Friendship is Magic: The Seventh Element

One autumn day, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were busily playing a friendly game of horseshoe toss. It was now Rainbow’s turn. She grunted as she made her toss, coming just short of hitting the wooden stake.

“Whoo-hoo!” Rainbow cheered.

“Hoo-wee!” Applejack said. “Not a bad pitch for a pony who works with her head in the clouds.”

“Oh yeah?” Rainbow replied. “Think you can do better, cowgirl?”

“I know I can,” Applejack answered.

She picked up a horseshoe. With a grunt of her own, she made her toss, but the horseshoe landed just behind Rainbow’s.

“Oh for Pete’s sake!” Applejack retorted, disappointed.

Rainbow Dash lightly tapped Applejack’s Stenson hat to the point it tilted over her face.

“Heh! Looks like this Pegasus can pitch better than the workhorse,” Rainbow remarked. “The object of the game is to get the closest to the stake.”

“All right, all right,” Applejack grumbled indignantly. “You got another throw there, pony girl.”

Rainbow grunted, hurling her horseshoe a little harder. The horseshoe overshot the wooden stake…

*CLANG!*

“OW!!!!”

A male voice cried out in pain, as the horseshoe crashed into something (Well, more like ‘some pony’) far beyond the stake.

“Wow, Rainbow, heh,” Applejack said sarcastically. “You couldn’t hit a barn door with that kind of throw!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Rainbow shot back. “I still have the closest throw, Applesmack. Just try and beat it.”

Applejack, with a determined look on her face, focused on the target. She made a strong toss and the shoe landed with a ring around the wooden stake.

“Yee-haw! It’s a ringer,” Applejack cheered. “That’s how you do it on the farm.”

Rainbow was simply dumbfounded.

“I lost,” Rainbow sighed, in disbelief and disappointment.

“Ah, don’t feel bad, Rainbow,” Applejack said. “It’s all in good fun.”

“I hate losing,” Rainbow pouted to herself.

“Besides, you’re a mighty good athlete,” Applejack assured.

As the girls walked away, it’s obvious Applejack was merely trying to soften the blow to the Pegasus’s pride. Unfortunately, Rainbow’s personal ego was feeling rather threatened. And soon enough, the Pegasus herself hovered directly over the orange pony.

“All right, Applejack,” Rainbow spoke. “You think you’re the top athlete in all of Ponyville?”

Applejack used her tail to ‘literally’ brush Rainbow away.

“Well, I was gonna say in all of Equestria,” Applejack replied. “But that might be glidin’ the lily.”

“… and I think I’m the top athlete,” Rianbow retorted. “So let’s prove it.”

Applejack turned around to face the Pegasus herself.

“Prove what?” Applejack asked.

“I challenge you to an Iron Pony competition,” Rainbow said. “A series of athletic contests to decide who’s the best once and for all.”

Suffice to say, Applejack didn’t feel she truly had anything to prove. But her competitive nature made her think otherwise.

“You know what, Rainbow?” Applejack said. “You’re on.”

They each spat on a hoof and bumped them together in agreement before giving each other determined smiles. Smiles that said: GAME ON!!!

https://m.

Now warming up, Rainbow Dash began to do some stretches to get her body ready for their… well, what should have been but a mere competition. Twilight Sparkle, with Spike on her back, and Storm Shield on her side, arrived to see what all the commotion was about. A ‘horseshoe’ slung around Storm’s horn while a black eye was visible upon his right eye.

“So you two are doing what, now?” Twilight asked curiously.

“An Iron—”Applejack was about to answer.

“Iron Pony competition,” Rainbow interrupted, continuing her stretches.

“See,” Applejack explained. “We’ve set up a brunch of events to decide which one of us is—”

“The most athlete pony ever!” Rainbow interrupted, yet again.

While Rainbow continued to warm up, grunting each time, Storm Shield finally discarded the horseshow with the aura of his magic.

“And we’re here to…?” Storm asked puzzled.

“I don’t know,” Rainbow answered, with a grunt. “Why are they here?”

Applejack gave Rainbow an indignant glare, till her expression softened a bit.

“To judge and keep score,” Applejack explained. “I reckon Storm could help referee since he’s just as honest as I am.”

“Can do Applejack,” Storm nodded. “Just give me a second for a costume change.”

Storm zoomed away and returned wearing a long sleeved, black-and-white striped shirt with a whistle around his neck.

“Well, aren’t you enthusiastic,” Twilight remarked, with annoyance.

Storm merely glared back.

“Oh yeah? Well, listen to this,” Storm said, clearing his throat. “Ponies will start at the sound of my whistle. Each pony must complete such-and-such and must do, and don’t, this and that. The player to accomplish the goal the quickest or the best wins. Ponies… on your mark, get set…”

*TWEEEEEEEEEEET!*

Twilight and Spike jumped as Storm blew the whistle loudly, but Applejack was most impressed.

“Yee-haw! Storm, you’ve got the referee job for sure,” Applejack declared excitedly. “And Twilight can declare the winner.”

“Right, heh,” Rainbow replied. “Somepony’s gotta record my awesomeness for the history books.”

Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, and Storm Shield just rolled their eyes over Rainbow’s cocky attitude.

<>

Soon enough, everything was set up for the start of the competition. And for some strange reason, Spike was holding a twig and… using it as a microphone?

“Hello every pony, and welcome to the first annual Iron Pony competition!” Spike announced.

Storm Shield, on the other hoof, actually held a real mic but held it with his magic.

“We’re here live from Sweet Apple Acres to give you up-to-date coverage of today’s events!” Storm added.

“Uh Spike, Storm, who are you talking to?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Um… uh, them!” Spike pointed out.

To the dragon’s good fortunate, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity arrived to watch the events take place.

“Let the games begin!”

The three ponies cheered in excitement as the first event was prepped for action.

“Ponies will start at the sound of my whistle,” Storm explained. “Each pony must successfully weave their way through the barrels as they make their way toward the finish line. Time penalties will be added for any bumped barrels. The pony who gets to the goal the fastest wins.”

Applejack was ready to go.

“Ready… Set… Go!” Twilight shouted.

*TWEEEET!*

Storm blew his whistle and Applejack took off, maneuvering as quickly as she could. Unfortunately, as she approached the final half of the course, her flank bumped a barrel just before she crossed the finish line.

“Dagnabbit!” She remarked, with a gasp.

“Time, Spike?” Twilight asked.

Spike turned to the stopwatch Storm allowed him to borrow for the event.

“17 seconds,” Spike said.

“You’re kiddin’!” Applejack said shocked. “That breaks my record from last year’s rodeo.”

“But you got a five second penalty for nudging the barrel,” Spike added.

“So you’re true time is 22 seconds,” Storm said.

“Nuts and chews!” Applejack sighed. “Still, that’s twenty-two seconds. Not too shabby.”

Rainbow just remained rather quiet. The sweat on her face showed she was feeling a little intimidated at Applejack’s fast time.

“Hey, don’t be nervous,” Applejack said supportively. “Remember, it’s all in good fun. Now git on up there.”

Rainbow slowly flew over to the starting line, still sweating a bit as she got herself ready.

“Ready. Set. Go!”

*TWEEEEET!*

With the blow of the whistle, Rainbow took off at high speed and weaved through the barrels. Not only was she fast, but her run was clean too.

“Woo! That was some fancy hoof-work there, Rainbow!” Applejack said, clearly impressed.

“Thanks, but I couldn’t have been as fast as you,” Rainbow panted.

“What was the time on that, Spike?” Applejack asked.

“18 seconds!” Spike exclaimed.

“And no penalties!” Storm added.

“18 seconds,” Applejack said. “Rainbow, are you sure you’re not secretly a rodeo pony?”

“Rainbow Dash wins the barrel lead!” Twilight announced.

Fluttershy placed an apple-shaped card on a scoreboard with the number ‘1’ on it.

“Oh, I can’t believe I won!” Rainbow gushed excitedly, in midair.

Annoyed, Applejack pinned Rainbow to the ground.

“Yeah, well, don’t you go getting’ used to it,” Applejack said indignantly.

“Next even is the test of strength,” Storm announced. “At the sound of my whistle, each pony has one try to send this little marker to the bell at the top. The player who succeeds or the player who hits the bells the loudest and/or fastest wins. Rainbow, ready, set…”

*TWEEEEEEEEEET!*

Rainbow stomped as hard as she could to send the marker all the way to top with little difficulty and the ponies cheered. Applejack merely lounged underneath an apple tree with a piece of grass in her mouth.

“Mighty respectable,” Applejack nodded. “But let me show ya how it’s really done.”

Storm blew his whistle and Applejack gave a loud grunt. She not only hit the marker against the bell faster but sent it so fast it blasted the bell right off the top. Rainbow watched, her mouth hung out, while all the other ponies cheered.

“Years of applebuckin’,” Applejack boasted.

She bucked the apple tree Rainbow was sitting under…

“Shave and a haircut…”

… and the bell rang again.

“Two bits.”

It was then five apples bopped Rainbow on the head… (100, 200, 400, 800, 1000 appears…)… then two more hit her head (… 2000, 4000… bummer, two more and A.J. would get a 1-up). Rainbow groaned as she rubbed her sore head, while Fluttershy put a ‘1’ card next to Applejack’s part of the scoreboard.

“Next event: The buckin’ bronco,” Storm announced. “Each pony has Spike riding their back as they bounce and buck about to try and knock him off. The pony who makes Spike fall off the quickest wins. However, any intentional harm to Spike to make him fall off faster will result in an immediate disqualification.”

“Wahoo!”

“Whoo-hoo!”

“Eeyup!”

Apparently Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Big MacIntosh arrived to cheer for Applejack. They were now sitting along some bleachers, as Applejack got ready to start.

“Why me?” Spike asked rhetorically.

“Go!” Twilight shouted.

*TWEEEEET!*

At the blow of Storm’s whistle, Applejack soon jumped and bucked about as roughly as she could.

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa-hoa! Whoa! Whoaaa!” Spike cried out.

The little dragon tried to hold on before Applejack launched him into the air and into a nearby hay pile.

“Ouch!”

Spike didn’t have much time to recover. As soon as he popped from the hay pile, Rainbow was already underneath him.

“Ready for another pony ride?” Rainbow asked, determined.

“No…” Spike whimpered.

“Rainbow, ready, set…”

*TWEEEEEEEEEEEET!*

With the blow of the whistle, Rainbow took off. She wasted no time bouncing Spike up and about.

“Guh-Guh-Guh-Guh-Guh-Guh-Guh-Guh-Guh-Guh-Guh-Guh-WHOAAAA!” Spike cried out.

He didn’t even last for a for a few seconds before Rainbow sent him flying high into the air.

“Rainbow Dash wins the bronco-buck!” Twilight announced, as another bell rang in the distance.

Poor Spike now hung along the top of the scoreboard, looking dazed and worn out. Fluttershy looked at him with worry as she updated the scoreboard.

“And I lose,” Spike groaned.

It was then some other ponies began to appear, cheering as Applejack and Rainbow got ready for the next event. Applejack couldn’t help but show off a little, while Rainbow struggled just to keep her lasso from falling apart.

“Lasso contest,” Storm announced. “At the start of my whistle, each pony will take turns lassoing and tying up Spike. The pony who can tie up Spike in the most charismatic, cleanest knot wins. Ponies, on your mark, get set…”

*TWEEEEEEEET!*

Applejack wasted no time going first.

“Whoa!”

Spike grunted as he found his claws and feet tied together in one simple knot, as he landed on his back.

“How do I get roped into these things?”

Spike never got his answer, as the other ponies cheered for Applejack and tossed several roses at her hooves. Spike didn’t have to deal with being tied up again. Poor Rainbow had ended up getting herself tied up in the same manner, but she was hanging from a tree… upside down… and desperately trying to get out of her own knot.

“Does this count?” Rainbow asked, grunting.

“Applejack is the winner!” Storm announced.

The bell rang and the score was updated once again.

<>

The next event was ball balancing, which was simply the pony who could keep their ball in the air without dropping it wins. Applejack grunted, but she easily lost her ball while Rainbow bounced hers without difficulty. The ponies cheered, while some Pegasi tossed some roses at Rainbow from above, as the bell rang, and the score updated again.

The hay toss was next, as Rainbow went first and tossed a rather heavy haystack into the air at a decent distant. She flew over to it as the haystack landed.

“Yuh!” She boasted, blowing a raspberry at Applejack.

Then not a second later, a much larger, heavier haystack crashed right on top of Rainbow. Ponies cheered as Applejack was carried away. At the ring of the bell, the score was updated yet again.

Then came hoof-wrestling, which one would think Applejack would have the huge advantage over.

“Wah!”

Applejack grunted in shock, as Rainbow pinned her fore-hoof with great ease. The bell rings, the score was updated… and blah-blah-blah…

*WHACK!*

OUCH!!! It was a joke!

*Clears throat* Finally came the football kicking event. Applejack gave her football a nice long kick, but Rainbow was able to kick her football higher and farther, nearly hitting some Pegasi spectators in a nearby cloud. Fluttershy gasped as the football barreled toward her. She used the score panel in her hands to protect herself. The football managed to knock the score card right into the scoreboard. The bell rang and Fluttershy made a ‘It’s good!’ pose with her forelegs.

<>

“Welcome back every pony to the Spike and Storm half time show,” Storm announced. “I’m Storm! He’s Spike! And we’re here live to bring you up to speed on today’s Iron Pony competition!”

“Fillies and gentlecolts, at the halfway point,” Spike added. “Our competitors are tied at five and five.”

“Who are you two talking to?” Twilight asked annoyed.

“Them!” Spike and Storm said together.

What had been considered a small competition evolved into a full-on spectator event with lots of ponies cheering and even creating a pyramid and doing cheerleading. Now back to the events.

The push-ups competition was underway, as Twilight was officially keeping count. The looks on Applejack’s and Rainbow’s faces showed they were hitting their push-up limits.

“95, 96, 97, 98, 99…” Twilight counted.

Just then, Rainbow opened her wings to give her some strength relief.

“A hundred!”

Applejack collapsed to the ground in exhaustion and Rainbow was declared the winner. Storm just had a stern look on his face, jotting something down on a clipboard. Applejack was angered as well.

“Be a good sport, Applejack,” She told herself.

But deep down, Applejack knew the truth: Rainbow Dash had cheated.

<>

Some of the other events seemed to show Rianbow having similar issues. In the long jump, each pony took a turn to see how far they could jump in the air. When Rainbow realized she was going to fall behind Applejack, she opened her wings to give her a distant boost… so she landed ahead of her.

Next came the chick cross. The hens clucked and the chicks chirped as each pony was tasked to carry as many chicks as they could to the mother hen. Applejack tried to be graceful, but her mud splashing caused all her chicks to abandon pony. Rainbow merely walked smugly as she opened her wings to carry all the chicks across and keep them away from the splashing mud.

*Pause* Note that while only a few events are discussed, there have been a total of nineteen events so far and there was one other unmentioned event Rainbow used her wings to her advantage. Please also note Storm recorded these events on a clipboard… which we’ll get to later.

*Clears throat* The final event soon came, which was the tug of war.

“All right, you two,” Twilight said. “This is the final event. Give it all you’ve got!”

“At the start of my whistle,” Storm explained. “Each pony will pull the rope and try to bring that flag in the middle to their side of the mud wallow. The pony who gets the flag to their side wins. Ponies, on your mark, get set…!”

*TWEEEEEEEEET!*

With the final blow of the whistle, Applejack and Rainbow began the tug of war event.

“Looks like the workhorse might come out ahead in this one,” Spike said.

Suffice to say, Storm didn’t think for a moment that Rainbow was going to play fair.

“We’ll see,” Storm said skeptically.

Just as Storm predicted, Rainbow flew above the mud patch as Applejack was left dangling above the middle of the mud patch.

“That’s not fair!” Applejack said. “You can’t use your wings to help you win.”

Unfortunately, her voice was muffled due to the rope in her mouth. Suffice to say, Rainbow could not understand the orange pony at all.

“Huh?” Rainbow asked.

“You’re cheatin’!” Applejack mumbled.

“I can’t understand you with that rope in your mouth,” Rainbow answered.

“I said… uh-oh.”

Applejack realized by spitting out the rope, she released her only support that was keeping her from the mud… and crashed down with a splash. The crowd cheered, as the bell gave its final ring and Rainbow Dash updated the scoreboard herself.

“Whoo-hoo!” Rainbow cheered. “I win by a landslide… or mudslide in your case!”

Rainbow chuckled as Applejack glared at her from the mud. Storm helped Applejack out of the mud, but he too gave the blue Pegasus a glare himself.

“I am the Iron Pony!” Rainbow shouted to the world.

A pair of Pegasi held a rainbow banner behind her and some ponies cheered. Now clean of the mud, Applejack stormed toward Rainbow Dash.

“Only ‘cause you cheated,” Applejack retorted angrily.

“What?” Rainbow exclaimed.

Offended, she flew directly into Applejack’s face as she continued.

“You used your wing power to help you win over half of those contests.”

“Sounds like sour apples to me,” Rainbow said indignantly.

“Are you sayin’ you didn’t use your wings?” Applejack asked sternly.

“Well… no,” Rainbow stuttered, recomposing herself. “But you never said that I couldn’t use my wings.”

“I didn’t think I needed to tell you to play fair,” Applejack retorted.

While the mares argued, Storm Shield approached with the clipboard levitating beside him.

“Applejack’s right Rainbow,” Storm spoke up. “Your wings gave you an unfair advantage and you’re smart enough to know that. True, using your wings might not have been stated in the rules… I checked. But nevertheless, you did use them to cheat in exactly, and I counted, fiveevents. In fact, I can outright disqualify your win at the tug of war event!”

“What?!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“The rules clearly state, and I quote: Whoever gets the flag to their side of the mud patch wins,” Storm explained sternly. “Technically, you never crossed the flag to your side of the line, you just dangled Applejack over the mud and let her fall in! That is not just cheating, but that’s bad sportsmanship. There’s no honesty in winning like that!”

“Like you never cheated to be the fastest unicorn alive!” Rainbow shot back.

Rainbow Dash gasped suddenly, wishing she could take it back when Storm gave her a very fiery glare. Even when he was furious with her over the dragon incident, Storm never looked this angry. Slowly, he approached Rainbow Dash with a tone that could give the toughest ponies a cold chill.

“I… never… cheated… in any of my races,” Storm said slowly. “Don’t… you… ever… forget that Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy, please subtract five points from Rainbow’s score and give them to Applejack at once!”

Fluttershy hesitated before doing as she was told, leaving the ponies tied.

“We have a tie every pony!” Storm declared.

Rainbow Dash, however, was not going to settle for that result.

“I still would have won even without my wings,” Rainbow replied indignantly.

“Hah!” Applejack said. “Prove it.”

“Gladly,” Rainbow answered, before turning puzzled. “How?”

“Tomorrow is the annual Runnin’ of the Leaves,” Applejack said. “I challenge you to race me in it.”

“Heh! Easy schmeasy,” Rainbow answered.

She went to fly off when Applejack pinned her down the ground by standing on the girl’s tail.

“Hold on!” Applejack said. “There is one condition: The point is to run, so no wings allowed.”

“No wings?” Rainbow remarked, bucking Applejack off. “No problem.”

They both spit on their fore-hoof and smashed them together. Then they just glared till Rainbow blew a raspberry in Applejack’s face. Applejack just chuckled before they continued their little stare down contest.

<>

The very next day, Twilight and Storm casually left the library toward the location where the Running of the Leaves event would take place. Spike, of course, was growing impatient.

“Twilight, Storm, hurry up!” Spike complained, riding Twilight’s back. “We’re gonna be late for the race.”

“Why are you so excited about the race?” Twilight asked curiously. “It’s only for ponies.”

Spike stood on Twilight’s back with his twig for a microphone.

“Yeah, but I’m hoping I can be the announcer again,” Spike said.

“Umm… Spike…” Storm spoke uneasily. “About that…”

“Just listen,” Spike interrupted. “Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to the annual Running of the—”

“Welcome to the annual Running of the Leaves!” A loud, yet well-known voice shouted. “This is Pinkie Pie, your official p-eye-in-the-sky announcer.”

Pinkie Pie came floating from above in an air balloon, a mega-phone attached to the edge of the basket. Spike just glared at Storm.

“Yeah, I… kind of asked Pinkie to take my place as an announcer,” Storm smiled, apologetically.

Spike just angrily threw his twig to the ground with a pout.

“Sorry Spike,” Twilight said sympathetically. “I guess that job’s already taken.”

“As every pony knows,” Pinkie continued. “The Running of the Leaves is a very important tradition, for without it, the autumn leaves in Equestria would never fall. So get ready, ponies. The Running of the Leaves will begin in five minutes!”

It was then the ponies, who were going to participate, began to line up at the starting line. Some of them were eager to get started, others stretching a bit. Applejack was already stretching as a certain Pegasus made her entrance. The Pegasus pushed her way through a pair of ponies, as she made her way towards Applejack.

“Pardon me, excuse me,” Rainbow said arrogantly. “Make way for the Iron Pony.”

“The Iron Phony, you mean,” Applejack said. “Accordin’ to Storm, we tied yesterday.”

But Rainbow wasn’t listening.

“So, Applejack, you ready to win second place,” Rainbow Dash asked her.

“I’m ready to run a good, clean race,” Applejack said.

“Yeah, yeah…” Rainbow answered.

“You are not allowed to use your wings,” Applejack reminded her.

“I could win this race with both wings tied behind my back,” Rainbow remarked proudly.

Applejack just hummed to herself as she got an idea. Soon Applejack gave a grunt, as she used a rope to tie Rainbow’s wings up and prevent her from using them.

“Trussed up like a turkey,” Applejack said. “Well, a turkey who can’t fly that is.”

“Very funny,” Rainbow replied indignantly.

“Least now we know we’re racin’ fair and square,” Applejack said.

It was then they heard a trumpet from up above.

“Races! Please take your position!” Pinkie announced.

As all the participating ponies prepared to race, Spike approached the balloon.

“Um… Pinkie Pie?” He asked timidly.

“Hey, Spike! What’s up?” Pinkie asked. “Oh wait, it’s me! I’m up!”

And Pinkie Pie found herself laughing at her own joke.

“Uh, yeah…” Spike answered slowly. “I know you’re doing the announcing today and stuff and… I’m sure you’re gonna do a great job and all, but… I was just wondering…”

“What?” Pinkie asked.

“Aw… forget it.”

Poor Spike lost his courage to ask and turned to leave. But somehow, Pinkie Pie figured out just what Spike was trying to say.

“Spike!” Pinkie called out. “Would you like to be my co-reporter? We could comment on the action together!”

“We could?!” Spike replied excitedly.

“Climb on up!” Pinkie gestured.

Spike quickly turned and gave a shrilling whistle. Storm’s personal microphone was tossed directly into the palm of his claws, and he climbed onboard the balloon. Meanwhile, Rainbow and Applejack were just getting ready when they noticed a familiar purple unicorn at the starting line.

“Twilight? What in tarnation are you doin’ up here?” Applejack asked in surprise.

“I’m racing,” Twilight answered.

This drew a laugh from Rainbow’s lips.

“Good one, Twilight,” Rainbow replied.

“I’m not joking,” Twilight said bluntly, with an indignant look.

“What?” Rainbow exclaimed. “You’re not an athlete, you’re a… well… an egghead.”

“I am not an egghead,” Twilight retorted. “I am well-read.”

“Egghead,” Rainbow spoke softly to Applejack, who just snicked.

“But have you ever run a race?” Applejack asked Twilight.

“Well, no,” Twilight answered honestly. “But I do know a lot about running.”

“And you know this from…” Rainbow asked, with mock curiosity.

“Books,” Twilight answered. “I’ve read several on the subject.”

Rainbow tumbled onto her back, laughing loudly.

“What’d you read, ‘The Egghead’s Guide to Running’?” Rainbow asked Twilight, laughing herself silly. “Did you stretch out your eye muscles to warm up? Get it? Eye muscles?”

Twilight just looked more annoyed.

“Scoff if you must, Rainbow,” Twilight said. “But the Running of the Leaves is a Ponyville tradition, and since I’m here to learn, I’ve decided I should experience it myself.”

Rainbow and Applejack were still finding it hard taking Twilight seriously.

“Well, I think that’s just dandy Twilight,” Applejack said. “Good luck.”

She then shared a snicker with Rainbow.

“Yeah. See you at the finish line… tomorrow,” Rainbow added, chuckling to herself.

Twilight didn’t take the teasing lightly, but a smirk formed on her face.

“You know girls,” Twilight said smugly. “I may have learned about running from books, but I did have one of the best teachers in all Equestria to teach me to do a race for whenever I wanted to try it first-hoof.”

“Like… who?” Applejack asked indignantly.

It was then she and Rainbow Dash turned and gasped at the very pony standing next to Twilight. He was currently stretching, hopping, and even did a spin jump before acknowledging their gaze.

“Hi girls,” Storm smiled. “What’s up?”

“STORM?!” They exclaimed.

“Who better to teach me about running the fastest unicorn alive himself?” Twilight smiled.

Storm returned it in kind, as he continued his stretches.

“Feels good to be back in a race again,” Storm sighed.

Applejack and Rainbow exchanged looks before they snickered again.

“Forget it, Storm,” Rainbow said cockily. “You were great, but now you’re outta date!”

“I’m only a year older than you girls,” Storm replied indignantly, slightly offended.

“Exactly!” Applejack pointed out. “You’re last year’s model.”

“We’re the models built for speed,” Rainbow remarked.

Storm merely rolled his eyes.

“Right…” Storm said annoyed. “Because…”

Everypony's super pony racing
Gotta keep your hooves right on the ground
When you're super pony racing
there's no time to look around
When you're super pony racing
Running to a point of no return
Everypony's super pony racing
Come on let your...fire...
burn?

Storm soon noticed that his friends and several nearby ponies were just glaring at him.

“Oh come on!” Storm bellowed. “No one complains when Pinkie Pie sings out of the blue!”

All he received was more glares and a cough somewhere in the background. Storm started to feel slightly embarrassed.

“Critics…” Storm muttered.

That was the last time he’d ever try that again. It was then Twilight gave him a light giggle and smile, which made him feel ‘slightly’ better. It reminded him that he wasn’t there to race to the finish. He and Twilight were just going to run together and enjoy the sights.

“All right, ponies, are you ready?” Pinkie announced.

“Get set…” Spike added.

*DING!*

With a ring of the bell, every pony took off, and the race was on!”

“And they’re off!” Pinkie declared. “Welcome to the official coverage of the Running of the Leaves. You know, Spike, despite its name, the leaves don’t do any of the actual running. No, that’s left to my little ponies.”

Spike was slightly caught off guard by the comment but made the effort to improvise.

“Why yes, Pinkie,” Spike answered. “It’s the running of the ponies that causes the leaves to fall.”

“Ugh. Those lazy, lazy leaves,” Pinkie said. “But this year, this run is about more than the weather. It’s about the race to the finish and the two runners who want to win it: Applejack and Rainbow Dash.”

“You know Pinkie,” Spike said. “These two ponies have a bit of a grudge match they’re trying to settle. Trying to prove who’s the most athletic.”

“Yes, and ‘grudge’ rhymes with ‘fudge’,” Pinkie replied.

“Yes, it… does,” Spike said, rather puzzled. “What?”

“And I like fudge,” Pinkie continued. “Butt if I eat too much fudge, I get a pudge, and then I can’t budge.”

“So… no fudge?” Spike asked, confused.

“Oh, no thanks,” Pinkie said. “I had a big breakfast. Let’s check in with our two competitive ponies, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Having a fast out of the gate, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are evenly matched running neck and neck. But what’s this? Applejack is making a move, she’s now ahead by a nose. But Rainbow Dash won’t let Applejack have it and takes the lead. She’sahead by half a nose. Or maybe three quarters of a nose. No, about sixty-three-point seven percent of a nose.. roughly speaking. Applejack sees this move and pushes forth with her strong workhorse legs slinking ahead by three hundred and fifty noses.”

Spike just looked slightly annoyed by Pinkie’s idea of measuring leads, but in simpler terms.

“I’m telling them what’s going on!” Pinkie shouted.

Pinkie, hush! I’m the writer, not you!

… anyways, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were changing positions for the lead until Applejack managed to pull away. The two mares continued to speed down the path.

“Not so easy without wings, is it?” Applejack remarked.

Rainbow was tempted to open her wings, but the rope kept them closed.

“Come on, Rainbow,” She told herself. “Show ‘em a little dash.”

Rainbow began to pick up the pace, catching right up to Applejack.

“Ho-hold your horses, Pinkie!” Spike said excitedly. “Rainbow Dash is catching up to the front runner Applejack!”

“What an upset,” Pinkie said. “I thought Applejack had this in the bag.”

Soon, Rainbow Dash was neck-and-neck with Applejack.

“You didn’t think I was gonna let you off that easily, did you?” Rainbow taunted.

Applejack looked a bit indignant, but then one of her fore-hooves hit a nearby rock on the ground. She tripped and tumbled to the ground, as the huge collection of ponies ran in a cloud of dust.

“Whoa!” Applejack said, returning to her feet. “I don’t believe it.”

“I know, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Applejack turned as Twilight Sparkle and Storm Shield arrived. Storm nodded in agreement, while using the camera around his neck to take pictures of the scenery.

“Not the scenery, Twilight,” Applejack retorted. “Rainbow Dash just tripped me.”

“She did not,” Storm and Twilight said in unison.

“She did too!” Applejack remarked.

“She did not,” Twilight argued firmly. “And if you slowed down and looked where you were going, like us, you’d see that you tripped over a rock.”

Applejack looked back and noticed the rock sticking out where she’d been running. It didn’t take long for Applejack to realize her mistake and see the other ponies charging away.

“What? Oh hayseed!” Applejack said. “Now I got a lot of ground to make up to catch Rainbow.”

“Just be careful!” Twilight called out, as Applejack took off.

“Slow and steady wins the race!” Storm called out.

“Oh now you’re sounding like an old colt,” Twilight pointed out.

Storm turned toward Twilight with a glare, the unicorn mare merely smiled.

“Lighten up, I’m just teasing,” Twilight replied. “I’m glad you’re so mature with your speed. Unlike Rainbow and Applejack, you know sometimes it’s best to slow down and just enjoy the view.”

Feeling better, Storm and Twlight went their way to enjoy the sights. It didn’t take Applejack too long to finally catch up with Rainbow Dash.

“See you at the finish line!” Applejack called out, charging ahead.

“I don’t believe it,” Spike said, from above. “After a huge setback, Applejack is back at the front of the pack.”

“She’s the head of the pack, all right,” Pinkie added. “The pick of the litter! The cat’s pajamas! Oh wait, why would Applejack take some poor kitty’s PJs? That’s not very sporting of her.”

Spike was just at a loss for words.

“Ookay…” Spike could only say. “Let’s get back to the race.”

“Not so fast, Applejack!” Rainbow replied, closing in on Applejack. “This race isn’t over yet!”

“It is for you,” Applejack said. “Heh.”

Then as if the timing couldn’t have been more perfect, Rainbow stumbled forward and fell down. The crowd of ponies came trampling by, burying her in a huge mess of leaves. She poked her head from the leaves.

“Whoa!” Rainbow said, in shock. “I don’t believe it, Applejack tripped me.”

It was then Twilight and Storm just happened to arrive.

“Don’t you ponies ever look where you’re going?” Twilight remarked. “You tripped on a stump, see?”

Unlike Applejack, Rainbow refused to see sense.

“Oh I see,” Rainbow spoke. “A big cheater is what I see.”

“Rainbow, Applejack would never cheat,” Twilight remarked. “It was just an accident.”

“We even saw you trip ourselves,” Storm said. “There is no logical way Applejack could have planted a tree, grow it, and cut it down in just onenight. Or… laid the stump there before-hoof. It’s rooted to the ground.”

Storm pushed it to prove his point.

“Sure it was… I mean, yeah… I’m sure it was,” Rainbow replied.

Rainbow was a little too quick to make it sound as if she believed either of them… yet Twilight did.

“Remember Rainbow, this is just a race,” Twilight reminded Rainbow, going her way.

“No pony respects a winner who cheats either,” Storm added.

It was a slight warning to Rainbow to not try anything, as he followed Twilight.

“Yes, but the rules have changed,” Rainbow said to herself. “And two can play at that game.”

<>

“Welcome back, Ponyvillians, it’s me, Pinkie Pie,” The pink pony announced from her balloon.

“And Spike,” The dragon added, in the balloon. “Looks like Rainbow is doing her best to catch up.”

“I’m not sure how ketchup is going to help her in this contest,” Pinkie remarked. “Now in a hot dog eating contest it can make them doggies nice and slippery, but personally, I prefer mustard. How about you, Spike?”

“Uh… I… like… pickles?” Spike answered, with hesitation.

“Aaand… it looks like Applejack as found herself in quite a pickle as Rainbow Dash overtakes her,” Pinkie pointed out.

“Look, ma, no wings!” Rainbow Dash gloated.

Applejack just narrowed her brow and tried her best to keep up with the blue Pegasus.

“As the racers enter Equestria’s Whitetail Wood,” Spike commented. “Rainbow Dash is back in the lead.”

Rainbow then noticed a nearby tree branch. She grabbed the branch, pulled it back, and just as Applejack was in range.

*SMACK!*

Rainbow released the branch and smacked it in Applejack’s face, knocking the orange pony back. Rainbow chuckled as she continued on her way.

“Ugh, hey, Rainbow!” Applejack shouted.

She noticed the devious smile on Rainbow’s face, as the blue Pegasus blew Applejack a raspberry and took off.

“Why, that little cheater did that on purpose!” Applejack exclaimed. “It’s on.”

Applejack soon noticed another branch from behind. Pulling it back as hard as she could without breaking it, she let the momentum of the recoil rocket her forward at high speed. Meanwhile, Rainbow was feeling very pleased with her dirty trick.

“Nice on, Rainbow,” She congratulated herself.

“Later!” Applejack shouted.

She flew by and landed in front of Rainbow. Rainbow gasped as she growled and gave chase. Then Applejack bucked a tree and made a beehive drop on Rainbow.

“AAA!!!” Rianbow screamed.

Running for dear life, the fear gave Rainbow the speed boost she needed to pull ahead. She ducked into the some bushes as the bees made a “!?” formation and zoomed away. Once Rainbow felt safe, she quickly saw a nearby sigh and reversed the direction. Applejack, thinking nothing less, just followed the sign without a second thought. Rainbow began to laugh herself silly as the other ponies ran past her in the correct direction.

Probably because she was leaning against the sign, so no way they could see the change of direction.

“Oh my, Whitetail Wood is just lovely,” Twilight told Storm.

“Makes me appreciate the fact my birthday comes during this time of year,” Storm added.

Rainbow gasped as Storm and Twilight’s conversation continued. She quickly fixed the sign back to its original direction.

“Your birthday party was a lot of fun,” Twilight remarked.

“Especially since you actually showed up!” Storm replied, with a smug smile.

Twilight gave Storm a raspberry when they saw Rainbow nearby.

“Hey Rainbow,” Twilight said. “Shouldn’t you be up ahead?”

“I’m sure I’ll win now,” Rainbow chuckled, not paying attention.

“Except the other races just passed you!” Storm pointed out.

Rainbow gasped and noticed all the other ponies leaving her behind.

“Oh horse apples… See ya!” Rainbow replied quickly, zooming away.

Meanwhile, Applejack soon found herself at the top of a ledge on the mountain unsure of where she should go. Just then, the hot air balloon hovered right above the orange pony.

“Applejack, what are you doing up here?” Pinkie asked curiously.

“There’s aren’t even any trees,” Spike added.

“Er, no,” Applejack said uncertainly. “But the signs pointed this way…”

Applejack realized she had been tricked.

“… Rainbow. Mind me giving me a lift.”

While for some, a balloon assistance would be considered ‘cheating’, considering Applejack was lost Pinkie made an exception. Of course, one could argue that Pinkie didn’t need to drop Applejack right in pole position either. Rainbow would definitely argue that case as Applejack landed in front of her.

“What the hay?!” Rainbow exclaimed. “You said no flying!”

“No, I said no wings,” Applejack corrected.

The two ponies surged ahead as Pinkie and Spike kept watch.

“I must say, Spike,” Pinkie remarked. “That this has been the most interesting Running of the Leaves in Equestrian history!”

“With the most interesting announcing,” Spike added.

“But it isn’t the running that’s been fascinating,” Pinkie added. “It’s the lack of running!”

The racecourse took a path into a collection of trees that had buckets collecting sap. Applejack wasted no time funding a bucket to buck, spilling the contents on the ground. Just as Applejack hoped, Rainbow ran right into the sticky mess and got her hooves caught in it. Rainbow fought hard to pull herself out, but then the sap made her recoil backwards. Rainbow then got an idea.

“AAA!” Rainbow grunted.

She let the momentum carry her backward, then she pushed herself forward. Not only was she able to break free, but she rocketed right past Applejack like the orange pony had done earlier. But Rainbow actually zoomed so close to Applejack that the orange pony spun about and was soon caught inside a mini tornado. Rainbow soon noticed the tornado and got caught in it herself.

“WHOA!” They screamed together.

The tornado brought them both toward the top of a mountain ledge. The two ponies glared as they tried to get their bearings when the piece of rock they stood on began to crack. Soon it broke off and sent the two ponies sliding down to the bottom of the mountain. Fortunately, the two ponies managed to keep their balance as the rock came to rest at the side of the race trail.

“Forgive me, girls. I know I’m not an athlete, but shouldn’t the Running of the Leaves actually involve running?” Twilight asked curiously.

Storm remained quiet as he stood next to her. They had just left when Rainbow realized something important.

“You know, I think Twilight’s right,” Rainbow said.

“You do?” Applejack asked in surprise.

“Yeah!” Rainbow answered. “If you wanna beat me, you better… RUUUN!”

Rainbow took off and Applejack soon followed.

“Once again, Rainbow Dash and Applejack are neck and neck,” Pinkie announced. “Jockeying for position. Applejack inches ahead, now it’s Rainbow, it’s Applejack, it’s Rainbow Dash, it’s Applejack—”

This back and forth continued as they saw the finish line was approaching. Then Rainbow bumped into Applejack. Applejack grunted as she was knocked to the side.

“Oh no, she di’int!” Spike remarked.

Applejack bumped Rainbow back.

“Oh yes, she di’id!” Pinkie remarked, as Rainbow bumped her again.

“Cut it out!” Applejack shouted, bumping Rainbow back.

“No, you cut it out!” Rainbow remarked, giving Applejack a hard bump.

“You started it,” Applejack shot back, as they continued bumping each other.

“And now I’m gonna finish it,” Rainbow snapped.

“Oh no you won’t!” Applejack said.

“Oh yes, I will,” Rianbow grunted.

Applejack bumped Rainbow so hard the rope around her wings broke and they opened up freely.

“That’s it!” Rianbow said angrily. “All bets are off!”

Rainbow was about to fly her way to the finish.

“Oh no you don’t,” Applejack yelled.

She jumped high into the air and tackled Rainbow to the ground. The two ponies continued to tussle with each other, kicking up a cloud of smoke around them as they made their way toward the finish line.

“It’s Applejack, it’s Rainbow Dash, it’s Applejack, it’s Rainbow Dash—”

Pinkie called out, but no pony could tell who was in the lead with all the dust surrounding them. They both crossed the finish line before finally untangling from each other. Both ponies were looking very roughed up and both their fur, tails, and manes were frazzled.

“I won!” Rainbow shouted.

“No, I won!” Applejack retorted.

“I won!” Rainbow repeated loudly.

“You tied!” Spike announced.

“Tied?!” Applejack and Rainbow said in shock.

“For first?” Applejack asked.

“For last!!” Pinkie announced.

“Last?!” Applejack said in shock.

“Then who won?” Rainbow asked.

That was when Twilight came up to them, wearing a medal around her neck. Applejack and Rainbow’s jaws dropped.

“You?!” The two ponies exclaimed.

“Oh no, but I did get fifth place,” Twilight said. “Which is rather good considering I’ve never run a race before.”

“Then who won?” Applejack asked.

That was when Storm appeared towards them wearing a medal of his own, except his medal had a ‘1’ on it.

“What?!” Applejack and Rainbow exclaimed. “Storm?!”

“How’s that even possible?” Applejack asked.

“You two ran so slow,” Rainbow pointed out. “And looked at the scenery.”

“Exactly, I paced myself,” Twilight said. “Just like my book said, and from Storm’s teachings. Then at the end, when all the ponies were worn out, I sprinted to the finish.”

“Not bad for last year’s model,” Storm retorted smugly. “I held back so much the entire race and I still won!”

Applejack and Rainbow were dumbfounded.

“He’s right about holding back,” Twilight said. “He wasn’t even going to try winning because he didn’t want to leave me behind. After I gave him a supportive push, he sped down the finish line and just barely beat the ponies at the front of the pack.”

“I don’t believe it,” Rainbow said in disbelief. “Twilight and Storm beat us. And Storm did it running slow!”

“Well, with all your horsing around, it was quite easy,” Twilight replied.

Storm nodded in agreement, as Applejack and Rainbow looked rather guilty.

“You’re right, Twilight and Storm,” Applejack sighed. “Our behavior was just terrible.”

“We weren’t very good sports,” Rainbow said.

It was then the ponies in the background began to bow. For Princess Celestia arrived and approached the four ponies, who gave her a welcoming bow.

“Sounds to me that an important lesson was learned,” The Princess said.

“Princess Celestia?!” Applejack and Rainbow said together.

“W-What are you doin’ here?” Applejack asked curiously once they stood up.

“Fall is one of my favorite seasons,” Princess Celestia said. “So I came to celebrate the Running of the Leaves.”

“I’m sorry you had to see us being such poor sports,” Applejack said sadly.

“That’s all right, Applejack,” Princess Celestia answered. “Any pony can get swept up in the competition. Isn’t that right Storm?”

Storm blushed slightly, chuckling sheepishly as he rubbed a hoof in the dirt. The three girls chuckled to themselves.

“It’s important to remember that the friendship is always more important than the competition,” Twilight said.

“No amount of winning can ever replace a true friend,” Storm added.

“Exactly, Twilight and Storm,” Princess Celestia answered. “Now, unfortunately, because the two of you were busy tricking each other instead of shaking down leaves, many of the lovely trees of Equestria are still covered.”

Applejack and Rainbow just smiled to each other.

“Why Princess, I bet we can knock those leaves down for you lickety-split,” Applejack said, turning to Rainbow. “Whaddya say, friend? Wanna go for another run?”

“I’d love to stretch my legs,” Rainbow said, flapping her wings excitedly. “Hey Storm, wanna join us? Put that speed of yours to good use?”

“Well I only have one thing to say,” Storm smiled. “Gotta go fast!”

Princess Celestia and Twilight smiled as Rainbow and Applejack ran side by side through the collection of trees. Storm Shield led the way but made no effort to try and outrace them. This run wasn’t about winning… it was about spending time with good friends.