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// Runic Realization 
// Story: New to Ponyville; A Young Colt's Adventure 
// by AxtontheMechanist 
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Axton awoke to another beautiful day in Equestria, the sun shining down upon the land, giving the land once more its buttercup yellow glow. Axton looked up to see the time- ‘Horseapples! I’m gonna be late for the presentation if I don’t hurry up!’ He thought, before rushing into the bathroom to get ready for the new day.

The school house bell rung, the ringing carrying across the playground and down the path. Axton had barely made it when he spotted Apple Bloom rushing up to him, grinning happily.

“Y’ made it! Now tha’ you’re here, we’re gonna present our project, and we’re gonna win.” She smiled sweetly at Axton, and then pecked him lightly on the cheek before leading him to the class room, where the presentation was to be held.

As the two came in and sat at their desks, Cheerilee walked in and greeted the class “Hello, students! Today is the day of your presentation for your projects. Mayor Mare and Princess Twilight Sparkle will be judging over whose is the best. Do I make myself clear?” The class nodded, and an excited murmur went around the classroom before they looked back at Cheerilee “Please get your projects ready. I am going to let the Princess and Mayor Mare into the class now. Good luck my students!” Cheerilee left the classroom, allowing Twilight and Mayor Mare to enter.

“Hello there, students. As you know, I am Mayor Mare, and this here is Princess Twilight Sparkle. May the best contestant win; good luck to you all.” Mayor Mare announced.

Twilight, producing a list from nowhere, levitated with her magic and read the first name from the list. “First up are Sweetie Belle and Pipsqueak.” She smiled gently, seeing those two paired up. Purposely, the two stepped up and produced the poem they had made, Sweetie Belle reading it aloud;

Love is an essence of happiness,
It brings us together,
And the tragedy we experience matters less,
For love lives forever.

Happiness is only a small reach away,
For some it is hard to see,
In your heart,  love will always stay,
From love you need not flee.


Love brings us together in the hardest of days,
For it is Love that is the essence of the Hearts and Hooves, or so we say .

Looking at Sweetie Belle and Pipsqueak, Twilight smiled before writing down a few notes and nodding to Mayor Mare, who also jotted down a few notes. Done with their notes, Twilight announced who was next “Up next are Defensive Flight and Scootaloo”. Defensive and Scootaloo brought up a shining dragons scale, which had a ruby heart embedded within it. The two stated that it represented kindness, even among those who were different.

Twilight looked kindly upon the two young ponies, before the two judges jotted down their notes on the presentation of the scale, and how it was preserved. However, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara stated that they had nothing to present when they were called, and thus chose to storm out of the room.

Fortunately, Snips and Snails had brought forth a banner that the two had made without letting their evil partners know. It had a large heart upon it with the saying embellished beneath; love burns bright.

Thanking the two, Snips and Snails moved back to their seats. It was now the turn of Apple Bloom and Axton, who retrieved their project from the back cupboard and moved it on its stand to the front of the class. Twilight looked impressed at the complex rune-work.

Apple Bloom started off the presentation “Me an’ Axton made this to represen’ Hearts and Hooves day, an’ the essence of Love. The runes hold th’ diamond in place, an’ fills it with th’ essence of Love, which is why ya’ll see the pink inside the diamond. Axton will explain th’ rest.” Bowing her head to the judges she walked to Axton’s side as he began to explain.

“I present to you our project, which I have dubbed the Rose of Ponyville. The runes represent Joy, Beginnings, Peace, Happiness, Protection and Love. These are the essences of Love itself. As Apple Bloom has already told you, the runes levitate the diamond in place within the stone frame. What she hasn't told you is that the runes gather within the diamond to give out an area effect of happiness and whatever power the runes themselves posses. That’s not all though. Those who are with their lovers within ten meters of the diamond have their love strengthened for each other. Our project represents how precious love is, and the overall power it can have over anypony.” Smiling towards the judges, the colt went back to his seat on the double table, with Apple Bloom at his side. As Apple Bloom sat down, she nuzzled Axton affectionately, making him blush a little, before returning the gesture.

With all the items presented, Twilight and Mayor Mare were ready to make their final decision and release their results to the class. Twilight announced the results “In last place, is Snips and Snails, with the Burning Love Banner.” Snips and Snails looked at each other before shrugging; it was no biggie “In second to last is Sweetie Belle and Pipsqueak, with their poem” Sweetie Belle looked disappointed, but Pipsqueak gave her a small peck on the cheek as if to say ‘it doesn't matter, you’re still first to me’ “Second, is Scootaloo and Defensive with the HeartScale, meaning that the winners are...” Twilight looked towards Apple Bloom and Axton with a smile on her face; those two were definitely meant for each other. “Apple Bloom and Axton! Congratulations, please come and receive your prize.” Twilight held out the two companions’ prizes, which consisted of two bags containing six hundred bits each, and a small medal saying ‘Winners of the Hearts and Hooves Project’. 

Apple Bloom had never seen this much money in her life, and neither had Axton. The two looked at each other before hugging each other tightly and running up to gain their prize.

After they received their prizes, the Mayor spoke up “As a thank you for working so hard for our town on Hearts and Hooves day, we are going to let all of Ponyville see every single project for the next week, when the residents of Ponyville shall gather to see them. Thank you all for presenting them to us and- oh? Who’s this?” As she said this, Princess Cadence entered the room, along with her husband, Shining Armour. The two looked around the class before they found what they were looking for; Axton and Apple Bloom’s project. Cadence looked around the room before asking “May I know who made this artifact?” Her eyes rested on Axton who nodded in confirmation to her, Apple Bloom at his side bravely walking forwards with him.

Shining Armour greeted his sister, before letting his wife continue “Last night, due to me being the element of Love, I was alerted that an incredibly powerful artifact of love had been created. Yet I find that the creators of this artifact are as young as you, surprises even me. Once it has been presented to Ponyville, I would like to take it back with me to the Crystal Empire, if that is okay with you.” Cadence looked down upon Axton and smiled; such talent lay within this one. Not only that, but inside him was a great and hidden power that was dormant now, but could be opened at any moment.

“Of course, your majesty. It would be our honor.” Axton replied formally, and Apple Bloom swiftly agreed. Cadence smiled once more; these two are definitely perfect for each other.

The rest of the classroom looked in awe at Axton and Apple Bloom sat back down, and Princess Cadence and Shining Armour walked out.

The day had gone perfectly, and as it drew to a close, Apple Bloom knew she had found her special somepony.