//------------------------------// // 248. The Equestria Games - Part 4 // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// "We're back after a short break and I hope you are too, `cuz the Moving Targets event is not over yet! For those that fell asleep during the previous explanation before we went to commercial I'll quickly recap it for you. Each contestant will stand up on the platform with a magically modified crossbow that was made to help with reloading and keeping track of scores. With each pullback a new cross-bolt will be magically loaded into the crossbow for a quick and easy reload. When the bolt strikes the specially made targets they will both be teleported to the side for our judges to look over. The score will be based on accuracy and speed. Any missed shots will be a point deduction with a maximum of a thousand points possible to score," Vibrant explained over the PA system. "That is correct, Vibrant, and we saw some great sharpshooting from the teams of Mt. Eyrie, Fillydelphia, Las Pegasus, Sirius, and Manehatten, all coming out with scores in the eight hundreds. But this is anyone's event as we still have two more contestants with Ponyville's Comet Tail up next," Spike added as said pony made his way up to the large white platform. The pale light yellow-green unicorn stallion was taking a few deep breaths as he finally got into place. He reached to the small table that was sitting there with the crossbow sitting on top of it. With the horn suppressor on him. He couldn't use his magic to hold it like most unicorns could. This was done to make it as fair and challenging between all of the contestants. But to compensate for the change they made the pulling bar easier to be used by hooves. He sat to prepare, even giving a slight puff of air to blow his greyish blue mane out of his eyes. Alright, I can do this. Remember what Midnight said. Just keep my eye on the targets, shoot where they're gonna be, not where they are, and don't think about those around watching me. Comet thought to himself to help him slow down his heartbeat that was threatening to bounce out of his chest. He was a great shooter in his free time, the only difference between then and now was. He normally did it for fun in the training fields outside of ponyville and this was in front of thousands of ponies, griffons, zebras, yaks, and other beings in and out of Equestria. To say he was nervous would be saying that water is wet. While both true, it doesn't do the feeling he was having any justice. "Now everyone, please remember we ask for everyone watching to please be silent so the contestant can concentrate," Vibrant said as the roar of the fans died down to make way for the mounting pressure. Shining Armor stood to the left with his hoof on the controls for the target launcher. He looked up to Comet looking for the signal, which came in the form of a nod. With that Shining pressed the button and the event has begun. With a twang, the first target was flung into the air by a large set of ballista that were set up in sequence every few seconds. Comet watched as the first target was launched into the air and he took aim. He waited for it to slow down just a little before it began to descend. With that, he aimed ahead of the target and a softer twang was heard as Comet squeezed his hoof around the trigger for the modified crossbow. The cross-bolt launched and sank into the target before in a flash it disappeared. Seconds later it reappeared on the table next to the judges as some of them began to score as the event went on. The second and third targets shortly followed suit with the first. As the fourth target was flung, a small hair of Comet's mane got in the way and tickled his muzzle to cause him to sneeze and his shot went wide. Luckily shield spells were already in place for everyone's safety, walls of mana becoming visible whenever a shot missed and struck them, preventing anyone in the crowd from getting hurt. Making up, he used his left hoof to pull back the drawstring as another shot was magically reloaded. He lined up and was able to nail the target before it could hit the ground. With that, the rest of his set went without any problems till the bonus target was set to go off. This one was a much smaller target for a challenge. He lined up the sight and waiting before taking the shot. Everyone watched as some of them with baited breath as the arrow struck it and the target disappeared. After that, the crowd went wild cheering on the stallion who was sweating bullets during the whole event. "That was excellent marksponyship coming from Ponyville's own Comet tail," Vibrant said with joy in his voice. "What do you think Spike?" "Well Vibrant, I have to say it was an interesting round. Especially with that wide shot during the fourth target. With that, it's going to set him back a few points but he made it up with excellent shots during the rest of his turn. From what I'm hearing some of those hits were direct bullseyes! So I'm interested to see what his efforts will amount to in his score," Spike replied with a level of energy that could rival Pinkie on a less energetic day. Because no pony other than Cheese Sandwich could match that mare with any level of energy. "We're about to get word from the field to find out the final score," Vibrant said as everyone watched Shining Armor stand on the platform as one of the judges come up with a clipboard in her mouth. "The final score for Comet Tail was nine sixty-eight, but with the twenty-five point deduction from the missed shot leaves him with a nine forty-three," Shining announced, using a spell to amplify his voice. "With a score of nine hundred and forty-three that puts Comet Tail from Ponyville in first place just above Valiant Strike from Manehatten!" Spike cheered with such zeal that you could hear the pure joy in his voice. "Don't forget Spike, we still have the contestant from Canterlot left before we can declare a winner. But a score like that is gonna be tough to beat," Vibrant reminded everyone over the speakers as the sounds of papers could be heard.  "It says here the next contestant up is Brass Scales... where have I heard that name before?" "Wait, Duke Brass Scales? The Iron Judge himself?" Spike couldn't believe his ears! "The one and only, it seems. This is going to be interesting to see what comes of this. Hopefully, he has the skills to pay the bills during this event." "If his work in law is anything to go by, it's going to be an interesting show. Let's see just how the judge fares." Everyone watched as the steely grey stallion got up to the stand looking rather bored the whole time. He reached out and grabbed the crossbow doing a slight check, before giving his head a slight turn as a loud pop could be heard by those nearby. He took aim and gave Shining Armor a look, that made the prince have a shiver down his spine.  Dear Faust, I'll never get used to that look... Shining thought before he pressed the button to start the event. What happened next caused everyone to look in awe. Before the target could even clear the wall they disappeared and reappeared on the table next to the judges. Each one with a cross-bolt sunk into them as Brass's hooves looked as if nothing had happened but him turning towards the next target. Each one of the ten appeared just as the first. When the final one was sent up into the air. Brass took aim and a series of twangs could be heard before the magical flash caused the final target to appear on the table. The judges all stared in amazement as five bolts were sunk into the perfect center of the smaller target. Each one split in two from the bolt that came after it, which left the last bolt the only bolt of that target. "Holy Faust...!" All of the judges even Shining Armor said upon seeing this. They all watched as Brass who had emptied his crossbow placed it on the table and walked down the steps. Everyone had their eyes wide open as they couldn't help but stare in surprised awe. Even most of the Canterlot team was completely speechless. When Brass Scales finally got back to his side the only pony that greeted him was Duke Firestorm who was just smirking at the fellow duke. "Couldn't help but show off, could you?" Firestorm commented with a smirk as he tossed Brass a bottle of water. "What can I say, I like to be as precise and to the point with my work as I can," Brass shrugged before opening the bottle and draining it. "Now I'm regretting getting you that book of court puns." Firestorm groaned running his mystech claw over his muzzle. "You're lucky I like you." "I wouldn't have it any other way." Brass responded, smirking so that would normally have anypony looking a bit nervous if this was his courtroom. It was a few minutes once the shock had worn away before a judgement could be called. Shining Armor stood back on the platform as he was brought the clipboard. "Duke Brass Scales had gotten a... a perfect score." This spurred the Canterlot spectators into going wild. Even Luna couldn't help but smirk as she turned her gaze down towards the Ponyville team. Right at that time, Blueblood could feel his aunts gaze upon him and couldn't help but shiver at it. "I don't know about you, Vibrant, but I don't think there is anything we could say about that other than-" Spike got out before Vibrant interrupted with. "Wow." "Couldn't say it better myself," Spike said with a light chuckle. "But with that, we will take a small break while the staff gets the field ready for the next event." In the locker rooms, Comet Tail sighed sadly as he sat down on a bench and wiped away the sweat he'd worked up from his event and his own anxiety during. He'd failed, and it felt awful. "Comet?" He looked up and saw his teammates looking at him with concern, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Soarin up front of the team while Ditzy Doo, Helia, Thunderlane, and Applejack were absent, Ditzy having gone to spend time with her family, Helia had joined Rarity and the Crusaders to watch the rest of the games, and Thunderlane was still resting from his overexertion with Applejack keeping him company. "You did awesome out there!" Rainbow assured, the rest of the team nodding and agreeing, but Comet couldn't look them in the eye. "I'm sorry, everypony, I... I did my best, but... It wasn't enough," Comet moped, "I wanted so much to win my event, and I thought I was ready!" "You were ready, dude," Lucky Clover stepped over to sit next to his friend and put a comforting hoof on the yellow unicorn's shoulder, "and you were a total sharpshooter out there!" "It's true, Comet," Fluttershy said kindly as she sat on Comet's other side and gave him a much-needed hug, "You did your best and that's all we can ask of you." "Eeyup." "So Brass Scales did better, so what?" Lucky shrugged it off, "You have to remember he had to have felt the pressure to beat your score, which forced him to do his best." "He's right, Comet," Soarin agreed, "and you gotta remember - No matter how good you are at something, there's always gonna be someone out there who's better. It's that simple fact that encourages us to improve and do better tomorrow than we did today, the challenge of improving driving us to be the best we can. Sometimes it's enough, sometimes it's not. But we learn far more from failure than we do from success, and the things we learn helps us not only to improve but to discover things about ourselves even we might never have known." Finally feeling what they were telling him, Comet couldn't help but smile with appreciation at his team, at his friends, and meekly said, "Thanks, guys..." At that moment, the PA system turned on and they heard the voice of Ms. Harshwinny, "All contestants for the Obstacle Race event, please make your way out to the track. The race will begin in fifteen minutes." "Uh-oh, that's my cue," Lucky perked with an excited look. "You guys take care of mopey-pants here, I've got a race to win." "Good luck!" his team called after him as Lucky made his way out the stadium. Lucky basked in the cheering glory of the spectators as he and his rivals for the Obstacle Race made their way to the starting line all the while the Game Officials and their assistants set up all manner of obstacles for the event. "Oh boy, I've been waiting for this!" Spike laughed excitably in the announcement box, "the Obstacle Race!" "An oldie but a goodie, for sure," Vibrant agreed, "this event will be a one-lap race through a series of obstacles the racers must circumvent as quickly as they can to make it to the finish line! There are rules, of course. To start off, no flying and no magic." "And no skipping or breaking any obstacle," Spike added, "the racers must go over, under, around, or through each and every single one, and they cannot break the obstacles either! Breaking any of these rules will be grounds for immediate disqualification." "And lining up at the starting line are the racers for the teams who qualified for this event," Vibrant read his notes, "We got... Las Pegasus, Sirius, Mt. Eyrie, Ponyville, Cloudsdale, Saddle Arabia, Baltimare, Minox, and Zebrabwe! Now, as some of these racers have wings or magic, neither of which are allowed I'll remind you, the obstacles were specifically chosen to be as fair as possible yet still challenging, and the only magic permitted are manipulation shoes for the hooved racers." "Which they'll need as some of these racers have opposable digits, like me," Spike jibed while snapping his fingers to exemplify his statement. "Oh! And it looks like they're about to start," Vibrant pointed out. Down on the track, the racers looked on at the course, which had a few standard obstacles found on training grounds, such as steep ramps, barbed wire they had to crawl under, a rope to swing across a mudpit, a tunnel, a large pond with a few platforms to hop across, a series of hoops to jump through, and more. Lucky was trotting in place, rearing to go, when he heard a chuckle and looked to see it was Godric standing next to him. But in the big griffon knight, Lucky saw a fatherly encouragement, as Godric commented, "I can't tell if you're ready to race or you need to go to the bathroom." "Ha-ha, hilarious," retorted Lucky but he knew Godric was only joking. "I gotta say, sir, I didn't expect you to be in the Obstacle Race." "You call this an obstacle course?" Godric pointed with his thumb talon, "You should see the obstacle course my master put me through in my training to become a knight!" "So I take it for you this is gonna be foal's play," Lucky raised a competitive brow and pulled a smirk, "You'll pardon me if I make you eat those words after I leave your kitty behind in the dust!" "You're on, young colt," chuckled Godric as he raised balled-up talons and Lucky met him halfway in a hoof/talon-bump. "Racers! Remember, you have to undergo every single obstacle in the race," Shining Armor marched in front of the starting line and the racers as though he were drilling some cadets. "Game Officials will be watching each and every one of you. Skip, miss, or break so much as one obstacle, you're out! Those with wings or magic, if you fly or cast a spell, you're out! Any attempts to sabotage another racer, you're out! Make your way through every obstacle to cross the finish line, simple enough! Any questions?!" The Dog from Sirius nervously began to raise her paw, only for Shining Armor to yell, "Good, no questions. Racers! On your marks!" The racers all prepared themselves, some of them looking on ahead at the obstacles in their way, others eyeing their competition from the corners of their eyes. "Get set..." Lucky pawed at the dirt like a bull ready to charge, This is gonna be a cake walk! "GO!!!" The ground thundered with the stamping of paws, hooves, and feet as the racers charged out of the starting line, Spike commenting, "Annnnd they're off!! Ha! I've always wanted to say that!" "And I say the Obstacle Race is off to a literal running start as the racer from Baltimare takes the lead! They're coming to the first obstacle, the Wire-Crawl!" Vibrant commented, as the racers all started to hunker down get crawling under the barbed wire. The minotaur from Minox had a little trouble when his longhorns kept getting caught in the wires, and the Saddle Arabian mare, who was the tallest quadruped among them had to go even slower since the wires were suspended so low. "Well, the Baltimare racer gets upped by the Dog from Sirius!" Spike pointed out, the Dog having been quicker than the other racers and she already started for the next obstacle as the others hurried as best they could to catch up. "And as she's doing that, some racers are picking themselves up after a poky crawl and coming up behind her are the racers from Baltimare, Zebrabwe, Mt. Eyrie, Las Pegasus, and Ponyville!" Lucky ran hard but also kept a pace, knowing he had to conserve his strength for the obstacles to come. He swung across the mud pit, went up and over the ramps, made his way through the tunnel, almost fell into the pond with the platforms to hop across (which is where the Dog racer sunk, due to her fear of water), he hopscotched the pillars above a sand-trap (where the Saddle Arabian mare slipped and was left dead last), and scootched along a narrow beam with sandbags swinging back and forth (which knocked off the minotaur and the racer from Las Pegasus). The finish was in sight, and the only obstacle left was... "The Climbing Wall!" Spike was worried as he saw the racers in the lead make their way to the last obstacle, while the other racers were still struggling through the obstacles past the mid-way point. "Possibly the most perilous obstacle on this race and real bad news for the racers with hooves!" "Perilous indeed, Spike," Vibrant added, "this particular Climbing Wall has been estimated to have a level of difficulty just under the level that would make it a challenge for a professional rock-climber! Yeah, no kidding! Lucky thought as he, Godric, the zebra from Zebrabwe, and the racer from Cloudsdale ran up to the climbing wall, craning his neck up at it, and the height alone made him wish he had wings in case he fell. There were footholds and haphazard paths up, some he could tell were dead ends, others true but much more difficult. "Are you here to race, friend?" Lucky turned and flinched to see Godric was already ahead of him as the big griffon started climbing, "Or are you just going to stand there?" "Urgh! Don't wait on my account!" Lucky started climbing, thankful for the holds designed for hooves too, as well as some ledges and outcroppings. "You're gonna need all the advantages you can get, old bird!" "Sorry, can't hear you waaayyy down there," Godric retorted, causing Lucky to growl as he exerted himself. "The competitors making the last obstacle of the race are Mt. Eyrie, Cloudsdale, Ponyville, and Zebrabwe," Vibrant commented, "and the rest of their competition are still having trouble catching up." "At this point, Vibrant, I don't see how any of them could catch up with the racers climbing the Wall," Spike added, "once they make it over the wall, the finish line is practically a hop, skip, and a jump away! "And they're almost to the top! Lucky from Ponyville's made the lead!" Damn right, Lucky thought with a grunting chuckle as he pulled himself to the top of the wall's platform... and groaned when he saw they had to climb down as well! "Are you kidding me?!" Lucky griped as the others joined him on the platform, and a pegasus game official flew over. "Needless to say, you have to climb down too," he explained, "this was decided as a fair shake to any racers falling behind. Get going!" "Well, you heard the pony," Godric shrugged as he and the others ever so carefully began their descent, Lucky grumbling as he did the same. Up, down, up, down, they may as well have added a lift if this weren't a race, Lucky thought irritably, as the climb down was far more difficult than the climb up. It was harder to see the way down, and his fetlocks were getting tired holding onto the holds and ledges. The rising excitement of the crowd as the race was so close to its conclusion wore on Lucky's nerve, as suspense of who would get down and across the finish line first. "You know, friend..." Lucky looked and began to feel the onset of panic as Godric was on his level as they both continued to descend the wall. Except Godric was making more progress as the griffon smirked in an amused manner, "I don't believe we had a chance to discuss wagers during our bet." "Really?! I'm about to kick your feline butt and you wanna discuss wagers now?!" Lucky growled as he tried to keep up with Godric. "Mm, yes, I agree the timing is quite inappropriate," Grodric agreed when he noticed how close the ground was now, "so I'll just tell you what I want when I see you... at the finish line!" Godric let go of the wall and fell, twisting his body around, his fore-talons and rear paws ready, and making it apparent that even a half-cat could land on his feet. "Whoa-whoa-whoa! Godric just dropped the rest of the way down! Is that legal?!" Spike protested over the PA. "You'd better believe it, my scaly friend," Vibrant responded, "the rules state you have to bypass the obstacles as long as you don't use magic or fly, and Godric didn't even spread his wings to slow his descent! He's taken the lead!" The griffon gave a nod to Lucky before hurrying along towards the finish line, Lucky growling, "Oh no you don't! If you can make that drop, so can IiiiaaaAAAUUGGH!!" Lucky let go of the wall, doing his best to turn himself around in the air, but before he was ready, he landed haphazardly on his hind legs, but his left hind hoof suddenly jolted with the pain of a bad twist! Lucky fell onto his plot, and gritted his teeth, the zebra from Zebrabwe and the pegasus from Cloudsdale having finally made their way down, passed him by as they hurried to catch up with Godric for the finish line. "Ohhh! That has gotta hurt!" Vibrant's voice emphasized his statement. "Lucky's not getting up! I think his leg's hurt!" worried Spike. Words of concern spread through the crowd, and Godric halted and looked back, having heard the commentary, and saw Lucky was in pain but the foolish stallion was already trying to stand up, only to tumble back down. The sight of the young male not giving up despite his injury resonated an old memory of the Sky Knight... and he turned back! Everyone gasped in shock at the sight of the griffon, who'd been only a few yards away from victory, was turning back! "And the winner of the Obstacle Race is Kuasa from Zebrabwe!" Vibrant declared, and although there was an applause, silence quickly befell the stadium again as all eyes were on Godric as he approached the injured earth pony. "Urrgggh!" Lucky was too distracted by the pain and his earth pony stubborn streak to notice Godric's approach and only stopped trying to get up when he heard someone clearing their throat in an oddly quiet setting. He looked up at Godric and then finally noticed what was going on around him. Sighing, he lost his zeal but still tried to get up... only for Godric to lend a talon as the griffon stood by Lucky's side and helped him up onto his forelegs and his good rear leg, saying, "Keep off that hoof until you get it looked at. Lean on me." At first, Lucky thought Godric was going to escort him to a medic, but instead the griffon was helping Lucky towards the finish line, "W-Why are we...?" "I think you should honor your home and your team by finishing this race," Godric responded in a soft voice. "But... I saw you! You were headed for the finish line, except...!!!" Lucky suddenly realized what had happened, having heard the winner of the race was the zebra mare from Zebrabwe. "Godric! You... You just gave up the gold for the Obstacle Race!" "Son, at some point you realize victory isn't a piece of metal hanging around your neck," Godric replied, "it's knowing you did your best and finishing what you started." "Vibrant, is helping another competitor like that legal?" Spike asked. "There's no rules against it," Vibrant chuckled, his voice oozing with respect at what he was seeing, "and it just might be the finest example of good sportsmanship I've ever seen in a competition like this!" The crowd was beginning to cheer and applause in agreement, and the griffons of Team Mt. Eyrie were cheering too. Their captain might have lost his event, but he had chosen honor over victory, and Doran could not help feeling so proud of his father as the older griffon helped Lucky make it across the finish line, and the whole stadium went wild! "Welcome back, everyone to the Freestyle Skating event," Spike spoke over the PA system, "Before the break, we saw Razerwind from Trottingham with a fantastic display of skating prowess with a sixty-three point nine in style and a seventy-two point one in technicality leaving him with a grand score of one hundred thirty-six for his run. Up next we have Talon for Team Fillydelphia, and a former resident of the Dragon Lands I'll add, and remember folks, that competitors can use their natural abilities as long as magic, flight, and anything that could cause damage to the ice rink are kept to a bare minimum. Otherwise, anything else would disqualify the contestant. Which means Talon won't be able to use fire for her display." "That's right, Spike, and we now go down to the ice to watch Talon take the spotlight!" Vibrant said as the crowd silenced as Talon, an amethyst-colored dragoness with mulberry purple offset scales, took a few deep breaths to prepare herself. She slowly made her first steps out onto the ice and into the center of the ice as a spotlight was directed onto her. The sounds of an energetic violin began to play as she began her routine. She began to with picking up speed going down the ice before made a sharp turn and placed her tail spike into the ground to help her clear the turn. As soon as she was able to make the half circle turnabout, she jumped into the air and wrapped her tail around her to make four full rotations before landing on the ice without issue. She began to billow smoke from her mouth as she snuffed out the natural flames she had to do so. She began to make wide circles covering the ice in it. She began to come closer to the center with each pass. When she got to the center she began to spin in place making the smoke flow up as if it was a reverse waterfall till she was covered in it. She jumped into the air, spreading her wings out to make the smoke to drag out like it was her breaching the surface of the water before she landed continuing the spin with one of her legs out as well as her wings to sweep up the smoke fanning it out. This caused the smoke to spread out and create a clear circle of visible ice around her as the rest of it acted almost like a slight fogging mist. She grinned as she began to skate backwards before leaning back. From the way, she was placed and the smoke rushing past her. It looked like she was almost sitting on the smoke itself and to add to the effect. She placed crossed her foot over the knee of the other as if she was lounging. She smirked before she leaned back further to show she was using her tail to balance herself and with a push. She flipped herself into the air, taking the smoke with her to create large fin-like spikes in the smoke. She landed using her wings to balance the landing back onto her skates. She zipped around the outer ring using her wings to gather the smoke as she got the clearing and with a flap. She threw the smoke forward with enough force that as the music began to come to a crescendo. It stopped with what looked like two sharks swimming towards a fierce dragon of smoke as the music came to a stop. The crowd roared with applause at the display on the ice and above it. The three judges began to talk things over with each other as they tried to decide a score. Talon made her way over to her team's box as she grabbed a large bottle of water to down in one shot. She wrapped a towel around her neck as she dabbed off the sweat she build up from working herself as she waited. "What a majestic display from Talon, folks, to see such smoke sculpting live like that. It takes a lot of focus and practices," Vibrant said as the sounds of papers could be heard. "And a lot of breath to be able to make that much smoke. Even I have a hard time making that much smoke without letting one stray ember fly," Spike tacked on as it sounded like he was amazed by Talon's feat alone. "I wouldn't know, being a pony, but I could say without a doubt that her performance is going to be a hard one to beat," Vibrant continued before the sound of more papers could be heard. "It seems with have the scores in. For style, Talon got an eighty-two point seven and for technicality she got a ninety-one point eight which brings her final score to one hundred seventy-four point five. The highest so far." "That is going to be hard, and from I'm seeing here. The final contestant may just be able to pull it off herself." "And who do we have up next Spike?" "Why it's none other than the paradox-perplexing, poker-playing, peculiarly passionate, party-planning, pink party pony, Pinkie Pie herself!" Spike said smirking the whole time. Thanks for that book of alliterations, Twilight. "My, with so many adjectives she may just come out on top. By the look of it, the staff was able to clear out the smoke and smooth out the ice. We go back down to the rink again and see what this mare can do," Vibrant announced before holding a hoof over the mic. "Nice alliteration there Spike." Down on the field Pinkie slowly made her way onto the ice wearing a blue and yellow outfit made by Rarity herself that almost sparkled in the spotlight. All plastered on her face was a larger than life smile that no one could scowl at. Even the Iron Judge himself couldn't help but crack a small smile seeing it. The music began to come in softly as a light piano being slightly tapped as Pinkie began to move, she started off slowly as she began to move with a level of grace that wasn't often seen from her normally. She began to make small waves in the ice as she kept her tail down low. As the music began to pick up, so did Pinkie as she used her ability to bounce on her hooves to jump and make five full rotations before landing, just to bouncing up again making another five, all just to do it a third time without missing a beat. When she landed she leaned back to skate on one of her back hooves with an angle that seemed unnatural to anypony that hasn't seen it before. Watching this Twilight up in the royal box couldn't help but flash back to her first winter wrap-up watching the very same mare pull off this while she was talking to her. Pinkie smiles as she set her fore-hooves down so she ended skating upside down. Everypony watched in amazement at how limber this pony was as said mare brought her hind legs up so she was skating on her forelegs without missing a beat. She made another jump this time all the bits of ice that her tail had collected released to make a small display as it looked like she was just shooting out snow out of nowhere. She landed on her right foreleg as she spread the rest of them pointing out. She smirked before she leaned forward as if it was a planned maneuver she rolled over and back onto her hind legs and jumped into the air, flipping forward before landing again with both sets of hooves crossed. She began to continue to slide back and forth that even took the tip to jump out of her skates completely only to land in them backwards. Without missing a beat she made the turn and jumped up again and was back in the skates correctly, laces tied and everything. As the music raised to its peak, the mare began to make large circles in the ice. Each pass began to spray up more and more shaved ice particles that almost make it hard for those that weren't using the magical screens to watch to watch. For those they were using them, they had a slightly easier time but only but a bit. When the song ended, the shaved ice died down to show that in the center of the ice was the symbol of the Elements of Harmony was carved into the ice in mere seconds perfectly and standing in the very spot of her element. Pinkie stood there in a bow still having that big smile on her face. Almost everypony just looked on in amazement at this. The only ones that were not were Applejack who was just shaking her head with a smile on her face. Fluttershy who only blushed from behind her mane. Rarity who was smiling warmly as she had her hoof around her sister. Dash who was cheering from the locker room as the team watched the event on a flatscreen. Twilight who was just trying to help Midnight who was having a laughing fit at the absurdity of what just happened, much like Spike had at Vibrant's purely shocked face. Thankfully the microphones were off at this point because all they would have heard would be the young drake hiccuping a few times from the lack of air. Cheese Sandwich as he stood at the edge of the rink with a smile just as big as Pinkie's, filled with pride. The last three that weren't in shock were Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Prince Sombra. Celestia was just smiling while her husband and sister were both having a hard time not to join in on Midnight's laughing fit as they tried to maintain their composure. It was a few minutes before the judges could say anything other than 'did you just see that?' "What can I say other than that mare doesn't disappoint when she needs to put on a show," Spike panted with a giggle as he finally calmed down. "What do you think, Vibrant?" "Uh... yeah..." Vibrant got out as for the first time in his sportscasting life he was completely and utterly speechless. So he finally is speechless, Spike thought before clearing his throat as a piece of paper was handed to him. "It seems we finally got the scores in. For style, Pinkie Pie got a ninety-eight point nine and for technicality she got a perfect hundred bring her score to a one ninety-eight point nine. Which puts Ponyville in first place guaranteeing the gold medal. Congratulations to everyone that participated in the event. "And it seems my co-host here needs a few moments after that display. So we'll be back after a short break with the next event." Down on the field both Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich were walking back to the locker room so Pinkie could change out of the outfit. But before they could get to the tunnel entrance Talon stood there not looking too pleased. "How in Torch's name did you do that?" She asked in a rather gruff voice that reminded Pinkie a lot like Gilda. "Pinkie Secret," she said playfully. "You can cut the act, the show is over. Spill." Talon said growling a bit as she was angry. She had worked the whole year on her routine and being able to make that much smoke. "There isn't an act, it's a secret," Pinkie maintained, still bouncy as ever. "You heard the mare, now if you'll excuse us. We would like to-" was all Cheese got out before Talon interrupted with her right fist clenched. "I wasn't talking to you, bub... " Talon growled, finding it difficult to maintain a civil tone. "I should have smoked you out there and then you pull that off! I want to know how!" "Is there a problem here?" Shining appeared, his horn already alit with magic as a precaution. "None of your business," Talon growled as she took a more defensive stance. "She's just not letting us into the locker room." Cheese answered as Pinkie frowned quietly as Shining came closer. "Go ahead. I will take care of this." Shining said as he stood his ground with the dragoness. "Now Talon, I think you should return to your team's locker room as well." His tone made it clear it wasn't a suggestion. "You don't get to push me around, pony," Talon growled, stepping closer. "Well, you're in my empire that I co-rule with my wife. I believe I have the jurisdiction to have you detained, if I wish. So to make it easier on you, I suggest you get going before a letter is sent to your dragon lord..." Shining threatened, no longer tolerating Talon's attitude. "You wouldn't dare..." Talon challenged but there was a glimmer of fear in her eyes. "Try me," Shining growled in return as behind him four of his guards began to walk up after seeing their prince in a defensive stance himself just in case. "I wouldn't push it, Talon," came a voice behind her as she turned ready to strike, only to flinch when she recognized Duke Firestorm. "Shining wouldn't involve one of the lords without due cause and if he didn't. I would." Firestorm's ice cold tone sent chills up Talon's spines. "Sorry, Sir Firestorm..." Talon quickly walked past the stallion, giving him a wide berth. "The nerve of some dragons" Firestorm huffed as he blew the swoop of mane out of his face before it returned back to its normal spot. "Thank you, Duke Firestorm," Shining said with a salute of respect, his guards following suit. "Please Shining, I told you to call me Storm. We've worked too close together to not be on nickname basis already." "I know," Shining shrugged before turning to his guards and giving them a nod of his head, signaling for them to disperse back to their stations. "Good to see they have been well trained," chuckled Firestorm. "Not as good as your training, the offer still stands for you to try some of my guards," Shining commented. "Shining, you know I take on only a few I personally evaluate for my training," Firestorm said walking over offering a hoof shake with his prosthetic. Shining took it and shook before they nodded. "Remind me after this to have you come over and join us for a drink." "I would like that, Your Highness."