It's been one month now that I have lived here in Equestria and I haven't heard a word from Celestia about how can I get back home. I just hope she finds a way to bring me back soon. Anyway, it seems that Fall has come to town, and by that, I mean the weather. Who would've thought that Fall would arrived so soon?
Me and Kodiak were walking around Ponyville, seeing how much the weather changed.
"Wow, it's been a month and it's already Fall." I said in amazement. "Time sure flies, huh?"
"I know right?" Kodiak replied as a leaf fell down on his nose. He noticed it and shook it off. "I kinda wish sometimes it would be fall all the time!" I couldn't help but smirk at him.
"I take it that you love the weather, Kodiak?" I asked.
"Of course, it's my favorite weather!" Kodiak replied happily. Well, that's nice. My favorite weather is Winter, why you ask? Because I love playing in the snow, making snow angels, building snowman, and having snowball fights. Ahh, it sure brings back some memories back from my world.
While we walked around town, we arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, seeing Applejack and Rainbow playing a game of....horseshoes? I've heard about it, it's a game where you try to throw horseshoes onto the pole, and if you manage to throw it on the pole, you win.
"Oh hey, it's Applejack and Rainbow Dash!" Kodiak exclaimed in excitement.
"Yeah, it seems so." I said smiling towards them. "Though, it is kinda ironic for ponies to be throwing horseshoes besides wearing them." I added.
BONK!
"YOW!" I exclaimed, feeling something hard hit the side of my head. God, it's almost painful than Rainbow Dash slamming into me all the time.
"Sorry!" I looked up to see Rainbow Dash, who was smiling sheepishly and shrugged apologetically.
"Wow, Rainbow. You couldn't hit a barn door with that throw." Applejack giggled.
"Better a barn door than myhead!" I exclaimed, getting back up.
"Ren, are you okay?" Kodiak asked in concern.
"Y-yeah, I think so." I just hope my bump isn't that big.
"So...what are you girls doing?" Kodi asked.
"Nothing, just playing a quick game of Horseshoe." Applejack answered.
"Speaking of horseshoe, it's your turn AJ." Rainbow said turning to Applejack with a smug grin on her face. Applejack grabbed the horseshoe with her teeth and concentrated. She gave a grunt with a firm throw and it landed straight on the metal pole, clattering as the midpoint of the horseshoe collided with the metal.
"Yee-haw!" Applejack cheered. "It's a ringer. That's how you do it down here on the farm!"
"I lost..." Rainbow said, looking dejected.
"Cheer up Dashie, it's just a game." Kodi said, trying to cheer her up, but she grunted as she crossed her hooves and muttered "I hate losing..."
"Come on Dash, like Kodi said, it's just a game." I said still holding my head since I was still feeling the pain from the horseshoe.
"Yeah, I mean it's all in good fun, Rainbow." Applejack assured. "Besides your a pretty good athlete." But as she trotted away, Applejack couldn't resist adding "I'm just better."
Oh, she got you there Dash! Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth in anger as she fluttered after her. Oh boy, this can't be good. Me and Kodi looked at each other, and decided to follow after her.
"You think you're the top athlete in all of Ponyville?" Rainbow asked.
"Well, I was gonna say in all of Equestria...but that might be gliding the lily." Applejack said, smirking as she brushed Rainbow in the face with her tail. Oh, something tells me that this won't end up well.
"Well I think I'm the top athlete..." Rainbow remarked. "So let's prove it!"
"Prove what?" Kodi asked.
"I challenge you to an Iron Pony Competition, a series of athletic contests to decide who's the best...once and for all!" Rainbow declared, ignoring Kodi's question.
"Um...didn't she hear me, Ren?" Kodi asked, turning to me.
"She did...it's just that she's kinda focus on Applejack right now." I replied, sweat-dropping.
"Oh."
"You know what, Rainbow? You're on." Applejack said as she spat on her hoof, along with Rainbow Dash, and they both pressed their hooves together, indicating a deal.
"Well...good luck with that, girls. Come on Kodi." I said as we were about to leave. Until suddenly, I was yank on my hoodie by Dash, who I glared back at.
"Hey, what's a competition without someone to witness it?" Rainbow asked.
"Yeah Ren, come on, it might be fun!" Kodi said, wagging his tail in joy. Hmm, well I guess it would be fun.
"Alright, I see why not?" I asked, much to Kodi's joy.
"YAY!" Kodi yelled happily.
"Alright then." Applejack walked towards us. "How about you two help us set up the obstacle course then?"
"Sure." I shrugged as me, Kodiak, Rainbow, and Applejack got to work on the obstacle course. You know, I do want to see how good Applejack and Rainbow Dash are good at sports, I guess this will be my chance to see it.
Later
Phew...finally done. We finally finished making the front-yard of Sweet Apple Acres as an obstacle course, as well as a few places for different kinds of competitions.
"Awesome!" Kodi said, excitedly. "Can't wait for this Iron Pony Competition to begin!"
"Yeah, same here bud." I agreed.
"Hey Ren, Kodiak." Huh? We turned around to see Twilight and Spike entering Sweet Apple Acres. "What's up with this place?" Twilight asked, looking around the obstacle course in curiosity.
"Oh nothing, except two of our favorite stubborn and hard-headed mares are competing in some competition to prove which one of them is more better." I said, cracking a smile at her and Spike.
"Let me guess, Rainbow Dash and Applejack?" Spike guessed.
"Hmm-mm!" I nodded in response.
"Well...that is something." Twilight said, surprised to hear this before smiling. "So...do you think if we can watch this competition?"
"Sure, I don't see why not." I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Yeah, you should!" Kodi added. "It's gonna be tons of fun!"
"I bet it will be fun!" Spike agreed.
"Yeah..." I added. Hey, maybe...."Hey Twilight, do you think you can help judging the competition, I'm sure with your expertise, you can help out with much." I said happily.
"Hmm..." Twilight thought for a while until she nodded her head and said "Okay, I see why not."
"Alright then, so anyway the bleachers are over there to your right." I said pointing to where the bleachers were. "So come on, let's get this competition started!" I said pumping my fist in the air as we walked towards the bleachers. Me and Kodi sat down, alongside with Twilight, while Spike stood on top of Twilight as he held on a twig, speaking into it like a microphone.
"Hello, everypony!" Spike announced. "And welcome to the first annual Iron Pony Competition!"
"Uh, Spike? Who're you talking to?" Twilight asked.
"Us!" We turned around to see Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy joining in on the fun. Wait, where did they even come from?
"Hello!" Kodi waved to them happily.
"Hi!" Pinkie waved back to us.
Spike then leaped onto Twilight's head, much to her chagrin, as he declared "Let the games begin!"
The first event was a race to see how many seconds can they get to the finish line by jumping over the barrels.
Applejack stood before the course, as Twilight walked up, Spike on her back while holding a stopwatch.
"Ready...set...go!" Spike announced.
"Applejack zoomed past the moment Spike started the count. She raced hastily across the track, dodging the barrels with very swift maneuvers. However, for some reason, Applejack tipped the barrel as she passed by it. She crossed the finish line, aware of this action.
"Time, Spike?" Twilight asked.
"17 seconds!" Spike announced.
"You're kidding!" Applejack responded, excitedly. "That breaks my record from last year's rodeo." A rodeo? Hmm, why do I have the feeling this rodeo is different from the ones back at my world.
"But..." Spike brought up. "You got a five-second penalty for nudging the barrel."
"Aw, nuts and shrews!" Applejack sighed as she kicked a rock in front of her. "Still, that's 22 seconds. Not too shabby."
"Ahh, oh well, better luck next time." Kodi said feeling bad for Applejack getting that five-second penalty. I smiled softly and rubbed his head.
"I'm sure Applejack accepted that pretty easy." I said, which made Kodi a little cheerful. I then noticed Rainbow sweating nervously. Oh my, is the fastest pony in all of Equestria getting all nervous and scared about beating Applejack?
"Hey, don't be nervous. Remember, it's all in good fun. Now git on up there." Applejack said as she nudged Rainbow Dash. Rainbow let out a sigh and flew to her position and readied herself.
"Ready...set...go!" Twilight announced.
Spike clicked the timer, sending Rainbow Dash off. She sprinted across the track, dodging the barrels. Her speed blew the flowers on the barrels as a rainbow trailed behind her as soon as she reached the finish line.
"Wow...she's good." Kodi commented.
"Yeah, you can say that again." I said in surprise. Seriously, how does she leave a rainbow trail whenever she flies around?
"Woo! That was some fancy hoofwork there, Rainbow!" Applejack congratulated her.
"Thanks, but I couldn't have been as fast as you." Rainbow replied, flying back to the beginning while panting.
"18 seconds!" Spike said, shocked to hear that. Even me and Kodiak was surprised to hear that. 18 seconds?! That's gotta be the world record, she might be fast than Usain Bolt!
"18 seconds. Rainbow, are you sure you're not secretly a rodeo pony?" Applejack asked, jokingly.
"Rainbow Dash wins the barre lead!" Twilight exclaimed.
Fluttershy flew upwards to the scoreboard and placed a cardboard apple, which had the number one, onto the scoreboard next to Rainbow Dash's Cutie Mark Symbol.
"Oh, I can't believe I won!" Rainbow expressed.
"Yeah, well, don't you go getting used to it." Applejack assured with a smirk.
The next event began as more and more ponies had joined to watch the competition. Hmm, I guess this Iron Pony Competition has intrigued, heck I even saw Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and an elderly pony joined in. I'm guessing that might be Applejack's grandma or something.
"So what's this next event about, Ren?" Kodi asked curiously, sitting on my lap.
"Well, this event is to prove your strength by knocking a ball to hit the bell above." I explained.
"Well that seems kinda silly." Kodi said, chuckling a little. I rolled my eyes upon hearing that claim.
Anyway, Rainbow Dash went up first as she walked towards the painted target and kicked it. The ball flew upwards and rung the bell, which made everypony cheered, even me and Kodiak. Rainbow shook her hooves in cheering alongside the crowd.
Applejack was lying on a tree as Rainbow Dash came to brag. She had a straw of wheat in her mouth.
"Mighty respectable." Applejack replied as she spat the wheat out of her mouth. Well, that what I call being hardcore and taking something serious. "But let me show you how it's really done." With no hesitation, Applejack kicked the painted target, breaking it into little pieces as the sound of broken wood cried out. The ball launched straight towards the bell, even knocking it off the wooden piece of board it was attached to. The bell continued to fly upwards at an amazing speed as ponies cheered and Rainbow Dash stared at the scene, dumbstruck. Wow, she's good.
"Years of applebucking." Applejack said as she walked near Rainbow Dash, kicking a tree Rainbow Dash was under. Several apples fell on top of her head.
Fluttershy happily added one to Applejack's score.
Oooh, that's gonna leave a mark. I just hope Applejack and Rainbow Dash don't get too carried away by the Iron Pony Competition of theirs.
....Nah, they're totally gonna be carried away by this competition.
The next event consisted of a sort of bull riding event like in a rodeo. Except that both of the ponies had to see how fast they could shake off the victim...who was Spike. You know, it's kinda like the opposite of the rodeo back from my home now that I realized it.
"Why me?" Spike asked himself.
"Go!" Twilight announced, regardless.
Applejack began shaking Spike off. "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa-hoa! Whoa! WHOAAA!" Applejack managed to kicked him off, flying him towards the sky and landing on a stack of hay nearby. "Ouch."
"...He'll probably be okay." Kodi said, smiling sheepishly.
As Spike try to get out of the stack of hay, Rainbow emerged from the hay and asked "Ready for another pony ride?"
"No!" Spike strained.
"Go!" Twilight announced.
Rainbow Dash immediately began bouncing rapidly. "Guh guh guh guh guh guh guh guh guh guh guhwhooooaaaa!" And it looks like Rainbow won this one due to how she got Spike off of her instantly.
As Twilight observed Spike fly across the sky, she yelled out the winner. "Rainbow Dash wins the bronco-buck!"
We heard a crashing sound as I looked to see Spike crashed over to the scoreboard. Fluttershy didn't mind as she added a point to Rainbow Dash's score.
"Wow...that's got to hurt." Kodi said wincing upon seeing Spike crashed into the scoreboard.
"It's a good thing we only set up the competition, not be in it." I replied, which Kodiak nodded in agreement.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash were inside a square surrounded by wooden gates. They had lassos, which Applejack perfected easily, but Rainbow was having a little troubled with it, and by that, I mean a whole lot of it. The next event consisted of roping the victim as best as it could be done. However, the victim was Spike again, who stood at the center of the square, annoyed.
Applejack twirled her rope around and threw it at Spike, instantly catching him by his arms and feet and dragging him towards her. Ponies threw roses at Applejack as a congratulation to her. Well, I guess it was obvious she would win this event due to how many times she kept dragging me using her lasso.
"How do I get roped into these things?" Spike asked, struggled with his position.
"Good one, Spike!" I called out to him. Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. 'Roped' into these situations? How hilarious is that?
"Does this count?" We turned around and sweat-dropped upon seeing Rainbow tied herself onto a tree, and was struggling to free herself.
"I'm not even gonna ask how she got herself into that mess." I said.
"Same here." Kodi said, smiling nervously and sweat-dropping upon seeing Rainbow like that.
Fluttershy added another score to Applejack's.
Later
Several events continued to occur. One was a ball bouncing event, which Applejack struggled to keep up with Rainbow Dash, who bested her, easily. Fluttershy had caught one of the roses that fell with her mouth and placed another apple to Rainbow Dash's score.
The next event was hay throwing. Rainbow began and threw the stack of hay across at the end of the line. She flew over to her accomplishment and taunted at Applejack, but was cut short when Applejack crushed her, literally, when she threw the hay stack right on her. Fluttershy's bunny, Angel, added the score to Applejack. Huh, haven't that devil little rabbit for a while.
After that, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were hoof-wrestling, but surprisingly, Rainbow won that one, as if it wasn't a challenge at all. Guess it was payback for losing to Applejack back at Hoof-wrestling back then when we got those Grand Galloping Gala tickets.
Next up, it was a football kicking contest. Both ponies kicked the ball, but Applejack was farther; it almost me, Kodi, and everypony else that were watching the competition on the clouds. Fluttershy was about to add a score to Applejack, but the football knocked the cardboard apple from her hooves and placed it for her.
Finally, Spike announced "Fillies and gentlecolts, at the halfway point our competitors are tied at 5 and 5!"
"Who are you talking to?" Twilight asked.
"I think he's talking about them." I replied, pointing to the chattering large crowd that gathered for the competition. Jeez, it's almost like the whole town came to watch.
"Wow...that's a lot of ponies." Kodi said in amazement. I know, right? He took the words right out of my mouth.
The competition continued with Applejack and Rainbow competing to how many push-ups they could do.
"95..." Twilight announced as they strained themselves. "96, 97, 98, 99..." Both of the ponies were on the brink of giving up. "a hundred!" Rainbow Dash managed to push herself up and cheer. Applejack was still struggling to do it, but her legs gave up and she crashed on the floor. She muttered something under her breath, oh well, better luck next time.
The next event was to see how far each of the ponies could jump. Applejack began, gaining a good amount of distance from where she jumped. Rainbow looked a bit worried. She began running and jumped. However, before she landed, she saw how she had a lower distance than Applejack. She immediately stopped before touching the ground, and flew over a few feet to win against Applejack. Applejack saw this, and looked irritated, but she let it slip.
Hey wait a minute, isn't that against the rules to do that? Wonder why Twilight isn't calling Rainbow out?
After, both ponies had to take several chicks across the mud to their mothers, without getting them dirty. Applejack began walking towards the other side, but her hooves flung dirt at the chicks, causing them to leave. Applejack gasped and noticed Rainbow Dash, who was walking to the mother while using her wings to cover the chicks from getting dirty, as she grew more irritated.
"Hey, that's not fair! Dashie is just using her wings!" Kodi exclaimed, growling at Dash.
"I know how you feel Kodi, and I think after this event is over. We need to stop this!" I said, glaring at Dash.
"Alright, you two. This will be the final event. Give it all you've got!" Twilight announced.
The two were having a tug of war battle, with each end of the rope grabbed with their teeth and a red flag in the middle. Below the rope lay a pool of mud. Spike flashed his flag. Each pony began grunting, trying to pull the rope to their side. Applejack had the lead.
"Looks like the workhorse might come out ahead in this one." Spike announced.
Applejack had finally managed to pull Rainbow Dash over the mud... but Rainbow Dash suddenly separated her wings and began flying. Rainbow dash flew above, causing Applejack to hover right above the mud, helpless.
"That's not fair!" Applejack mumbled with the rope in her mouth. "You can't use your wings to help you win!"
"Huh?" Rainbow Dash asked, holding a hoof near her ear.
"You're cheating!" Applejack exclaimed, still holding the rope tight between her teeth.
"I can't understand you with that rope in your mouth!" Rainbow replied, still not hearing Applejack.
Applejack, unable to have sometime to think, released the rope from her mouth. "I said...uh oh." Uh oh, indeed. Applejack fell straight towards the mud and got herself covered in it.
Everypony cheered as Rainbow Dash placed the 15th cardboard apple to her score and started bragging. I shook my head at her for the way how she competed.
"Woo-hoo!" I win by a landslide.." Rainbow then flew over to Applejack saying "..Or mudslide in your case." She chuckled and flew straight above us, with a couple of Pegasi holding up a rainbow banner as she declared. "I am the Iron Pony!"
Alright, that's it! I can't take it anymore! I pulled out my Hacking Gun and shot 'Burn' at the banner, destroying it.
"More like the Iron Phony!" I called out, causing Dash to glare and the crowd to gasp.
"What?!" Rainbow zoomed into my face. "What did you mean?! I won Ren!" She exclaimed.
"You cheated, that's what!" Kodi said, agreeing withe me.
"Kodi's right! You only won because you used your wings to win half of those events, and I'm pretty sure that using your wings isn't fair!" I explained sternly.
"Yeah, it's totally not fair!" Kodi added.
"Pfft!" Rainbow rolled her eyes and said "Oh please! That sounds like sour-apples to me."
"More like rotten apples from you Dash!" Applejack spoke up. "I can't even believe it took somepony this long to speak up on how unfair this was."
"Right..." I rubbed my head in embarrassment. "Sorry about that Applejack." I said, feeling bad that I didn't spoke up earlier.
"It's okay Ren, I can understand if you were waiting for this to end." Applejack said before glaring at Dash. "But that doesn't explain you using your wings to cheat!"
"What?! Now you're being a sore-loser!" Rainbow accused when me and Kodi stood next to Applejack.
"Rainbow listen, what if I was the one competing against you? I could've just swooped through the competition with my Hacking Gun. Wouldn't you feel it unfair that I, a human with a gun that shape like a Megaphone, was using it to win the contests?" I asked raising a brow.
Rainbow tried to say anything, but shook her head as she looked at Applejack and said "Sorry, AJ...I was being unfair."
Applejack smiled and went over, putting a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "It's alright, Sugarcube, I'm just glad to know your admitting your mistake."
"Well.." We turned to see Twilight walked up. "Since Rainbow is admitting her cheating, she forfeits the points she accumulated from the contests she won using her wings. This means you two are tied again at five points each." Twilight, much to our surprise.
"Well...how are we gonna settle with it?" Kodi asked.
"I think I have an idea." Applejack spoke up. "Tomorrow is the annual Running of the leaves. That way we'll settle our dispute tomorrow."
"Heh! Easy shmeasy." Rainbow dash as she began to fly away, but Applejack pulled her down.
"Hold on! There is one condition: the point is to run, so no wings allowed." Applejack said sternly.
"No wings?" Rainbow said before she kicked Applejack off her. "No problem."
They both spat on their hooves and shook. They both went their separate ways and the crowd broke up and dissolved, leaving me, Kodi, Twilight, and Spike by ourselves. Running of the Leaves? That's new.
"Hey Twilight, what's the Running of the Leaves?" I asked her.
"I read about it once. Apparently, it's one of Ponyville's traditions and its purpose is to shake the autumn leaves off the trees with the pounding of footsteps." Twilight explained. Leaves falling down from the pounding of footsteps? Oh that's right, ponies here can mess with weather, I totally forgot about it. But this Running of the Leaves sounds like a lot of fun.
"You want to compete in it, don't you?" Twilight guessed, with a smirk on her face.
"Well yeah, but I'm pretty sure it's Ponies only." I said sweat-dropping.
"Oh come on, who says that only ponies can race?" Kodi asked, smiling at me. Actually, he's right...ah, what the heck? I'll enter the race.
"Kodi's right, I will compete in the Running of the Leaves! As long as I don't get in the way of Applejack's and Rainbow's rivalry." I said smiling.
"Well, we wish you good luck Ren!" Spike said, giving me a thumbs up. I gave back a thumbs up as well as Kodi jumped for joy saying 'I want to compete in it too!"
"Hmm, I guess I could try talking to Mayor Mare about it." Twilight said smiling softly at me. "But anyway, I wish you two good luck on the competition tomorrow." Twilight said.
Me and Kodiak nodded our heads to her as the sun started to go down. Time sure flies here, huh? Oh well, doesn't matter, what matters is the race tomorrow, and something tells me this race will be surprising.
The Next Day
Me and Kodi woke up and headed towards where the Running of The Leaves was going to be held.
“Welcome to the annual Running of the Leaves!” We saw Pinkie Pie above us in a hot weather balloon. Wonder how she came to be an announcer? “This is Pinkie Pie, your official eye-in-the-sky announcer! 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.”
“Do you think that one of us will win?” Kodi asked curiously.
“Hmm, well I don’t know, but it’s just for fun, remember?” I asked, smirking at the little puppy.
“Yeah, but not to Dashie and Applejack.” Kodi commented.
“Yeah, that too.” I agreed. Let’s see which one of our favorite stubborn mares will win this competition.
As soon as we arrived to the place, we saw many ponies with different numbers on their flanks. We went over to sign up and turns out, they didn’t mind if I wasn’t a pony and it’s for everyone to enjoy. Me and Kodi received our numbers for the race and headed for the starting line. We even noticed Applejack, who was stretching her back. She then turned around and noticed me.
“Ren? Kodiak? I didn’t know you two were going to run too.” She said, surprised to see us.
“Yeah well, I want to compete in it, you know, I do want to know more about Equestria. And what better way is going through the Running of the Leaves.” I said happily.
“Yeah, I want to compete in it as well.” Kodiak said happily.
“Well…good luck to you, partners.” Applejack said, smiling back at us.
“Pardon me, excuse me!” We turned around to see Rainbow Dash walked through with the number eleven on her flank. She held her nose in the air as she boasted “Make way for the Iron Pony!”
“The Iron Phony, you mean!” Applejack responded, losing her smile and gave Rainbow a stink-eye.
“So Applejack! You ready to win….2nd place?” Rainbow said, smirking as she fluttered in place.
“I’m ready to run a good clean race.” Applejack corrected her.
“And didn’t Applejack said that you couldn’t use your wings?” Kodi reminded her.
“Yeah, yeah.” Rainbow scoffed as she alighted to the ground. “I could win this race with both wings tied behind my back.”
Applejack had a seductive look on her face. She grabbed a rope nearby and literally tied Rainbow Dash’s wings, making sure she is unable to fly. “Trussed up like a turkey. Well, a turkey who can’t fly, that is.”
“Very funny.” Rainbow said, sarcastically.
“Um, do you realize that turkeys can’t fly, right?” I reminded her, which made Applejack glare at me. “I’ll…stop talking now.” I said, smiling sheepishly.
Soon, we heard trumpets sounded throughout the area. “Racers! Please take your positions!” We heard Pinkie announce.
Suddenly, Spike came out of nowhere, in front of us, and called out to Pinkie. “Um…Pinkie Pie?”
“Hey, Spike! What's up? Oh wait, it me, I'm up!" Pinkie laughed.
"Uh, yeah. 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?"
"Aw... Forget it." Spike began walking away, but Pinkie Pie called after him.
"Spike! Would you like to be my co-reporter? We could comment on the action together."
"We could?" Spike replied, excited.
"Climb on up." Pinkie Pie tossed a rope, which Spike grabbed and began climbing on to the balloon.
Huh…Spike’s lucky that Pinkie allowed him to become co-announcer. Oh well, no time to think about that, time to race!
Applejack, Rainbow, Kodi, and I readied ourselves into our positions, but all of a sudden, a familiar purple unicorn jumped into the starting line with us.
“Twilight? What are you doing here?” Kodi asked, surprised to see her here.
“I’m racing.” Twilight responded with a smile, provoking a derisive laugh from Rainbow.
“Good one, Twilight!” Rainbow said, laughing at her.
“I don’t think she’s joking, Rainbow.” I commented.
“Exactly!” Twilight added, keeping her positive mood.
“W-what?! But…Twilight, you’re not an athlete, you’re a…well, you’re a egghead!” Rainbow exclaimed. This caused me to raise a brow at him, egghead? What does that even mean?
“I am not an ‘egghead’, I am well-read.” Twilight scoffed.
“Egghead!” Rainbow whispered, which made Applejack chuckled.
“Okay, but have you ever run a race?” Applejack teased.
“Well, no…But I do know a lot about running!” Twilight replied. This caused me to give her a blank expression. Seriously? I know she couldn’t go do anything due to her reading books but…come on!
“And you know this from…?” Rainbow dragged the question as she already know the answer.
“Book!” Twilight responded, ignoring their teasing chuckles. “I’ve read several on the subject.”
Rainbow and Applejack continued snickering, causing me and Kodi to frown at them teasing Twilight like that.
“What’d you read, ‘The Egghead’s Guide to Running’? Did you stretch out your eye muscles to warm up?” Rainbow laughed, even causing Twilight to sigh and became annoyed as well. “Get it? Eye muscles.”
“Hey, leave her alone, girls. Will you let her race?” I asked, giving them a stern look.
“Yeah, give Twilight a chance already!” Kodi backed me up.
“Thank you Ren and Kodi.” Twilight thanked, confidently before turning to Rainbow and Applejack. “Anyway, scoff if you must, Rainbow. 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.”
“Well, I think that’s just dandy, Twilight. Good luck.” Applejack snickered.
“Yeah. See you at the finish line…Tomorrow.” Rainbow said before she and Applejack started laughing.
I rolled my eyes at them and turned to Twilight. “Don’t listen to them Twilight, I know you’ll do your best.” I said, encouraging her.
“Thanks Ren.” Twilight said, smiling at me. “At least somepony appreciates me participating in this race!”
“Well, I wish you good luck, Twilight.” Kodi said, smiling at Twilight. Suddenly, we overheard Pinkie announced something.
“Alright, ponies, are you ready?”
“Get set.” Spike added.
We all took our position as the drums started rolling. I haven’t run that much back when I was kid, but I’ll give it my all.
“GO!!!”
Suddenly, the bell finally rung and we took off.
“And they’re off!” I heard from Pinkie. “Welcome to the official coverage of the Running of the Leaves!” Pinkie announced as she hovered above us in her balloon. “You know, Spike, despite its name, the leaves don’t do any of the actual running. No, that’s left to My Little Ponies.” My Little Ponies? Strange, that almost kinda sounds like the name of a TV show or something.
“Why, yes, Pinkie, it’s the running of the ponies that causes the leaves to fall.” Spike responded.
Many leaves from the trees fell as we continued running through. “Ugh. Those lazy, lazy leaves. But this year, the run is about more than the weather…” Pinkie brought up. “It’s about the race to the finish, and two particular runners aiming to win it: Applejack and Rainbow Dash!”
Applejack was in the lead by a few inches so far, with Rainbow Dash behind her. Me and Kodi were trailing behind of them, but I was pretty close. I couldn’t see Twilight, she must have been somewhere behind me.
“You know Pinkie, these two ponies have a bit of a grudge match they’re trying to settle.” Spike added. “Trying to prove who’s the most athletic!”
“Yes, and ‘grudge’ rhymes with ‘fudge.” Pinkie said happily, causing me to raise a brow.
“Yes it…does. What?” Spike asked, giving her a confused expression.
“And I like fudge! But if I eat too much fudge, I get a pudge, and then I can’t budge!”
“So…no fudge?” Spike asked.
“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 percent of a nose…Roughly speaking. Applejack sees this move and pushes forth with her strong workhouse legs slinking ahead by three hundred fifty noses!” Pinkie described exactly what was going on between the two.
“Why is Pinkie talking about noses?” Kodi asked, running next to me.
“I…have no idea.” I said, sweat-dropping. Sometimes, I wonder what goes on in Pinkie’s head, but something tells me its best not to know.
Only a few feet away from them both, I continued running, trying to balance myself to where I could eventually pass them. Applejack looked behind at Rainbow Dash and muttered something. Rainbow Dash glanced at her wings, then over to Applejack. Oh no, please don’t tell me that she’s-
“Ho-hold your horses, Pinkie! Rainbow Dash is catching up to the frontrunner Applejack!” Spike exclaimed.
“What an upset. I thought Applejack had this in the bag.” Pinkie said.
“You didn’t think I was gonna let you off that easily, did you?” Rainbow Dash shouted, tying with Applejack ahead of me and Kodiak.
Applejack had her concentration on Rainbow Dash, but she accidentally tripped on a rock, falling to the ground while Rainbow Dash continued. Me and Kodi stopped and called over to Applejack.
“Applejack, are you alright?” Kodi asked in worried.
“I’m fine! Don’t worry about me, you two! Keep going!” She yelled back.
“You got it!” I added, with a smile. We then noticed the large crowd of ponies catching up. Me and Kodi looked at each other and nodded, and continued to run after Rainbow Dash. The distance between Rainbow Dash, Kodi, and I had significantly grown when I stopped for Applejack. When I had her in my sight, she looked back and laughed.
“Good luck trying to catch me, Ren and Kodiak!”
Me and Kodiak just smirked and continued to concentrate on the race. Rainbow Dash stuck out her tongue and purposely lowered her speed. At this point, I took her bragging for an advantage and increased my acceleration, which in a matter of seconds, me and Kodiak passed her while she was having her eyes closed, for the sake of showing off. Huh, I never knew I can run this fast, well my mom did say I was quite energetic so it makes sense…I think. As soon as Dash opened them again, she dropped her jaw.
“Huh?!” She shouted, surprised. I continued running, lowering my speed by just a pinch to save up some energy.
“Woo-hoo! We’re in the lead!” Kodi exclaimed, lowering his speed as well.
“I don’t believe it. After a huge setback, Applejack is back at the front of the pack, and Ren and Kodiak managed to beat them both! What an amazing move!” Spike’s voice exclaimed.
“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 PJ’s? That’s not very sporting of her.” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Oookay…let’s get back to the race.” Spike said, not wanting to go any farther with her. Trust me, if I ever question Pinkie’s randomness, I would probably just pretend that she’s not crazy.
“Not so fast, Applejack! This race isn’t over yet!” I heard Rainbow Dash exclaimed. Hmm, it sounds like Applejack has finally caught up to Rainbow Dash.
“It is for you. Heh.” I overheard Applejack said.
“Whoa.”
After that, I didn’t hear Rainbow Dash anymore, I wish I could look back but I need to concentrate on this race.
“Welcome back, Ponyvillians, it’s me, Pinkie Pie.” Pinkie announced a while later.
“And Spike! looks like Rainbow is doing her best to catch up.” Spike added.
“I’m not sure how ketchup is going to help her in this contest. 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 offered
“Aaand it looks like Applejack has found herself in quite a pickle as Rainbow overtakes her.” Pinkie said, returning her attention back to the race.
“Look, ma, no wings.” I overheard Rainbow and it seems like she caught up to Applejack again. I had passed through a forest, quickly dodging a branch that stood in the way by sliding underneath it and continuing to run. Me and Kodiak had passed through a forest, I quickly dodged a branch that stood in the way by sliding underneath it and continuing to run. Since Kodi is still a puppy and small, he went underneath the branch a-okay.
“As the racers enter Equestria’s Whitetail Wood, Rainbow Dash is back in the lead, but Ren and Kodiak still has first place!” Spike announced. Whitetail woods? Wonder why its called that?
“Ren, what’s going on back there?” Kodi asked, as we began hearing some grunting sounds and arguing.
“Don’t know, but we need to keep going!” I exclaimed, which Kodi nodded back to me. I continued to focus ahead while a little while later, I heard some hooves land and gallop behind me, almost close to me.
“You know, this place looks nice.” Kodi said gazing at the scene while keeping up to my pace.
“I know, I’m glad that I decided to partake in this competition.” I agreed with him. Whitetail Woods seems like a very nice forest, better than the Everfree Forest.
Soon after, Kodiak and I had just finished passing through an area with two paths. There was an arrow with a sign pointing to go right. I maneuvered right and continued galloping, hearing much more noise me behind me and Kodi. Seriously, what the heck is going on back there?!
Suddenly, Rainbow had managed to catch up behind me and shouted “You’re not going to get away with first place, Ren and Kodi!” I glanced at her and saw that the rope around her was gone.
“What the heck?! I thought Applejack said no flying!” I exclaimed.
“No, I said no wings!” I overheard Applejack exclaimed behind me.
“I must say, Spike, that this has been the most interesting Running of the Leaves in Equestria history!” Pinkie announced as we passed through the trees containing buckets. Looks like the ponies here are collecting sap, probably to make something delicious.
“With the most interesting announcing.” Spike added.
“But it isn’t the running that’s been fascinating. It’s the lack of running!” Pinkie said. Wait, lack of running? I then heard more grunts formed behind. Guess everypony back there must be tired out, but then I felt a sudden heavy wind blow my hair, which soon died down. What was that all about?
“R-ren, I can’t keep going!” Kodi said, almost running out of breath.
“Don’t give u-up Kodi!” I exclaimed. Great, I’m almost running out of breath as well. We can’t lose, we can do this! “We can…do…this!” I exclaimed as we began picking up the pace.
“Once again, Rainbow Dash and Applejack are neck in neck, jockeying for position.” Pinkie exclaimed. “Applejack inches ahead, now it’s Rainbow, it’s Applejack, It’s Rainbow Dash, it’s Applejack-”
“Ren look, the finish line!” Kodi called out as we saw the finish line right in front of us. Was this it? Was I really going to be first?
I had a good, large distance between the crowd and me. I was almost there! The finish line was only several feet away from me! I started giving a final push to my running, however, I somehow tripped and landed on the ground, only a few feet away from the finish line. I could hear the crowd catching up to me.
“Ren!” Kodi exclaimed, worried now.
“Don’t worry about me Kodiak! Just keep running!” I yelled at him. Kodi hesitant at first before nodded his head. He then began running towards the finish line.
I tried to get up and run again, but I grunted in pain when my legs wouldn’t run anymore! I must have sprained something! I continuously tried to increase my speed, but I could only limp towards the finish line.
“Ouch!” Pinkie announced on the balloon. “Ren took a fall that will really affect him since he’s in first place, but it appears Kodiak is now in first place and heading towards the finish. But what’s this? All the other ponies are catching up to him!”
“C’mon Kodi! You can do it!” I yelled back to him, encouraging him. I continued to limp my way towards the finish line as well while Kodiak continue his way to it first. I continued to quickly limp towards the finish line and Kodiak running a little slower towards it due to us running too fast. I could feel the breath of the crowd of ponies behind me. I gave one last grunt and attempted to leap past the finish line. I then felt myself landing on the grass and closed my eyes, panting. I had no idea if me or Kodi made it or not.
After a moment, Pinkie Pie must have returned to Applejack and Rainbow Dash as she kept exclaiming “It’s Applejack, it’s Rainbow Dash, it’s Applejack, it’s Rainbow Dash-”
So did one of us really win? Did Kodiak won or not?
“Ren! Ren!” I heard Kodi’s voice. I opened my eyes slowly and saw him licking my face. “Are you okay?”
“Y-yeah…I think so.” I said getting back up. God, I’ll never run that fast anymore.
“I won!” Rainbow exclaimed.
“No, I won!” Applejack counteracted.
“You tied!” Spike announced, causing the two to gasp.
“TIED?!” They exclaimed.
“For first?” Applejack asked.
“For last!” Pinkie answered as she and Spike landed their balloon. This caused not only Applejack and Rainbow to widen their eyes in shock, but me as well? How the heck could they tie for last? I may have been so tired out, but I know nopony else went past us.
“T-then who won?!” Rainbow questioned, when we heard some hoofsteps and saw Twilight approaching us, a medal around her neck.
“You?!” Rainbow and Applejack asked in shock.
“Oh no, but I did win 5th place.” Twilight said. “Which is rather good as I’ve never run a race before.”
“Then…who won then?” I asked
“Fillies and gentlecolts!” Pinkie announced. “I present to you our winner: Kodiak the puppy!” Wait what?
Me and Kodiak eyes widened immediately when she said that. “Me? I won?” Kodi asked.
“He won?!” I repeated. My own pet puppy won the Running of the Leaves? Okay, that’s…quite shocking.
“Yep!” Pinkie responded while Spike placed two medals on my neck and on Kodi’s neck, and he also gave Kodi a trophy as well.
“Wait a minute, why am I getting a medal?” I asked.
“Oh, you came in second.” Spike replied.
“Oh.” I said, realizing that. “I see.”
“W-what? How’s that even possible?” Applejack asked.
“Yeah, I can understand Ren and Kodiak, but Twilight!” Rainbow added, pointing at Twilight. “She ran so slow, and looked at the scenery!”
“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.
“I don’t believe it. Twilight, Ren, and Kodiak beat us.” Rainbow exclaimed, surprised.
“Well, with your horsing around, it was quite easy.” I added, agreeing with Twilight. “I can understand you two think you’re better than each other, but I say after this race, you two are both the Iron Ponies!”
“Yeah, even though you lost, you two were awesome back there!” Kodi said happily.
“You’re right, you guys. Our behavior was just terrible.” Applejack admitted.
“We weren’t very good sports.” Rainbow added.
“Sounds to me like an important lesson was learned.” Huh? That voice..it couldn’t be…
I then noticed everypony let out a gasp and bowed. We looked at where they were bowing and saw…
“Princess Celestia?!” We all exclaimed. Yep, in the flesh as Princess Celestia walked towards us.
“W-what are you doing here?!” Applejack asked as she, Dash, Twilight, Kodi, and I all bowed respectfully.
“Fall is one of my favorite seasons so I came here to celebrate the Running of the Leaves.” Celestia explained.
“Really? Mine too!” Kodi said, wagging his tail happily. Celestia let out a chuckle and rubbed Kodi’s fur, much to his joy.
“I’m sorry you had to see us being such poor sports, Princess.” Applejack apologized, with Rainbow nodding in apologetic agreement.
“That’s alright, Applejack, anypony can get swept up in the excitement of competition.” Celestia replied.
“It’s important to remember that the friendship is more important than the competition.” Twilight added.
“And no competition is worth losing a friend over.” I added as well.
“Exactly, you two.” Celestia agreed with me and Twilight before turning to Dash and Applejack. “Now, unfortunately as the two of you were so busy tricking each other instead of shaking down leaves, many of the lovely trees of Equestria are still covered.”
“Why Princess, I bet we could knocked down those leaves for you, lickety-split!” Applejack replied. She then gave Rainbow a smile and said “What do you say, friend, wanna go for another run?”
“I’d love to stretch my legs.” Rainbow agreed before zipping off, Applejack rearing and following after her.
We watched our two best friends as they ran through the trees, their friendship stronger than ever.
“It’s nice to see them get along once again.” I said before wincing in pain.
“Ren.” Kodiak came to my side as soon as I sat down on the floor. Oh man, I forgot about my aching leg.
“Oh by the way.” Celestia turned me with a soft smile. “Congratulations on achieving first place Kodiak, and second place, Ren.”
“…Thank you Princess Celestia.” I said smiling towards her.
“Yeah, we couldn’t have done it without each other.” Kodiak said licking me on my cheek, much to my joy.
Celestia smiled and said “That’s fantastic. You two did amazing throughout the whole race.”
“You…watched us the whole time?!” I asked in shock.
“Of course..your friend was with you, every second of the race.” Celestia chuckled. Me and Kodiak looked at each in surprise before letting out a laugh and smiled at each other.
“Your concentration and being focused on a single goal is what brought you to achieving it. You two didn’t give in nor surrendered to Rainbow Dash’s…comments..though sufering a minor unfortunate accident, you still managed to pass the finish line a second before anypony else.” Celestia explained.
“Wow…” I said. Though, I still can’t believe that my own pet dog won the race while I came second. “Well, thank you, Princess.”
The princess nodded before moving her horn towards my leg and used her magic. My leg felt different afterwards, and as I shook it, there wasn’t anymore pain! It’s like I never twisted my leg at all.
“Let this experience by your motivation to continue to work hard to achieve your goals.” Celestia told me, giving me and Kodi a heart-warming smiles.
“Thanks Princess Celestia.” I said happily as I got back up on my own two feet.
“It’s so nice to meet you again Princess Celestia!” Kodi said happily.
“Yes, it was nice meeting you too, Kodiak.” Celestia said. “Anyway, I’ll see you soon, Ren! For now, I must speak with Twilight.”
“Okay..goodbye Princess Celestia.” I responded and bowed. As she began to walk away with Twilight to talk to her, privately. I then realized something. “Oh right, Princess Celestia, wait!”
“Hmm?” She and Twilight turned to me with confusion. “Yes?”
“I forgot to ask you something, I was wondering if you find anything that can send me back home?”I asked, feeling excited if I hear any good news.
Unfortunately, Princess Celestia made a sad smile and said “I am sorry Ren, but I haven’t found one yet. I have to bring you bad news upon hearing this.”
I then became a little sadden to hear that, but then made a soft smile. “I see, well sorry for disturbing your time.”
“It’s quite alright, thank you for reminding me that.” Princess Celestia said nodding to me. Soon enough, she and Twilight walk away and probably headed back home. The crowd had soon vanished when everything was over. Oh well, there’s always next time.
Later
Me and Kodiak soon started to head back home, with me carrying Kodi’s trophy and the medal around my neck and Kodi’s gold medal hung around his neck.
“That was awesome Ren!” Kodi said happily. “I actually won the competition, isn’t that surprising?!”
“Yeah, even I was taken by surprise. Imagine the news cover.” I said before adding “‘Little pup wins the gold from the Running Of The Leaves’!”
Soon enough, we started laughing as we were almost back to the home-ship.
“Hey Ren…do you sometimes think about your family?” Kodi asked. That caused me to be surprise for him to ask something like that. I then turned to him with a soft smile.
“Well yeah Kodi, I do sometimes think about them, and sometimes…I wonder what’s happening back in my world, they’re probably looking for me.” I said sadly.
“Well I’m sure your family really misses you, and once she finds a way to bring you back, your family will be happy to see you again.” Kodi said.
“Y-yeah, I guess you’re right.” I said smiling back at him. “And also, they’ll also be happy that I made so many friends and that I found a talking dog.” I added, which made Kodi blushed lightly.
“Do you think your family will like me?” He asked.
“Yeah of course, my family is the best family in the whole wide world!” I commented. “So I’m sure they’ll accept you, but you should maybe you should keep quiet so that they won’t know that you can talk.”
“Oh…okay.” Kodi nodded as we finally made it back home. It was kinda nice for Kodi to remind me about my family. I just hope that wherever we are…we’ll still be here in our hearts.
To Be Continued