Fall Weather Friends

Pony's Log Number 113: Sometimes ponies just gotta realize that there is such a thing as too much competitiveness...

One fall day, Rainbow and Applejack were busy playing a friendly game of horseshoe toss. It was Rainbow's turn. She grunted as she made her toss and came up short of hitting the wooden stake.

"Whoo-hoo!" Rainbow cheered.

"Hoo-wee!" said Applejack, "Not a bad pitch for a pony who works with her head in the clouds."

"Oh yeah?" said Rainbow, "Think you can do better, cowgirl?"

"I know I can," said Applejack, picking up a horseshoe. With a grunt of her own, she made her toss, but her horseshoe landed just behind Rainbow's.

"Oh for Pete's sake!" Applejack retorted, disappointed at her toss.

"Heh! Looks like this Pegasus can pitch better than the workhorse," Rainbow remarked, light tapping Applejack's stenson hat so it tilted over her face, "The object of the game is to get the closest to the stake."

"All right, all right," said Applejack indignantly, "You got another throw there, pony girl." Rainbow grunted and threw her horseshoe a little harder. The horseshoe overshot the wooden stake and made a sound like it crashed into something far beyond it.

"Wow, Rainbow, heh," said Applejack sarcastically, "You couldn't hit a barn door with that kind of throw!"

"Yeah, yeah. I still have the closest throw, Applesmack," Rainbow shot back, "Just try and beat it." Applejack just made a determined look on her face as she focused on her target. She then made a strong toss and the horse landed, ringing around the wooden stake.

"Yee-haw! It's a ringer," said Applejack, "That's how you do it on the farm." Rainbow was just dumbfounded.

"I lost," said Rainbow in disbelief and disappointed.

"Ah, don't feel bad, Rainbow," said Applejack, "It's all in good fun."

"I hate losing," Rainbow pouted to herself.

"Besides, you're a mighty good athlete," said Applejack as she walked away. While Applejack was only trying to soften the blow to Pegasus's pride, Rainbow's personal ego was feeling rather threatened.

"All right, Applejack," said Rainbow as she hovered over to the orange pony, "you think you're the top athlete in all of Ponyville?"

"Well, I was gonna say in all of Equestria," said Applejack, using her tail to literally brush Rainbow away, "but that might be glidin' the lily."

"...and I think I'm the top athlete," Rainbow retorted, "So let's prove it."

"Prove what?" Applejack asked as she turned around to face the Pegasus.

"I challenge you to an Iron Pony competition," said Rainbow, "A series of athletic contests to decide who's the best once and for all." Applejack didn't feel like she had anything to prove, but her competitive nature made her think otherwise.

"You know what, Rainbow?" said Applejack, "You're on." They each spat on a hoof and bumped them together in agreement before giving each other determined smiles.

It was time to GAME ON!

(theme song)

Rainbow was now warming up as she began to do some stretches to get her body ready for their...well what should have been just a small competition. Twilight, with Spike on her back, and Mario had arrived to see what the commotion was all about.

"So you two are doing what, now?" Twilight Sparkle asked curiously.

"An Iron-" Applejack was about to answer.

"Iron Pony competition," Rainbow interrupted as she continued her stretches.

"See," Applejack explained, "we've set up a bunch of events to decide which one of us is-"

"The most athletic pony ever!" Rainbow interrupted again and continued to grunt as she warmed up.

"And we're here to...?" Twilight asked puzzled.

"I don't know," Rainbow answered, still grunting, "Why are they here?" Applejack gave Rainbow an indignant glare.

"To judge and keep score," Applejack explained as her expression softened, "Maybe Mario can help referee since he's just as honest as I am."

"Can do Applejack," said Mario excitedly, "give me a second." Mario then zoomed away and returned wearing a long sleeved black and white striped shirt with a whistle around his neck.

"Well, aren't you enthusiastic," Twilight remarked with a annoyed look. Mario just glared back.

"Listen to this," said Mario as he cleared his throat, "Ponies will start at the sound of my whistle. Each pony must complete such and such and must do and don't this and that. The player to accomplish the goal the quickest or best wins. Ponies...on your mark, get set..."

TWEEEEEEEEEEEEET!

Twilight and Spike jumped at the loud whistle, but Applejack was most impressed.

"Yee-haw, Mario you've got the referee job for sure," said Applejack excitedly, "and Twilight can declare the winner.

"Right, heh," Rainbow replied, "Somepony's gotta record my awesomeness for the history books." Applejack, Twilight, and Mario just rolled their eyes. Soon everything was set up for the start of their competition.

"Hello everypony, and welcome to the first annual Iron Pony competition!" Spike announced, using the twig as a microphone.

"We're here live from Sweet Apple Acres to give you up-to-date coverage of today's events!" said Mario excitedly, using a real mic but holding it using his magic.

"Uh, Spike, Mario, who are you talking to?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Um...Uh, them!" said Spike. To the dragon's good fortune, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity arrived to watch the events take place, "Let's the games begin." The three ponies cheered excited at the first event was ready to for action.

"Ponies will start as the sound of my whistle," Mario explained, "each pony must successfully weave their way through the barrels as they make their way towards the finish line. The pony who gets to the goal the fastest wins. Time penalties will be added for any bumped barrels."Applejack was ready to go.

"Ready. Set. Go!" said Twilight.

TWEEEET!

Mario blew his whistle and Applejack took off, maneuvering as quickly as she could, but as she approached the final half of the course, her flank bumped a barrel.

"Dagnabbit," she remarked with a gasp as she crossed the finish line.

"Time, Spike?" Twilight asked. Spike looked at a stopwatch Mario let him barrow for the event.

"17 seconds," said Spike.

"You're kiddin'!" said Applejack shocked, "That breaks my record from last year's rodeo."

"But you got a five second penalty for nudging the barrel," Spike added.

"So you're true time is 22 seconds," said Mario.

"Nuts and chews!" Applejack remarked with a sigh, "Still, that's 22 seconds. Not too shabby." Rainbow just stayed rather quiet. The sweat on her face showed that she was feeling a little intimidated at Applejack's fast time.

"Hey, don't be nervous," said Applejack supportively, "Remember, it's all in good fun. Now git on up there." Rainbow slowly flew over to the starting line, still sweating a bit as she got herself ready.

"Ready. Set. Go!"

TWEEEEET!

With the blow of the whistle, Rainbow took off at high speed and weaved through the barrels. Not only was she fast, but her run was clean too.

"Woo! That was some fancy hoofwork their, Rainbow!" said Applejack, clearly impressed.

"Thanks, but I couldn't have been as fast as you," Rainbow panted.

"What was the time on that, Spike?" Applejack asked.

"18 seconds!" Spike exclaimed.

"And no penalties!" Mario added.

"18 seconds," said Applejack, "Rainbow, are you sure you're not secretly a rodeo pony?"

"Rainbow Dash wins the barrel lead!" Twilight announced and Fluttershy placed an apple shaped card on a score board with the number "1" on it.

"Oh, I can't believe I won!" Rainbow gushed excitedly in the air.

"Yeah, well, don't you go gettin' used to it," said Applejack indignantly as she pinned Rainbow to the ground.

"Next event is the test of strength," said Mario, "At the sound of my whistle, each pony has one try to send this little marker to the bell at the top. The player who succeeds or the player who hits the bells the loudest and/or fastest wins. Rainbow, ready, set..."

TWEEEEEEEEEEEEET!

Rainbow then stomped as hard as she could to send the marker all the way to the top without much difficulty and the ponies cheered.

"Mighty respectable," said Applejack as she was lounging underneath an apple tree with a piece of grass in her mouth, which she spat out as she got up, "But let me show ya how it's really done." Mario blew his whistle and Applejack gave a loud grunt. She not only got the marker to hit the bell faster, but sent it up so fast that it blasted the bell right off the top. Rainbow watched with her mouth hanging out as the other ponies cheered.

"Years of applebukcin'," Applejack boasted as she bucked the apple tree Rainbow was sitting under. "Shave and a haircut"...The bell rang again..."Two bits." It was then five apples bopped Rainbow on the head...(Can you see the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000, appear?)...then two more hit her head (...2000, 4000...bummer two more AJ would get a 1up.)

"Ugh," Rainbow groaned as she rubbed her sore head as Fluttershy put a card with "1" next to Applejack's part of the scoreboard.

"Next event: The buckin' bronco," Mario announced, "Each pony has Spike riding their back as they bounce and buck about to try and knock him off. The pony who makes Spike fall off the quickest wins. However, any intentional harm to Spike to make him fall off faster will result in a disqualification."

"Wahoo!"

"Whoo-hoo!"

"Eeyup!"

Apparently Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, and Big Macintosh had arrived to cheer Applejack on and were now sitting in some bleachers as Applejack got ready to start.

"Why me?" Spike asked rhetorically.

"Go!" Twilight shouted as Mario blew his whistle. Applejack soon started jumped and bucking about as roughly as she could.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa-hoa! Whoa! Whoaaa!" Spike cried out as he tried to hold on before Applejack launched him into the air and into a nearby hay pile, "Ouch!" Spike didn't have much time to recover. As soon as he popped out of the hay pile. Rainbow was already underneath him.

"Ready for another pony ride?" Rainbow asked with determination.

"No" Spike whimpered.

"Rainbow, ready, set...TWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!" With the blow of the whistle, Rainbow took off. She wasted no time bouncing Spike about.

"Guh-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh-guhwhoaaaaa!" Spike cried out. He didn't even last for a few seconds before Rainbow sent him flying high into the air.

"Rainbow Dash wins the bronco-buck!" Twilight announced as another bell rang in the distance. Poor Spike was now hanging on the top of the scoreboard, looking dazed and worn out. Fluttershy looked at him with worry as she updated the scoreboard.

"And I lose," Spike groaned.

It was then some other ponies began to appear and cheer as Applejack and Rainbow got ready for the next event. Applejack couldn't help but show off a little while Rainbow was struggling to keep her lasso from falling apart.

"Lasso contest," Mario announced, "At the start of my whistle, each pony will take turns lassoing and tying up Spike. The pony who can tie up Spike in the most charismatic and cleanest knot wins. Ponies, on your mark, get set..."

TWEEEEEEEEEEET!

Applejack wasted no time going first.

"Whoa!" Spike grunted as he found his claws and feet tied together in one simple knot as he landed on his back, "How do I get roped into these things?" Spike never got his answer as the other ponies cheered for Applejack and tossed several roses at her hooves. Spike didn't have to deal with being tied up again. Poor Rainbow had ended getting herself tied up in the same manner, but she was hanging from a tree upside down..

"Does this count?" Rainbow asked with a grunt, trying to get out of her own knot.

"Applejack is the winner!" Mario announced as the bell rang and the score was updated once again.

The next event was ball balancing, which was simply the pony would could keep their ball in the air without dropping it would win. Applejack grunted, but she easily lost her ball while Rainbow just bounced hers without difficulty. The ponies cheered, while some Pegasi tossed some roses at her from above as the bell was wrung and score updated again.

After that was the hay toss, Rainbow went first and tossed a rather heavy haystack into the air a decent distant and flew over to it as the haystack landed.

"Yuh!" she boasted and blew a raspberry at Applejack. Then not a second later, a much larger and heavier haystack crashed right on top of Rainbow. Ponies cheered as Applejack was carried away. The bell was wrung and score updated again.

Then came hoof-wrestling, which one would think Applejack would have the huge advantage over.

"Wah!" Applejack grunted in shock as Rainbow pinned her fore-hoof down with ease. The bell rings and the score was updated again.

Finally came the football kicking event. Applejack gave her football a nice long kick, but Rainbow was able to kick her football higher and farther, nearly hitting some Pegasi spectators in a nearby cloud. Fluttershy gasped as the football came barreling at her. She used the score panel in her hands to protect herself. The football managed to knock the score card right into the scoreboard. The bell rang and Fluttershy made a "it's good!" pose with her fore-hooves.

"Welcome back everypony to the Spike and Mario half time show," Mario announced, "I'm Mario! He's Spike! And we're here live to bring you up to speed on today's Iron Pony competition!"

"Fillies and gentlecolts, at the halfway point," said Spike, "our competitors are tied at five and five."

"Who are you two talking to?" Twilight asked annoyed at their showboating.

"Them!" Spike and Mario said together. What had been considered a small competition was now a full on spectator event with lots of ponies cheering and even creating a pyramid and doing cheerleading. Now back to the events.

Soon the push-ups competition was underway and Twilight was officially keeping count. The looks in Applejack's and Rainbow's faces shows the they were hitting their push-up limits.

"95, 96, 97, 98, 99..." Twilight counted when Rainbow opened her wings to give her some strength relief, "a hundred!" Applejack then collapsed to the ground in exhaustion and Rainbow was declared the winner. Mario just had a stern look on his face and jotted something down on a clipboard. Applejack was angered as well.

"Be a good sport, Applejack," she told herself, but knew Rainbow had cheated.

Some of the other events seemed to show Rainbow having similar issues. In the long jump, each pony took a turn to see how far they could jump into the air. When Rainbow realized she was going to fall behind Applejack, she opened her wings to give her a distance boost so she landed ahead of her. Next came to chick cross. The hens clucked and the chicks chirped as each pony was tasked to carry as many chicks as they could to the mother hen. Applejack tried to be graceful, but her mud splashing cause her chicks to abandon pony. Rainbow just walked smugly as she opened her wings to carry all the chicks across and keep them away from the splashing mud. While only a few events are discussed, there had been a total of nineteen events so far and there was one other unmentioned event where Rainbow used her wings to her advantage. Mario recorded these incidents on a clipboard. Then came the final event, which was the tug of war.

"All right, you two," said Twilight, "This is the final event. Give it all you've got!"

"At the start of my whistle," Mario explained, "Each pony will pull the rope and try to bring that flag in the middle to their side of the mud wallow. The pony that gets the flag to their side wins. Ponies, on your mark, get set...TWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!" With the final blow of the whistle, Applejack and Rainbow began the tug of war event.

"Looks like the workhorse might come out ahead in this one," said Spike.

"We will see," said Mario skeptically, he didn't think Rainbow was going to play fair. And just as Mario predicted, Rainbow flew above the mud patch as Applejack was left dangling above the middle of the mud patch.

"That's not fair," said Applejack, her voice muffled from the rope in her mouth, "You can't use your wings to help you win."

"Huh?" Rainbow asked, not able to understand the orange pony.

"You're cheatin'!" Applejack mumbled.

"I can't understand you with that rope in your mouth," Rainbow answered.

"I said...uh-oh." Applejack realized that by spitting out the rope, she had released her only support that was keeping her from the mud. The crowd cheered and the bell gave its final ring.

"Whoo-hoo!" said Rainbow as she updated the scoreboard herself, "I win by a landslide...or mudslide in your case!" Rainbow chuckled as Applejack glared at her from the mud. Mario helped Applejack out of the mud, but was giving the blue Pegasus a glare himself.

"I am the Iron Pony!" Rainbow shouted to the world as a pair of Pegasi held a rainbow banner behind her and some ponies cheered.

"Only 'cause you cheated," Applejack retorted angrily, now clean of the mud.

"What?" Rainbow exclaimed as she flew into Applejack's face.

"You used your wing power to help you win over half of those contests," Applejack pointed out.

"Sounds like sour apples to me," said Rainbow indignantly.

"Are you sayin' you didn't use your wings?" Applejack asked sternly.

"Well...no," Rainbow stuttered and recomposed herself, "but you never said that I couldn't use my wings."

"I didn't think I needed to tell you to play fair," Applejack retorted.

"She's right Rainbow," Mario added as he approached the two ponies, showing his clipboard with the proof, "You're wings gave you an unfair advantage and you're smart enough to know that. Using your wings might not have been stated in the rules, but you did use them to cheat in exactly 5 events. In fact, I can outright disqualify your win at the tug of war!"

"What?!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"The rules stated and I quote: Whoever gets the flag to their side of the mud patch wins," Mario explained sternly, "You never crossed the flag to your side of the line, you just dangled Applejack over the mud and let her fall in! This is not just cheating, but bad sportsmanship. There is no honestly in winning like that!"

"Like you never cheated to be the fastest unicorn alive!" Rainbow shot back, but then wished she could take it back when Mario gave her a very fierce glare. Even when he was furious with her over the dragon incident, Mario never looked that angry.

"I never cheated in any of my races," Mario said slowly in a tone that could give ponies a cold chill, "and don't you ever forget that Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy, subtract 5 points from Rainbow's score and give them to Applejack at once!" Fluttershy hesitated before she did as she was told, leaving the ponies tied, but Rainbow Dash wasn't going to settle for a tie.

"I still would have won even without my wings," Rainbow replied indignantly.

"Hah!" said Applejack, "Prove it."

"Gladly," Rainbow answered before looking puzzled, "How?"

"Tomorrow is the annual Runnin' of the Leaves," said Applejack, "I challenge you to race me in it."

"Heh! Easy schmeasy," Rainbow answered and went to fly off when Applejack pinned her down the ground by standing on the girl's tail.

"Hold on!" said Applejack, "There is one condition: the point is to run, so no wings allowed."

"No wings?" Rainbow remarked as she bucked Applejack off her tail, "no problem." They both then spit on their fore-hoof and smashed them together. Then they just glared until Rainbow blew a raspberry at Applejack. Applejack just chuckled before they continued their little stare down contest.

The next day, Twilight and Mario were casually leaving the library towards the location where the Running of the Leaves event would take place. Spike was getting impatient.

"Twilight, Mario, hurry up," Spike complained as he rode on Twilight's back, "we're gonna be late for the race."

"Why are you so excited about the race?" Twilight asked curiously, "It's only for ponies."

"Yeah, but I'm hoping I can be the announcer again," said Spike as he stood on Twilight's back with his twig for a microphone.

"Umm...Spike..." said Mario uneasily.

"Just listen," said Spike, "Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to the annual Running of the-"

"Welcome to the annual Running of the Leaves!" said a loud but well known voice, "This is Pinkie Pie, your official p-eye-in-the-sky announcer." Pinkie came floating above with a mega phone. Spike just glared at Mario.

"I...kind of asked Pinkie to take my place as an announcer," said Mario with an apologetic smile. Spike just angrily threw his twig to the ground and pouted.

"Sorry, Spike," said Twilight sympathetically, "I guess that job's already taken."

"As everypony knows," Pinkie continued, "the Running of the Leaves is a very important tradition, for without it, the autumn leafs in Equestria would never fall. So get ready, ponies. The Running of the Leaves will begin in five minutes!" It was then the ponies who were going to participate began to line up at the starting line. Some of them were eager to get started and were stretching a bit. Applejack was already stretching as a certain Pegasus made her entrance.

"Pardon me, excuse me," said Rainbow arrogantly as she pushed her way through a pair of ponies and made her way towards Applejack, "Make way for the Iron Pony."

"The Iron Phony, you mean," said Applejack, "Accordin' to Mario, we tied yesterday." Rainbow wasn't listening.

"So, Applejack, you ready to win second place," Rainbow Dash asked her.

"I'm ready to run a good, clean race," said Applejack.

"Yeah, yeah..." Rainbow answered.

"You are not allowed to use your wings," Applejack reminded her.

"I could win this race with both wings tied behind my back," Rainbow remarked proudly. Applejack just hummed to herself as she got an idea. Soon Applejack gave a grunt as she used a rope to tie Rainbow's wings up and prevent her from using them.

"Trussed up like a turkey," said Applejack, "Well, a turkey who can't fly that is."

"Very funny," said Rainbow indignantly.

"'Least now we know we're racin' fair and square," said Applejack. It was then they heard a trumpet from up above.

"Racers! Please take your positions!" Pinkie announced as the ponies got ready to begin the race. That was when Spike approached the balloon.

"Um...Pinkie Pie?" he asked timidly.

"Hey, Spike! What's up?" Pinkie Pie asked, "Oh wait, it's me! I'm up!" Pinkie laughed at her own joke.

"Uh, yeah," Spike answered slowly, "I know you're doing the announcing today and stuff and...I'm sure you're gonna do a great job and all, but...I was just wondering..."

"What?" Pinkie asked, but Spike lost his courage to ask.

"Aw...Forget it," said Spike and turned to leave, but Pinkie had figured out what Spike was trying to say.

"Spike!" Pinkie called out, "Would you like to be my co-reporter? We could comment on the action together!"

"We could?" Spike replied excitedly.

"Climb on up," said Pinkie, as Spike borrowed Mario's personal microphone and got on board the balloon. Meanwhile, Rainbow and Applejack were just getting ready to go when they noticed a familiar purple unicorn at the starting line.

"Twilight? What in tarnation are you doin' up here?" Applejack asked in surprise.

"I'm racing," Twilight answered. Rainbow laughed.

"Good one, Twilight," Rainbow replied as Twilight gave her an indignant look.

"I'm not joking," Twilight said bluntly.

"What?" Rainbow exclaimed, "You're not an athlete, you're a...well...an egghead."

"I am not an egghead," Twilight retorted, "I am well-read."

"Egghead," said Rainbow softly to Applejack, who just snickered.

"But have you ever run a race?" Applejack asked Twilight.

"Well, no," Twilight answered honestly, "but I do know a lot about running."

"And you know this from..." Rainbow asked her, curiously as well as mockingly.

"Books," Twilight answered, "I've read several on the subject." Rainbow tumbled into her back, laughing loudly.

"What'd you read, "The Egghead's Guide to Running"," Rainbow asked Twilight, still laughing herself silly, "Did you stretch out your eye muscles to warm up? Get it? Eye muscles." Twilight just looked most annoyed.

"Scoff if you must, Rainbow," said Twilight, "But the Running of the Leaves is a Ponyville tradition, and since I'm here to learn, I've decided to I should experience it myself." Rainbow and Applejack were still finding it hard taking Twilight seriously.

"Well, I think that's just dandy Twilight," said Applejack, "Good luck." She then shared a snicker with Rainbow.

"Yeah. See you at the finish line...tomorrow," Rainbow added as she chuckled to herself.

"You know girls," said Twilight smugly, "I may have learned a lot about running from books, but I did have one of the best teachers in all of Equestria to teach me."

"Like who?" Applejack asked indignantly until she and Rainbow gasped at the pony standing next to Twilight. He was currently stretching, hopping, and even doing a spin jump.

"Mario!?" they exclaimed.

"Who better to teach me about running than the fastest unicorn alive?" Twilight smiled and Mario returned it.

"Good to be back in a race again," said Mario. Applejack and Rainbow just exchanged looks before they snickered again.

"Forget it, Mario," said Rainbow cockily, "You were great, but now you're outta date!"

"I'm only a year older than you two girls," Mario replied indignantly.

"Exactly," Applejack pointed out, "you're last year's model."

"We're the models that were built for speed," Rainbow remarked. Mario just rolled his eyes.

"Right," said Mario annoyed, "because..."

Everypony's super pony racing
Gotta keep your hooves right on the ground
When you're super pony racing
there's no time to look around

When you're super pony racing
Running to a point of no return
Everypony's super pony racing
Come on let your...fire...

burn?

Mario then noticed that his friends and several nearby ponies were just glaring at him.

"Oh come on!" Mario bellowed, "No one complains when Pinkie Pie sings out of the blue!" All he got was more glares and a cough somewhere in the background.

"Critics," Mario muttered, feeling a bit embarassed. That was the last time he'd ever try that again. It was then Twilight gave him a light giggle and smile to make him feel better. It reminded him that he wasn't there to race to the finish. He and Twilight were going to run together and enjoy the sights.

"All right, ponies, are you ready?" Pinkie announced.

"Get set," Spike added. Then a bell was rung and everyone took off. The race was on!

"And they're off!" said Pinkie, "welcome to the official coverage of the Running of the Leaves. You know, Spike, despite its name, the leaves don't do any of the actual running. No, that's left to my little ponies."

"Why, yes, Pinkie," Spike answered, a little caught off guard by that comment, "it's the running of the ponies that causes the leaves to fall."

"Ugh. Those lazy, lazy leaves," said Pinkie, "But this year, this run is about more than the weather. It's about the race to the finish and the two runners who want to win it: Applejack and Rainbow Dash."

"You know Pinkie," said Spike, "These two ponies have a bit of a grudge match they're trying to settle. Trying to prove who's the most athletic."

"Yes, and "grudge" rhymes with "fudge"," Pinkie replied.

"Yes, it...does," said Spike, rather puzzled, "What?"

"And I like fudge," said Pinkie, "But if I eat too much fudge, I get a pudge, and then I can't budge."

"So...no fudge?" Spike asked in confusion.

"Oh, no thanks," said Pinkie, "I had a big breakfast. Let's check in with our two competitive ponies, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Having a fast out of the gate, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are evenly matched running neck and neck. But what's this? Applejack is making a move, she's now ahead by a nose. But Rainbow Dash won't let Applejack have it and takes the lead. She's ahead by half a nose. Or maybe three quarters of a nose. No, about sixty three point seven percent of a nose...roughly speaking. Applejack sees this move and pushes forth with her strong workhorse legs slinking ahead by three hundred and fifty noses." Spike just looked a little annoyed by Pinkie's idea of measuring leads, but in simpler terms...

"I'm telling them what going on!" Pinkie shouted.

Hush Pinkie. I'm the writer, not you!

...Applejack and Rainbow Dash were changing leads until Applejack managed to pull away.

"Not so easy without wings, is it?" Applejack remarked as they continue to speed down the path. Rainbow was tempted to open her wings but the roped kept them closed.

"Come on, Rainbow," she told herself, "Show 'em a little dash." Rainbow then picked up her pace to catch right up to Applejack.

"Ho-hold your horses, Pinkie!" said Spike excitedly, "Rainbow Dash is catching up to the front runner Applejack!"

"What an upset," said Pinkie, "I thought Applejack had this in the bag." Soon Rainbow was neck in neck with Applejack.

"You didn't think I was gonna let you off that easily, did you?" Rainbow taunted. Applejack looked a bit indignantly, when a fore-hoof hit a nearby rock on the ground. She tripped and tumbled to the ground as the huge collection of ponies ran by in a cloud of dust.

"Whoa!" said Applejack as she got back to her feet, "I don't believe it."

"I know, it's beautiful, isn't it?" Twilight replied as she and Mario arrived. Mario nodded in agreement as he used a camera around his neck to take pictures of the scenery.

"Not the scenery, Twilight," Applejack retorted, "Rainbow Dash just tripped me."

"She did not," said Mario and Twilight together.

"She did too!" Applejack remarked.

"She did not," said Twilight firmly, "And if you slowed down and looked where you were going, like us, you'd see that you tripped over a rock." Applejack looked back and noticed the rock sticking where she had been running.

"What? Oh hayseed!" said Applejack realizing her mistake and seeing the other ponies charging away, "Now I got a lot of ground to make up to catch Rainbow."

"Just be careful!" Twilight called out as Applejack took off.

"Remember, slow and steady wins the race!" Mario called out.

"Now, you're sounding like an old colt," Twilight pointed out. Mario glared.

"Lighten up, I'm just teasing," said Twilight with a smile, "I'm glad you're so mature with your speed. Unlike Rainbow and Applejack, you know that sometimes it's best to slow down and enjoy the view." Mario felt better and together the two ponies went on their way enjoying the sights.

It didn't take Applejack too long before she caught up with Rainbow Dash.

"See you at the finish line!" Applejack called out to Rainbow as she charged ahead.

"I don't believe it," said Spike from above, "After a huge setback, Applejack is back at the front of the pack."

"She's the head of the pack, all right," Pinkie added, "The pick of the litter! The cat's pajamas! Oh wait, why would Applejack take some poor kitty's PJs? That's not very sporting of her." Spike was just at a loss for words.

"Oookay..." was all Spike could say about that, "Let's get back to the race."

"Not so fast, Applejack!" Rainbow replied as she closed Applejack's lead, "This race isn't over yet!"

"It is for you," said Applejack, "Heh." Then as if the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Rainbow stumbled forward and fell down. The crowd of ponies came trampling by, burying her in a huge mess of leaves.

"Whoa!" said Rainbow in shock as she poked her head of out the leaves, "I don't believe it, Applejack tripped me."

"Don't you ponies ever look where you're going?" Twilight remarked as she and Mario arrived, "you tripped on a stump, see?" Unlike Applejack, Rainbow refused to see sense.

"Oh I see," said Rainbow, "A big cheater is what I see."

"Rainbow, Applejack would never cheat," Twilight remarked, "It was just an accident."

"We even saw you trip ourselves," said Mario, "There is no logical way Applejack could have planted a tree and have it grown and cut down in just one night. Or could she have just laid the stump there beforehand, it's rooted to the ground." Mario pushed it to prove his point.

"Sure it was. I mean, yeah, I'm sure it was," Rainbow replied, a little too quickly to make it sound she believed either of them. Yet Twilight did.

"Remember, Rainbow, this is just a race," Twilight reminded Rainbow and went on her way.

"Plus nopony respects a winner who cheats either," Mario added, implying a warning to Rainbow to not try anything, as he followed Twilight.

"Yes, but the rules have changed, and two can play at that game," said Rainbow, but it was mostly to herself. But first a word from our sponsor:

OATS

...

...

...oooookay...back to the story...

"Welcome back, Ponyvillians, it's me, Pinkie Pie," said the pink pony from her balloon.

"And Spike," the dragon added since he, too was in the balloon, "Looks like Rainbow is doing her best to catch up."

"I'm not sure how ketchup is going to help her in this contest," Pinkie remarked, "Now in a hot dog eating contest it can make them doggies nice and slippery, but personally, I prefer mustard. How about you, Spike?"

"Uh...I...like...pickles?" Spike answered with some hesitation in his voice.

"Aaand it looks like Applejack as found herself in quite a pickle as Rainbow Dash overtakes her," Pinkie pointed out.

"Look, ma, no wings," Rainbow Dash gloated as Applejack just narrowed her brow and tried her best to keep up with the blue Pegasus.

"As the racers, enter Equestria's Whitetail Wood," Spike commented, "Rainbow Dash is back in the lead." Rainbow then noticed a nearby tree branch. She grabbed the branch and pulled it back. Just as Applejack was in range.

SMACK!

Rainbow let go so the branch smacked Applejack in the face, knocking the orange pony back. Rainbow chuckled as she continued on her way.

"Ugh, Hey, Rainbow!" Applejack shouted as she noticed the devious smile on Rainbow's face. The blue Pegasus blew Applejack a raspberry and run off.

"Why, that little cheater did that on purpose," Applejack exclaimed, "It's on." Applejack then noticed another branch behind. Pulling it back as hard as she could without breaking it, she let the momentum of the recoil rocket her forward at high speed. Meanwhile, Rainbow was feeling very pleased with her dirty trick.

"Nice one, Rainbow," she told herself.

"Later!" said Applejack as she flew by and landed in front of Rainbow. Rainbow gasped as she growled and gave chase. Then Applejack bucked a tree and made a beehive drop by Rainbow.

"Aaa!" Rainbow screamed as she ran for her life. The fear gave Rainbow the speed boost she needed to pull ahead. She ducked into the some bushes as the bees made a "!?" formation and then zoomed away. Once Rainbow felt she was safe, she quickly saw a nearby sign and reversed the direction. Applejack, thinking nothing less, just followed the sign without a second thought. Rainbow began to laugh herself silly as the other ponies ran past her in the correct direction. (Probably because she was leaning against the sign so they couldn't see the change of direction).

"Oh my, Whitetail Wood is just lovely," said Twilight to Mario.

"Makes me appreciate the fact that my birthday comes during this time of year," Mario added. Rainbow then gasped as Mario and Twilight's conversation continued. She quickly fixed the sign back to it original direction.

"Your birthday party was a lot of fun," Twilight remarked.

"Especially since you actually showed up!" Mario replied with a smug smile. Twilight gave Mario a raspberry when they saw Rainbow nearby.

"Hey, Rainbow," said Twilight, "shouldn't you be up ahead?"

"I'm sure I'll win now," Rainbow chuckled to herself and not really paying attention to them.

"Except that the other racers just passed you!" Mario pointed out. Rainbow gasped and noticed all the other ponies leaving her behind.

"Oh horse apples...See ya!" Rainbow replied quickly and zoomed away. Meanwhile Applejack soon found herself at the top of a ledge on the mountain unsure of where she should go.

"Applejack, what are you doing up here?" Pinkie asked curiously as the balloon hovered just above the orange pony.

"There's aren't even any trees," Spike added.

"Er, no," Applejack said uncertainly, "but the signs pointed this way..." Applejack then realized she had been tricked, "...Rainbow. Mind giving me a lift." While for some, a balloon assistance would be considered cheating, but considering Applejack was lost, Pinkie made an exception. Of course, one could argue that Pinkie didn't need to drop Applejack right in pole position either. Rainbow would definitely argue that case as Applejack landed in front of her.

"What the hay?!" Rainbow exclaimed, "You said no flying!"

"No, I said no wings," Applejack corrected as the two ponies surged ahead.

"I must say, Spike," Pinkie remarked, "That this has been the most interesting Running of the Leaves in Equestrian history!"

"With the most interesting announcing," Spike added.

"But it isn't the running that's been fascinating," Pinkie added, "It's the lack of running!" The race course soon took a path into a collection of trees that had buckets collecting sap from them. Applejack wasted no time finding a bucket to buck, spilling the contents on the ground. Just as Applejack had hoped, Rainbow ran right into the sticky mess and got her hooves caught in it. Rainbow fought hard to pull herself out, but then the sap made her recoil backwards. Rainbow then got an idea.

"Aaa!" Rainbow grunted as she let the momentum carry her backward and then she pushed herself forward. Not only was she able to break free, but she rocketed right past Applejack like the orange pony had done earlier.

But Rainbow actually zoomed so close to Applejack that the orange pony spun about and was soon caught inside of a mini-tornado. Rainbow soon noticed the tornado and got caught in it herself.

"Whoa!" they screamed together as the tornado brought them both towards the top of a ledge on the mountain. The two ponies glared as they tried to get their bearings when the piece of rock they were standing on began to crack. Soon it broke off and sent the two ponies sliding down to the bottom of the mountain. Fortunately, the two ponies managed to keep their balance as the rock came to rest at the side of the race trail.

"Forgive me, girls. I know I'm not an athlete, but shouldn't the Running of the Leaves actually involve running?" Twilight asked curiously as Mario just stayed quiet as he stood next to her. They had just left when Rainbow realized something.

"You know, I think Twilight's right," said Rainbow.

"You do?" Applejack asked in surprise.

"Yeah!" Rainbow answered, "if you wanna beat me, you better...RUUUN!" Rainbow took off and Applejack soon followed.

"Once again, Rainbow Dash and Applejack are neck and neck," Pinkie announced, "jockeying for position. Applejack inches ahead, now it's Rainbow, it's Applejack, it's Rainbow Dash, it's Applejack-" This back and forth continued as the saw the finish line was approaching. Then Rainbow bumped into Applejack. Applejack grunted as she was knocked to the side.

"Oh no," she di'int!" Spike remarked. Then Applejack bumped Rainbow back.

"Oh, yes, she di'id!" Pinkie remarked as Rainbow bumped her again.

"Cut it out!" Applejack shouted as she bumped Rainbow back.

"No, you cut it out!" Rainbow remarked as she gave Applejack another hard bump.

"You started it," Applejack shot back as they continued to bump each other.

"And now I'm gonna finish it," Rainbow snapped.

"On no you won't!" said Applejack.

"Oh yes, I will," Rainbow grunted as Applejack bumped him so hard that the rope around Rainbow's wings broke and they opened up freely.

"That's it!" Rainbow said angrily, "All bets are off!" Rainbow was about to fly her way to the finish.

"Oh no you don't," Applejack yelled as she jumped high into the air and tackled Rainbow to the ground. The two ponies continued to tussle with each other, kicking up a cloud of smoke around them as they made their way toward the finish line.

"It's Applejack, it's Rainbow Dash, it's Applejack, it's Rainbow Dash-" Pinkie called out, but nopony could tell who was in the lead with the cloud of dust surrounding them as they both crossed the finish line before finally untangling from each other. Both ponies were looking very roughed up and both their fur, tails, and manes were frazzled.

"I won!" Rainbow shouted.

"No, I won!" Applejack retorted.

"I won!" Rainbow repeated loudly.

"You tied!" Spike announced.

"Tied?!" Applejack and Rainbow said in shock.

"For first?" Applejack asked.

"For last?!" Pinkie announced.

"Last?!" Applejack said in shock.

"Then who won?" Rainbow asked. That was when Twilight came up to them, wearing a medal around her neck. Applejack and Rainbow's jaws dropped.

"You?!" The two ponies exclaimed.

"Oh no, but I did get fifth place," said Twilight, "which is rather good considering I've never run a race before."

"Then who won?" Applejack asked. That was when Mario appeared towards them wearing a medal of his own, except his medal had a "1" on it.

"What?!" Applejack and Rainbow exclaimed, "Mario!?"

"How that's even possible?" Applejack asked.

"You two ran so slow," Rainbow pointed out, "and looked at the scenery."

"Exactly, I paced myself," said Twilight, "just like my book said and from what Mario taught me. Then at the end, when all the ponies were worn out, I sprinted to the finish."

"Last year's model huh?" Mario retorted, "I held back so much during this race and yet, I still won!" Applejack and Rainbow were dumbfounded.

"He's right about holding back," said Twilight, "He wasn't even going to try winning because he didn't want to leave me behind. After I gave him a supportive push, he sped down to the finish line."

"I don't believe it," said Rainbow in disbelief, "Twilight and Mario beat us. And Mario did it running slow!"

"Well, with all your horsing around, it was quite easy," said Twilight and Mario nodded in agreement. Applejack and Rainbow just looked rather guilty.

"You're right, Twilight and Mario," said Applejack, "Our behavior was just terrible."

"We weren't very good sports," said Rainbow. It was then some ponies in the background began to bow. For Princess Celestia had arrived.

"Sounds to me that an important lesson was learned," said the princess as she approached the four ponies.

"Princess Celestia?!" Applejack and Rainbow said together as the four ponies gave her welcoming bow.

"W-what are you doin' here?" Applejack asked curiously once they stood back up.

"Fall is one of my favorite seasons," said Princess Celestia, "so I came to celebrate the Running of the Leaves."

"I'm sorry you had to see us being such poor sports," said Applejack sadly.

"That's all right, Applejack," Princess Celestia answered, "Anypony can get swept up in the competition. Isn't that right Mario?" Mario blushed a little and chuckled sheepishly as rubbed a hoof in the dirt. The three girls chuckled to themselves.

"It's important to remember that the friendship is always more important than the competition," said Twilight.

"No amount of winning can ever replace a true friend," Mario added.

"Exactly, Twilight and Mario," Princess Celestia answered, "Now, unfortunately, because the two of you were busy tricking each other instead of shaking down leaves, many of the lovely trees of Equestria are still covered." Applejack and Rainbow just smiled to each other.

"Why Princess, I bet we can knock those leaves down for you lickety-split," said Applejack and turned to Rainbow, "Whaddya say, friend? Wanna go for another run?"

"I'd love to stretch my legs," said Rainbow, flapping her wings excitedly, "Hey Mario, wanna join us? Put that speed of yours to good use?" Mario smiled.

"Let's run!" Mario answered. Princess Celestia and Twilight smiled as Rainbow and Applejack ran side by side through the collection of leaved trees as Mario led the way, but made no effort to try and outrace them. This run wasn't about winning...

...it was about spending time with good friends.

FYI: Mario has a good signing voice, but just his song timing was...not good. Anyway...

Peace Pony Fans