Author's Note

An original character appears in this chapter; a first for me!

Chapter 2

The trio head over to the busy horseshoe-throwing streets, looking for more ponies to introduce the game to. Still in the early stages of their journey, they looked for a solo player. There weren't that many of those, so they'd have a reasonably small selection to avoid getting overwhelmed with choices.

"Oh, look!", Applejack says, pointing to a familiar pony. "That's one of mah cousins'; let's go to her!"

The other two agree.

This pony is named Autumn Apple, indeed she is a cousin of Applejack. She has a brown coat, bright yellow mane, and an orange leaf for a cutie mark. She primarily works as a session musician around town; she can sing and play any country instrument you can think of. It has been reported in the news that she is the most in-demand session musician in Appleloosa.

But today, like everypony else, she was off work playing horseshoes, but unlike most of them, by herself. Despite being very extroverted and group-oriented, Autumn lives alone, and feels lonely sometimes.

Good thing what is happening today is happening today!

"Hey Autumn!", Applejack says.

Finally having this opportunity, the brown Earth pony runs up and hugs her cousin.

"Applejack! So glad you came! I don't like playing solo!"

Applejack hugs back.

Autumn then notices the other ponies.

"Oh, I see you've got some friends over too!"

"Yup!", Applejack says. "But we're not just here for any old game, Shoeshine here just introduced a twist to it!"

"Oh? Let's hear about it!", Autumn says.

"Good, good.", Shoeshine responds. "So this addition I've got makes it possible to score more points, by way of silver or gold horseshoes. Rather than always 1, 2, or 3 points, silver goes 2, 4, 6, and gold goes 3, 6, 9. Bronze stays as normal. It's decided what color you get next by what you landed on at your last throw; a ground hit gives you bronze, a stake hit gives you silver, and a ringer gives you gold. If you can get 10 gold ringers in a row, that gives you a perfect score of 90."

"Oh, wow! That sounds really cool!", Autumn says.

"It is very cool!", Rainbow Dash exclaims. It builds up more energy, because you know what you throw now affects what you can do next! And more points gives more energy too! I came in 3rd on the first game, but still had 34 points! More than what was possible before!"

"Alright! Let's try it then!", Autumn says.

The now-quartet of ponies play together; Shoeshine again won with 47 points, breaking her record, but Autumn came in second on her first game! 42 points. Rainbow Dash managed to beat Applejack this time, with 39 points, to Applejack's 36.

Autumn's enthusiasm carried over to the actual playing; the third consecutive pony to give the new game a positive review.

"Wow! This is amazing! You should bring it further!"

"That's our plan!", Shoeshine says. "We're going to introduce it to more and more ponies here on this street, then to the wider city, and if it gains enough steam, we'll introduce it to the EHA and ask if they'll adopt it!

*EHA stands for Equestrian Horseshoes Association, the governing body of the game with regards to general rules, leagues, tournaments, etc.

"That sounds great!", Autumn says. "I will certainly join!"

"Good!", Shoeshine says. "And who will we introduce it to next?"

"How about those over there?", Autumn suggests, pointing at a band she had been touring with.

The ponies proceed.

The streak continues; these ones too loved the new rules! The band then goes and introduces it to another band they co-headline on tours with, who also loved it. The game is growing!

The word starts spreading around the street quickly. With the band ponies telling others about what was happening, and those ponies telling others, it eventually gets to a point where nearly all the players have gathered around Shoeshine and Co. to hear about it and play! It's like the whole place is now in a group! Ponies are gathering around the inaugural players, looking to play a game with them, asking about the new rules, talking about officially bringing them in through the EHA; this was more than just an ordinary Sunday game-day here in Appleloosa. This was a party!

Shoeshine managed to ease up the craziness; now ponies were waiting in line to play with the her and the others. Not all the inaugural players played every game; they wanted to make sure there was enough time for everypony in line to get a turn. After all, work would start back up again tomorrow. With a rotating lineup, many matches were played, and the bronze-silver-gold rules continued to get positive reviews!

For more excitement, some more Ponyville residents start showing up, bringing the cities together more. Some of the Ponyville ponies who knew Shoeshine had heard about her creation, so they decided to come up to Appleloosa and see what was going on.

The first one to arrive was Cherry Berry, Shoeshine's best friend. Cherry doesn't play horseshoes much, but since her favorite pony in the world was up to something cool, she decided to join in.

"BFF! You're here!", Shoeshine says with a sprint + hug that was even faster than Autumn's. "I didn't think you would come up! I thought you were waiting for me!"

"I was!", Cherry Berry says. "But I ended up getting interested in playing horseshoes with your rules, and since I had free time, I figured why wait?"

"Great choice, best pal!"

The hugging eases and Cherry Berry enters the game. The inaugural group asks the crowd to disband for a bit, so they can play with just them and Cherry, which they agreed to do. The other ponies went to play their own games (with the new rules), leaving a five-player game right here. Shoeshine had her first non-first outside of the street-wide games, losing to Autumn with 43 points to 46. Rainbow Dash came in 3rd and broke 40 points for the first time, garnering 41. Applejack fell short with 39 points, and Cherry scored just 22. But that was to be expected; she hardly ever played this game.

Later, someone of a different species shows up: myself. I live in Ponyville, but this past week I had been in Appleloosa for a project. Every time I came here, I would go to the horseshoe streets to watch some action. I sometimes play, but not often. I prefer spectating.

"What's happenin'?", I said loudly, hoping that ponies would notice me.

"Oh, howdy there, Player 4.", Applejack said. "Shoeshine here just introduced a change to horseshoes where we now throw bronze, silver, or gold, for more points!"

"That's really cool!", I said. "Just like Shoeshine, I've always loved the bronze, silver, gold thing. In any capacity. Cool to know it's being brought to this great game!"

"Nice to hear! Will you try playing the game?", Shoeshine said.

"Erm, I'd love to", I said, "but I have to go back to Ponyville for a work project. What I was doing here in Appleoosa has just been finished. But I'm sure I'll play it eventually."

I did indeed have a lot of work to do most of the time; I've often been compared to Applejack and Rarity in this regard since arriving in Equestria.

"Oh, okay.", Shoeshine said. "I understand; work comes first. But let me know when you're available to play; I'd like to do it with you!"

"Sounds good!", I said. "I think this project will be pretty short, so I should be available on Tuesday. Also, I'll tell my coworkers about it for more spread! Bye everypony!"

"Bye, P4!", Rainbow Dash said.

I headed off to the train station.

What a morning this was! A creative new version of an iconic game had commenced, and gained a great deal of popularity. And it was still morning!

For even more, a news reporter showed up to document this event and spread the word to the rest of the city.

So far, so good!