>Your morning started with the sun's rays hitting your face.
>The light hitting your eyes combined with its warmth was enough to coax you out of your slumber.
>You looked at the clock over on the wall.
>10:22 A.M.
>You had a couple hours to get ready.
>Polo, as always, was gone, being the early riser of the two of you.
>You arose from your bed and stretched.
>You went through your morning routine at inns, and bathed as much as you could.
>Being the epic adventurer you were, being able to bathe in itself was sometimes a luxury.
>Polo commented about your musk the first time you met, if that was any indication.
>Once you were satisfied with your hygiene, you left to the dining room downstairs and served yourself breakfast.
>Your trusty pegasus companion was down there, looking over his map yet again at a table.
>His eyes flicked up from the map and towards you.
>"Ah, sir, there you are! I hope you slept well."
>You took the seat next to him, plopping your plate of food on the table.
"Like a baby, Polo."
>The two of you went about your business, you eating and Polo looking over the map, likely planning your next route after Ponyville.
>He had said that he always wanted to visit Vanhoover.
>That was likely the next place you two were headed.
>If it were up to you, you'd just go where the wind took you.
>But you didn't mind having a plan.
>"Oh shoot," he cursed.
>He got up from the table.
>"It seems I've forgotten my quill and inkwell upstairs. I'll be right back."
>His voice trailed off as he left you to retrieve the items.
>You ate silently, letting your mind wander as you surveyed the area.
>Ponies sat and spoke with each other, read the newspaper, and any other morning activities you could imagine.
>The door to the inn creaked open.
>In walked a large, gray minotaur.
>Ponies within the vicinity paused for a moment to take in his menacing form.
>He breathed out of his nose, a steamy puff of air exiting his nostrils, as he scanned the room with his green eyes.
>His hooves made a heavy clopping sound as he walked over to the innkeeper.
>The poor pony shivered as he approached.
>He knelt down to speak with her.
>"I would like a room for three nights."
>She wasted no time in grabbing a key for him.
>"Th-th-that'll be fifteen b-bits sir."
>The minotaur reached into a bag strapped to his hip.
>"For such a delicate flower as you, I'll pay twenty."
>He brought out the golden coins and placed them on the counter.
>The innkeeper swiped them up quickly.
>"E-enjoy your stay, sir."
>"Thank you, ma'am."
>He grabbed the key and headed off for the stairs to get settled in his room.
>At the same time, Polo was coming right back down with his writing utensils, an inkwell in his mouth and a quill behind his ear.
>Polo had only made it to the bottom of the stairs when he bumped into the minotaur face-first, causing him to drop the inkwell.
>Its lid popped off and ink was spilled on the minotaur's body.
>The minotaur stood there, appalled by the accident.
>He stared at the ink running down his leg.
>Polo had gotten up after shaking off the diziness, before looking at what he had done.
>He stared up at the minotaur.
>The grey creature stared him dead in the eyes.
>Polo gulped loudly.
>"I-uh, I'm terribly sorry about that sir. My absolute m-mistake bumping into you."
>You watched the minotaur closely.
>The room was silent as the scene played out.
>"You," the minotaur began, "have desecrated my coat of fur. Are you trying to dishonor me?"
>"Oh, nonono sir! It was just an accident! I didn't mean any-"
>The minotaur grabbed Polo by his vest and hoisted him upwards.
>"Because those who dishonor me must pay if I am to regain it!" the minotaur yelled, his face mere inches away from the terrified pegasi's.
>You shoot up from your seat.
"HEY!" you shout at the minotaur.
>The grey hybrid slowly glares back at you.
"Put him down."
>Polo is still held in his grip.
>"And what if I do not?"
>His fist is reeled back, ready to punch your friend.
"Then there's going to be a lot of trouble between you and me. And trust me, you don't want that."
>You'd taken down creatures three times this thing's size.
>He didn't scare you in the slightest.
>His expression changed, if only for a moment, to one of surprise.
>He likely wasn't used to seeing someone stand their ground against him without flinching.
>Reluctantly, the minotaur drops Polo to the ground, who proceeds to run behind you for protection.
>The two of you stare each other down, the tension in the room at an all-time high.
>He points to Polo.
>"We aren't finished, rat."
>He stomps his way up the stairs, never averting his gaze.
>Polo shivers.
>"I'm going to have to look around every corner from now on, aren't I?"
>You turn around to face him.
"Not while I'm around, you don't."
>He stood up.
>"I'm grateful for your security, but I still feel as though we haven't truly seen the last of that brute."
>His voice quivers.
>Ponies around you go back to their business, the hustle and bustle of the inn returning despite the tense scene.
>"U-uh, sir?"
"Yes, Polo?"
>"It would seem that in running into that minotaur, I dropped my inkwell. Y-you wouldn't mind accompanying me to get another, would you?"
"Of course not, Polo. I'm right by you."
 
>The clock hands both struck 12, signaling the time to depart.
>You and Polo left the cozy inn and made your way outside to the afternoon sunshine.
>The town was full of ponies who were friendly and willing to give you directions to the town square.
>You had eventually made it to the square in a decent amount of time.
>A stage was set up with a podium standing at the front.
>Standing among you and Polo were who you had assumed to be some of the other competitors.
>There was a beige and white colored gryphon, a dark blue batpony, and a dark pink earth stallion.
>Surely this wasn't the only competition.
>"Sir, weren't there supposed to be eight competitors?"
>Polo thought the same thing as you.
"I say we chalk up the emptiness to tardiness."
>"Rat?"
>The heavy clops on the ground drew near, until they were right behind you and Polo.
>You looked behind you and were greeted by the sight of the minotaur you had confronted at the inn.
>"YARGH!" Polo shouted, darting behind you.
>The minotaur crossed his arms and chuckled.
>"I take it you're not here to compete, rat?"
>He eyes you.
>"Me, compete? No, not at all! Why would I even think about it?"
>The minotaur's twisted grin tells you he's enjoying being able to intimidate your friend.
>"So, I assume your bodyguard is here for that instead."
"Watch your mouth, cow. I'm not his bodyguard. I'm his friend. There's a difference."
>"Hardly. Let me ask you something, bodyguard: Do you really think you stand a chance in this competition?"
>He smugly grins.
"Do I think I stand a chance, you ask? Well, let me ask you something. Does someone who has defeated countless wild beasts, journeyed the plains of Equestria, and trained themselves in the art of combat stand a chance? A person, who forged their own sword, and has gained so much strength that not even a fully grown manticore is able to take them down? Does that sound like someone who has a chance?"
>The minotaur is taken aback, but recovers quickly.
>"Maybe. But at the same time, there is one who has been the proclaimed 'champion of endurance' across the land. One who has effortlessly defeated anyone who has stood in his way in these competitions."
>He brushes his arms against his chest, as if presenting himself.
>"You are looking at him."
>He had a good point, that was for sure.
>That only made you more determined to beat him.
>Satisfied that he has shown off to you, the minotaur walks off to the end of the stage, where he speaks to the dark blue batpony.
>It isn't long before the rest of the contestants show up, and things get underway.
>The mayor of Ponyville walks up to the podium and clears her throat.
>All present silence themselves and pay attention.
>"Fillies and gentlecolts, I would like to welcome you to the first official Ponyville Endurance Competition!"
>Her announcement was met with applause from bystanders, but none of the competitors moved a muscle.
>"We have called the competitors here today to set up the structure of the matches, and to confirm that they are able and willing to compete."
>She steps down from the podium.
>"And so, here to put the tournament together themselves, I welcome our rulers of day and night, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!"
>From somewhere you didn't see, two larger ponies appeared on the stage and greeted the cheering crowd.
>There was the blue one, Luna, and then the white one...
>The one whose gentle form made your hardened body beg to so much as touch it.
>Whose magenta eyes you couldn't help but get lost in as they glimmered with life.
>Whose white coat looked spotless and perfect.
>Her curved, supple flank adorned with the sun itself.
>Celestia.
>You had never gazed upon such beauty before.
>Needless to say, you could die right now with no regrets after having viewed this magnificent pony's form.
>"Hello everypony," her gentle voice sounded out, "thank you for coming today to see Luna and I set the matches for what will no doubt be a heated display of talent tomorrow."
>"And thank you to all the competitors for providing us with this," Luna spoke. "Without you, none of this would be taking place."
>"Now, without further ado, let's meet our contestants! When your name is called, please come up to the stage!"
>Celestia brought a scroll out from underneath the podium and opened it up.
>Her eyes scanned the scroll.
>"Moses the Strong!"
>A chocolate colored diamond dog made himself apparent, and proudly mosied up to the stage.
>Luna was given the scroll.
>"Lark the Sharp!"
>The beige griffon from before flies into the air, soaking up the welcome he gets before floating down to the stage.
>The list was handed back to Celestia.
>They were alternating, it seemed.
>"Cerulean the Brave!"
>A cerulean colored teenage dragon walked up to the stage, seemingly ignoring the crowd's cheering.
>Were they giving themselves these titles?
>"Anonymous!"
>Seemed so.
>You made your journey up, modestly waving at the crowd.
>You stood next to Lark.
>"Gravel the Humble!"
>A burly grey unicorn makes his way up, nodding at the crowd as he walks.
>He stands next to you.
>"Star Gazer!"
>The dark blue batpony from before meekly makes his way up, waving at the crowd with a nervous smile.
>"Miracle Crop!"
>The dark pink stallion gets to the stage, then blows a kiss out to the crowd.
>"And Stonewall the Champion!"
>Your minotaur rival climbs up the side of the stage and pops his knuckles.
>"Heh, what a show off," Lark mentions to you as he bumps you with his shoulder.
>You decided not to mention who had been taking up most of the crowd's cheering.
>"Now, to decide the match ups, we have some slips of paper with numbers on them. All the contestants have to do is draw one. Whoever has the matching number is their opponent for the first round."
>Celestia pulls out a wooden box from under the podium.
>A rectangular hole is cut out in the middle.
>With a nod to her sister, Celestia lets Luna take the box.
>The younger sister comes over to you and the other contestants.
>Each of you draw a slip and take a look at your number.
>You drew a 4.
>You hoped Stonewall did too.
>"Now," Luna starts, "who drew a 1?"
>Two contestants raise their appendages.
>"Our first match will be Moses the Strong versus Stonewall the Champion!"
>Well, there went that.
>"2?"
>The contestants show themselves.
>"Our second will be Cerulean the Brave versus Gravel the Humble!"
>Your anticipation grew as the number of contestants lowered.
>"3?"
>Another raising.
>"Our third match will be Star Gazer versus Miracle Crop! Through process of elimination, that means our last match will be Lark the Sharp versus Anonymous!"
>The crowd cheered as the tournament was set up.
>Celestia addressed the crowd.
>"Now that we have our matches, the tournament will officially begin tomorrow! It will begin at noon, and will be held at the Ponyville Track and Arena! We hope to see you all there!"
>While Celestia was preoccupied with the ponies, Luna spoke to you and the other contestants.
>"You will enter through the back entrance and stay within the back rooms until your match begins. Be here at eleven o' clock."
>After one final bout of cheering, the crowd slowly dispersed.
>You and the other contestants heeded the instructions, and left the stage once the crowd was gone.
>As much as you wanted to speak to Celestia, she and Luna had left as soon as they could, likely to handle some kind of royal duties.
>As you came back down to the ground, Polo approached you.
>"Sir, I cannot tell you how excited I am to see you out there!"
>You raised your eyebrow at your companion.
"This coming from the pony who just yesterday was unsure about me entering to begin with?"
>"Oh pishposh, sir! After being in that crowd and getting worked up like that, I can't help but feel this way! ...plus I would like to see you mop the floor with that Stonewall fellow..."
>You put an arm around him.
"Don't worry, I will."
 
>The rest of your day was spent exploring the town of Ponyville.
>After having been shown off at the event today, there were several ponies eager to meet you.
>You were patient with their questions, and even introduced Polo, explaining that you wouldn't be in this town without him.
>When night fell, you and Polo made your way back to the inn.
>It was hard to get to sleep that night with the excitement for the competition building up inside you.
>Eventually, though, you were able to pass out in bed, hopeful that you'd be able to get up tomorrow.
>Even then, you had Polo to wake you up, just in case.