//------------------------------// // Chapter two. Let the games begin // Story: Time in Equestria // by Fox-Sama //------------------------------// Time in Equestria Chapter Two Let the Games Begin! It was early in the morning and Celestia’s sun had already begun warming the autumn air, its first rays casting long shadows across the farm. On the only open the plot on the Apple family’s farm, several ponies were working hard and fast, building bleachers, setting up tents, and preparing the scoreboard. Even the Cakes and a few other ponies had arrived early, and sat up small tents and a food stall’s for a little extra business. The preparations were well under way. At the center of it all stood a purple unicorn and her dragon assistant. “Okay Spike, did you check in with Nurse Redheart yet? Is she ready to go? “ “Almost. I just got word that her tent has been set up, but she still needs to get some supplies. She said that she’ll be ready by noon,” Spike said as he read over his scroll, checking off box after box. “We still have no word from Rarity, but I did send Owlowiscious to the boutique with a letter for her. Still dont know why I couldent have gone my self.” “because I need you hear, and if you went you would be gone all day. Now I need you to go and check on the locker room while I go and see if the announcer’s booth is ready.” Spike gave a salute before running off toward this destination, leaving Twilight to her own devices. Twilight turned around, intent on double checking all the arenas that had been set up, only to come face to face with rose colored eyes that she’s grown to know all too well. “AHH!” Twilight jumped back in shock, dropping her checklist to the ground. “Rainbow! Why do you keep sneaking on me?” Rainbow Dash just shrugged and landed on the ground next to her jumpy friend. “Because you give the best reactions. Plus I thought you might need to release some of that stress you’re building up.“ “Stress? Rainbow Dash, I am not stressed.” Twilight gave Dash a confused look, tilting her head to the side. Dash glanced around for a moment then moved in close to Twilight, causing the poor unicorn to blush brightly as the Pegasus whispered into Twilight’s ear, “Well, normally whenever ether of the Princesses are involved you start freaking out within minutes.” Having the pegasus speak in her ears sent a chill up Twilight’s spine, all the way to the tip of her horn. But there were more pressing matters that needed of her attention. “Rainbow, how in the wide world of Equestria did you know that they were here?” She whispered urgently, looking a little annoyed. “You were spying again, weren’t you?” “What? No way! It’s called napping, not spying,” Rainbow countered defensively, eliciting a glare from the unicorn. Dash pouted, “…OKAY, fine. So I was spying. You happy now?” Letting out a heavy sigh, Twilight shook her head and started walking again. “Have you told anypony else that both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are here for the competition?” “Nah, I knew it was going to be a surprise so I kept it to myself. But wow, this is bigger than I thought it was gonna to be! I mean, look at all this. We have real stadium seating, food stands, and- Umm, Twilight? Is that who I think it is?' asked Dash, her voice taking a hopeful tone as she pointed a hoof at something behind her friend. Twilight turned around, and saw that the object of Rainbow's attention was a white unicorn, setting up a turntable near where the announcers sat. The unicorn's electric-blue mane and violet goggles left little doubt to her identity. “'Yes, Dash. That's Vinyl Scratch. Princess Celestia told me that Luna had taken a liking to her music, so I asked her to come and perform between the games. I take it that you like her work as well?” Twilight used a checklist to hide a knowing grin. Originally the idea of hiring the DJ had come Celestia's, however, it didn't hurt that Twilight knew the DJ was also a favorite of her friend and crush. “Wow…Thanks Twilight. This is totally awesome.” Twilight stopped looking over her list and focused on her friend. “I mean look at all this. Because of you I have a another chance to be a real competitor in a real competition again. I mean, I know I won the Best Young Fliers competition, but I was so nervous I was shaking on the floor in the waiting area. Then I while I was waiting for my turn I kept switching my number with everypony else just so I could hide longer. I made a real foal of myself and I...” Rainbow Dash trailed off and started to stare at something behind the unicorn. “Umm, Twi? I think somepony needs to talk to you.” Twilight turned around and gasped with surprise as she nearly bumped into the tallest pony she had ever seen. He was at least two heads taller than Big Macintosh and as thin as a flag pole. If that didn’t make him look weird enough, the cloak he was hiding under sure did. “Can…can I help you?” “Umm, yes I was told that you are the pony to see about entering the competition?” The tall pony's voice was crackly and slightly squeaky, almost as if somepony was trying very hard to make a deep voice. Both Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were trying hard to stifle their laughter. “Oh, okay sir. May I have your name please?” Twilight asked. “Oh, umm, my name?” The pony's body started swaying from side to side as if he might fall over. A harsh whisper came from under the cloak, “Quick we need a name!” “Shoot, how can we not have a name?” This new voice came from the pony's middle. “Just say we’re Rainbow Dash's brother, ummm, Oh, Rabert Dash!” This voice came from the tall pony’s rear section. “Scoots I can’t say that! Twilight knows Rainbow, and Rainbow’s right there.” “What? Rainbow Dash is out there?!” Rainbow Dash fell over and started to laugh uncontrollably, unable to hold it in any longer. Soon the hooded Pony fell over as well, his cloak dropping away to reveal the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “You knew it was us the whole time didn’t you?” Apple Bloom asked as she lay across the grass. “Sorry girls, but yes I did. Why are you trying to pass for a stallion anyway?” Twilight asked, tilting her head at the three fillies. Scootaloo jumped up suddenly, knocking Sweetie Belle off of her in the process. “I told you that Apple Bloom can’t act! I mean her sister is the Element of honesty.” “We should have just asked if we can participate,” Sweetie Belle said, shaking the dust off her coat. “Hey! Ah’m a great actor, in fact I’m the most actingest pony in school!” Apple Bloom shouted at her two friends. Sweetie Belle studied her friend for a moment. “Well I hope so, because your vocabulary really sucks. Actingest isn’t even a word!” “Seriously Sweetie Belle, do you read the dictionary when we’re not around?” Scootaloo added dryly. Apple Bloom laughed while Sweetie Bell shot a death-glare at the orange pegasus. “Don't blame me for being smarter than you, you kiwi.” “I told you to stop calling things I don't know the meaning of!” Scootaloo yelled in frustration and tackled Sweetie Belle, making the unicorn fall right onto a laughing Apple Bloom. The three fillies started to fight, a cloud of dust rising up around them. Rainbow Dash looked like she was ready to watch them fight it out all day, but Twilight was not in the mood for their squabbles. Her horn began to glow and she pulled the three apart, setting them down a small distance away from each other. As soon as Twilight’s magic permitted it, the three girls zoomed up and sat in front of the two older ponies, smiling so sweetly and using their most innocent smiles that can muster, one could almost see the halos form over their heads “So, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, can we enter? We just know that that we can earn our Cutie Marks in one of these games!” Scootaloo asked, jumping up and down on the spot. “Sorry squirt, but this is a real head to head contest. We'll be busting our backs out there to prove who is the best. Sweat, blood and tears, you name it!” Dash announced, flapping her wings to add dramatic effect. Twilight rolled her eyes at Dash while the Cutie Mark Crusaders looked up in awe, a ‘wow’ coming from all three in unison. “You know girls, just because you can't compete doesn’t mean you can’t help. How would you three like to hand out water and towels to the competitors?” The Cutie Mark Crusaders glanced at each other, looking as if they were contemplating an escape. Twilight chuckled and continued, “If you do I’ll send word to all the food vendors to give you three free food all day.” At this news Scootaloo's eyes widened and her mouth began to water, her belly growling loud enough to catch Rainbow Dash and Twilight’s attention. “Did you not eat your breakfast this morning, kid?” Dash looked down at the orange filly, tail twitching lightly as she spoke. “Oh, I um…I must have forgotten.” Scootaloo rubbed the back of her head with a nervous chuckle. “But we’ll do it, right Crusaders?” “I don't know…Cutie Mark Crusader Towel Girls doesn’t sound like a lot of fun,” Sweetie Belle stated, giving her friend a skeptical look. “Yeah, there has to be hundreds of other things we can do to earn our cutie marks.” Apple Bloom added in. Scootaloo looked like she was ready to panic, and Twilight could see the gears turning in her little head. “But…but…If we do this not only do we get free food all day, but the chance of being covered in tree sap is almost zero!” Both Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom exchanged looks and smiled. Apple Bloom reared up happily, “Cutie Mark Crusaders Sports Coaches are a go!” With that the Crusaders took off, ready to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting public. “Twilight? Did you see Scootaloo there? Her whole body tensed up when she was talking to the others, like she really wanted to hand out water or something,” Dash’s wings fluttered a little uneasily. “I didn’t see that, but I did notice how excited she got over the food. Guess she really did miss breakfast.” Twilight shook her head, before she glanced back at the three fillies as they ran about. “Anyway, I still need to set up a lot of things. Have you seen Fluttershy? She said she would help me with the final event.” XXX The unused fields of Sweet Apple Acres had been transformed into what looked like a huge carnival. Everywhere you looked there were tents or stands full of games or food. Ponies from all over Equestria had somehow heard of the competition, from Canterlot to Cloudsdale. Everypony seemed to be there and it was just a matter of time before the show would start. Up in the announcer’s booth, everyone’s favorite party pony and Ponyville's resident dragon were getting ready to call the play by play for the day’s events. “You ready for this Pinkie? It’s going to be a long day up here.” Spike asked as he stacked his papers. “Are you kidding! You know how much I just love to talk, it’s like one of the best things in the world, well not better then chocolate milk rain. That was soo much fun! It’s sad that, that meanie Discord turned out to be such a mean meanie mean pants. But talking is soo much fun, I mean remember when I got into the poison joke and I was all like AWWW! And my tongue was dripping with drool! It was horrible, I couldn’t talk, couldn't tell jokes, and the worstiest of the worst was that I couldn't sing! Thank goodness Fluttershy is such a sweetie and helped me with my Zecora song. Oh NO! I never told her how sorry I was for making that song, I hope she's not mad. OH! I know, I can throw her an ‘I'm Sorry for That Mean Song Party’ and make her a new song and after that we can play pin the tail on the-” “Pinkie!” Spike snapped the pink pony out of her tirade, his head spinning from trying to keep up with her rambling. “Yes Spike?” Pinkie looked at the dragon, smiling sweetly. Two things came to Spike’s mind. First he wondered if he could find her off switch, and the second he had to ask her himself. “Pinkie did you even take a breath during all that?” Pinkie giggled, “Nope, I don't think so. Why?” Spike just dropped his head onto the desk and groaned. “Spike darling, you know better than to act like that. Or have all my lessons in proper etiquette fallen on deaf ears?” “Rarity! No I uh… I mean Pinkie was just umm…I...” Spike stuttered, panicking as he tried to find the right words. “Hi Rarity! What are you doing here? Did you come to help use with the play by play? OH OH, did you want me to throw you a party too?” “No dear, I am dreadfully sorry, but I am not in need of one of your fabulous get-togethers at this time. I just wanted to give you two these!” Rarity used her magic to pull out two matching red vests. ‘Announcer Team’ was embroidered on the back of the vests in fine gold silk thread, their names decorated with small diamonds to add extra flair. Pinkie grabbed hers and put in on quickly, her ears flicking as she checked herself out. “Wooo Rarity, these are great!” “Seriously, you’ve out done yourself Rarity!” Spike said, smiling at his as he hugged his vest. “It’s so soft.” “It would be a crime if I did not make them for you. Everypony knows that you are the best announcer duo in all of Equestria. And Spike, just so your not tempted to eat your vest spike I brought a little treat for my Spickie Wickie.” She floated a sack of gems with a variety of sizes and colors over to the baby dragon, “Those are some of the gems I can't use, and it would have been such a waste to throw them out. So I thought that you would take them off my hooves for me?” “WOW! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Spike chanted over and over, drooling into the bag. Rarity smiled, “Now if you will excuse me, I must be off. Twilight requires my assistance elsewhere.” “Okay, bye Rarity! And thank you for the vests!” Pinkie shouted as Spike put his vest on. He gave Rarity a quick hug before sitting back on his seat. “Would you look at us now? Not only are we the best announcing team in Equestria, but the best dressed one too.” Spike said with a proud grin as he put his headset on. “You wanna start us off Pinkie?” “I would love to Spike.” Pinkie put her own headset on and took a breath before flicking the switch that would activate the speakers. “Fillies and Gentlecolts, welcome the first ever Iron Pony Competition!” Pinkie’s voice echoed through every speaker in the area. “And what a beautiful Autumn day it is Pinkie! But I think you might be mistaken. Won’t this will be our second IPC?” Spike asked, adding a flair to his voice for the sake of showmanship. “Ohh, you have a good memory Spike. But last year was only a test run to get all the bugs out, this year where all set and the competition is even open to the public! Lets not forget that the competitors from last year have both agreed to make this the first real IPC. So I hope you're ready to see some action!” “You bet Pinkie, I’m so excited I’m almost drooling!” “Are you sure that's not your bag of gems that's making you drool?” Pinkie said, joining the crowd in a laugh. Spike sent the pink earth pony a cold stare, speaking in an embarrassed tone that only made the crowd laugh harder. “How about we move on and introduce the competitors?” “Sounds good to me Spike, but I think Twilight has something to say first. Let’s see what it is,” Pinkie announced, directing all eyes to the main arena. Twilight was standing in center stage, her mane pulled back into a neat ponytail. She was dressed in a black and white striped shirt that marked her as the referee, and sported a headset of her own. “First I would like to thank everypony for coming on such short notice, and I am pleased that all of you came out to helped us make the Iron Pony Competition such a success!” The crowd erupted in cheers and stomping hooves. “Now before we bring out the competitors, I would like you all to direct your eyes to the right side of the field. Please join me in giving a big welcome to the keepers of the Sun and the Moon, the rulers of Equestria, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!” Twilight shouted loudly and reared up onto her hind legs. The crowd shifted their attention to the Princesses sitting on plush cushions. Celestia waved while Luna appeared to be arguing with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The crowd all bowed at once before sending up loud cheers of appreciation and excitement. “Thank you, my little ponies, for your heart warming welcome. My sister and I look forward to a fun filled day and to what I hope will be a most exciting contest. Would you not agree, Luna?” All attention shifted to the Princess of the Moon, and the crowd let out a collective gasp. The Lunar Princess had Apple Bloom in a headlock while Scootaloo attempted to do the same to Luna, and Sweetie Belle was trying to pull the older mare’s legs out from under her. Thousands of eyes were looking on in pure shock and horror, though none more so than those of Twilight, Applejack and Rarity. It was so quiet that one could have heard a pin drop. The Princess and Crusaders froze and blushed lightly, as soon as they noticed that all eyes were on them. “…I …can explain?” Luna shared a look with the girls as her words echoed around the arena. With a flash of lunar magic all four of them were standing next to a mortified Twilight. The Cutie Mark Crusaders smiled sweetly. “Cutie Mark Crusaders Pro Wrestlers!” Nopony moved. Nopony spoke. Silence reigned…until suddenly Princess Celestia fell over and started laughing loudly. Luna looked down at the Crusaders and spoke harshly. “You said nopony would laugh at us!” Apple Bloom smiled and shared a dark grin with her friends, “No no, no, we said nopony would laugh at ‘us’. They would expect it from us, but you’re the Princess.” Luna's dark face went red out of both embarrassment and anger. “Have you ever wondered what its like on the moon?” but before Luna could send the crusaders away, Applejack and Rarity ran up, pulling their sisters behind them and bowing down low. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness. Please forgive my sister, she meant no disrespect.” Rarity held her head low, almost touching the ground. “I’m mighty sorry mah sister was only just playin’, Princess. I’m gonna to make darn sure she’s punished,.” Applejackplaced her hoof on the back Apple Bloom’s head and pulled her down the the grown in a sloppy but forced bow. Luna stood silently for a moment, mulling over the prospect of exacting vengeance against the three fillies for their prank. However, she dismissed the thought, knowing their actions to be harmless fun. “There has been a misunderstanding. These girls are my friends, and I assure you these little ones have done nothing wrong. I was merely assisting them in trying to find their Cutie Marks.” Applejack, Rarity and Twilight stood there speechless as the Princess continued. “And yes, they have just played a prank on me.” Luna glared at the three fillies, “But that just means I get to play one on them as well, does it not?” She looked to Scootaloo, who nodded proudly. “Yea. We even made Luna an honorary member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, since last Nightmare Night!” Apple Bloom added in as she pulled herself away from her sister. Suddenly the speakers were filled with a high pitched giggling and laughing, then a loud thumping sound like someone fell from their chair. “Umm, Twilight, Pinkie looks like she is ready to pass out. Do you want me to start?” Twilight sighed and bowed to the Princesses, “ What? But we..I mean. um...” Twilight was about the let her mind take over and panic when Rainbow cantered over and jabbed her friends side as if hitting a reset butten. “Sorry, your highnesses, now is every pony ready to begin the competition.” A cheer from the crowed, then Twilight bowed once more the the royal sisters and trend her head towards the announcers booth. “ Spike, Pinkie, Take it away!” Twilight helped Applejack and Rarity corral the three fillies back to the stands as Luna took her place next to her sister. “Alright sports fans! First let’s give it up for today’s referee and judge, the bearer of the Element of Magic, Ponyville’s own Twilight Sparkle!” Spike announced and everyone turned to a now blushing Twilight; as she gave a nervous wave as the crowd cheered. Pinkie popped back up and fixed her head set, “And now our first competitor, winner of last year’s Best Young Flier award and the only pony to ever do a Sonic Rainboom, the bearer of the Element of Loyalty, Ponyville’s own Rainbow Dash!” The crowd cheered loudly and stomped their hooves, some even waving rainbow colored flags or homemade posters of the Pegasus as she flew in at high speed before going low for her Fantastic Filly Flash, skidding to a stop in front of Twilight. She bowed deeply to the Princesses as she stood next to the purple unicorn. Spike nodded to Pinkie before taking his turn, “Next, we have the most reliable of ponies. A pony whose hard work helps all those around her, hailing from Sweet Apple Acres, the bearer of the Element of Honesty, Applejack!” Again, the Ponies in attendance all cheered and hooted, waving orange flags with apples in the air. Applejack cantered out proudly and bowed to the Princesses, taking her place next to Dash and giving her a hoof bump. “Well Spike, now that Rainbow Dash and Applejack are out everypony is gonna be in for a big surprise as we name the other six competitors! I mean, who knows who else is going to play! I might show up on this list! But wait, if I'm on the list how can I do the play by play? Oh, oh, I know I can run back and forth from here and down there, but if I do that I will get really tired, and if I am tired I will lose in all the games, and then I will be sad, and if I’m sad how can I help you Spike? I can’t compete, I'm not athletic! Spike what am I going to do?” “Pinkie.” “Yes Spike?” “Did you sign up to compete?” “Umm… no?” Pinkie gave the dragon a confused look. “Then you don't have to worry about running back and forth now do you? So, do you want to introduce the next contestant or should I?” “Wow Spike, you are such a smart dragon! You have to help me plan a party some time. Now, our next competitor will not be a pushover, coming from deep within the Everfree forest. She is the Zebra that can rhyme anytime and is certainly not an evil enchantress, give it up for Zecora!” Zecora made her way out into the arena with a smile, and the crowd gasped at her appearance. They erupted into cheers soon after, and Zecora bowed to the Princesses as Applejack and Rainbow had done before her. “Boy, never would’ve thought she would enter. But if you all liked that then wait til you hear this! Most of you have seen him around town, either pulling something heavy for somepony or just making deliveries, the quiet giant of Sweet Apple Acres, Big Macintosh!” Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash's mouths fell open as the big stallion walked out, somehow looking even bigger without his yoke. The ponies that lived in Ponyville went wild, starting a chant as Big Mac made his way across the field, “Eeyup, Eeyup, Eeyup, Eeyup.” Big Mac bowed to the Princesses and took his place, ignoring the shocked look his sister was giving him. “Wow, hope there’s room for more because Macintosh is huge!” Pinkie said happily, her smile wavering when she read the next name. “Spike is this name right?” Spike gave her a nod and she frowned lightly, “Well I don't know what I can say about this one, and Granny Pie always said if you cant say something nice..” “Don’t say anything at all?” Spike asked “What, no, thats’s silly, if you don’t say anything how can you offer them a cupcake? That’s just silly. So with out further adue, hailing from parts unknown, I give you Gilda the Griffin!” The crowd was confused for a moment. Why would a griffin join a pony competition? Gilda shot out of the clouds and swooped over the crowd, causing them to cheer and whoop regardless. She took her place on the field, ignoring the glares from Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Twilight, not even bothering to bow to the Princesses. “Now there are only three left, and our next competitor is a Unicorn coming all the way form Canterlot! He is a newly minted Royal Guard, so make some noise for Bob!” Once again everypony stomped and shouted, but no one seemed to be coming out. “Ummm…Bob? That's your cue buddy.” Still no one came out onto the field. Nurse Redheart trotted up to the announcer’s booth and whispered something to Pinkie and Spike. “Oh, we just got word that Bob has come down with a really bad rash and will not be competing today.” The crowd began to whisper and talk among themselves at the news. Dash was the only one who noticed Gilda snickering. “Well that's a real shame, but the show must go on. Right Pinkie?” Spike restacked his papers. “Our next guest also comes all the way from Canterlot, and if you don't know him by face then you will know him by name. Here is the vice captain of the Wonderbolts, Soarin!” The sky was streaked with black smoke as Soarin soared into the arena, the crowd erupted into loud cheers and Rainbow Dash’s mouth fell open at the sight. Soarin did a little flip and landed before the Princesses, bowing deeply to the two. “And if that wasn’t enough, here’s our last, but definitely not least competitor! Coming straight from Cloudsdale, I give to you the Captain of the Wonderbolts, Spitfire!!” The crowd was already cheering, Dash jumping on the spot as she looked over the sky. But unlike Dash and Soarin, Spitfire simply cantered out with a big smile on her face and waved to the cheering fans. She bowed to the Princesses and took her place next to Soarin. It was then Luna and Celestia stood, two microphones floating in front of them. They looked to each other and smiled, floating the microphones down to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The three fillies gasped excitedly and looked to the Princesses, receiving a nod from both. They crowded around one microphone. “LET THE GAMES BEGIN!” XXX That's chapter 2! Thank you all for the support, I hope to get some good comments from everypony. I hope you all like this chapter, I had fun writing it.. I want to thank both my Beta Readers for all their help, without them my work would never see the light of day! Proof team. I will call them the P-Team from here on out. Jcel4569 and Valaris