Stormball: the most technically-challenging and physically-demanding sport known to ponykind. A team from Cloudsdale boasted they cannot be beaten, and traveled the globe to prove it, led by a retired living legend of the sport. Thus far, they're making good on the claim: Saddle Arabia was crushed, Griffonstone lost in a laugher, Prance didn't fare well either, The Crystal Empire had to forfeit before the end of the first half, and the list goes on. Even Canterlot was dropped, with both Princesses on the field of play. Then, just before they celebrate their world victory, they realized they forgot one town: Ponyville. Yet their star player seems driven for a very different, secret reason, and playing better than he ever did in his youth....
They're coming. They're bringing their A-game. And a chip on their leader's shoulder.
Part One of the trilogy, A Greater Menace.
Pre-reading by LightningSword.
Cover art by xStellar_Bubbles.
I have this feeling it won't be anything but ego that's pushing him. And if this guy is so angry, I'd like to see something where Ponyville almost can't play at all
6247577 It might be ego mixed with something else: his mortality. If he ain't long for this world, he's gonna do a Rage Against The Heavens thing and make sure no one forgets his name.
LightningSword recommended this story and I was not disappointed at all, can't wait to see more.
This story reminds me of the movie "Facing the Giants" in a way. I like where it's headed, and I can't wait to see more.
Well, this is interesting....they're so focused on one secret weapon
that they've forgotten the other 
.
I know you're hungry, Dashie....but all FOUR hooves?!?!
Smooth one, Dash. Reeeeeal smooth.
I just hope that you can make it up to her in time.
And that you haven't lost her as a friend permanently.
I just hope that that bubble bursting when it did wasn't some sort of omen.
6297939 Yep, she sure must've been.
But then again, sometimes she doesn't exactly think things through before she says things.
6298040 My guess is that her brain has but the one instruction: "W+M1"
6298037 Probably. Most of this will have to be all about Dash realizing that there's no rewind function on her big, fat mouth.
6298054 I'm thinking the same thing.
6298060 Yep.
And true dat.
Honestly, I love Rainbow to death, but there's times that she's more scatterbrained than me on a bad day!
I don't like Bicycle Kick coming down on Spike and the constantly referring to Muffins as Ms. Hooves is just weird.
You don't want to put to much drama in this though, before the big game. After all this is supposed to be a friendly game played by a volunteer team. If Muffins is out because of feeling insulted and Dash is out because she's down on herself, then Twilight would probably feel the game was more trouble than it was worth.
At which point what's the point of a Ponyville team even playing?
6298623 Believe me, the whole "you didn't do what I say, therefore I have the exclusive right to beat you up, call you bad names, steal your stuff and generally treat you like dirt" thing didn't sit too well with me, either, especially when Twilight, Spike's oldest and closest friend, did virtually nothing to help the bullied child and let the old man talk smack to her face in her own house.
(Sorry if that seemed a bit ranty . . .)
But this game will be far from friendly. Even I'm not entirely sure why or how, but this is not going to be just a game. There's a reason for the drama (even if there is none for the Spike abuse). You'll have to keep reading and pay close attention to know for sure. I'm sure, though, that you won't be disappointed.
6299695 while understand there's issues behind the game what I mean by friendly is there's nothing riding on it, it's not professional, there's no reason it has to happen
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6299807
Most definitely there is reason for the game to happen, at least, for one pony in particular. And no, it's not gonna be friendly, again, at least from the one.
Also, I wrote Bicycle Kick with the intention for him to not be liked, maybe respected by the time this is all said and done, but definitely not liked. There's a reason the Rarity plush set him off as badly as it did.
6300079 and yet there's no consequences if the game is called, is my point
And this is where television and reality part company. A cheesy gesture like that isn't going to go down well at all.
Oh, good. She's got two jobs: protect Twilight and patch things up with Best Pony. The latter will be harder.
Ar first, when I read this;
I thought, "Okay, Mr. Buckham is a secret disciple of Starlight Glimmer".
But then I read these:
And it hit me that that might not be the case, and that Buckham may very well be in the thrall of something much, much worse.
And at least both Coach Kick and Rainbow got a few things out of their systems. Loved that!
I just hope that Rainbow can make it up to Muffins. It'd be good to see them reconcile, and Muffins back on the pitch (if at all possible)!
Anyway, can't wait for the next chapter, so we can find out what happens next! Should be a real barn-burner!
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Glad you guys like. And yeah, this is about to get heavy, in more ways than one.
6344459 Oh, indeed I do!
Really? Ooooo, sounds intriguing!
Starlight's uncle?
Nevermind…
Okay......now we've got the HARD part: making nice with Best Pony.
Ooohhooo this is gonna be good
Well, now that the hard part is over, time for the relative cake-walk of getting that nutcase Buckham.
I'm so nervouscited!!! The second half of the game
6377947
Oh...I wouldn't count on that being a cake walk, even relatively.
And, this may be a tad silly, but I think you'd enjoy it, given who's your favourite. The meme says this theme goes with everything, and this is quite possibly its best remix. Start the tune, they go back to "The twins eep'ed quietly," and read it slowly and with purpose. Tell me whaCHA think.
Man. I hope they do nail this creep.
I was actually thinking of the sirens in this cause there was a green smoke when they convinced everyone to fight. But there was singing involved…
Sooo……no idea :3
And now, the after-action report.
Oh, goody. I can almost hear the song "Right Behind You" from the TF2 OST.
I'm really hoping that you have a sequel planned for this
6402512
Indeed, and have the plot outline almost done.
But, with m' wife due to give birth to our first in nine days, and the midwives saying it's unlikely to wait that long, well...I'll find the time when I can (it's kinda what's been all over m' thoughts for awhile now).
6402492
Had to go look that one up; I hadn't played that game. But I see what ya' mean plainly. Nice musical pick.
6402535 Cool, and thank you.
Oh, my goodness, yes! Your lady and the coming birth should absolutely be your first priority, hun!
Much good luck to you guys, and I'll keep you all in my prayers!
God bless!
6402535 gotta say, I didn't go into this looking for an incomplete story
6402727 Is that a good or bad thing? Or, just a thing?
The game was Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think he's being controlled by Sombra Or……idk
Omg!! These elevens have me intrigued