The last several months have been extremely quiet but there were a few highlights. I was able to catch up with Trixie whenever possible as our love grew stronger, my friendships with the other mares were improving too, but my visits with the Princess were beginning to happen less and less often. I wanted to know why, but there wouldn't be a chance at all.

I woke up one late morning, I looked on out to see all the trees have orange leaves, it was Autumn/Fall time in Equestria and there was a tradition that I know happens once every year, an event called the Running Of The Leaves, where we all race through the forest, blowing the leaves off the trees. I haven't taken part in one yet, but this year, I wanted to and to make the most of it...if I could get my wings strapped for me so I won't cheat.

I walked on out to see Dash speeding past my house and to Sweet Apple Acres, I wanted to know why and was it necessary. When I flew up and landed outside the farm, I found Dash and Applejack beginning a game of horseshoes.

"Howdy there, Bond, are you gettin' yourself fit and trained for tomorrow?" Applejack asked as I approached them both.

"I sure am, and it explains why I have been eating a lot of healthy apples for a reason." I smirked.

"Nice one, sugarcube." she then looked at Dash, "Okay Dash, your turn first."

Rainbow Dash threw her first horseshoe and it landed near the stake.

"Whoo-hoo!" Dash yelled excitedly.

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

"Oh yeah, think you can do better, cowgirl?"

"Ah know ah can."

Applejack threw a horseshoe but wasn't as close as Dash's first throw.

"Oh for Pete's sake."

Dash giggled, "Looks like this pegasus can pitch better than the work horse." Dash sneered, "The object of the game is to get the closest to the stake."

"Alright, alright, you got another throw there, ponygirl."

Dash grabbed her second horseshoe and threw it too fast it hit a shed window.

"Wow Rainbow, you couldn't hit a barn door with that kind of a throw." Applejack said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Yeah, yeah, I still have the closest throw, applesnack. Just try and beat it."

Applejack threw her second horseshoe and with a bit luck, it wrapped around the stake.

"Yee-haw!" she yelled, "It's a ringer, that's how we do it down here on the farm."

"I lost." Dash said depressingly.

"Oh don't feel bad, Rainbow, it's all in good fun,"

"I hate losing."

"Besides, you're a mighty good athlete." Applejack complimented before adding, "Ah'm just better."

"Alright Applejack, you think you're the top athlete in all of Ponyville?"

"Ah was gonna say in all of Equestria, but that might be gilding the lilly." she then waved her tail in Dash's face.

"And I think I'm the top athlete, so let's prove it."

"Prove what?"

"I challenge you to an iron-pony comeptition." Dash declared which caught Applejack's full attention. " A series of athletic contests that will decide who's the best, once and for all."

"You know what Rainbow? You're on!"

They then spit on their hooves and did a marehoof...which was kinda gross to me.

"Ewww gross, spitting on hooves is so 1993." I commented, "Girls, aren't you taking this a bit too far?"

"Oh don't worry about us, sugarcube." Applejack assured.

"It's just a cool and awesome comeptition." Dash added.

"Well, I'll go and get Twilight, I'm sure she'll want to be involved in setting up the challenges." I said as I flew off.

I had found Twilight with Spike in town by coincidence, I swooped down towards them.

"Oh hi Bond, what you're up to?" she asked.

"Looking for you, actually. I was wondering if you could help set up a few challenges for Applejack and Rainbow Dash." I explained.

"What kind of challenges?"

"You'll have to come with me to hear for yourself."

"Okay, I'll come along."

Twilight, Spike and I then walked towards the farm, only to find AJ and Dash were both doing stretches.

"Hey there you two, so you're both doing what now?" Twilight asked.

"An iron-pony comeptition." Dash answered.

"See, we need a few ponies to set up a bunch of events to decide which one of us is-"

"Is the most athletic pony ever!" Dash finished, cutting Applejack off.

"And I'm here to..." Twilight was interrupted.

"Umm, uhh, I don't know." Dash said. "Why is she here?"

"To be our judge and keep score." Applejack explained.

"Right, somepony's gotta record my awesomeness for the history books."

Looks like Rainbow the boaster is back...she'll learn it all over again soon.

Soon, a series of challenges were made around Sweet Apple Acres and all seven of us and Spike were attending.

"Hello everypony and welcome to the first annual Iron Pony comeptition!" Spike announced on Twilight's back.

"Uhh Spike, who are you talking to?" Twilight asked.

"Me!" I said, "I'm a member of the audience." I waved from an empty bench with only me sitting on it.

Soon, we were all here, it felt great to be altogether in our group again, we haven't had one for a long while.

"Let the games begin!" Spike declared.

All of us cheered, minus Twilight and the first event was about to start which was the barrel weave.

"Ready, set, go!" Twilight said.

Applejack went first, moving quick between the barrels but she touched one of them before crossing the line.

"Wow, 17 seconds." Spike commented.

"17 seconds? That beats my record from last year's rodeo."

"But you got a 5-second penalty for nudging the barrel."

"Oh nuts and shoes. Still, that's 22 seconds, not too shabby."

Dash was beginning to sweat buckets, maybe she's changed her mind over all this?

"Hey, don't be nervous. Remember, it's all in good fun. Now get on up there!" Applejack assured.

"Ready, set, go!"

Dash then zoomed by and finished it in breakneck speed time...well apart from the neck-breaking, that'll never happen here.

"Whew! That was some fancy hoof-work, Rainbow." Applejack complimented.

"Thanks." Dash panted. "But, I couldn't have been as fast as you."

"What was the time on that, Spike?"

"16 seconds!"

That looked more like 5 seconds to me...guess logic's gone out the window at this point, ah well, it was fun while it lasted.

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

"Rainbow Dash wins the barrel weave." Twilight declared as Fluttershy placed an apple slab with a number 1 on it next to Dash's name on a wooden scoreboard.

"I can't believe I won." Dash bragged slightly.

"Yeah well, don't go getting used to it." Applejack remarked,

Soon, every other challenged followed and a crowd was beginning to take shape, with the Apple Family now on the benches with me, before several other ponies showed up and the support between both of the mares was split down the middle. Of course, I didn't wish to root for either, I just wanted to sit back and enjoy the action.

"Fillies and gentlecolts!" Spike announced. "At the halfway point, our competitors are tied with five and five."

"Who are you talking to?" Twilight asked in confusion.

"Them!"

Woah! There were even more ponies around with several pegasuses from Cloudsdale now watching the comeptition. Many more challenges passed and I was beginning to see Dash using her wings to win a lot of the challenges.

The final challenge passed and Dash had won by a landslide with 15 points to Applejack's 5 points.

"I am the iron pony!" Dash declared herself.

"Only cause you cheated!" Applejack remarked.

"What?" Dash then flew close to Applejack's face.

"You used your wing power to help you win over half those contests."

"Sounds like sour apples to me."

"Are you saying you didn't use your wings?"

"Well no, but you never said I couldn't use my wings."

"Ah didn't think ah needed to tell ya to play fair."

"I still would've won, without my wings."

"Then, maybe you can prove it." I added as I stepped in.

"Gladly, how?"

"Tomorrow's the annual running of the leaves, ah challenge you to race me in it."

"Hah, easy peasy." Dash sneered.

"Hold on, there is one condition. The point is to RUN, so no wings allowed!" Applejack exclaimed.

"No wings, no problem."

They then did the gross spit-hoof again...I for one would be glad when tomorrow's event was over.

----------------------------------------

The next day came by and several ponies were getting ready to race. I turned up with a number shown on both sides of my flank, looks like I was number 8.

"Bond, are you racing in the event?" Applejack asked.

"I sure am and I will NOT use my wings for this one." I stated.

"Well, at least ah know ah can trust you on that one."

I smiled until Dash turned up.

"Pardon me, excuse me. Make way for the Iron Pony."

"The Iron phony, you mean." Applejack responded, losing her smile.

"So, Applejack, you ready to win second place?"

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

"Yeah, yeah..."

"You are not allowed to use your wings!" Applejack assured.

"I could win this race with both wings tied behind my back." Rainbow Dash bragged.

Applejack had this seductive look on her face. She grabbed a rope nearby and literally tied Rainbow Dash's wings, making sure she is unable to fly. "Trussed up like a turkey. Well, a turkey who can't fly, that is."

"Very funny." Rainbow Dash responded, sarcastically.

"Least now we know we're racin' fair and square."

Trumpets sounded throughout the area.

"Racers! Please take your positions!" We heard Pinkie Pie announce.

Spike came out of nowhere, in front of us, and called out to Pinkie Pie. "Um... Pinkie Pie?"

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

"Uh, yeah. 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?"

"Aw... Forget it." Spike began walking away, but Pinkie Pie called after him.

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

"We could?" Spike replied, excited.

"Climb on up." Pinkie Pie tossed a rope, which Spike grabbed and began climbing on to the balloon.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, I readied ourselves into our positions, but all of a sudden, Twilight jumped into the starting line with us.

"Twilight? What in tarnation are you doing up here?" Applejack asked.

"I'm racing." Twilight responded.

Rainbow Dash laughed. "Good one, Twilight!"

"I'm not joking." Twilight replied, keeping her positive mood.

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

"I am not an egghead, I am well read."

"Egghead" Rainbow Dash whispered over to Applejack who began snickering.

"Now come on you two, be nice to the pony who brought all of us together against the face of evil!" I intervened with a firm tone. "May I also remind you that if it wasn't for me saving you all, you wouldn't be here!"

Applejack and Rainbow Dash then felt ashamed.

"You're right, Bond...sorry, Twilight." Applejack apologized.

"Now that's better."

"All right, ponies, are you ready?" Pinkie yelled

"Get set." Spike added.

Every pony took their position. The drums rolled and the bell finally rung. I took off and with my impressive alicorn endurance, I took the early lead, much to Applejack's and Dash's shocked expressions.

"And they're off!" I heard from Pinkie Pie. "Welcome to the official coverage of the Running of the Leaves!" Pinkie Pie announced as she hovered above us in her balloon. "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, it's the running of the ponies that causes the leaves to fall." Spike responded.

Many leaves from the trees fell as we continued running through. "Ugh. Those lazy, lazy leaves. But this year, the 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."

I currently remained in the lead with Applejack and Rainbow Dash not far behind me, a few minutes in and I didn't feel any sign of slowing down at all.

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

"Yes, and 'grudge' rhymes with 'fudge'."

"Yes it... does. What?"

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

"So... no fudge?"

"Oh, no thanks. I had a big breakfast. Let's check in with our two competitive ponies, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Having come fast out of the gate, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are evenly matched for second running neck in neck with Bond Racer, the only alicorn in the race still in the lead and is now increasing the gap. But what's this? Applejack is making a move, she's now ahead for second place by a nose. But Rainbow Dash pulls at Applejack's have-it and takes second. 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!" Pinkie Pie described exactly what was going on between the two.

I could only giggle inside at Pinkie's random commenting, but I didn't let that phase me as I stayed focused on the footpath in front of me. I then leapt over a rock, good thing I watched where I was going, but then I heard a pony feel to the ground, no guess as to who it was. I looked back quickly and saw Dash now galloping faster and trying to overtake me.

"Watch out, Bond. I'm about to prove why I am more awesome than you!" she yelled back.

I didn't answer, I kept on racing and soaking up the enjoyment I was having. It had been a very long time since I did a running event, I never had one of those since I left the Fillydelpia state school. Then I saw Applejack suddenly overtake Dash and was now behind me.

"How are you not tired yet, Bond?" Applejack exclaimed.

"I'm an alicorn, remember? I have more endurance than an earth pony and look, no wings!" I boasted as I picked up the pace slightly without a scratch. I looked forward and leapt over a tree stump, I was sure that Dash would trip up and one thud later, that confirmed it. But I did have one question, where was Twilight? Ah well, guess I'll find out at the finish line. I came across two paths, the arrow sign above pointed right which was where I went and by then, it was a little quiet with barely any hoof-beat noises made behind me. Guess the other ponies started to get tired and all slowed down. However, I remembered the story about the tortoise and the hare, so I kept on going and by this point, I was beginning to break a sweat but I was still durable enough to keep going. Few minutes later, I was starting to feel tired but then in the distance, I saw a white banner, this must be the finish line. So I made one last quicker pace of gallop and sprinted through the finish line!

"Bond Racer has crossed the finish line, the pony who took part for the first time has won first place!"

"I won something? HURRAH!" I shouted with happiness.

I then stopped to a halt afterwards and let out a huge sigh, trying to catch my breath. I then turned around to see a lot of the other ponies sprinting to the finish line, Twilight was among them however and she crossed the line in 5th place, she then stopped to see me.

"Wow! Bond Racer, you won. Congratulations!" She exclaimed in joy, offering a hug.

I accepted the hug, "Thanks Twilight, I'm proud of you for coming 5th place, your studying must've helped."

She nodded.

We then looked back at the rest of the ponies finishing the race and they all looked exhausted...Applejack and Dash didn't turn up yet, but just then, we saw them both crossing the finishing line and they looked to be in rough shape. Twilight and I shook our heads and giggled.

"Ah won!" Applejack stated.

"No, I won!" Rainbow Dash argued.

"You tied!" Spike announced.

"TIED?" Rainbow Dash and Applejack exclaimed in unison.

"For first?" Applejack asked.

"For last!" Pinkie Pie answered.

"LAST?" Applejack shouted, shocked.

"Then who won?" Rainbow Dash questioned.

Spike and Pinkie Pie walked over to me.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, your winner of the race is Bond Racer!" Pinkie raised my hoof in the air.

Everypony else cheered...well they tried to as most of them were still tired from the race.

Spike gave me a gold medal and a small trophy. Twilight got a medal as well with 'Top 5' marked on it.

"What about Twilight?" I heard Rainbow Dash. "How come SHE has a medal?"

"I got fifth place, which is rather good considering that I've never run a race before." Twilight walked over to me and congratulated me.

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

"You ran so slow, and looked at the scenery!" Rainbow Dash added.

"Exactly. I paced myself, just like my book said. Then at the end, when all the other ponies were worn out, I sprinted to the finish." Twilight explained.

"I don't believe it. Twilight and Bond Racer beat us." Rainbow Dash exclaimed, surprised.

"Well, with all your horsing around, it was quite easy."

I then performed a rim-shot with drums and cymbals from out of nowhere.

"You're right, Twilight. Our behaviour was just terrible." Applejack admitted.

"We weren't very good sports." Rainbow Dash added.

Every pony suddenly gasped and bowed.

"Sounds to me like an important lesson was learned."

"PRINCESS CELESTIA?" Rainbow Dash and Applejack cried out as the rest of us bowed in her presence.

"Princess, I haven't seen you for a while. What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Fall is one of my favourite 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.

"That's all right, Applejack. Anypony can get swept up in the excitement of competition." Princess Celestia accepted the apology.

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

"Exactly, Twilight. 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." Princess Celestia looked over at the covered trees.

"Why, Princess, I bet we can knock those leaves down for you lickety-split. What do you say, friend? Wanna go for another run?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash.

"I'd love to stretch my legs." They both sprinted towards another group of covered trees to finish the job.

"Bond Racer, congratulations on winning the race. Regardless of your alicorn status, you won the race fair and square." Celestia complimented.

"Thank you, Princess. This was the first time I ever took part, I never believed I would win. I guess I have my endurance to thank for."

"Indeed you do, I must now return to Canterlot. I will see you all soon."

Celestia then began to fly off.

"Bye Princess." I said to her, waving. "Well, guess I better go back home and take a rest."

"Good idea, Bond, you deserve it." Twilight agreed.

Soon, I walked on back to the town and it was already the sun was beginning to set.

I noticed Rarity in town and greeted her.

"Oh hey Bond darling, is that a running of the leaves trophy?" Rarity asked.

"It sure is, I won it today."

"Congratulations dear, you deserve a suit, sewn by me." she suggested, "I will make it first thing tomorrow and I'll take no other answer."

"Really? Goodness! Thank you Rarity, I'll drop by tomorrow. See you then."

"Fabulous, same to you, dear."

I smiled as I opened the door into my home. I placed my trophy where I had room on my shelf and I hanged the medal around it. I then went straight up to bed and recapped on yesterday and today. I never realised how much Applejack and Rainbow Dash could get themselves deep in competition with each other, it's no wonder they didn't focus and ended up joint last. However it seems that they learnt their lesson and did very well, blowing down the rest of the leaves.

As I began to sleep, I learnt one other thing from today...reading about running is better than exercising...I think. Next Chapter: Suited For Success Estimated time remaining: 26 Hours, 46 Minutes