- >There's a loud, long, annoying knocking at your front door.
- >Just cover your head with your pillow to drown out the noise.
- >They'll get bored and go away.
- >Hopefully soon.
- >Five minutes later, the knocking stops.
- >Oh thank Celestia.
- >Now you can get back to-
- >There's a loud knocking at your bedroom window.
- >What the hell?
- >You remove your pillow from your head.
- >Through blurry, groggy eyes you see Rainbow Dash pressing her smiling face against your window and pounding on it with a hoof.
- >She stops knocking when she sees you staring at her.
- >"Hey Anon!"
- >You grunt and roll over, pulling Fluttershy close.
- >It was a minute and Rainbow Dash hasn't said anything.
- >Maybe she realized you just want to be left alone.
- >Suddenly, Rainbow Dash bucks open your bedroom door, swinging it around and slamming into the wall.
- >You think the door know might have left a hole in the wall.
- >"HEY ANON!"
- >The sudden crash and Rainbow's yelling caused you to sit straight up.
- >Poor Fluttershy was scared so much she lept out of bed, and like a cat, stuck upside down to the ceiling.
- "WHAT!"
- >"... Hi."
- --
- >"H-h-hi R-R-Rainbow D-Dash," Fluttershy was shaking violently, still attached to the ceiling.
- "Why are you bucking down our door so early?"
- >"Early? It's noon, dude."
- >You would look outside to check the sun, but it's way to bright.
- >You'll just take her word for it.
- "Noon, huh?"
- >"Yeah. What are you two doing still sleeping?"
- "Why aren't you?"
- >"Because had to work this morning."
- >Wow, even this slacker had a job.
- >You're such a loser.
- >Fluttershy detached herself from the ceiling and sat on the bed next to you.
- "Well to answer your question, we didn't get home until way late last night."
- >"Why didn't you just stay at the castle with the rest of us? We even got our own rooms!"
- "Because I made Luna sad and I think I pissed off Celestia. Also, I think Twilight would've slit my throat in my sleep."
- >"HAHAHA! Yeah I heard. I didn't see Luna for the but Celestia wasn't mad, just so you know."
- "Yeah, she said that to me too, but I don't know. I just felt like I overstayed my welcome."
- >"Well you didn't, that's for sure."
- --
- "So is there an actual reason you're here?"
- >"Nah. I just came by to see how you're both doing, that's all."
- >Yeah right.
- "Really? This has nothing to do with you using me to hang out with the Wonderbolts?"
- >"Pfft. No! ... Yeah..."
- "Okay."
- >"Okay? You're okay?"
- "Yeah, why."
- >"You're not mad or anything?"
- "No. I had places to go and ponies to see. I didn't have time to hang out."
- >"Well that sucks. You shoulda been there. It was awesome!"
- "I'm sure, but oh well."
- >"Did you at least catch their show?"
- "I wasn't aware there was one."
- >Rainbow Dash facehooved.
- >"You missed EVERYTHING!"
- >You shrug.
- "Oh well."
- --
- >Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head nervously.
- >"Hey, listen. I just wanted to, uh... thank you and all. If it weren't for you, I may have never gotten a chance to speak to the Wonderbolts. Sorry for using you and all. And sorry about all the-"
- >You make a deliberately loud snore, your eyes closed.
- >"Hey!" Rainbow Dash punches you in the stomach, causing you to laugh.
- >Even Fluttershy giggled a little bit.
- >"I'm trying to apologize here!"
- "Heh, yeah I know. I'm sorry."
- >"Rainbow Dash," said Fluttershy. "When did the rest of you get back?"
- >"Just now. I came over just to see what's up."
- "Well that's... That's actually very suspicious. You've never been anything less than hostile towards me before."
- >"Well... True, but... Uh..."
- >Unable to find an explanation, she just shrugs.
- >"Whatever. Wanna go get lunch?"
- >This mare gets it.
- >You look at Fluttershy.
- "You wanna go get lunch?"
- >"That would be nice."
- "Well alright then. Lets roll."
- --
- >"Uh, yeah, no thanks," said Rainbow Dash. "I'm not hanging out with you two dressed like that."
- >You and Fluttershy check yourselves over, then check each other.
- >Oh yeah, you never took your clothes off when you went to sleep.
- >Now they're all wrinkly and ruined.
- >Oh well.
- >Rarity's going to be pissed, but surely she can clean them.
- >The two of you hop off the bed and begin getting undressed.
- >Fluttershy slips out of her dress with ease,
- >She kicks off her shoes and tucks them neatly (and carefully) into the closet.
- >She's ready to go, but waiting on you.
- >You take off your jacket and shirt and throw them on the bed.
- >Rainbow Dash does a 180 when she sees your bare chest.
- >"Aw come on dude! There's mares in here!"
- "Yeah?"
- >"How can you just get naked like that?"
- "Because."
- >You throw a sock at Rainbow Dash.
- >It lands on her head, falling down in front of her nose.
- >"GROSS!"
- >She flees the room immediately, leaving your dirty sock all by its lonesome on the cold, cold floor.
- >"Now why did you do that?" asked Fluttershy.
- "I don't know. I was hoping for a better reaction."
- >You finish getting changed and go downstairs.
- --
- >The three of you leave your house and wander off towards town.
- >Fluttershy walks beside you and Rainbow Dash hovers on the opposite side from her.
- >You are carrying yours and Fluttershy's dress clothes in a bag.
- >You figure you can always drop them off at the boutique later, but since you're going into town now, it would be just stupid not to.
- >"So Anon, are you ready to have your flanked kicked in the upcoming race?" asked Rainbow Dash.
- "I was wondering if you would bring that up. In all honesty? Probably."
- >"What?! What about all that smack you were talking before!"
- "Well it's not that bad. I still got... uh..."
- >"Four weeks."
- "Four weeks to train."
- >"You can't do anything in four weeks!"
- "I could, actually. It may not be a big difference, but improvement nonetheless."
- >"Oh pfft. Yeah right. I'll believe that when I see it."
- >Alrighty then.
- "You see that large tree down the road?"
- >You point ahead of you, about a quater mile down the road.
- >"Yeah."
- "Last one there's a rotten egg. And you can't use your wings for any reason."
- >"You're on, bub."
- "Ready? Go!"
- --
- >You take off in a sprint, Rainbow Dash hit the dirt and bolted after you.
- >She caught up to you no problem.
- >"Is that all you got?" she taunted, smiling a big shit-eating grin at you.
- >You squeeze your eyes shut and duck your head.
- >You pump your arms and legs faster and faster.
- >You leave Rainbow Dash behind for a few seconds, but she catches up quickly.
- >You're giving it your best.
- >You're breathing hard and fast with every other pump of your arms.
- >Rainbow Dash decides to finally make you eat her dust and picks up the pace.
- >You look up and spot her leaving you behind, but there's not much more you can do.
- >The situation is hopeless, but you keep sprinting.
- >She reaches your destination long before you do.
- >When you finally reach the tree, you fall to the ground, beat.
- >Rainbow Dash bursts into uncontrollable laughter.
- >"That's it? That's what you're so cocky about? I hope your not considered fast where you come from, because that's so pathetic!"
- >Yeah. Yeah it is.
- >You roll over onto your back and breathe for a few minutes before attempting to stand.
- >Your legs hurt, and even your arms a little bit.
- >Fluttershy finally caught up.
- >She wasn't flying as fast as your and Rainbow Dash were running, but she wasn't taking her time.
- >"Anon! Are you okay?"
- >She rushed over to you, taking your head in her hooves.
- "I'm fine... *breath in* Just tired."
- >"Aw, you poor thing."
- >She pets your head, much to the amusement of Rainbow Dash.
- --
- >You decide to stand, your knees giving a little bit and making you stagger.
- >You regain your balance and stand before a triumphant Rainbow Dash.
- "Good race," you congratulate her.
- >"Thanks. And sorry about that. You're not all that slow, actually."
- "Now imagine if I actually had a steady workout schedule for more than a week."
- >"Yeah, now that you mention it. Looks like I need to work on it a little bit as well if I'm going to stay ahead of you and Applejack."
- "Wait, Applejack's running?"
- >"Duh. She IS Ponyville's most athletic pony. Why wouldn't she?"
- >She got you there.
- >You give Rainbow Dash a shrug and continue on your way to Ponyville.
- >Fluttershy took her place walking beside you once more.
- >Rainbow Dash thought it appropriate to claim your head space as her victory throne.
- >And here you thought only fillies liked being on top of your head.
- >But then again, maybe Rainbow Dash is still a filly at heart.
- >She sure acts like it, even though she's as old as any of her friends.
- >"Hey Anon, I gotta question for ya."
- "Yeah?"
- >"Do you hate me?"
- "No, don't be stupid."
- >Rainbow Dash sighed.
- >"Phew, that's a relief. I didn't think you could forgive me after everything I've done."
- "You'll come to find I'm not one to hold a grudge. Maybe for a little bit, but not usually."
- >"But... we're cool, right?"
- >You bring your hand to your chin to mock thinking about it.
- >You shrug.
- "Yeah, sure. Why not?"
- --
- >Rainbow Dash, even though she was in the clear, rode your head all the way into Ponyville.
- >You finally told her to get down, her weight starting to really strain on your neck.
- >She flew down and hovered beside you as you twisted your next with a loud crack.
- "...Ow."
- >The three of you walked, trying to figure out where you want to eat.
- >"How about the diner?" suggested Rainbow Dash. "I hear they-"
- "No."
- >"O-oh, okay. Well, how about Sugercube-"
- "No."
- >"No? Why not?"
- "Because I ruined those places for myself by going there like once or twice a day. Is there anywhere else we can grab a bite?"
- >Rainbow Dash stared off into space, trying to figure out where in Ponyville the three of you could go.
- >"Well how about a picnic?" suggested Fluttershy.
- >"Augh..." groaned Rainbow Dash. "I don't want to have a picnic..."
- "Then what would you suggest? Frankly, we haven't had a picnic in a while. I think it would be nice."
- >"I have a better idea!" exclaimed Raibow Dash.
- "Let us hear it."
- >"If we're gonna have a picnic..."
- "Yeah?"
- >"We should have it..."
- "........ Yeah...?"
- >"At Sweet Apple Acres!"
- >Rainbow Dash threw her hooves in the air.
- "... Why?"
- >Rainbow Dash looked at you in realization and lowered her hooves, unable to come up with a reason.
- >"Uh... I don't know. Because we can?"
- >You trade a glance with Fluttershy and shrug.
- "Good enough for me. Lets go find Applejack."
- --
- >The three of you start for the market.
- >"Hey wait! I just thought of a better reason to go to Sweet Apple Acres!"
- "What's that?" you ask, still walking for the market.
- >"There's a bunch of room out there. We could have an Iron Pony competition!"
- "Pass."
- >"What? Why?"
- "I don't feel running anymore today."
- >"I think you misunderstand the concept of an Iron Pony competition."
- "Clearly."
- >"It's not really running as opposed to competitive games."
- "Competitive games? Like tug of war and stuff?"
- >"Yeah!"
- "Hm... I think I can get behind that. And Applejack's for this?"
- >"What do you think?"
- "I think she should be on my team."
- >"There are no teams!"
- "How can you have a three-way tug of war?"
- >Rainbow Dash opens her mouth but doesn't speak.
- >She thinks about it for a second.
- >"You know what, nevermind."
- "Alright. Where's Applejack?"
- --
- >"Hey, there she is!" Rainbow Dash pointed to Applejack's stall.
- >Applejack was making a transaction with Twilight.
- >"Aww... That's what we should do as well! We should have Applejack, or better yet Granny Smith, make some of their awesome apple treats!"
- "You just read my mind."
- >The taste of Granny Smith's apple turnover that she so graciously gave to you is still freash in your mind.
- >Hot and fresh from the oven.
- >The spicy cinnamon flavored apples.
- >The warm, flaky-
- >Wait, what were you thinking about?
- >"Why howdy there RD!" Applejack called, waving over to your group.
- >The three of you walk over to greet the two of them.
- >"Anon. Fluttershy."
- >Applejack nods at you and Fluttershy as she acknowledges each of you.
- >You can't help but noticeTwilight glaring daggers at you.
- >"What's up AJ?" greeted Rainbow Dash.
- >The two of them bumped hooves.
- >"Nothin' much, pardner. Business as usual. What're y'all up to?"
- >"Anon and I were just arguing about an Iron Pony competition."
- >Applejack looks at you.
- >"Really now? Y'all makin' a wager er somethin'?"
- "Nah," you wave a dismissive hand in front of you. "Just shootin' it back n' forth."
- >"Huh... That's a darn shame, actually."
- "Maybe next time," you assure Applejack.
- --
- >"When's the next time?" asked Applejack.
- >"The Running of the Leaves," said Rainbow Dash.
- >"Oh yeah," said Applejack. "Y'all still participatin'?"
- "You know it. I already promised Rainbow I would, so I pretty much have to."
- >"It's good to see y'all are true to yer word. I admire honesty."
- "Except when you thought I was a monster, right?"
- >"Let's not go there," said Applejack with a dead face.
- "Alright. I'm sorry."
- >Twilight cleared her throat, attracting the attention of everyone else.
- >After a few seconds of silence you ask,
- "What?"
- >"Isn't anyone going to say 'Hi' to me?" asked Twilight.
- "Uh... hi?"
- >"Hello," she greeted, as if she didn't just ask that question.
- >"Hello, Twilight," greeted Fluttershy.
- >"Good afternoon, Fluttershy," Twilight returned. "Fluttershy, would you mind if I ask you a question?"
- >"Not at all, Twilight."
- >"Would you be able to bring those books I brought over back to the library today? I kind of need to look at them."
- >"Oh, uh... O-okay, Twilight."
- "Can it wait until tomorrow? We're already here and I'd rather not have to make another trip into town."
- >"But I need those books tonight," complained Twilight.
- >"Hey, don't worry, Anon," spoke Rainbow Dash. "I'll take those books off your hooves, no problem."
- "That'd be awesome. It would definitely free up some time later."
- >"Aren't you going into town tomorrow anyways?" asked Fluttershy.
- "Well, yeah. But this way I don't have to take more time to drop them off at the library."
- >"Oooh... Okay."
- --
- >"So Rainbow, ya never really answered mah question," said Applejack.
- >"What's that?" asked Rainbow.
- >"What are y'all doin'?"
- "Taking these clothes to Rarity," you say, holding up the wrinkled clothing on the hanger in your hand.
- "We were also discussing what to do for lunch. We thought maybe you could help."
- >"Hm... Sorry, Anon. Ah don't think Ah can help ya there."
- "Really? How about some treats?"
- >She stares at you blankly, not understanding.
- "Make me food," you state flatly, your deadpan stare and monotone voice emphasizing your point.
- >Applejack's brow furrowed.
- "I'm kidding," you say with a smile. "But seriously, we were hoping we could go to your place to hang out for lunch."
- >"Ah... That's all fine and dandy with me. Granny Smith has been looking for a reason to go crazy in the kitchen lately. Ah think y'all be more than enough reason."
- "Ah, perfect," you clap your hands once. "So it all works out for everyone."
- >"Darn tootin'," agreed Applejack.
- >Applejack turned back to Twilight.
- >"So what say you, Twi? Y'all feeling hungry? Ah imagine after that big ole bushel a' apples ya just bought."
- >"Sorry Applejack. I need to get home. There's a bunch of studying I need to do and it's imperative I don't miss a moment."
- "So... why are you here?"
- >"What?"
- "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be studying?"
- >"Because I needed to get some food for the crunch I'm under right now."
- "But why didn't you just get Spike to get food?"
- >"Because he's getting everything ready at home."
- "But if it's imperative you don't miss a moment, wouldn't it make more sense just to have Spike get your food?"
- >Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
- >She thought about what you just said.
- >Her eyes went wide.
- >"I need to get home!" she yelled as she raced off to the library.
- --
- >"Well... that was weird," comment Rainbow Dash.
- >"Now Rainbow, y'all should know how Twilight gets when she's got books ta read," scolded Applejack.
- >"True, but it doesn't make it any less weird."
- >"Yeah, that's true."
- >Applejack turned to you and Fluttershy.
- "So, y'all ready to get movin'?"
- "Now? But aren't you working?"
- >Applejack bucked a hoof back at her apple stall.
- >The impact shook the stall and some wooden panels fell over the produce, covering them.
- >"Not anymore," said Applejack.
- "That was awesome. Alrighty then, lets go. But first we need to stop off at Rarity's."
- >"Lead the way, pardner."
- >Your posse of four moved through the market and passed city hall.
- >You walked up to the Carousel Boutique and began frantically pounding on the door with both hands.
- "Rarity! Rarity! Rarity!" you shouted.
- >"Hey Rarity! Come quick! Somepony's burning your big fancy hats in the town square!" shouted Rainbow.
- >The doors flew open with such intensity that they forced you back and to the ground a about fifteen feet away.
- >Rarity bolted from the building, a frying pan levitating in front of her.
- >Reacting quickly, you reached out and grabbed her before she could fly by.
- >She struggled immediately, trying to get free from your grasp.
- "Rarity!" you shout, trying to get her attention. "Rarity! ... RARITY!"
- >"WHAT!"
- "It was just a joke! Calm down!"
- >Her fits slowed and stopped.
- >"Huh?"
- "It was just a joke," you tell her, still holding her body.
- >The frying pan comes down and hits you on the head.
- "Ah ha how!" you cry, releasing her and holding the bump on your head.
- "Okay, I deserved that."
- >"Why would you do that!" she demanded.
- "Rainbow did it too."
- >The frying pan came down and hit you again, but your hands were there to soften the blow.
- "Ow! Alright! I'm sorry."
- >"There we go. Much better. Apology accepted," she said as she strutted back into the building.
- --
- >Fluttershy picked up the clothes you had dropped when Rarity knocked you down.
- >Your group followed Rarity inside.
- >Your hands were tucked beneath your armpits, trying to ease the pain.
- >Fluttershy walked beside you, staring up at you worriedly.
- "I'll be fine," you tell her.
- >She nods and looks ahead again.
- >"So what can I do for all of you?" asks Rarity as she walked around the front counter.
- >"We just have these clothes for you," says Fluttershy as she sets them on the counter.
- >"For me?" asked Rarity.
- "To clean and press," you state, finishing Fluttershy's sentence.
- >"Oooh. I see now. I'll get right on it."
- >You wave a hand in front of you.
- "No, no, no. That's fine. We don't really need them. Just want them cleaned."
- >"Oh. Well, okay, darling. I'll get it back to you soon enough."
- "If you want, I mean, fine. But hey, listen. We're all going out to Applejack's place to hang out and get some lunch. You wanna come along?"
- >"I'm sorry, deary. As much as I'd LOVE to, there's just too much work for me right now."
- >You caught the sarcasm in her emphasis.
- "Heh, alright. That kind of sucks. So how much do I owe you for-"
- >Rarity gave you a deadpan stare.
- "Generosity... Got it... Thanks Rarity."
- >"Anytime, Anonymous. Now if none of you have any further business here, I would like to get back to work."
- >"Well, shoot. Alrighty then, Rarity. Maybe next time," Applejack waved goodbye as she walked out.
- >"Yeah. See ya later Rarity!" said Rainbow Dash as she flew out.
- >You looked around for a second before waving once and walking out.
- >Fluttershy made eye contact with Rarity before slowly backing out the door.
- --
- >Fluttershy gently closed the front door and ran to catch up to the rest of you.
- >As she trotted up, she saw Rainbow do a corkscrew over you and Applejack.
- >As she got even closer, she could clearly hear the conversation.
- "But we can't fly. That's not only a handicap on our part, but a huge, unfair advantage on yours."
- >"Hey, you gotta use what your given," shrugged Rainbow Dash.
- >"Ah told ya she was stubborn like that," said Applejack.
- "Right? At least I got your vote."
- >"Darn tootin'. Ah still remember last time. We need to wrap her wings up if were gonna prevent her from using 'em."
- >"Aw come on! That's totally uneccesary! You can trust me, right Anon?"
- >You open your mouth but Applejack cuts you off.
- >"That's what you said last time!"
- >"What's going on?" Fluttershy asks you, tugging on your pant leg.
- >Applejack and Rainbow Dash continue to argue back and forth.
- "They're talking about the competition we were talking about earlier. I think they want to go through with it."
- >"Are you going to do it?"
- "Not sure yet. I'm listening to see if it's worth it."
- >"Oh, okay. Just be careful."
- >You rub her head, messing her mane a little.
- "When have I ever gotten hurt?" you say with a smile.
- >Fluttershy smiles and continues walking beside you.
- >You're a stubborn one, but it's never been anything she couldn't handle.
- --
- >"So what do ya say, Anon?" asked Applejack
- >You refocused your attention on Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who had turned their heads back at you.
- "Uh... what?"
- >Crap. You missed the conversation while you were talking to Fluttershy.
- >"What do you think we should do?" Applejack reiterates.
- "Uh... whatever you want, Applejack."
- >"Ha!" gloated Applejack to Rainbow Dash.
- >"Aw... no!" pouted Rainbow Dash, crossing her forelegs in a fit.
- >What did you just do?
- >The two turn back around and continue walking, Rainbow Dash hovering in the air.
- >"So that settles it. A four-way competition. Free-for-all and teams," declared Applejack.
- >"You're all going down!" boasted Rainbow Dash.
- >Fluttershy tugs on your pant leg again.
- >"What just happened?" she asked.
- "Um... I think we were just forced into their competition."
- >Fluttershy let out a squeak of fear.
- >You aren't sure how you feel about this.
- >Whatever.
- >At least you'll get a proper workout today.
- --
- [Two hours later]
- "Oh sweet Celestia!"
- >"You can do it, Anon!" cheered Rainbow Dash.
- >Applejack was standing in front of you, a big shit-eating grin on her face.
- >"What's the matter sugarcube? A little too heavy for ya?"
- >Your legs... THEY BURN!
- >Applejack and you are currently in a battle of endurance.
- >Whoever could do the most squats while carrying a bushel of apples wins.
- >You were both squatting at the same pace, but you can't help but feel like you're at a HUGE disadvantage.
- >Not only are her legs rediculously short compared to yours, she's squatting with all four of them!
- >The two of you squat once more, but you are unable to stand back up.
- "Uh oh..."
- >"You stuck?"
- "No, no... just... uh... yeah I'm stuck."
- >"You wanna quit?"
- "I really, really do."
- >"Well, are you going to?"
- "In your dreams, pony."
- >Through great struggle, you're able to stand back up.
- >You are able to do only two more squats before you give in.
- "Alright! Screw this, I'm out."
- >You drop the basket to the ground and collapse backward.
- "OOOOOOOWWWWW....." you groan.
- >Applejack bucked her hips, sending the basket into the air and falling to the ground, not dropping a single apple.
- >"Ah do this fer a livin', sugarcube. Y'all don't stand a chance."
- "I can see that," you say, slightly irritated.
- --
- >"It's about time! Mine and Fluttershy's turn!" called Rainbow Dash.
- >She zipped over to the baskets, kicking on up and landing it on her back.
- >Fluttershy walks over to where you were.
- >You slowly rise off your back, but sit on your legs for support.
- >You pick up the basket, straining just to lift it.
- >Holding this thing for so long really took it out of your arms.
- >You slowly, gently lower it onto Fluttershy's back.
- >As more pressure is placed on her back, her knees begin to buckle, and she lowers to the ground.
- >Her legs are shaking to hold what little weight is already on her.
- >You don't even take your hands off of it before she gives up.
- >Rainbow Dash pouts because she doesn't get a chance to prove her worth, but rejoices at the easy point.
- >"Hey now, Ah'll take ya on," challenged Applejack.
- >"Oh pfft. You're on, sister."
- >Applejack takes Fluttershy's basket and the two of them get face to face, only an inch apart.
- >As they stare each other down, you and Fluttershy go sit down to watch.
- >"I'm sorry," whispered Fluttershy.
- "For what? You did great! You almost held the whole thing by yourself."
- >Fluttershy smiled and turned back to the show.
- >The two of them were barring their teeth at each other as they met each other squat for squat.
- >At about a squat or two a second, they didn't slow down until about 2 minutes in.
- >Wow, there is no way in hell you would have ever beaten Applejack.
- >Even for a pegasus, Rainbow Dash's legs are freakin' tough.
- >It's also a good thing Applejack tied up her wings.
- >It looks like Rainbow Dash is dying not being able to pump her wings for extra lift.
- >They didn't last much longer after that two-minute mark though.
- >About a minute later, Applejack collapsed in a heap.
- >Rainbow Dash fell over as well, but not before Applejack.
- >"Ha!... Aha... ha..." glosted Rainbow Dash between breaths.
- >"Y'all... just got lucky," said Applejack. "If Ah hadn't... went against Anon first... Ah would've won."
- >"Too bad. That's a point... for me."
- "Wrong," you call out. "You only get one point for this. You never versed Fluttershy as she forfeited before you ever started."
- >"Ha!" teased Applejack.
- --
- >About 15 minutes of lying down later, Applejack decided it was the start of the next event.
- >She reached up and pulled a coil of rope from a low-hanging tree branch.
- >She leads all of you towards a mud pit.
- >The pigs' mud pit.
- "Gross."
- >"That pretty much says it all," said Applejack.
- >"Yikes... well since this is obviously a team event," started Rainbow Dash. "Dibs on Applejack!"
- >You bitch...
- >Applejack gives you one end of the rope and you both walk around to opposite sides of the pit.
- >Rainbow Dash takes her place behind Applejack, and Fluttershy behind you.
- >"Y'all ready over there?" called Applejack.
- >You hand the end to Fluttershy, who take it in her mouth.
- >You grip the rope tightly with both ands and brace your feet.
- "Ready as we'll ever be," you call back.
- >Applejack counted down.
- >"Ready... Set... Pull!"
- >You pulled tight, as hard as you could.
- >The other two were as well.
- >Fluttershy had the very end of the rope in her mouth, but she was standing so close to you that the slack was coiled up on the ground.
- >You were getting absolutely no help.
- >It really sucks.
- >Your legs have had enough punishment for today.
- >Your arms weren't fairing much better either.
- >You begin to groan, the strain become too much.
- >As you inch closer to the mudpit, you feel the end of the rope tighten up.
- >You look back to see Fluttershy slowly backing up.
- >Unfortunately, she stops as soon as the rope becomes taut.
- You are now mere inches from the mud pit.
- >And with one final tug, Applejack and Rainbow Dash send you flying face first into the mud.
- >Fluttershy doesn't follow, as she released the rope as soon as they yanked on it.
- --
- >You quickly rise out of the mud, spitting the nastiness from your mouth.
- "Oh man... That's nasty..."
- >You look at Fluttershy to see her place a hoof over her mouth, stifling her giggles.
- >Before you can say anything, you hear this insane war cry from behind you.
- >"GERONIMO!!!"
- >You turn around and look to the sky.
- >Applejack was flying through the air, practically about to bellyflop the mud puddle.
- >Worse yet, she was flying right towards you!
- >You put your arms out to try to stop her.
- "Nonono, wait!"
- >Smack.
- >Splash.
- >Applejack is laughing hysterically as you're knocked onto your back, right back into the mud.
- >The two of you are covered head to toe in mud, Applejack lying on your chest.
- >Rainbow Dash decides to jump in as well, landing on Applejack and sending even more mud flying.
- >As they wrestled you down and splashed more mud in your face, they stopped and looked at Fluttershy.
- >She was clean...
- >Fluttershy's ears went flat and she slowly backed away.
- >She finally turned and bolted as Rainbow Dash and Applejack took off after her.
- >They didn't get far as you quickly grabbed their hind legs with each hand and yanked them down face first into the mud.
- >Fluttershy stopped and turned around again.
- >"Darn, Anon! Why couldn't you have been that strong during the competition?" asked Applejack.
- >You didn't give her an answer, but rose to your feet and left the mud pit.
- --
- >"Well, looks like it's time to get cleaned up," said Applejack.
- >Rainbow Dash simply took the the sky and flew through a heavy cloud nearby.
- >She was washed instantly.
- >Applejack shook her body violently, flinging mud all over you... and nowhere else...
- >As if you could get any dirtier anyways.
- "I don't suppose you got a pail of water or something, do you?"
- >"Heheh,yeah. I think we can help ya."
- >As you are being led back to the house, you feel this crash of water from behind.
- >Rainbow Dash had pushed the large cloud so fast, it was like being hit with a wall of water.
- >You tumbled forward and slid along the wet grass.
- >Well, your back was clean, but your front was still-
- >Wuh-blam!
- >You're hit from the front with another cloud.
- >You slowly rise from your puddle, clean but soaked to the bone.
- >"There we go," said Rainbow Dash. "Problem solved!"
- >Somepony's about to get choked...
- >"Heheh, come on, Anon. We'll get ya dried in a jiffy," said Applejack, trotting off towards the farm house.
- >"You know, I could always use the wind to-"
- "No."
- >"Hmph... Have it your way then."
- >Rainbow Dash took off after Applejack.
- >"Are you okay?" asked Fluttershy as you both walked to the house.
- "Yeah, I'm fine."
- >You run your hands through your hair, forcing the water out in streams.
- "Granny Smith better make one hell of an apple pie, or else I might dwell on this a little longer."
- >Fluttershy giggled.
- >"Oh, I don't have any doubts about that."
- >You can already smell the cinnamon apple aroma radiating from the house.
- >All in all, this wasn't such a bad day.
- >Albeit you woke up at noon and got your ass handed to you for the last several hours, but it was fun.
- >The upcoming race is gonna suck, though.

