? Ya'll remember what happened on Hearths Warmin’, What we had to do-”

Twilight slapped a hoof over AJ’s mouth to keep her quiet, “Don't say it, I still have nightmares.” Twilight said with a shudder, “For now we will leave her to her own devices, but if we see her getting Madame le Flour, then we'll stop her.”

“Well, if yer sure about that Twi. Let’s get this contest back on track.” Applejack smiled and moved to the starting line, getting herself ready to run. Soon the starting bang was heard and she took off like a rocket, bobbing and weaving around barrel after barrel, showing off her rodeo skills.

“17.02 seconds!” Twilight cheered and reared up in excitement with the rest of the crowd. Applejack stood there panting with a bewildered look on her face, Big Macintosh moving to his sister to congratulate her on her best run ever.

“Wow, did you all see that? Applejack just set a new Iron Pony record!” Spike announced, standing on his chair. “This broadcasting business is a lot harder to do by yourself.” he let out a little laugh, before yelping when the door to the booth was kicked open

Pinkie, looking like a pony on a mission, walked in and dropped burlap sack in her old spot “Spike, she will help you until I am done.”

She grabbed the drawstring between her teeth, and with one swift motion opened the bag, spilling out its contents onto the floor.... Its horribly familiar contents... “How dare you treat Trixie like this!”

Spike’s mouth dropped open as Trixie glared daggers at Pinkie. Without breaking eye contact, the pink earth pony spoke. “Spike, I know I was suppose to help you and I am really really, really, really sorry. But the party is super-duper trouble, and I just can’t let everypony down.” Pinkie’s voice sounded mournful, but her smile remained as she looked back at Trixie, whose eyes were beginning to water from the prolonged staring.

“But I brought you a friend to help, and the best part is you already know her, and she’s always putting on shows all over Equestria, so we know she’s good at talking to other ponies, so she will be...”

“Do you never blink!?” Trixie shouted, rubbing her eyes.

“Well, duh. Now if you excuse me, I have a party to plan,” her tail twitched as she spoke the word party before running off again, leaving Trixie and Spike alone in the booth.

“Trixie.”

“Dragon.”

“Okay, so what are you doing back in Ponyville?” Spike asked as he crossed his arms.

Trixie let out an indignant huff before turning her head up. “Trixie was just passing through, when Pinkie grabbed Trixie and brought her here.” Trixie looked around at all the ponies that had been seated around the area. “Is Trixie at some sort of sporting event? And what is it fo- Does Trixie see the Royal Sisters?!” She gasped as both princesses and many of the surrounding ponies looked up at her.

“Umm… yeah, they’re the special guests, and this is the Iron Pony Competition. Where have you been?” Spike asked in a rude manner.

“Well, sorry if Trixie does not keep up with Ponyville events.” Trixie waved her hoof dismissively. “Now what did that pink pony mean by saying that Trixie is your partner?”

“I think she wants you to cover for her as an announcer while she’s out doing her… planning. But I don't think I need your help.”

The crowd outside laughed and Trixie gave an indignant huff. “Please, Trixie is an expert at entertaining Ponies. You would be lucky if she helped you.”

As the Pony and Dragon stared each other down there was a bright purple flash followed by a popping sound, “Okay, Spike, stop antagonizing ponies. You know better than that.” Twilight turned to Trixie, “And Trixie, I’m not sure why you are here and I am sorry Pinkie pony-napped you. But if you’re not going to help, I need you to leave the booth so Spike can do his job. We are busy if you can’t already tell.”

Trixie stamped her hoof in frustration, “Why is it when Trixie comes to this village everything goes wrong? Fine. Trixie will stay and help, but you, Twilight Sparkle, have to talk to Trixie by the end of the day.”

“Okay, that’s fair. Thank you for not fighting and making a scene, Trixie.” Twilight said with a smile.

Spike, however, stood there with his mouth open. “What? But Twilight I don’t need this show-off’s help! I can do this by myself.”

“Spike, don’t forget it was Pinkie Pie that brought her here. So Pinkie should have a reason for it, and you saw her mane go flat, right? Don't you remember last Hearth’s Warming Eve?!” Twilight and Spike shuddered at the memory.

Spike zipped over to Trixie and started shaking her hoof, welcoming her over and over before he started explaining the what the Iron Pony Competition was and going over the list of the events.

Twilight was about to teleport back down when the door burst open and a frightened and panting Scootaloo ran in. “Twilight, I was just at Mr and Mrs Cake’s stand when Pinkie ran in and grabbed them and ran back to town!”

“Oh my…I guess I’ll send Fluttershy to keep an eye on her,” Twilight said, putting a hoof to her face, then she noticed something odd. “Um, Scootaloo, what’s that on your flank?”

Scootaloo’s eyes widened as she slowly craned her neck back and saw it. Taped to her flank was a little piece of paper with a picture of a chicken drawn on it. Then the sounds Apple Bloom asked as she and Sweetie Belle giggling filled her ears and she saw red..

Yelling in rage, Scootaloo charged her friends and tackled them to the ground with an audible thud. “I am not a chicken!”

“Help, she’s biting me, she’s biting me!”

“OW! No horn!”

“I think Trixie has changed her mind. She will be taking her leave now.” Trixie moved for the door, but the moment her hoof touched the threshold a large pink wall blocked her path. Before anyone could blink, Pinkie put her red announcer coat on the azure unicorn and stared right into Trixie's eyes. “Or maybe Trixie will sit down and have fun....” The show pony sat down trying not look at Pinkie.

Pinkie let a big smile cross her face before dashing off.

XXX

One by one the competitors made their runs. Soarin made a good time of 18.00, but it was who Spitfire scared Applejack with a time of 17.04. Zecora's time was 17.24, though Twilight had to consult the Princesses about her slipping over the last barrel. Gilda was rather fast for her size, getting a time 19.21.

Rainbow Dash took her starting position, taking off as quickly as she could when the starting bang rang out. The crowd was cheering loudly as she swerved around the first barrel. All eyes were on the rainbow-colored pegasus.

No one saw Gilda as she pulled out a little hand mirror, using it to reflect the sun’s light right into Rainbow's eyes. Rainbow was forced to to squint, and even close her eyes as she ran. But it was that what made Rainbow ran right into the last barrel, sending her down to the dirt just short of the finish line.

XXX

Letting out a groggy moan, Rainbow Dash opened her eyes only to be blinded by a bright light. “Someone put out the sun…”

“Rainbow? Are you okay?” Rainbow looked to her left and saw both Applejack and Twilight standing by her bed, the other competitors behind them.

“Yeah, I think so.” She sat up and looked around, finding herself in Nurse Redheart’s first aid tent. “Why am I here? Did I hit my head that hard?” She moved a hoof to her head and winced as she touched the cut over her right eye.

“That’s a good sign, remembering that you hit your head shows that you don’t have a concussion, now will you please lay back down so I can finish.” A hoof appeared on Rainbow’s shoulder and gently pushed her back to the bed where she was again blinded by the light and this time felt a sharp stinging over her eye.

“When you hit you head you cut yourself pretty badly over your right eye. Nurse Redheart is giving you stitches now,” Twilight informed the cyan mare, “But what happened? I’ve seen you fly three times as fast and turn on a bit. Did you trip?”

“What? No, I was doing great and then- Ow!” Dash hissed as Redheart pulled the stitches tight, closing the cut and turning off the light. “I had the sun in my eyes, and I couldn’t see a thing.”

“But the sun was behind you. Did any of you have that problem?” Twilight asked, looking behind her to the other competitors who were shaking their heads. “Well, okay then…Why don't you all get ready, the next event will start soon.” With that comment the others left until it was just Dash, Twilight, Applejack, Gilda, Spitfire, and Nurse Redheart.

“Okay, your head is fine and you have no sign of a concussion, but you are going to have a rather bad headache. Now I already know that you won’t come and tell me if you have trouble seeing, so,” She looked to Twilight, “Twilight Sparkle, as her friend and the referee of this competition, I expect you to keep an eye on her and notify me immediately if you see her acting strangely, am I clear?”

Dash huffed and got off the bed, muttering about not needing or wanting a babysitter, earning her a giggle from Twilight. Looking back Twilight thought she would see Dash talking with Applejack and Spitfire, but instead she saw Dash walk past them and right out of the tent.

“Is she going to be alright? She looked really mad.” Spitfire asked as she and Applejack walked over to Twilight.

“I think she is a little embarrassed about what happened out there. She just needs to calm down. I’ll talk to her before the next event. Speaking of which, I thought for sure you would have taken the win, Spitfire.” Twilight smiled.

“Ya got that right Twi, when she took off from the startin line I thought I lost! Who woulda thought a big shot flyer could get that kind of speed on her hooves? I guess ya can’t judge a book by its cover.” Applejack grinned at the yellow Pegasus.

Spitfire smiled at the other two mares, “Thanks, but I’m just shocked that I even came close to your time Applejack. I never knew I could move like that without my wings.”

“Now, don't go sellin’ yerself short, from what I saw you and I are gonna be neck ‘n neck all day. It’s gonna give all them ponies out there a good show, and make this contest real close. I fer one am happy to have ya here!” AppleJack smiled at the Pegasus.

“Thank Applejack. Say, if there is time later can you show me around the your Farm? It’s been so long since I had a chance to enjoy the smells and sights of one.” Spitfire asked, looking a little nervous.

While the three mares were conversing inside Rainbow Dash was passing around the side of the tent berating her self for hitting her head and humiliating her self in front everypony, when she saw a small round light moving around the side of the tent. Looking over her shoulder she saw Gilda playing with a little hand Mirror “Wicked cut you got there Dash. If it scars it’s going to look really boss, too bad it will be a reminder of you taking a dive in front of a large crowd and two if the blunder bolts.” It was at this point Gilda used the little Mirror to to shine light in Dash's eye.

“You! It was you!” Rainbow yelled, her once rose-colored eyes now burning with the fires of hatred. Dash moved to kick the smirking beak from her former friend’s face when Gilda reared up on her hind legs, readying herself for a fight.

“What is going on here!” Dash stopped and saw Twilight, Applejack, and Spitfire staring at her and Gilda. It had been Twilight that had shouted , but Rainbow’s eyes were already back on Gilda.

“I’ll tell you whats going on, Gilda used her mirror to blind me on my run! She made me hit my head!” Rainbow shouted, pointing a hoof at the mirror, all the while glaring daggers at the Griffin.

“What?! That's a lie! You know how bad her temper is, she's just mad she messed up in front of all those ponies out there, I was just offering to show her how the cut looks.” Gilda said, dropping the little mirror at Dash's hooves. “And now she's just looking for a scapegoat! So much for trying to be your friend again dash, you changed too much, I don't want anything more to do with you.” Gilda took her leave, a great big smirk on her face.

Rainbow Dash stood there looking shocked, but shock gave way to more and more anger. And then “You lying bitch!” Her hooves dug deep into hard ground as she thundered towards the back of the griffin, but she was stopped by Both Applejack and Spitfire as they grabbed the Rainbow mare at her shoulders, despite the efforts of the Wonderbolt and the workhorse, Rainbow was still gaining ground.”

“Rainbow! Calm down! Ya know ya can’t just go off fightin’ willy-nilly!” Applejack shouted as she struggled to hold her friend back.

“Listen to her Rainbow Dash, a Wonderbolt would never act like this!” Spitfire yelled, trying to appeal to Dash's dream.

Much to the mares’ dismay, Dash did not listen, but then they saw faint glowing purple light emanating form Rainbow before she was lifted up into the air “You two can go and get ready for the next event, I have her.” Twilight’s words were soft and confident. Applejack gave her a skeptical look, but the Unicorn reassured her and moved off, leaving the other two friends alone. “Rainbow? I need you to try and relax.”

Dash just floated there, not even bothering to struggle but not looking from the path Gilda had took. “Twilight, she cheated, and she humiliated me in front of everypony I know, and then laughed in my face about it. She all but admitted to blinding me with that mirror.”

Twilight was a little scared of her blue friend, she had never seen anypony so angry before, let alone one dearest friends. “Rainbow, please try and calm down, I believe you, I know Gilda is only here to cause trouble, but I can’t kick her out until I see her cheating, but believe me when I say this, I will be keeping my eye on her. I am going to need your help to do it. But first I need you to take a deep breath and calm down. Please.” Twilight whispered the last word, as she looked deeply into Rainbow’s magenta colored eyes.

Rainbow blinked before looking back into Twilight's violet eyes. Before her rigid body went slack as if all her muscles left her body. “Okay twilight, I trust you.” Smiling, Twilight let Rainbow drop back to the ground. “Thank you Twilight, for calming me down, but don't get me wrong, I am still mad, and she will pay. But I won’t stoop to her level.”

Twilight gave Dash a hug, this hug that blinded both of them to a crazed-looking Pinkie Pie dragging off a scared-looking Mr and Mrs Cake, with a very nervous Fluttershy following. “Oh my, Umm, Pinkie, I don't think, Umm, Oh, please stop.” She pleaded with the pink earth pony, but her her soft voice had gone unheard.

“Okay Dash, are you ready to win this and make that griffin sorry she came back?” Twilight asked with a grin.

“You bet, Egghead. “ Dash said, smiling for the first time since waking up.

“Good, but you might want to wash up, you still have dried blood all over your coat. I will see you out there.” Twilight said.

XXX

Chapter three everypony, I hope you all like it. And I love your feedback! So please leave a comment!

Something new I am doing a story Recommendation for stories I think are fantastic.
Story. “Love Triangles and Other Funny Shapes” by TheGentlemanCreeper. If you like the CMC's, you will like this!

Once again I would like to thank my proof reading team. Jcel4569 and Valaris

Chapter Four: Muddy Secrets

Time in Equestria

Chapter Four: Muddy Secrets

“Dragon, Trixie wishes to know what the next event is so that she may prepare her commentary,” Trixie demanded, looking not at Spike but instead at Twilight as she used her magic to fill a rather large trench with mud.

Spike gave her an irritated look and shook his head. “Well Trixie, it looks like-”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie,” Trixie corrected without even looking at the young whelp.

Spike crossed his arms and huffed as a little smoke escaped from his mouth, “I already told you that I’m not calling you that.”

“And why not? Trixie has worked hard for that title, and it shall be used when addressing Trixie,” she pointed her nose up at Spike as she spoke.

Spike just smiled as he loaded up his comeback for her. “Earned it how? Was it after you ran away from the Ursa Minor?”

Trixie glared down at the little dragon and Spike was more than happy to return the glare, while all the ponies were laughing their flanks off at the pair’s banter. “Will you just tell Trixie what Twilight Sparkle is doing down there.”

“Well if that rope is any kind of clue, I have to guess we are moving on to the Tug-O-War, but with so many ponies competing this year I wonder how Twilight is going to handle it?” questioned Spike as he surveyed the large mud pit.

“Well, if these notes in front of Trixie are correct, then there are too many competitors, so Twilight Sparkle will most likely hold a series of one-on-one contests with the winner moving up a ladder bracket until there is only one pony standing.”

Spike was amazed, he had never thought for one moment that Trixie would take this job seriously but here she was reading the notes Pinkie had left and trying to comment on the action. Before he could say another word, Twilight cut him off. “That is exactly what we are going to do Trixie, but due to Bob's unfortunate medical problem we now of an odd number of competitors. I will need the remaining competitors to come on out here to draw lots to see who will be facing who and to see who will be getting a first round pass.”

Right on cue, the seven Iron Pony contestants filed out of the locker room and lined up next to Twilight. Using her magic, Twilight hovered a small box in front of the competitors so they could draw their lots. First up was Gilda who pulled out the number four, next was Spitfire and she snagged number two. While Applejack's number was three, and Rainbow managed to boost her ego after her mishap in the barrel weave by getting number one. Zecora was confused with her zero, Big Macintosh had six, and Soarin pulled out a five.

“The match-ups are as follows, first we will have Rainbow Dash vs. Spitfire, then Applejack vs. Gilda, Soarin vs. Big Macintosh and Zecora gets a pass for the first round!” Twilight spoke into her microphone while the competitors eyed their opponents.

“Well, good luck Spitfire. I hope you don't hold it against me when I beat you.” Rainbow said as she walked over to the yellow Pegasus.

“Do you really think you can beat the Captain of the Wonderbolts, Dash?” Spitfire shot back with her own changing smile as she shook Rainbow's hoof.

“Rainbow told us about what ya did to her, don't think ya can pull that stunt again. We’re all watchin’ ya.” Applejack spoke curtly.

Gilda just rolled her eyes and smirked at the orange earth pony. “Save it for someone who cares hillbilly, that is if you can still talk once you get a muzzle full of mud.”

“Aw man, why did I have to get you? This is going to be like school all over again.” Soarin moaned, dropping his head low as he whined.

“Now don't go gettin’ all mopey on me Soarin, I'm sure ya will do just fine.” Big Macintosh stated. But then a grin played across the red pony’s lips. “But I do feel sorry for ya.”

“Giant freak.”

“Feather brain.”

Both stallions stared the other down before bursting with laughter and bumping hooves.

“It would seem that my luck is soaring high, but who will I face after my pass goes by?” Zecora asked Twilight, who glanced over her clipboard before informing her that she would face the winner of the match between Soarin and Big Macintosh. “Luck will come and luck will go, but my chances of winning seem mighty low.”

Twilight gave Zecora a sympathetic look before stepping up to the edge of mud. “Okay everypony! It is time for the first round, the Tug-O-War!” The crowd let loose with loud cheering, hoof stomps, and even a few whistles directed at Twilight.

Back in the broadcast booth, Trixie was starting to get into the groove of things and was feeling rather proud of herself. “Trixie is rather good at this, but she would rather be the one putting on the show.”

“Well if you were in town yesterday you could have signed up for the competition.” Chimed in Spike with a smirk.

“And why would The Great and Powerful Trixie do that? She knows full well her limitations in the fields of athletics, however, Trixie's magic has no limits and could have easily won this contest with her overwhelming skill.”

“No limits? That's funny, because I remember the ursa minor, and he showed everypony first-hoof just how ‘unlimited’ your magic really was. Not only that, but Twilight showed you just how much power a real unicorn has,” Spike finished with a smug look as he kicked his feet up.

“You, scaly one, are lucky Trixie is a better pony or Trixie would throw...” Trixie was cut off by loud laughing.

“You'll do what? Throw glitter on me? I don’t even think you can hurt a fly with your magic, so I think I’m safe.” It was then that Spike started glowing a light blue and was lifted out of his chair. “The Great and Powerful Trixie thinks it’s time you disappeared!” With her declaration, Trixie threw Spike right out of the booth and into the pit of mud, causing the crowd to roar with laughter.

Twilight walked over to the side of the pit and watched Spike climb his way out of the mud. “Spike, as much as I hate to say it, you deserved that. Why would you go and antagonize her like that?”

Spike pulled himself out of the mud, grumbling and marched right past Twilight, but his path was blocked but a pair of snicking pegasi. “You know Spike, mud is a good colour on you.” As the words left Rainbow Dash’s mouth, she and Spitfire started laughing, their laughter only stopping when mud hit them both in the face as the little dragon whelp marched past mumbling about revenge.

“Now that Trixie has given her little partner some time off, she can watch and comment on the competition in peace. Oh look, Twilight Sparkle is calling them to the center, it looks like they’re about to start.”

Down by the mud pit both Rainbow Dash and Spitfire had gotten into their positions and had taken the rope into their mouths. As soon as Twilight gave the signal both pegasi started pulling with all their might. Hooves dug into the the soft dirt and the crowd’s cheering seemed to favour Spitfire, but there was still a loud roar for Rainbow Dash.

“Well Trixie knows little of this Rainbow Dash, but if Trixie remembers her last encounter with this mare correctly then she is not a pony to be taken lightly. The same could be said for Spitfire though, being that she is the Captain of the Wonderbolts after all.” The blue unicorn stopped for a breather as she put her hooves up and onto Spike’s seat before resuming, “Trixie would think that Spitfire would have some form of training, and with both competitors’ strongest attribute being magically sealed away, this can go either way”.

Neither combatant was moving at first, and both seemed to be in a deadlock, but Spitfire soon took a step back, and then another. “Trixie must admit that these pegasi are rather impressive for not having any magic that is. It looks like Spitfire is starting to pull Rainbow Dash into the mud, this may be over at any moment!”

Rainbow Dash was almost to the edge of the mud and it looked like it was over. Twilight was beside herself, she wanted to cheer for her friend and crush but, being the referee, cheering for anypony was inappropriate. But then Twilight’s eyes went wide as she grinned. Rainbow Dash stopped right before falling in. Spitfire looked at her opponent and made her move to take the last step she would need, but Dash was waiting for that and as soon as spitfire lifted her leg Dash pulled harder than before, making the yellow pegasus’ eyes widen in shock as she stumbled forward a few steps.

“Is Trixie seeing things? Rainbow Dash is now pulling Spitfire back toward the mud!” Trixie shouted into the microphone, making the ponies in the stands cheer louder for both ponies. Spitfire was not looking happy, she was only a half a hoof from the mud now and Dash was still pulling her even closer. If she didn’t think of something soon she would be swimming in the mud. But as she wracked her brain for an idea it happened, the yellow-and-orange-maned pegasus fell headlong in to the cold mud.

“And Rainbow Dash moves on to the next round!” Twilight shouted over the cheering fans while she held up Dash's right hoof in triumph.

Spitfire was moving to get out of the mud when she saw two hooves in front of her, one blue and one orange. With a smile she took both and let them pull her out of the mud. “I hope you’re not mad at me, believe me when I say I did not want to send you into the mud. I mean, who wants to tick off their future boss?” Dash said, smiling.

“Don't worry about it.” Spitfire said before winking at Applejack. “But I will have my revenge during your training, do you know the term ‘hell week’?”

The colour drained from Rainbow Dash’s complexion as Applejack snickered. “Boy, that was a mighty fine effort you put into that rope, I thought for sure that you Wonderbolts were all speed and no buckin’. I guess I better stop judging a book by its cover.” The farm pony spoke fondly.

“Well most of the Wonderbolts only work on speed, but I like the feeling of my muscles when they’re exhausted... well not really that feeling, but that hot bath after that, you bet your flank!” Spitfire laughed along with the other two ponies.

“See! I told you Rainbow Dash was going to win! She’s just too cool!” came a random high-pitched shout through the speakers. In the announcers’ booth, Trixie was enjoying a strawberry smoothie she got from a passing vendor when she startled by the new voice.

Trixie's shrill scream was magnified to painful levels, causing everypony (and griffin) to flinch and cover their ears, as one lucky individual received a free smoothie to the head.

“Boy, that looked like it sucked.”

“Ya'll think she's okay?”

“I think you scared her.”

“Geeze, thank you for pointing out the obvious.”

It was after that last sarcastic remark that Trixie determined that her heart was no longer residing in her throat and stood up with an evil glare. “And what in Equestria do you think you are doing?! Trixie just saw her Great and Powerful life flash before her very eyes!”

“Wow, and I thought Rarity was a drama queen.” This comment got an adorable laugh from the Ponyville part of the crowd.

“No wonder Spike asked us to come and help her, she's nuttier then a squirrel in spring.”

It was at this time that Trixie saw the three headsets sitting on the fillies’ heads. Behind them, at the open door, stood Spike. In his claw was a paper Trixie knew well, an Anti-Magic Ward. Grinning, Spike slowly shut the door and slapped the seal onto it, effectively locking her in. The azure unicorn looked back to the three fillies. “Um, I don't believe Trixie has met you before?”

“I'm Apple Bloom.” Spoke the yellow earth pony.

“Sweetie Belle.” the white unicorn said fondly.

“And you can call me Scootaloo! Together we are...” At this point everypony from Ponyville, new what was to come and all proseated to cover their ears. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders!” All three yelled into their microphones, making Trixie twitch.

“And today is the day we earn our Cutie Marks” Sweetie Belle spoke with enthusiasm.

“Oh man! Did you guys see how Rainbow Dash won? Rainbow Dash is the coolest pony in all of Ponyville!”

“But Scootaloo, Spitfire is a hero to Rainbow Dash, so if she’s Dash’s hero, shouldn’t Spitfire be like, yer super hero?” Scootaloo looked at Applebloom with a confused expression.

“What? No, yes, I mean.. sure Spitfire is great and all, but Rainbow Dash is… Stop screwing with my head! Rainbow Dash is just much cooler, she does tricks for the fun of it! She’s the fastest and she’s the only one to ever pull off a Sonic Rainboom!” Scootaloo spoke in a voice that dripped with confidence.

Trixie was sitting with her head down on the table. “Does Trixie even want to know how this will get you your cutie marks?”

Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity all winced as Trixie asked her question, and knowing what was about to happen yet again recovered their ears.

While in the booth Applebloom and Scootaloo stopped arguing and stared at the older unicorn before Sweetie Belle jumped up to stand on her friends’ shoulders. “Cute Mark Crusaders Professional Sportscasters, YAY!” the sheer volume they used went right into their microphones, making every speaker in the area shake.

“Trixie may very well be partly deaf from your yelling, but she would like to know more ” The crowd it looked like Trixie had forgotten she was talking into a microphone. “So let Trixie get this straight, you three are here to earn your Cutie Marks? And if you don’t find them by doing this, then what?

“That’s easy! We will try something else! And then another, and another, because that’s what we do!” Sweetie Belle said with pride and a smile.

“Yeah! We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders and we will never give up!” Scootaloo added, pumping her hoof in the air.

“Okay, Trixie will commend you on being diligent, but what would you do if one of you happened to earn your Cutie mark today? Would she still be a Crusader?”

Scootaloo opened her mouth to speak but then looked lost, she looked to her friends. Applebloom was looking concerned and Sweetie Belle looked just as confused as Scootaloo, and it was clear that they had never thought that far ahead on the matter. Faster than one could blink, Applebloom perked up and pointed out the window. “Hey, look, its Applejack! It looks like she’s next!”

Down by the mud pit Gilda was all set and was already holding the rope in her talons, Applejack stood a short distance away with Rainbow and Spitfire. “Ok AJ, Gilda is really strong, so you can’t beat her head on, you have to outsmart her.” Rainbow whispered.

“How in the hay do you outsmart somepony in a Tug-O-War contest?” Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Her pride! She is going to drag it out as long as she can just to humiliate you, so she won’t go full force right away.” Rainbow said as she remembered her and Gilda’s old pranks.

Spitfire was looking at Gilda and noticed her tail was swishing left and right rather fast. “Of course, griffin’s are natural born fighters and hunters.” Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash stopped and looked at her oddly. “Just look at her, griffin’s are very top-heavy and are not built to stand on their hind legs for more than a minute or so. Look, she is already swaying, so if what
Dash said is right and she will drag this out, then all you have to do is surprise her. So at the start don’t put your heart into it, make her think you’re not as strong, before counting to 10 and pulling with all your might. She should easily lose her balance.”

“Wow, that is one good idea sugarcube.” Applejack spoke in an impressed tone.
“How do you know so much about griffons?” Rainbow asked. Spitfire just smiled.

“Well I used to date one, and while I was dating him I learned a lot about his species.” Her smile faded and her face took on a more irritated expression, and she muttered something about cheating bastards.

“Applejack, its time!” The three mares broke their conversation and looked over to Twilight, who looked ready to move away from Gilda.

“Well that’s me. Thanks for the help girls, but I reckon its time I put this Griffin in her place.” Applejack tilted her hat and went over to take her place.

“Do you think she has a chance?” Spitfire asked, not looking away from the mud pit.

“If she was going against any other pony she would win hooves down, but Gilda...” Rainbow shook her head “She is going to need all the luck she can get.”

“Okay, you both know the rules so I’m not going to go over them again. So, on your mark, get set. GO!”

Just as planned Applejack had started pulling with only half her might, she was pleasantly shocked that Gilda was doing just what Dash had said and was not trying at all. It was then that Applejack saw Gilda shift her leg and saw her opening, so she gave a mighty pull. But nothing happened, Gilda held her ground and smiled. “It’s like that Blunderbolt said, griffin’s are predators and so we have sharp eyes... and ears.” With that statement Gilda grabbed the rope and pulled with all of her might. The crowd went silent as Applejack was pulled off her hooves and into the mud in one swift motion, “What’s the matter, did the big strong apple-picking hick lose?” Her voice was snide and condescending as she walked away to a small cheering section.

Up in the booth, Applebloom did not look happy. “How could Applejack lose? It was like she wasn’t even tryin’...”

“Well maybe Gilda was just stronger then your sister, Applebloom.” Sweetie Belle offered as she looked over the notes Spike had left when he stormed out.

“This cape is so cool! Where did you get it?! Can I have one too?” Scootaloo asked.

For her part, Trixie still had her head down on the table. “This message is for anypony that will listen, if Trixie does not survive this then she wants somepony to get revenge on that little dragon for her.”

“The Winner of this round is Gilda!” Twilight did not want to say, but she had watched Gilda closely for any signs of cheating and she had beaten Applejack fairly, even if she was a sore winner. “You okay AJ?” She offered her friend a hoof which the orange mare gladly took.

“Yeah, I reckon I am, the only thing hurt is mah pride.” Applejack smiled, but Twilight could see it in her eyes that she was disappointed. Well, there is always the next event so I better go rest up while I still can, and get a good seat for mah brother’s turn.” Applejack then reached back into the mud and pulled her hat out, before making her way back to where Rainbow Dash was sitting on a large rock and Spitfire was sitting down on the grass next to her.

“Sorry you lost AJ, I was sure our plan was going to work.” Rainbow removed her sunglasses so she could look her friend in the eye.

“I was sure it would have worked, I don’t understand why she didn’t go…” Spitfire was cut short as Applejack raised a hoof.

“She overheard us talkin’, and thought it would be a good idea to play along, and it was, so she beat me fair and square. Now that mouth she’s got on her could use a right and mighty kick though.” The farmer spoke as she plopped down in the grass.

“Great, now I have to think up a plan to beat her.” Dash slid her sunglasses back into place before reaching behind the rock to pull out a bag of strawberries and dropping one onto the ground. Spitfire looked at the fruit oddly and was about to ask why Dash dropped it when a long green head emerged from the rock. Spitfire shrieked at the sight and jumped in the air to fly off, but her wings locked up and all she managed to do was fall back down with a loud thud.

“Boy howdy, aren’t you a jumpy one.” Applejack teased as Spitfire looked back at the “rock” somewhat fearfully and hid behind Applejack, which confused the Earth Pony to no end.

“What is that thing?” Her voice was shaky and a little more high pitched than her normal tone.

“Spitfire, meet my tortoise, Tank.” Rainbow spoke with pride as she rubbed the top of Tank’s head.

Spitfire made no indication that she was going to move and started muttering. “What was that sugarcube? I can’t hear ya?“ Applejack asked.

“She said she is afraid of reptiles.” Said a clean and smiling Soarin.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your shot at the Tug?” Rainbow asked from her seat on top of her pet.

“I should, but after going to school with the guy- I know how strong he is, and I don’t feel like taking a mud bath in front of all these ponies. So I went to the ref and told her I forfeited so she. called the win for Big Mac.” Soarin noticed the look he was getting from Rainbow. “Now don’t give me a hard time, she is the one that is scared of your turtle.”

“Tortoise,” Dash corrected.

“Tortoise, sorry. But anyway knowing you can’t do something and giving up are two totally different things, plus I want the griffin to go down. So with me out then Mac only has to go against one pony and not two, and he will put that zebra down fast. Oh, sorry... No offense.” Soarin said, looking at a muddy Zecora.

“The words you speak are not wrong, Big Macintosh was just too strong.” Zecora wiped her face clean and smiled. “But I too think that the griffon’s head is full of crud, maybe she just needs a dip in the mud.”

“Hey, why is everypony talking like Big Macintosh is going to win? I’m still in this thing!” Dash sat up and took off her sunglasses again, her eyes showing she was more than a little mad. “Do you all think I can’t beat her or Big Macintosh?”

“Rainbow, y’all know I ain’t good when it comes to lyin’, and even if I were I would not lie to you. You and I are almost neck and neck when it comes to athletics, you are a bit faster than me and I am a bit stronger, and mah brother is a good heap stronger than me.” Applejack said while looking at Rainbow seriously.

“I don’t care, I am still going to try! She is going to pay for cheating me in the Barrel Weave!” Without as so must as a goodbye Dash got up and walked away.

“She has got quite the temper on her.” Soarin said as he watched the mare leave.

“It’s her pride, she can’t let it go.” Applejack sighed, “and I reckon that pride is going to take a mighty hit.”

By the mud pit the Rainbow coloured mare was pacing back and forth with an angry expression across her features. “Rainbow, are you sure you want to do this? You know as well as I do that Gilda is going to do everything in her power to embarrass you again.”

“First Applejack and now you? Look Twilight, I am going to beat her and I don’t care what you or anypony else has to say!” Rainbow’s words cut Twilight a little, but the purple unicorn just gazed at Dash fondly.

“Look Dash, if there is anypony here that thinks you can beat her it’s me. I just don’t want her to have the chance to hurt you again, you asked me here because you said I can keep your temper and your pride under control... Well that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m your friend and you know that, so please trust me.” Twilight’s voice was strong and confident and Dash smiled at her.

“I know Twi, it’s just…Look, I know I can’t beat her.” Twilight’s face turned from one of concern to one of pure shock. “But I can’t drop out, it’s the same as me telling her ‘hey Gilda, you win.’ And she would love nothing more than that. It’s not much, but I can strike back with this.” Dash said while looking back at the mud. “Even if it’s going to suck.”

Twilight let out a little laugh. “Alright Dash, just be careful, you don’t want to look all banged up in the winner’s circle.

Both ponies laughed this time but stopped as soon as Gilda came over. “Well, looks like I get to send you into the mud now, this day keeps getting better and better.” Without waiting Gilda moved over to the other side and grabbed her end of the rope “Well Crash, you ready to lose? Or do you need your little fillyfriend to kiss you for luck?” Her words were smug and condescending.

That comment earned a blush from both mares before Rainbow’s expression became angry. “Why don’t you shut that beak of yours before I kick it down your throat.” Dash moved to her spot and grabbed the rope.

Twilight gave Gilda a hateful look before she gave the signal to start. “Wow, it looks like Rainbow Dash is starting full force!” Applebloom said, pointing at the Pegasus.

“Must you three always yell? Trixie is getting a horn pains.” Trixie said, giving the Crusaders a dry look.

Scootaloo smiled at the mare, a smile that told Trixie she was not going to like what came out of the little filly’s mouth. “I don’t know, do you have to keep talking about yourself in third pony all the time?”

Trixie shot the orange filly a look before looking out the window. “Well Trixie sees somepony’s idol swimming in the mud.”

Scootaloo’s head snapped around so fast Trixie thought it was going to pop off. “NO! Rainbow Dash!”

There Dash sat, in the mud, and glaring intensely at the smug griffin. “What’s wrong Crash? I thought you were going to beat me, not let down your little fan club. I guess you are nothing but a loser and a liar.” Gilda walked over and took a claw full of mud and was about to drop it on Rainbow’s head when the claw started glowing a faint purple.

“Do it and not only will I disqualify you for unsportsponylike conduct... and I will also break your wrist.” Gilda searched Twilight’s eyes for any sign of a bluff but found none. Rainbow sat there in pure shock, in all the time she known the mare, Dash had never heard Twilight threaten anypony, let alone actually harm them with magic.

“Whatever, she’s already muddy.” Gilda scoffed as she walked off.

Dash climbed out of the mud and looked around at all the spectators, many of them pointing and laughing. “Great, now I’m the clown.” She walked off with her head down low ignoring Twilight’s please to stop..

Applejack, Spitfire and Soarin were about to to head over to where Dash was sitting, when they suddenly heard the crowd cheer loudly and they looked over to see both Gilda and Big Macintosh pulling on the rope with all they had. “Why did Twi start the final round so fast?”

Macintosh held the rope in his teeth and held his neck up high as he pulled back, trying to get the Strong flier to fall. Gilda held the rope in both her talons, giving her a strong grip, both paws and hooves dug into the soft ground but neither one of them moved.

“She is going hoof to hoof with mah brother, no wonder she beat me so easily.” Applejack was stunned, she had no idea that griffin’s had that much power in their limbs, it scared her a little bit.
“Come on big brother! Show that no good sack of feathers how we do it down on the farm!” Applejack hooted. As she cheered the others got behind Big Mac as well.

”WOW! Look at them go! That rope is going to snap if they keep that up!” Scootaloo shouted.

“Well mah big brother is the strongest pony there is, he ain’t gonna lose to anypony... or some griffin!”

“You almost sound like Rarity when she is talking about him, she is always going on about how big and handsome he is, and about how she likes the way he sweats while he is plowing the fields.” By the time Sweetie Belle finished, almost everypony was laughing.

Well, almost everypony. Luna had fallen over as she was laughing, and Trixie had a blush on her cheeks as she too was starting to have thoughts of the red stallion with sweat running down his neck. Applejack was stunned, while Rainbow was rolling on the grass. Rarity let out a loud shriek of embarrassment, dashed off to the booth, and dragged her sister home for a long talk about repeating such private things in public.

After hearing the little filly speak about him, Big Macintosh became distracted and Gilda took the opportunity and pulled the red pony into the mud with a resounding splash.

XXX

And we have chapter four done! I hope everypony likes it, I had to re-write this one about 6 times… Anyway I want to thank Jcel4569 and Valaris for taking the time to beta my work, and a special thinks to Asmariamoon for her help with Trixie.

Thanks to everypony that is reading my story and I love everypony that leaves comments THANKS!! Happy Holidays and Happy Hearths Warming Everypony! Happy New Year!

Chapter Five. It’s not over

Time in Equestria

Chapter Five. It’s not over

After taking first place in the Tug-O-War, Gilda was quite pleased with herself and was not above showing it. The fact that she was rubbing it in the faces of Dash and all her loser friends made it even better. A good number of the ponies in the crowed were starting to get behind the griffin and cheering her on as she flew around, pandering to her new fans.

Trixie would have commented on this if she had not been contemplating her escape. Now that Rarity had removed that pesky anti-magic seal from the door and dragged off her little sister, yelling about snooping and reading the seamstress’ diary, this left Trixie with the last two Crusaders, Applebloom and Scootaloo. The little fillies had thought it was funny at first, but then a thought came to mind, how could they get their Cutie Marks without Sweetie Belle around? They couldn’t plan anything, plain and simple. With this new reassertion, they had grown quiet for a bit as if lost in their thoughts.

This new silence had brought new hope to Trixie, but as her luck was, her hopeful look melted away. “This stinks! With Sweetie gone we can’t work on gettin’ our cutie marks.” The yellow earth pony said while leaning her head on the table.

“Yeah, you’re probably right, and I don’t think we will be getting our ‘Sportscaster’ cutie marks anytime soon.” Both fillies sat there for a while, neither saying anything until Scootaloo glanced back at Trixie and smiled, “So why do you keep talking in third-pony? Because I won’t lie to you, it’s really weird.”

“Scootaloo! Why do ya always have ta be so darn rude?” Apple Bloom spoke while giving her friend an angry look.

“Hey, I’m not rude! I’m just being blunt, and I think she is weird. I mean, who talks like that?” Scootaloo stood on her chair and cleared her voice. “Scootaloo thinks she needs to talk like this too, maybe she can call herself the ‘Super and Cooltastic Scoots!’” Scootaloo threw her front hooves up in the air for a dramatic effect.

Trixie glanced over at the fillies hoping to think of a way to shut them up, she then looked back to the wide open door. “That unicorn gave Trixie her way out! She must really thank her and apologize for making her mane green.” Moving quickly and with out making a sound, the show pony walked right past the arguing fillies.

“Scootaloo, why are you makin’ fun of her? so what if she talks funny…” Trixie stopped and shot the little earth pony a dry look before leaving the booth. “How would ya feel is she made fun of you for not flyin’?”

“HEY! It’s not my fault I don’t ha... I mean mom and dad are just really busy and don't have the time to teach me right now..And what about you, little miss cutie-pox!” shot back the angry Pegasus.

“Hey, I was trying to get ma’ cutie mark! Ya would have done the same thing if ya’ were in mah’ hooves,” Apple Bloom said, getting a little red in the cheeks.

“You know what Applebloom, you’re right,’ I would have done the same thing… only I wouldn’t have messed up and given myself some freaky sickness like a foal!”

“Would too!”

“Would not!”

“Would too!”

“Would not!”

“Would too!” Apple Bloom shouted as she got up and pushed Scootaloo off her seat, sending her fellow Crusader unceremoniously tumbling to the ground, which she met with a muffled grunt.

Not one to take being pushed around lightly, Scootaloo reached over into her saddle pack and pulled out big slice of cake she was planning on saving for later, but right now it was useful as a deadly weapon.

“You’ll pay for that!” Raising her hoof Scootaloo hurled the frosted projectile right at Apple Bloom’s head, but the little farm pony saw it coming and ducked at the last possible second and let the cake fly harmlessly out the window.

“HA! Ya missed!” taunted Apple Bloom. She was about to say more when a sudden, collected gasp came from everypony in the stands.

Both fillies exchanged a confused looks and moved over to the window to see what had everypony so excited, but as soon as their heads poked out the window, what they saw drained all color from their faces. The cake, that Apple Bloom was now wishing it had hit her, was now sitting on the head and face of Princess Celestia.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight wasted no time in racing to her teachers side, “I am so sorry Princess. I know they had no intention in pelting you with desserts, please don’t banish them! They’re only fillies.” Twilight pleaded, while looking her teacher in the eye.

Luna had been snickering at the cake incident, but at Twilight’s request she let out a hardy and joyful laugh. “It would seem everypony thinks they will be banished if ever they upset you! Tell me sister, where in Equestria would a pony even get such an idea?”

Celestia sent her sister an indigent look as she used her magic to remove the offending dessert from her mane before smiling to her student. “Do not worry Twilight, I know foals will always be foals, but what does bother me is that every time something goes even remotely wrong you seem to always come to the conclusion what I am going to banish somepony. Tell me Twilight, why is that?”

Twilight’s ears fell to the top of her head as she looked into her teacher’s eyes, in the back of her head she feared being banished, then locked up in the place she was banished to, but dared not say anything. Luna saw the look on the unicorn’s face and thought she should help before the poor pony passed out. “Now Sister, you know, as I do, how ponies talk. Some see you banishing ponies to the moon as a joke, it is the same with me and eating foals on Nightmare Night.” Luna’s smile dropped as she sent a glare at her sister. “I still can’t fathom why you would make a holiday about that.”

Before Twilight or the Princesses could say another word, a loud screeching noise shot out of the speakers as if someone was playing with the microphone. Once the sound died off both Princesses looked back to Twilight, only to find the Unicorn to be missing.

Twilight had teleported into the announcer’s booth with a bright flash that scared one of the occupants. “'Must everypony in this town take it upon themselves to try and scare Trixie out of her cape?!”

“Hi Twilight!” The now happy Pinkie said happily, before her face took a more somber tone. “Sorry about leaving my announcing job, and I’m so super duper sorry. I forgot all about the after party, and with everypony working so hard for the Iron Pony Competition it would have been really mean of me not to throw them a party, and then everypony would be so sad, and then I would be super sad. So I had to hurry to get one set up! Then I got Mr. and Mrs. Cake to help me and then I saw Fluttershy following me for some reason so I snacked her up and got her to help too! OH! And just a little while ago I saw Rarity, but she seemed really mad and her sister looked really really sad, so I…”

“It’s okay Pinkie, asking you not to throw a party is like asking me no to read. So did you get everything set up?” she asked while sparing a glance at Trixie, who was giving the pink earth pony a dirty look for some odd reason.

“Oh don’t mind her Twilight, she just mad I beat her in hide and seek! She was in a trailer trying to hide and...” Pinkie was cut off by the angry show pony.

“For the last time Pinkie, Trixie was not playing that silly game! Not only that, but Trixie still cannot fathom how you knew she was even in there!”

“Oh, that’s easy peasy. First my tail swished to the right side three times, then I sneezed and when that happened my hind legs got weak… so that told me somepony who said she would do something for me is hiding under their bed, and your bed is in your trailer silly. It would be really weird if your bed were a tree- Oh! Did you know that Fluttershy would like to be a tree?”

Trixie stood there with her mouth agape, before Twilight spoke up. “That would be Pinkie’s Pinkie sense. Nopony knows how it works, but she has it and it can tell her just about anything. Its best not to fight it, trust me. Anyway Trixie if you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing back in Ponyville? I thought you were never coming back?”

“Oh that’s easy too! You see, after Trixie ran away I was sooo sad that all her stuff was broken and I knew she was sad too, so that made me a sadder-sad-saddy-sad-pants. So I followed her, and I had to run all night to finally catch up with her, then we had a talk, and then after the sun came up she asked if we can be friends, and I was like ‘well duh!’ And then I gave her my address and she started sending letters and we became pen pals! So last week after I sent her a letter about why I don’t like oatmeal she said that she still feels bad for what happened with the Ursa Minor, so I told her to come back and I can help her say she was sorry, but then the Iron Pony Competition started and I forgot about the party so I asked Trixie to cover for me and that it would show that she is a nice pony and that she liked to help others.” Somehow Pinkie managed to speak the entire sentence in one breath and then sat there smiling as if she said nothing at all.

Twilight smiled at both both ponies, happy that Trixie wanted to make amends. But the unicorn blue face was now a shade red, though whether it was from embarrassment or anger at having her personal life broadcast to hundreds of ponies Twilight was not sure.

“Pinkie Pie, Trixie’s hate for you is great and powerful.”

“Wow! That’s a great idea Trixie! Party hats!” Pinkie zipped out of sight in a pink blur.

“Well that’s Pinkie for you, if its not random its not Pinkie.” Twilight watched Pinkie run off to get the party hats ready before looking back. “Anyway Trixie, do you think you can still do the commentary? If I know the Crusaders, they are long gone by now and shouldn’t bother you any more, but it was funny with you four up here.”

“Trixie was about to use her magic to mute them, but, it is as Pinkie said, Trixie is here to make amends for the damages she caused with that Ursa Minor and…”

“Trixie, nopony blames you for the Ursa Minor.” Trixie’s face was one of confusion, and looked like a small breeze could blow her over. All this time she thought that this town hated her, upon seeing the confused look on Trixie’s face, Twilight continued. “Look, you were just doing your job as a show pony. Yes, you did not have to be so aggressive and mock my friends the way you did, but you were putting on a show. And, as it turns out, nopony even knew there was an Ursa so close to town in the first place. It was later that we all learned Snips and Snails both knew about it for a while and just never told anypony about it. Yes, your story put the idea into their heads, but they are old enough to know better.” Twilight ended her little story with a smile before looking out the window. “I need to get back out there and tell the others to clean up and get ready for the next event, and thanks again Trixie! We all really appreciate this.” Twilight popped in yet another flash of light, leaving Trixie alone in the booth.

“Sometimes Trixie thinks her fame is a curse.” The pale azure unicorn sighed as she floated the headset back up.

“I hear that sometimes fame can be a real kick in the flank,” came a new and cheerful, voice from the door.

With a shriek Trixie dropped her headset before she spun around with an indignant huff and sent her best glare at the new arrival. “If one more, just one more, pony attempts to scare Trixie, she will make them eat their own cutie mark!” The show pony shouted with a quivering eyelid.

“Calm down Twitchy, nopony is going to hurt you... well no, I can’t promise that, this is Ponyville after all and you never know what the hay will happen next,” spoke the white unicorn as she walked into the booth. “Name’s Scratch, Vinyl Scratch,” said the newcomer, striking what she thought was a dramatic pose.

Trixie was unsure how to react to such an odd greeting, and the way this new unicorn talked about Ponyville made it sound like she was being threatened. “... Rrrright. Trixie is pleased to meet you...” Trixie’s words trailed off as Vinyl walked passed and took Spike’s old chair. “Um... may Trixie ask what you are doing?”

“Well Trix, I was hired to drop some beats for today’s event, but after you took Pinkie’s place in here you started bombarding the crowed and makin’ them all laugh. Even I was busting up! Then with the Crusaders added into the mix, it was a blast. So, in short, you made my job rather hard with everypony telling me to stop making noise so they can listen to you, but a filly needs to make her bits, you know, so I thought I would wander on over and try my hoof at this announcer thing., Vinyl said with a big smile.

“Oh Celestia, help Trixie.”

“And why do you think I’m here?” At the sound of Vinyl’s smug question Trixie’s head hit the table.

Back down in the locker room, the muddy ponies were busy cleaning up and getting ready for the next event, but no one was talking. Instead, everpony was just staring at a fuming Applejack, and it was at this time that poor Twilight had decided to teleport in. “I can’t believe it! First I find out that Rarity has been hidden feelings for mah brother, and now Applebloom helps attack the Princess with cake! And you,!” The farm pony turned her sights on Twilight. “How long have you known about this?”

“Umm, AJ… I think yer makin’ a big deal of nothing.” Macintosh was trying to sound firm but the faint blush he was sporting in his cheeks said otherwise.

“You stay outta this, it ain't got nothin’ to do with ya.” Applejack turned her heated eyes back to both Twilight and Rainbow Dash. “What about you two? Do ya’ll have the hots for mah brother too?” Rainbow tried to make a wisecrack, but Applejack was on a roll and there was no stopping her, not even to allow her friends to answer. “Luna damn it! I asked all mah friends not to do this to me! And now mah life will be like one of them hoity-toity soap operas!”

“Wow, I have never seen AJ so mad before.” Rainbow commented as she watched her hard working friend rant. “It’s sort of funny.”

“No kidding, first you fly of the handle, then the Crusaders hit the Princess in the face with cake, and now Applejack is going off on this tangent. My day is getting exhausting.” Twilight sighed with her ears pressed back before they perked up and she looked to Dash before whispering, “Hey Rainbow, do you have a crush on Macintosh too?”

“What? No way!” Rainbow Dash answered with a laugh and an odd look.

Twilight felt a spark of hope at her friend’s answer, but the same time was confused about the way the pegasus had said it. ‘What was so funny about my question? All I did was ask if she had feelings for Applejack’s brother. Maybe I asked it wrong?’ Before Twilight could examine her thoughts more closely, she noticed it was time for the next event. “Ok everypony, its time for the haystack throw, so hurry... Hey, has anyone seen Gilda?”

Rainbow Dash recoiled at the mention of the griffon’s name and spoke up while rolling her eyes. “Who cares? Just disqualify her and we’ll all have a better day. I really doubt anypony here will miss her.”

“Oh, real nice Crash! You know you can’t beat me so you go and cry to our ‘fair’ and ‘unbiased’ referee to kick me out. How can anyone that’s not a pony even try to win with all this racism,” chided a winded-looking Gilda.

“Excuse me!” All in the locker room had gone silent. Applejack even stopped ranting. Twilight herself was livid. She had been called many things in her life and even in her work in the royal court, but had she ever been called a racist. “How dare you even think to call me a racist?! I have never shown the slightest signs of racism in my life, and I’ll have you know in this competition I had not even so much as cheered for my friends, and even when you were accused of cheating, to which I am inclined to believe I might add, but without any kind evidence or seeing it for myself I was forced to let you remain in this competition. So, I do not appreciate you accusing me of letting my personal feelings getting in the way of my better judgment! Now, if you want to remain in the competition, then get outside with everypony else, if not, then you are more then welcome to leave.” With her final words, Twilight vanished into a flash of light, leaving everypony in the room to give the griffon the evil eye as they passed.

“Wow, would you check that out? I got to learn how the ref can teleport like that. Hey Trix, do you know how to pull off that spell?” Vinyl asked while pointing a hoof at an angry-looking Twilight.

Trixie sent her counterpart a dirty look, “No. Trixie does not know how to perform that particular feat of magic, and the Great and Powerful Trixie requests that you do not call her ‘Trix’.” The magician hoped that the repeated emphasis would be somehow able to beat her name into her co-announcer’s thick skull.

“Oh yeah, well the Awesome and Breathtaking Vinyl Scratch always give the ponies she likes a nickname.”

Trixie was at loss of words. She was unsure if the blue-maned mare was mocking her or not, and she had never had anypony talk to her in third pony before. “Well, Trixie must insist that you do not call her ‘Trix.’ If you are to give her a nick name, I would like you to try harder in coming up with one.”

“Hey, no problem Twitchy, Tavi hated her first nickname too. So, what’s the next game going to be, anyways? It looks like it has something to do with those hay stacks.” Vinyl asked, not even bothering to looking at the notes in front of her.

“Twich... Trixie is not twitchy!” The shout was broadcasted and amplified out the speakers, causing all the ponies in the stands flinch at the sheer volume, but lucky for Trixie they could not see the nevus twich Trixie had on her left eye. Vinyl however did.

In the field, Twilight was still angry about her encounter with Gilda. The screaming Trixie did not help matters in the slightest. “Ok, listen up! The next event is the Hay Stack Throw. Each competitor will take turns in throwing their respective stacks, to see who can gain the greatest distance. The line up is this: Soarin, Gilda, Zecora, Rainbow Dash, Big Macintosh, Spitfire, and then Applejack. Now let’s get this over with!” Twilight’s horn started glowing and seven stacks of hay levitated up from behind the barn and sat back down in front of her before she walked off the field, grumbling to herself before taking a seat next to a now clean Celestia.

After a short wait, Soarin gathered there would be no one to signal the start of the game, so he trotted out to the crowed to be met with great approval. After a little show boating, the powder blue stallion walked over to the first stack and took the rope into his mouth. He was shocked when he found out just how heavy the hay was. At his confused look, the ponies in the stands stating chanting his name. ‘Crap, now I have to throw this thing. Well, seeing how it’s so heavy, may as well give them a laugh.’ Pulling his head up to lift the hay up and spinning around to gain momentum, Soarin soon felt he had the needed force. He let go and sent the hay flying into the air.

The loud cheers were short lived as the hay fell and hit the ground, just shy of the six foot marker. “Oh, and you have to feel sorry for the poor guy, getting only a few hooves, and in front of all his fans. It’s like playing Mare Gaga in a nightclub, and nopony wants that.” Vinyl called out in a hurt voice.

“Trixie must admit, that was a most unexpected outcome.”

“Well I guess he is all wing and no hoof. Do you think that Gilda chick will do better?” Vinyl asked.

“Trixie is unsure. The Griffin had shown great strength in the prior events, and her talons would give her a better grip on the hay. Trixie would think that she has a good chance in winning this event.”

As Vinyl and Trixie spoke, Gilda flew out and once again started pandering to the crowd. She received a great ovation as she started walking across the remaining hay stacks, but with all her pandering no one saw her tail loop a string across the fourth bale of hay. Once she was down, Gilda took her hay in claw and easily lifted it above her head. She threw it across the field until it had came to a complete stop right next to the fourteen-hoof mark, leaving the on-lookers stunned. Next up was Zecora, the Zebra fared no better then the Pegasus that came before her, as her bale only went four hooves. Rainbow’s turn was shrouded in mystery. Right as Dash was about the throw her hay, the rope that bound the hay together seemed to have come undone, thus causing the embarrassed flier to get a score of zero. Macintosh gave his hay an odd look, but he had still managed to get ten hooves, and Spitfire had gotten herself seven hooves.

The crowd was starting to get restless by the lack of thrill in this event, and many ponies were off talking or getting snacks, but this did not stop the still angry Applejack. As soon as she reached the last bale of hay, she turned her back on it, raised her back end up, and delivered a would-be bone shattering buck that sent the hay flying past all others and right into an apple tree, where it exploded on impact. The place was dead silent as the flabbergasted on-lookers sat there, mouths agape, but none looked more confused then Applejack herself.
“AJ, you completely destroyed that thing!” Dash exclaimed.

“Well I’ll be. I guess I was madder then I thought.” Applejack tilted her hat down to cover flushed cheeks.

“Mad nothing, you just destroyed all the competition! And the best part is you beat out that cheating grif…” Rainbows happy rant was cut off by a loud shout.

“Hold it everypony! I want every competitor out here now!” Everypony around looked at the fuming purple referee as she trotted away from Applejack’s pile of hay to another, and another, before stopping. “Somepony has tampered with the hay that was provided for this event. Until I can figure this out, there will be no winner for this event!”

The crowd had begone mumbling and coming up with different ideas on who had cheated as the competitors formed a semi circle around Twilight.

“How did they cheat? Why would somepony cheat? It’s just a game for fun!” Spitfire asked, looking a little angry that she may have been cheated out of a win.

“I agree, there is no reason for this kind of treason,” Zecora added in,

“Well, it seems that someone placed heavy rocks in the hay stacks. That’s why Applejack’s had exploded when it hit the tree. The impacted forced the rocks to shift and push their way out and…” Twilight’s horn started to shimmer with magic as the rope form Rainbow’s hay was floated over.” AH HA! Just what I thought, look, some one had looped what looks like a strong fishing line onto your rope Dash. It cut right into the rope like a hot butter knife through butter.” Twilight spoke aloud so she could be heard, but she already had an idea on who did it.

“What!! I was cheated agai…again.” Rainbow turned and looked at Gilda, who seemed like this did not apply to her. “You! You had to cheat again!” Rainbow’s shout had been heard by everyone around and Applejack and Spitfire moved to ether side of Dash sending the Griffin dirty looks.

“This again! Come on! I don’t need to cheat to beat you, you’re lame in your own right, Crash!” Gilda was getting mad. She was hoping not to get caught, but she knew they had nothing on her, so she thought she could push their buttons. “What is all this anyway!? Are you all so scared of losing to a Griffin you all have to plot against me?!” Gilda looked back to the royalty box and sent a heated glare at Princess Celestia. “Is this the kind of racism you promote in your kingdom? No wonder the Griffin Empire tells us to stay away from this land!”

Princess Celestia sat still, looking at the Griffin with her usual knowing smile. When it looked like she was going to speak a hard wind started blowing, kicking up the loose dirt and leaves and made everyone in attendance shield their eyes. Once the howling winds came to an end, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Twilight were stunned. Standing right in front of them was a pony they thought gone forever.

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.

“Ummm… Twilight? What is going on?” Dash asked without moving her eyes from the Hero of Ponyville.

“I have no idea, we all agreed that you learned your lesson, AJ, do you have any ideas?” Asked the confused unicorn.

Applejack was not faring much better. Her brain could only think of one thing to say. “Nope.”

“And who in the hell are you? Another lame-o? And why the get-up, are you some sort of freak? Gilda managed to say in-between a fit of laughter.

“Um, excuse me, but who are you?” Twilight was clearly confused as to why the masked hero was there.

“Yeah, and where did you get that costume!” Dash demanded to know the answer, she was not about to go through this again.

Without as so much as a word, the caped crusader turned around, tucked her head into her cape and pulled out a mouthfiul of polaroid pictures. Seeing that the mare wanted her to take them, Twilight’s horn lit up and floated the pictures up to look at them. First she looked shocked, then mad, but soon Twilight was smiling. Turning around to face the still confused crowd, Twilight flipped on her microphone. “Ok, due to outside interference, the Winner of the Hay Stack Toss is Applejack! And, for her acts of cheating, Gilda the griffon is disqualified from the Iron Pony Competition!”

“And what proof do you have? You’re just mad that I’m kicking the mark off your little mare friend’s flank.” Gilda spoke smugly as she sees Twilight’s cheeks turn red.

“Actually, Mare Do Well had taken some pictures.” Twilight’s horn lit up again, and soon the photographs became enlarged. She turned them around and let the others see them. Gilda had been caught pulling clumps of hay out and replacing them with huge rocks.

The other competitors were shocked and angry at being cheated, and began walking away from the offending griffin. Princess Celestia said nothing and just watched the events unfold before her. Rainbow, on the other hoof, was smiling. She was happy Gilda had been caught, and she was going to enjoy it. “Ohh, what’s wrong ‘G’? Did your little plan backfire?”

Gilda was mad now, but most of all, she was embarrassed. She flared her wings and charged at Rainbow Dash, who was so stunned that Gilda was about to openly attack her that she lost any chance at moving out of the way. She braced herself for the hit, but in a brilliant flash Twilight materialized in between Dash and Gilda. Her horn still glowing, Twilight erected a glowing purple wall in front of herself just in time to stop Gilda’s talons. “You think you can save her?” Gilda’s yells echoed throughout the arena as she started slashing and pounding on the wall, causing it to begin to buckle.

Twilight was straining under the barrage of anger and claws, but before she can recast her spell, Dash pulled Twilight back, making the unicorn break her concentration. Gilda’s claw swiped at them, but only managed to grab a few strands rainbow colored hair. Suddenly, before Gilda were three unicorn guards, poised and ready to attack Gilda. “By order of the Princess, you are to stop or we will be forced to take you into custody.”

Looking at the guard, Gilda smiled before swiping for his head. The sound of the impact reverberated off the stands as she took off the helmet and knocked him out cold. “What’s wrong Crash, you and that little bitch need to hide and let others fight your battles?! You really have flipped!”

“That’s it Gilda! You have gone too far. I am going to kick your beak down your throat!”

Dash moved to step out from behind Twilight, but Twilight would move along with her to block her path. “Twilight move! She’s had this coming for a long time!”

Gilda let out a hardy laugh as Twilight stopped Dash “You’re lucky she won’t let you Crash, but that just means I get to take out both you losers at the same time!” Gilda flew up a bit to avoid the guards, and made a beeline for Twilight and Dash, but Gilda had forgotten about the pony that caused all this in the first place. That was, of course, until Mare Do Well jumped across Gilda’s path, causing her cape to wrap around the griffin’s head. Not one to fly blind, Gilda was forced to land to remove the cape from her head. She was about tear the masked hero’s head off, only to find Mare Do Well was nowhere in sight. And that the remaining guards, Dash, Twilight and the rest of the competitors surrounded her.

“It’s over Gilda, you can’t fight your way out of this one.” Rainbow said, taking a step closer.

“As if, Crash, it’s not over until I crush your whole world.” Gilda screeched as she threw a talon full of dirt and rock into Rainbows face as she took to the skies, flying off too fast for the guards to follow, but not before tearing down the Iron Pony banner.

XXX
Chapter five is done! I am sorry it took so long, but I could not write anything I was happy with and had to start over more then once. That, and I’m feeling bad for making Gilda the bad guy… girl? Whatever. Anyway you know the drill, please leave me a comment and tell me what you think! And I would like to thank my proof-readers Jcel4569 and Valaris

Chapter six. An eye for an eye

Chapter 6

An Eye for an Eye

Fixed

Please note, that chapters 1-5 has gone under a slight rewrite. The plot was not changed, it was just a cleanup effort and more details were smoothed out.

XXX

After Gilda fled from the competition, Twilight called for an intermission to get things sorted out, and more importantly to check up on Dash. The dirt and sand that Gilda had thrown was laced with little rocks that caught the pegasus in the eyes. Walking around to Nurse Redheart’s tent, Twilight saw Applejack and Spitfire waiting outside.

“So, how is she? Has Nurse Redheart said anything yet?”

“Not yet. When we walked in she helping Dash wash her eyes out, but she told us to stay out here,” Spitfire answered.

“Dash said she was fine, but knowing her, she just sayin’ that,” Applejack added in, while looking back to the tent.

“Well I think she’s fine. Anypony that can pull off a Sonic Rainboom while saving four lives at the same time is a tough pony,” Spitfire sang out with a wide smile.

Twilight smiled to herself. It always made her happy to hear other ponies speak so fondly of her Dashie. Twilight’s mind started to drift more at this point, filling itself with various fantasies. Applejack and Spitfire gave the unicorn a couple odd looks as Twilight adopted a goofy smile. Applejack looked a little disconcerted about her friend’s new look.

“Um, Twi? Are ya ok?”

Twilight just stood her ground, and was not sporting a furious blush lightly. It was this odd scene that the nurse had now walked in on. “Is she alright? asked the concerned Nurse. “Tell me she did not eat funnel cake,”

“Umm... we're not entirely sure,” Spitfire said before grinning slowly at the ref. “But I think I know that look, and if I had to guess, I think that she’s in lo-”

Twilight snapped out of her fantasy world and plunged her hoof into Spitfire’s open mouth before smiling nervously. “Oh my gosh! I am so sorry Spitfire! I must have tripped! Are you ok?” Twilight’s eyes were a flurry of worry and panic as they darted from pony to pony.

Spitfire looked into the unicorn’s eyes and saw the desperation behind them. They were the eyes of a cornered animal. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it.” She winked at Twilight.

“So what’s the word, Nurse? Is Rainbow ok?” inquired Applejack.

“She will be fine, but I do need to speak with Twilight Sparkle and her in private.” The nurse requested, her tone polite.

Applejack looked ready to argue the fact, but a small smile from Twilight put her mind to ease. “Well, I reckon we should be gettin’ some food while we can. C’mon Spitfire, let’s go to the farmhouse and I’ll me show ya how real apples taste,” Applejack said, as left the medical tent and began to walk towards the apple cellar, followed by Spitfire, who was very much admiring the view.

“Like I said, Rainbow Dash will fine, but her eyes took some damage and I feel she needs to rest them for at least two days. So, I suggest that she be pulled from today’s competition.” The nurse spoke as she led Twilight into the tent.

“ I already told you, I can see just fine, and I am not dropping out!” Dash shouted as she held her head in a sink, washing out her eyes.

Twilight sighed and looked away from her friend. “Rainbow, you heard what the nurse said. You need to relax. I’m sorry Dash, but I can’t let you continue in this competition.”

“WHAT?!” Dash pulled her head out of the sink, splashing water as her mane whipped around. Looking back, Twilight could see how red and puffy the pegasus’ eyes were. “Twilight, please don’t!”

Anypony could see how upset the flyer was getting, and Twilight knew how much Dash hated losing her composure in front of others. “Nurse Redheart, do you think you can give us a moment please?”

Nodding her head, the white mare took her leave. As soon as she was gone Dash took a step forward. “Twilight, please, you can't do this to me, you can't. You already embarrassed me in front of everypony by stepping in front of me when I was about to fight Gilda!”

Twilight's face changed from one of concern to one of sadness before shifting to one of rage. “Rainbow Dash! You know full well I did not do that to embarrass you! I’m only trying to look out for your safety! You’re my friend and I care!”

“I know.” Rainbow hung her head low as she spoke. “And also I know you worry about me Twi, and believe me when I say that means the world to me, but I have to finish this. I can't let her beat me.”

Twilight saw a few tears drip from Rainbow’s eyes and took a step forward to nuzzle her friend's neck and cheek, an action the pegasus returned. “Rainbow, she is already gone, and who cares what she thinks?”

“I care.” Breaking the neck hug, Rainbow looked the unicorn in the eye. “ She came here to embarrass me, and she did what she came for, and she didn’t stop there. She attacked you too; she insulted my closest friend! And I just sat there glaring at her! I should have stopped her!”

“Dash, her words mean nothing to me. She can call me anything she likes. Does it hurt, yes, but at the same time it’s nothing because I have my friends. I have you, and I know that her words mean nothing in the end. But what matters right now is you.” Twilight used her foreleg to raise Rainbow’s head she could look her friend in her puffy eyes. “Tell me the truth Dash, how bad are your eyes?”

“They sting, and I can’t see small things like words,” Dash admitted as she held her head low, fearing she was out.

“Well then, I have no choice. Rainbow you have ten minutes to get yourself ready for the next round while I go and talk to the princesses.” Dash stood where she was, dumbstruck as she watched Twilight leave. “What? This is the Iron Pony Competition. Not the Egghead Nationals.”

XXX

Outside, the spectator ponies were all out and about getting snacks and stretching their legs. Vinyl had put on some music again just to help kill time, while Trixie tried and failed miserably to convince the DJ that she was not needed.

“That was quite the performance you put on,” Celestia said, looking over to her sister who was just sitting back down.

“I have no idea of what you speak sister. I was simply getting myself a snack,” Luna smiled mischievously, waving her caramel apple alibi.

“"So, you're saying that the masked heroine, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere with proof of a cheating contestant, was, in fact, not you in your Mare-Do-Well costume? The one that you happen to wear late at night, when you think nopony is watching?"” The caramel apple slipped from Luna's magical grasp, as the alicorn's smile slowly slid off her face. Were it not for Celestia's centuries of practice maintaining composure, she might not have been able to contain her laughter at her sister's horrified expression.

"I could, of course, be mistaken", she continued. "But, I wonder, how did Mare-Do-Well know that Gilda was using underhoof tactics?"

Luna gave her sister the hardest look she could muster. “Sister, you have a bad habit in your spying. But as long as you keep my secret I shall tell you.” Celestia gave her younger sister her trademark smile before nodding. “The truth is, I had seen the griffon use a mirror to blind Rainbow Dash, so I took it upon myself to keep an eye on her. And I felt dressing up would prove to be less of a problem then if I would do it myself.”

“Very clever, now nopony can say we are using our power in favor of our friends. So long as you take the hat off.” Luna panicked and reached for the hat over to find nothing there. “Gotcha.”

XXX

In the announcers booth, the unicorn duo were kicking back and relaxing while the music played. Vinyl was lying on her back, bouncing her knees up and down in time with the beat. Meanwhile, Trixie sat impatiently on her haunches, a scowl fixed across her face.

“You know, that look won’t kill me, better ponies with better death-stares have tried.” The DJ spoke with a grin while she watched the other unicorn through her glasses.

“Trixie still protests the result of that game. She was ill-prepared, so she was not at her best and it should not count.” Using her magic, Trixie lifted a piece of paper off of the announcer's table, before ripping it to shreds and depositing the confetti on top of Vinyl's head.

"Okay, I'll bite. How can anypony be 'ill-prepared' for a game of tic-tac-toe?" Vinyl asked her counterpart, smiling and ignoring the sudden paper snow.

“Trixie’s talents are far beyond a game for foals, and you failed to inform Trixie of the wager before the game even started.”

“Well, now you know. If I challenge you to a game, chances are that there will be a prize. And seeing how I won, I got to pick the halftime show, and I picked my music over your magic. It’s not my fault you can't beat me.”

“Trixie could beat you any time she wishes.” Trixie stuck her nose up in a pout as she looked away.

“Ok then, you're on. We’ll play again, and if you win you can go down there and perform your great feats of magic, and I will even give you the pay I was getting for this gig.” The blue-maned unicorn rolled to her belly and got up before floating a quill and a paper over.

Trixie stood up as well and donned her cocky grin. “Trixie does not need your permission to perform! However, she accepts your terms and she will show just how amazing the Great and Powerful Trixie really is!”

Vinyl let Trixie make the first move before she had made her own mark on the sheet, and after a few short strokes with the quills the game was over and Trixie had lost again.

“Tough luck, Twitchy, looks like I win again. Now, seeing how I already have the music playing, I guess I need to find another prize.” Vinyl rubbed her hoof under her chin as she looked away, as if she was deep in thought.

“Oh, sorry, I hope I’m not interrupting anything?” Both unicorns looked back to the door to find yet another unicorn, but this one was dressed in her referee shirt and had a floating clipboard trailing her. “Ok, I got everything back under control and we should be getting underway shortly. I have a few announcements I would like you to read and there will be a change in the final event. Here are the notes on the changes.” As Twilight spoke, she floated both announcers a copy of the papers. “Now if you will excuse me, I need to hurry back to the locker room and tell the others.”

Trixie began reading her new notes. Floating her water over, she took a drink to ready herself to announce again. Behind her, wearing an evil grin, Vinyl waited until Trixie was well immersed in the act of drinking. "I got it! You can take me out to dinner tomorrow night. It's been awhile since my last date," she said, innocently.

Trixie performed a glorious spit-take, water flying forth from her mouth in an undignified spray and leaving her coughing and sputtering....

“D..Date!”

XXX

“Wow, what a crazy ride it’s been so far! That hoof wrestling and the cart pulling was a shutout, and that ball balancing was really cool, but it’s a real bummer that we only have a few games left. That hoof race sure was something, who knew that big red down there could move so fast.” Vinyl stuck her muzzle into a bag of popcorn and happily munched before looking to her left. “So, how did you feel about that last race?”

The azure unicorn looked her blue-maned ‘friend’s’ eating habits and turned away in disgust. “Would you please not talk with your mouth full, Trixie would like to keep her lunch where it is. But you are right, one would think that a pony of his stature would be a little slower, but Trixie thinks that Zecora put in a valiant effort in to her race as well.”

“Yeah, but Rainbow made them both eat her dust. She and Spitfire were neck and neck the for almost the entire race! You think Applejack enjoyed the view from behind them?”

“Trixie wouldn't know!” The show pony screeched indignantly, though Vinyl saw Trixie blushing as clear as day.

“Ok, fine, but remember, nothing is sadder than a boring magician. Did it just get colder?” Looking over Vinyl squeaked and slumped her neck into her shoulders a bit as she received an Icy Glare. “Umm, looks like Vinyl found the line, and crossed it.” She rubbed the back of her head, and gave off a nervous laugh.

“Oh lookie there. It's almost time for the swimming race.” Vinyl said, hoping to get herself out of the hole she dug.

XXX

Sure, it had started out well enough. The weather was perfect for the competition, she had a good night's sleep, a nice breakfast, and even time to talk with all her friends before the competition started. But then, Pinkie went on a panicked party planning frenzy, the Crusaders hit the princess in the head with cake, both Applejack and Rainbow Dash lost their tempers, and now this.......

“What in tarnation? Twilight, what do ya mean, we all have to wear swimmin’ suits?” Applejack was irritated by this turn of events, and if the looks from the rest of the competitors said anything, they were too.

“Well, you see, this event is a swimming contest, and according to my research, swimmers in a swimming competition traditionally wear them, so I thought it would be a good idea to do the same.”

“Well I don’t mind wearing it, it’s just swimming gear,” Soarin stated.

“Yeah, but I never swim in anything. It’s going to feel weird.” Rainbow Dash spoke.

‘Well I don’t like one bit, all those ponies out there takin’ pictures and whatnot, seems like a bad idea ta me.” Applejacks cheeks were a little flushed at the idea of having her flank ogled.

“Hey, I already wear a leotard to work everyday, it can't be that bad. I’m in.” Spitfire shrugged and grabbed a suit from the box.

“Eeyup.”

“I will wear this swimming gear, only because I have nothing to fear.”

XXX

"And here go, it looks like we have the contestants coming out and seem ready for the swimming race! Whooo, damn! That girl Spitfire really knows how to fill out a suit and show her stuff. Dash ain't lookin' that bad either. Hey, Trixie, isn't it weird how when you give a pony a swimsuit, everything becomes sexier?” Vinyl asked, her eyes never leaving the mares on the field.

“Trixie.... does not know how to respond to that question.”

Vinyl looked over at Trixie and elbowed her a few times: “C'mon Twitchy! I mean, we walk with nothing on most of the time, au naturale, if you will. How come when you give a pony something to wear they've got that much more... I don't know... something, y'know what I mean? There's just somethin' about a pony in clothes!”

"Trixie is more than a little confused.”

“Trust me, just roll with it.” Vinyl smiled fondly, trying to calm the other unicorn’s nerves.

“Trixie... admits that you have a point about the swim wear.”

“Ooh.... so you do like what you see down there. Tell me, what catches your eye? Is it Big Mac? Don't tell me that such a big, strong stallion in a skintight suit doesn't light a fire in your loins! Or is it the hot flank of Applejack, you can bounce a bit off that thing.”

“Trixie is personally more concerned about the death-glare that Applejack is giving us now. And Trixie must insist that watch what you are saying Vinyl! There are foals in the crowd!'

“So? They're gonna learn about it eventually. I'm just helping them along. Hey, kids, ever heard of something called the birds and the bees? Well, I don't mean it literally, but when a mare an-“ The audience heard an audible squeaking sound followed by a loud thud.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie must apologize for that. It appears that Vinyl Scratch is having some technical difficulties with her microphone.”

“Technical difficulties my flank, you used your magic to pull my legs out from under me!”

“Trixie is sure you just tripped while your mind was in the gutter.”

“I cry foul! Assassination attempt! Assassination attempt!" yelled Vinyl, jabbing a hoof repeatedly at her co-announcer.

"If anything, it was last ditch attempt at saving Trixie's sanity, considering that she has to spend the entire night with you," Trixie snapped, to which the DJ merely chuckled.

"Baby, you'll find that I can go all night long..." whispered Vinyl in what she imagined to be a seductive tone.

"You know very well that is not what Trixie meant!" screeched Trixie. "And would you please keep such vulgarities to your imagination. For the children’s sake.”

“Oh come on, it’s not like I was actually going to tell them anything that bad anyway!”

“Forgive Trixie if she doesn't believe you.”

“Why do you gotta be such a prude, anyway? No, really, when did I cross your line? Was it at the whole Big Mac 'lighting a fire in your loins' bit?"

"Shut up."

"Why? Are stallions not to your taste? Perhaps you prefer something a little more... feminine?" asked Vinyl, somehow managing to wiggle her eyebrows in a lewd manner.

“Why must you be so difficult to deal with?”

“Um, that’s funny... I remember my mom asking me that once...” Vinyl was tapping her chin in thought as she smiled at a fond memory.

The blue unicorn’s head fell down and hit the table for what must have been the twentieth time that day. “Why, oh why must Trixie suffer so?”

“Oh that’s an easy one, because Vinyl thinks it’s funny.” Trixie sent her a dark look. “So what ,tickles your fancy?”

“Trixie is not about to discuss her sexual preferences publicly! And what did Trixie just say about keeping your commentary family friendly!"

Vinyl was up and right next to Trixie now. “Quit avoiding the question. Do you like ma-”

“Oh, look! The athletes are ready to begin! Trixie doesn’t think we should delay them any further, don't you?

Vinyl sat on her hunches and sighed. “Spoilsport. Well if you won't answer my question, how about another wager?”

“Why are you attempting to force further humiliating obligations unto Trixie?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” All Trixie did was give her a blank look for her answer. “For somepony who is Great and Powerful you sure are slow. It's because I like you, and no, I don’t think I will humiliate you anymore... I think. Well, maybe, but I was going to suggest we go for bits this time around, plain and simple.”

“Trixie is unsure anything thing you do is plain and simple.”

“Well I’ll give you that, I am too cool to be plain. But c'mon, what do you got to lose?”

“You mean other then Trixie’s hard earned bits?” Trixie said, evenly

“Look, you already lost the last bet, I'm just giving you a chance to salvage some of your pride.”

“Trixie’s pride has nothing to do with it, you just want to make a few quick bits.”

Vinyl just gave a cool yet innocent smile. “Hey, can't blame a mare for tryin’, can you?”

“Very well, if Trixie can take you down a notch, then she will accepts.”

“Alright then we have a deal, I- Wait a minute. Take me down a notch? Girl, have you looked in the mirror recently?”

“As a matter of fact, yes, Trixie has. And, as always, she saw the most beautiful and talented unicorn in all of Equestria,” the magician beamed at her co-host.

“Your pretty high on yourself aren’t you?”

“And you are rather arrogant”

“What you call arrogance I call self-confidence! I’ll even give you two to one odds. Ten bits says a pegasus will win. If I’m wrong I pay out double, deal?”

“Trixie accepts your terms.” Vinyl held out a hoof. Trixie looked at it from a few angles to make sure it was safe before she shook it.

XXX

Twilight had all six competitors lined up in front of the pool, ready to begin the race. She had explained the rules to them beforehoof, and they were all warmed up.

With a loud bang of magic, the competitors jumped in the water as the crowd cheered loudly in appreciation. Spitfire and Rainbow Dash took off like a shot and gained an early lead, their movements making the bare minimum of splashes made it seem like they were born to be in the water instead of up in the clouds. Applejack and Soarin held a much slower pace, making shorter strides and as they swam. Their inexperience in the water was painfully obvious. Big Macintosh was doing the family dog proud with his own rendition of a doggy paddle.

But it was Zecora that surprised everypony. She was the last to jump into the water, but when she did, she moved faster the lighting. Swimming under the water, she easily passed Big Macintosh, Applejack, and Soarin, and was soon right behind the leading duo.

She popped her head up and took a quick breath before she ducked back under the surface and swam right under a stunned looking Rainbow Dash and Spitfire just to come up right in front of them and cross the finish line.

Back with the broadcast team, Vinyl was standing there with an expression that looked to be a cross between anger and surprise.

“Trixie is astonished! She had never seen a pony move so swiftly in the water before. What about you Vinyl?”

“Oh come on, I can’t believe it! I just lost ten bits!”

“Well, you were the one that wanted to gamble, it would be childish to whine about it, now if you would be so kind as to pay Trixie.”

Vinyl begrudgingly floated the bits over. “I hate you.”

“Trixie is sure of it. Now, would you like to go over the next event or would you rather sit there and pout?”

Vinyl had her back to Trixie. “I’m not pouting.”

“Of course you're not… Well, seeing how Trixie’s counterpart is brooding Tri-”

“I'm not brooding, I'm plotting my revenge, see?' Vinyl floated over a piece of paper in front of Trixie.

It was a crude sketch, with which some imagination could be interpreted as a diagram of a catapult flanked by two ponies. The pony on the left, in the direction that the siege weapon was pointed, was portly pony that bore a pair of curved horns and a pitchfork. The one on the right looked to be playing drums. They were labeled, respectively, as Trixie and Vinyl. A bucket sat on the end of the catapult’s throwing arm, ominously identified as only ‘Mystery Liquid Alpha’.

Trixie stared at the drawing saying nothing before giving the white unicorn a black look. “Trixie is not fat.”

“Well, you did eat half my lunch.”

“Are you only here to drive Trixie mad?”

“Yeah, pretty much. But before we go into the next event, how about we go to the scoreboard for a recap?”

“Oh, please do, before Trixie strangles you.”

“You would hurt your ‘partner’? In front of everypony?” As Vinyl spoke she started quivering her lip and putting on her best over-the-top sad face.

“Yes, and nopony would bla...” It was at this moment Trixie realized exactly what Vinyl had said. “You are not Trixie’s partner!”

“But what about all we’ve been through!” Vinyl said in a mock sad voice as Trixie began to hit her head on the table over and over again. “Cool, I think I broke her.”

“Ok, So we started off with eight players and now we are down to six. For those who missed it or those with poor memory, Bob the Royal Guardspony dropped out due to a skin rash of some sort. Then we had Gilda, a griffon who seemed to have some issues with Rainbow Dash, who was disqualified for cheating. However, her less-than honest tactics may have cost Rainbow Dash a win in the barrel weave event, giving the win to Applejack”

“That is true. If not for Gilda’s interference Trixie thinks it could have easily been a win for the bright pegasus. Now the tug of war was an entertaining event. Trixie felt Soarin made a smart move by dropping out.”

“What? He’s a Wonderbolt, for Luna’s sake, and then he just quits! How lame is that? I wouldn’t be surprised he lost a massive amount of fans. I know I was disappointed.”

“Are you mad? Soarin is a trained flier, he knows his limits and chose to save strength for later events. Trixie has gained a greater respect for the stallion.”

“I guess you’re right, he is pretty smart, but I was still shocked when Big Red lost that one. Then again, he and Gilda had just gone hoof to paw, buuuttttt....” Vinyl smiled as she drew out the word a little longer then she should. “The juicy stuff was what your other partners said, that the local fashion police has some hot thoughts about the red farmer, and that little tidbit of info gave Gilda the win, but seeing how she was busted for cheating, I guess that one is a no score?”

“Trixie can't fathom why you must involve yourself in everypony’s sex lives.”

“What can I say, sex sells.”

“Trixie is not even going to dignify that with an answer. But Gilda was not done there, it would seem she would also cheated in the haystack throw by adding extra weight to her competitor’s hay, and oddly enough, may have got away with it, if not for the same comment you mentioned before. It was rather frightening for Trixie to see how angry Applejack got over the whole thing.”

“Well, I don’t know what that was all about, but I will admit Applejack’s kick scared my flank off. I really think that kick would have taken another pony’s head clean off, but at least she walked away with the win.”

“Indeed so Vinyl, but the Acrobatic event was Trixie’s favorite. The amount of balance a pony must possess to stand on those large rubber balls for any length of time is simply incredible. And Trixie was amazed how well Zecora and Rainbow Dash did, going as far as to stand on their back hooves when it was down to the two of them.”

“Yeah that was something. Sucked for Dash when she sneezed and fell off. But sometimes, luck is just not on your side. But I really liked how Big Red put everypony away fast and hard in the Hoof Wrestling, but then again it would be really weird if he lost. I mean, the guy is as big as a buffa-” Vinyl would have kept talking if not for a huff from Trixie. “And why are you getting all huffy?”

“While Trixie is not taking anything from Big Macintosh, she did find it a little boring to not only see him obliterate the competition in the hoof wrestle, but again in the cart pulling.”

“But that's what makes that part of why it’s so cool!” Vinyl exclaimed.

“Oh? And maybe you can enlighten Trixie as well as our listeners?” Trixie challenged smugly, hoping to take a shot at the other unicorn's intellect.

“Certainly. Everypony loves a good contest, and I agree when the scores are close they make the game really interesting. But sometimes, it's just as exciting when a pony completely dominates the competition. It gives you a chance to see just how skilled or smart they may be. And if you know the pony, it's even better! Like Big Mac down there. Everypony in Ponyville knows who he is, the powerful yet gentle giant who's so quiet that most of the time you barely even notice he's there. But here at the Iron Pony Competition, he can show everypony just how strong he is. And seeing somepony you know doing so well is really exciting for their friends and fans, and it gets them really pumped up. As a fellow performer, you know that the crowd can make or break any event.”

The answer caught Trixie off guard, stunning her into silence for a few brief seconds. She had been expecting some sort of flippant remark or whimsical reply with not so subtle sexual overtones, and certainly not anything like a reasoned argument.

"Trixie has... never thought of it like that. You have made a valid point, Vinyl, and Trixie shall recant her previous statement about those event being dull.”

“What can I say, I’m one smart filly.” Now Vinyl was sounding cocky again.

“Indeed. Now would the smart filly with the big head like to continue with the recap, or will the onus fall unto Trixie?”

“Nah, I already used all my ‘A’ game, and I’m not about to reuse the same jokes I used for the hoof race and the Swimming race, so lets just hit up the scoreboard. Right now, in first place we have the striped wonder, with three wins in the Ball Balancing, the Long Jump, and the Swimming Race.”

Trixie was starting to get irritated at her counterpart. Vinyl had the ability to seemingly jump from topic to topic at random, thus making real conversation impossible. Unfortunately for Trixie, this irritant had once more caused her eyebrow to start twitching again, which gave Vinyl the opportunity to laugh at her.

“It is taking all of Trixie’s great and powerful will not to kill you right now, but yes, Zecora is not in the winner's circle yet. Because, unlike you, Trixie hadn’t forgotten about the three ponies we have tied in second place. Applejack, Spitfire and Big Macintosh all have two points apiece, with Applejack winning the Barrel Weave and Haystack Throw, Spitfire winning both the Push Ups event as well the Hundred Meter Dash, and Big Macintosh winning the Hoof wrestling and Cart Pulling. Trixie can't even remember the last time she had seen a contest so close.”

“I have to agree with you Twitchy, and with two events left it's still anypony’s game. Even for Soarin and Rainbow Dash, who are not looking too happy with zero points. Speaking of which, the next game is a- wait, Free Talent? That counts as an event? Wow, whoever wrote up this event list is really reaching with this one”

XXX

“Ok everypony, you heard them. There are only two events left, and this next one is called the Freestyle Talent Show. The rules are simple, you will be given ten minutes to prepare whatever it is you want to do, then one by one you will perform in front of a panel of judges. Are there any questions?”

Soarin was having a bad day, having embarrassed himself in every event, so he felt a little rest on his back was in order. But when Twilight showed up he poked his head up to ask. “Who are the judges? I thought you were the pony in charge here?”

Twilight looked up from her clipboard and cleared her throat. Applejack sighed, knowing Twilight was about to start yet another long winded answer. “I am the referee for the events, yes, but the nature of this event is a bit different. Since there will be no clear winner like before, we will need a scoring system, and that’s where the judges come in. You will perform and they will rate you from one to ten. As for why I am not a judge is due to the fact that a number of the competitors are close friends of mine. It would be hard for me to remain objective, so I will have to abstain for the remainder of this event.”

Applejack shook her head at Twilight’s response. She loved her friends and all, but sometimes she wonders... “Ya know Twi, ya could have saved a lot of breath if ya just said ‘It’s easier if the judges do it because I got mah friends in the competition.’”

Twilights ears laid back as she looked at her friend. “That’s what I “just” got finished saying,”

Zecora did not look happy. She had her talents, yes, but seeing how all her potions, brews and other equipment were all back at her home, she was in trouble. “I am unprepared for such an event, all my supplies are at home so I may prevent yet another expedient.”

“I’m sorry Zecora, but I couldn’t have told you before hoof. It wouldn’t have been fair to the others.” Looking around her she saw that just about everypony was unhappy with either the next event, or their allotted prep time. “But, seeing how Gilda and Bob have not been competing, we are a bit ahead of schedule, so we can spare thirty minutes to get prepared. I know that will be cutting it really close for you, Zecora, but maybe you can have a pegasus fly you out and back.”

“If it lets me stretch out my wings, I will do it! I never imagined not having my wings was so madding! I was about to crawl out of my coat!” Soarin all but shouted.

“Oh come on, Soarin, it hasn’t even been five hours. You're acting like a rookie,” Spitfire chastised with a light smile and a shake of her head.

“Actually Soarin, I was about to say that you get your wings back. There is no point in keeping you all grounded for the remaining events.” Smiling fondly, Twilight closed her eyes and her horn lit up as a light aura enveloped the wings of Soarin and Spitfire.

Sensing Soarin might try and back out of his offer, Zecora spoke up. “Thank you, anypony about can see that your heart is pure, of this fact I am quite sure.”

With a wide smile, Soarin flapped his wings a few time while releasing a content sigh before looking back at the zebra. “So, where we going?”

“I will tell you if you do not flee, I make my home in the forest of Everfree.”

Before Soarin could finish his whimpering, Twilight was already looking back at her clipboard. “Now before you to take off, let’s see who will go first.” Twilight glanced over her notes and found when she saw that both Rainbow and Soarin had yet to win a single event. “Ok then, we will start with Spitfire, followed by Soarin, then Applejack, Zecora, and Big Macintosh. Rainbow, you will have to go on last... Rainbow?’

Twilight saw everypony go off to get themselves ready, but she hadn’t seen Dash among the group. “Applejack, have you seen Rainbow around?”

Applejack brought a hoof under her chin in thought. “Now that you mention it, not since the swimming race. I hope she’s not too upset, losin’ to Zecora.”

“I think I’ll go and check up on her, just to make sure. I hope she won't do anything drastic.” Twilight craned her neck and gave a longing look out the tent entrance, as her thoughts had yet again drifted to the brightly colored mare. She was beginning to wonder if this was normal behavior, and made a mental note to do some research on the thought process of romance.

“Um, Twilight? Is there somthin’ botherin’ you? You got this really weird look on yer face.”

“Oh, I’m just thinking about Rainbow and my strange thought patterns.” Twilight dawned a look and pure horror. Her eyes were wide, her purples dilated, and she ever so slowly turned her neck to see a grinning Spitfire and a confused looking Applejack.

Twilight’s brow broke out in a sweat as her breathing became erratic, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

‘Oh, how could I have let that slip so easily! Wait... why is Spitfire grinning like that? She doesn't suspect... does she?’

“Strange thoughts? What are you talking about Twi, did you really think RD is in trouble?”

“Oh, I um...” Twilight’s eyes shifted from left to right as if she was looking for an escape route. Yes, she had the entrance to the tent right there, but it was always a good idea to have a backup, or twelve. “Well, you see it's just this whole thing with Gilda has really got into her head, and if you add in the fact that it happened in front of so many ponies, including her friends and her heroes, I’m just worried she might do something dangerous just for the sake of her personal image. I mean, you remember the whole Mare Do Well incident, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I reckon you got a point. Well, let’s go and look for her before time runs out. I still need to think of somethin’ to do...” The dry look Applejack had on her face made Twilight give a nervous laugh.

“Well, I’m not that familiar with Ponyville. I’ve only been to the market and to Applejack’s apple cellar. Not to mention you both know her a lot better than I do, so, where do we start looking?” Both Applejack and Twilight gave Spitfire rather surprised looks. “What? She’s a fan, and the Wonderbolts look after their fans! Well, not only that, but I would like to become better friends with her, I mean, she did save my life after all.”

‘Oh no! Does Spitfire likes Rainbow Dash too? What if she does? How can I compete with her? She’s a pegasus and a Wonderbolt! No, not just any Wonderbolt, she’s the team captain!’ Oh no, no no, no, no... “Does that mean you already have an idea to what you will be doing, Spitfire?” Twilight was wearing a smile no matter how fake it was. But until she knew the truth, Spitfire was a rival, and a strong one at that.

“Well, I have a idea, but I don’t know if I can get the stuff I’d need.” Spitfire looked thoughtful as she looked out into the town.

“Ok, how about this, I will go look for Dash. It would probably be better not to crowd her right now. And Applejack, if you wouldn’t mind, can you help Spitfire gather the materials she’s looking for?”

“I think you might be right Twi. Knowin’ RD, I reckon some one-on-one time is just what she needs. So what do ya say, Spitfire, want to mosey on into town and see what we can do? Now what’s got you all excited?” Looking over Applejack saw that Spitfire was grinning from ear to ear, and her wings had started fluttering a little bit.

Looking away from the orange earth pony to hide a faint blush. “Oh, well, you know, in Canterlot, almost everypony is only out for themselves, and here you are helping a pony that can take first place away from you. It’s just nice to see a pony that’s not outright selfish for a change.” ‘Now that was some fast thinking, Fire, good work’. Spitfire suddenly look really pleased with herself.

“Well, I can't speak for everypony in Ponyville, but that just how my family and I do it, right Twi?”” Applejack’s smile only grew as she implied that Twilight was her family, and it was a smile that Twilight returned with equal vigor.

“That’s right, Applejack. Now you two go on while I go and look for Rainbow.” Twilight walked out the tent and instinct took over as she began scanning the skies. She looked for about a minute before her ears fell to the top of her head. “Nice one, Twilight, you locked her wings yourself.” After she mentally berated herself a bit longer, she began looking on the ground and thought where Rainbow might be. It was then Twilight remembered that Applejack and Rainbow played horseshoes on the other side of the barn.

As she neared the barn, Twilight heard what sounded like somepony working as collective sounds of grunts and thuds filled the air. It was as if somepony was throwing something over and over again, with a lot of force. Rounding the corner of the barn, she heard an aggressive grunt before the whoosh an object cutting through the air. ” Rainbow is that yo-” Then, all she felt was pain as she hit the ground with a cry.

“Oh Luna! Twilight!” Rainbow ran to her friend's side and gasped at the bleeding cut over her left eye. “Oh Luna, I am so sorry Twilight! Are you ok!”

Tears were spilling from Twilight’s eyes as she held the left side of her face. She was not used to getting hurt, and a horseshoe to the head hurt a lot. She tried to open her eyes, but the blood from the cut stung and made her snap her eyes shut again. “Hold on Twi!”

Twilight felt her body being lifted out of the dirt and settled on to her friend’s back. “What’s going on?”

“I’m taking you to get looked at. I’m so sorry Twilight, I didn't mean to!” Rainbow ran as hard as she good ignoring the gasps from everypony she passed, and before Twilight knew where she was she heard Dash’s shout, “Nurse Redheart! Twilight’s hurt!”

XXX

Chapter six everypony, I hope you like it! Soon the games will be over, who's going to win? Will Zecora take home the gold? Will Spitfire or Applejack make a comeback? Will Rainbow win any events? And will Soarin get any Pie? Find out next time on the next episode of Dragon Bal... Oops, I mean Time in Equestria.

As always I need to thank my Proof readers, without them no one would ever read my story,
Jcel4569 and Gabby Gums.

I have a treat for all my readers. A friend of mine wrote this poem for me and my story! And I want to share it with all of you! I hope you like it as much as I do.

Written February 11th, 2012
Rainbow at Twilight

Wisps of colour
Trailing along the darkening sky
Lavender eyes gazing upward
Scanning the clouds for that dash
Suddenly, bursting forward from a cloud
She appears
In all her cyan and rainbow glory
A blush grows upon her cheeks
As she sees her filly upon the ground
The Pegasus dances upon the sky
Trailing words and colour behind her
Spelling her affection for her spectator
The mare of her eye watches amazed
Unbelieving in her luck
Magic might be her element
But love is all she knows in this moment
This new magic of love envelops her
Watching her cyan mare
From the ground, she feels so far
The twilight darkens into night
As Luna steals the day away
They look at each other as the light fades
Before turning away from their special magic
With cyan Rainbow Dash across the sky
And lavender Twilight returning to her studies
Two different worlds
Crossing only as night turns into day
When the rainbows fade into the twilight sky

By: Kimberlee DaRosa

Chapter seven. Home stretch

Outside of the the first aid tent, the competitors were waiting with baited breath as they all sat around, hoping to hear any news on Twilight’s condition. Nopony really knew what had happened, but there were rumors going around saying that Dash was angry for loosing and had taken it out on Twilight, to the unicorn fighting Gilda for hurting Rainbow.

But whatever may have happened could only be speculated, and not even the playful banter of Trixie and Vinyl could take their minds off the image of fresh crimson blood on Rainbow’s coat.

But right now to pegasus, none of it mattered - the rumors, the crowd, the competition. She had something more important to be concerned about, as she cast a worried eye towards the first-aid tent.

Rainbow wished she could be back inside, but after stubbornly refusing to leave the tent after being told multiple times to do so, she had been thrown out and told by the nurses in no uncertain terms to stay out of the way so they could attend to Twilight. Now, as she reluctantly stood outside with the others competitors, with nothing more than guilt and cold silence. She had never felt more helpless. Rainbow Dash hated feeling helpless.

Rainbow’s mind was at ends with itself, part over her wanted to forget what happened, while another part wouldn’t stop thinking about it, but the guilt was too heavy on her mind as she started reliving the events. The image of the horseshoe hitting her friend repeated over and over again to the point she thought she was going to be sick.

Dash had taken to pacing to try calm herself down, but to no avail. With every rustle of the tent flaps, whether from a breeze or somepony passing thought it, Dash’s head would shoot up, hoping and yet fearing any kind of news on her friend, but she was met with only disappointment and a rekindling of her guilt.

“So, what happened?” Everypony present turned around and saw Pinkie Pie, but something seemed different about the mare. Gone was her usual happy self, her smile replaced with a worried frown. Her ears had folded down to the top of her head and her mane was far less springy, but it was her eyes that had changed the most; they had lost the spark that ponies had come to know in the pink mare. Pinkie as she glanced at the medical tent before letting out a deep sigh. “Who was hurt?”

Applejack walked over to her friend, an eyebrow arched questioningly. “Pinkie? What’re you doin’ here? Ah thought you was in town workin’ on the party?”

“I was, but then my pinkie-sense...” Pinkie trailed off and looked at the grass. She hated when her pinkie-sense told her about bad things, and worst of all she knew she could never do anything to stop whatever happened from happening. “Was somepony hurt? I don’t see Gilda anywhere,” Pinkie remarked, looking around for the missing griffin.

“Gilda’s gone, Pinkie. It was Twilight who got hurt.”

At Applejack’s words, Pinkie’s eyes watered a little as she sat her haunches in the grass she was looking at moments before. “So what happened?”

“Well, Ah don’t really know. Spitfire and Ah were in town when it happened. All we know is that Twi got hit in the head,” Applejack explained as she looked at the still wet blood on Rainbow’s neck and shoulder.

“It was my fault.” The whisper was barely heard by anyone. The tone of sorrow that laced Rainbow’s words had everypony waiting for her to continue. “I hit her. I hit Twilight with a horseshoe.” The collective gasp that followed did nothing to faze the sulking flier. “I didn't mean to. I was just throwing them to work off a little steam, and when she came around the barn she startled me and I threw it harder than... than I meant to.” She closed her eyes tight to hide the tears that had started to build.

It was then that the flap to the tent opened again as Nurse Redheart walked out with an expression that only read annoyed. However, when she spotted three of the patient's closest friends, her eyes softened. “Thank goodness you're here. I need your help.”

Within an instant the three were at the nurse’s side, all wearing worried looks on their faces. “What happened? Is Twilight ok?” Rainbow asked as she all but yelled at Red Heart.

Shaking out her ringing ears, the nurse took a step back. “Well, there will be no long term damage, but the horseshoe hit her left eye rather hard. There is a lot swelling, and she’ll need minor procedure just so we can seal the cut. She has a concussion and I suspect that her eye socket might be fractured, but we won't know until we get her to the clinic and get an X-ray.

“Well if she’s hurt that bad, then let’s just take her to the hospital. Ya need me to carry her? “

“No thank you Applejack, We have somepony for that, the problem lies with Twilight. She is refusing to to let us take her in. She keeps saying that she needs finish the competition and not let her friends down.”

Rainbow felt lower than low. She had never hurt anyone this badly before, and seeing how it was her best friend she had hurt, Dash wanted nothing more then to crawl under a rock.

Pinkie looked to her friends saw the worry in Applejack’s eyes and Dash looking ready to cry at any moment. She stepped forward with a big smile in the vain hope in lightening the mood, “So what can we do?”

“I need you to go in there and convince her to let us take her to the hospital. At the very least she needs to be held for overnight for observation, and if everything checks out, she can leave tomorrow morning. But first, we need to get that stubborn pony to cooperate.”

Applejack let out a heavy sigh that seemed to cause her to relax. “Well, that sounds easy. We just need to convince Twilight to agree and go to the doctor. If she is as hurt as the nurse said, it should be simple. She’s a smart pony and all. She’ll listen to reason.”

“Thank you, now when you see her please speak softly. She is in pain, and loud noises will not help her 'the slightest.” The nurse stepped aside to let the others in, Applejack lead the way with Pinkie Pie going second, and then a still-uneasy Rainbow Dash.

Once inside they spotted Twilight laying on a cot set at the far end of the tent. The three friends winced as they watched a second nurse peel bandages from the unicorn's head, a worrying amount of the linen stained a unmistakable red. They waited until the nurse replaced them with fresh bandages before approaching.

Applejack no longer looked as chipper. “Are you alright sugarcube?

“Yeah, I’m fine. But they are not letting me-” Twilight hissed in pain as she moved her head in an attempt to just see her friends. Her good eye was puffy, and laced with a spider's-web of red lines, as though she had been crying.

“Twilight, you need to lay back down, you're hurt really badly, please,” Pinke pleaded.

“I’m sorry Pinkie, but I have to get up, the competition needs to be finished. It’s my job, I have to see it to the end.”

Applejack stepped up and placed a hoof on the unicorns shoulder and gently pressed her back down to the bed. “Now look here Twilight, the competition is not more important than somepony’s health, you know you’re hurt and the nurse said you might have even cracked yer eye socket. Now if it were one of us in yer place you would have used yer magic and taken in us yerself. Now are we going to do the the easy way? Or do I have to drag ya there?”

“But I have responsibilities here, I need to -”

Pinkie’s head shot up as her eyes became brighter. “That’s it!” Pinkie’s outburst earned her a wince of pain from Twilight and a pointed ‘shh’ from Nurses Red Heart. “Oops, sorry, but I have an idea. What if I take over for you Twilight? You were already going to have me host the last event anyway, seeing how it is close to a party game.”

“But I ha-”

“Twilight, please trust me, I’ll even read and use your notes. It’ll be easy-peasy,” Pinkie smiled softly and spoke warmly in an effort to convince Twilight that it would be okay to let her referee the rest of the competition.

Twilight lay down and smiled up at her pink friend as she sighed in defeat. “Okay, Pinkie, you win, but please don't go overboard, you need to save your energy for the party tonight.” Her words seemed softer and a bit weaker, it was easy to see how tired she was after the day's events.

“So does that mean ya going to go the the clinic now sugarcube? Ya ain’t lookin’ so good.”

“I know... It’s just that....” Twilight trailed off, turning her head away before closing her eye.

“Hay Pinks, if you're going to to be the ref, you need to go and get ready and tell the other competitors. You too AJ, you need to get ready for the last few events if you're going to win this thing.” For the first time since the accident, Rainbow’s voice sounded rather upbeat and her smile looked genuine, but they could tell she was far from happy.

“Wait a minute... what about you, don’t ya need to get ready too?” Applejack looked to her friend in concern and saw her looking down at the floor. “Rainbow?”

“Pinkie, I’m dropping out of the competition.” It has only happened a few time in her life, but Pinkie was speechless. Applejack’s jaw hit the floor in surprise while Twilight sat up in her bed with her own look of shock. “Look, we all know I can’t win this thing. I let Gilda get to me, and I lost my cool too many times. I’m more then a little embarrassed about how I acted today. And not to mention it's my fault that Twi got hurt, getting her to to the hospital is the least I can do. Besides, there's always next year, right?”

Applejacks head drooped down a little at the news. “You know it won't be the same without ya out there. You sure about this Rainbow?

“Yeah, I’m sure, just go out there and win this thing for me, and try to make sure Pinkie doesn't get out of... wait, where’s Pinkie?”

Applejack looked around the tent only to find no sign of their pink friend. “Oh, pony feathers... I better go find her and warn the others. Rainbow, you make sure she agrees to go to the hospital.” With her parting words Applejack took her leave from the medical tent.

“Rainbow ,you don't have to do this, I will go to the...” Twilight stopped and shuddered for a moment before resuming. “I’ll to the hospital, go and have fun. I’ll be jus-”

“Twilight, I’m so sorry!” Rainbow’s outburst cut the unicorn off. “I didn't mean to, I was just letting off some steam, and than you, and then I...” Rainbow hung her head low as tears started to dripped from her eyes.

“Rainbow, please calm down. I know you didn't mean to hit me. I knew somepony was throwing something, I should have been more careful, I don't blame you at all.”

“But I...”

“Eh, no ‘buts.” Twilight held up her hoof to silence her friend. “Rainbow. You can keep going on how it’s your fault but I will just keep coming back with ways it's not.”

“Twi.” Rainbow looked away to dry her eyes before smiling back to her bed ridden friend. The pegasus was still mad with herself, yes. But when you have a good friend how can you not feel a little better? “Fine, but either way I’m going to make it up to you.” she added with a cocky grin.

“Fine, you can start right now. Help me out of here so I can get home.”

“What? Twilight, you heard what Nurse Redheart said. You need to go to the hospital.”

Rubbing her head in pain, Twilight laid back down, “I can’t... I’m...”

A small smile lifted Rainbow’s sad features as she placed a reassuring hoof on her friend's shoulder. “Twilight, you're afraid of hospitals aren't you?” She felt the unicorn’s body tense. “Don’t worry Twi, I kinda already knew. Whenever you came and visited me whenever I hurt myself, I could tell how uncomfortable you were.”

Twilight rolled over and looked away making Dash roll her eyes. “Well I guess I’ll just have to go with you then. Or do I have to go and get Princess Celestia and have her order you to go?”

“Now I don't think that will be necessary” Rainbow’s head snapped around at the same time as Twilight turned back over just as their ruler walked in. Letting out a heavy sigh Princess Celestia saw her student moving to get up, with a small shimmer of magic her horn started to glow in a faint light to prevent Twilight from moving. “Now Twilight, I know you don’t like going to the hospital, but you must know that you are hurt, and you even have a dear friend willing to go with you.”

“But I...” Twilight looked away from her teacher and back to Rainbows eyes. “You can't just drop out now. not after all you already been through. You said it yourself, you can't let Gilda beat you like this.”

“Twilight, this is different, I didn't quit or give up because of my score or Gilda. I dropped out because you're hurt, and I’m worried about you. I would sooner give up my wings then leave a friend in need. Not only that I still think its fault you’re in here in the first place, how can I even try to concentrate knowing that?”

Twilight let out a frustrated groan. “Dash I told you it was an accident... it's not your fault.”

“You see Twilight, she is doing this for you, are you going to disrespect your friend’s decision? Or do I in fact have to order you to go?” Celestia stood over her favorite student with a stern look, which was hard seeing how Rainbow had muttered a joke about getting in trouble.

Knowing full well that both her crush and her teacher were right, Twilight let out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes. “Okay, I’ll go.”

XXX

In the announcer's booth Pinkie has just finished informing her friends about what had happened to Twilight and Rainbow, as well as the change in spotting official. “... So that means I’m the boss now!”

“So, let Trixie see if she got this right. Twilight Sparkle was injured by your friend Rainbow Dash, and now she is being taking to Ponyville emergency, while the pegasus dropped out to keep an eye on her?”

“Wow, Rainbow is one heck of a friend. I wonder if Octy would drop a concert to take me to the doctors?” Vinyl rubbed a hoof under her chin in thought.

“Well that depends - Did you drive this ‘Octy’ in to nearly killing you? Because Trixie is near the end of her rope.”

“Well, I guess that depends.”

“Trixie is almost afraid to ask.”

“It depends on what day of the week it is.”

“Pinkie, is there anyway Trixie can just go back to her trailer? She has a better chance of not losing her mind there.” Trixie had her ears folded and her angry eyes were fixed on the grinning unicorn next to her.

Pinkie opened her mouth to speak, but before she uttered a word her eyes widened as her tail twitched, her cutie mark tingled, and then her back left hoof stopped the ground followed closely by her right front hoof. Then she gasped as a grin that threatened to split her face in half slowly formed across her features.

“What in Equestria was that about? Did Trixie just witness the Pinkie sense?”

“Yeah, but...,” Vinyl was frantically flipping through an beat up old notebook. “But I don't know what that one means? Pinkie, what’s going on?”

“I can't tell you silly, that one’s a secret! Oh, I can't wait to tell everypony! Oh, I have to throw you a party, with cake, balloons, punch, streamers, dancing...” Pinkie gasped. “We can play my super special BINGO! We can play Bingo, right Scratchie? Trixie? Oh my gosh, your names even match, this is super duper we can-” Pinkie stopped her rambling and gasped. “-we still have to finish the Iron Pony Competition first!” Pinkie zipped out of the room in a pink flash leaving two confused unicorns.

“Trixie is unsure what has just happened,” she said, looking at Vinyl.

“Vinyl is a little lost too. She’s worked with Pinke for about year now, and she’s never seen that girl act like that.”

Trixie stomped her hoof to the floor before taking a deep breath as if she were trying to calm down, a routine Vinyl become very familiar with over the past few hours. “Why must you mock Trixie so?”

“Wait, what? I didn't even say anything this time!”

“You were just mimicking the way Trixie talks to mock her.”

“What? No I wasn't, I was just.... oh, I guess I was.” Vinyl shot Trixie a bright smile. “But I wasn’t making fun out you. If I was going to make fun of you I could just say your cape makes you look fat or something, but I don't make fun of ponies for something like the way they talk, that’s just messed up.”

“Then why were you mimicking Trixie in the first place?” Trixie snapped, skepticism written plain across her face.

“Well I like the way you talk. It’s unique, y’know, I think it’s pretty cool.”

Trixie seemed more than a little surprised by this statement, she was sure that the other unicorn just wanted some more fun at her expense, but now... “Er...um... thank you for complement, Vinyl. Trixie... Trixie guesses you are not as brash as she thought.”

“Hey, no problemo Twitchy, I always leave the mares happy. And sometimes, begging for more.” Before Trixie had a chance to react, Vinyl whirled back to her microphone and continued her announcing. “But that’s a story for later, for now let's see what kind of chaos our new referee will cause.” Vinyl walked back to the table and use her horn to pick up her head set before stopping and looking over her shoulder. “Oh, and the cape, I wasn’t joking. It’s not slimming at all.” Trixie knitted her eyebrows together. “But it is hot.”

XXX

“Ten hut!” came a loud yell from the center of the arena, the competitors all looked confused as Pinkie stood there in a pair of big sunglasses, a dark beret and a lollipop in her mouth, but sadly for Spitfire and Soarin, hours of long practice and drills had burned such phrases into their brains. And before they knew what was going on the they were both standing before Pinkie at full attention, much to the general amusement of the crowd.

Everypony started laughing at the now embarrassed Wonderbolts. Oddly enough, a certain pink pony was not among their number. But this time Pinkie was not laughing with the ongoers and stomped her hoof to the ground.

“I said move it! Front and center!”

Everyone stopped laughing and looked in on stunned silence, no one had ever heard Pinkie sound so demanding, nor have they seen her hold herself up so imposing. The rest of the competitors all rushed into line and were now saluting alongside the Wonderbolts.

“Okay, listen up everypony. Twilight got hurt and won't be here for the rest of the competition, so I will be taking command of this event, are there any questions?”

Taking a nervous step forward, Soarin spoke. “Ma’am, we seem to be missing competitor Rainbow Dash, do you know where she is, Ma’am.” Soarin took a step back to fall in line with everypony else.

“Yes, Rainbow Dash has officially dropped out of the competition to see that Twilight gets to the hospital, so that means you five will fight head-to-head for the gold!” Pinkie looked at her clipboard and then back up. “Zecora did you get the stuff you needed?”

“That I did Pinkie Pie, and soon my performance shall light up the sky.”

“Okie dokie lokie.” Pinie grabbed a megaphone and jumped into the air. “Let's get the show on the road!”

XXX

After reading over the turn order Pinkie felt it she should spice it up a little bit, and after a few games of paper, rock, scissors Spitfire was the lucky one to go on first. After she finished her stretches Spitfire flew out at speeds expected of a Wonderbolt. She performed a little air show much to the delight of the spectators but with her last backflip she slowed down and began her descent leaving more than a few confused ponies

“Okay everypony, let's heat things up!” Spitfire spun around and kicked up a long pole into the air and caught it in her mouth before taking back to the sky, once up she did a corkscrew while smacking her hooves together sending out a shower of sparks that ignited both ends of the pole in a bright fire that twisted around her with the spin.

Breaking out of her spin Spitfire zoomed over the stands creating the illusion that her wings were made of fire, circling back around she dove for the ground and skidded in the dirt kicking up dust, then with a snap of her head tossed the baton up in the air letting one end go out as it landed straight up in the dirt.

Spitfire moved to stand behind the flame and took deep breath before flared her wings. “Now Soarin!” From the sideline Soarin nodded and threw three ball, each ball lying right through the fire igniting each one as it went through the flame. Using her hooves Spitfire knocked the flaming balls up in the air.

Soon Spitfire was kicking the burning orbs in the the air over and over switching from front to back hooves. After that she sent all of them shooting and with a gust of wind from her wings extinguished the balls before they hit the ground. Spitfire looking at the last flame burning on the end of the baton, before flashing a fierce grin at the audience. Then, without hesitation she inhaled the flame before taking a bow. The ponies in the stands went up in a roar, the sounds of thunder echoed forth as they stomped their hooves.

“Wow-wee! Did everypony see that? First she was woosh! Then she was all zoom! Then the fire was whaa! And when she tossed it in the air it was one of the most super-coolest-cool things I have ever seen! How did you do that?!” Pinkie shouted with the energy of twelves ponies.

“Well,” Spitfire panted a little as she caught her breath, “When I was a foal my dad took me to some event where ponies were dancing with fire, and well.... You know kids, see something fun and they have to do it.... Umm kids don’t try that at home,” she added with a nervous smile.

“Wow! I wonder if I can do that, but I don’t even know how to juggle. Is it hard to learn? Then If could juggle I can do it at parties and make them all the more fun! OH! I can juggle cake from Sugarcube Corner!”

“Umm, Pinkie, I think the judges are ready.”

“They are?” Pinke looked over to the judges and saw the Princess Celestia nod.

“Indeed we are, and I think learning to juggle is a fine idea, Pinkie.” Now looking at Spitfire she smiled before speaking. “That was a fine show, and I must say the ending was very surprising. I had no idea my own Wonderbolts had so many talents.” With a kind smile she floated up an eight.

“I too liked your ending, but I felt it would have been better if you would have done the full show in the sky, so I fear I can only give you a six,” Luna said, raising the six card.

Trixie being the professional showpony felt she needed to be a little more harsh. “Trixie is sorry, but seeing how you are the captain of the Wonderbolts Trixie expected a little more from your performance.” With that Trixie produced a three earning her some less then favorable jeers from the ponies in the stands

While Vinyl rolled her eyes at the other unicorn. “What are you talking about that was badass, that the kind of things DJs would kill for to have at their raves. Sure, I wanted more as well, but only ‘cause that was so damn awesome!” With a big grin she grabbed a card with her hooves and held up the number ten over her head making Vinyl the most loved judge at the moment.

“Twenty-seven points, I can live with that.” Spitfire took another bow while not letting Trixie get to her and hurried off before Pinkie could start talking again.

“Too bad you didn't have your gear with you Spits, then that unicorn would have nothing to say,” consoled Soarin as he approached his friend.

“Yeah, but that’s fine with me, you know how showponies all think they’re the biggest things since the horseshoe, even we get defensive more times than not. Not to mention I really don't feel that the archangel is ready yet anyway. So what are you going to do when your turn rolls around?”

Soarin was about to open his mouth when Pinkie ran up to them and grabbed the male Wonderbolt. “Good news, Mr. Woods said he would help, and he’ll do it all at cost! So we have to hurry and get them now! Zecora, you're up!” Pinkie zipped off dragging, Soarin along with her.

The zebra glanced up to the sky and let out a heavy sigh as she saw the sun was only now beginning to set over the hills. “It is too soon, the sun is may as well be at high noon.” Cantering out to the field Zecora was met with the same loud cheers as Spitfire had. She had pulled a small barbecue along with her and soon she had made herself a little bonfire using said grill.

Without any words of warning the zebra dropped a small bag into the the fire making the flame shoot up ten feet before turning blue. With everypony fixated on the fire, Zecora dropped in another bag. As this one burned a red line slowly creeped up the blue flame, but with the light from the sun it was barely noticeable, until the red line started swirling around like a whirlpool as it rocked it out the top of the pillar before burning itself out in the sky.

Zecora smiled as she heard the approving sounds of the ponies around her, while the fire started to shrink as it seemed to grow a mind of its own, and lurched out as if trying to escape the confines of the grill as its body twisted around itself.

With a sly smile another pouch was dropped into the fire giving it a green color, the flame shrank and burned into many shapes as if it was looking for its true form then with a speed fire should never move it leaped out of the grill showing a burning imp no bigger then a new born foal on the little demon looked mean. With with a glint in its eye and a grin on its lips it charged the stands.

With every step the imp seemed to get slower and slower before it stopped entirely and fell to its knees and blew up in a shower of flaming rose petals. The ponies in the front of the stand cheered and stomped for the thrill of the show, but the spectators in the back were less than enthusiastic .

“That was indeed very impressive, but due to the time of day it was a little difficult to see, while I have no doubt that during the night it would be a spectacular show. I see you put a lot of time into your work.” With that said, Princess Celestia levitated up a five.

“I am afraid I have to agree, however thrilling that may have been I am afraid the sun made it too hard to see.” Luna floated up a card with the number four on it.

“Trixie for one thinks that was a brilliant performance. Yes, the sun took away some ambiance but Trixie has never seen anypony do such a thing before.” Trixie gave Zecora a solid eight.

“Twitchy is right, that was really rad, but seeing one fire show right after another sorta kills some of the thrill, at the same time you really had me going with the little fire dude, so...” Vinyl smiled and levitated up a Zecora’s second eight.

“And Zecora is given a score of twenty-five! That was so close to Spitfire’s, Zecora. I’m soo sorry you didn't win this one, but that trick was really, really fun to watch! And the little imp looked like he needed a party to turn his frown upside down!”

“It is fine, Pinkie Pie, I was just at the wrong time of day, but I still did my best so... what the hay.”

“Okay everypony! Give it up for Zecora!” Pinkie’s enthusiastic yells were met with equal roars and cheers from the bystanders. “Okay, next we have the other half of the Wonderbolt duo! Get this mares, I got to look at his paperwork, and he said he was sing-le!” Pinkie sang out the her words making every mare and most fillies go nuts. “Let's hear it for Soarin!”

Like the Wonderbolt before him the crowd was loud with cheers and hoot, as well as more than a few catcalls from the mares. But the noise soon subsided into mutters and whispers, as the stallion in question failed to make an appearance.

“Come on Soarin, the fans won't bite! Well... maybe a few ponies might, if they're into the sort of thing.

Some of the ponies from Ponyville laughed to themselves while Rose blushed, mortified beyond belief, making herself as small as ponily possible. Soon Spitfire came back out and whispered something to to Pinkies ear, the party pony nodded then gave a look of surprise. “Really?” Spitfire nodded. “Wow-wee, I can't wait to see that! But I hope he doesn't over do it, we still have a party to go to after it’s all over, and a tummy ache is no excuse miss a party, no sir. Okay, so I’ll give him some time to get ready, so that means Applejack, get out here you silly filly!”

Applejack stick her head out from the tent with wide eyes and started to shake her head frantically. “But it’s your turn,” she protested. The orange earth pony stood her ground and shook her head, but as soon as Pinkie started walking towards her making Applejack dart back into the tent. “Ah’ll be right back everypony!”

Once at the tent’s entrances Pinke saw Applejack in a full nelson, frantically trying to get out, but Big Macintosh was having none of it. “Hey! No fair, you played wrestling without me!”

“I ain't wrestlin Pinkie, I’m tryin’ to get outta Dodge! Now let me go Mac!” shouted Applejack.

“Nnnope.”

“What's wrong Applejack, stage fright?” Spitfire walked in behind Pinkie with a knowing smirk.

“What! Ah ain't scared! Ah just have to do my... umm... laundry?” Applejack’s pupils dilated and her eyes began to shift over and over as she attempted to lie. Sometimes being the element of honesty was not all it was cracked up to be.

Spitfire shook her hard and laughed a bit. “Was that a question or a statement?’

“Look, Ah'm a mite bit nervous, okay? Ah’ve never done this before is all.”

“What are you talking about? You perform all the time! Parties, rodeos, last year's Iron Pony, and don’t forget Hearths Warming Eve! That was so much fun; I hope we can do that again!” Pinkie exclaimed with a tilt of her head.

“No, Ah was gonna... Ah was gonna sing. There, Ah said it. You can let me go now Mac!” By the tone of his sister's voice Big Macintosh know she was in no mood for anymore games and quickly let her go, retreating a safe distance.

“But Applejack, you sing all the time! Like at...”

Moving like lightning Applejack put her hoof in Pinkie’s mouth to keep her friend from babbling. “I know, but Ah never sang all by mahself before. Well, not in front of anypony. What if they all laugh at me?”

Pinkie started talking again but with the hoof in her mouth as it sounded like was muffled gargling making Applejack reluctantly remove her hoof.

“Nopony will laugh at you.” The pink earth pony stopped in thought as she brought a hoof to her chin. “Well, nopony from Ponyville anyway. We all like you, you won the Prized Pony Award remember, if they other laugh so what you have all your friend to help you feel better, and you aunty Pinkie Pie will always be there with a smile and a cupcake?

Applejack smiled and shook her head. “Pinkie we’ve been over this. Ah’m two years older than ya. But you’re right, who cares what them other ponies say!” Applejack stomped her hoofs a few time to psych herself up as she marched out the tent, head held up high and ready to face the world.

“I hope we didn’t push her into something she will regret,” Spitfire said as she watched the orange mare’s flank as she walked away.

“Ya’ll never really heard her sing. Just watch and get ready to have your mouths hit the floor.” Both Pinkie and Spitfire looked back to Big Macintosh, who was grinning from ear to ear.

Applejack walked out to the center of the arena and took off her hat, and gave the audience the biggest smile she could through her nerves. With a small, firm nod of her head Applejack signaled Vinyl to begin, and music began to stream from the speakers. Closing her eyes and tapping a hoof in time, she took a deep breath and sang.

“Fly me to the Moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On a-Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hoof
In other words, darlin’, kiss me...”

Everypony in attendance had frozen in a state of shock. Most of them had heard the farmer speak and thought her thick accent would have gotten in the way of any sort of song, but here she was singing so beautifully, with so much passion.

“Fill my heart with song
And let me sing forever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you.”

Spitfire was entranced. She’s hot, has a reliable career, funny, and has a voice of an angel. Oh Luna, let her be single and gay.

“In other words, please be true
In other words, in other words
I love you.”

The music ended as Applejack drew out the final note to the song. The air hung still before it was filled with screams and cheers. The Ponyvillians gave voice to their approval, delightedly surprised at seeing this previously unknown facet to the steadfast, hardworking farmer.

“I must say you have a gift Applejack, dare I say you might have missed your calling.” Princess Celestia stated with a gentle smile, as she floated up a eight.

“Your voice is truly something to be proud of, and I do say your choice of lyrics were quite becoming .” Luna looked more then happy with the song, and nopony would be surprised by the ten that was displayed

“The song was sung with grace, and elegance that most Canterlot ponies can only dream about. But Trixie has heard hundreds of ponies sing. Yes many can’t, but many can as well. However Trixie has always liked music so Trixie will give you a seven.” The show pony nodded her head and fixed her hat before looking to the last judge only to see the white unicorn grinning like a fool. “And what, pray tell, has you so happy?”

“So you love music do you?” Vinyl leaning over the table and rested her chin in her hoof.

“You do know you have a job to do right?”

“Oh, yeah, yeah, song... neato.” The white unicorn waved a dismissing hoof at the farmer as she grabbed a random card with her magic and held up an upside-down five. It was clear that her attention was elsewhere.

“Wow, Applejack that was great!” Pinkie exclaimed. “You’re the new leader with thirty points! I would have never guessed that you can sing like that! its was like seeing a rainbow for the first time!” Pinkie pulled Applejack into a bone-crushing hug.

“Easy there, sugarcube. It was just a song, ya don’t need ta embarrass me anymore. Now hurry on up and get the next pony out here.” Applejack cantered off and waved to the cheering ponies. She predicted apple sales would be good for a while.

“Wow, I feel sorry for whoever has to follow that act! Now let's see...” Pinkie looked around for the clipboard only to find it in Gummies mouth. “Thanks Gummy!” Bending down she read the list like it was the best book she had ever read. “Hoooo! Can anyone say sibling rivalry? Next it's Big Mac!”

Big Macintosh strolled out mush her he did when he was walking around the town, a slow stride with warm smile, once he was standing next to Pinkie he nodded to her and she stepped away.

“Now, I ain’t gonna sing for ya all, and I ain’t got some fancy dance with fire or magic, I’m a simple pony, but I may just have something that y’all may like.” He closed his eyes and cleared his throat.

“I look upon this snowy field
A place where life does dare not show
There's naught but frozen dirt and grass
It's hollow like my heart does feel

A place where life does dare not show
The brown, the grey, the blanket snow
It's hollow like my heart does feel
A place where life cannot be seen

The brown, the grey, the blanket snow
They act to hide, but I still know
A place where life cannot be seen
Can often keep a seed to sow

They act to hide, but still I know
The trees, as bare as bones of ash
Can often keep a seed to sow
A seed of spring, of leaf and green

The trees, as bare as bones of ash
But still are filled to brim with life
A seed of spring, of leaf and green
Is all I need to see this fact

They still are filled to brim with life
It lies beneath the frozen shell
It's all I need to see this fact
I feel the web of life within

It lies beneath the frozen shell
It sits and waits for spring to come
I feel the web of life within
A green and glowing energy

It sits and waits for spring to come
The pulse of life like warm fresh air
A green and glowing energy
Set down for winter, wants to rush

The pulse of life like warm fresh air
A sharp contrast to scene out there
Set down for winter, wants to rush
Off in another place and time

A sharp contrast to scene out there
My mind, it wanders out to go
Off in another place and time
Where summer harvest takes my soul

My mind, it wanders out to go
Into a suitable warm place
Where summer harvest takes my soul
And I am lost in work again

Into a suitable warm place
Where I can watch, just sit and look
And I am lost in work again
So I can see the life it holds

Where I can watch, just sit and look
I look upon the snowy field
So I can see the life it holds”

When the red stallion finished the judges could see a few tears escaping his eye, it was clear he truly loved his home and his work. Big Macintosh took a bow, once that was done he began his trek as calmly as he walked on leaving some very emotional ponies in his wake.

Trixie, Luna, Vinyl and Celestia shared a brief huddle before four card floated up simultaneously. Ten, ten, nine and eight; giving Macintosh the lead with thirty-seven points. The stallion gave a quick bow to each judge in turn before leaving.

Returning to the competitors’ tent, Big Mac heard beating hooves and the clattering of cart wheels as he drew near. Walking around the back side if the tent, Big Macintosh saw Soarin running, pulling along a tarp-covered cart.

“Gangway!”

With Soarin ran towards the red pony with as she slowed his approach and stopped next to his old friend. “I’m back. Did I make... Make it back in time?” Soarin asked as his lungs took in deep breaths.

“Yes indeedy! You're right on time!” came a high pitched response from behind him, speaking into his ear.

With a distinctly girlish squeal Soarin leapt clean out of the cart’s harness and in the the air. “Don’t do tha- Wait, how did you get in the cart?

From her place in the cart Pinkie smiled up at the now-airborne pony “Well... You were running so fast I thought it would be fun to get a free ride, so I hopped in, and boy was it fuuuuuun! Wait, before I forget: you still need to take your turn. Are you ready?” Pinkie poked her head under the tarp. “What are those for?” she asked when she resurfaced, wearing a confused expression and pointing down.

“You’ll see soon enough.” Soarin smiled as Pinkie hopped out of the cart. Donning his harness once more, he made way the remaining distance to the center of the field. Working swiftly, he set up a table by the cart, then he started to build something out of a few blocks of wood and one really big plank, much to the mystification of the crowd, who tried to deduce what the Wonderbolt was setting up.

Soon enough what looked to be a wall with straps in a pattern had been set up facing the awaiting spectators, whose murmured speculation was immediately muted as a ragtag selection of long knives and hatchets were pulled from the cart. Once Soarin was set up he walked over to his makeshift wall, taping a balloon to it before turning to the audience and speaking into the microphone that had been provided.

“Okay everypony... Um, from all the looks I’m getting I would say you are all a little nervous about this table full of shiny and very sharp items.” He slapped a wing to the table and sent a knife flying right up into the air. “Well, don't worry. You are all very safe as long as you are not standing Against the board.” In a blink of an eye Soarin had caught the handle of the falling knife in his mouth and flung it at the wall with a single fluid motion, where it embedded itself point-first into the space of wood to the right of the balloon.

“Well, it looks like I’m a little out of practice,” he said with a quick bark of laughter. That earned a laugh from the fans, and he flashed those few a quick smile as he grabbed a second knife and flung it, popping the balloon dead center. “There it is, now I can stand her and have you watch me throw thing at a wall all day, but then where is the fun in that? So, who would like to come down and help me out?”

Every young pony started screaming and frantically waving their hooves and shouting trying to get Soarin’s attention while some older mares were doing the same, but most of the other ponies looked a little scared. “Wow, do all of you have such little faith in a Wonderbolt?” he smiled in false bravado and tossed a hatchet at the wall, which embedded in the wood with a sickening thud.

“Oh, this is just too cool!” Vinyl was bouncing up and down on her hooves like a filly on a sugar hype.

Her cohost gave a derisive snort. “Please, it is just a simple trick. Trixie used to do something similar in her act when she was starting out, and sawing a pony in half is not all that dissimilar from this.”

“Wait, you're telling me that you actually did that old trick?”

“Like she said: when Trixie was just starting out, she soon learned how ’old’ that trick really was.”

But Vinyl had already stopped listening to Trixie as got up from the table and moved to where Soarin was standing. “Hey, flyboy! Little Miss Cape-and-Hat here said that your knives are fake and that your trick is nothing but a load of crap!”

“What? Trixie did not put it like that!” the magician protested.

“Yeah she did! She said it was as lame as sawing a pony in half!” Vinyl looked back at Trixie, who was once again giving her a baleful stare. “I know it’s not your show, but dag girl, can’t you let somepony else have the spotlight for a change?”

“Trixie is going to make you eat your own cutie ma-”

Before Trixie knew what was going on, Vinyl had raced back to the judge’s table and was pushing her along to where Soarin stood watching in confused interest. As she was push by Vinyl making she stumbled up to where Soarin stood.

“So, you think this is just a trick? Well then why don’t you come and stand over here.” Soarin placed a wing on Trixies back and began leading the to the wall.” Soarin spoke with a low suave tone, but there seemed to be something dark behind his words.

“But... but Trixie did not volunteer. And she is a judge, it would be improper for her to participate.”

Vinyl consummately ignored the mare’s protests and in very little time had her strapped in and against the wall. Giving each strap a sharp jerk to ensure they were secure, she stepped back and looked the now-trapped Trixie up and down. “Kinky...” she muttered appreciatively, before moving away.

Soarin ignored Trixie’s continuing objections and carefully selected a knife from his arsenal, at the sight of which Trixie’s words withered away, her entire focus now fixed disbelievingly on the piece of steel. The pegasus weighed the knife in his mouth carefully for a moment, before nodding to himself in satisfaction.

“Soarin!” Spitfire flew over and landed next to her flight partner and grabbed his head into her hooves. “What the hell are you doing? Don't you remembered what happened last time? You're still paying that pony’s family!” The crowd laughed at what they thought was a joke, but Trixie could see the genuine concern in the mare’s eyes. It did not bode well for her.

Soarin showed the blade into the table before speaking. “Spitfire, really, it's fine! I’m not using any fire this time.” Spitfire gave him a stern look and flared her wings a little. “Look, if I hit her... I will resign my position on the Wonderbolts.”

Trixie hoped to use this time to slip away from the wall, but without warning a hatchet sailed through the air and embedding itself an inch from her head.

A few things happened after that. Trixie’s eyes widened as she looked at the hatchet. It was real. Not plastic, foam, or even velcro on the blade. It was flesh-splitting, blood-spilling, pain-inducingly real. The ponies in the stands were cheering for her and Soarin, but Vinyl looked like she seen a ghost as she too realized that this was no stunt. A knife flew at the blue unicorn hitting the the wall right by her neck. Soarin let fly a second knife but this one never found its mark.

A blue aura surrounded the knife stopped in mid air. “What in Equestria do you think you're doing!” Trixie had once again found her voice and her shout was so loud that every pony in the stands flinched. “How can you think throwing real knives at me is a good idea! Do you lack any grain of common sense! We did not rehearse this stunt, nor have I ever worked with you before! What if you had hit me or somepony else?” Trixie used the knife to cut her bonds, then sending the knife humming into the side of the cart.

“Irresponsible half-wit,” she spat, before storming off with Vinyl hot on her hooves.

An uncertain silence settled over the arena, before it was broken by the referee.

“Well.... this is super-duper-awkward,” Pinkie said with a smile. “Okay, on with the grand finale!”

XXX
I want to thank Jcel4569 for his Poem on winter. it was great and I loved it
As always I love my Beat team without them I would be lost. so thank you Gabby gums and Stryker12324

Ok everypony, let me start by saying how sorry I am for not updating sooner I have no real excuse other than me being lazy and that I hate this story a lot. I feel I let you all down with it. I have wasted so many oratonites and I failed to give you any real Twidash, for that I am sorry.

Chapter Eight. Secrets

Chapter Eight

Secrets

“Okay everyone, we're down to the wire, the end of the line, bottom of the pickle barrel!” Pinkie screamed into her microphone making the ponies in attendance shout with glee. “Okay, this last event is my favorite, and it's going to be so fun.” Pinkie clapped her hooves together. At her signal a procession of ponies hurried out bearing tables.

The competitors watched on the sidelines as the tables were rapidly set up, and when that was done, as another pony rushed out and began laying down colorful tablecloths and lighting candles. When she finished Pinkie than zipped over, grabbing the the other and placing them behind the tables.

Spitfire looked at the table with a raised eyebrow, not sure what to think. She then looked over to Soarin who was tentatively poking the tablecloth as though it might bite him. She knew he always hated fine dining. Then she glanced over to Applejack, hoping for answers, but the cowpony was in the same boat, as the suspicious mare looked under the table as though she was half-expecting that something was going to pop out at her.

“Y’all know what we're doing out here?” Applejack asked as she looked around.

“Don't look at me, you know her a lot better than I do. But if I had to guess, I don’t think its anything too hard, otherwise I don’t think we would need tables,” Spitfire suggested.

It was then Mr. and Mrs. cake walking onto the field each with two carts so stacked full of pies they made the Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness‎ look small.

Soarin’s eyes widened in pure joy as his tongue slipped from his mouth letting his drool pool at his hooves.

“The final round of this year's Iron Pony Competition for the first time ever is Pinkie Pie’s Super-duper Pie Eating Contest! Courtesy of Sugarcube Corner.” The cheers were now a mixture of excitement and confusion, but one thing was for sure: this was going to be fun, and very, very messy.

The Cakes smiled at the publicity as they set to work lining up the pies on the tables. Soarin breathed deep the scent of the baked goods, and looked was ready to dig in, but much to his annoyance Spitfire was there with a steadying hoof to keep him in line.

“Okay, here are the rules: you’ll will be given one pie to start with and you have to eat it without the use of your hooves. The pony who eats the most pies with in the time limit wins! Now, on your mark...”

Soarin dug his hooves into the soil and cocked his knees with his snout only a half an inch from the apple pie in front of him. It was clear this was not his first pie eating contest.

“Get set!” Pinkie shouted. She was so excited to start she was bouncing in place.

The others mimicked Soarin’s actions to ready themselves while Spitfire just rolled her eyes and growled, “This is going to kill my weight restrictions.”

Applejack nudged her and gave her a warm smile. “Don't you fret now. From what I can see y’er in great shape, a few pies won't kill ya.”

Spitfire found herself with a stupid grin from Applejack’s words, and she swore that her cheeks felt flushed. Acting quickly, she attempted to hide the blush by fluffing up her wings and puffing out her chest.

“Spitfire what are ya doin’? We’ve already started!” Spitfire shook her head and saw that Applejack had already finished her first pie. Crumbs flew from the mare’s lips as she yelled.

“Oh, pony feathers!” Spitfire wasted no more time in as she dove face first into her blueberry pie. Fans cheered loudly as Soarin downed his first pie and started on his second, but they stopped when his head shot up and he raised a hoof to his throat. With wild red eyes he backed away from the table, flapping his wings in a panic, his mouth opened and closed repeatedly like a fish out of water. Soarin was choking.

The other competitors stopped eating and were about to move into aid the pegasus when a pink blur zoomed across the tables. At a speed that would make Rainbow Dash proud, Pinkie was behind Soarin, and with a look of raw determination began performing the Heimlich. After several thrusts, Soarin spat out a large piece of pie which was followed by a big gulp of air. He continued coughing and hacking, while Pinkie rubbed his back. The rest of the competitors looked on in concern, until Pinkie waved for them to continue. Once they saw that Soarin was going to be fine they all went back to their pies, trying to make up for lost time but making sure to chew thoroughly.

Pinkie continued her ministration, as Soarin struggled to slow his breathing. “That’s it... nice and slow, take big breaths. Do you think you’re going to need the doctor?” She signaled for a glass of water.

He shook his head before another coughing fit took him. When it passed, Pinkie handed him the glass with which accepted with a gracious nod. He drank deeply, draining the glass before looking over his savior’s shoulder and let his head drop. Pinkie could see he was not only embarrassed, but knew that there was no way for him to catch up with the others now. She could feel it as his body tensed in frustration.

“Come on, it's okay... there's always next year,” Pinkie soothed. Soarin mumbled some incoherent reply. Pinkie glanced around before leaning in to whisper, “And I know that there will be more, and fresher pies at the afterparty. If you take them to the back room Spitfire won't see you.”

Soarin’s ears pricked a little at the invitation before he looked back at the pink earth pony. “Thanks. I guess... that does make me feel a bit better.” Looking over Pinkie’s shoulder once more Soarin pointed back at the remaining pie-eaters. “Shouldn’t you be watching them?”

“Don't be silly, I have an egg timer to let me know when it’s-” Pinkie’s explanation was cut short when - much to Soarin’s shock - her mane started shaking and buzzing as if bees lived in it. “Time!” Pinkie screamed into Soarin’s face, scaring him so bad that he was now hiccupping on the ground.

The now-engorged contestants slumped heavily to the ground. Spitfire fell to her haunches, letting her wings hang limply, inspecting her swollen stomach with an almost horrified expression. Applejack was not doing much better. Her hat lay fallen to the ground. The only thing preventing her head from joining it was the table. Zecora fell the the ground moaning as she held her sides. Big Mac let out a grunt of his own at being full, but tremendous belch brought on a look of relief.

Pinkie bounced happily over to the table before speaking into her mic. “Okay, now let’s see who ate how many! Soarin, I'm sorry but you only ate...” Pinkie’s ears drooped as her shoulders sagged. “One pie.” Soarin gave a sad nod.

Continuing to bounce down the table Pinkie stopped at the next contestant who looked quite pale, her face very close to one of her unfinished pies. “Umm... Zecora, are you okay? You don't look so good..." Pinkie Pie twisted her head upside down so she could have a better look at her friends face.

The zebra in question shook her head and let out a low moan. It seemed as if she was trying to say something but gave up after a few attempts. “Uh oh. We need a doctor, stat!”

Nurses Redheart and Tenderheart rushed out from the medical tent and lifted the pained zebra onto a stretcher before taking her away, as Pinkie gave the departing ponies a cheery wave. "Don't be sick for too long or else you'll miss out on who wins." Pinkie returned her attention back to Zecora's empty pie tins.

"Zecora managed to put away two and a half pies, putting her in the lead." Pinkie bounce up onto her hind legs as she spoke through the megaphone.

Moving along Pinke stopped and counted the pies from both Applejack and Spitfire. Both ponies were panting from eating so much so fast but they looked to be in far better shape than the last competitor. “Wow-wee! You two both ate four pies in less than five minutes.”

Applejack bent down grabbing her hat, dusting it off before putting back up and put it atop her head before wiping her mouth free of crumbs. “Pinkie, I still can't even imagine how you can eat pies and cakes like that all the time. I feel like I’m gonna pop any minute now...”

“I don't even think I can walk, let alone fly,” Spitfire managed in a labored tones, rolling to her side in an attempt to relieve the pressure of the ground against her belly. “I am not doing this again anytime soon.”

Pinkie simply smiled as she walked to the last pony. Big Macintosh was standing like it was any other day, a simple smile across his lips.

“Hiya Macky, how many pies did you eat?” she asked, as she started counting the empty pie tins. “Five, six- Wow, you ate seven pies! Boy, you sure can eat!”

Big Mac bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Eeyup.”

Pinkie pulled out her megaphone and jumped up onto the table with enough force to launch two of the remaining pies into the faces of both Spitfire and Applejack. Standing on her hind legs Pinkie took a deep breath. “Okay everypony! The winner of the first ever Super-duper Pinkie Pie Pie-eating Contest is Big Macintosh!”

XXX

While she did not have a phobia of hospitals, Dash couldn’t exactly say that she was fond of them either, as the pegasus walked down the hospital corridor. When she arrived, the doctor had brought Twilight into another room. A nurse had taken Dash aside and looked at her head looked at again, and her bandages had been replaced. Right now she was on her way back to Twilight’s room. The unicorn had asked her to go to the library to inform Spike what had happened as well as to grab a few books to read.

Looking over her shoulder at her wings as she let out a heavy sigh. Walking to and from the library had been mind-numbingly slow, as the spell locking her wings down was still in effect. Her wings still squirmed against their magical constriction. It was maddening. “I hope I’m not grounded for too long...” she grumbled to herself before pushing open the door and entering Twilight’s room.

As she stepped inside she had to bite her tongue to prevent herself from laughing out. Twilight was out of her bed and was standing on her hind legs, while she used her hooves to fight with the latch on the window. The surprisingly colorful language coming from the librarian’s mouth was only making it harder for Rainbow to stay composed.

“Hey Twi, having trouble?” Dash managed, barely able to restrain her mirth.

“Ahh!” Twilight screamed and spun around so fast that she lost her footing. Her head smacked against the wooden head of the bed as she fell, and she gripped it in pain. After a few seconds, she uncurled, looking to the door with ears laid back in annoyance as she send the most nasty glare she could muster. “Rainbow! Don't you know better than to sneak up on ponies?”

“And don’t you know how to open a window without your magic?” The pegasus snorted as she walked past her glaring friend “I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed your saddlebags.” Dash spoke while she set the bag of book on the table next to the bed. “Oh, by the way... that window doesn't open, so next time you want to plan your escape... try the vents.”

Twilight looked to her friend and to the window and back again before sighing, pulling her self of the floor the purple mare collapsed back to her bed. “Dash, how did you know I was even trying to escape, let alone about the window?

“Well for one you would not stop asking the doctors if you could go home, and after they put that anti magic thing on your horn, you looked ready to banish the nurse to the moon.” Dash laughed at her own joke, but it quickly trailed off when she saw Twilight’s expression.

“It’s not funny! It's only a bump on the head and now they slap this anti-magic ring around my horn like I’m some little filly that can't be trusted!” Twilight snapped as she laid down on her belly, an angry pout painted across her face. “It’s like telling you that you can't fly because you sprained a hoof.”

“Come on Twi, just relax. I know it sucks, but think about it this way - you don't have to stress over keeping your silly schedules for a night and you can kick back for a bit! It’s like... a vacati...” Rainbow stopped her current line of thought as she received a cold, hard stare from her purple friend. “What I mean to say is look I brought you some books! I know how much my little egghead loves her books.” Dash gave a nervous bark of laughter as she grabbed hold of one of the books and gave it to Twilight.

Twilight tried holding her icy stare longer, but her mind had fixed itself onto what Dash had said. ‘my little egghead’... what had Dash meant by that? Surely it couldn’t mean that... could it? ‘my little egghead’. Maybe she was overthinking this. Maybe Dash was speaking from a completely platonic perspective.

With a jolt, Twilight was suddenly aware that she had been silent for an increasingly awkward amount of time. “S...So,” she stuttered with embarrassment, “What took you so long to get to the library and back? You are usually much faster than...” Twilight's eyes snapped wide open with realization. “Your wings are still locked! Don’t worry, I can just-” Then she remembered the ring, and growled in annoyance before slumping into her pillows.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and waved a dismissive hoof, amused by the display. “Don’t sweat it, Twi. Being grounded for a day or two won't kill me.” That was a bit of a lie. She would have liked the spell ended as soon as possible, but having Twilight stress out about it was the last thing she needed right now. “And it's not like I have to go to work; I have the next two days off.” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck nervously. “But seeing how I said I was going to stay with you while you're here, well... I don't need to go home.” Rainbow smiled as she started walking back to the door.

“Wait! Rainbow, where are you going? I thought you said you were staying!”

“Oh, this was my room last time I was here. That window doesn't open it gets really stuffy, so I’m going to see if I can get us a better room for the Daring Doo marathon. Back in a bit.”

Before Twilight could say anything Dash had zipped out of the room, leaving the unicorn to her own devices. Reaching over, she grabbed her saddlebag and opened the flap and saw the stack of adventure books. “You're lucky you're so cute,” Twilight sighed to herself, reaching for the one on top.

“Well, aren't you a sweet talker? Tell me, do you say that to all the pegasi you meet?

Twilight yelped, the book she had been holding slipped from her grasp. She made a clumsy grab for it, but the book thudded to the ground. She turned to the speaker, only to find Spitfire leaning against the door frame, wearing an expression of supreme amusement on her face. “Spitfire! W-what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at the competition?”

The Wonderbolt straightened. “It’s already over. Big Macintosh won gold, and I tied for third place with AJ. But you can't win them all, not even me,” she joked, but there was a hint of disappointment in the Wonderbolt’s voice. “But I came here in the hope I can ask for your help.”

Twilight smiled as brightly as she could given her condition. “Well sure, if you think I can, I’d be more than happy to help.” She watched Spitfire approach the bed. Gone was that irritatingly knowing smile, and there was hesitance to pegasus’ movements. Spitfire had struck her as a rather self-assured pony, and Twilight was surprised to see what almost looked like... sheepishness?

Once Spitfire was close enough she gave a soft smile, but her wings nervously twitched and fluttered a few times. “I was wondering... do you know if Applejack is seeing anypony?”

“Seeing anypony?” It took a moment for the meaning of what Spitfire had said to set in. “Oh!” Twilight's eyes widened in understanding. “You mean... as in romantically?”

Now Spitfire was blushing more than a little. “Well yeah, that’s kinda the idea. I mean, I know that I don't really know her all that well, but I would... you know... like to get to know her better.” She smiled before shaking her head at the thought of her acting like a school filly with a crush.

“I’m sorry, but it’s really my place to talk about AJ’s love life without her permission,” Twilight shrugged apologetically.

Spitfire nodded. “I understand. Every day I have a pony asking about Soarin and if he’s dating, or if he's gay... it's all part of being famous.Trust me when I say I know what you mean.”

Twilight tilted her head in confusion, she stuck her tounge out the side of her mouth as if she was trying to understand something “But I thought you and Soarin were engaged?” she said, recalling a rumor that she had heard from Dash.

Spitfire was laughing now as she shook her head. “Goddesses no, that’s just a cover.” Her smile vanished as she placed a hoof on Twilight’s bed and looked the wounded mare in the eye. “But in all seriousness, what I am about to tell you is not to leave this room. It could cost me my job and my reputation. Can I trust you?”

Twilight could see that Spitfire meant every word that she said. “Are you sure you want to tell me? If it means risking your career...?” she left the implied question unspoken.

Spitfire turned away. “Only a few know this my family and my best friend. The truth is I’m a fillyfooler. Soarin and I cooked up that cover story to protect me. You see, last year we had a rookie on the team who came out, and the sponsors were not happy with that at all. After she came out the sponsor’s all pulled their bits. Most of the team are in it for the money, and would not fly until she left.”

“That’s horrible! How could anypony be so cruel! What happened to her?”

“Well, Soarin and I fought tooth and hoof for her, but the rest of the team started taunting her and bullying her - Fleetfoot even wrote ‘Get lost Dyke’ across her locker.” Twilight gasped at the news. “She was so devastated that her friends cared more about the bits then her, so she did what they all wanted her to do, and left.”

“Thats horrible! If the Princess knew about she...”

“What could the Princesses have done? Force the companies give us and her their bits? Disband the Wonderbolts?” Spitfire sighed and walked over to the window, staring outside. “Sometimes even the princesses are powerless. The point is if word got out about me, my career is over.”

Twilight nodded her head and sighed. “Okay, okay... but I don't even know if Applejack even like mares like that. I've never seen her show any interest in anypony before.”

“Well, how did she take it when you told her about you and Rainbow?” asked Spitfire.

“What?” Twilight shouted and scrambled to her hooves. Unfortunately the sheets of the beds had found their way around her legs making her fall off the bed and to the floor.

Spitfire winched at the very audible thud of impact. “Are you okay?” she asked, peeking around to the other side of the bed.

“What? I never said I... we never... I mean, Rainbow... “ Twilight untangled herself from the sheets and stood back up, vainly trying to project a veneer of composure. “What makes you think... I mean, what are you talking about?”

“Wait, aren't the two of you together?” Spitfire’s expression grew increasingly worried. “I mean, the way you were acting around her, the whisperings, and how jealous you were about Gilda... Oh goddesses, please don’t tell anyone what I told you!” Spitfire’s voice had risen to a panicked pitch.

Twilight saw the growing panic in the flier’s eyes and brought her hooves up. “No, no! You're right about me, I’m.... I’m a fillyfooler too, and do sort of have this huge crush on Dash. I just can't get the courage to tell anypony, let alone her. So I guess I’m not the one to help you. But I do know that AJ responds well to hard working and honest ponies, and she always puts her family first.”

“Thanks, that’s not exactly why I came here but that does help a lot. But do you think you can tell me more?”

“Like what?”

Spitfire smiled from ear to ear as she helped Twilight get back into bed. “Things she likes. Music, favorite foods, flowers, places she likes to go, things she likes to do...”

Twilight hesitated, unsure where to start. “Okay. Well, Applejack...” She told Spitfire all she could without delving too far into Applejack’s private life and even told Spitfire a few short stories as well.

Spitfire listened with rapt attention through it all, asking a few questions but mostly staying quiet till Twilight had finished. “Thank you so much Twilight. It may not seem like it, but this is a big help. If you can ever think of a way for me to repay you please don't hesitate to ask. I owe you one big time. Now if you'll excuse me I need to find Soarin before he asks Pinkie Pie to marry him or she stuffs him so full of pies he’ll never get off the ground again.”

Spitfire saluted and turned to leave Twilight to rest, carefully, closing the door behind her. But just beyond the doorway, she came face to face with a certain cyan pegasus, standing with shock and confusion upon her face.

“Oh, crap...”

XXXX

As always I would like to thank Mr. X for all his hard.

Oaky everypony, like you all know I have said that I have been unhappy with this story. I had let more than a few opportunities slip by and I feel I have really messed up the shiping. But I have found a way to make it all work out in the junkyard I call a brain. I am using this as a platform for the other parts of my this story. So Yes There is a part two, where Twi and Dash will build up as well as more of Trixie and Vinyl! The best part is am already working on it so please don’t give up on me!

Thank you all for reading and making me feel like I am not wasting my time. It is the readers that make it all worthwhile. I love you all. even that fan who is sending me death threats for not updating faster. You know you who are!

^ This is what I have to deal with. Pity me.

-‘Mr X’ (Apparently)

Chapter Nine- Schemes

Chapter Nine - Schemes

The clouds of Equestria serve many functions, from transporting water across the lands, offering shade on a hot day, to beds and homes alike, and, on occasion, a convenient perch for ponies to spy on others. A certain cloud hung above Sweet Apple Acres, where Spitfire lay on her belly peeking over the edge at a particular earth pony going about her morning chores.

“Great, now I’m acting like one of my stalkers,” she muttered to herself, not appreciating the irony. She shivered.

“You know I wasn't going to say anything, but yeah, you kinda are.” Spitfire sent a glare at the pony who had spoken, but Rainbow simply rolled her eyes in response.

“Yeah, coming from you of all ponies? Real funny, Dash.”

“Hey! I’ve never stalked you, or any of the other ‘bolts!” Rainbow said defensively.

Spitfire looked over her shoulder with a raised brow. “Really now? And what do you call that little drop-in at Soarin’s birthday?”

Laughing a little, Rainbow rubbed the back of her head. “Umm... happy accident?”

Now taking her turn to roll her eyes, the captain of the Wonderbolts looked back over the cloud’s edge, a heavy sigh escaping her as her gaze fell back to the farmer below. “Goddess, I hope she’s not one of those closed-minded ponies.”

“Just relax, I already told you that AJ has never done anything to tell me she hates ‘foolers. Heck, she was one of the first ponies to congratulate Lyra and Bon Bon. She even helped make all the food for their coming-out par-” She stopped mid-sentence, an idea growing.

An uneasiness stirred in Spitfire’s stomach as a horribly avid grin grew to dominate her companion’s visage. There was a roguish glint in Rainbow’s eye as she continued, “That’s it! I’ll make my move tonight at Twi’s slumber party, and then you can see how AJ takes it! That way you won't have any reason to not ask her out!”

Spitfire mulled it over, but she could not find any obvious faults in the plan. “You know Rainbow, I like the way you think, but what about Twilight? Will it be okay with me coming along uninvited?”

“Are you kidding me? Twilight loves spending time with her friends. If I know anything about Twi, it’s this, trust me, she’ll be cool with it.” Dash said proudly as she stuck out her chest.

Smiling at the chance to take the conversation off of her and Applejack, Spitfire moved around to face her multichromatic friend. “Speaking of everypony’s favorite unicorn, how are you going to to - and I quote - ‘Make your move’?”

“Well I was going to do it tonight and surprise her and the others. After I have my fun, of course,” Rainbow shouted delphically, diving off the cloud and wings spread for town.

“Fun? Dash, wait!” Spitfire flew after her friend.” Why do I get the feeling I won't like this idea as much as your last?”

“Hey, it’s fine, I’m just going to play a few pranks and flirt with her a bit before I ask.”

“Rainbow, I don't think this is a good idea. You know Twilight likes you, why not just ask her out? I'm sure it will be a dream come true for her,” Spitfire suggested as she flew alongside Rainbow Dash, zipping about the mid morning sky.

“If It was anypony else I would. But this is too good to pass up! I’ve had my own crush on her since day one, and before I had a chance to ask her out we had to stop Nightmare Moon and then I found myself friendzoned. Not that I minded too much, you know, but now I learn that she’s got the hots for the Dash! I am going to milk this for all its worth.” Dash spoke with a cocky grin as she barrel rolled over some birds. “Besides, how often do you get to make your best friend’s dream come true? I want Twi to remember this always.”

“It just seems like a lot can go wrong,” Spitfire answered, letting out a sigh. ”I just don't want to see this blow up on either of you - I owe her big time.”

“It’ll be fine, if worst comes to worse I’ll just get her a new book.” Dash angled her wings and started to dive, leaving Spitfire in the clouds. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have a library to crash into! Later!”

“I hope she’s kidding.” Shaking her head and laughing to herself Spitfire turned around and started flying back to Cloudsdale to make sure her schedule was free that evening, and maybe get a little grooming done as well. Looking her best certainly couldn’t hurt.

XXXX

At the other end of town Twilight Sparkle was getting ready for her sleepover, and that meant only one thing. A checklist. Floating over her clipboard and quill she looked down the list with a satisfied grin. “Snacks, check. Books of ghost stories, check. Extra bedding?” Using her magic Twilight opened her closet and levitated out a generous amount of blankets and bed rolls. “Check.”

“Look out below!”

Without removing her eyes from her checklist Twilight used her magic and opened a window, just in time for to spare it from a rocketing Rainbow Dash. The pegasi in question darted through window causing no harm to neither herself nor property. ”You're starting to get pretty good at that, Twi.” Rainbow circled the room to slow herself down before coming to a stop next to her friend.

“Well, as much as I love to re-shelve the books it tends be rather tedious doing it every time you decide to pay me a visit, Rainbow.” Twilight directed in a somewhat accusatory tone, before returning to her checklist.

Rainbow leaned over Twilight's shoulder, brushing her cheek with her own, causing the purple unicorn to color a fine shade of red. “You don’t have much for entertainment, Twi.” Rainbow had to suppress a smirk as she felt Twilight tense under her touch, and rubbed the unicorn’s cheek a little bit more before walking away.

“W-what do you mean?” Twilight shook off her blush and put on a serious expression as she read down her list. “I have ghost stories, truth or dare, board games - I even have extra pillows for the pillow fight.” Twilight looked over her list yet again to see if she had missed anything.

“No, your list is fine... It’s just that whenever we play truth or dare we always dumb it down, play it like foals. It’s just a little lame - don’t get me wrong, I love seeing Applejack in a dress as the next pony, but it after so many times it starts losing its novelty. A pillow fight is only fun for a short time, and we can’t do that more than once. I just think we need to think of something more, is all.”

“I guess see your point...” Twilight frowned at her list, annoyed that she wasn’t as prepared as she imagined she was. “You wouldn't happen to have any suggestions, would you?”

“Well...” Inwardly, Rainbow celebrated. Twilight was playing along right to her tune. “...we can always spice up truth or dare... you know, asking better, more embarrassing questions and more outrageous dares. Like we can ask Applejack if she’s ever fantasized about anypony, or dare Pinkie Pie to kiss the first pony she sees... stuff like that.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight wanted to chastise the other pony but she was too busy laughing. “You’re not serious, are you?” Her friend only offered a deadpan expression. “Well, maybe we can spice up truth or dare a little, but remember we can’t just turn Pinkie loose, and we can’t forget about Fluttershy. You know how sensitive she can be.”

“Yeah, I know, but just think how much fun it would be. Isn't there anything you ever wanted to know about us? Or wanting to see us do something embarrassing?”

Twilight looked thoughtfully at her crush before a wry expression crossed her face. “Maybe... I’ve always wanted to see you play dress-up with Rarity.”

Rainbow pulled a face at the idea. She had been dolled up by Rarity before. It had been thoroughly unenjoyable. She quickly masked it a smirk. “I’m glad to see you getting into the spirit of things, but remember one thing, egghead - I can be your most intimate ally, or your most bitter enemy.”

While talking she had been approaching her prey, and now Dash was dangerously close to Twilight, almost nose to nose. Twilight shifted uncomfortably, placing a little more distance between them. Twilight became anxious with every step Rainbow took but tried to suppress any wayward thoughts and took a step to the side to add a little distance between them.

“Duly noted, Rainbow. So, does my most... i-intimate-” She stuttered and colored a magnificent shade of red as she said the word, much to Rainbow’s amusement, “-ally have any more ideas?”

Taking a few steps back Dash sat down on the rug. “We can always play poker.”

“Oh. I’ve never played poker before.” Twilight lowered her head and let her ears drop down a little.

“Don't worry, knowing you, I would bet my Wonderbolt collection that you have a book or two that you can study, and I can always teach you if you want me to. Lyra, Bonbon, Colgate and I used to play twice a month, before Bon opened her shop, and Colgate moved to Manehatten.”

“That does sound like fun, I never had a chance to really play cards before, I always just made castles and forts out of them with Spike. Thanks, Rainbow.”

Rainbow feigned meandering towards the bookshelf across the room, taking care to brush against her friend. “Don't worry Twi, I got you covered,” Rainbow said as she passed.

At the body contact Twilight let slip an appreciative sigh, before realization took place and she tried to cover it up with a feigned coughing fit, taking advantage of the time it brought her to shaking her head clear of any romantic thoughts. “Y...Yeah I know, thanks Rainbow.” Twilight turned away from the pegasus, unwilling to give her body the chance to betray anything more.

Dash felt no shortage of pride at the strength unicorn’s reaction, but she was worried that she might have pushed her friend too hard. “Oh, Twi, I almost forgot; I flew into Spitfire earlier and I was wondering if I could bring her along tonight?”

“Oh, she’s in town again? Must be thinking of a way to ask Applejack ou-” Twilight’s eyes shot wide with panic as the words on the tip of her tongue died. It had only been a few days and she already almost blew Spitfire’s secret. “... ask AJ about a food contract for the Wonderbolts... their shows. Selling food at their shows, yes.”

Pausing at the door, Rainbow looked back at the unicorn, who was now avoiding any and all eye contact. ‘Gee, and I thought AJ was a bad liar.’ “Whatever you say Twi. Y’know, I bet she’s here to ask me to join the Wonderbolts! This is so awesome!” To illustrate her point she flared her wings up before flapping them excitedly.

Twilight was at a loss for words. She knew Spitfire wasn’t in town for that reason, but she couldn't tell her friend why, not without revealing what she swore not to keep secret and dashing Rainbow’s hopes. “I... is that what she told you? I mean, do you really think she would take such a roundabout way in inviting you to the Wonderbolts? Wouldn't it be more practical if sent you a letter or something?”

The prismatic pegasus let her wings retract and let her body relax a little. “Yeah, I guess you're right, but that doesn't mean I can't impress her while she is in town, right?” With a proud smile she shot out the window. “Later!”

Twilight watched her crush leave out an open window, and shook her head as she muttered to herself. “Why is she so cute?”

“I don’t know, maybe you're just weird,” Spike remarked as he walked by with a stack of books.

“Spike, don’t you have to be at the train station?” Twilight asked in an sickeningly sweet tone, though Spike was too busy sorting a few books to note the underlying insinuation.

“Nope, the train to Canterlot won't arrive for another twenty minutes.” He placed the top book on his pile back on its shelf before looking at his caretaker with a hint of pride. ”And I’m already all packed, so I have plenty of time.”

“Good, then you won't mind leaving early.” Both Spike and his suitcase vanished in a flash of light, the books that he had been carrying tumbling to the floor with a rustling of pages. “That will teach him for being a smart aleck. Now, where was I?” Twilight began to adding some revisions to her list when the library's front door was yanked open, only to be slammed shut again a moment later. “Dash! How many times do I have to tell you not to-”

“Sparkle!” cracked a voice that might have sounded imperious, were it not for the sheer panic that colored it.

Twilight whirled around to see a wide-eyed unicorn. “Trixie? What in the world are you doing?”

Trixie was pressed up against the door as though bracing against forces unknown, panting as if she had just run a marathon. “You have to hide Trixie, that crazy pony won't leave her be!” the magician blurted when she had caught her breath.

“What are you talking about? Who’s after you?” Twilight asked. There was a loud knock at the door. “Trixie, what did you d-”

Trixies silenced Twilight by locking a magical band over her mouth, before moving in close, whispering, “No time, you never saw Trixie.” With that she zipped up the stairs, the magical muzzle disappearing with her.

Shaking her head, Twilight craned her head up the stairs where Trixie had vanished.

“Some ponies...” Shaking her head again, this time in disapproval, Twilight opened door and was suddenly confronted by dual purple reflections of herself.

“Sorry to bother you, but I’m looking for a sexy looking blue mare that came running in here, do you think you could point me in the right dire- Hey, you’re Twilight Sparkle!” the white unicorn in the threshold pointed a hoof at Twilight as her smile grew wider. “Thanks again for the work at the Iron Pony. I’m still trippin on how many bits you paid me for it.”

“You earned it Vinyl, not only did you supply the music, but with all your extra help in the announcers’ booth; a little pay raise was the least I could do.” Twilight stepped away from the door, letting her guest in, the smile on her face never wavering.

“Speaking of announcing and my co-announcer...,” Vinyl wiggled her eyebrows before looking around the room, “where that spicy little filly?”

“Oh... I think she’s kind of busy?” Twilight suggested with shrug.

“That’s cool. I’ll wait.” Vinyl walked past Twilight and started perusing the shelves of the fantasy section.

“So how long do you plan on waiting?” Twilight shut the door and went back to her preparations for her slumber party.

“Well, I’m not too sure. I guess till I get bored or you tell me what room she’s hiding in. Hey, do you have any comics? Those things are great for passing the time.”

“We have a few, but Spike likes to hide them away for himself. I can go look for them if you like.”

“Nah, that’s cool, but if you can tell me about Trix that would be great! Like what sorta food does she like to eat, the music that gets her hooves movin’, are her mane and tail actually silver, or does she dye it?” Vinyl asked loudly to the entire library, knowing that a certain azure mare was listening in.

“I’m sorry, but I don't really know Trixie all that well, so I don't know what sort of food or music she likes, but I know she takes tremendous pride in her performance as a showpony as well as the quality of her work, so you both have the spotlight in common,” Twilight stopped and brought a hoof up to her chin. ”And now that you mention it, her mane is a little odd. I know the Mayor dyes her mane and tail. It’s possible that Trixie could too.”

The thunderous sounds of hooves trampling down stairs echoed through the library. “Enough! Trixie will not stand by and let you spread slander and mistruths about her!”

Now at the library floor, Trixie turned an icy glare onto the two other mares. Twilight looked a little surprised, but Vinyl stood there with an infuriatingly smug grin painted on her face. “Oh good, looks like you're finished. Now, about that date you owe me....” She trailed off, amused expectation dripping from every word.

Trixie began sputtering in disbelief. “What? Trixie means that she, no, I mean... You never told Trixie you were serious! How can you expect her to go through with this!?” The flustered unicorn looked around the room for help but only saw a nervous looking Twilight Sparkle. “And I am a mare!” she shouted, forgetting to speak of herself in third person.

Vinyl pushed up her glasses and inspected Trixie for a moments. “Yes, that is something that I have observed about you.”

“And you're a mare!”

Vinyl nodded slowly. “Yes, I am. Thank you for noticing.”

“Then you asking me out that makes you a...” Trixies swallowed hard and spoke in a low whisper. ”You're a fillyfooler?”

Vinyl looked to Twilight and shrugged. “You know, I think she’s finally starting to get it.”

“But, but it’s- I mean, I neve...” Trixie struggled to articulate from across the room.

Seeing where this was going, Vinyl stopped Trixie’s rambling with a hoof to her lips. “I know what you're going to say: it’s wrong, it’s weird and it’s unnatural - a blight on the world of the goddesses. Well guess what what? It’s not, there’s no law saying a mare can’t lay with a mare, or a stallion with another stallion. Are there ponies out there that think it’s wrong? You bet your last bit shivering at the bottom of your purse there is, but there are those who support it too. At her own wedding I heard right from Princess Cadence’s own mouth, ‘You cannot lay shackles on who loves whom. Love is an unexpected thing - you never know when it will find you, but when it does it’s your job to never let it go.’

“Now I asked you out because I find you interesting, funny, and honest - you're not afraid to speak your mind - and let’s face it, you are just all kinds of sexy. Now if you want to go out for dinner tonight go home and get ready, and if you don’t want to, well... I hope we can still be friends.” Vinyl spoke with a solemnity that few had ever heard from the rambunctious unicorn.

Trixie stared at the musician, dumbfounded, her mouth hanging slightly open in a rather undignified manner. Eventually she shook herself out of her shock. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out hissing between her teeth. She made her way towards the library entrance, opening the door. As she stepped outside, she turned to look at Vinyl.

“Trixie will expect you to pick her up at seven, and you better show her a good time, or she will have to saw you in half at her next show.” With that, the door clicked shut behind the magician. A perfect quiet held the room for a moment or two before a rich, throaty chuckle sounded from Vinyl’s throat.

“Scrach old girl, you still got it.” She danced in a little circle giggling to herself before remembering there was another individual in the room. Twilight was standing there, a mix of surprise and deep contemplation written across her face. “Hey, you okay there Sparks?”

Twilight looked at Vinyl with envy and sighed before falling to her hunches. “How do you do it? How can you speak so openly about being gay with such confidence? How can you ask somepony out without even knowing their sexuaity? Without fear of anypony hounding or hating you for it?”

Vinyl took off her glasses and sat next to Twilight, offering a warm smile. “You haven't told anypony have you?” Twilight shook her head, letting a few tears drip down her cheeks. “I know it’s not easy in the closet. Always hiding who you are, how you feel, worrying what your friends and family will say. But you know what?” Twilight looked up into the DJ’s eyes and thought how much they reminded her of Dash’s. “The stress from coming out, and whatever ridicule you’ll get is nothing compared to the stress and self-loathing you feel in hiding.”

“You make coming out sound so easy,” the librarian whispered.

“Now there’s a joke. Coming out to my dad was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. He took it kinda hard at first. Shut himself up at work for weeks. I thought he would never speak to me again.” By this point Twilight looked even worse than before. ”But then dad came home from work, and it turned out he was just trying to close a big deal or something, he was never mad, or disappointed in me at, and he was sorry for letting me think so in the first place. He was so sorry he even tried to set me up with a client's daughter.”

Twilight brought her leg up to her mouth to help stifle her laughter at the bit of news. ”You're kidding.”

“I wish. I never felt so awkward. But the point is it’s not easy. I was lucky with my dad, but that first week, it was hell Twilight. And I did lose a lot of my friends, even my job at the time. But I never regretted it, not for a second.”

“But what if?” Twilight’s horn started to glow and floated over a photograph of her and all her friends. They were all in the library standing in front of a beautifully decorated Hearth's Warming Tree. “What if they reject me? I care for them so much, I don't think I could live knowing they hate me.”

“If they truly are your friends, and love you as much as you love them, then you have nothing to worry about. But if any of them to turn on you then you know who your true friends are.”

Vinyl was taken back when she felt two hooves wrap around her in a gentle hut. “I can name at least one right now. Thank you Vinyl. I think I’m going to tell her tonight.”

“Anytime, Sparks. Anytime.”

Pulling away from the hug Twilight gave the DJ a questioning look. “You know, I was at that wedding, and I never heard Cadance say that about love.”

The blue maned pony snickered. “Busted. Truth is, my manager payed some writer to whip up Tavi and me a script for a press release about our ‘relationship.” Vinyl rolled her eyes at the word.

“Who’s Tavi?” Twilight inquired with a tilt of the head.

“Oh, well you may have heard of her real name, Octavia. She plays first cello in the Canterlot Orchestra. We’ve bee-.”

Vinyl was interrupted when Twilight stood up, and glared angrily at the other unicorn. “Wait, you’re dating Octavia Philharmonica and you still asked Trixie out?! After your whole thing about love her and saying she was interesting, and why? Did you think it would be funny?”

“Okay, calm your horn Sparks, before you go off on me and start saying how I am the worst kind of pony- first off, Octavia and I been friends since we were blank flanks; second, and you can't go around repeating any of this...” Vinyl pointed a hoof at Twilight who simply nodded her head. “... second, Tavi is not gay, she’s bi, and she likes stallions a lot more. This whole thing with her and me was cooked up by our managers to boost publicity. And it worked great; nothing gets a little media attention like a little controversy. But Tavi is getting upset with it, not that I blame her. I mean do you know how hard it is to pretend to date your best friend and be a celebrity at the same time?”

“So you're not really dating her?”

“Off the record, nope. As for Trix, I am interested in her, and I will be telling her all about this thing with Tavi tonight. So don't worry your cute little flank over it. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that Vinyl Scratch is... Well no. I’m not always honest,” she laughed, replacing her glasses onto her face. “Well, I guess I should be going now, I’ve got a date to prepare for and I’ve intruded on your hospitality long enough.” She moved for the door.

“Vinyl, I...” Twilight started before settling on a smile, “Thank you.”

“No problem.” Flashing one last brilliant grin, Vinyl left, the door gently closing behind her.

Twilight was alone in the library. She looked at the list she still held suspended and sighed.
“Tonight, then...” she whispered.

Note

Yes, yes after so long I’m back from my banishment! and I am back with a new chapter for all thoes that have waited. I hope its up to your standards! so you know the Drill Leave a comment saying how great I am, and thanks for reading!

PS if you like this story check out my ‘new’ story Twists and turns!

Thank you to my Beta/proof readers for all their help, without them this would not be possible:

Salacar

Homegirl