I spent my days training with Rainbow Dash and avoiding a certain three legged Eevee.
Every time I ran into him, Zann always had to give me his newest theory of my grinchyness. His word, not mine. And I can tell he's been hanging out with Pinkie. Each "theory" is so off the wall or inane, you'd swear that they'd been thought up by a mad man.
"He's not that bad..."
I quote: Was the Apache helicopter you were in shot down by Santa with a RPG during World War One, and you were the only survivor and all your friends died? OH MY GOD! Am I dead?!
"Well to be fair..."
Stop. Just... Stop.
My training with Rainbow really paid off. I could now jog from Golden Oaks to Applejack's barn without tiring. It was nowhere's near my top speed, but I could at least keep up with an average pony. I didn't know how fast the Duo had gotten, so I hoped that it was enough.
It was finally race day. Rainbow and I moved up to the line of ponies getting their numbers. Before we got into the line proper, Rainbow stopped and turned to me. She pushed my rump down so that I was sitting.
"Hey, um." She fidgeted. "Look, you know me and how I am with words." She trailed off, before pulling a red collar from between her feathers. "Here, I got this for you, to make you living with me official." She clipped it around my neck. I pawed at the identification tag. I could see that it had what I assumed was Rainbow's address marked on one side, my name on the other. The tag was shaped like Rainbow's cutie mark. "Now you can always find your way home."
I looked from my tag to Rainbow's face. Yes, it was just really a dog collar. Yes, it should have been degrading. But, I couldn't help tearing up at this. Rainbow must really want me to be with her. I paused, my eyes tearing up. When did she even find time to do this? How much did she have to pay for this.... No, it doesn't matter. Without warning, I lunged forward, wrapping Rainbow into a hug.
"Yeah, yeah. Love you, too." She pulled me off and placed me back on the ground. "Now lets go win a race!"
"Now hold on there, partner." Applejack chuckled as she approached us, Vince and Cy in tow. "We ain't racin' this month. We agreed that we're just gonna run with th' rest of th' herd. It's these three that're gonna be racin'."
"Yeah, yeah." Rainbow rolled her eyes as we joined them in line. "Twilight's still going to be judging the 'Vees?"
Applejack nodded. "Eeyup. She's even entered Yomega as a control."
<<You guy's think you've done enough training?>> I asked the Duo. <<What was your training routine?>>
<<We'll tell you after the race.>> Cy promised as his number was tied around his neck like a price tag.
<<Assuming you will tell us yours as well.>> Vince added as he received his number.
The mare giving me my number attached it to my collar. <<Fair enough.>>
<<Hold on, is that... Is that a collar?>> Vince pointed to my newest accessory.
I led the way to the start line. <<Yep.>>
<<Why?>>
<<So that I won't be thrown into a Manehattan pound if I get lost.>> Spotting Yomega, I made my way over.
Cy sped to my side. <<Why is it red? You'd think she'd get you a pink one with the way this world works.>>
Lining up beside Yomega, I shot him a grin. <<Da red ones go fasta!>>
Vince smacked the back of my head. <<No. Bad Leo.>>
"Hey! Enough of that now." Twilight waved a clipboard at us. "We have enough of that between AJ and RD! I want a clean race out of you three, so no using your magic. Got it!" We nodded.
We waited until she was out of earshot before giggling. <<Does she honestly think that our moves are magical?>> I squeaked out.
<<It's as good a guess as any.>> Yomega said as a shadow passed over us. <<And it's an actual option here in Equestria.>>
Looking up, we could see Pinkie's announcer's balloon. "Fillies and Gentlecolts! Welcome back to the annual Running of the Leaves!" Pinkie's voice boomed from an under-slung speaker.
<<Hey, Yomega.>>
<<Yes Vince?>>
<<Why are 'annual' and 'monthly' interchangeable here?>>
<<No idea.>>
"I'm your eye in the sky, Pinkie Pie!" Said mare continued.
"And, co-announcing once again, I'm Spike!"
<<I can't see anything!>>
Pinkie giggled. "Joining us this month is our three-legged Eevee, Zann!"
"While we wait for the final runners to make their way to the starting line," Spike began, "We would like to take this chance to remind all runners that this month, there are smaller runners."
"That's right! There will be..." Pinkie paused. "One, two, three, four. Four! Four Eevees running with you."
<<Go guys!>>
Spike chuckled. "Well, someone's excited for them! Any other final announcements, Pinkie?"
"Yupperroonie! Due to some confusion over the course layout from last month," I heard Applejack nervously chuckle, "the course this month has been marked with a set of flags every ten hooves. And that's it for for notices-"
What sounded like a belch interrupted the pink mare. "Sorry about that, folks. Just got a notice, here: To the mare or stallion who owns a... blue shed? With the license plate M-U-One-One-One-N-Five, your shed is being towed. Once again, the blue shed with the license plate M-U-Triple-One-N-Five, your shed is being towed."
A brown stallion bolted past us, muttering curses the whole way. <<Was that...?>> I asked.
<<No idea.>> Yomega shook his head.
"And with that done, let's check on the start line." Spike leaned over the basket's edge. "It looks like everypony's ready to go."
Pinkie leaned out herself with a hoof raised. "Runners! At the sound of the 'Vee'. Get ready!" I crouched, glancing to see the others doing the same. "Get set!" Locking my gaze ahead, I tensed.
<<Go!>>
I bolted from the line. I kept my ears pinned and my tail as straight as I could. Risking a look, I saw that the Reckless Duo and the Headmaster keeping pace. "It looks like Twilight was right! Eevees are faster than ponies to accelerate!" Spike's voice called out.
I felt more than heard the ponies coming up behind us. "They may be faster to start, but us ponies are faster runners!" Pinkie added.
<<Who's in the lead?>>
With a slight adjustment to my tail, I drifted away from the rest of the pack. Staying to the side of the path, I was able to avoid the majority of the ponies stampeding around me. With less hooves to worry about, I was hoping to gain a bit of a lead. Another risked glance dashed that hope, as I could see the Duo running along the far side of the herd. Yomega, for his part, always seemed to be just ahead of any hoof-falls.
Ignoring the others, I focused on the coming flags. I let all the unimportant details fade away as I focused on my running. All that mattered was getting to the next set of flags, then the ones after that. I ignored the slight burning in my lungs, the rocks jabbing into my paws, the ponies thundering around me, even the slight pinkish sparkles in the corner of my eyes.
.... Wait. What was that last one?
Spike's voice drifted through my focus. "Oh, looks like something's happening with most of the Eevees! Their giving off some sort of pinkish sparkles."
<<Really! Lift me up, I wanna see!>>
"I dunno, Spike." Pinkie added. "It looks like they're trailing after-images of themselves."
I looked to the others. Yomega had fallen behind somewhat, but the Duo were still running across from me. The same sparkles flaring in the corner of my eyes were being trailed by Vince and Cy. The after-images Pinkie mentioned were faint, but there. Then it clicked: we had somehow learned Agility.
With a shared glance, the three of us came to an understanding. This was a culmination of all of our training, an accidental activation. With a nod, we agreed to ride this move out, and refuse to use it again during the race.
I focused again on my running, letting my mind wander. Time slipped past as our race continued.
Three to try, three to reach.
My mind snapped back to reality as we rounded the final bend. Seizing my chance, I pored every last dreg of energy into my legs. I pulled ahead of the stampede enough to cross the finish line just ahead of the lead pony.
"And Applejack crosses the line first!" Pinkie screamed into her mic.
"And Leo crosses along side her, just a hair ahead of Cy, Vince, and Rainbow Dash!" Spike added.
<<And I missed it.>> Zann cried. <<And all because someone wouldn't lift me up to see!>>
Bleeding off speed, I looked to the Eevees who crossed beside me. <<Looks like all our training's paid off, huh.>> I panted, coming to a stop.
<<Yeah.>> Cy said between heaving in lungfuls of air.
Vince nodded his agreement. <<Well won.>> He gasped out.
The three of us moved to the side to let other ponies pass us. We turned to watch for our friend. Yomega was a few minutes behind us, and practically staggered across the line before falling face first by the roadside. The three of us had already caught our breath, and were stretching out burning muscles.
A shadow fell over us as Twilight lowered three bowls in front of us. As soon as her aura faded, we began to lap up the water provided, small sparks dancing across the waters of my bowl. "I know you three used your magics." Twilight glared at us. "You do realize that negated the test, right?"
<<Lay off us.>> I growled. <<It was an accident.>>
<<Besides,>> Yomega wheezed, <<there's always next month.>>
Sighing, Twilight let us recover in peace. "It's not like you'd understand me anyways." She mumbled.
As she was walking away, Rainbow and Applejack came up to us. Rainbow gave me one of my favourite treats, a homemade fish cake, before rubbing my head.
"Take your time, I'll be with the others at the bakery." Rainbow smiled. Turning, she trotted off. She was soon joined by Applejack and the Reckless Duo.
Feeling a paw on my shoulder, I turned to Yomega. <<Good run.>> I complemented him. <<I'm pleasantly surprised you kept up with the herd as well as you did.>> I smiled. <<Oh Vince, Cy, and I all learned Agility.>>
<<Good for you guys.>> Yomega said. He gave me a thoughtful look. <<It's a pity neither of them evolved.>>
<<Why?>> I tilted my head. <<You were expecting them to?>>
He nodded. <<When we figured out Lulu evolved with the help of the baby blue sapphire, Twilight grew a gem from the only seed Rarity could spare. It was a charged topaz.>> He gave me a cocky grin. <<So called because it has a unique set of faults running through it that look like sparks. Well, when I say unique, I mean to that type of topaz. She then ground the gem up into a fine powder. At Twi's request, Applejack's been slipping a small amount of the powder into Vince's food.>>
I puzzled over this for a bit. <<Why Vince's food?>> I finally asked.
<<Because Applejack feeds both Vince and Cy, they are guaranteed to be fed the same amount of food.>>
I nodded in understanding. <<Cy's the control.>> I started to walk towards Sugarcube Corner. <<Ya know, if it wasn't for the fact I'm curious how the gems work replacing the stones, I'd call you out on using our friends as guinea pigs.>>
Three to try, three to fail. If only you'd reached a little further...
Who be this, me wonders...
Wait, is the voice saying they won't evolve? Or just that they didn't manage to this time?
Also, I'm surprised it's MU111N5 and not MU771NS.
Yeah Leo definitely jolteon
I see what the voice is.
color for type i guess: blue water, yellow electric enz
I hope Leo become´s a sylveon.
well i wonder who that voice is
I can’t wait until the fact that the eevees do understand the ponies gets through to Twilight.
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Yeah, that would be fun.
pm1.narvii.com/6184/2ef0c451a4b96d189f926192e63aa597419028f8_hq.jpg
Indeed.
I wonder who or what exactly is the voice that appears from time to time? At first I thought it might be Discord, but the more the story advances the less likely that seems to be.
Nice chapter, good work.
Twilight was upsetting me this chapter. Something about secretly feeding them what amounts to a ground up thunderstone feels incredibly wrong to me and it's bothering me.
Abes - Umbreon, confirmed
Villheim - Leafeon, confirmed
Lulu - Vaporeon, confirmed
Yomega - Eevee, because he is shiny.
Leo - Glaceon, failed three times; ruling out Vaporeon, Flareon, and Jolteon; rivally with Cy/Vince and confidant to Lulu.
Vincent - Jolteon, being feed charged topaz, Jolteon and Flareon are the only grouped eeveelutions left.
Cy - Flareon, Jolteon and Flareon are the only grouped eeveelutions left.
Zann - Espeon
Connor - Sylveon
8573412
a new mystery to solve yes?
I think a journey for some of them is needed to evolve like it can take years for a Pokemon without a partner or other conditions not met like the danger to push someone to fight and change
If I had to guess at the voice it's probably who/whatever Discord talked to in the very first chapter. They only hear it when they're near evolving or to learn their moves just after. Unfortunately I haven't played the most recent gens so I don't know which legendary is "sealed away for an eternity" but I'd guess...Arceus? He's one of the Gods of Pokémon.
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Just that they didn't this time. Leo and Lulu both heard "reach for it." around water/sapphires, but Lulu is the one who evolved and not until after that.
I didn't even think of "Muffins" for some reason I thought it was "Muons" (M-U-Ones)
8573742
The "shes going to be crushed..." was actually an egg event that had Leo channeling Loyalty, like how Lulu and Zann were purple and blue for their eggs, and the Duo had orange eyes for Honesty.
8573464
How do you figure? Vince is the one eating thunderstones.
8574985
Yes, Arceus was who Discord was talking to.
No, that's not who the voice is.
8573680
Because what she was doing was done without their consent and is in a moral grey area. I mean she knows Fluttershy can communicate with them but didn’t bother going through her to get their okay with it; she out right dissmisses their intelligence saying they don’t understand what she is saying when there has been clear evidence that they do; and while I imagine she didn’t want them to know what she was doing as she thought it might influence the results, it doesn’t excuse her actions especially since Lulu’s evolution by stone was a very painful experience. Twilight either: didn’t investigate Lulu’s evolution throughly thous not knowing it was painful OR she intentionally set out to conduct an experiment she knew would cause them pain...neither option is good as they booth show a distinct lack of care for the wellbeing of living creatures.
8574985
I figure it might be because of the collar that Leo got, it has a lightning motif, so it might be a case of foreshadowing. On that subject, when I first read about the collar, I started thinking about the various collar Exclusive Items that Eeveelutions can use in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers. in this case, it would be funny if one of the eevees (my money's on Yomega,) gets paralyzed (the status effect, not the injury) after hitting Leo. I wonder if any of the others might find one....
Also on the note of that weird event during the race, I suspect one of them might have been about to evolve into an espeon. we'll see how things turn out.
8582849
I've never actually played that game, so I don't what collars do what.
8582891
Go look up "Exclusive Item" on bulbapedia. Also, you have been deprived, Explorers is probably my favorite pokemon game ever, you should play it sometime. The story is amazing, the characters are quite lovable and the soundtrack is amazing.
8583270
You are surprisingly spot on. The date that chapter was posted (November 11th) is Remembrance Day, the North American equivalent to Anzac Day.
I wanted to have something in the story for Remembrance Day for two reasons. First, of all the holidays in the year, I feel that Remembrance Day, and all such Day's like it, don't get the representation they deserve for how important they are.
Secondly, I was a member of Scouts Canada for about fifteen years, and we would always be standing between the local RCMP and the Veterans during the ceremony. Ever since I left Scouts, I've always made a point of attending the ceremony. This year was the first year I couldn't.
I wonder which one is destined to become Sylveon the strongest of the Eevee's forms.
8582849
I sort of thought that, being a red collar, it was more like the Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald beauty contest item of Red Scarf/Red Bandanna, which increases coolness during contests. An appropriate item for Rainbow Dash's 'mon.
8587043
I hadn't considered that. I don't really play the main series games that much.
When are you going to have one evolve into an espeon and start talking to the ponies telepathicly
You know twilight is kind of stupid in this. It has been confirmed by Fluttershy several times that the Eevees understands them. Hell she has translated answers to twilights questions in the past. Yet she still seems to think they don’t understand her.
8589744
8590497
8590528
That was a product of my faulty research, and I decide to stick with it out of shear stubbornness. Besides, this is Equestria, who's to say that the fish there aren't full of carbos. Equestria is a magical land after all.....
Cy seems to have gone through a sex change at some point...
Either that or it's a typo. I can never be sure with this author...
Oh! Oh! That's a Warhammer 40,000 reference!
Though, that would be "Da red wunz go fasta!!"
So ... is their evolutionary potential talking to them now?
Tense Error: hoped
Missing Word Error: leaned over the basket's edge
Punctuation Error: remove
Typo: wander
But. Twilight literally knows they're among the smartest animals. They hold wakes. They write on rocks in a weird script. They're able to write Equish and get across complex concepts to Fluttershy.
You know I just realized Twilight might be a bit oblivious.
8573412
later evidence makes me think it's discord.
Damn... Twilight understanding of the pack is pretty backwards plus i guess we get some experiments done on em soon. Since Leo didnt become water evo i guess his speed indicates to Electric typ... Lets see if im right or get trolled again
9015589
"Leo is bestest warboss der is!"
Can somebody tell me what leg was lost by Zanny? In my head its his right front paw but i didnt find any indication for it or missed it after rereading
9865609
Ah, in a previous chapter when it was in Zann’s perspective, he mentioned his front left leg was the one missing.
This was a awesome race.
WAAAAAAAAGH, ORKS!
(Had to, lmao)
YES!
Nice doctor who reference, or well I suppose doctor hooves reference with the blue shed, and brown stallion
Needs more Daka
They can understand you Twilight and you have a serious problem with ethics, no wonder you get along with Starlight.