A few months have passed since Apple Bloom met Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and formed the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It is now autumn again... since duh.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were playing horseshoes at Sweet Apple Acres. It was a decent game of horseshoes. Unlike the Prime Universe Writers who seem to have forgotten this detail, this author didn't forget it. The CMC also decided to come along and watch mainly since Scootaloo. Apple Bloom was cheering on her older sister since... duh, and Scootaloo was cheering on Rainbow Dash. As for Sweetie Belle... she was sort of dragged along with the other two. It was sort of a two to one vote. The poor younger sister of Rarity just wanted to sit down and relax for some tea or a picnic that day since she had a stressful school day but she was dragged into this. Applejack then won the horseshoes game by a ringer. Rainbow Dash of course wasn't one who likes losing.

I hate losing... it's so uncool. I can't let Spike see this!

Unfortunately for Rainbow Dash's thoughts, it was at this point that Twilight Sparkle and Spike trotted/walked in.

Why me...

"Hey girls~ What's up?" Spike winked at the Apple Sisters which elicited a blush from both of them.

"Mah sis just beat Rainbow Dash in a game of horseshoes!" Apple Bloom cheerfully responded.

Theme.

Rainbow Dash just grumbled at that statement. Sweetie Belle perked up a little bit at the sight of Spike. Twilight, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack then were chatting about the games that Applejack and Rainbow Dash were playing to prove their strength. They suggested if Applejack and Rainbow Dash really wanted to find out who was superior in physical strength, they should do this competition called the "Iron Pony Competition". The two of them agreed to it and would compete the next day once all of the stuff has been set up. Twilight was ready to go back to the Library after stretching out a bit. Rainbow Dash had promised Scootaloo to spend time with her as the young filly looked up to her THAT much. Applejack and Apple Bloom had to do some chores. Sweetie Belle pouted as she was going to be left alone again like usual since her older sister usually has orders to complete. (Too convenient for the plot? Eh... I don't know.) It was at this point that Twilight and Spike took notice of the depressed filly. The two of them had a small chat.

"Twilight, looks like Sweetie Belle is feeling very down, I think we should cheer her up," Spike asked.

Twilight of course knew that this was the younger sister of Rarity. She was just surprised at how much of a caretaker she essentially was to Apple Bloom and soon to be Sweetie Belle. One would think that the younger fillies with older sisters would have good older sisters, but alas, one of them is a bit stubborn while the other is just constantly busy. As a good friend, Twilight knew she had to do something about this.

"Alright Spike, you've got me in too," Twilight agreed.

They trailed behind Sweetie Belle who was too busy sulking similarly to Apple Bloom in Season 1 Episode 4. In fact, Sweetie Belle ended up on the very same hill that Apple Bloom confessed to Spike on.

"Why is it that I have to be one of the different ones in the crusaders? *sigh*" Sweetie Belle moped.

"Well when you first met them, you had a lot more in common than you think," Twilight appeared from behind the tree along with Spike.

"Whoa! Twilight, didn't know you were here. Hi Spike!" Sweetie Belle perked up slightly.

"You know, you, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are lucky to have each other. Just like how I am very different from Pinkie Pie, we are all friends even if we don't see things on the same level. What I'm thinking is just that there's a better balance of personalities in say... my group of friends compared to yours. But that does not mean that you are left out either now does it? No matter what the rest of the crusaders always ask you to join right?" Twilight explained.

"I guess you got a point, it's just I had a rough day and it felt like everything went downhill."

"Well, as you can tell, me and Spike seem to have noticed that. We were wondering if you'd like to join us for lunch," Twilight asked, feeling her stomach rumble as she thought of another succulent sandwich...

mmmm... sandwich... NO! Not a Daffodil and Daisy sandwich!

Sweetie Belle noticed Twilight visibly drooling at the thought of food.

That sounds fun actually, why not? Lunch with the alpha mare and the drake I'm interested in joining? I'm hungry also anyways.

"Sure Twilight!" Sweetie Belle squeaked, "oh, and you are also drooling."

"Oh what? Ah... darn it. Let's go! I'm feeling like the Hay Burger today," Twilight snapped out of her daze and magicked off the drool.

"The Hay Burger?! I love that place! Rarity doesn't let me go there often since 'I have to watch my diet' and all of that stuff," Sweetie Belle excitedly exclaimed.

Spike and Twilight could only smile that they have made a friend's day much better. The three of them trotted/walked off to the Hay Burger.

Transition to the Hay Burger.

Twilight decided to order like crazy as usual. She ordered a XL hay burger with a XL hay fries along with a XL cola for a soft drink. Sweetie Belle ordered a large of the same three items. Spike decided to order the same as Sweetie Belle. They sat down at one of the tables and began to eat... well for Twilight gorge might be a more fitting word.

"Wow! I didn't know I was that hungry!" Twilight giggled as she devoured her meal.

"Whoa Twilight, I didn't know you ate like Pinkie Pie!" Sweetie Belle mused.

"What can I say? Me and her have our similarities too you know."

I can now better understand why Apple Bloom looked up to Twilight almost as much as Scootaloo does to Rainbow Dash, at least not in an ogling way. I would almost go as far as to say she was as good as Rarity, but well... that's pushing it. Twilight is one of those highly trustworthy ponies. Her good nature probably would come with the amount of discipline she has from being Celestia's protege, well at least from what my sister tells me when she isn't busy. It can easily be seen rubbing off on our friends as well. In fact after Twilight came, Pinkie Pie was noticeably more calm and collected. Still hyper, but a more controlled hyper. It is a great thing to know that she is the alpha of this Harem I'm so interested in.

That thought alone was enough to bring Sweetie Belle's smile back completely. She was happy and content.

The trio then chatted away about things. Sweetie Belle and Spike of course ate quite civilized. It then got to the point that Spike decided to feed Sweetie Belle some of his hay fries in quite the cute display. He was ready to start making his moves.

I like this filly, didn't know Rarity had quite the gem for a sister *blush*. I know that she would be right for me in the Harem since she is sweet like her namesake. Each mare/filly in my harem is unique in their own way, and I am glad to have all of them. Amazingly they are all friends as well which is quite an interesting thought. Eh... no matter, the reader is probably getting frustrated with this existential stuff.

So sweet~ I can tell why he has a Harem and not just one mare. Even Pinkie Pie told me some of her stories which I also found quite cute. Didn't know that the party pony had a soft side as well.

Twilight at this point could easily tell that Spike was quite interested in Sweetie Belle as much as she was interested in him. The two just looked adorable together in a similar way that Apple Bloom and Spike do.

When the trio of them finished their lunch, Twilight, knowing that Sweetie Belle and Spike's feelings were quite mutual in the same sense that his feelings for all of the mares he's already with including herself, she decided that a nice stroll through the Ponyville Park was in order. It was so. Sweetie Belle was quite the happy filly that day. She was the type to admire natural beauty and just be curious in general.

Just then, a butterfly flew past. Sweetie Belle started chasing and jumping after at in such a cute manner the reader probably isn't here at their desk anymore and needs medical attention...

When the reader came back from their medical attention, Spike also joined the young unicorn filly in chasing down the butterfly. Twilight just giggled as she watched the autumn leaves fall around the two young ones. It was just beautiful. At least it was all fun and games until Spike and Sweetie Belle tripped over each other and landed on top of each other. It was then confession time.

"Um... Spike?" Sweetie Belle squeaked softly.

"Yes Ms. Sweetie Belle?" Spike addressed her correctly which elicited a blush from her.

"I really did enjoy meeting you some months ago, and also you have never stopped being sweet. You're Sweet Spike. I would love to join your Harem if it's alright with you and Twilight."

"Well I have a small confession as well. You are quite sweet too like your namesake. For you to be able to impress me with this huge of a Harem size is quite the thing. I say that is a yes from me, right Twilight?" the two were still on top of each other when Twilight heard that statement.

Twilight Sparkle was already totally on the yes track even before this confession. Sweetie Belle was a filly she also had to watch over along with Apple Bloom since her supposed role model Rarity wouldn't always be available to help her. And again as mentioned in a previous episode, the only company Twilight ever had was her brother. She was alone for so many years just with Spike. It was time and her chance for her to show what a good friend she can be to Rarity by taking care/foalsitting Sweetie Belle when the fashion unicorn was busy with an order. It wasn't the most ideal situation for the unicorn, but it would have to do. Everything was lined up in her head.

"Well Spike, the answer is yes. In fact, the answer has been yes for quite a long time, I've seen how knowledgeable Sweetie Belle is and how caring she is over you. There is no doubt in my head if that's what you are asking," Twilight smiled.

They said yes! They said yes! *squee* SO HAPPY!

"Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes! Thank you Twilight!" Sweetie Belle chirped and hopped around like a happy filly... since she was a happy filly... literally...

This of course reminded Twilight of the time she got her cutie mark, to which she smiled a contented grin. The sun was starting to set at this point. Sweetie Belle and Spike were tuckered out from chasing that butterfly as well as the long days that they had. Twilight levitated both of them over her back and trotted back to the Carousel Boutique to drop Sweetie Belle off. As Twilight was trotting through Ponyville, she of course admired the sunset again. It was quite an adorable moment as one would put it.

Twilight then arrived at said location and knocked on the door with a fist of magic. Rarity, having been finished with all the work she was going to do on the order answered the door.

"Oh, hi Twilight, what brings you here this evening?" Rarity greeted.

Twilight just turned to the side to reveal the sleeping Spike and Sweetie Belle that were over her back. Of course Rarity would react when seeing such an adorable sight.

*squee* Wahaha! That is so adorable!

"So Twilight, I take it that you took care of Sweetie Belle this entire day? Since if so you have many thanks from me for keeping her busy while I work busily on this order."

"Yep, I may have taken her to the Hay Burger as one of the things we did, but hey, you gotta loosen up a bit on her diet. The poor thing deserves to be treated once in a while."

"*sigh*, alright Twilight, but no promises. After all, I do most of the cooking here and... Sweetie Belle... eh... I don't want to talk about that."

After a little bit more of conversation Sweetie Belle was dropped off back with Rarity. It was then that Rarity decided to ask Twilight for a small favor.

"Um Twilight darling, if it isn't too much to ask... can you watch over Sweetie Belle when I am really busy with my orders?"

"Of course Rarity, that's what friends are for. Not to mention I think she'll be quite happy to spend more time with Spike."

"Oh? Why would that be."

I feel like the answer is obvious...

"Sweetie Belle is dating Spike as well."

*Record Scratch*

Oh. This is awkward and interesting, me and my sister dating the same drake... no matter Rarity! She's already older than Spike so just let that thought go to the side now.

"Oh. I see. That's interesting."

"Yeps, well Rarity, have a good night's sleep you hear? I'll pick up Sweetie Belle tomorrow since you still have more of that order to do right?"

"Ah, yes, that would be nice. And sleep well too alright?"

After they said their farewells Twilight took her sleeping drakefriend back to her home. She had a light dinner and coaxed Spike to have some food as well and of course, they went to sleep in each other's embrace.

Transition to the next day, the day of the Iron Pony Competition.

It was now the day of the Iron Pony Competition. Spike had planned on waking up early that day. Now why would a dragon like Spike want to wake up early? It's not like there is anything really special that happens in the morning... aside from early bird specials. Well esteemed reader, Spike wanted to treat his marefriends. He had saved up bits for the occasion. Lucky for him, the flower stand opened early. He spruced his looks up (including a shower and a spine polishing) before walking out of the Golden Oaks Library to get some flowers. He counted up his marefriends: Apple Bloom, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Sweetie Belle. That was 7 roses that he was going to buy. He of course did so. He brought the 7 well packaged flowers back home and set them somewhere that Twilight Sparkle, his first marefriend wouldn't find it. He proceeded to cook up himself and Twilight quite the big breakfast of... whatever the reader is hungry for that doesn't include meat. He also prepared a few cucumber sandwiches for the other 6 marefriends since he wasn't going to cut any corners on treating them.

It was then that Twilight arose from her slumber. She didn't find Spike next to her like most of the other days. She paid no attention to it since she was too groggy. She went through her morning routine of a shower and hair brushing... or magicking. She then went down the stairs to see Spike greeting her at the bottom holding out a rose to her. Twilight blushed as she took the rose in her magic.

"It's beautiful Spike, thank you," she whispered as she gave him a hug.

"Of course Ms. Twilight Sparkle, after all it's been over a year, and before you ask the occasion... I'll just answer with why not? There is no need to specify a day to do anything special you know."

"Good point Spike. Anyways, are we ready for breakfast?" Twilight asked.

"You bet it is!"

Twilight was a bit surprised when Spike held her seat out for her. She was also surprised that the plate in front of her was considerably bigger than she was normally accustomed to along with the fact that it was covered. When Spike lifted her plate's lid, her eyes dilated and sparkled. It was a great breakfast that she had never seen before. She gave Spike quite the passionate kiss for how much she was being treated. It almost border-lined on making out, but they were civilized citizens. After that almost heated session, the two of them ate their breakfast and chatted about things. Spike of course told Twilight of the 6 other roses and cucumber sandwiches. She was quite impressed that the quite young drake would do all of that for them. Her friends were in for quite the surprise. Twilight put the rose in her mane in a manner that it looked quite nice.

After that very VERY hearty breakfast of... reader's choice, they decided to go fetch their friends as well as have Spike deliver their gifts. Going down the list of the order they were inducted into the Harem, skipping Apple Bloom and Applejack since they were already at their final destination, they decided to stop at Fluttershy's cottage first. Spike knocked on the door with a rose in his claw. When Fluttershy answered, she gasped at the sight of a kneeling Spike holding out a rose to her. She immediately blushed really red.

"Oh... my.. Spike you didn't have to do this you know."

"Why not my dear Fluttershy? I don't see anything wrong with this. After all, you do deserve the best! Right? Yeah? No? I mean I didn't do this for no reason ya know."

That was all the convincing Fluttershy needed, she took the rose gratefully. Spike then handed her a cucumber sandwich. Since Fluttershy had yet to eat breakfast, she was so happy to have such a delicacy for the meal. Fluttershy also gave Spike a peck on the lips. Twilight then came in and explained that they were also there to pick her up to go watch Rainbow Dash and Applejack compete against each other in the Iron Pony Competition. Fluttershy was content to be able to be treated this well. Receiving a rose and a nice breakfast from the drake along with essentially another escort was one of the greatest gifts she ever received.

Oh I am such a happy little mare right now~

The three of them decided to continue down the list stopping at Rarity and Sweetie Belle's place. Fluttershy having finished the cucumber sandwich on the stroll there and putting the rose in her mane in a similar manner to Twilight. Again, Spike knocked on the door but didn't hold a rose since he was going to present to both of them. Rarity of course answered.

"Oh, hello Spikey-Wikey! What brings you here today?" Rarity excitedly greeted.

"Is Sweetie Belle also in? I have a little something for both of you~" Spike charmed.

"Why yes your fillyfriend is in."

Oh? Sweetie Belle also got in on the drake? CUTE! *squee*

Of course Spike, Twilight, and Fluttershy all entered as Sweetie Belle came down the stairs.

"Oh! Hi Spike!" Sweetie Belle galloped up and tackled Spike in a hug.

Spike just chuckled.

"Hello there Ms. Sweetie Belle," Spike ran a claw through her mane.

Sweetie Belle then got off of Spike.

"So what brings most of the Harem here today?" Rarity asked.

"Well Rarity and Sweetie Belle, I have something for the both of you," Spike matter-of-factly stated.

He then pulled out from... hammer-space... two roses.

"For the lovely ladies," Spike commented.

WAHAHA! YES YES YES!

Even after one day Spike is being a gentle drake! *squee*

Rarity took a rose in her magic while Sweetie Belle took a rose in her hoof.

"Thank you, you are quite the gentle drake to us," Rarity spoke for the two of them.

"Oh, that's not all you know."

"Oh?"

Spike pulled out two cucumber sandwiches.

"Spike! You didn't have to you know, these are one of my favorite snacks you know. It's not often that we get to have such a delicacy you know," Rarity exclaimed.

"Ooo! Same here!" Sweetie Belle chirped in.

"Well thought I'd treat you to a small breakfast you know," Spike explained.

"You're sweet Spike," Sweetie Belle cooed.

The two sisters then gave Spike a kiss, one mare/filly to each cheek. Again the roses went into their manes and they enjoyed the succulent cucumber sandwiches. Twilight of course explained why they were there and Rarity explained to them that she finished her order a lot earlier than expected since she read the amount she had to make for the client wrong. The now almost full current Harem exited the Carousel Boutique after a small amount of chatting. While on their way to pick up Pinkie Pie however...

"HI! Whatcha got there Spike?" Pinkie Pie cheerfully jumped out of... (*Incoherent Mumbling*).

"WHOA!!!!" Spike exclaimed but didn't decide to question his (*Incoherent Mumbling*)-defying marefriend.

He then got out a rose and cucumber sandwich.

"Well... these are for you my dear," Spike presented it to her.

"Ooo! Thank you Spike!" Pinkie put the rose in her mane... somehow and chomped down the cucumber sandwich then gave Spike a kiss as well.

Pinkie remembered something.

"Oh yeah! Congratulations Sweetie Belle!" Pinkie gave said filly a hug while congratulating while the filly flushed.

They then continued on their way to Sweet Apple Acres after that... stuff while all of them were chatting about all their latest antics.

Transition to Sweet Apple Acres for the Iron Pony Competition.

The Harem minus Applejack and Apple Bloom arrived at Sweet Apple Acres where all of the Iron Pony Competition equipment has been fully set up. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo were all there. The Apple Sisters perked up when they saw Spike come up with the rest of the Harem.

"Hiya Spike!" Apple Bloom spoke with a toothy grin.

"Howdy!" Applejack spoke.

Spike then received a kiss from both of them in a similar manner to that which Sweetie Belle and Rarity did.

"Well thank you for that nice greeting, I have something for you two," Spike cheerfully spoke.

He pulled out the last two roses and held them out as he knelt.

"For the farmers~" Spike winked.

The Apple Sisters blushed as they took their respective roses and whispered their thank yous to him. Applejack stuck her rose into her trademarked hat while Apple Bloom opted for a similar manner to the rest of the Harem. Spike then gave them the cucumber sandwiches. Apple Bloom happily munched her's down and Applejack ate... like a normal pony.

"Thank ya kindly Spike, that was a nice refreshing snack before I compete against Rainbow," Applejack gave Spike a hug.

"This is good Spike! You really are a good cook ya know," Apple Bloom praised.

"I know, Twilight usually has me cook for the two of us surprisingly," Spike chuckled as Twilight flushed.

"HEY! I know I'm not the most adept culinary pony but I can do a decent job too!" Twilight pouted.

"It's okay Twilight," Spike patted Twilight's head as the rest of the mares/fillies giggled.

Of course Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were feeling a little left out of the loop, but both were happy/content when Spike at least gave them both a hug.

It then came time for the First Annual Iron Pony Competition to begin! Since again the author is being lazy, he will summarize what happened. Rainbow Dash cheated the system by using her wings. One would think that such a thing would cause an uproar from the Earth Ponies. But alas, no one in Ponyville would want to riot. Interestingly for a town full of ponies who fight over gold, they wouldn't mention the fact that Applejack was getting pummeled by Rainbow Dash all because of the Pegasus' wings. This was a discussion that the Harem plus Scootaloo had.

"*sigh* I thought Rainbow Dash would be the type to win fairly so she could gloat more," Apple Bloom sighed.

"Eh..." was all Scootaloo could comment.

Scootaloo didn't really like it either but was a bit scared that it would lose her "coolness" with Rainbow Dash. Anyways, Applejack was fuming after the tug-of-war game in which Rainbow lifted her into the hair via the rope then let her drop in the mud. She confronted Rainbow Dash.

"YOU CHEATED!" Applejack fumed.

"What?" Rainbow questioned.

"You used your wings to win over half of those contests!" Applejack rightfully accused.

"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 them."

"I didn't think I needed to tell ya to play fair!!!"

During this bickering Spike formed a negative opinion of Rainbow Dash.

Well she's not going to earn me anytime soon.

Rainbow Dash then formed a big ego.

"I still would have won without my wings," Rainbow cockily spoke.

"Hah! Prove it," Applejack continued on her finally logical tangent.

"Gladly. How?"

"Tomorrow is the annual Running of the Leaves. I challenge you to raise me in it. The ONE CONDITION is you are not allowed to use your wings."

"No wings? No problem."

They then sealed the deal with a spit hoofshake. And of course Rainbow Dash blew a raspberry at Applejack after. As for the Harem, they didn't really like what Rainbow Dash was doing to just win something... that doesn't really have an award attached to it. This would probably become a trend. (*cough* Mysterious Mare-Do-Well.) Anyways, all of Ponyville who was watching the Iron Pony Competition along with all of the Harem plus Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo went home after Applejack sealed the deal with Rainbow Dash. There was an understandable tension in the air as all of the ponies went to bed that day. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were known to be the two most adept and athletic of the citizens in Ponyville. To see them feuding over who is the best is quite the event. Not to mention adding that along with the Annual Running of the Leaves makes for a very big event... that was on short notice. Anyways, all the ponies went to sleep... since that's what ponies do when it's night time... unless they work overnight... and such.

The Harem all kept the roses that Spike gave them, Applejack in particular left the rose in her hat as a sort of good luck charm. And it should be mentioned that since they are ponies, they enjoyed them as a nice snack since it would be a shame to let a good flower rot instead of being put to good use. All of them could agree, a rose does make for quite the tasty treat. That along with the zesty and succulent cucumber sandwich meant that they all had a good night's rest.

Transition to the next day. It is now the Running of the Leaves.

The Ponyville citizens woke up and got ready. Today was the showdown between Applejack and Rainbow Dash... and of course the Running of the Leaves... like that is important to them. Twilight Sparkle awoke. It was another beautiful day. She was primed and ready. Now why would a pony like Twilight have to be primed? She was a simple pony for the most part. Well, she had opted to participate in the Running of the Leaves herself. She decided along with the Winter Wrap Up that she should try to get into Ponyville's culture if she was going to live here essentially permanently. Spike was supportive of the idea for the same reasons along with the fact that she'll be able to watch Rainbow Dash and Applejack to see if either of them cheated. Of course Spike cooked Twilight up a very very hearty breakfast again since she was going to need all the energy she could get if she wanted a chance at outdoing the two most athletic ponies... yep.

A similar scene happened with Applejack and Apple Bloom as well as Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Yes the young fillies knew how to cook, they aren't that incapable. Of course Applejack's breakfast consisted of... apple products... duh. Rainbow Dash's... eh... it was good food... whatever the Pegasus species eats.

When all the ponies have finished preparing, they all exited and went to the Whitetail Woods. Fluttershy and Rarity couldn't make it today since today was one of their scheduled Spa Dates. Yes, it was a lame excuse, but ship-y nonetheless. Sweetie Belle was picked up by Twilight and Spike which was a quite happy sight for her.

They all arrived at said destination. Pinkie Pie was there with the Twinkling Balloon. The balloon was being used for spectating purposes. She invited Spike and the CMC to join her in spectating. They weren't there for commentating since all the spectators were at the finish line, not on the running track. This was a mistake that it seems as if the Prime Universe Writers have overlooked. Anyways, Twilight went up to the starting line with her trusty and ironic number 42 label on her flank. Rainbow Dash had her wings tied by Applejack. The two athletic ponies were surprised to see Twilight entered in such a race.

"Twilight? What in tarnation are you doing here?" Applejack rightfully questioned.

"I'm racing!" Twilight cheerfully replies.

The farm pony and weather pony just laughed at the simple unicorn.

"*laughs* good one Twilight," Rainbow jokes.

"I'm not joking," Twilight matter-of-factly retorts.

"What? You're not an athlete, you're a... well... you're an egghead," Rainbow chortled along with Applejack.

"I am not an Egghead, I'm well-read," Twilight retorted.

"Egghead," Rainbow whispers to Applejack to which she laughs as well.

"*snickers* But have you ever run a race?" Applejack continued their mocking.

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

"And you know this from..." Rainbow questioned.

"Books. I've read several on the subject," Twilight proudly proclaimed.

"What'd you read, "The Egghead's Guide to Running"? *ba dum tsss* Did you stretch out your eye muscles to warm up? *laughs* Get it? Eye muscles," Rainbow jeered.

"Scoff if you must, Rainbow. But the Running of the Leaves is a Ponyville tradition, and since I'm here to learn, I decided I should experience it myself," Twilight finally spoke to finish off her defense.

"Well, I just think that's dandy, Twilight. Good luck. *snickers*" Applejack mockingly wished good luck.

"Yeah. See you at the finish line... Tomorrow," Rainbow finished her mocking.

After all of that, Pinkie Pie, the CMC and Spike got ready to start the race and spectate from above.

"On your marks!" Pinkie Pie began.

"Get Set!" The CMC continued.

Spike slammed a bell that was on the ground outside the balloon to get the race started. All the ponies in the event started running. Even Twilight was doing a good job in pacing herself so far. The balloon then took off into the sky.

In the balloon, Pinkie Pie, Spike, and the CMC were enjoying the view as well as the conversation they were having which included Sweetie Belle telling Apple Bloom of her recent joining of the Harem. Spike peered over the edge of the balloon to view the racers. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom flanked him, also peering over the balloon, one on each side with their flanks bumping against Spike in a flirtatious manner. Both of them leaned their heads in on Spike which caused him to blush profusely at the amount of cute he was getting. The amount of cute just kept increasing as Pinkie Pie came up from behind and stood on her hind legs and put her front hooves on top of Spike's head since she was taller. Simply put all 4 of them could see the action of the Running of the Leaves as well as be close to the wonderful dragon known as Spike. Scootaloo just pouted since she couldn't see the action as well as not be close to Spike.

But the reader doesn't have to fear, Pinkie Pie noticed the pouting Pegasus filly.

"Awww Scootaloo, you can view from over my head!" Pinkie Pie chirped happily.

"Yay!" Scootaloo chirped happily.

Pinkie Pie's mane was surprisingly comfortable for Scootaloo. Now one might be asking about the balance of weight in the balloon since everypony was looking over one side of it. Pinkie Pie already thought about that and threw a sack of flour on the other side of the balloon to make sure the five of them don't go tumbling off the edge of the balloon. Scootaloo was happy to have made herself comfortable in Pinkie Pie's mane while also getting a nice view of her idol Rainbow Dash.

Transition down to the action of the Running of the Leaves.

While racing in the Running of the Leaves, Applejack tripped and landed with a thud. Of course it wasn't exactly wrong to assume that Rainbow Dash had tripped her since she was the only one nearby at the time of the trip. Twilight who was taking some time to admire the scenery then came up for a small chat.

"Whoa! I don't believe it!" Applejack exclaimed.

"I know right? Isn't it beautiful?" Twilight naively replied, commenting on the scenery.

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

"She did not," Twilight matter-of-factly spoke.

"She did too!"

"She did not. And if you were taking it slow and paying attention like me, you would have seen that you tripped over a rock!" Twilight pointed out which of course made Applejack feel like a very very silly pony indeed.

"What? Oh hayseed... Now I have a lot of ground to make up to catch Rainbow!" Applejack started dashing off after the Dash.

"Just be careful!" Twilight wished good luck again.

Applejack of course was able to catch up and even surpass Rainbow Dash. Up in the balloon where the CMC, Pinkie Pie, and Spike were still cuddling, Apple Bloom pointed that out.

"Hey look! Mah sis just caught up with Rainbow Dash!" She cheered while shaking Spike's arm with her hooves.

Spike could only just chuckle. Apple Bloom sure had a good life indeed. She had a drakefriend and two mares (Twilight and Applejack) to look over her. It was sweet indeed.

The same couldn't be said about the race though. Rainbow Dash tripped this time in a similar manner to Applejack. Twilight tried to convince her that she tripped on a stump... but the dense Pegasus kept putting the thought that Applejack cheated into her own head. She decided to spice things up in the race... Oh no. Poor Apple Bloom's small happy outburst wouldn't be long lived for what was to happen next.

In the simplest of words, shenanigans ensued. A lot of shenanigans. Some of which include a slap by tree branch, using said tree branch to launch ahead, kicking a beehive down, switching a sign over, and using the Twinkling Balloon to get back into the race to which Apple Bloom was a bit questioning of. (Yes I know I forgot some of them, but meh.)

The feud between Applejack and Rainbow Dash just kept growing and growing since of this. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle commented on the events.

"You know Apple Bloom, I'm amused that this supposedly 'running race' between Rainbow Dash and your sister is hardly filled with said running," Sweetie Belle commented.

"Yeah, well Applejack is the type to get back at you rightfully. Well technically she was right that Rainbow Dash started it, but still it wasn't quite nice of her to be doing all that back to Rainbow Dash. After all the idea is to make it very obvious who was in the wrong," Apple Bloom responded.

Near the end of the race it go to the point that Rainbow Dash decided to ram Applejack on the final sprint. Applejack of course rammed back. It then got to the point of tail pulling. During one of the tail pulls though, Applejack ended up undoing the ropes that bound Rainbow Dash's wings.

"Alright that's it! All bets are off!" Rainbow raged as she started to use her wings.

"OH NO YOU DON'T!" Applejack tackled the flying Pegasus.

They crossed the finish line in a cloud of smoke. They fought over who won. At this point the Twinkling Balloon landed. Pinkie Pie explained to them what happened.

"Oooo! You two were so amazing!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

"We were?" Applejack asked.

"You tied!"

"For first?"

"For last!" Pinkie smiled quite big.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash could only facehoof while the CMC and Spike all giggled at their appearance from all that "fighting".

"Soooo who won?" Rainbow asked.

Just then, Twilight came back from getting a congratulatory medal for her first participation in the Running of the Leaves.

"YOU WON?" the two yelled to the point the spectators could hear it.

"Oh, no, I got 5th place, not bad for my first try though," Twilight commented, thought, then continued, "well considering with your horsing around. *ba dum tsss*"

Of course she got hugs and congratulations from Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Spike. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash and Applejack had a "feeling dumb" moment.

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

"We weren't very good sports," Rainbow Dash realized.

It was then that the troll-y Princess known as Celestia trotted in.

"It sounds to me that an important lesson was learned," she began.

"Princess Celestia?!" both Applejack and Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"Wh... What are you doing here?" Applejack rightfully questioned.

"Fall is one of my favorite seasons, so I came to celebrate the Running of the Leaves," Celestia explained while winking at the camera.

"I'm sorry you had to see us being such a poor sport, Princess," Applejack apologized.

"That's alright, Applejack," Celestia reassured.

Anypony can get swept up in the excitement of competition. It's important to remember that the friendship is always more important than the competition.

"Exactly Twilight. Now, unfortunately, since you two were to busy tricking each other instead of shaking down the leaves, many of the trees in the Whitetail Woods are still covered," Celestia continued.

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

"I'd love to stretch my legs," Rainbow responded with smile.

The two battered up friends then went back into the Whitetail Woods, happy to be on good terms again. Applejack's battered hat still had the rose that Spike gave her in it. The remainder of the Harem and Scootaloo gathered together and watched them go off into the sunset, happy to see the two of them having made up.

End Theme with Credits.