Day 16: Competition Day

Morning came by inside Applejack's room, when she awoken she saw that Roxas was still nuzzling and rubbing her flanks, body, and mane with his hooves and wings in his sleep making her nuzzle and continue doing the same to him a little bit more before they start their day today.
When Roxas woke up applejack spoke.

''Morning Sugarcube How you feeling''?

''Morning Applejack I'm fine now thanks to you no nightmares came back again and I got to say your not just big, warm, and cozy but your also very fuzzy too''. Roxas said.

''Aww shuck Roxas stop your gonna make me blush''. Applejack answered.

''I'm just being honest with you, and well the more time I spend with each of you the more it makes me want to keep you girls close to me''. Roxas continued.

Applejack become red from his comment and just act on instinct by giving him a strong hug and a Kiss on the cheek.

''What was tha applejack''? Roxas asked.

''That was a Kiss Roxas, ponies do that to those they care about showing them a kind affection but if you do it on the other's lips that's for a very special occasion and its way better doing it there''. Applejack explained.

''Thanks for telling that I'm looking forward to try those out someday with you girls''. Roxas said giving a hug to his pal.

''Me too sugarcube, but when the time is right you'll know when to act upon them, but in the meantime let's have breakfast and spend time together I have a day off from Farm Work''. Applejack said.

''Great it'll give us a chance to get to know one another more, I can't wait''. roxas said with a smile.

After they ate and went outside applejack and roxas plays a game of horseshoes.

''Oh yeah I still got it''. applejack said.

''Nice shot aj now its my turn''. roxas said throwing the horseshoe

During their game at Sweet Apple Acres Rainbow dash saw the scene from above and went in to join in on the fun.

"Woo hoo"Rainbow screamed imforming her friends.

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

''Oh yeah? Think you can do better, cowgirl''? Rainbow said mocking Applejack.

''I know I can. [grunt] Oh, for Pete's sake''! Applejack said.

"Heh! Looks like this Pegasus can pitch better than the workhorse. The object of the game is to get the closest to the stake''. Rainbow said.

''All right, all right. You got another throw there, pony girl''.Applejack said.

Rainbow throw the horseshoe really close from the stake.

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

''Yeah, yeah. I still have the closest throw, hey Roxas Just try to beat my shot''.Rainbow said.

'Okay how about this''?

Roxas close his eyes and spin around at face speed then he toss it in the air which starts moving around like a boomerang wall bouncing many buildings, the barn, the chicken coop, the farm house, and zig-zaging the pig fences until it landed at the horseshoe stake.

"Yee-haw! It's a ringer. That's how you do it down here on the farm nice shot Roxas Now let me show on how a Mare gets her job done seriously''.Applejack said.

Applejack grabs the horseshoe with her hoof and concentrate on the target.

When she throw it her horseshoe manage to knock away rainbow dash's giving it an extra boost to hit the stake as well but with the extra force it has after hitting rainbow dash horseshoe it manage to get Roxas horseshoe to sink down deep underneath the ground.

''Yes looks like I'm the winner''. Applejack smiles in triumph

''Wow very impressive applejack you manage to take me and dash out for the count''. Roxas said.

''I lost''. Rainbow said.

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

''I hate losing''. Rainbow dash explained.

"Besides, you're a mighty good athlete. But I'm just better. Heh heh heh''. Applejack said.

"All right, Applejack, you think you're the top athlete in all of Ponyville?" Rainbow dash said.

''Well, I was gonna say in all of Equestria, but that might be gildin' the lily''.Applejack said.

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

"Prove what?"Applejack said with confusion.

''I challenge you to an Iron Pony competition. A series of athletic contests to decide who's the best, once and for all'' Rainbow dash said.

"You know what, Rainbow? You're on''. Applejack accepted the offer.

''Roxas get the others and bring them here we need an Audience''. Applejack and Rainbow said at the same time.

"Oh men, this is going to be bad i think"

A little bit later Roxas came back with the rest of their friends and applejack and rainbow told them what they're needed for. Pinkie Pie, Roxas, and Rarity are spectators, Twilight Sparkle is the events' judge, Spike the lizard will act as announcer, and Fluttershy tallies the scores.

Spike:'' Hello everypony, and welcome to the first annual Iron Pony competition''!

Twilight Sparkle:''Uh, Spike, who are you talking to''?
Spike:'' Um... uh, them! Let the games begin''!

"Are you ready girls, Ready, set, go"Twilight said.

As the contest started Roxas begun to have another memory flashback, which was about Sora and Riku having a race on their home Destiny Islands but he couldn't see more of it due to the magical lock Twilight gave him blocking the memory's playthrough.

"Ugh" Roxas scream grabbing his head.

Pinkie pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight ask him if he's okay and he says yes it just another memory of Sora coming back to him but couldn't see a lot of it due Twilight's magic taking effect on him again.

Applejack completes the first event, the barrel weave, in 17 seconds, but receives a five-second penalty for bumping into one of the barrels. Rainbow Dash brushes through flawlessly in 18 seconds, earning one point. Next, is the Strength Test, Rainbow Dash bucks the hammer hard enough to hit the bell at the top.

''Mighty respectable, [spit] but let me show ya how it's really done [grunt]''.
Applejack kicked the hammer hard enough to break it and send the bell flying, earning her a point.

[bell rings]
[ponies cheer]
Applejack:'' Years of applebuckin''.
["Shave and a haircut"...]
[bell rings]
Rainbow Dash: ''Ugh this isn't over you know''.
The goal of the next test, the Bronco Buck, is to buck Spike off in the shortest amount of time.

Granny Smith: '' Waa-hoo''!
Apple Bloom: '' Whoo-hoo''!
Big McIntosh'' Eeyup''!
Spike: ''Why me''?
Twilight Sparkle: ''Go''!
Spike: ''Whoa! Whoa! Whoa-hoa! Whoa! Whoaaa! Ouch''.
Rainbow Dash: ''Ready for another pony ride''?
Spike: ''No''.
Twilight Sparkle: ''Go''!
Spike:''Guh guh guh guh guh guh guh guh guh guh guh guhwhoaaaaaa''!
Twilight Sparkle: ''Rainbow Dash wins the bronco-buck''.
[bell rings]
Spike: ''And I lose''.
[ponies cheer]
Spike: ''Whoa! [grunt] How do I get roped into these things''?
Rainbow Dash''[grunt] Does this count''?
[bell rings]

Next up is Calf Roping, the contestants must lasso Spike; Applejack easily does this as Rainbow Dash accidentally ties herself to a tree branch.

Applejack: ''[grunt]''

[ponies cheer]

[bell rings]

In the next round, Rainbow Dash beats Applejack at balancing and bouncing balls.

Rainbow Dash: ''Yuh''! [blows raspberry]

[ponies cheer]

[bell rings]

Applejack brings the score back to 3-3 by shot-putting a bale of hay a further distance.

Applejack: ''[grunt] Wah''!

[bell rings]

Rainbow Dash wins the arm-wrestle match.

Rainbow Dash: ''Yeah''.
[ponies gasp]

Applejack bucks a football much further (4-4).

Applejack: ''I'm not finish yet''.

[ponies cheers]

Halfway through the competition, the ponies are tied 5-5, and most of Ponyville has joined the spectator stands.

Spike: ''Fillies and gentlecolts, at the halfway point, our competitors are tied at five and five''.

Twilight Sparkle: ''Who are you talking to''?
Spike:''Them''!
[crowd chatters]

''Hey where did all these ponies come from and how come we didn't see any coming our way''? Roxas said while scratching his mane

Refusing to lose, Rainbow Dash starts winning more events by using her wings. She briefly flaps her wings to win a grueling push-up contest, propels herself forward in the Long Jump to gain a few more inches, and carries a flock of baby chicks on her outstretched wings in a race across some mud. After that the two competitors made it to the last event, a game of Tug of War.

Twilight Sparkle:''All right, you two. This is the final event. Give it all you've got''.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack:''[grunting]''
Spike: ''Looks like the workhorse might come out ahead in this one''.

Applejack: ''[muffled] That's not fair. You can't use your wings to help you win''.

Rainbow Dash: ''[muffled] Huh''?

Applejack:''[muffled] You're cheatin''!

Rainbow Dash:'' [muffled] I can't understand you with that rope in your mouth''.

Applejack: ''[spits] I said... uh-oh [grunt]''.

She lost her grip on the rope and fallen down into the mud pit.

[crowd cheers]

[bell rings]

With a staggering 15-5, Rainbow Dash "wins" the competition.

Rainbow Dash: '' Whoo-hoo! I win by a landslide... or mudslide in your case. [chuckles] I am the Iron Pony''!

Applejack: '' Only 'cause you cheated''!

Rainbow Dash: '' What''?

Applejack: '' You used your wingpower to help you win over half those contests''!

Rainbow Dash: '' Sounds like sour apples to me''.

Applejack: '' Are you sayin' you didn't use your wings''?

Rainbow Dash: ''Well... no. But you never said I couldn't use my wings''.

Applejack: '' I didn't think I needed to tell you to play fair''.

Rainbow Dash: '' I still would have won even without my wings''.

Applejack: ''Hah! Prove it''.

Rainbow Dash: '' Gladly. How''?

Applejack:'' Today is the annual Runnin' of the Leaves. I challenge you to race me in it''.

Rainbow Dash: '' Heh! Easy shmeasy''.

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

Rainbow Dash: '' No wings? No problem''.
Applejack'' [spits]''

Rainbow Dash: '' [spits] [blows raspberry]''

Applejack:'' [chuckle]''

''Uhh does anyone think that these two might be getting carry away to see who's better''? Roxas asked

''Don't worry your feather wings Roxas, this is how applejack and rainbow settle their issue towards one another''. Pinkie pie said as she grab his neck into an arm hug right next to her.

The scene cuts to black and fades to Twilight, Roxas, and Spike walking to the race. Spike mentions he wants to be the race's announcer, but the frame pans to Pinkie Pie in the Twinkling Balloon, who has already taken the role of announcer.

She explains that the competition is one of Ponyville's traditions and its purpose is to shake the autumn leaves off the trees with the pounding of footsteps. Pinkie Pie invites Spike to join her in commentating. As the racers gather at the starting line, Applejack makes sure Rainbow Dash will keep good on her promise by tying her wings up.

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

Rainbow Dash:'' Yeah, yeah...''

Applejack: '' Remember, You are not allowed to use your wings''.

Rainbow Dash: '' I could win this race with both wings tied behind my back''.

Applejack: ''[grunts] Trussed up like a turkey. Well, a turkey who can't fly, that is''.

Rainbow Dash: '' Very funny''.

Applejack: ''Least now we know we're racin' fair and square''.

[trumpets]
Pinkie Pie: '' Racers! Please take your positions''!

To Applejack and Rainbow dash surprise, Twilight Sparkle and Roxas joins the race to experience it themselves.

Applejack: '' Twilight, Roxas? What in tarnation are you doin' up here?".

Twilight Sparkle and Roxas''We're racing''.

Rainbow Dash: ''Hahahaah, thats a Good one, Twilight''.

Twilight Sparkle: '' I'm not joking''.

Rainbow Dash: '' What?, Unlike Roxas You're not an athlete, you're a... well... you're an egghead''.

Twilight Sparkle:'' I am not an egghead, I am well-read''.

Rainbow Dash: '' [softly] Egghead''.

Applejack:'' [snickers] But have you ever run a race''?

Twilight Sparkle:''Well, no, but I do know a lot about running''.

Rainbow Dash:'' And you know this from...''

Twilight Sparkle: '' Books. I've read several on the subject''.

Rainbow Dash: ''What'd you read, The Egghead's Guide to Running"? Did you stretch out your eye muscles to warm up? Hahaha Get it? Eye muscles."

Roxas" ''Hey cut it out Rainbow at least we're both trying something new in our lives that we want to experience''.

Twilight Sparkle:'' Scoff if you must, Rainbow, Roxas is right. The Running of the Leaves is a Ponyville tradition, and since I'm here to learn, I've decided I should experience it myself''.

Applejack:'' Well, I think that's just dandy, Twilight. Good luck you two. [snickers]''

Rainbow Dash:'' Yeah. See you at the finish line... tomorrow''.

Pinkie Pie: '' All right, ponies, are you ready''?

Spike: '' Get set''.

[bell rings]

Pinkie Pie:'' And they're off! 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''.

Spike:'' Why, yes, Pinkie, it's the running of the ponies that causes the leaves to fall''.

Pinkie Pie:'' 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''.

Spike: '' 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''.

Pinkie Pie: ''Yes, and "grudge" rhymes with "fudge".

Spike: '' Yes, it... does''.

The marathon begins and Rainbow Dash and Applejack are already leading,
determined to win once and for all. They are neck and neck.

Applejack:'' Not so easy without wings, is it''?

Rainbow Dash:'' Come on, Rainbow. Show 'em a little dash''.

Spike:'' Ho-hold your horses, Pinkie! Rainbow Dash is catching up the frontrunner Applejack''!

Pinkie Pie: '' What an upset. I thought Applejack had this in the bag''.

Rainbow Dash: '' You didn't think I was gonna let you off that easily, did you''?

Applejack suddenly trips over a rock and loses the first place.

Applejack:'' Whoa! I don't believe it''.

Roxas: ''Applejack you okay''?

Applejack:''No Rainbow Dash just tripped me''.

Twilight Sparkle:''Actually she did not''.

Applejack:'' She did too''!

Twilight Sparkle: '' She did not, and if you slowed down and looked where you're going, like me and roxas, you'd see that you tripped over a rock''.

Applejack: ''What? Oh, hayseed! Now I got a lot of ground to make up to catch Rainbow''.

Twilight Sparkle:'' Just be careful''!

Applejack:''See you at the finish line''!

Twilight:''Hey Roxas have been experiencing any more nightmares lately''?

Roxas gasp from her question and breathe in and out as he prepares to tells her what new nightmare did he recently encounter.

Twilight: ''WHAT I can't believe this, how can Xemnas be that cruel and heartless He's a Psychopath Monster''.

Roxas: ''Yeah I know he won't stop tormenting me unless I go back Working for him Twilight if I don't make the right decision on how to handle this Problem you and the others could die from his cold blooded terror I don't want to lose and be separated from you girls''.

Twilight:''Thanks for telling me this, we won't be get rid of that easily Roxas and we will find a way to help you overcome your psychological trauma that you been suffering for so long I Promise''.

Twilight: ''Roxas do you know what this means we have to double our efforts on uncovering your past faster before the organization finds you so we can find a way to save your life and we have to make training sessions for all of us so we can prepare the worst from their arrival in Equestria''.

Roxas: ''Then we better get started on installing those into our daily lives schedules and I have an idea that can help us on our quests''.

Twilight: ''Really what is it roxas''?

Roxas: ''Twilight I want you to unlock the magical lock of my memories of Sora''.

Twilight: ''What you can't be serious roxas if I do that then your mind will suffer even further painful migraines of your fractured past''.

Roxas: ''I know its risky but I need this in order to discover more of the truth and don't worry as long as I have one of you with me it will lessen my pain from inside me''.

Twilight: ''Alright I'll think about it but for now lets continue enjoying the scenery's as we keep pacing ourselves''

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

Pinkie Pie: '' She's the head of the pack, all right. The pick of the litter! The cat's pajamas''!

Spike:'' Oookay... let's get back to the race''.

Rainbow Dash slows to a comfortable trot, confident of her lead, but Applejack runs past her.

Rainbow Dash:'' Not so fast, Applejack! This race isn't over yet''!

That is until the Pegasus trips over a stump and falls down to the ground losing even more advantage.

Applejack:'' It is for you Heh''.

Rainbow Dash:'' Whoa! Guh, I don't believe it, Applejack tripped me''.

Twilight Sparkle:'' Don't you ponies ever look where you're going? You tripped on a stump. See''?

Rainbow Dash:'' Oh, I see. A big cheater is what I see''.

Twilight Sparkle:'' Rainbow, Applejack would never cheat. It was just an accident''.

Rainbow Dash:'' Sure it was. I mean, yeah, I'm sure it was''.

Roxas:''Rainbow we're being serious with you right now applejack had nothing to do with you falling''.

Twilight Sparkle:''Roxas is right remember, Rainbow this is just a game''.

Rainbow Dash:'' Yes, but the rules have changed, and two can play at that game''.

"Rainbow Dash, wait" Roxas called out but she keeps going forward

Pinkie Pie: '' Welcome back, Ponyvillians, it's me, Pinkie Pie''.

Spike:'' And Spike. Looks like Rainbow is doing her best to catch up''.

Catching up to Applejack, the two use the environment of the White Tail Woods to their advantage, from branches to bees to tree syrup.

Along the way, Rainbow Dash flips an arrow sign, which points Applejack to a dead-end up a nearby mountain. All the racers after Applejack continue on the original path and run past Rainbow Dash while she leans on the sign laughing.

When Twilight and Roxas stops by, they mentions that all the other racers just ran past her. Dash runs off to get back in the race. Meanwhile, Applejack reaches the mountain summit and realizes Dash tricked her. Pinkie Pie offers her a lift in the Twinkling Balloon.
As they approach the home stretch, Applejack and Rainbow fight harder than ever before to finish first. When the finish line is in sight, they start deliberately bumping into each other sideways.

Twilight:''Sweet Celestia Applejack and Rainbow dash are forgetting the purpose of this race''.

Roxas:''These two are gonna keep tearing each other apart that much for a competition.

"That's it, I'm finish this twilight see you on the other side''.Roxas said as he increase his speed.

Pinkie Pie: "Once again, Rainbow Dash and Applejack are neck and neck, jockeying for position. Applejack inches ahead, now it's Rainbow, it's Applejack, it's Rainbow Dash, it's Applejack..."

[horn blaring, crowd cheering]
Applejack:'' [grunt]''

Spike:''Oh no, she didn't!

Pinkie Pie:'' Oh yes, she did''!

Applejack:'' Cut it out''!

Rainbow Dash:'' No, you cut it out''!

Applejack:'' You started it''.

Rainbow Dash: '' And now I'm gonna finish it''.

Applejack:'' Oh no, you won't''.

Rainbow Dash: '' Oh yes, I will. [grunt]
That's it! All bets are off''!

Applejack:''Oh no, you don't''.

In the resulting tussle, Applejack accidentally unties Rainbow Dash's ropes, allowing her to break her promise at the last second and fly.

Applejack intercepts her and they fight all the way to the finishing line. They start arguing about who finished first.

Rainbow Dash:'' I won''!

Applejack:'' No, I won''!

Rainbow Dash:'' I won''!

Spike:''You tied''!

Applejack and Rainbow Dash: '' Tied''?!

Applejack:'' For first''?

Pinkie Pie:'' For last''!

Applejack:'' Last''?!

Rainbow Dash:'' Then who won''?

"I did" Roxas said holding a colorful trophy.

Twilight comes by shortly after with a gold metal wrap around her neck

''Congratulations Roxas you won the Running of the Leaves Race''.

"Thanks Twilight, what place you get?"Roxas asked.

"Fifth place, which is pretty good considering that i haven't raced before"Twilight answered.

"H...h....how is this possible" Applejack said.

"You both ran so slow" Rainbow dash said.

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

Rainbow Dash: ''I don't believe it. Roxas and Twilight beat us''.

Twilight Sparkle:'' Well, with all your horsing around, it was quite easy for us''.

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

Rainbow Dash: '' We weren't being good sports''.

As Rainbow Dash and Applejack feel sorry for their own embarrassingly poor sportsmanship, Princess Celestia stepped forward.

Princess Celestia:'' Sounds to me that an important lesson was learned''.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash:'' Princess Celestia''?!

Applejack:'' W-What are you doin' here''?
Princess Celestia'' Fall is one of my favorite seasons, so I came to celebrate the Running of the Leaves''.

Applejack: '' I'm sorry you had to see us being such poor sports, Princess''.

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

Twilight Sparkle:'' It's important to remember that the friendship is always more important than the competition''.

Roxas:''Otherwise you'll find yourselves wanting to be Enemies instead of Allies to each other''.

Princess Celestia: '' Exactly, Roxas and 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''.

Applejack:'' Why, Princess, I bet we can knock those leaves down for you lickety-split. Whaddya say, friend? Wanna go for another run''?

Rainbow Dash:'' I'd love to stretch my legs''.

Realizing that friendship is more important than any competition, the two last-place racers run off together to finish off the rest of the trees.

Roxas: ''And there off finally they stop their petty feud before they both ended up breaking each others bones''.

Twilight then walks right next to roxas to told him something.

Twilight: ''Hey roxas I been thinking and well I decided to help you remove the magical lock that I put on you about the memories of Sora''.

Roxas:''What changed your mind''?

Twilight:''If we're gonna get to the bottom of your mysterious past we have to take risks to get the results we needed you know the saying No pain, No gain right so I'll do it but I will make sure that we have the necessary safety precautions and immediate first-aid procedures for when it gets too Dangerous for you to continue handling on your own''.

''Thanks Twilight your the greatest friend ever''. Roxas says as he turn his head to her cheek and gave it a Kiss and put one of his hooves around her shoulders

That move made Twilight blush red from Roxas advance towards her.

She acted without thinking which is moving her body completely right next to him feeling his body with hers side by side,nuzzling his face, and having her tail touching his tail as she holds them together.

After the long race, and the giant event, Roxas went to top of the barn holding his new trophy.

After a little while the mane 6 arrived with the sea-salt ice cream.

"Today sure was a fun day, right?"Roxas said asking to the rest.

"Yeah it was, i loved working as a comentator"Pinkie pie said.

"The run was awesome, i can't wait to challenge you again Spiky" Rainbow dash said.

"Yeah fair and square" Applejack said.

"I hope we could make more animal help games" Fluttershy said.

"Even making Uniforms" Rarity said.

"But Thanks to this, im sure we learned a very important lesson about friendship" Twilight said.

Roxas saw his trophy, seeing the 7 crystal orbs that were in the bottom part of it.

He grabbed each one of them, and removed them from the trophy.

"Girls catch"Roxas said passing the orbs to his friends.

"Whats up with this Spiky" Rainbow said.

"Well this is going to be our friendship sign" Roxas said putting the orb in front of him, as the sun started to go down.

The mane 6 also did this action seeing the reflection of the light across their orbs.

When the night arrived, everypony returned home, Roxas was thinking about the possibility of having more nightmares now that the lock was removed.

So he asked to Applejack if he could stay in his room again and repeat what happened earlier in the morning.