Unfriendly Competition
Another few months passed without anything major happening. Fall had come again and since that kiss Twilight gave Nova on the first day of spring after winter wrap up, nothing further came of it. He managed to just forget about it and just figured Twilight was just showing her appreciation. It was a Saturday so Starburst didn’t have school today. The two brothers went about their usual routine before heading out to enjoy the day. “So what’s up for today big brother?” Starburst asked.
“I was thinking we could pay a visit to Applejack today, maybe see if she could use some extra help around the farm or something.”
Starburst smiled at that. “Ok, I’ll get to spend time with Applebloom.” The two then headed out for Sweet Apple Acres. Upon entering the town, they saw Applejack coming up to Twilight and Spike just as they were heading out of the library.
The two went up to them with Nova greeting them. “Hey you three, what’s up?”
Applejack informed. “Hey there Nova, Starburst, I was just askin Twi here to be our judge fer a little competition me and Rainbow are gonna have.”
“What kind of competition?” Starburst asked with a smile.
“Just a little somethin ta see which of us is a better athlete.”
“Sounds interesting, mind if we come along?” Nova asked.
Applejack answered. “Course not, come on you two.” So the five made their way to Sweet Apple Acres to watch this contest.
Upon their arrival, they saw Rainbow Dash doing a few exercises and stretches. “So you two are doing what now?” Twilight asked.
Applejack started to answer. “An iron….”
“Iron pony competition.” Rainbow interrupted.
Applejack began to explain. “You see, we’ve set up a bunch of events to decide which one of us is….”
Rainbow interrupted again. “The most athletic pony ever.”
“And I’m here too?” Twilight asked again.
Rainbow tried to answer. “Um, I don’t know, why is she here?”
Applejack answered. “To be our judge and keep score.”
Rainbow smiled at this. “Right, heh, some ponies gotta record my awesomeness for the history books.”
Starburst chimed in with an idea, “Hey, can Nova be the referee?”
Nova looked at Starburst. “Referee, I don’t know about that.”
Applejack then thought about it. “Hmmm, I don’t see why not, I suppose we could use one, what do ya say there partner, ya wanna be our ref?” She asked with a smile to Nova.
Starburst encouraged him. “Come on Nova, do it, It’ll be great.”
Nova smiled as he answered. “Well, ok, sure, I guess I can be the referee.”
The group gathered to an area where the competition would be held, Spike started up like an announcer. “Hello every pony and welcome to the first annual iron pony competition!” He announced from Twilight’s back while holding a stick like a microphone.
“Uh, Spike, who are you talking to?” Twilight asked.
Spike looked around for a moment. “Uh….um…..them.” Spike pointed to Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie as they
came up. Spike then hopped onto Twilight’s head. “Let the games begin!” The girls all cheered.
Before the competition started, Fluttershy was put in charge of the scoreboard and putting up the points. The first competition was a barrel run, Applejack was up first. Spike stood on Twilight’s back holding a stop watch. Rainbow found Nova a whistle he could use as ref. Starburst was sitting with Pinkie and Rarity in some nearby stands.
“All right Applejack, at the sound of the whistle, you take off.” Nova informed. He floated the whistle in front of him. “Ready?” Applejack got in the ready position. Nova blew the whistle and spike started the watch. Applejack weaved through the barrels as fast as she could. Nova watched her carefully to make sure she didn’t hit any barrels. Unfortunately, she nudged one before reaching the finish. Spike stopped the watch once she crossed.
“Time Spike?” Twilight asked as Applejack came up to them.
“Seventeen seconds.” Spike answered.
Applejack smiled at this. “Yer kidding, that breaks my record from last year’s rodeo.”
Nova then came in. “Sorry Applejack, but you got a five second penalty for nudging a barrel.”
Applejack frowned at this. “Nuts and shoes. Still that’s twenty two seconds, not too shabby.” Applejack saw Rainbow looking nervous. “Hey, don’t be nervous, remember it’s all in good fun. Now get on up there.”
Rainbow flew up to the start of the run. Nova spoke. “Ok Rainbow, you ready?” She got in the ready position. “And….” Nova blew the whistle to start. Rainbow took off and zipped through the barrels with ease, not hitting a single one. She zipped past the finish line leaving Applejack impressed.
“Hoo, that was some fancy hoof work there Rainbow.” Applejack complimented.
Rainbow came flying back to them panting a little. “Thanks, but I couldn’t have been as fast as you.”
“What was the time on that spike?” Twilight asked
Spike answered with a bit of surprise. “Eighteen seconds!”
Applejack was real impressed now. “Eighteen seconds, Rainbow, you sure you’re not secretly a rodeo pony?”
Twilight proudly announced the winner. “Rainbow Dash wins the barrel weave!” Fluttershy flew up to the score board and put one point next to a picture of her.
“I can’t believe I won.” Rainbow said as she hovered in place.
Applejack brought her back to the ground with a hoof. “Yeah, well, don’t you go getting used to it.”
The next contest was a bucking contest to see who could hit a bell at the top of a standing plank. A few ponies had gathered to see this. Applejack was lying under a tree while Rainbow took the first shot. She bucked the target and managed to ring the bell. She proudly flew up with a smile. She then went over to Applejack. “Mighty respectable, but let me show you how it’s really done.” Applejack trotted up to the bell, bucked the target, broke it, and sent the ringer flying up, it broke the bell off and the thing kept going.
“Applejack wins.” Nova announced.
The ponies cheered as Applejack made her way to a stunned Rainbow Dash who was under the tree Applejack was lying under. “Years of apple bucking.” She simply said before giving a light buck to the tree and caused a few apples to hit Rainbow on the head. Fluttershy put a point on the score board for Applejack.
Granny Smith, Applebloom, and Big Mac were now watching the contest from some stands that were set up. Starburst went to join them on the stands to watch. They did a small wave. The next contest was bronco buck. Spike was set up to be the one the two competitors would try to buck him off. “Why me?” Spike asked nervously.
“Ready?” Twilight asked.
Nova blew his whistle and Applejack started to buck, she bounced spike up and down trying to shake him, Spike was able to hold on for a while but Applejack managed to buck him off. He landed in a pile of hay where Rainbow Dash was. She shook all the hay to reveal herself. “Ready for another pony ride?” She asked with a smirk.
“No.” Spike answered.
Nova blew his whistle to signal the start. Rainbow just bounced up and down fast and managed to knock Spike off in no time.
“Rainbow Dash wins the bronco buck!” Nova announced.
More ponies had gathered as the contest went on, the next was a hog tying contest. Spike was once again the helpless victim in this as he stood between Applejack and Rainbow Dash wearing a helmet with horns on it. Applejack was twirling her lasso around like an expert while Rainbow was having trouble. Applejack snapped her lasso at Spike and had him tied up in no time. “How do I get ropped into these things?” Spike asked.
“Grr, gg, gah, Does this count?” Rianbow asked, she somehow got herself hogtied and hanging from a tree.
“Applejack wins.” Twilight announced.
The next was bouncing balls, Applejack had trouble with this one and Rainbow was doing great, she won that contest easily.
The next was a hay toss. Rainbow threw a bale of hay a good distance and flew over to it to give Applejack a raspberry, she was soon crushed by Applejacks hay bale and won.
Next was a hoof wrestle contest, Rainbow won that easy.
The next was a ball kicking contest. Applejack won that .
A few more contest just went back and forth with the two like that. “Fillies and gentle colts, at the half way point, our competitors are tied at five and five!” Spike proudly announced from Twilight’s back.
“Who are you talking too?” Twilight asked.
“Them.” Spike gestured to a huge crowd of ponies that have gathered.
Rainbow and Applejack were now going through a push up contest, first to 100 would win. Twilight counted off. “95…96…..97…….98……99…..” Rainbow used her wings to help her on the last one. “A hundered.”
Nova blew his whistle. “FOWL!” He called.
“WHAT?” Rainbow called out.
Twilight came up to him. “Nova what is it?”
Nova started. “Illegal use of wings!”
Rainbow got in his face. “What do you mean illegal use of wings?”
Nova kept a stern look. “I mean you used your wings to help you with that last part, that isn’t fair.”
“How is it not fair?”
“Because Applejack doesn’t have wings, this is going to be a fair competition, no wings allowed.”
“OH come on!”
“Applejack wins by default!” Nova called out.
Applejack snickered. “He he, nice try Rainbow.”
They moved on to the next contest, it was to see who could jump farthest. Applejack went first. She ran up to the line and leapt over the sand and came to a landing. Rainbow then took her turn. She ran up to the line and jumped, when she saw she was about to land short from Applejack, she used her wings and landed herself further from where Applejack landed with a smile.
Applejack frowned at this.
Nova came in, he blew his whistle. “FOWL, illegal use of wings!”
“REALLY?” Rainbow called out angrily.
“Sorry Rainbow, but like I said, you have wings, Applejack doesn’t, it isn’t fair for you to use them to help you win. Applejack wins by default!” Rainbow grumbled angrily.
They moved on to the next competition. The two were to carry little baby chickens on their backs to their mothers through mud. Nova blew his whistle to sound the start. They trudged through and Applejack almost right away lost her chickens after they got upset of being covered in the mud. Rainbow was using her wings again to shield the baby chicks and made it across. Applejack got upset again.
Nova blew his whistle again. “FOWL, Illegal use of wings!”
“You have got to be kidding me!” Rainbow called out again.
Nova came up to her. “Rainbow, I’m warning you, if you keep this up, I’m going to disqualify you and declare Applejack the winner by default.”
Rainbow glared at him. “You can’t do that!”
“Hey, you two made me the referee, my job is to make sure this competition is fair, if you can’t play fair, then just quit now and I’ll make Applejack the winner.”
Rainbow Dash just grumbled.
It was now the final competition, a tug of war with a mud puddle between the two. Twilight stood between the two. “All right you two, this is the final event, give it all you got.”
Nova blew his whistle to begin the contest. Applejack and Rainbow started pulling with all their might, Applejack started winning. “Looks like the work horse might come out ahead on this one!” Spike announced.
Rainbow was about to fall in the mud but once again used her wings to help her win. She flew up and dragged Applejack up in the air with her still holding onto the rope.
Nova blew his whistle again. “FOWL.”
Rainbow released her hold and Applejack fell in the mud. She glared at him and flew down to him. “Look you, I’ve had enough of this.”
Applejack crawled out of the mud. “Rainbow, don’ you go gettin mad at him fer tryin ta keep this fair, yer the one that keeps cheating.”
Rainbow turned to Applejack. “Cheating, I am not a cheater.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow. “So are you sayin you didn’ t use your wings to try and help you win?”
“Well, no, but no one ever said I couldn’t use my wings.”
Nova spoke up. “I did when you first started using them remember? And because of this, Applejack is the winner of the Iron pony competition!” The ponies all cheered. Applejack sneered at Rainbow.
Rainbow glared at her. “Yeah, well, I could have won those without my wings anyway.”
Applejack responded. “Oh yeah, prove it.”
“Gladly, how?”
“Tomorrow is the annual running of the leaves, I challenge you to race me in it.”
Rainbow Dash smirked as she started flying off. “HAH, easy shmeezy.”
Applejack pulled her back down by the tail. “Hold on, there is one condition. The point is to run, so NO WINGS ALLOWED!”
“No wings, no problem.” The two spat in their hooves and shook on it. Once it was all done, the crowd dispersed.
Nova shook his head at those two. “By the stars what is wrong with those two.”
Starburst came up to him with Twilight. “Hey big brother, you did a great job as ref.”
Nova smiled at Starburst. “Thanks Starburst, I just don’t get why Rainbow kept trying to cheat like that.”
Twilight then came up. “Nice job as ref Nova, I don’t suppose you’d like to enter the running of the leaves with me, it’s a great opportunity to see the forest the trail goes through and it’s to help the leaves fall from the trees.”
“I suppose I could use a little outdoor exercise, sure, I’ll enter. But who will watch Starburst for me during the race?”
“Our friends will be there, Starburst can wait with them.”
Nova smiled. “Ok then, what do ya say Starburst, wanna see your big brother compete in a race?”
Starburst jumped up as he answered. “You bet, I just know you can win, no pony is faster than my big brother.”
“Uh, Starburst, don’t get your hopes up, this is going to be the first time I’ve ever been in a race.”
“I know, but I still say you’ll win.”
Nova laughed at this. “Well I’m glad you have such confidence in me. We’ll see you tomorrow Twilight.” The two went off for the rest of the day.
The next day came and the two brothers met up with Twilight and Spike. They gave their greetings and made their way to where the race was. “Twilight, hurry up, we’re gonna be late for the race.” Spike said with excitement.
Twilight looked to him with a smile. “Why are you so excited about the race? It’s only for ponies.”
“Yeah, but I’m hoping I can be the announcer again, just listen.” Spike then stood up on Twilight’s back and started talking into a stick. “Fillies and gentle colts, welcome to the….”
He was cut off upon hearing Pinkie announcing through a megaphone in a hot air balloon. “Welcome to the annual running of the leaves. This is Pinkie Pie, your official eye in the sky announcer.”
Twilight turned to Spike with a pitiful look. “Sorry Spike, looks like that job is taken.”
Pinkie continued with her announcement. “As every pony 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.”
Nova looked to his brother. “Come on Starburst let’s see who we can find to keep you company while I do this.” It didn’t take them long, to find someone, Big Mac and Applebloom were there, along with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Starburst went up to them and got next to Applebloom.
“Hey there Starburst, glad ta see ya.” Applebloom greeted.
“Hey you three, good to see you too. My brother is competing in the race.”
Scootaloo chimed in. “Cool, but no way he’ll beat Rainbow Dash.”
Applebloom disagreed. “My big sis is gonna win.” They all just shared a smile.
With some pony to watch Starburst, Nova and Twilight went to register for the race and were given numbers. Twilight got the number 42 while Starburst was given 15. They made their way up to the starting line where Applejack and Rainbow Dash were ready and waiting for the start.
When they saw the two, they were surprised. Applejack was the first to express her shock. “Twilight, Nova, what in tarnation are you two doin here?”
Nova answered. “Were racing too of course.”
Rainbow started laughing. “BA HA HA HA HA, YOU two, HA HA, that’s a good one.”
Twilight answered with a smile. “We’re not joking.”
This ceased Rainbow’s laughter. “What? You two aren’t athletes, Twilight, you’re an egghead, and Nova, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do anything athletic.”
Nova narrowed his eyes at her and responded. “Just because Twilight is smart, doesn’t mean she won’t do good, any pony can run, you might be surprised. And as for myself, I’m just doing this for the experience, I will try to win, but I won’t care if I don’t.”
Applejack was snickering. “Have you two ever run a race?”
Nova answered first. “No, but that doesn’t really matter.”
Twilight then answered. “I haven’t either, but I do know a lot about running.”
Applejack and Rainbow were snickering the whole time. “And you know this from?” Rainbow left her statement unfinished for Twilight to answer.
“Books, I’ve read several on the subject.”
Rainbow finally lost it as she fell to the ground in a fit of laughter. “GA HA HA HA HA, what you read, the egghead’s guide to running?”
Nova narrowed his eyes again. “Now look here Rainbow Dash, just because she hasn’t run in a race before, doesn’t mean she won’t do good. I thought you were friends, but instead of being supportive like a good friend should be, you’re just making fun of her. If this is what it’s like to be friends with you, then I don’t think we should be friends.”
This got her to stop laughing and stood up. Applejack and Rainbow looked at each other with guilt. They then looked at Twilight and apologized with Rainbow first. “Sorry Twilight.”
“Yeah, me too. I’m sure you two will do great.” Applejack added.
Nova smiled at them. “Thank you.” He looked over to Twilight to see her smiling at him. He was a little confused at this. “What?”
“Thank you for standing up for me Nova.”
Nova was starting to blush a little. “Uh, sure, no problem.” He cleared his throat. “*AHEM* Anyway, let’s get ready for the race.”
Pinkie’s voice was heard from above. “All right ponies, are you ready?”
Spike’s voice was heard next. “Get set.”
A bell sounded and the race started. Nova kept with Twilight cause he was curious about something. The two kept a brisk trot together while the others just ran ahead. “So Twilight, I take it you have a strategy in mind? I’m just curious as to what it is.”
She smiled as she answered. “Simple, I’m going to pace myself while the others just wear themselves out, then at the home stretch, I’m going to give it all I got.”
“Nice, mind if I use that?”
“Not at all, it’ll give us a chance to talk.” So the two just trotted along through the forest. “So Nova, I wanted to ask you about that flight spell Pinkie said you used to save her when that gryphon came around.”
“What about it?”
“Well, how does it work? Is it really temporary, how did you come up with it, what do the wings look like?”
“Whoa whoa, slow down Twilight, I can understand your eagerness. All right, first of all, it’s just a spell I came up with in case I found the need to go air born. And no it’s not temporary, it lasts as long as I need it to, I don’t know why I said that before. The wings look like just a pair of ordinary insect wings, nothing special.”
“And what about that scanning spell you have?”
“That one I learned from my parents a long time ago before…..well…..you get the idea.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to bring them up.”
“It’s fine, you didn’t know.”
“So what happened to them anyway, if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Like I said before, it’s not easy to talk about and I’d rather not, me and my brother just lost them a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry, I’ll leave it alone then.”
The two came up to Applejack as she picked herself up after tripping. “I don’t believe it!”
Twilight came up to her. “I know, it’s beautiful isn’t it?”
“Not the scenery Twilight, Rainbow Dash just tripped me.”
“She did not.” Twilight said with narrowed eyes.
“She did too.”
“She did not, and if you slowed down and looked where you were going like us, you’d see that you tripped over a rock.” The three looked back to see a rock sticking out of the ground.
“What, awe hayseed, now I got a lot of ground to cover to catch up to Rainbow.” Applejack then took off.
“Just be careful!” Twilight called out to her.
The two then continued with their trot through the woods.
Back with the CMC, Applebloom decided she wanted to have a talk with Starburst. “Um, girls, do you mind if me and Starburst go have a little chat on our own fer a bit?”
The three little ponies looked at her quizzically. “Why do you need to talk to him alone?” Scootaloo asked.
“Yeah, we’re a club remember, you can tell us anything.” Sweetie Belle chimed in.
“Applebloom, why do you want to talk with me alone?” Starburst asked.
“Look, I’m sorry girls, but this isn’t cmc business, it has to do with something else before we met you two. You don’t mind do you?”
Scootaloo answered. “Well, I guess I don’t mind.”
Sweetie Belle agreed. “Ok, fine.”
“Great, thanks girls, come on Starburst, follow me.”
“Um, ok.” Starburst followed Applebloom away from the two and to a nearby bush out of ear shot of every pony. “so what’s this about Applebloom?” Starburst asked in a whisper.
Applebloom responded in a whisper. “Starburst, since Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are our friends, don’t you think we should let them in on your secret too, I don’t like keepin this a secret from them.”
Starburst got worried about this. “I….I don’t know Applebloom, I know you and Applejack are ok with it, but….what if they aren’t, what if they run screaming and warn every pony about what me and Nova are?”
Applebloom gave a comforting smile. “Come on Starburst, they wouldn’t do that, they’re our friends, I just know they won’t care what you look like, in fact, I bet they’ll think it’s cool like I do.”
“Well……I don’t know, what if Nova finds out I told you and Applejack?”
“Told them what?”
“GAH!” Applebloom and Starburst shrieked. Applebloom went off. “Scootaloo, what are you doin, I thought I asked fer ya’ll ta let me talk with Starburst alone?”
Sweetie Belle responded. “Sorry, but we were just so curious as to what you two might be talking about.”
“So what is it that you told Applebloom and Applejack that you might want to tell us?” Scootaloo asked Starburst.
Applebloom looked at Starburst to see he was worried. “Come on Starburst, it’ll be all right, they won’t care.”
Sweetie cocked an eyebrow at this. “Care about what?”
Scootaloo responded. “Yeah, what’s this big secret you have Starburst?”
Starburst looked at them with worry and thought carefully about whether or not he should. After a moment, he closed his eyes, hung his head and let out a sigh. “*Sigh* All right, I’ll tell you, but first, you have to PROMISE that what I want to tell you stay’s among us, no other pony can know, you can’t even tell my big brother that I told you, OK?”
“Why?” Scootaloo asked.
“Please girls, please promise you won’t tell any pony about this.”
Sweetie Belle answered first. “Ok Starburst, I promise.”
Scootaloo did the same. “Yeah, me too, it must be important if you don’t want any pony to know, so me and Sweetie belle won’t say anything to any pony.”
“It will stay among the cutie mark crusaders.” Sweetie Belle affirmed.
Starburst smiled at them. “Thanks you two, I don’t really feel comfortable keeping secrets from my friends. But first, I have to ask, we are friends no matter what right?”
“Mhmm.” The two nodded together.
“And no matter what, we will still be the cutie mark crusaders?”
“Of course.” Sweetie answered.
“All right then.” Starburst raised a hoof to his neck and pushed the button on his necklace through his pony disguise. It flickered for a moment then disappeared, revealing his true form with the insect like eyes, fins instead of a mane and tail, and a pair of antennae on his head instead of a horn. “Um………surprise.” Was all he could say.
Sweetie and Scootaloo were shocked at what they were looking at. Their jaws hung open wide, they stayed quiet for an uncomfortably long time. Applebloom tried to talk to them. “Now girls, you promised not to say anything.” She said worriedly.
Starburst started in. “Girls, please don’t freak out or scream, it’s still me, Starburst, you friend, right, we’re the cutie mark crusaders.” He said with a strained nervous smile. He was starting to sweat.
Scootaloo finally broke the silence. “Whoa, what are you?”
Starburst answered nervously. “Well, you see, me and my brother are……aliens…..from another planet.”
Sweetie Belle smiled. “Cool!” She cheered.
“Oh, AWESOME!” Scootaloo said with a smile.
Applebloom quickly shoved her hooves in their mouths to quiet them.
“SHHHH, remember you two, this has to stay a secret.” She said in a whisper.
She removed her hooves and Scootaloo responded. “Why?”
Starburst answered. “Isn’t it obvious? If me and Nova are found out, we could get in trouble, Nova said that the others would chase us off and we’d have to leave or the ponies might do terrible things to us, and it took Nova years to find a planet that could support life like this one, if we have to leave, we may never find another planet like this one. Please you two, you can’t tell any pony, please keep this a secret.” He pleaded.
Scootaloo smiled. “Hey, we promised didn’t we?”
Sweetie Belle then came in. “And besides, like we said, no matter what, we are the cutie mark crusaders.”
Starburst smiled at them. “Thanks girls, I really appreciate it.”
“Girls, Starburst, where ya at?” Big Mac’s voice came calling. The girls and Starburst panicked, Starburst quickly pushed the button on his necklace putting up his pony disguise just in time for Big Mac to poke his head around the bush. “There ya are, what are ya’ll four doin back here?”
“Nothing.” They all answered together. Applebloom continued. “Just discussin cutie mark crusader business, that’s all.” The four gave a nervous smile.
“Well, all right, but ya’ll best stick close ta me, I don’t want ya’ll wanderin off, understand.”
“Yes sir Mr. Big Mac sir.” Starburst responded.
Big Mac smiled at him. “Didn’t I tell ya you can just call me Big Mac, now come on ya’ll.” Big Mac then turned and headed back for the track.
The four gave out a sigh of relief. “Whew!”
“That was a close one.” Scootaloo pointed out.
“Come on, we’d better head back, and don’t worry Starburst, your secret is safe with us.” Sweetie Belle informed with a smile.
Back with Twilight and Nova, Twilight tried to start up another conversation with him. “So Nova, I was…..wondering something.”
Nova turned to face her as they continued their trot. “Yes Twilight?”
Twilight seemed to shy away before continuing with a smile and a small blush. “I….don’t suppose you and I could…..get together sometime for dinner. You know, just the two of us?”
Nova grew nervous at this. “Holy black holes, is she asking me out on a date? Oh quasars, this can’t be good.” Nova faced forward. “I…I don’t know Twilight, I mean, I tend to get rather busy with the work Rarity gives me, this whole personalized gems thing has really exploded.”
“Well I’m sure you can find some time to take an afternoon off to have dinner with me.”
“I don’t know, I’m just so busy lately.”
Twilight looked a little downcast. “Nova, what’s wrong, don’t you like me?”
Nova looked back to Twilight. “Of course I like you, I think your pretty, and smart, and kind…”
“Then what’s wrong, I mean, you’re always there for me, you’ve stood up for me and helped me so much.”
He faced forward again. “It’s……It’s complicated.”
“Does this have something to do with why you seem so nervous a lot?”
Nova faced her again. “Wh…..what are you talking about? I’m not nervous.”
“Yes you are, me and the others have noticed it since you and Starburst first arrived, it seems almost every day you seem nervous or scared about something. What’s wrong Nova, you can tell me, you’ve always been there for me, so let me be there for you. What’s wrong?”
“I…..I can’t tell you Twilight.”
“Why not? What are you afraid of Nova?”
“Look, like I said, it’s complicated, I…….I just can’t tell you!” Nova picked up his pace and got ahead of her.
Twilight called out to him. “Nova wait!” She picked up her pace too. In their running they failed to notice they passed right by Rainbow Dash lying on the ground.
Twilight managed to catch up to him, she got ahead of him and stopped him. “Nova wait, just stop. Please Nova, what’s wrong, I can’t stand to see you like this.”
Nova wasn’t sure what to do, he didn’t want to lie to her, she’d been such a good friend, it could possibly lead to something more, but he couldn’t let her know what he was or he and his brother would have to leave. He looked to the side as he spoke. “Twilight….if you’re really my friend, you’ll let this go and forget about it.” He looked back at her with sad eyes. “Please Twilight, just let it go.” As they talked, Rainbow Dash passed right by them without a word.
Twilight was reluctant, but finally conceded . “All right Nova, I’ll let it go, but I just wish you trusted me enough to tell me.”
“I DO trust you Twilight, it’s just that…..I can’t let anyone know or things would go badly for me and Starburst. I’m thinking of his wellbeing here Twilight, this isn’t just for mine, but for his as well. Please try to understand.”
“Ok Nova, I understand.” Twilight was still saddened that Nova didn’t trust her enough to tell her what was wrong. The two continued on with their trot through the forest.
The rest of the time went on without much talk. They eventually came upon Rainbow who was leaning against a sign laughing. Twilight greeted her. “Hey Rianbow, shouldn’t you be up ahead?”
She just laughed. “He heh, I’m sure to win now.”
“Except that all the other racers passed you.” Nova informed.
Rainbow became alarmed at this. “Oh horse apples.” She dashed off. “See ya!”
Nova and Twilight just looked at each other and just shrugged, they continued on and picked up their pace.
After a while, they managed to catch up to the rest of the ponies running a little but saw Dash and Applejack just standing on a rock looking confused. Twilight started in on them as the two kept going. “Forgive me girls, I know I’m no athlete, but shouldn’t the running of the leaves involve actual running?”
Nova then commented. “If you two want to win, you’d better pick up the pace.”
After getting some distance, he turned to Twilight. “Well Twilight, this is the home stretch, I’d say it’s time we give it our all, agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“See you at the finish line!” Nova called as he suddenly quickened his pace and ran, Twilight did the same. Twilight was behind him as Nova caught up to the other racers, he was now in the thick of it. He galloped as hard as he could. He came up to Carrot top near the front of the pack and Berry Punch on his other side. “Hey girls, having fun?” He asked as he panted.
“Sure….are….you?” Carrot Top asked as she panted.
“Great.” Nova answered.
“Me….too….good luck…..Nova.” Berry Punch said.
The three were vying for position, Nova had the lead for a bit, but Carrot top came in and got a little ahead. Berry punch picked up her pace a bit and got ahead of Nova and was behind Carrot. Nova wasn’t about to lose this, he pushed with all his energy and ran as fast as he could, the finish line was just ahead. Carrot top and Berry Punch came up next to him, they were fighting for position, it was going to be close. They almost reached the line, Carrot ahead by a nose. Just a little more, Berry takes the lead a little. The finish line was just there, Nova went for it. But out of Nowhere, Derpy came running in and took the lead.
They crossed the finish line. “And the winner is Derpy Hooves by 25 noses!” Pinkie cheered from her balloon. The crowd of spectators cheered. Nova managed to come in second, while Berry got third and Carrot came fourth.
Starburst came running up to him. “Awe, no fair, you almost won Nova.” He hugged his brother tightly.
Nova was panting heavily as he looked down at his little brother. “It’s……all right……Starburst……I wasn’t……..too sure I…….would have won.”
“But still, second place is good. You did great.”
“Thanks Starburst.” He went up to his three competitors. He first went to Derpy. “Way to go Derpy, you came out of nowhere, congratulations on getting first.”
Derpy smiled at him. “Thanks Nova, you did pretty good yourself.”
He then turned to Berry and Carrot. “Sheesh, you earth ponies sure know how to run, you really gave me a run for my bits.
They smiled at him. “Thanks, but you still beat us, nice running.” Carrot complimented.
Twilight came up to them. “Congratulations Derpy.”
Derpy smiled at her. “Thanks Twilight, how did you do?”
“I came in just behind Carrot Top, so fifth place for me.”
Mayor Mare came to the group and started passing out medals. “Congratulations to all of you, that was a fantastic race. The medal for first place goes to Derpy .” The mayor gave her a gold medal and placed it around her neck. “You earned it.” She then passed out other gold medals with numbers to Nova, Berry, Carrot, and Twilight.
A ruckus was heard at the finish line. They all looked and saw a dust cloud heading for it with Rainbow and Applejack in it fighting like crazy. Pinkie was calling out. “It’s Applejack, it’s Rainbow Dash, It’s Applejack, it’s Rainbow Dash!”
They crossed the finish line and stopped fighting, Rainbow was the first to get up. “I WON!” She cried.
“No, I won!” Applejack said with a glare.
“I WON!” Rainbow insisted angrily.
“You tied.” Spike announced through the megaphone.
“Tied? They said together. “For first?” Applejack asked.
“For last!” Spike informed.
“Last?” Applejack said with shock.
“Then, who won?” Rainbow asked. Nova, Twilight, and Derpy came up to the two.
“YOU?!” They said together upon seeing Derpy’s medal.
Derpy smiled at them. “Yep, I won, better luck next time you two.” She then happily flew off. “Bye Nova, bye Twilight, see you all later.”
Applejack then asked. “So then, what place did you two get?”
Nova informed. “I got second and Twilight came in fifth. Not too shabby for a couple of ponies that have never run a race before huh?”
Starburst agreed. “I’ll say, he was so close to getting first.”
“But, how is that even possible?” Applejack asked.
“You two ran so slow, and looked at the scenery.” Rainbow said with confusion.
Twilight informed them of their strategy. “Exactly, we paced ourselves, just like my book said, and just when the other ponies were worn out, we sprinted to the finish.”
Nova then started. “So you see, thanks to Twilight’s eggheadedness as you called it, we beat both of you while you two were busy trying to see who was better than who.”
Rainbow continued in shock. “I don’t believe it, Twilight and Nova beat us.”
Nova started again. “Well like I said, because of you two trying to outdo the other, it was pretty easy.”
Applejack started as she shuffled a hoof. “Your right Nova, our behavior was just terrible.”
Rainbow then started. “We weren’t very good sports.”
“Sounds to me like an important lesson was learned.” Princess Celestia said as she approached. The ponies bowed before her. Nova became scared and nearly froze up. Starburst hid under his brother.
“Princess Celestia.” Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow cried out together. They bowed too.
“What are you doing here?” Applejack asked.
“Fall is one of my favorite seasons, so I came to celebrate the running of the leaves.”
“I’m sorry you had to see us being such poor sports princess.” Applejack apologized.
Celestia just smiled as she responded. “That’s all right Applejack, any pony can get swept up in the competition.”
Twilight then started in. “It’s important to remember that the friendship is more important than the competition.”
“Exactly Twilight.” Celestia agreed. “Now unfortunately, because you two were busy tricking each other instead of shaking down leaves, many of the lovely trees in Equestria are still covered.”
Applejack smiled. “Why princess, I’ll bet we can knock those leaves down lickety split.” She then turned to Rainbow Dash. “What do ya say friend, wanna go for another run?”
Rainbow responded with a smile. “I’d love to stretch my legs.” The two then took off down the path and ran.
Twilight and Celestia finally turned their attention to Nova and Starburst. Celestia looked at him worriedly as she saw fear in his eyes. She approached him with a smile and spoke. “Hello Nova, congratulations on getting second in the race.”
Nova gulped. “Um….thank you your ma-majesty, he heh.”
She then looked down at Starburst. “And hello to you, it’s always nice to see you as well….Starburst was it?”
Starburst poked his head out a little as he responded nervously. “Yes your majesty. It’s nice to…to see you too.”
Celestia frowned again. She turned to Twilight. “Twilight, might I have a word with you for a moment?”
Twilight looked worried at Nova and starburst. She looked back to Celestia. “Of course princess.” The two walked off a ways out of earshot of Nova and Starburst.
Celestia looked down at her pupil. “Twilight, do you know why Nova and Starburst seem so afraid of me?”
“I wish I knew, I think it has something to do with what he might be hiding.”
Celestia gave a quizzical look. “Hiding, is he hiding something?”
“Well, me and my friends have noticed that almost every day he seems so nervous or scared about something, and it seems even worse when your around like right now, it’s clear he seems terrified of you for some reason. I tried to
ask him what was wrong during the race but he wouldn’t tell me. I’m really worried for him.”
“I see, well unless I know what is wrong, I’m afraid I can’t help. I wish you the best of luck in helping him Twilight, I’m afraid I must be going now, take care Twilight.”
“Farewell princess.” Celestia then flew off and disappeared in a flash. Twilight made her way back to Nova and Starburst. She saw Nova had calmed down a bit after Celestia left and Starburst came out from under his brother. “Nova, are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m ok, why?”
“Why are you so scared of Celestia?”
“Scared, I’m not scared, she’s the princess, I’m just……well….look, I gotta go, come on Starburst, lets head home.”
“Ok.” Starburst responded nervously.
Twilight just watched sadly as they left.
Later that evening with Nova and Starburst, Nova was very relieved to be inside and away from every pony for a moment after the day he had. “By the stars what a day. I just hope Twilight won’t try to get me to talk like that again.” The two deactivated their disguises.
Starburst came up to his brother nervously. “Um, Nova, do we really need to stay hidden like this, I mean, what if your wrong about how the ponies would react to us being aliens?”
Nova turned around to face his little brother. “Starburst, we’ve been through this, we can’t take any chances, if they find out what we are, we’ll have to leave, do you really want to go back out in space for another galaxies know how long?”
“Well, no……but what if we didn’t have to, what if the ponies did accept us?”
Nova hung his head and sighed. “*Sigh* Starburst, we can’t risk it.”
Starburst stated looking nervous. “Well…..what if…..hypothetically speaking……some of them already knew and have known for a while?”
Nova raised an eyebrow at him. “Starburst, what are you saying?”
“NOTHING, I mean, let’s just say that…..maybe….some of them might have known for a while, wouldn’t that say something about whether or not we can let them know?”
Nova narrowed his eyes. “Starburst, you didn’t tell any pony about us did you?”
Starburst started sweating nervously. “Wh-what….of-of course not…I was speaking hypothetically.”
“Starburst, you know I can tell when you lying. Did you or did you not tell somepony about us being aliens?”
“He heh, uh, funny story….you see….uh…”
“Starburst.”
“I…..may have let it slip about us being aliens…..to……Applejack and….Applebloom.”
Nova’s eye’s widened. “YOU WHAT!? Starburst, HOW COULD YOU!?”
“I’m sorry Nova, I didn’t mean to, it’s just…well….she was pressuring me so much and…I just let it out. Please don’t be mad.”
“Starburst, I can’t believe this, now we’re going to have to leave, we’ll have to go back out into space and start looking for a home all over again!” Nova said with worry.
“No we don’t Nova, don’t you see, Applejack and Applebloom haven’t said anything, don’t you think that says something, they didn’t care what I looked like when I showed them our true form. They promised not to tell any pony and they’ve kept their word.”
“They…..they have?”
“Of course they have, they’re our friends Nova, they promised me they wouldn’t say anything to any pony and they haven’t.”
Nova looked to the side. “How long have they known.”
“It was during that time when you were affected by those blue flowers from the Everfree forest.”
“That was almost a year ago, and they haven’t said anything?”
Starburst nodded his head. “Not a word, don’t you see Nova, they don’t care what we are.”
“I’m going to need to have a chat with Applejack later.”