//------------------------------// // Chapter 21 - Start of Fall (Rewritten) // Story: New Life in Equestria // by jkreader //------------------------------// Chapter 21 - The Start of Fall *Nyx’s P.O.V.* Joshua came home late that afternoon with his cheeks a slight red. “Hey Joshua,” I said to him, “Why are your cheeks red?” Joshua seemed slightly embarrassed when he told me what had happened between him and Dinky, especially at the end of his explanation. “Seriously?” I asked him. “Super seriously,” he said still embarrassed. “Huh,” I said, “I wonder why Silver Spoon paused like that. But seriously though, it sounds like Dinky’s got a crush on you.” “I think so too,” he said, “And I...I...” He seemed a bit hesitant trying to say something else. “What?” I asked him, “You feel the same way?” He nodded. I smiled at him and gave him a light pat on the back. “I’m happy for you little brother,” I said to him. *** The next day was the Running of the Leaves. One of my favorite events in Equestria was finally here. School was always off on the day of the Running. It was my second time watching the Running, and it was Joshua’s first time. He was excited about this. He told me and Twilight as we left the library that he liked races. We soon arrived at the spot where the race took place. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were there to participate, no surprise there. We also saw a few other ponies such as Lyra, Sparkler, and Derpy participating. I pointed out a few other ponies who I knew that were racing to Joshua, mostly the ones that were still nice to me. There was the town’s dentist, Colgate, the carrot farm owner, Golden Harvest, and the pony that was still somewhat affected from the first Discord incident that Twilight hadn’t told me about yet, Screwball. “It’s too bad this is for ponies only,” Joshua said, “I really like races, especially running in them.” “I plan on racing in this race when I get older,” I said to him, “Twilight told me about her first time running, and she placed fifth.” “What about Rainbow Dash and Applejack when you first ran Mom?” he asked Twilight, “I bet they finished first and second.” “Actually, they both tied for last place,” Twilight said. “Last?!” Joshua said shocked, “What happened?” “They got really competitive a few days before this race took place that year,” she explained, “And they turned the running into a battle to try and outsmart each other. They certainly learned their lesson that year.” “Wow,” Joshua said surprised. “Hey Nyx! Joshua!” We heard Apple Bloom call out. We turned around and saw her, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Twist running up to us. “Hey girls,” Joshua said, “What’s up?” “We came by to see the Running of the Leaves,” Apple Bloom answered, “Since there’s no school today.” “We heard about what happened with you, Dinky, and Diamond Tiara,” Scootaloo said to Joshua. Joshua blushed a bit upon hearing Dinky being mentioned, “But hearing Silver Spoon’s reaction was strange. Wonder what was up with her?” “I don’t know,” I answered, “I found it strange myself.” I noticed Joshua looking around, confused at something. “Where’s Spike?” he asked. Twilight tapped his shoulder and pointed up. He looked up and saw that Spike was floating up in a hot-air balloon with Pinkie Pie in the basket with him. “What are they doing up there?” “They’re going to be doing the play-by-play for those of us that can’t see what goes on in the woods,” Twilight explained. “Welcome everypony to the annual Running of the Leaves!” Spike said to the crowd, “The annual race held once every year to kick off fall. I’m Spike and I’m here with my co-commentator, Pinkie Pie.” “Hey everypony!” Pinkie Pie said, “Pinkie here! Ready for another exciting Running of the Leaves! The focus of attention is definitely going to be on Applejack and Rainbow Dash. They’ve been going at it ever since their whole wacky throwing each other off course just to get ahead issue a few years ago.” “At least they haven’t been doing it since that year though,” Spike added, “And here comes Mayor Mare. She seems to be approaching Princess Twilight.” Sure enough, Mayor Mare came up to us with the starting flag in hoof. “Good day Mayor,” Twilight said. “And a good day to you too Princess,” she said. She then looked down at Joshua, “It’s nice to finally meet you Joshua.” “Hello Mayor,” Joshua said, “What are you doing?” “Well yesterday, Twilight told me that you have an interest in races,” she explained, “And she asked if you could give the racers the signal to start.” She then held out the flag to him. “Really?” Joshua asked surprised. The Mayor nodded while smiling. Joshua then took the flag from the Mayor and looked at it. “Thank you,” he said. “Right this way Joshua,” the Mayor said walking toward the starting line. Joshua followed after her, and Twilight and I looked on. Mayor Mare stood at the starting line with Joshua next to her and a hoof on his shoulder. “Alright everypony, all racers to the starting line! The race is about to begin.” Rainbow Dash was on the end of the starting line where Joshua and the Mayor were standing. “Hey kid,” Rainbow said, “Gonna be starting us off huh?” “Yep,” Joshua said nodding, “I really like races.” “Start the race when ready Joshua,” the Mayor said. Joshua nodded and held the flag in both of his hands. “Okay everypony, on your marks...” he began. All the ponies racing crouched down at the ready. “Get set...” Joshua raised the flag up... “GO!” He said waving it down. All the racers shot off the starting point leaving a cloud of dust behind as they began. “And they’re off!” Spike said from above, “With Applejack and Rainbow Dash off the gate running side-by-side for first place!” “I don’t remember them standing on any gate before the race Spike,” Pinkie said, “Not unless there was an invisible one.” This drew a groan from Spike. “Anyway, with Applejack and Rainbow Dash running side by side for the lead, we have Lyra Heartstrings in third, Derpy and Sparkler rounding out the top five.” “Hey Nyx,” Scootaloo whispered waving me over to her and the other three. I trotted up to them to see what they wanted. “I noticed Joshua had a slight blush on his face when we brought up Dinky. What was that about?” “Promise you won’t tell anypony else?” I asked them in a hushed voice. They all nodded and silently did the Pinkie Promise. “Well apparently, Dinky had a crush on Joshua, and the same for Joshua. He told me she kissed him on the cheek yesterday.” “Well,” Sweetie Belle said, “That’s a bit of a ray of sunshine for Joshua. Looks like he’s got a special somepony.” “We’d better not get too involved y’all,” Apple Bloom said, “Remember what happened with Miss Cheerilee and Big Mac?” We all shuddered. I wasn’t there when it happened, but they told me what had happened, and it wasn’t pretty. “Hey, we agreed never to use that love poti-uh, poison, ever again, right?” Scootaloo said, “Besides, I think we should help them at least a little bit.” “I think we should wait and see what happens the next time we see those two together again before we get involved,” Sweetie Belle said. Twist and I nodded in agreement. “As the racers come to the entrance of White Tail Woods,” Spike spoke up, “We see that Applejack has pulled ahead of Rainbow Dash for a brief moment. AJ won this race last year and is looking to make it two years in a row!” “Let’s get back over to the crowd and keep watching the race,” Scootaloo said, “I want to see if Rainbow Dash can beat Applejack.” “No way Scoot!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, “Applejack’s gonna win again fer sure!” “Come on girls, let’s go,” Sweetie Belle interrupted. The five of us rejoined our friends to see how the race would play out. Soon we saw a cloud of dust coming at the exit of White Tail Woods. Applejack was indeed in the front with Rainbow Dash closing in from behind. “It’s gonna be close everypony!” Spike exclaimed, “Rainbow Dash is closing in fast on Applejack!” “I think Rainbow is going to cover this one!” Pinkie said, “But with what though: a tarp, a net, a bunch of clouds?” We heard Spike groan in exasperation at this. Rainbow was indeed closing the distance on Applejack rather fast. The racers were coming to the finish line fast. Joshua was still standing at the line ready to wave the flag again to end the race. As the racers crossed the line, Joshua waved the flag and the race was over. “And the Running of the Leaves is over!” Mayor Mare exclaimed, “Who was the winner Joshua?” “It was Rainbow Dash by a nose!” Joshua said. “YES!!!” we heard Rainbow exclaim. “Congratulations to Miss Rainbow Dash for winning this year’s Running of the Leaves!” Mayor Mare said handing out the ribbons. Twilight and I trotted up to Joshua who was standing next to Mayor Mare. “Nice work on the flag waving Joshua,” Twilight said. “Thanks Mom,” he said hugging her, “And thank you for asking the Mayor to let me do it.” “You’re welcome.” This was a great way to kick off fall in Equestria. Hopefully the princesses would get the spell ready before Joshua’s transformation was finished. Music Laughter and Merriment - Kingdom Hearts II Menu 1 - Super Smash Bros. 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