Element of Faith

Somehow, Autumn had finally arrived and a few short weeks after Winter Wrap-Up. The year has been so hectic I don’t think many ponies noticed. The leaves were lovely shades of yellow, red and orange, all ready for the Annual Falling of the Leaves tomorrow. It was an event where many athletic ponies, or ones looking to lose a few pounds, run thru the Whitetail Woods to make the leaves fall for autumn.

It was still early in the day, nothing too exciting happening. For me, I was simply cleaning what I didn’t yesterday in the Art Room. Plus, Shadow was supposed to be here in a a few days so I was getting his room ready. I don’t know how I missed the half-eaten cupcake or the orange peels stuffed into a drawer, but I made sure to get them this time.

*knock* *knock*

Dropping the peels in a small trash can, I trotted to the door.

“Hello.”  I greeted while opening the door. Rarity was on the other side. “Did I miss the spa date?” Rarity laughed, politely though.

“No, that was yesterday remember Fairy?” Oh, right. It’s a wonder I get anything done. “Fluttershy and I heard Rainbow Dash and Applejack were going to have an Iron Pony Competition by Sweet Apple Acres, we were wondering if you wanted to come view it with us?”

“I would love to! Let me just check on one thing.” Turning back to the house, I ran up to Shadow’s room. I spotted one last piece of rotted orange and carried it down to the trash can I had downstairs, smiling up at Rarity when I approached the door. “Okay, let’s go.”

Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and myself approached the gaming area. It surprisingly had bleachers and a scoreboard. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were busy getting ready, while Twilight and Spike stood off. Spike, for some reason, was holding a stick with a small leaf on it.

“Hello everypony, and welcome to the first annual Iron Pony competition!” Spike chanted out as we began to cross over a small hill.

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

“Um... Uh, them!” Spike yelled, pointing at us. “Let the games begin!”

The four of us cheered as we sat down on the bleachers.

The first event was a barrel run, Applejack going first. Fluttershy was asked to keep the scores, she accepted with just a little shyness. Pinkie, Rarity and myself cheered for the three of them from the stands.

I leaned towards Pinkie Pie, making sure to keep my voice in a whisper. “Pinkie, do you know what this is all about?” I asked.

The party pony smiled. “Rainbow and Applejack are having a contest to see who is the strongest in this, an Irony Pony Competition! The winner is to be declared the Iron Pony!” Pinkie Pie said in an almost announcer voice, making me giggle.

“So…it's to see who's the strongest out of the two of them?” I asked.

“Yepperdoodles!”

Glancing over at the competitors, I saw three friends prepare to compete for the title of the Strongest.

“Honestly, I don't see why anypony would want to engage in such a foalish way all for some silly little title.” Rarity said from my right.

“Come on, Rarity, this probably means a lot to Rainbow and Applejack. I'm sure it'll be fun once it gets going.” I told the purple maned unicorn.

Rarity smiled, waving a hoof. “Oh alright, but if I get dirty I am leaving.”

Giving Rarity a small laugh, I looked towards Applejack as she prepared for the first event.

“Ready. Set. GO!” Twilight yelled.

Applejack went off, it took less than half a minute for her to get to the other side of the finish line.

“Time, Spike?” Twilight asked.

“17 Seconds!” Spike announced.

Wow. That's sounds like a great score!

Applejack rushed over from the finish line to where Rainbow, Twilight and Spike were located. She looked pretty excited. Rainbow on the other hoof looked like a nervous wreck.

“Yer kiddin’! That breaks mah record from last years rodeo!” I heard the orange earth pony cheer.

Spike looked at the stopwatch he had been using. “But you got a five second penalty for nudging the barrel.” He reminded her.

Applejack kicked a rock by her hoof. “Grr, nuts ‘n shrews!” She lightly tapped her chin with her hoof, “still, that's 22 seconds. Not too shabby.” Rainbow Dash’ apprehension finally became noticeable. Applejack smiled up at her. “Hey, don’t be nervous.” She nudged the blue pegasus’ side enough to nearly topple the pegasus over. “Remember, it's all in good fun. Now git on up there.”

Rainbow lightly flew over towards the starting line. For a brief moment she reminded me of Fluttershy.

Her blue wings stretched out in readiness for the next event, Spike held his claw over the stopwatch’s button and Twilight was looking at it with him.

“Ready. Set. Go!” Twilight said quickly.

In an instant, Rainbow dashed off from the line and in just a couple seconds she flew back over towards the starting line.

“Woo! That was some fancy hoofwork there Rainbow!” Applejack cheered, making a galloping pose.

“*pant*Thanks, but I *pant* couldn't have been as fast as you.” Rainbow said modestly.

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

Spike’s eyes widened. “18 seconds!”

Rainbow beat Applejack by a whole second! Amazing!

“18 seconds! Rainbow, are ya sure yet not secretly a rodeo pony?” Applejack asked, I'm not sure of she was joking or not.

“Rainbow Dash wins the barrel lead!” Twilight announced, lifting up a surprised Rainbow’s hoof.

Fluttershy flew towards the scoreboard and placed a red apple with a ‘1’ next to a drawing of Rainbow Dash.

The three of us in the bleachers cheered for the first victory in the game and for Rainbow.

“Oh, I can't believe I won.” Rainbow said, hovering the ground.

Applejack gripped her hoof on Rainbow’s back and pushed her to the ground. “Yeah, well, don't you get gettin’ used to it.”

The next few events went by in a flash. More and more ponies had gotten word about the Competition and had come to see. By the midpoint of the games, the stands were filled with at least half the townsponies!

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were tied now. The round that was nearing it's end was push-ups and the two athletes had reached 94.

“95...96...97...98...99...” It was at 98, I noticed Applejack was having difficulty getting up, Rainbow was the same. Yet, at 99, Rainbow used her wings to lift herself up as Twilight called out “100!”

“Yes!” Rainbow Dash cheered.

Applejack fell to the dirt, unable to reach the one hundredth push-up.

All I could think of, was how Rainbow Dash cheated.

That wasn’t the last time either, over the next few events Rainbow Dash used her wings to gain an unfair advantage. Like in the next event (a jumping sort of contest) Rainbow used her wings to jump ahead of Applejack a few more hoofsteps. The one after, Rainbow used her wings to carry the chicks across. This occurred a few more times, but I felt it  reached an obvious level at the last event.

“Alright you two,” Twilight began, “This is the Final Event. Give it all you’ve got.”

It seemed alright at first, both of the mares giving equal effort before it looked as though Applejack would win.

“Looks like the workhorse is coming out ahead in this one.” Spike announced it his make-shift microphone.

Applejack gave another tug of the rope, pulling Rainbow over the mud. The prismatic mare used her wings to float over the mud and fly above the pit, lifting Applejack off the ground.

I could barely hear Applejack mumbling something to Rainbow Dash, it was difficult to hear her as well. Their words became clear when Applejack released the rope.

“AH SAID- uh-oh.”

With that, Applejack fell into the mud below.

The crowd cheered, Rainbow hung an apple saying 15 on the scoreboard. I was looking towards Applejack with sympathy. Why did Rainbow so obviously cheat at the last events?

“Woo-hoo! I win by a landslide!” Rainbow cheered, flying over beside Applejack. “or mudslide...in your case.” The mare chuckled. “I am the Iron Pony!”

“Only ‘cause ya cheated!” Applejack called out.

“What?” Rainbow said, almost offended. She flew up nose-to-nose with Applejack, the orange farm pony glared.

“You used your wing power ta help ya win over half the contests!” Applejack explained.

“Sounds like sour apples to me!” Rainbow Dash said.

“Are you sayin’ you didn’t use yer wings?” Applejack asked accusingly.

“Well...no.” Rainbow admitted. “But you never said I couldn’t use my wings!”

‘Nopony thought they would need to.’ I thought.

“Ah didn’t think Ah needed ta tell you ta play fair!” Applejack argued.

“I still would have won even without my wings!” Rainbow said,

bragging only slightly.

“Hah! Prove it!”

“Gladly, how?”

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

“Heh! Easy shmeasy.” The pegasus said as she started flying off only to be dragged down by her tail.

Applejack held the mare down by her tail, said mare looking unamused. “Hold on! There is one condition: the point is to run! So, no wings allowed.”

“No wings?” The blue mare bucked Applejack off her tail. “No problem!” Rainbow said confidently.

The two ponies spit into their hooves (making Rarity faint) and shook.

Well, my plans for the week suddenly became more interesting.

The next day, I awoke to the smell of autumn filling my room. I must’ve left my window open last night. Silly me. Shadow had always been telling me to be more carefully with these sorts of things. With only another day until he got here, I was getting excited.

Climbing out of my bed, I looked out over the many tree tops fading into bright shining colors. It all looked so amazing! I was inspired to paint one of the trees. I’ll just have to bring some paint over to the Running of the Leaves.

First I got myself ready for the day, brushing my mane and teeth and having some fruit for breakfast. Next I packed my lime green saddlebag with my oranges, reds, yellows, browns, paintbrushes and a canvas, slowly beginning my trek towards Whitetail Wood where the race was taking place.

Then I noticed the sky was orange, I guess I woke up pretty early today. How strange of me.

Setting my make-shift workstation up, I began painting a lovely scene of a group of trees with bright and colorful leaves.

Before I knew it, ponies were slowly coming in and either signing up or finding a good seat. I was still painting a tree. I also noticed Pinkie Pie getting a hot air balloon setup for her announcements.

After what felt like an hour, i had finally finished the background in the painting as well as a tree.

“Welcome to the annual Running of the Leaves! This is Pinkie Pie, your official eye-in-the-sky announcer.” Pinkie’s voice came from overhead. I guess the race was starting soon. “As everypony knows, the running is a very important tradition, for without it, the autumn leaves of Equestria would never fall. So get ready, ponies. The Running of the Leaves will begin in five minutes.”

Five minutes? I should really get to finishing this up so I could find a good seat!

No... wait... good art takes time. That’s exactly what I’ll do. Take my time.

In the blink of an eye, I heard Pinkie start up again.

“Racers! Please take your positions!”

The surprise of Pinkie’s voice nearly caused me to paint half the canvas orange. That sure would’ve been a funny painting. I was nearly two-thirds of the way thru, and the race was starting up in just a few minutes.

How would I be able to finish...

Wait...I’ve got it!

Soon enough, I had the base of the last few trees painted. Then Pinkie Pie spoke again, signaling the race’s start.

“All, right ponies, are you ready?”

“Get set.” Spike’s announcing too? Oh that’s great!

*brrrg*

“And they’re off!” Pinkie cheered.

The ponies began running, slowly the leaves began falling off the trees as they raced by. Once a large crowd of ponies ran across, I saw Twilight slowly following behind them.

“Oh, hello Twilight. I didn’t know you were planning to race.” I smiled up at the purple unicorn.

“Neither did Applejack or Rainbow. Fairy Wishes, that’s a lovely painting.” She complimented.

“Thanks. Have a good day!” I cheered as Twilight trotted off.

“You too!”

Letting out a small laugh, I got back to my painting.

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

“Why, yes Pinkie, it’s the running of the ponies that causes the leaves to fall.” Spike said after a small moment of silence.

“Ugh, those lazy, lazy leaves. But this year, the 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.” Pinkie Pie announced.

Remembering the challenge Applejack gave Rainbow yesterday reminded me of the Iron Pony Competition. Overall, it was an okay day. I still managed to find some leftover orange peels stuck to the bottom of my bed when I got home. Seriously, I need to talk with Shadow about his eating habits.

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

“Yes, and grudge rhymes with fudge.” Pinkie said, making me laugh.

“Yes it...does. What?”

“And I like fudge. But if I eat too much fudge I get a pudge and then I can’t budge.” Pinkie was starting to sound like Zecora, all that rhyming.

“So...no fudge?”

“Oh, no thanks. I had a big breakfast. Let’s check in with our two competitive ponies, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Having come fast out of the gate, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are evenly matched running neck in neck. But what’s this? Applejack is making a move, she’s now ahead by a nose. But Rainbow Dash pulls at Applejack’s have-it and takes the lead. She’s ahead 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!”

And that, was why Pinkie Pie was the official announcer for these events. She could talk up a storm before the clouds could arrive.

“Hold your horses Pinkie! Rainbow Dash is catching up to front runner Applejack!” Spike cheered.

“What an upset! I thought Applejack had this is the bag!” Pinkie almost whined from the hot air balloon flying above Whitetail Wood.

It was another five or so minutes before anything else was spoken. I was putting some more details on my painting and trying to wipe some orange paint of my brown coat.

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

“She's the head of the pack, all right. 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.” Pinkie said, sounding a little upset.

“oookay...let’s get back to the race.”

Laughing at the antics of the announcers, I painted some more falling leaves onto the path, showing the slow fall of the leaves as autumn finally came.

“Welcome back,” Where did I go? “Ponyvillians, it’s me, Pinkie Pie!”

“And Spike! Looks like rainbow is doing her best to catch up.”

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

“Uh...I... like... pickles?” Spike said slowly.

Great. Now I’m hungry. Taking a small break from painting to let some of it dry, I reached towards my saddlebag and hoped I had packed an apple or a hayburger. I think it was past noon, judging on how hungry I had gotten.

“Aaand it looks like Applejack has found herself in quite a pickle as Rainbow overtakes her.” Pinkie Pie said.

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

“Hello Fairy Wishes.” Fluttershy’s voice came from behind me.

“Oh, hello Fluttershy.” I greeted. “Nice to see you here.”

“You too...” Fluttershy said, hiding behind a bit of her pink mane. “Oh, that’s a lovely painting.”

I lowered my head, it surely wasn’t that impressive. “I know it’s not my best, but I’m trying.”

Fluttershy nodded, slowly reached into her saddlebag and pulling out an apple. “I-I-I thought you could use something to eat. I...um... noticed you hadn’t really moved much since I got here.” She rolled the bright red apple towards me.

“Wow! Thanks, Fluttershy, you’re a life saver!” I told her.

The pegasus nodded, slowly beginning to walk away.

“Hey, wait,” I said.

The yellow pegasus turned back. “Yes.” She whispered.

“You want to stay here for a little? It’s getting kinda lonely painting out here with nopony to talk to.” I admitted.

“Oh, of course, what are friends for?” Fluttershy said, slowly flying up next to my and resting on her hooves.

“Applejack, what are you doing up here?”

“What?” I asked, looking up in the direction of the balloon.

“There aren’t even any trees.”

“That’s strange.” Fluttershy commented.

“I bet Applejack and Rainbow Dash are gonna have quite a story for us later.” I added.

Another few minutes later, we both heard Pinkie’s voice echoing over our heads. My painting was nearly done, so Fluttershy and I had walked back to the finish line.

“I must say, Spike, that this has been the most interesting Running of the Leaves in Equestria history!”

“With the most interesting announcing.”

Fluttershy and I giggled.

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

“Huh?” The two of us said.

It took a few minutes, but a large herd of ponies came running thru the finish line. No sign of Applejack or Rainbow Dash. I did see Twilight, she came in 5th place if I looked at the line correctly.

“Once again, Rainbow Dash and Applejack are neck in neck, jockeying for position. Applejack inches ahead, now it’s Rainbow, it’s Applejack, it’s Rainbow Dash, it’s Applejack-”

“Oh no she di’int!” Spike said.

“Oh yes she di’int!” Pinkie replied.

From just ahead of the finish line, I noticed dust ball approaching with the figures of Applejack and Rainbow Dash inside.

“It’s Applejack. It’s Rainbow Dash. It’s Applejack. It’s Rainbow Dash-”

The ball finally crossed the finish line, revealing two dirtied ponies.

“I won!” Rainbow yelled triumphantly.

“No I won!”

“I won!”

“You tied!” Spike cheered.

“Tied?!” Rainbow Dash and Applejack gaped.

“For first?” Rainbow asked.

“For last!” Pinkie cheered.

“LAST?” Applejack asked, shocked.

“Then who won?” Rainbow asked.

I noticed Twilight, who had received her medal, walk forward and show it to the two athletes.

“You?!” They both asked.

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

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

Rainbow was completely shocked. “You ran so slow and looked at the scenery.”

Twilight nodded. “Exactly. I paced myself, just like my book said. Then at the end, when all the other ponies were worn out, I sprinted to the finish.” Twilight explained, motioning towards some of the exhausted ponies who were either drinking lots of water or deep breaths.

“I don’t believe it. Twilight beat us.” Rainbow said, still in shock.

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

I get it. Horsing around. Because we’re ponies. I see what you did there Twilight.

“Yer right, Twilight. Our behavior was just terrible.” Applejack admitted.

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

*gasp*

Slowly, the ponies around us bowed. Fluttershy and I did as well.

“Sounds to me that an important lesson was learned.”

The Princess of the Sun walked towards the three ponies standing by the finish line, making their already lowered muzzles go wider.

“Princess Celestia?!”

“W...What are you doin’ here?” Applejack stuttered.

“Fall is one of my favorite seasons, so I came to celebrate the Running of the Leaves.” Celestia answered, standing tall and proud. I got up carefully at walked over towards the three ponies who ran in the race.

“Ah’m sorry ya had to see us being such poor sport, Princess.” Applejack apologized.

The Princess just kept smiling. “That’s all right Applejack. Anypony can get swept up in the excitement of competition.”

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

“Exactly, Twilight. 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.” The Princess explained.

“Why, Princess, Ah bet we knock those leaves down for yah lickety-split.” Applejack said proudly. “Whaddya say, friend? Wanna go for another run?”

Rainbow Dash smiled. “I’d love to stretch my legs.”

With that, the two of them ran off. I was pleased to see the two of them so close together.

Later that day, my autumn painting hanging in the Art Room. It was going thru the last bits of drying. I thought it was nice.

It was of the edge of Whitetail Wood. Half of the trees were still full of leaves, the other half held various amounts of leaves falling. I had added a few more touches after arriving home. I thought it looked alright overall.

“Wow, You have some nice paintings, Wishy.”

My head shot back, turning to see a black night pony walking into my Art Room.

“Shadow! I thought you weren’t coming for an hour!” I nearly laughed.

The stallion smiled. It took me a moment to realize he was looking at them for the first time.

“Get out!” I yelled in embarrassment. “Don’t look at any of them!”

“Oh? Why?” Shadow asked as I pushed him out of the room and locked the door using my magic.

The stallion just laughed as I guarded the door with my body.

“So, is this what you do when I’m not around?” Shadow asked.

“Shut up.” I said, annoyed.

The two of us laughed, walking towards the living room and starting our monthly meeting.

“What have you been up to Shadow?” I asked him.

His black shoulders shrugged. “Nothing much. I did try to get a job, though. It didn’t pull through.”

“What was it?” I asked him, looking at his slitted yellow eyes.

“A job at a costume store.” Shadow admitted.

“Wow. Why didn’t...” Shadow lifted up his bat wings. “...again?” He nodded. “Sorry Shadow, would you like an orange?”

“Love one.” He admitted.

Trotting into my kitchen, I picked up an orange with my magic and gave it to the gray maned stallion.

“You know, it’s actually kinda nice.”

“What?” I asked as he slowly peeled the orange and took a bite.

“Coming here, spending time with you, it’s nice.”

I smiled, I liked him too.

I mean it...I liked it too.