Rainbow is Magic S2: Apple Family Feudby aceotakuChaptersChapter 1: BreakoutChapter 2: VisitorsChapter 3: The Running of the LeavesChapter 1: BreakoutA crowd watched as several ponies raced down a track towards a finish line. Many of them wore specialised outfits to assist them in running, one in particular stood out as she dashed past her competitors. A blue coated pony, she wore a black and white striped speed suit along with a large black helmet with purple tinted glass visors over her eyes. She smirked as she felt the wind on her, running faster as she ran across the finish line, skidding to a stop to pull a triumphant pose. “And in first place,” a pony announced, “Photo Finish!” As several racers crossed the line and groaned in annoyance at their loss, ponies surrounded Photo Finish to take pictures and interview her, the racer removing her helmet to reveal her mid-length straight white mane, placing a pair of pink tinted sunglasses over her eyes. “So now that you won the Manehatten Marathon,” A reporter asked her, “Are you planning to try your hoof at the Running of the Leaves? Considering that its being held at such a small place like Ponyville, not to mention how dangerous its gotten over there lately...” Photo Finish smirked cockily. “Why, of course! I vouldn’t miss such a race for all ze vorld! I can’t VAIT to see who I’ll be up against in Ponyville...and have zem taste my DUST!” Rarity grinned widely as she read the newspaper, then got up to her hooves and started running through town, screaming in joy. Investigating the sound pollution, Applejack found her friend standing on a fountain that had recently been set up by the current Mayor. “Rarity, darling, whatever are you doing? Ah thought some deranged beast had invaded the town!” Rarity blinked and stopped her noise making, turning to the fashion designer. “Oh! Sorry, AJ, but I just heard the BEST news!” “The Princess has decreed that Ah design the clothing for the noble ponies of Canterlot?” Applejack asked, her tone at its most earnest and serious. “No!” Rarity denied. “Photo Finish herself is coming HERE to compete in the Running of the Leaves!” Applejack blinked. “Ah..should Ah know who that is? Is she some sort of..photographer?” The white unicorn gasped in shock. “You...you never heard of her!? Photo Finish is ONLY the best race mare in Equestria! She’s won EVERY event she ran in, won tons of awards and has donated tons of bits to charity!” The earth pony blinked. “I....see.” “Hence that’s why I’m gonna compete in the race too!” Rarity grinned. “When’s the next time I’d get a chance like this? To race against THE Photo Finish! Why...I might even BEAT her, wouldn’t that be crazy!” Applejack shrugged. “Well Ah wish you good luck, darling.” “You’re not gonna compete?” “While Ah enjoy a good job every now and then, Ah simple don’t see myself running in such a long, arduous race for no reason. Plenty of ponies will be competing, Ah don’t see what difference my presence or absences will achieve.” “But...But it will be so fun!” Rarity argued. “For you, perhaps, Ah on the other hand would much rather spend some quiet time at the Spa.” Applejack turned and trotted off. “Now, you can be excited a bit more quietly while Ah go have some lunch.” Rarity watched her go. “Don’t worry AJ, the race is gonna be so much fun! You’ll see! Just you wait! I’ll show you!” In Wannaweep Penitentiary, one of Equestria’s finest prisons, several criminals sat in the mess hall, eating their lunch. A unicorn mare grumbled into her meal, an orihalcum ring around her horn to prevent her from casting magic. “I don’t deserve to be here!” A stallion beside her chuckled. His green coat was largely covered by the grey prisons shirt he and everyone else was forced to wear, his cutie mark of a blunderbuss on display. His mane was of medium length and quite greasy and scraggly, leading into a long beard hanging from around his chin and from his sideburns. His green eyes sparkled with intelligence as he smirked at the mare. “Oh? Havin’ yer hired muscle assault Celestia’s nephew, contribute to the riot at the Grand Galloping Gala AND blackmailing ponies into giving you control of their businesses and taking their money for yerself AIN’T enough reasons fer you ta be here, In-Charge?” “I am a mare of great standing, and a unicorn besides!” The former noble In Charge snapped, facing the smugly smirking stallion. “Unlike a mud pony like you, I am of a higher stature among the pony races, I simply do not BELONG in this...this cesspit! I was well within my right as a member of Canterlot nobility to do as I pleased! Blueblood had shamed himself in the Princess’s eyes and associating with him would be social suicide, I was merely reminding him of his standing! And surely I deserved that money far more than those ingrates and bottom feeders!” “And look where ‘doin’ as ya pleased’ got ya.” Rotten Bad Apple chuckled. “Locked up in prison with the REST of Equestria’s undesirables. As ‘shamed’ as Blueblood was at the time, at least he wasn’t arrested and tossed in here to rot!” “Bah!” The unicorn huffed, turning her head. “I shan’t spend any further time here! My employees and retainers shall see me out of here! I have a LOT of influence in Canterlot!” Rotten Bad Apple rose his eyebrow, then he started guffawing. “YOU ain’t got NOTHIN’! By ‘influence’ you mean ‘money’ and newsflash lady, YA AIN’T GOT NONE! Ya’ll really think the Guard would give ya access to yer wealth after going to the trouble of catchin’ ya? All yer assets are frozen, either moved to a bank for general use or handed out to other ponies! Yer ‘employees’ ain’t gonna give a DANG about what happens to ya since ya can’t pay ‘em and ya never will!” “How DARE You talk back to me, you filthy peasant!” In Charge shouted, turning to face him indignantly. She tried to use her magic to teach him a lesson....forgetting the orihalcum around her horn prevented her from so much as lifting a feather. Rotten sighed. “Idjits like ya are part of why Ah’m here in the first place.” With that, he lifted his plate and slammed it into the mare’s face, knocking her onto the floor. A couple of Guards walked over, their uniforms much simpler than the standard Royal Guard uniform, simple iron plate helmets and torso armour, their horn glowing. “Okay that’s enough! You two are going back to your cells before you start a riot!” In Charge yelped as their magic activated the shackles around her hooves, forcing her to stand and walk despite her pain. “Y-you filth! He should be drawn and quartered for striking my beautiful face!” The guards rolled their eyes and ignored her, one of them escorting her as his magic made her trot back to her sell, the remaining guard glaring at Rotten Bad Apple. Rotten shrugged and started trotting. “Hey now, I’m complyin’, no need to use any of that there prison magic on me!” “Between you and your daughter, I’m surprised your son was as well adjusted as he was.” The guardsmare spoke, a smirk forming over her yellow face. “Oh, but then again, I suppose you’re mad he got early parole for good behaviour, and you’re still stuck in here.” “Actually Ah’m more upset about mah daughter bein’ in solitary confinement.” Rotten argued. “She’s a delicate flower, after all.” “Your ‘delicate flower’ injured a dozen prisoners and five guards!” The guard replied in exasperation. “Hay, those ponies had it comin’!” She glared. “Well, doesn’t matter, cause you and the rest of your family are gonna be stuck here for a long, long time!” There was a crash as a nearby wall was smashed apart, several large wagons bursting through the hole, a stray bit of rubble knocking out the guard escorting In Charge. “Finally!” In Charge sighed with annoyance, walking towards the wagons, now able to walk under her own power. “You took your sweet time! Well, get these ugly metal things off me and get me out of here!” Braeburn Bad Apple stepped out from atop one of the wagons, pushing the mare away. “Nopony is here for you.” He looked over to his father, tossing a lasso to yank off the shackles restraining Rotten Bad Apple. “We’re breakin’ ya’ll out of here, Dad.” Rotten smirked as he flexed his hooves, getting used to the sensation of not being restrained. “Thanks son. Ah missed ya.” “Missed ya too, Dad.” “W-what what what!?!?” In Charge cried out in frustration and confusion, crying out as she and most other prisoners still in their shackles crumbled to the floor in a heap, grin lines of magic glowing along the walls. Rotten smirked. “Iron Will tech still never fails ta impress.” He turned to his son. “So, who ya’ll got with ya? Unless ya’ll drove all those wagons by yerself just ta get me an’ yer siblings out.” The wagons’ doors opened wide, several ponies surging out of them, each one standing behind Braeburn with looks of absolute familial loyalty on their faces. “Figured we needed ta hold a family reunion, whole reason I did mah best to earn a way outta here.” Braeburn chuckled, smiling warmly. “Got a present fer ya too.” “Oh?” The older stallion raised an ear, tearing his shirt off. Braeburn tossed a white ten gallon hat towards his father, a slightly singed circular hole marring it....along with a large, heavy silvery blunderbuss which matched the one that served as Rotten’s cutie mark. Rotten put his hat on as he stared at the weapon he now held in his hooves in disbelief, a tear in his eye. “Ya...ya fixed it....” “of course Ah did, dad. Ya know Ah always liked watchin’ yer smithin’.” Rotten gazed up at his son, eyes brimming with pride, biting his lip as he choked for the right words. “Ah...Ah dunno what ta say...” “Happy birthday, dad.” Braeburn replied simply. “It’s a breakout!” A guard shouted as the doors burst open, several guards pouring into the mess hall. Several Bad Apples jumped in front of Rotten and Braeburn, firing upon the guards with blunderbusses of their own. Some guards cried out as they were knocked back by harmless concussive blasts and steel balls, others lifting up tables for cover as they fired back with magical blasts. Rotten smirked at his son and the pair ran off to the cell block. They first came up to a locked cell where a black stallion sat behind the bars. He had a scraggly black mane and a large double chin, sporting some stubble that was hard to see due to his coat colour, his red eyes bored before widening upon seeing his visitors. “P-Pa! Big bro!” Braeburn smiled at his brother as Rotten shot the cell door off its hinges, shooting the shackles off his son’s legs. “Get up on yer hooves, Worm-Eaten, we still gotta bust yer sister out before we leave this joint.” Worm-Eaten trotted after them as they ran down the hall to a much larger cell with a solid steel door, several key holes adorning it. “Ain’t blastin’ this thing down.” Rotten commented. “Good thing I was prepared.” Braeburn pulled out a glass jar filled with dirt from under his hat, upending it and pouring the dirt all over the floor, revealing the many wriggling worms inside. Braeburn then un-holstered a banjo from his back and gave it to his brother, who grinned and began playing. The moment he did so, the worms started wiggling in time to the rhythm, crawling out of the dirt and up the steel door, sliding into each keyhole slowly. With a click and a whir, the door slid open, the worms crawling out to move back into the dirt, Worm-Eaten tenderly tucking the dirt back into its jar and closing it. Inside the now open cell, a massive, round white mare with a short brown mane and tail grumbled, wrapped in many chains and metal restraints, a mask over her muzzle to stop her from biting people. Braeburn trotted over to remove the restraints from his massive sister as a few guards ponies shouted and ran down the hall towards the group. Rotten grinned as he hefted his blunderbuss high, facing the approaching guards. There was a click behind him and several crumbled bits of metal were thrown to the cell walls, his daughter leaping out of her cell and onto the guards, crushing them under her sheer weight. “Ah’ve been wantin’ ta do that fer MONTHS.” Bruised Bad Apple growled, her voice as deep as an older stallion’s. “Took ya long enough, Brae.” “Happy to see ya too, sis.” Braeburn smiled. Rotten chuckled giddily. “Okay, kids, let’s get back together with the rest of our family!” After a few hours, the Bad Apples and their extended family rode their wagons from the remains of the Wannaweep Prison, all of the guards within either unconscious, injured or hiding for their lives, several prisoners still trapped inside due to the magical safeguards in place. Rotten strummed along his banjo with a relaxed smile as he sat on a rocking chair atop his personal wagon which was being pulled along by a pair of alligators commanded by Worm-Eaten. He looked back at the other members of the extended Bad Apple family, following behind in wagons of their own. “Well that was a load of fun, everypony!” He called out. “But now Ah think we should make good on some outstandin’ debts!” “Outstandin’ debts? We ain’t owin’ nopony anythin’ Pa.” Worm-Eaten replied, earning a punch on his noggin by his sister’s hoof. “He means the other Apples who got us in jail in the first place, ya dummy!” She belloed angrily. “Right ya are, Bruised!” Rotten confirmed. “A few in particular Ah reckon be owin’ us a fair bit. Ah’m talkin’ the Ponyville Apples! Ah’ve had a good long while to think on somethin’, an’ Ah got JUS’ the plan to get what we deserve from those selfish, good-fer-nothin’ relatives of ours!” There were many hoots and hollers of agreement from the other Bad Apples travelling with them. Rotten grinned, strumming a melancholis tune on his banjo. “Now then, who about a song, ta ‘set the mood’, as it were?” After a few strumming, he began to sing. “Ah was just a little colt back on that farm long ago when Ah asked my Ma ‘Is there nothin’ an Apple can do but farm? Ah got some dreams in my head Why can’t Ah follow those instead?’ Well Ma said that’s just not our way Well now Ah say Ah don’ care! ‘Cause we’re gonna be a feudin’ yeah a feudin’ We’ll be a feudin’ so long A feudin’ A feudin’ A feudin’ every day A feudin’ A feudin’ A feudin’ Mah dreams can never die Ah drew up my ideas I made some big plans I saved up some bits to leave that stiflin’ farm My Mama asked with teary eyes if Ah knew what was in store My sister on the other hand simply called me a fool and said not to ever come back! And since then We’ve been a feudin’ a feudin’ A feudin’ for so long a feudin’ a feudin’ a feudin’ everyday A feudin’ a feudin’ A FEUDIN’ Why does nopony understand? So I left that farm of course and said my goodbyes I thought I’d have it made BUT REALITY’S FAR COLDER THAN YA KNOW! Mah ideas were rejected! Mah family rejected me! EVEN MAH FARM REFUSES TO GROW! And everywhere Ah turn somepony laughs at me! Somepony berates me! Somepony mocks mah family! And so now We’re a feudin’ a feudin’ a feudin’ so long! A feudin’ A feudin’ a feudin’ every day! A feudin’! A feudin’! A FEUUUUDIN’! This hate my heart will not Let go.” Author's Note And thus begins a new story, and the return of a, by my reckoning, a rather well liked character. Originally the break out scene was gonna be more extended, with an actual drawn out introduction to each member of the Bad Apples who joined to break Rotten and Co. out. I decided to save such a scene for later, and to truncate the breakout so it wasn’t just a drawn out fight scene. This is one of my rare attempts to do an original song, and since I’m not a professional songwriter I can’t say whether it’s any good or not. Let me know what ya’ll thought of it. I hope you enjoyed this, and please comment! Chapter 2: VisitorsA pony trotted towards Ponyville smiling to himself satisfiedly, looking forward to the upcoming event. Another pony also approached the town, running at high speed, wind blowing through her hair and a grin plastered on her face. Rarity smirked to herself as she trotted around Ponyville, practicing for the upcoming race, perking her ears she saw somepony else trotting down the road towards the apple farm. Curious she halted her training to get closer to the bat-winged pony in armour, one of the many Royal Guard that patrolled Ponyville. “Whatcha doin’?” The guard yelped in surprise, turning to the mare. “Oh, hey there. You’re one of the Elements of Harmony, right?” He had a dark grey, almost black, coat with a short cropped purple mane styled in a flat-top buzzcut. “Yeah, I’m Rarity, ‘holder of the Element of Kindness’!” She chuckled at the ostentatious title she had overheard being used to describe her a couple times. “And you’re...?” “Striker, ma’am.” He blushed and looked aside. “I’m...kinda doing something pretty personal so if you don’t mind giving me a little space...” Rarity blinked, then smirked. “Oh? Visiting your girlfriend?” Striker blushed brighter. “a-actually yeah. I-I want to wish her luck for the race and, uh, maybe get to know her family a bit better while I do so.” “I notice you’re walking to Sweet Apple Acres.” The unicorn noted. “I don’t know too many mares from there apart from...” “It’s not Applejack, she doesn’t even live there.” Striker responded firmly. “Surely not...?” Rarity began, eyes wide in horror. “What!? NO! Are you NUTS!?” Rarity frowned in thought. “So then it’s...THEIR MOTHER!? SCANDALOUS!” “W-WHAT!?” Striker facehoofed. “It’s Tosh! Macintosh!” Rarity blinked. “BIG Macintosh; Their SON!? I mean, I know ponies are getting more progressive about that sort of thing, but you DEFINITELY said you were going to see a girl and well, Big Mac’s...” Rarity’s words froze in her throat as she caught sight of the farm...as well as the pretty Pegasus mare trotting around the big red barn. The mare wore a brown yoke around her slender neck and slim shoulders, her red coated body slim and feminine and her face as pretty as a runway model’s, her wings folded at her sides, her blonde mane styled long and flowing down her neck to her shoulders, a bang of hair framing her cheek as she smiled at Striker. “Hey Tosh.” The Nightsteed greeted the Pegasus with a tender, warm smile. The red-coated Pegasus smiled at the stallion. “Hey, Striker. What brings you to our neck of the woods?” she looked at the unicorn mare beside Striker. “and...that goes for you too, Miss Rarity. I don’t really see youa round here...at all.” Rarity gaped only to shake her head and start speaking. “Oh! I-I was just curious about where this guy was going and I just sorta tagged along and...you ARE Big Mac, right? Like, you’re not like some eerily similar relative right?” Macintosh blinked. “You...didn’t know about me being a mare now? I was sure most ponies around town would have known by now...” Rarity raised her hooves, shaking them as with a worried look on her face. “Uh, I didn’t mean any offence I was just taken aback! I, uh, didn’t expect...that is...” Rarity looked away with an embarrassed pout. “It’s...nice to see you.” Macintosh chuckled. “Don’t worry, Miss Rarity, it’s a pretty big change, a LOT of ponies are getting used to it still.” Under her breath she muttered, “unfortunately, some more than others...” Striker trotted overto his marefriend with a smile. “As for me, well, I wanted to offer my support and maybe give you some tips on training, since you’re competing in the race, or so I heard.” Rarity’s eyes widened. “You’re racing again this year, too?” The Pegasus nodded. “Well, I’ve raced every other year, so why not? Not only is it good for the community and Equestria at large, but it’ll be good for me to test my limits in my new body and show off the new me for everypony!” Rarity smirked kindly. “You’re...way more lively like this then...before. Uh, not that I want to offend you or anything or...” Macintosh giggled, pressing one of her wings to lips coquettishly. “It’s fine, Miss Rarity, it’s not like I can pretend that this isn’t always been how I’ve been physically but...this...this feels more REAL to me, this body feels more like me than it ever did when I was a stallion...” She looked down, her smile more somber. “I...to be honest...I kinda always...hated being a stallion, its part of why I wasn’t very...social.” Macintosh yelped as suddenly Rarity pulled her into a tight hug, the unicorn’s front hooves wrapped tightly around the pegasus’ shoulders. “I never knew you felt that way!” Rarity exclaimed. “If I had known I would have tried to do something! I promise I’ll give you my full support and friendship!” Macintosh blinked, stammering as she spoke. “I-I appreciate your kindness, b-but there’s really no need! B-besides, we don’t really know each other so you can’t really say we’re friends of any sort...” Rarity broke the hug, giving Macintosh a wide grin. “Even more reason! You look like a mare in need of more awesome friends, and being a future Wonderbolt you can’t get any cooler than me...except Rainbow Dash! Besides, I bet somepony with your experience can give me some pointers on how to fly!” Macintosh looked taken aback, blinking. “Um...well, if you insist I..suppose I can accept?” Rarity grinned wide. “Great!” She frowned suddenly, brow raised in curiosity. “So, how did you end like up this in the first place?” “Well it happened on National Pranking Day...” “What the hay is goin’ on over here?” A stern voice called out from behind Macintosh. Macintosh sighed and rubbed her temple with her hoof as an older stallion with a short cropped red mane and tail and an orange coat walked over from the direction of the farm’s large, red barn. “Nothing, dad, I’m just talking with my boyfriend.” The red-haired stallion gave Striker a disapproving glare before resuming talking his daughter. “Son, ya can’t afford ta let yerself get distracted, especially not by...somepony like that. Ya gotta focus on the race.” Macintosh rolled her eyes. “The race isn’t going to be for a while, and as for Striker, he’s not doing anything wrong and frankly I do not appreciate the tone you’re making when referring to him and you could at least call him by name! I mean, he’s my boyfriend for crying out loud!” The older stallion, Hard Cider, frowned in disapproval. “No son of mine is gonna...date another stallion, and especially not one of those creepy batponies that tried to help Nightmare Moon take over Equestria!” “I’m a MARE dad!” Macintosh snapped, gritting her teeth. “And Striker’s a nice pony and one of the Royal Guard protecting our town, in case you didn’t notice! And they’re CALLED Nightsteeds, dad! Just cause they have wings like that doesn’t make them related to bats! You don’t go around calling dragons ‘batlizards’ RIGHT!? And Nightmare Moon’s dealt with, Princess Luna’s a nice mare and the Nightsteeds answer to her! Or do you not trust Princess Celestia’s OWN SISTER!?” Rarity and Striker stared at the arguement, slowly trotting backwards as they decided to stay out of it. Macintosh and her father quickly turned to the pair. “And where do you think you’re going!?” The pair eeped and flinched in fear as a chuckle greeted their ears. The four ponies turned to see a stallion approaching wearing a ten-gallon black hat with a large round hole though it, a wry smirk on his face. “Still havin’ trouble connectin’ with yer kids, eh, brother-in-law?” Rotten Bad Apple said cheerfully. “Ya really gotta simmer down, now; ya can’t be a stubborn pony yer whole life.” Hard Cider snarled, growing even angrier on seeing the other stallion. “What the hay are YOU doin’ here, Rotten!? After what you DID!?” Macintosh glared in turn at her uncle. “Aren’t you supposed to be in prison!?” “well now, seems the eldest child finally found their voice...and had a bit of a makeover.” Rotten chuckled as he looked at Macintosh, ignoring her father. “Ah’m impressed, it takes a lot of guts for such a big change, especially in the face of some ponies not really understandin’ or acceptin’. Ya have mah respect, Macintosh.” Macintosh blinked, taken aback. “Um...thanks?” She shook her head and regained her angry demeanour. “But I don’t need your respect, not after you tried to kidnap Apple Bloom! And you didn’t answer my question, why aren’t you rotting in prison with the rest of your no good children!?” Rotten waved a hoof in a placating manner. “Now, now, girl, calm down. Ah realise that what Ah did was mighty wrong in mah doin’s and in the face of mah rehabilitation Ah was released.” He frowned, looking down guiltily. “The weight of what I did weighed down on me fer the past year and so I decided, upon gaining mah freedom, Ah’d come visit ya’ll and make amends. Ah don’t expect any of ya’ll ta forgive me, let alone accept me as family, but Ah just wanted to show ya that Ah’ve changed...” Rarity blinked than gasped, pointing a hoof. “Wait I remember you! You’re that guy! From the place! You kidnapped Apple Bloom, started a war between the buffalo and some ponies and were generally kind of a jerk!” She smiled. “But if you’re sorry now, then I guess it’s all fine!” “Well it ain’t fine with me!” Hard Cider growled, glaring at Rotten. “ya hurt ma daughters, disrupted a family tradition and almost got a ton of ponies killed! Ah will NEVER forgive ya! Once a Bad Apple, ALWAYS a Bad Apple, yer son taught us that much.” A red coated mare, Hard Cider’s wife and mother of the younger Apple mares, trotted out her blonde mane styled in a loose pair of braids, alongside her was the green coated elderly mare, her mother Granny Smith. “We heard shouting, we came to see what was happening...” Juicy Apple began, trailing off as she noticed Rotten and her expression soured. “What are you doing here?” “Now ain’t that any way ta treat yer brother?” Rotten said with sly grin. “Ya ain’t no brother of mine.” Juicy stated coldly, yelping as Granny Smith whacked her on the flank. “Now that ain’t no way ta greet family, Juicy!” The elderly mare scolded. “Howdy Ma.” Rotten greeted Granny Smith, smiling warmly, his eyes filled with tenderness. “AH came here ta make amend and apologise fer mah wrong doin’s.” He frowned sadly, looking down. “Yer boy ain’t done much good, Ma,and it was time ya knew about it..” Granny smiled and trotted over. “Whatever it was, yer back now and yer sorry, an’ that’s good enough fer me.” “But Ma!” Juicy and Cider began, only to be cut off by Granny’s hoof. “But nothin’! We’re Apples, we ALWAYS forgive family once they apologise, no matter what. Ah’ll make mah full judgement AFTER Rotten tells me what he came here ta say, but only after. Besides, today’s the big race! We can’t be spoilin’ the occasion with bad blood.” “Ah agree completely, Ma.” Rotten smiled, trotting over to the elder mare. “In fact, the other reason Ah came here was that Ah wanted ta watch the race with ya’ll while we talked. Ah got some important stuff ta say and ya need to hear it, and the race is just the perfect settin’ fer the occasion.” Granny nodded with a smile as she trotted off back to the homestead with her son, Hard Cider and Juicy trotting after. Rarity smiled. “Well I’m glad he turned over a new leaf!” Macintosh frowned sceptically. “Sure, IF he did.” She gave her boyfriend a meaningful look. “I don’t trust him one bit. Can you double check his story?” Striker nodded. “Yeah, it’ll take a while and some work, but yeah I can. Though if he didn’t get let out legitimately, he must’ve had a heck of a lot of help, as our prisons are pretty sturdy with lots of failsafes.” “Yeah, but you can’t be too careful.” “Yeah.” Striker nodded and flapped his wings, rising to the air and flying off as Macintosh stared up at him. “Hey!”Rarity cried out, wrapping a hoof over the pegasus’ shoulder. “I think we need to clear our heads for a bit, and we still need to practice a bit before the race, so why don’t we train together? It’ll be fun!” Macintosh blinked and nodded. “Hmmm...alright. What you got in mind?” Rarity suddenly charged past her, grinning wide. “Last one to town square’s got rocks for legs!” Macintosh gasped. “Hey!” She started running after the other mare, frowning stubbornly. “We’ll see about that!” In the middle of town, a mare wearing large, pink sunglasses trotted, surveying the town, her white mane trimmed in a stylish bowl cut. “So zis is vhere ze first Running of Ze Leaves was held.” “Well technically yes.” A zebra mare said curtly behind her, trotting next to her while wearing a simply black business suit, her Mohawk-styled mane curled downwards to cover the left side of her face. “the race had been a vital part of our world’s seasonal cycle for years before then, but it was here when it was made into an actual race.” “it’s stunning.” The other mare grinned. “Ze town of so many beginnings and dangers and excitement. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Ze Elements of Harmony, Grand Heist. And now, ve vill make history zrough one of its oldest events.” As the pair stood several large carriages, followed by many large buffalo pulled large trailers piled with heavy crates, parked near the edge of town, burly minotaur carrying the crates as the townsfolk stepped closer to watch the spectacle. Zecora cleared her throat and began to speak. “People of Ponyville” She was interrupted as a large, blue minotaur leapt from the lead carriage in a display of fireworks and explosions, strumming an air guitar. He wore dark sunglasses and sported a large, thick moustache and sideburns, his hair style in a long, thick mullet as he wore a pair of black and yellow checked pants and black combat boots. He finished his performed holding up his pointer and pinky fingers on each hand upwards while holding up his arms. “Hey there, Ponyvillians! I’m Iron Will, Founder and CEO of Iron Will Industries, and I have only ONE question for: EXPLOSIONS!?” “Sir, we cannot afford to cause more explosions in the middle of a populated town.” The zebra, Zecora, interjected. “Besides, considering Grand Heist almost blew this place up, that MIGHT be offensive.” “Wait really?” Iron Will asked, turning to her with a grin. “That sounds BLEEPing AWESOME!” Rarity and Macintosh approached the square, drawn by the noise and the unexpected new arrivals, Rarity grinning wide as she trotted over. “What’s going on here?” “AWESOME STUFF, RANDOM PONY!” Iron Will declared,pointing at the mare. “Only the AWESOMEST STUFF is sponsored by Iron Will Industries! And I, Also Iron Will, wanted to come here because RACES ARE AWESOME! And you know what ELSE is AWESOME!? OUR AWESOME NEW INVENTIONS!” With that, the other minotraus opened the crates, carrying small black boxes into each of the houses of Ponyville. “W-what are you doing!?” Applejack shouted from the crowd. “what are you BRUTES doing carrying those contraptions into our homes!?” “Those are our new awesome Television Sets!” Iron Will replied. “We’re given EVERYONE IN EQUESTRIA one FOR FREEso they can watch the race FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOMES! ORDINARILY THEY’D BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO PURCHASE, THEY WERE NOT CHEAP TO MAKE!” Zecora sighed, speaking in a dry monotone. “Iron Will is not susceptible to any damages you incur on the Television Set or vice versa and replacements will need to be purchased at full price.If you do not like the product, we will gladly take it back and give you a discount coupon for any of our many other, wonderful products.” “NOW WITH THAT OUT OF THE WAY, WHO’S READY TO RACE!?” Iron Will cried out excitedly, fists raised high in the air. “The race isn’t for another few hours!” Somepony called out. “WHO’S READY TO RACE....WITHIN A FEW HOURS OF WAITING AND PREP TIME!?” Iron Will shouted, a red, blue and white explosion bursting behind him. “Sir I told you no explosions!” Zecora shouted in exasperation. “YEAH!” Rarity shouted, grinning wide. “EXPLOSIONS! SHOUTING! AWESOME BEEFY MINOTAUR!” “YEAH!” Iron Will Grinned back. “FLEX WITH ME, LITTLE PONY!” He and Rarity proceeded to flex their limbs at each other in front of everyone. Zecora sighed and facehoofed. “I hope Trixie’s having a better time of it.” Trixie whimpered nervously as she sat in the middle of an office, frozen stiff. Suddenly somepony burst into the room. “Ma’am,we need...!” Trixie screamed in fight, accidentally setting everything on fire with her magic. “Oh no, I’m sorry!” Author's Note Behold! And yes, Iron Will is based pretty much HEVAILLY, around Mister Torgue from Borderlands. So I hope noone’s annoyed by that. Hope you all enjoyed and please comment! Chapter 3: The Running of the LeavesMayor Filthy rich sighed as he heard the sounds of explosion and noise coming from the middle of the town. It was a sure sign the ‘guests’ had arrived in town, and he was dreading it. While he never met the minotaur, he had heard the same stories everypony else did about Iron Will, and the crazy things he and his company did. For one thing, The Princess is rumoured to have to permanently banned him from attending the Grand Galloping Gala after blowing a large portion of the castle during the festivities. The idea of having a man like that appear in his town was incredibly worrying, and it would be especially hard for a newly elected mayor like him to keep things in order. He sighed as he steeled himself and got up. Regardless of his concerns and the person he’d have to deal with, he had to lead the town and keep his citizens safe, or at least feeling safe. This was his job. Filthy rich got up from his desk and trotted out of his office to go speak with Iron Will personally. As he stepped out of the town hall and into the town square, his eyes were greeted by a crowd of ponies with a large, sunglasses clad minotaur standing the centre of town, gesticulating and hollering animatedly as a zebra mare rubbed the bridge of her snout with her hoof. Several other minotaurs were running around town, intruding into homes while carrying large square objects in their strong arms. “What the hay is going on here?” Filthy Rich exclaimed as calmly as he could manage, which he probably didn’t sell too well admittedly. The zebra mare turned to the stallion as he walked over. “Who might you be, sir?” “I am Filthy Rich, currently acting as this town’s mayor.” Flithy Rich replied. The mare nodded. “I am Zecora, I act as a representative of Iron Will Industries.” “HEY WHAT ABOUT ME!?” Iron Will cried out as he walked over. “THE COMPANY’S BLEEPING NAMED AFTER ME!” “Yes sir but your..presence does not go over well in public relations. Hence, why I must always act in your place or accompany you. We do not want another disaster like what happened at the Grand Galloping Gala, remember?” The minotaur nodded. “THAT’S FAIR!” Filthy Rich frowned, unamused. “Your company was merely supposed to be sponsoring this race, why are you two here, and having these...minotaurs barging into people’s homes? I assume they’re working for your company.” “Mayor Filthy Rich,” Zecora began, her eyes shifting to gaze at her clipboard, “that is a potentially libellous remark with potentially negative connotations. Yes they are our employees, but you must not assume such merely because they share the same race as our company’s CEO and founder. You’d be liable to be labelled a Hurricanist.” Filthy Rich sputtered in shame. “M-my apologies I didn’t mean...a-anyway that’s beside the point!” Zecora nodded. “Indeed, those men are merely giving every home in this town a free prototype of our company’s newest invention. Through this invention ponies everywhere will be able to watch the race from the comfort of their homes. Right now, all the other major cities, towns and villages in Ponyville should have their own sets to watch the race from.” Rarity blinked, grinned wide as she stood nearby still. “Whoah! You mean EVERYPONY is gonna see us!?” “Yes, only if by ‘everypony’ you mean ‘a large majority of Equestria’s major population centers’.” “Awesome!” The unicorn cheered. “That means even the Wonderbolts will be watching us!” “The probability is high yes.” Zecora noted as she looked over her clipboard. Rarity beamed. “ooohhh i can’t wwait for the race to begin!” She skittered in place excitedly. “WHY WAIT!?” Iron Will shouted out. “EVERYONE GET TO THE STARTING LINE! LET’S GET THIS RACE STARTED WITH!” “Sir, you can’t just decide that.” Zecora reprimanded. “That’s right!” Filthy Rich added. “As Mayor I’m in charge of the order around here, you can’t just go off making such decisions on your own!” Rarity rolled her eyes. “Oh come on! Everypony’s here anyway, we might as well!” A mare trotted over from the IWI caravans parked nearby in the square, smirking cockily, her white hair styled in a short pageboy style, wearing rose coloured sunglasses and a black and white racing body suit. “I concur. Many ponies are going to be vaiting for zis historic event, and it would do us no good to keep zem vaiting. Besides, we’d only be early by a few minutes anyvay.” Rarity stared, wide eyed, stammering as she spoke. “Ph-ph-Photo Finish!” The pro-racer chuckled, striking a confident pose. “Zat’s my name, and who might you be?” “R-Rarity ma’am!” The unicorn saluted. “I’m gonna compete!” “Oh? I look forward to seeing your mettle, your eagerness is quite promising.” Photo Finish grinned. “Zis town is so very interesting, and if it’s ponies are anyzing like you, zen zey are even more interesting.” “Hey wait a second!” Macinotsh called out as she trotted over. “You can’t just start things off, not all of us are ready, at least give us time to prepare!” Photo Finish frowned. “What is zere to prepare?” “Well a lot of us still need some time to train our bodies, and get everyone together, and...” “Und give yourselves an unfair advantage? Some sort of method to CHEAT!?” Photo Finish declared, her gaze accusatory and angry. “wh-wha?” Macintosh blinked, taken aback. “Cheat? Why would anypony...?” “Oh trust me, it doesn’t matter how prestigious ze event or vhat its purpose is, if a pony vants to make a name for zemselves and zinks the event in question vill get zem zat, zey vill do anyzing to get it!” PHot Finish said, looking angry. “I have had much experience viz such ponies, and I doubt it vill be the last! The Running of ze Leaves is an important event for Equestria, but knowing that almost all of Equestria vill be vatching? Who knows what some ponies vill do knowing zat.” “N-nopony here would do that!” Macintosh retorted. “Hear, hear!” Filthy Rich added. “Ponyville and its citizens are fine examples of how Equestrians should act! Many ponies here are upstanding citizens and would never think of doing anything untoward or otherwise ruin the good name of the town!” “Maybe some yes, but you can’t guarantee ezeryone vill.” Photo Finish said. “After all, did not Grand Heist herself come from zis town? Who’s to say zhere isn’t anypony else here who is like that, if not as...notorious or dangerous.” Macintosh growled as several other ponies in the crowd glared. “H-how dare you accuse our town of...of being a hive of scum and villainy!” Photo Finish moved in closer to the mare’s face. “I am not. I am merely pointing out how you can’t guarantee nopony here vould cheat. You cannot possibly know everypony here, and neither I or ze people of IWI know zem. Forgive me if we cannot risk such a historic moment of Equestrian history for ze sake of you getting ‘prepared’. I doubt anypony competing need much prep time anyvay.” “That’s not the point you...!” “I’VE HAD IT WITH THIS SHOUTING AND ARGUING!” Iron Wil shouted. “WE’RE STARTING THIS THING! EVERYPONY, TO THE STARTING POSITION!” A large explosion burst in front of him, causing almost everyon aside from zecora and Photo Finish to wince and cover their eyes. “WHOO! TELEPORTATIOOOOOOOON!” Zecora trotted towards Photo Finish as she lead the mare to where the starting line would be. As she rubbed her eyes, Macintosh growled. “Razzafrazzin high and mighty jerk...show her...” Rarity grinned and trotted eagerly towards Sweet Apple Acres along with the other racers. “This is gonna be a blast!” Granny Smith,Hard Cider and Juicy Apple sat in their home with the estranged Rotten Bad Apple, Granny and Rotten sitting on a couch together as the husband and wife sat opposite them on a machine couch, as they did so a minotaur barged into the room suddenly. “W-what the hay!?” Hard Cider exclaimed, his wife leaping to his side in surprise. Rotten and Granny Smith simply calmly drank some tea together, barely paying the Minotaur any mind. The Minotaur set down a large, square device housing a large, round crystal in front of them and pressed a button, the crystal activating and showing a shot of the starting line for the Running of the Leaves, the picture quality as clear and sharp as if they were right there in person (or at least, that’s how they perceived it in that brief moment with the new technology). “W-what in tarnation!?” Juicy Apple asked in bewilderment. “Prototype testing on the orders of Iron Will Industries, ma’am.” The Minotaur said with a slight accent. “You will be able to watch the race from the comfort of your own home. No extra charge.” He saluted and pranced out of the building as suddenly as he had entered. “W-wha...?” Hard Cider sputtered, still trying to make sense of it all, before gasping. “Aw, horseapples, they’re startin’ the race...!” He got up to leave and watch the race personally, only for a cane to quickly slap him back down. “Now Cider, the race is important, but we still got yer brother-in-law here in who knows how long! It’s rude to our guest ta just go gallavantin’ off all willy nilly” Granny scolded. “You or mah daughter bein’ there ain’t gonna change much, an’ this doohickie seems ta be lettin’ us be able to watch anyway, so it’ll be fine.” “But Ma...” “Besides,” Rotten added, “yer just gonna unduly distract Macintosh if ya get there. Ya didn’t exactly put her in a good mood today, as Ah recall.” “Noone asked your opinion, Rotten!” Hard Cider declared, pointing a hoof, only to get another slap from Granny’s cane. “Settle down, Cider! Ah ain’t havin’ a negative attitude here!” Granny said. “Just sit quietly with yer wife an’ we can all discuss things as a family while we watch th’ race. Fair?” “Ah...” Hard Cider slumped. “Yes, Granny.” “Yes Ma...” Juicy added. Granny smiled. “Good. Now, who wants more tea?” “Oh Ah’d be delighted to have a bit more tea, Ma.” Rotten replied, smiling warmly. “An’ maybe some of yer apple fritters, from back when Ah was a young’un.” Granny grinned wide. “That does take me back....sure, anythin’ fer mah son.” Rotten smiled and sat back as granny got up to prepare the treats, Rotten’s eyes falling on the box before him. The plan was working out even better in his favour than he had thought, and it was all thanks to the surprise left for them by IWI. The starting line for the Running of Leaves was situated not too far from the Apple Farm, set up near one of their oldest apple tree groves. As the racers approached, several Ponyvillians stood at the sidelines to watch. Among the racers were Photo finish, standing confidently in her trademark racing suit; Rarity, who grinned excitedly, wearing a bicycle helmet atop her head; Macintosh, who glanced balefully at Photo Finish before turning to the track ahead of her; the young buffalo Little Strongheart, who waved at her girlfriend Apple Bloom who was standing among the spectators; Twilight Sparkle smiled at her family from afar as she stood at the farthest end of the grouping flanked by numerous other ponies, most of them earth ponies, stood ready to run with everyone else. Spike nudged Rainbow’s side as the pair of them watched from the sidelines. “You sure you don’t wanna join in too, Rainbow?” “Pass.” The Pegasus replied. “My interest in racing has long ago subsided, and they have plenty of ponies ready for it anyway. I’m fine just watching and cheering our friends on.” “Ah do agree, darling.” Applejack said, trotting closer to the Pegasus. “Ah’m just not one built for such laborious endeavours, and Ah don’t have much interest in it myself. Ah’m just here to cheer on mah sister and one of my helpful assistants.” She looked aside nervously. “And...Apple Bloom needed a chaperone.” She pointed a hoof to the filly in question, who was leaning over a fence that separated the crowd from the race track, the filly cheering and yelling encouragement towards Strongheart. Rarity blinked and called out to Applejack. “Hey AJ! I almost forgot to tell you! Your uncle’s visiting! He’s at your family’s farm talking to your parents and grandma!” “Wait, WHAT!?” Applejack blinked with a sharp gasp, before giving Apple Bloom a quick look. “Apple Bloom you’ll be fine here, right?” Apple Bloom looked to her older sister, having been paying too much attention to her girlfriend to have heard Rarity’s shout. “Huh? Yeah big sis, AH ain’t goin’ nowhere.” “Good.” The earth pony turned to Rainbow Dash. “You keep an eye her, make sure she doesn’t get in trouble or do anything foolish. I need to head off and find out what that rapscallion’s up to...” Rainbow nodded. “Hey, I know that feeling AJ, whatever’s going on, we’ll back you up if something happens. And we got the Royal Guard around too.” “Ah know, thank you, but even so Ah do feel Ah need to see to this personally first.” Applejack steeled herself as she trotted off, leaving the sidelines to head to the farm. Just to the side nearest the starting line, a large purple podium was set up with numerous microphones placed on its countertop. Standing behind it were Iron Will, Zecora and Filthy Rich, the last of whom began to speak, his voice broadcasted by the microphones for everyone to hear clearly. “The Running of the Leaves is perhaps one of Equestria’s most popular events, and one of its more important.” The Ponyville Mayor said, his voice calm, solemn and serious. “In our world as time passes things change. Before winter comes there comes fall, and that time is marked by the leaves of trees changing from bright green to soft browns and vibrants oranges, symbolising a time of quietness, rest and preparation for the winter. The Running of the Leaves is how this change is implemented: a great many ponies running at once across a specific route will generate magic that spreads throughout Equestria, causing the leaves to change colour. Each year the race rotates to a different place to be held in, but it began here in Ponyville, and this year shall it happen again. This race holds no prize, no reward for doing well, so please remember that as you run across Equestria and herald the season of change, and remember that regardless you should put your all into it. Let your drive fuel the magic you generate with your opponents, and remember that on this one day all of Equestria will be watching. Good luck, my fellow Ponyvillians, and those visiting from outside.” Zecora stood, opening her mouth to speak...only for Iron Will to jump up and GET RAAAAACIIIIING!” With that, a loud explosion.....exploded from behind him and the various racers yelped and started running off, a few tripping over themselves from the suddenness and the noise. At the lead were Photo Finish and Macintosh, neck and neck, while Rarity ran over to them, Twilight following not too far behind, Strongheart following Twiligth and several ponies behind them grunting and trading positions as they ran, many of thm not nearly as coordinated. Zecora groaned and spoke into a microphone. “Using our experimental technology, we have set up several birds equipped with viewing crystals so our viewers at home can watch the race, and we the judges shall watch alongside you so we can fairly judge a winner, as well as keep an eye out for any potential problems that may occur, what with our racers being worryingly close to the Everfree Forest.” Upon seeing a question glance from the Mayor Zecora added, “It’s always best to be ready for everything, especially the things we don’t like to think about.” Out on the track, Photo Finish admired the scenery as she ran, smiling to herself while muttering under her breath. “Ponyville is so interesting...I need to visit zese country towns more often.” Macintosh grunted, pulling in close to the pro racer. “Y-you are not going to win!” The Pegasus declared, panting. “I-I’ll show you the pride of Ponyville!” Photo Finish grinned at her. “Good! You are showing a lot of promise!” Rarity soon dashed past in between the pair of them, grinning widely. “Yeah! I overtook Photo Finish! I’m gonna beat her and show the Wonderbolts how awesome I am!” Photo Finish smirked. “Oh-hohoho~ another challenger! Excellent! I’ll really have to up my game!” Suddenly with a burst of speed the racer ran fast enough to cause what seemed to the casual observer to be a sonic boom, running past Rarity and then some, leaving several metres between them. “Oh no you don’t!” Macintosh grunted and dashed after her, while Rarity grinned and followed along, the pair running neck and neck as they steadily tried to catch up to the pro racer. Twilight panted and slowed her pace, shaking her head. “Those girls need to learn to pace themselves or they’ll wear themselves out before the race is over.” She levitated a water bottle that was secured to her side from its holster to her lips, taking a swig before setting back in place. Eventually the racers in the lead were the first to clear the boundaries of the city limits, greeted by a large mountain far in the distance and closer around stood many hills and small valleys. As Photo marvelled and smiled at the sights she easily ran ahead, Macintosh and Rarity panting as they struggled to keep up, already wearing themselves out just from the effort, all three spying a large sign ahead that pointed them to turn right, pointing directly to the massive mountain, and the three obediently followed it, leading the direction the rest of the racers followed. As they ran past one of the larger hills and entered what seemed to be quickly becoming a large quarry, green grass giving way to harsh stone and hard earth, something charged out from its hiding place in the shadows, swerving to stick itself to the side before moving behind Little Strongheart, who had caught up to Twilight. The racers running from behind gasped in confusion at the sight, only to grow more surprises as several larger wagons pulled in from the sides, surrounding them all and stopping them from attempting to escape, with Strongheart, Macintosh, Twilight, Rarity and Photo Finish cut off from the rest. Twilight looked behind herself, gasping at the sight. The lead caravan was a large affair, made of jet black oak and lacking wheels, causing it to grind nosily into the earth and create large gashes as it was pulled along via thick, long chains that were tied to a pair of absolutely massive alligators half the size of an Ursa Minor. Sitting atop the caravan was the sneering Worm-Eaten Bad Apple, who looked over the ponies (and buffalo) before him while he played on a banjo, not holding the chains holding the alligators at all. “Howdy there!” He called out. “’member me!?” The ponies looked up at him, their attention drawn from his explanation, and Rarity called out to him. “Actually, no not really!” “Never seen you before today.” Photo Finish added. Macitosh gasped. “Worm-Eaten!? Don’t tell me you got bail too!? What are you doign here!? You’re ruining everything!” “That’s kinda the point, Cuz.” Worm-Eaten responded, spitting to his side as he played a harsher tune on his banjo. At that, the alligators charged forward, snapping at the ponies. Twilight frowned, looking behind herself as she kicked at an alligator’s snout as it came close, making it yelp in pain and back away from her, however the mare had to leap out of the way as the second creature snapped at her a second later. Macintosh snarled at her cousin. “Will you Bad Apples go away!? We’re busy with an important race here, you jerks!” Worm-Eaten chuckled as he and the other bad apples corralled the racers towards the large mountain looming ever closer and closer ahead. “But ain’t this perfect? Sure, some folks not involved are gettin’ pushed into this, which sucks, but we got all Equestria watchin’ and so many of our hated enemies in one basket! It’d be a SHAME if we didn’t took advantage of this opportunity!” “And just vhere are you taking us!?” Photo Finished called out venomously. “I svear you lot shall pay for interrupting ze sanctity of zis race!” “Yap yap yap!” Worm-Eaten gestured his hoof in a ‘talking’ motion. “Less talkin’ more runnin’! We got a ron-day-voo to uphold!” Granny gaped in shock at the screen as she entered the room, seeing several caravans leading the racers off the track. “What in tarnation is goin’ on...?” The elderly mare muttered. Rotten Bad Apple smirked as he got up and trotted to his mother. “Ma...Ah think it’s time we had a little...discussion.” Author's Note You guys might be a bit disappointed, but let’s face it, this story wasn’t REALLY about the race in the first place, and besides I highly doubt I could’ve written about a race in its entirety and kept things interesting. I hope you all enjoyed it, and please comment!
Chapter 1: BreakoutA crowd watched as several ponies raced down a track towards a finish line. Many of them wore specialised outfits to assist them in running, one in particular stood out as she dashed past her competitors. A blue coated pony, she wore a black and white striped speed suit along with a large black helmet with purple tinted glass visors over her eyes. She smirked as she felt the wind on her, running faster as she ran across the finish line, skidding to a stop to pull a triumphant pose. “And in first place,” a pony announced, “Photo Finish!” As several racers crossed the line and groaned in annoyance at their loss, ponies surrounded Photo Finish to take pictures and interview her, the racer removing her helmet to reveal her mid-length straight white mane, placing a pair of pink tinted sunglasses over her eyes. “So now that you won the Manehatten Marathon,” A reporter asked her, “Are you planning to try your hoof at the Running of the Leaves? Considering that its being held at such a small place like Ponyville, not to mention how dangerous its gotten over there lately...” Photo Finish smirked cockily. “Why, of course! I vouldn’t miss such a race for all ze vorld! I can’t VAIT to see who I’ll be up against in Ponyville...and have zem taste my DUST!” Rarity grinned widely as she read the newspaper, then got up to her hooves and started running through town, screaming in joy. Investigating the sound pollution, Applejack found her friend standing on a fountain that had recently been set up by the current Mayor. “Rarity, darling, whatever are you doing? Ah thought some deranged beast had invaded the town!” Rarity blinked and stopped her noise making, turning to the fashion designer. “Oh! Sorry, AJ, but I just heard the BEST news!” “The Princess has decreed that Ah design the clothing for the noble ponies of Canterlot?” Applejack asked, her tone at its most earnest and serious. “No!” Rarity denied. “Photo Finish herself is coming HERE to compete in the Running of the Leaves!” Applejack blinked. “Ah..should Ah know who that is? Is she some sort of..photographer?” The white unicorn gasped in shock. “You...you never heard of her!? Photo Finish is ONLY the best race mare in Equestria! She’s won EVERY event she ran in, won tons of awards and has donated tons of bits to charity!” The earth pony blinked. “I....see.” “Hence that’s why I’m gonna compete in the race too!” Rarity grinned. “When’s the next time I’d get a chance like this? To race against THE Photo Finish! Why...I might even BEAT her, wouldn’t that be crazy!” Applejack shrugged. “Well Ah wish you good luck, darling.” “You’re not gonna compete?” “While Ah enjoy a good job every now and then, Ah simple don’t see myself running in such a long, arduous race for no reason. Plenty of ponies will be competing, Ah don’t see what difference my presence or absences will achieve.” “But...But it will be so fun!” Rarity argued. “For you, perhaps, Ah on the other hand would much rather spend some quiet time at the Spa.” Applejack turned and trotted off. “Now, you can be excited a bit more quietly while Ah go have some lunch.” Rarity watched her go. “Don’t worry AJ, the race is gonna be so much fun! You’ll see! Just you wait! I’ll show you!” In Wannaweep Penitentiary, one of Equestria’s finest prisons, several criminals sat in the mess hall, eating their lunch. A unicorn mare grumbled into her meal, an orihalcum ring around her horn to prevent her from casting magic. “I don’t deserve to be here!” A stallion beside her chuckled. His green coat was largely covered by the grey prisons shirt he and everyone else was forced to wear, his cutie mark of a blunderbuss on display. His mane was of medium length and quite greasy and scraggly, leading into a long beard hanging from around his chin and from his sideburns. His green eyes sparkled with intelligence as he smirked at the mare. “Oh? Havin’ yer hired muscle assault Celestia’s nephew, contribute to the riot at the Grand Galloping Gala AND blackmailing ponies into giving you control of their businesses and taking their money for yerself AIN’T enough reasons fer you ta be here, In-Charge?” “I am a mare of great standing, and a unicorn besides!” The former noble In Charge snapped, facing the smugly smirking stallion. “Unlike a mud pony like you, I am of a higher stature among the pony races, I simply do not BELONG in this...this cesspit! I was well within my right as a member of Canterlot nobility to do as I pleased! Blueblood had shamed himself in the Princess’s eyes and associating with him would be social suicide, I was merely reminding him of his standing! And surely I deserved that money far more than those ingrates and bottom feeders!” “And look where ‘doin’ as ya pleased’ got ya.” Rotten Bad Apple chuckled. “Locked up in prison with the REST of Equestria’s undesirables. As ‘shamed’ as Blueblood was at the time, at least he wasn’t arrested and tossed in here to rot!” “Bah!” The unicorn huffed, turning her head. “I shan’t spend any further time here! My employees and retainers shall see me out of here! I have a LOT of influence in Canterlot!” Rotten Bad Apple rose his eyebrow, then he started guffawing. “YOU ain’t got NOTHIN’! By ‘influence’ you mean ‘money’ and newsflash lady, YA AIN’T GOT NONE! Ya’ll really think the Guard would give ya access to yer wealth after going to the trouble of catchin’ ya? All yer assets are frozen, either moved to a bank for general use or handed out to other ponies! Yer ‘employees’ ain’t gonna give a DANG about what happens to ya since ya can’t pay ‘em and ya never will!” “How DARE You talk back to me, you filthy peasant!” In Charge shouted, turning to face him indignantly. She tried to use her magic to teach him a lesson....forgetting the orihalcum around her horn prevented her from so much as lifting a feather. Rotten sighed. “Idjits like ya are part of why Ah’m here in the first place.” With that, he lifted his plate and slammed it into the mare’s face, knocking her onto the floor. A couple of Guards walked over, their uniforms much simpler than the standard Royal Guard uniform, simple iron plate helmets and torso armour, their horn glowing. “Okay that’s enough! You two are going back to your cells before you start a riot!” In Charge yelped as their magic activated the shackles around her hooves, forcing her to stand and walk despite her pain. “Y-you filth! He should be drawn and quartered for striking my beautiful face!” The guards rolled their eyes and ignored her, one of them escorting her as his magic made her trot back to her sell, the remaining guard glaring at Rotten Bad Apple. Rotten shrugged and started trotting. “Hey now, I’m complyin’, no need to use any of that there prison magic on me!” “Between you and your daughter, I’m surprised your son was as well adjusted as he was.” The guardsmare spoke, a smirk forming over her yellow face. “Oh, but then again, I suppose you’re mad he got early parole for good behaviour, and you’re still stuck in here.” “Actually Ah’m more upset about mah daughter bein’ in solitary confinement.” Rotten argued. “She’s a delicate flower, after all.” “Your ‘delicate flower’ injured a dozen prisoners and five guards!” The guard replied in exasperation. “Hay, those ponies had it comin’!” She glared. “Well, doesn’t matter, cause you and the rest of your family are gonna be stuck here for a long, long time!” There was a crash as a nearby wall was smashed apart, several large wagons bursting through the hole, a stray bit of rubble knocking out the guard escorting In Charge. “Finally!” In Charge sighed with annoyance, walking towards the wagons, now able to walk under her own power. “You took your sweet time! Well, get these ugly metal things off me and get me out of here!” Braeburn Bad Apple stepped out from atop one of the wagons, pushing the mare away. “Nopony is here for you.” He looked over to his father, tossing a lasso to yank off the shackles restraining Rotten Bad Apple. “We’re breakin’ ya’ll out of here, Dad.” Rotten smirked as he flexed his hooves, getting used to the sensation of not being restrained. “Thanks son. Ah missed ya.” “Missed ya too, Dad.” “W-what what what!?!?” In Charge cried out in frustration and confusion, crying out as she and most other prisoners still in their shackles crumbled to the floor in a heap, grin lines of magic glowing along the walls. Rotten smirked. “Iron Will tech still never fails ta impress.” He turned to his son. “So, who ya’ll got with ya? Unless ya’ll drove all those wagons by yerself just ta get me an’ yer siblings out.” The wagons’ doors opened wide, several ponies surging out of them, each one standing behind Braeburn with looks of absolute familial loyalty on their faces. “Figured we needed ta hold a family reunion, whole reason I did mah best to earn a way outta here.” Braeburn chuckled, smiling warmly. “Got a present fer ya too.” “Oh?” The older stallion raised an ear, tearing his shirt off. Braeburn tossed a white ten gallon hat towards his father, a slightly singed circular hole marring it....along with a large, heavy silvery blunderbuss which matched the one that served as Rotten’s cutie mark. Rotten put his hat on as he stared at the weapon he now held in his hooves in disbelief, a tear in his eye. “Ya...ya fixed it....” “of course Ah did, dad. Ya know Ah always liked watchin’ yer smithin’.” Rotten gazed up at his son, eyes brimming with pride, biting his lip as he choked for the right words. “Ah...Ah dunno what ta say...” “Happy birthday, dad.” Braeburn replied simply. “It’s a breakout!” A guard shouted as the doors burst open, several guards pouring into the mess hall. Several Bad Apples jumped in front of Rotten and Braeburn, firing upon the guards with blunderbusses of their own. Some guards cried out as they were knocked back by harmless concussive blasts and steel balls, others lifting up tables for cover as they fired back with magical blasts. Rotten smirked at his son and the pair ran off to the cell block. They first came up to a locked cell where a black stallion sat behind the bars. He had a scraggly black mane and a large double chin, sporting some stubble that was hard to see due to his coat colour, his red eyes bored before widening upon seeing his visitors. “P-Pa! Big bro!” Braeburn smiled at his brother as Rotten shot the cell door off its hinges, shooting the shackles off his son’s legs. “Get up on yer hooves, Worm-Eaten, we still gotta bust yer sister out before we leave this joint.” Worm-Eaten trotted after them as they ran down the hall to a much larger cell with a solid steel door, several key holes adorning it. “Ain’t blastin’ this thing down.” Rotten commented. “Good thing I was prepared.” Braeburn pulled out a glass jar filled with dirt from under his hat, upending it and pouring the dirt all over the floor, revealing the many wriggling worms inside. Braeburn then un-holstered a banjo from his back and gave it to his brother, who grinned and began playing. The moment he did so, the worms started wiggling in time to the rhythm, crawling out of the dirt and up the steel door, sliding into each keyhole slowly. With a click and a whir, the door slid open, the worms crawling out to move back into the dirt, Worm-Eaten tenderly tucking the dirt back into its jar and closing it. Inside the now open cell, a massive, round white mare with a short brown mane and tail grumbled, wrapped in many chains and metal restraints, a mask over her muzzle to stop her from biting people. Braeburn trotted over to remove the restraints from his massive sister as a few guards ponies shouted and ran down the hall towards the group. Rotten grinned as he hefted his blunderbuss high, facing the approaching guards. There was a click behind him and several crumbled bits of metal were thrown to the cell walls, his daughter leaping out of her cell and onto the guards, crushing them under her sheer weight. “Ah’ve been wantin’ ta do that fer MONTHS.” Bruised Bad Apple growled, her voice as deep as an older stallion’s. “Took ya long enough, Brae.” “Happy to see ya too, sis.” Braeburn smiled. Rotten chuckled giddily. “Okay, kids, let’s get back together with the rest of our family!” After a few hours, the Bad Apples and their extended family rode their wagons from the remains of the Wannaweep Prison, all of the guards within either unconscious, injured or hiding for their lives, several prisoners still trapped inside due to the magical safeguards in place. Rotten strummed along his banjo with a relaxed smile as he sat on a rocking chair atop his personal wagon which was being pulled along by a pair of alligators commanded by Worm-Eaten. He looked back at the other members of the extended Bad Apple family, following behind in wagons of their own. “Well that was a load of fun, everypony!” He called out. “But now Ah think we should make good on some outstandin’ debts!” “Outstandin’ debts? We ain’t owin’ nopony anythin’ Pa.” Worm-Eaten replied, earning a punch on his noggin by his sister’s hoof. “He means the other Apples who got us in jail in the first place, ya dummy!” She belloed angrily. “Right ya are, Bruised!” Rotten confirmed. “A few in particular Ah reckon be owin’ us a fair bit. Ah’m talkin’ the Ponyville Apples! Ah’ve had a good long while to think on somethin’, an’ Ah got JUS’ the plan to get what we deserve from those selfish, good-fer-nothin’ relatives of ours!” There were many hoots and hollers of agreement from the other Bad Apples travelling with them. Rotten grinned, strumming a melancholis tune on his banjo. “Now then, who about a song, ta ‘set the mood’, as it were?” After a few strumming, he began to sing. “Ah was just a little colt back on that farm long ago when Ah asked my Ma ‘Is there nothin’ an Apple can do but farm? Ah got some dreams in my head Why can’t Ah follow those instead?’ Well Ma said that’s just not our way Well now Ah say Ah don’ care! ‘Cause we’re gonna be a feudin’ yeah a feudin’ We’ll be a feudin’ so long A feudin’ A feudin’ A feudin’ every day A feudin’ A feudin’ A feudin’ Mah dreams can never die Ah drew up my ideas I made some big plans I saved up some bits to leave that stiflin’ farm My Mama asked with teary eyes if Ah knew what was in store My sister on the other hand simply called me a fool and said not to ever come back! And since then We’ve been a feudin’ a feudin’ A feudin’ for so long a feudin’ a feudin’ a feudin’ everyday A feudin’ a feudin’ A FEUDIN’ Why does nopony understand? So I left that farm of course and said my goodbyes I thought I’d have it made BUT REALITY’S FAR COLDER THAN YA KNOW! Mah ideas were rejected! Mah family rejected me! EVEN MAH FARM REFUSES TO GROW! And everywhere Ah turn somepony laughs at me! Somepony berates me! Somepony mocks mah family! And so now We’re a feudin’ a feudin’ a feudin’ so long! A feudin’ A feudin’ a feudin’ every day! A feudin’! A feudin’! A FEUUUUDIN’! This hate my heart will not Let go.” Author's Note And thus begins a new story, and the return of a, by my reckoning, a rather well liked character. Originally the break out scene was gonna be more extended, with an actual drawn out introduction to each member of the Bad Apples who joined to break Rotten and Co. out. I decided to save such a scene for later, and to truncate the breakout so it wasn’t just a drawn out fight scene. This is one of my rare attempts to do an original song, and since I’m not a professional songwriter I can’t say whether it’s any good or not. Let me know what ya’ll thought of it. I hope you enjoyed this, and please comment!
Chapter 2: VisitorsA pony trotted towards Ponyville smiling to himself satisfiedly, looking forward to the upcoming event. Another pony also approached the town, running at high speed, wind blowing through her hair and a grin plastered on her face. Rarity smirked to herself as she trotted around Ponyville, practicing for the upcoming race, perking her ears she saw somepony else trotting down the road towards the apple farm. Curious she halted her training to get closer to the bat-winged pony in armour, one of the many Royal Guard that patrolled Ponyville. “Whatcha doin’?” The guard yelped in surprise, turning to the mare. “Oh, hey there. You’re one of the Elements of Harmony, right?” He had a dark grey, almost black, coat with a short cropped purple mane styled in a flat-top buzzcut. “Yeah, I’m Rarity, ‘holder of the Element of Kindness’!” She chuckled at the ostentatious title she had overheard being used to describe her a couple times. “And you’re...?” “Striker, ma’am.” He blushed and looked aside. “I’m...kinda doing something pretty personal so if you don’t mind giving me a little space...” Rarity blinked, then smirked. “Oh? Visiting your girlfriend?” Striker blushed brighter. “a-actually yeah. I-I want to wish her luck for the race and, uh, maybe get to know her family a bit better while I do so.” “I notice you’re walking to Sweet Apple Acres.” The unicorn noted. “I don’t know too many mares from there apart from...” “It’s not Applejack, she doesn’t even live there.” Striker responded firmly. “Surely not...?” Rarity began, eyes wide in horror. “What!? NO! Are you NUTS!?” Rarity frowned in thought. “So then it’s...THEIR MOTHER!? SCANDALOUS!” “W-WHAT!?” Striker facehoofed. “It’s Tosh! Macintosh!” Rarity blinked. “BIG Macintosh; Their SON!? I mean, I know ponies are getting more progressive about that sort of thing, but you DEFINITELY said you were going to see a girl and well, Big Mac’s...” Rarity’s words froze in her throat as she caught sight of the farm...as well as the pretty Pegasus mare trotting around the big red barn. The mare wore a brown yoke around her slender neck and slim shoulders, her red coated body slim and feminine and her face as pretty as a runway model’s, her wings folded at her sides, her blonde mane styled long and flowing down her neck to her shoulders, a bang of hair framing her cheek as she smiled at Striker. “Hey Tosh.” The Nightsteed greeted the Pegasus with a tender, warm smile. The red-coated Pegasus smiled at the stallion. “Hey, Striker. What brings you to our neck of the woods?” she looked at the unicorn mare beside Striker. “and...that goes for you too, Miss Rarity. I don’t really see youa round here...at all.” Rarity gaped only to shake her head and start speaking. “Oh! I-I was just curious about where this guy was going and I just sorta tagged along and...you ARE Big Mac, right? Like, you’re not like some eerily similar relative right?” Macintosh blinked. “You...didn’t know about me being a mare now? I was sure most ponies around town would have known by now...” Rarity raised her hooves, shaking them as with a worried look on her face. “Uh, I didn’t mean any offence I was just taken aback! I, uh, didn’t expect...that is...” Rarity looked away with an embarrassed pout. “It’s...nice to see you.” Macintosh chuckled. “Don’t worry, Miss Rarity, it’s a pretty big change, a LOT of ponies are getting used to it still.” Under her breath she muttered, “unfortunately, some more than others...” Striker trotted overto his marefriend with a smile. “As for me, well, I wanted to offer my support and maybe give you some tips on training, since you’re competing in the race, or so I heard.” Rarity’s eyes widened. “You’re racing again this year, too?” The Pegasus nodded. “Well, I’ve raced every other year, so why not? Not only is it good for the community and Equestria at large, but it’ll be good for me to test my limits in my new body and show off the new me for everypony!” Rarity smirked kindly. “You’re...way more lively like this then...before. Uh, not that I want to offend you or anything or...” Macintosh giggled, pressing one of her wings to lips coquettishly. “It’s fine, Miss Rarity, it’s not like I can pretend that this isn’t always been how I’ve been physically but...this...this feels more REAL to me, this body feels more like me than it ever did when I was a stallion...” She looked down, her smile more somber. “I...to be honest...I kinda always...hated being a stallion, its part of why I wasn’t very...social.” Macintosh yelped as suddenly Rarity pulled her into a tight hug, the unicorn’s front hooves wrapped tightly around the pegasus’ shoulders. “I never knew you felt that way!” Rarity exclaimed. “If I had known I would have tried to do something! I promise I’ll give you my full support and friendship!” Macintosh blinked, stammering as she spoke. “I-I appreciate your kindness, b-but there’s really no need! B-besides, we don’t really know each other so you can’t really say we’re friends of any sort...” Rarity broke the hug, giving Macintosh a wide grin. “Even more reason! You look like a mare in need of more awesome friends, and being a future Wonderbolt you can’t get any cooler than me...except Rainbow Dash! Besides, I bet somepony with your experience can give me some pointers on how to fly!” Macintosh looked taken aback, blinking. “Um...well, if you insist I..suppose I can accept?” Rarity grinned wide. “Great!” She frowned suddenly, brow raised in curiosity. “So, how did you end like up this in the first place?” “Well it happened on National Pranking Day...” “What the hay is goin’ on over here?” A stern voice called out from behind Macintosh. Macintosh sighed and rubbed her temple with her hoof as an older stallion with a short cropped red mane and tail and an orange coat walked over from the direction of the farm’s large, red barn. “Nothing, dad, I’m just talking with my boyfriend.” The red-haired stallion gave Striker a disapproving glare before resuming talking his daughter. “Son, ya can’t afford ta let yerself get distracted, especially not by...somepony like that. Ya gotta focus on the race.” Macintosh rolled her eyes. “The race isn’t going to be for a while, and as for Striker, he’s not doing anything wrong and frankly I do not appreciate the tone you’re making when referring to him and you could at least call him by name! I mean, he’s my boyfriend for crying out loud!” The older stallion, Hard Cider, frowned in disapproval. “No son of mine is gonna...date another stallion, and especially not one of those creepy batponies that tried to help Nightmare Moon take over Equestria!” “I’m a MARE dad!” Macintosh snapped, gritting her teeth. “And Striker’s a nice pony and one of the Royal Guard protecting our town, in case you didn’t notice! And they’re CALLED Nightsteeds, dad! Just cause they have wings like that doesn’t make them related to bats! You don’t go around calling dragons ‘batlizards’ RIGHT!? And Nightmare Moon’s dealt with, Princess Luna’s a nice mare and the Nightsteeds answer to her! Or do you not trust Princess Celestia’s OWN SISTER!?” Rarity and Striker stared at the arguement, slowly trotting backwards as they decided to stay out of it. Macintosh and her father quickly turned to the pair. “And where do you think you’re going!?” The pair eeped and flinched in fear as a chuckle greeted their ears. The four ponies turned to see a stallion approaching wearing a ten-gallon black hat with a large round hole though it, a wry smirk on his face. “Still havin’ trouble connectin’ with yer kids, eh, brother-in-law?” Rotten Bad Apple said cheerfully. “Ya really gotta simmer down, now; ya can’t be a stubborn pony yer whole life.” Hard Cider snarled, growing even angrier on seeing the other stallion. “What the hay are YOU doin’ here, Rotten!? After what you DID!?” Macintosh glared in turn at her uncle. “Aren’t you supposed to be in prison!?” “well now, seems the eldest child finally found their voice...and had a bit of a makeover.” Rotten chuckled as he looked at Macintosh, ignoring her father. “Ah’m impressed, it takes a lot of guts for such a big change, especially in the face of some ponies not really understandin’ or acceptin’. Ya have mah respect, Macintosh.” Macintosh blinked, taken aback. “Um...thanks?” She shook her head and regained her angry demeanour. “But I don’t need your respect, not after you tried to kidnap Apple Bloom! And you didn’t answer my question, why aren’t you rotting in prison with the rest of your no good children!?” Rotten waved a hoof in a placating manner. “Now, now, girl, calm down. Ah realise that what Ah did was mighty wrong in mah doin’s and in the face of mah rehabilitation Ah was released.” He frowned, looking down guiltily. “The weight of what I did weighed down on me fer the past year and so I decided, upon gaining mah freedom, Ah’d come visit ya’ll and make amends. Ah don’t expect any of ya’ll ta forgive me, let alone accept me as family, but Ah just wanted to show ya that Ah’ve changed...” Rarity blinked than gasped, pointing a hoof. “Wait I remember you! You’re that guy! From the place! You kidnapped Apple Bloom, started a war between the buffalo and some ponies and were generally kind of a jerk!” She smiled. “But if you’re sorry now, then I guess it’s all fine!” “Well it ain’t fine with me!” Hard Cider growled, glaring at Rotten. “ya hurt ma daughters, disrupted a family tradition and almost got a ton of ponies killed! Ah will NEVER forgive ya! Once a Bad Apple, ALWAYS a Bad Apple, yer son taught us that much.” A red coated mare, Hard Cider’s wife and mother of the younger Apple mares, trotted out her blonde mane styled in a loose pair of braids, alongside her was the green coated elderly mare, her mother Granny Smith. “We heard shouting, we came to see what was happening...” Juicy Apple began, trailing off as she noticed Rotten and her expression soured. “What are you doing here?” “Now ain’t that any way ta treat yer brother?” Rotten said with sly grin. “Ya ain’t no brother of mine.” Juicy stated coldly, yelping as Granny Smith whacked her on the flank. “Now that ain’t no way ta greet family, Juicy!” The elderly mare scolded. “Howdy Ma.” Rotten greeted Granny Smith, smiling warmly, his eyes filled with tenderness. “AH came here ta make amend and apologise fer mah wrong doin’s.” He frowned sadly, looking down. “Yer boy ain’t done much good, Ma,and it was time ya knew about it..” Granny smiled and trotted over. “Whatever it was, yer back now and yer sorry, an’ that’s good enough fer me.” “But Ma!” Juicy and Cider began, only to be cut off by Granny’s hoof. “But nothin’! We’re Apples, we ALWAYS forgive family once they apologise, no matter what. Ah’ll make mah full judgement AFTER Rotten tells me what he came here ta say, but only after. Besides, today’s the big race! We can’t be spoilin’ the occasion with bad blood.” “Ah agree completely, Ma.” Rotten smiled, trotting over to the elder mare. “In fact, the other reason Ah came here was that Ah wanted ta watch the race with ya’ll while we talked. Ah got some important stuff ta say and ya need to hear it, and the race is just the perfect settin’ fer the occasion.” Granny nodded with a smile as she trotted off back to the homestead with her son, Hard Cider and Juicy trotting after. Rarity smiled. “Well I’m glad he turned over a new leaf!” Macintosh frowned sceptically. “Sure, IF he did.” She gave her boyfriend a meaningful look. “I don’t trust him one bit. Can you double check his story?” Striker nodded. “Yeah, it’ll take a while and some work, but yeah I can. Though if he didn’t get let out legitimately, he must’ve had a heck of a lot of help, as our prisons are pretty sturdy with lots of failsafes.” “Yeah, but you can’t be too careful.” “Yeah.” Striker nodded and flapped his wings, rising to the air and flying off as Macintosh stared up at him. “Hey!”Rarity cried out, wrapping a hoof over the pegasus’ shoulder. “I think we need to clear our heads for a bit, and we still need to practice a bit before the race, so why don’t we train together? It’ll be fun!” Macintosh blinked and nodded. “Hmmm...alright. What you got in mind?” Rarity suddenly charged past her, grinning wide. “Last one to town square’s got rocks for legs!” Macintosh gasped. “Hey!” She started running after the other mare, frowning stubbornly. “We’ll see about that!” In the middle of town, a mare wearing large, pink sunglasses trotted, surveying the town, her white mane trimmed in a stylish bowl cut. “So zis is vhere ze first Running of Ze Leaves was held.” “Well technically yes.” A zebra mare said curtly behind her, trotting next to her while wearing a simply black business suit, her Mohawk-styled mane curled downwards to cover the left side of her face. “the race had been a vital part of our world’s seasonal cycle for years before then, but it was here when it was made into an actual race.” “it’s stunning.” The other mare grinned. “Ze town of so many beginnings and dangers and excitement. Nightmare Moon, Discord, Ze Elements of Harmony, Grand Heist. And now, ve vill make history zrough one of its oldest events.” As the pair stood several large carriages, followed by many large buffalo pulled large trailers piled with heavy crates, parked near the edge of town, burly minotaur carrying the crates as the townsfolk stepped closer to watch the spectacle. Zecora cleared her throat and began to speak. “People of Ponyville” She was interrupted as a large, blue minotaur leapt from the lead carriage in a display of fireworks and explosions, strumming an air guitar. He wore dark sunglasses and sported a large, thick moustache and sideburns, his hair style in a long, thick mullet as he wore a pair of black and yellow checked pants and black combat boots. He finished his performed holding up his pointer and pinky fingers on each hand upwards while holding up his arms. “Hey there, Ponyvillians! I’m Iron Will, Founder and CEO of Iron Will Industries, and I have only ONE question for: EXPLOSIONS!?” “Sir, we cannot afford to cause more explosions in the middle of a populated town.” The zebra, Zecora, interjected. “Besides, considering Grand Heist almost blew this place up, that MIGHT be offensive.” “Wait really?” Iron Will asked, turning to her with a grin. “That sounds BLEEPing AWESOME!” Rarity and Macintosh approached the square, drawn by the noise and the unexpected new arrivals, Rarity grinning wide as she trotted over. “What’s going on here?” “AWESOME STUFF, RANDOM PONY!” Iron Will declared,pointing at the mare. “Only the AWESOMEST STUFF is sponsored by Iron Will Industries! And I, Also Iron Will, wanted to come here because RACES ARE AWESOME! And you know what ELSE is AWESOME!? OUR AWESOME NEW INVENTIONS!” With that, the other minotraus opened the crates, carrying small black boxes into each of the houses of Ponyville. “W-what are you doing!?” Applejack shouted from the crowd. “what are you BRUTES doing carrying those contraptions into our homes!?” “Those are our new awesome Television Sets!” Iron Will replied. “We’re given EVERYONE IN EQUESTRIA one FOR FREEso they can watch the race FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOMES! ORDINARILY THEY’D BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO PURCHASE, THEY WERE NOT CHEAP TO MAKE!” Zecora sighed, speaking in a dry monotone. “Iron Will is not susceptible to any damages you incur on the Television Set or vice versa and replacements will need to be purchased at full price.If you do not like the product, we will gladly take it back and give you a discount coupon for any of our many other, wonderful products.” “NOW WITH THAT OUT OF THE WAY, WHO’S READY TO RACE!?” Iron Will cried out excitedly, fists raised high in the air. “The race isn’t for another few hours!” Somepony called out. “WHO’S READY TO RACE....WITHIN A FEW HOURS OF WAITING AND PREP TIME!?” Iron Will shouted, a red, blue and white explosion bursting behind him. “Sir I told you no explosions!” Zecora shouted in exasperation. “YEAH!” Rarity shouted, grinning wide. “EXPLOSIONS! SHOUTING! AWESOME BEEFY MINOTAUR!” “YEAH!” Iron Will Grinned back. “FLEX WITH ME, LITTLE PONY!” He and Rarity proceeded to flex their limbs at each other in front of everyone. Zecora sighed and facehoofed. “I hope Trixie’s having a better time of it.” Trixie whimpered nervously as she sat in the middle of an office, frozen stiff. Suddenly somepony burst into the room. “Ma’am,we need...!” Trixie screamed in fight, accidentally setting everything on fire with her magic. “Oh no, I’m sorry!” Author's Note Behold! And yes, Iron Will is based pretty much HEVAILLY, around Mister Torgue from Borderlands. So I hope noone’s annoyed by that. Hope you all enjoyed and please comment!
Chapter 3: The Running of the LeavesMayor Filthy rich sighed as he heard the sounds of explosion and noise coming from the middle of the town. It was a sure sign the ‘guests’ had arrived in town, and he was dreading it. While he never met the minotaur, he had heard the same stories everypony else did about Iron Will, and the crazy things he and his company did. For one thing, The Princess is rumoured to have to permanently banned him from attending the Grand Galloping Gala after blowing a large portion of the castle during the festivities. The idea of having a man like that appear in his town was incredibly worrying, and it would be especially hard for a newly elected mayor like him to keep things in order. He sighed as he steeled himself and got up. Regardless of his concerns and the person he’d have to deal with, he had to lead the town and keep his citizens safe, or at least feeling safe. This was his job. Filthy rich got up from his desk and trotted out of his office to go speak with Iron Will personally. As he stepped out of the town hall and into the town square, his eyes were greeted by a crowd of ponies with a large, sunglasses clad minotaur standing the centre of town, gesticulating and hollering animatedly as a zebra mare rubbed the bridge of her snout with her hoof. Several other minotaurs were running around town, intruding into homes while carrying large square objects in their strong arms. “What the hay is going on here?” Filthy Rich exclaimed as calmly as he could manage, which he probably didn’t sell too well admittedly. The zebra mare turned to the stallion as he walked over. “Who might you be, sir?” “I am Filthy Rich, currently acting as this town’s mayor.” Flithy Rich replied. The mare nodded. “I am Zecora, I act as a representative of Iron Will Industries.” “HEY WHAT ABOUT ME!?” Iron Will cried out as he walked over. “THE COMPANY’S BLEEPING NAMED AFTER ME!” “Yes sir but your..presence does not go over well in public relations. Hence, why I must always act in your place or accompany you. We do not want another disaster like what happened at the Grand Galloping Gala, remember?” The minotaur nodded. “THAT’S FAIR!” Filthy Rich frowned, unamused. “Your company was merely supposed to be sponsoring this race, why are you two here, and having these...minotaurs barging into people’s homes? I assume they’re working for your company.” “Mayor Filthy Rich,” Zecora began, her eyes shifting to gaze at her clipboard, “that is a potentially libellous remark with potentially negative connotations. Yes they are our employees, but you must not assume such merely because they share the same race as our company’s CEO and founder. You’d be liable to be labelled a Hurricanist.” Filthy Rich sputtered in shame. “M-my apologies I didn’t mean...a-anyway that’s beside the point!” Zecora nodded. “Indeed, those men are merely giving every home in this town a free prototype of our company’s newest invention. Through this invention ponies everywhere will be able to watch the race from the comfort of their homes. Right now, all the other major cities, towns and villages in Ponyville should have their own sets to watch the race from.” Rarity blinked, grinned wide as she stood nearby still. “Whoah! You mean EVERYPONY is gonna see us!?” “Yes, only if by ‘everypony’ you mean ‘a large majority of Equestria’s major population centers’.” “Awesome!” The unicorn cheered. “That means even the Wonderbolts will be watching us!” “The probability is high yes.” Zecora noted as she looked over her clipboard. Rarity beamed. “ooohhh i can’t wwait for the race to begin!” She skittered in place excitedly. “WHY WAIT!?” Iron Will shouted out. “EVERYONE GET TO THE STARTING LINE! LET’S GET THIS RACE STARTED WITH!” “Sir, you can’t just decide that.” Zecora reprimanded. “That’s right!” Filthy Rich added. “As Mayor I’m in charge of the order around here, you can’t just go off making such decisions on your own!” Rarity rolled her eyes. “Oh come on! Everypony’s here anyway, we might as well!” A mare trotted over from the IWI caravans parked nearby in the square, smirking cockily, her white hair styled in a short pageboy style, wearing rose coloured sunglasses and a black and white racing body suit. “I concur. Many ponies are going to be vaiting for zis historic event, and it would do us no good to keep zem vaiting. Besides, we’d only be early by a few minutes anyvay.” Rarity stared, wide eyed, stammering as she spoke. “Ph-ph-Photo Finish!” The pro-racer chuckled, striking a confident pose. “Zat’s my name, and who might you be?” “R-Rarity ma’am!” The unicorn saluted. “I’m gonna compete!” “Oh? I look forward to seeing your mettle, your eagerness is quite promising.” Photo Finish grinned. “Zis town is so very interesting, and if it’s ponies are anyzing like you, zen zey are even more interesting.” “Hey wait a second!” Macinotsh called out as she trotted over. “You can’t just start things off, not all of us are ready, at least give us time to prepare!” Photo Finish frowned. “What is zere to prepare?” “Well a lot of us still need some time to train our bodies, and get everyone together, and...” “Und give yourselves an unfair advantage? Some sort of method to CHEAT!?” Photo Finish declared, her gaze accusatory and angry. “wh-wha?” Macintosh blinked, taken aback. “Cheat? Why would anypony...?” “Oh trust me, it doesn’t matter how prestigious ze event or vhat its purpose is, if a pony vants to make a name for zemselves and zinks the event in question vill get zem zat, zey vill do anyzing to get it!” PHot Finish said, looking angry. “I have had much experience viz such ponies, and I doubt it vill be the last! The Running of ze Leaves is an important event for Equestria, but knowing that almost all of Equestria vill be vatching? Who knows what some ponies vill do knowing zat.” “N-nopony here would do that!” Macintosh retorted. “Hear, hear!” Filthy Rich added. “Ponyville and its citizens are fine examples of how Equestrians should act! Many ponies here are upstanding citizens and would never think of doing anything untoward or otherwise ruin the good name of the town!” “Maybe some yes, but you can’t guarantee ezeryone vill.” Photo Finish said. “After all, did not Grand Heist herself come from zis town? Who’s to say zhere isn’t anypony else here who is like that, if not as...notorious or dangerous.” Macintosh growled as several other ponies in the crowd glared. “H-how dare you accuse our town of...of being a hive of scum and villainy!” Photo Finish moved in closer to the mare’s face. “I am not. I am merely pointing out how you can’t guarantee nopony here vould cheat. You cannot possibly know everypony here, and neither I or ze people of IWI know zem. Forgive me if we cannot risk such a historic moment of Equestrian history for ze sake of you getting ‘prepared’. I doubt anypony competing need much prep time anyvay.” “That’s not the point you...!” “I’VE HAD IT WITH THIS SHOUTING AND ARGUING!” Iron Wil shouted. “WE’RE STARTING THIS THING! EVERYPONY, TO THE STARTING POSITION!” A large explosion burst in front of him, causing almost everyon aside from zecora and Photo Finish to wince and cover their eyes. “WHOO! TELEPORTATIOOOOOOOON!” Zecora trotted towards Photo Finish as she lead the mare to where the starting line would be. As she rubbed her eyes, Macintosh growled. “Razzafrazzin high and mighty jerk...show her...” Rarity grinned and trotted eagerly towards Sweet Apple Acres along with the other racers. “This is gonna be a blast!” Granny Smith,Hard Cider and Juicy Apple sat in their home with the estranged Rotten Bad Apple, Granny and Rotten sitting on a couch together as the husband and wife sat opposite them on a machine couch, as they did so a minotaur barged into the room suddenly. “W-what the hay!?” Hard Cider exclaimed, his wife leaping to his side in surprise. Rotten and Granny Smith simply calmly drank some tea together, barely paying the Minotaur any mind. The Minotaur set down a large, square device housing a large, round crystal in front of them and pressed a button, the crystal activating and showing a shot of the starting line for the Running of the Leaves, the picture quality as clear and sharp as if they were right there in person (or at least, that’s how they perceived it in that brief moment with the new technology). “W-what in tarnation!?” Juicy Apple asked in bewilderment. “Prototype testing on the orders of Iron Will Industries, ma’am.” The Minotaur said with a slight accent. “You will be able to watch the race from the comfort of your own home. No extra charge.” He saluted and pranced out of the building as suddenly as he had entered. “W-wha...?” Hard Cider sputtered, still trying to make sense of it all, before gasping. “Aw, horseapples, they’re startin’ the race...!” He got up to leave and watch the race personally, only for a cane to quickly slap him back down. “Now Cider, the race is important, but we still got yer brother-in-law here in who knows how long! It’s rude to our guest ta just go gallavantin’ off all willy nilly” Granny scolded. “You or mah daughter bein’ there ain’t gonna change much, an’ this doohickie seems ta be lettin’ us be able to watch anyway, so it’ll be fine.” “But Ma...” “Besides,” Rotten added, “yer just gonna unduly distract Macintosh if ya get there. Ya didn’t exactly put her in a good mood today, as Ah recall.” “Noone asked your opinion, Rotten!” Hard Cider declared, pointing a hoof, only to get another slap from Granny’s cane. “Settle down, Cider! Ah ain’t havin’ a negative attitude here!” Granny said. “Just sit quietly with yer wife an’ we can all discuss things as a family while we watch th’ race. Fair?” “Ah...” Hard Cider slumped. “Yes, Granny.” “Yes Ma...” Juicy added. Granny smiled. “Good. Now, who wants more tea?” “Oh Ah’d be delighted to have a bit more tea, Ma.” Rotten replied, smiling warmly. “An’ maybe some of yer apple fritters, from back when Ah was a young’un.” Granny grinned wide. “That does take me back....sure, anythin’ fer mah son.” Rotten smiled and sat back as granny got up to prepare the treats, Rotten’s eyes falling on the box before him. The plan was working out even better in his favour than he had thought, and it was all thanks to the surprise left for them by IWI. The starting line for the Running of Leaves was situated not too far from the Apple Farm, set up near one of their oldest apple tree groves. As the racers approached, several Ponyvillians stood at the sidelines to watch. Among the racers were Photo finish, standing confidently in her trademark racing suit; Rarity, who grinned excitedly, wearing a bicycle helmet atop her head; Macintosh, who glanced balefully at Photo Finish before turning to the track ahead of her; the young buffalo Little Strongheart, who waved at her girlfriend Apple Bloom who was standing among the spectators; Twilight Sparkle smiled at her family from afar as she stood at the farthest end of the grouping flanked by numerous other ponies, most of them earth ponies, stood ready to run with everyone else. Spike nudged Rainbow’s side as the pair of them watched from the sidelines. “You sure you don’t wanna join in too, Rainbow?” “Pass.” The Pegasus replied. “My interest in racing has long ago subsided, and they have plenty of ponies ready for it anyway. I’m fine just watching and cheering our friends on.” “Ah do agree, darling.” Applejack said, trotting closer to the Pegasus. “Ah’m just not one built for such laborious endeavours, and Ah don’t have much interest in it myself. Ah’m just here to cheer on mah sister and one of my helpful assistants.” She looked aside nervously. “And...Apple Bloom needed a chaperone.” She pointed a hoof to the filly in question, who was leaning over a fence that separated the crowd from the race track, the filly cheering and yelling encouragement towards Strongheart. Rarity blinked and called out to Applejack. “Hey AJ! I almost forgot to tell you! Your uncle’s visiting! He’s at your family’s farm talking to your parents and grandma!” “Wait, WHAT!?” Applejack blinked with a sharp gasp, before giving Apple Bloom a quick look. “Apple Bloom you’ll be fine here, right?” Apple Bloom looked to her older sister, having been paying too much attention to her girlfriend to have heard Rarity’s shout. “Huh? Yeah big sis, AH ain’t goin’ nowhere.” “Good.” The earth pony turned to Rainbow Dash. “You keep an eye her, make sure she doesn’t get in trouble or do anything foolish. I need to head off and find out what that rapscallion’s up to...” Rainbow nodded. “Hey, I know that feeling AJ, whatever’s going on, we’ll back you up if something happens. And we got the Royal Guard around too.” “Ah know, thank you, but even so Ah do feel Ah need to see to this personally first.” Applejack steeled herself as she trotted off, leaving the sidelines to head to the farm. Just to the side nearest the starting line, a large purple podium was set up with numerous microphones placed on its countertop. Standing behind it were Iron Will, Zecora and Filthy Rich, the last of whom began to speak, his voice broadcasted by the microphones for everyone to hear clearly. “The Running of the Leaves is perhaps one of Equestria’s most popular events, and one of its more important.” The Ponyville Mayor said, his voice calm, solemn and serious. “In our world as time passes things change. Before winter comes there comes fall, and that time is marked by the leaves of trees changing from bright green to soft browns and vibrants oranges, symbolising a time of quietness, rest and preparation for the winter. The Running of the Leaves is how this change is implemented: a great many ponies running at once across a specific route will generate magic that spreads throughout Equestria, causing the leaves to change colour. Each year the race rotates to a different place to be held in, but it began here in Ponyville, and this year shall it happen again. This race holds no prize, no reward for doing well, so please remember that as you run across Equestria and herald the season of change, and remember that regardless you should put your all into it. Let your drive fuel the magic you generate with your opponents, and remember that on this one day all of Equestria will be watching. Good luck, my fellow Ponyvillians, and those visiting from outside.” Zecora stood, opening her mouth to speak...only for Iron Will to jump up and GET RAAAAACIIIIING!” With that, a loud explosion.....exploded from behind him and the various racers yelped and started running off, a few tripping over themselves from the suddenness and the noise. At the lead were Photo Finish and Macintosh, neck and neck, while Rarity ran over to them, Twilight following not too far behind, Strongheart following Twiligth and several ponies behind them grunting and trading positions as they ran, many of thm not nearly as coordinated. Zecora groaned and spoke into a microphone. “Using our experimental technology, we have set up several birds equipped with viewing crystals so our viewers at home can watch the race, and we the judges shall watch alongside you so we can fairly judge a winner, as well as keep an eye out for any potential problems that may occur, what with our racers being worryingly close to the Everfree Forest.” Upon seeing a question glance from the Mayor Zecora added, “It’s always best to be ready for everything, especially the things we don’t like to think about.” Out on the track, Photo Finish admired the scenery as she ran, smiling to herself while muttering under her breath. “Ponyville is so interesting...I need to visit zese country towns more often.” Macintosh grunted, pulling in close to the pro racer. “Y-you are not going to win!” The Pegasus declared, panting. “I-I’ll show you the pride of Ponyville!” Photo Finish grinned at her. “Good! You are showing a lot of promise!” Rarity soon dashed past in between the pair of them, grinning widely. “Yeah! I overtook Photo Finish! I’m gonna beat her and show the Wonderbolts how awesome I am!” Photo Finish smirked. “Oh-hohoho~ another challenger! Excellent! I’ll really have to up my game!” Suddenly with a burst of speed the racer ran fast enough to cause what seemed to the casual observer to be a sonic boom, running past Rarity and then some, leaving several metres between them. “Oh no you don’t!” Macintosh grunted and dashed after her, while Rarity grinned and followed along, the pair running neck and neck as they steadily tried to catch up to the pro racer. Twilight panted and slowed her pace, shaking her head. “Those girls need to learn to pace themselves or they’ll wear themselves out before the race is over.” She levitated a water bottle that was secured to her side from its holster to her lips, taking a swig before setting back in place. Eventually the racers in the lead were the first to clear the boundaries of the city limits, greeted by a large mountain far in the distance and closer around stood many hills and small valleys. As Photo marvelled and smiled at the sights she easily ran ahead, Macintosh and Rarity panting as they struggled to keep up, already wearing themselves out just from the effort, all three spying a large sign ahead that pointed them to turn right, pointing directly to the massive mountain, and the three obediently followed it, leading the direction the rest of the racers followed. As they ran past one of the larger hills and entered what seemed to be quickly becoming a large quarry, green grass giving way to harsh stone and hard earth, something charged out from its hiding place in the shadows, swerving to stick itself to the side before moving behind Little Strongheart, who had caught up to Twilight. The racers running from behind gasped in confusion at the sight, only to grow more surprises as several larger wagons pulled in from the sides, surrounding them all and stopping them from attempting to escape, with Strongheart, Macintosh, Twilight, Rarity and Photo Finish cut off from the rest. Twilight looked behind herself, gasping at the sight. The lead caravan was a large affair, made of jet black oak and lacking wheels, causing it to grind nosily into the earth and create large gashes as it was pulled along via thick, long chains that were tied to a pair of absolutely massive alligators half the size of an Ursa Minor. Sitting atop the caravan was the sneering Worm-Eaten Bad Apple, who looked over the ponies (and buffalo) before him while he played on a banjo, not holding the chains holding the alligators at all. “Howdy there!” He called out. “’member me!?” The ponies looked up at him, their attention drawn from his explanation, and Rarity called out to him. “Actually, no not really!” “Never seen you before today.” Photo Finish added. Macitosh gasped. “Worm-Eaten!? Don’t tell me you got bail too!? What are you doign here!? You’re ruining everything!” “That’s kinda the point, Cuz.” Worm-Eaten responded, spitting to his side as he played a harsher tune on his banjo. At that, the alligators charged forward, snapping at the ponies. Twilight frowned, looking behind herself as she kicked at an alligator’s snout as it came close, making it yelp in pain and back away from her, however the mare had to leap out of the way as the second creature snapped at her a second later. Macintosh snarled at her cousin. “Will you Bad Apples go away!? We’re busy with an important race here, you jerks!” Worm-Eaten chuckled as he and the other bad apples corralled the racers towards the large mountain looming ever closer and closer ahead. “But ain’t this perfect? Sure, some folks not involved are gettin’ pushed into this, which sucks, but we got all Equestria watchin’ and so many of our hated enemies in one basket! It’d be a SHAME if we didn’t took advantage of this opportunity!” “And just vhere are you taking us!?” Photo Finished called out venomously. “I svear you lot shall pay for interrupting ze sanctity of zis race!” “Yap yap yap!” Worm-Eaten gestured his hoof in a ‘talking’ motion. “Less talkin’ more runnin’! We got a ron-day-voo to uphold!” Granny gaped in shock at the screen as she entered the room, seeing several caravans leading the racers off the track. “What in tarnation is goin’ on...?” The elderly mare muttered. Rotten Bad Apple smirked as he got up and trotted to his mother. “Ma...Ah think it’s time we had a little...discussion.” Author's Note You guys might be a bit disappointed, but let’s face it, this story wasn’t REALLY about the race in the first place, and besides I highly doubt I could’ve written about a race in its entirety and kept things interesting. I hope you all enjoyed it, and please comment!
