Stage One: Ponyville! Limber Limbs Languish No More!

[SteelEagle]

Stage 1- Ponyville Start Line
 

Ponyville is ready to host the Running of the Leaves once more, the traditional fall event falling prey to some unusual weather down south. Despite the whipping wind and unhappy clouds far off in the distance, the feeling is one of excitement. Competitors exchange glances, taunts, friendly bets and playful banter while hundreds of onlookers prepare to watch Equestria's most storied athletic competition. The leaves quiver with anticipation as racers warm up.

Beyond the normal Ponyville crowd that is itself feverishly excited, ponies from across Equestria have shown up to prove who is the best. Even griffons are racing! Truly, a wonderful day to be a fan of competition.

It is true that off in the distance, the clouds gather ruefully and with seeming sinister intent. A flurry of weather Pegasi activity and hurried discussions behind the scene did not detour this year's race coordinator from approaching the starting line. A bespectacled elderly stallion, he looks out across the starting line and sees competitors aplenty ready to shake the leaves from the trees and bring Equestria into a bright and wonderful fall.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlecolts, to the annual Running of the Leaves!" He started to enthusiastic applause and stomping of hooves.

"The Running of the Leaves is an Equestrian tradition, one that has stood the test of time and is one of our most important events. Today, we will bring Equestria into a wonderful fall and one of you-" He pointed at the competitors, "-will have yourself forever immortalized as this year's Running of the Leaves champion as a statue, a symbol for all future participants and for Equestrians everywhere!" Another thunderous round of applause as a weather Pegasi cantered up to the coordinator and in a hurried fashion whispered.

He nodded before finishing up.

"There is some poor weather deep in the Whitetail Woods, so be prepared to deal with it. Additionally, this year we are extending the route deep into the Roundbottom Hills. Canterlot is counting on us to do what their weather teams seem to have failed to do. But enough dallying about. The race starts in twenty seconds!" he finished and allowed the racers time to reach the starting line. He even gave them an extra five seconds, the pregnant pause intentional for dramatic effect.

"Get ready."

"Get set."

Silence.

He blew the whistle.

The Running of the Leaves had officially begun!

OOC- There is no special bonus or task this stage.

[Dusty]

Trotting in place Tempest was more than ready to go. Stripped down to just her trademark black jumpsuit she intrusted all of her ammor in the safe hooves of Glitter for this race. She knew her friend would keep it safe and she needed to be as light and agile as possible! Even if she did feel almost nude without its mass on her body. Stopping her in place Trotting she leaned down and stretched her legs, looking out at the track ahead. It seems a storm was coming, something that does not happen by random. Maybe they were younking a trick from her book on combat tactics? How cute. She was more than willing to run headlong into a thunderstorm! She’s done it in the sky without flinching, on land it's even more easy. 

 

Looking over at the elderly stallion she waved at onlookers, seeing some even cheering for her. Somehow she had ‘fans’ or something. She really did not understand how or why but some ponies just loved her. Mostly the younger ones that loved to dress in black and have a lot of spikes on. It was strange and in truth she did not understand it at all. But it did make her feel good in a way.

 

Looking back ahead she diged her hooves in to the dirt, body tensing up as the countdown started.

"Get ready."

She leaned in, legs twitching with the raw strength years of hardship has forged in to her body. 

"Get set."

Hoofing at the ground with her front legs her nose flared as she took in a big breath of air.

 

…

 

When the whistle blew she ripped up the dirt underneath her hooves as her body launched forwards like a cannonball. Reaching a full gallop in moments she tore down the dirt path, focused fully on the road ahead as her heart hundred like the beat of an artillery battery. Come rain, hail, thunder or worse she was going to give this race every scrap of blood, sweat and tears she had on offer and may the gods have mercury on whatever gets in her way!

[Blueblood]

Berry Punch

 

Ah, the Running of the Leaves!  Berry had always made a point of participating in this event ever since she moved hear from Canterlot, though the means of doing so alternated between actually running and providing refreshments to those who did each year.  Though this year threw off her normal pattern, as she had run last year and had planned to set up a drinks stall next to Bon-Bon's candy vendor in the stands, while making sure her signature juices were available at the stations between each leg of the race.  However... this year, it wasn't just about bringing down the leaves for her, or getting more bits for her business; this year her reasons were personal.

 

The recent wedding between Rainbow Dash and Applejack had made going home a single mother harder than it had been in a while.  She had been frankly envious of the two mares, raising a family together like that.  She didn't regret her life choices, in so far as they gave her a wonderful daughter and a good home among good ponies in this town, but she felt that being alone meant she had messed up somewhere.  What better place to rectify that than where those two lovebirds had first had their friendship raise the sparks of something more?  And if she was recalling her regular readings of Dear Cady correctly, they weren't the only ones, as a reporter from out of town had found a special somepony at this event, hadn't they?  (Of course, she hadn't recalled what happened to the poor fellow afterwards...)

 

With all that in mind, she was doing her pre-race stretches with an eye to see the contestants... and to be seen by them, if the angles she was showing off to her immediate neighbors were anything to go by.  It might be pushing it a little, but hey, she had plausible deniability, and felt that she needed to use what she had while she still had it.  She certainly didn't expect to take home any athletic prizes today, especially not with mares like Tempest Shadow in the race.  I mean, wow, that pony was ripped!  She didn't expect to get anything more than a rear view of her even if she could keep up, which was not so bad, but if she was reading the looks Glitter Drops was giving her, that mare was as good as taken, even if Temy herself didn't quite know it yet.  Oh well...

 

There were a couple of cute stallions, though.  There was that mayoral canditate, the monster catching Copper, along with a Threstral (aerion?  Batpony?  Which was the correct name this year?), probably for Twilight's guard.  Any further speculation, however, was interrupted by the sound of the whistle.  She took off, not aiming to do more than keep up with the pack at this point.  After all, ambitions of the heart aside, the whole point of today was shaking down leaves, and that was best done together!

[Skycoaster]

Midnight fiddled with his number as he nervously awaited the call to the starting line. The aerion had been egged on by a few of his fellow guards to compete in this years running. He could see a few of his fellow guards in the stands snickering while another brought popcorn. Perhaps they though that it would be funny because of him being more of a book worm, or perhaps it was because of his more agile stature. None the less, he saw this as a chance to represent all aerions in the guard, as well as on a personal level, test his endurance.

 

Stepping up to the starting line, Midnight would look over the others participating as well. There where plenty of new faces to him. He recognized Tempest of course from events that had happened in the past; She was much more forbidding upon seeing her in person. Most of the others appeared to be Ponyville locals, though he assumed that there may have been a few others that traveled here, same as him.

 

Closing his eyes, he would take a few deep breaths and stretch. It was going to take focus of the mind and body to complete this grueling course. Opening his purple eyes he would be greeted by the site of a rather limber mare doing her stretches as well. He could not help but stare. He had to admit she was quite flexible. His gaze would be interrupted however as the  whistle blew and the race began. It would take a split second for him to realize what was going on, though soon he would be off with the pack. This was a race of endurance, not speed.

 

"So, where is everypony from," he said with a smile, as he trotted along the course, looking over the other competitors. He would blush for a moment when looked to see Berry. Hopefully she didn't see him staring at her at the starting line....

 

 

[PyroBlaze]

Tiger was pretty excited about this race, all things considered. This would be a nice chance to meet some of the more athletic residents of his new town, since it seemed like he was gonna stick around for a while working for Blueblood. Not that he minded, Ponyville seemed like a fun town so far. 
 

The stallion gazed over the other participants, lingering a bit on the athletic-looking mare in the jumpsuit. Tempest, was it? He seemed to remember hearing about her. Unfortunately, she seemed a little too serious for his tastes, so his gaze moved on to find another mare that was basically inviting others to stare. He smirked a bit, doing some teasing stretches in her direction before the announcer came on to get them started. He lined up as close to Berry as he could, sticking around with the pack when the race started. 
 

“Where I’m from? Hesperia, originally, but right now I’m in town working for Blueblood. How about you?” He asked, gazing over at Berry and giving her a wink. “Name’s Tiger Blood, by the way. Nice to meet you all.”

[SteelEagle]

Apple Bloom made sure to stretch and stretch well, a silken smile full of confidence and excitement solidly plastered on her face. She allowed herself a few fleeting thoughts of Runnings gone past, from when she was a little filly all the way to the last one, when her big sis won. All that triumph and heartbreak and good, honest running had always enamored her. But she had never run herself. She had always watched from the sidelines and cheered on the champion of her whole world as she tried year after year to win. Finally, the paragon of the Apple clan had won the race previous and it was like a barrier had been crossed. It looked like Applejack was about to run herself into the winner's circle a few more times. Then she revealed she didn't plan on running, and Apple Bloom was shocked.

 

Flabbergasted even.

 

Somepony had to run for the Apples, though. Applejack may have decided to take the year off but that didn't mean that the Apples at large were abstaining! Apple Bloom had decided to toss her hat in the ring to uphold the legacy of the Apples at this event and she was sure as shine not gping to let anypony tell her that she didn't have the best chance of anypony to win. How could she not? She had the same blood in her veins as the rest of the Apples and a deep desire to prove herself. Really, really deep. Almost too deep and yawning if she thought about it. Which she did. Often. Almost all the time since Zap Apple was born, her sister got so busy that they hardly had time to get together outside of farm work, and everypony around her started to find something new or different to propel themselves. Not that she was saying that winning this event would really solve any of those problems that she definitely didn't have.  

 

She finished her stretching and mosied up to the line. She was confident she would do great. She was fit, she was athletic, and she knew what a good sweat felt like. Plus she was young and spry! Not that the other runners were old fogies or anything of the sort but there was certainly a difference in the energy levels, that much she was sure of. She looked at the other competitors. Berry Punch? Well, color her surprised. She seemed more the type to sell something at the stands than run in the event but the more the merrier, Apple Bloom believed. After all, they had to make sure they got those leaves down, right? Midnight Oil was bound to be good at this. He looked like he was no stranger to hard work. Tiger Blood wasn't somepony that Apple Bloom knew very well but she knew when to expect somepony to live up to their name, and she was sure that he would.

 

Then she heard the whistle and she leapt off the start line like a bat out of Tartarus. It was hard to want to slow down and she knew she would have to pace herself, but for now she allowed herself the freedom to run wild and free. Her smaller stature meant she had to work extra hard to maintain that pace but she knew what her limits were. Believed she did anyway. She knew she had to learn to exceed them if she wanted to win this race. As these thoughts and more ran through her mind as she started the race, Midnight Oil asked a question about where everypony was aloud. Tiger was from Hesperia? Talk about exotic! But as cool as that was, she was sure that nothing compared to her home. "Sweet Apple Acres!" She said with the confidence that seemed to indicate she thought anycreature in the world would know everything that came with that!

[StrongCopper]

Strong Copper

 

Unlike many of his competitors, Strong Copper looked... somewhat shy and bashful as he performed a few basic exercises to stretch himself out before the run truly began. He had always had a problem with public speaking, but ever since he had started running for the Mayor of Ponyville he had gotten a lot more practice at being in front of crowds and talking... but never before had he been seen in public without some kind of clothing to cover his torso. He had made the decision to go without his hooded jumper for the purposes of the run because in a straight up marathon like this every little bit counted but... it meant that his torso was exposed for all to see at the same time. 

 

For the most part it wasn't that bad. You had to be rather close to notice the parts of his coat that didn't quite sit properly where it had grown over old scars and bite marks... but there was one that even the number he had been kindly given couldn't hope to cover up. The two large scars that run along his torso were... well, easily visible because the coat couldn't grow over the scar tissue at all; A constant reminder to himself of how close he had come to finally taking that first step into the Shadowlands. He had been told on and off since he was a small colt that 'mares liked scars'... and even once he grew old enough to actually understand the context of what that meant, he had never really seen the appeal himself.

 

Take for instance Tempest. He could easily see why mares and stallions would be interested in her (and he had to admit, the bodysuit outright added to the appeal in that regard), but she wasn't really his type to begin with and the scars on her face were the final nail in the coffin as it were. He had also been a bit too stuck in his own head to actually notice Berry Punch or the little performance she was putting on for all those who cared to pay attention. It was nice to see Apple Bloom though and he managed to pull himself out of his nervous 'everyone is looking at my scars' funk in order to offer her a small smile and wave before the call to line up and get ready was given.

 

With the whistle blown, Copper took off with surprising speed for a unicorn! Of the various pony tribes, he was well aware of the fact that unicorns were stereotypical considered to be the physically weakest variation of the pony form (and to be fair, there was some justification for that stereotype), but even if he had remained in Ponyville for longer then he had stayed in a single settlement for a long time Strong Copper still kept himself in as good a physical condition as he could. This was a pony that regularly visited sites like the Froggy Bottom Bog to spy on the local hydra or took trips into the Everfree to see if there were any nasty things that were hanging around the edges that might decide to go visit Ponyville. Granted he had to make sure to remind himself that this was a friendly run and thus, combat spells should not be thrown at any time unless something was going horribly wrong, but unlike the bulk of his competitors who seemed  inclined towards sticking together in a herd, he pushed himself a little bit faster in order to attempt to keep up with the front runner in Tempest.

 

He wasn't trying to overtake her at this stage; This was going to be a long run and there was going to be some nasty weather during it at some point so perserving energy was important for later... but he didn't want to let the mare get such a lead that she would simply run away with the whole race.

[Dusty]

Well almost everypony looked at this race as a group event to do together, Tempest did not. She never did think in a herd mentality and in events this was even more clear cut. For her ‘teamwork’ was still a very foreign concept made all the more unthinkable in the context of a competition. Why slow down, why give less than 110% to keep with others slower than you? The world only had winners and losers. She was tired of being the loser.

 

And so she plowed ahead of the group, heart pounding in her head and lungs flaring as she galloped as fast as her legs carried her. She wanted as much of a head as she could muster. Earth ponies have a lot of endurance and were going too be in much better shape at the last stretch of this race than she was. So it stands that her best move was to put as much space as she can on them so when she slowed they’d have much more ground to cover to pass her. Easy. And most of them never had to do what she did. Run like she has for long as she has. At least she hoped so, she did not know every pony after all. For all she knows some real race horses were in town for this. 

 

So she gave a look over her back and was shocked that of all things a unicorn on her tail. He did not seem to be gaining on her but he was holding in behind her. She’s honestly never seen him before… or did she? On some posters? Was he well known or something? She then noted the two large scars and felt a deep itching over her body from hers. It's why she covered her body, she did not want others seeing what was underneath it and just how scared her body was. Seeing another holding such marks struck something in her. You do not gain them by a happy event. Something happened to this pony and that something must have been much like her stories. Pain. Seeing the rest falling more and more behind she allowed her pace to slow, allowing him to pull in closer. 

 

“You! What is your name!?” She shouted so he could hear her. She was not about to let him get -that- close after all! Can’t risk him falling in line with her if he was as fast or gods forbid, faster, than her. But she did want to learn where he was from. How did he get his scars and what was his story.

[Blueblood]

Berry Punch

As Berry Punch settled into her place in the middle of the pack, she found herself between two of the newcomer stallions, which was not a bad thing at all in her opinion!  Forging a connection to either or both of them to her was much more important than any silly race trophy.  Plus, keeping this sort of pace actually allowed her enough energy and air to converse with her fellow runners, making for a much more enjoyable evening all around!

 

"Well, I was born in Canterlot, but I've called Ponyville home for years, now."  She grinned and winked at the blushing Midnight.  Oh, she had noticed him staring, alright, but she hardly minded!  "Lotta big strong guards been coming into town, recently.  Having so many royals set up shop here must have something to do with that, not that I'm complaining in the least."  She gave a wink at Tiger Blood too, in the interests of fairness.  Of course, more obvious flirtations were somewhat stifled by the presence of one she considered more a peer of her daughter than herself.  The fact that Apple Bloom was now more of a young mare than a filly was one of those things that made her feel far too old to want to dwell upon.

 

"This y'all's first Running of the leaves, isn't it?"  She asked, knowing full well that it was, at least as far as racing was concerned.  "Most folks don't run for the prize like those two up ahead.  Wasn't much point, honestly, when both Applejack and Rainbow Dash were in the running.  'Cept for that year they made each other come in last, of course!"

[Ciraxis]

When you almost two thousand years old, you begin to get hungry for new experiences in life. Like a local traditions.....not that Hou would call this years 'tradition' despite the announcer's clam. After all, it wasn't even three hundred years!

 

Of course she couldn't attend looking her usual self....but that's why she spend considerable amount of time crafting over a four dozen different personas (with documents included!).

For today Shuren was 'Dr. Jade Beaker', an pretty - if bespectacled - unicorn mare from Wingapore, who 'despite her name was wildlife researcher, specializing in great cats...and that means she was a pony in excellent physical shape!

She took preparations to make this believable as well. Right now she possessed stamina and endurance of ten ponies....and certain graveyard in far away Germany town had far less spiritual activity.

As others, 'Jade Beaker' stretched herself - but the activity was almost the second nature to her - and thus, she was far more interested in other participants.

And my, oh, my, what collection it was.

 

First of, the 'Experiment'. The very mare that she met during her recent duel with Sombra. Sorceress could tell that the pegasus was uneasy, sensing that 'something' was wrong, but unable to determine exactly what. Hou wondered how she developed? Previously she just pumped her full of dark magic, and allowed pegasus personality and resistance - or lack of it - do the job. Depending on what she will see today, the other dose may be in order.

 

Next was a stallion who happened to be a candidate for Ponyville mayorship. It seems that he aimed for a top spot for race other then election one as well. Greedy, greedy boy! He might have had chance for it as well, scars being indication of experience....if Hou wasn't here as well, that is!

 

Next participant was an areion stallion, stance, way of speaking just screamed Guard Pony. He was quite a cutie as well!

On 11/7/2020 at 3:42 AM, Skycoaster said:

"So, where is everypony from," he said with a smile, as he trotted along the course, looking over the other competitors. He would blush for a moment when looked to see Berry. Hopefully she didn't see him staring at her at the starting line....

 

"Oh you know...." she answered while making a firefly yoga pose...."...East...." she added while effortlessly shifting to a standing full split, showing how tightly her crimson leotard was clinging to her. "....You might find out more if you do well!" she added with a flirtatious wink. The last part wasn't really an act.....

 

Speaking about easy on the eyes stallions, the next one was a hunk of an earth pony. He appeared to be though cookie, if smell of his soul was any indication...

Moment later her suspicion was validated - immigrant from Hesperia - also known as 'Everything-Trying-To-Kill-You' land.

 

He wasn't an only earth pony in the race though....What's is? Wasn't this a lil sister of Lady Applejack herself? And her kid as well? Ufufufu....unexpected, but welcome nonetheless. Perhaps she will find out something to blackmail Element of Honesty with? But she had to be careful. 'Hero' with a grudge often proved to be fatal to those that provoked them.

 

There was also other earth pony gal, of older variety. 'Jade' tilted her head as she observed the purple mare. She know the type. Single mother, desperately in need to find somepony. is or was functional alcoholic. Sorceress was hoping that she surprises her with something beyond those estimation.

 

And last but not least...Tempest Shadow. Hou heard she was excellent fighter...which meant she could potentially hold her own for a minute and half. Good. Eastern mare planned to see all her capabilities before the dusk falls. Shadow was in her mind often, recently, after the heist she pulled.....mostly due to one of the prizes she acquired. Oh, if only Tempest knew!

 

Having a mare named 'Tempest' seemed to jinx the weather...not that Hou believed in luck. Just like Shadowm, 'Beaker' welcomed an additional challenge.

"Come thunder , come lighting...." she said before addressing the others, with master-level acting"May the best pony win❤!" 'Jade' said with cheerful smile, while Hou insider her added...

"Which would be me."

...before shifting into ready position and quietly muttering "Vae victis....."

 

On 11/4/2020 at 5:03 AM, SteelEagle said:

"Get ready."

"Get set."

Silence.

He blew the whistle.

The Running of the Leaves had officially begun!

 

 

...All others shoot from the ready line....

Except Jade that is!

'Ummm..." the old pony said, perplexed. "The race has started." he reminded her.

"I heard." 'Beaker' acknowledged, with a strange gleam in her eyes.

"They running away!" starter squeaked, now somewhat creeped out.

"Yes. Yes they are." unicorn mare agreed...with outright predatory grin....

 

[Hippo]

 

He had totally forgotten about the race today. Once he finished the little chores around the farm, he heard horns and commotion down the road near the starting line for the annual Ponyville Running of the Leaves. Once he zipped there, he pushed through the crowds of ponies to see the beginning, and noticed it hadn't started yet.

 

For what seemed like his whole life (forever), he had heard about the legends of his mothers' accomplishments. Rainbow Dash's Wonderbolt legacy, Applejack's rodeo trophies. Speed records, endurance championships, title holders. It wasn't just one of them that were esteemed, the both were! Zap was constantly reminded of how amazing his parents were and are. And though he had forgotten the race was due to start today, he had never forgotten the stories his mother told him about the times she lost with Rainbow Dash, the times she almost won, and the time when she won it all. A true heart-stopper of a journey in a pony's athleticism, and it was his own mother!

 

While these thoughts of success running in the family filled his head, he caught eye of his Auntie Apple Bloom at the start line. He could just make her out, even though she was hard to find among the taller ponies around her. Zap would jump and flutter in place to get a good look. But right as the whistle blew for the start of the race, Zap had made a conscious decision in his mind, one he felt he couldn't possibly regret.

 

He wanted to compete. He wanted a piece of the glory.

 

He spilled out of the group of spectators and could be seen running in the wake of the ponies across the start line. He couldn't see the path, only the dust that picked up from the hooves ahead of him. He hoped to at least catch up with his Auntie. He wouldn't even try to use his wings. Even if he could use them for a quick burst of speed, he knew from all of Rainbow Dash's stories about herself that for the leaf running, wings were banned for pegasi to use, and if Applejack caught him cheating, he might never live to eat another apple again.

[NiktoBarada]

Tongue Twister had looked around a bit to familarize herself with the town.

She noted a mare selling bon-bons, and made a mental note to buy one or two boxes from her after the race.  TT's dad's birthday was coming up in a week, and that stallion does love his sweets !

She swiveled her ears a few times, and smelled the breeze.  She looked thoughtful for a moment, but got over it.

"Good thing I'm wearing this heavy cape then !" she mused when the race coordinator stated there was some poor weather in Whitetail Woods.

She remembered a rather recent and - unpleasant - encounter in Whitetail Woods.

She was off into a fast trot once the coordinator blew his whistle.

After a few moments, she blinked, and her eyes changed to gold with vertical slit pupils on oily black.
 

Spoiler

 

"Why are you running at such a pathetic pace ?"  the Abomination asked crudely, "You are more than able to run at least three times this speed !"

"This is my first long distance run." TT replied, "It'd be rather embarassing to collapse from exhaustion not even a quarter of the way in !

This is also a rather long run - and they've just recently made it even longer by going to Roundbottom Hills !

True, I could go a bit faster, but I'm pacing myself.  I've spent years in Tenochtitlan running from critters TRYING TO EAT ME.  Plus I've had some military training at STAR.  

 

So I can maintain this 'cruising' speed for HOURS with no trouble.  I'll just cut loose during the last leg of the run when everyone else is nearly exhausted from going all out the whole time."

 

"Bah !  How do you expect to win going so slow ?"

"Slow is relative.  True, I'm no match for dedicated soldiers, athletes, track stars, those with a Mark in sports, or two of Harmony's Chosen, but this speed is a bit faster than what the bulk of the civilians can maintain.

Besides, winning isn't the point of this endeavor."

The Abomination's eye twitched.  "NOT THE POINT ?!  Since when is WINNING NOT THE POINT OF A RACE ?!"

TT smirked at him.  "The point of this endeavor is to shake leaves off of the trees, to bring and end to autumn so we can start getting ready for winter.
As long as that is done, it doesn't matter whether I come in first, last, or someplace in between !"

Before the Abomination could freak out any more, she continued "Besides, there is something funny going on here.  Pegasi control the weather.  It will not rain unless pegasi bring water-laden clouds from the factory.

 
It cannot snow unless pegasi bring in clouds loaded up with snow.

So unplanned unpleasant weather is, concerning.  As is the location of said anomalous weather.

So I'm going to hold back so I can keep the rest of the runners in view.  In case they run into trouble - after all, it is hard to keep an eye on someone behind you !"

 

She blinked again, and her eyes returned to normal sky blue with round pupils on white.
 

[PyroBlaze]

Tiger smiled at Berry as she responded, especially about the guard part. He then looked around at the rest of this little group he found himself in for now as they also spoke,  chuckling a bit at Apple Bloom's enthusiastic response. Ah, younger ponies and their enthusiasm were always fun. Still, it meant he could only go so far when flirting with Berry. The running for the prize thing gave him pause, partially because it was tempting to try and catch up to those two and finish in first, but for now he was more than content to meet these new ponies. Especially the pretty mare, Berry.

 

"Yeah, this is my first time doing this thing. I helped out with Winter Wrap-up one year around here, that was fun. Even got to take part in a little musical number." He chuckled at the memory, reminiscing a bit as he easily kept pace with the group. "My life here's probably gonna be a fun one, I bet. It helps when I meet new ponies to have fun with." He added, giving Berry another wink for good measure.

[Skycoaster]

Midnight's blush only got deeper as Berry winked at him. "Why...um...yes." he stuttered nervously as he kept up his pace. "With Princess Luna retiring, quite a few of us have been reassigned. Seems I keep getting sent to Ponyville quite a bit lately." When Tiger mentioned his origins, he would nod. He had heard of the town but had yet to ever visit. "I'm originally from a small village in the Eponnie Mountains."

 

When another mare nearby addressed him, also doing some stretches before running addressed him, he staggered mid trot and almost lost his balance, as he looked her over. It took every fiber of his being to keep his wings at his side. His heart felt like it sipped a beat. She was quite attractive as well and the way she was dressed didn't help. Flirting was not a strong suit of the areion, receiving it in return even more so."The...The East you say. Th..That's quite interesting."  After a few seconds of stumbling, he recovered his pace, picking up speed only to catch up with the pack of ponies he was with. Turning his head, he looked back after he hadn't see her with the pack only to still see her at the starting line. The grin he could see from the distance was enough to make hairs on his neck stand on end, though he couldn't help but think he might be enjoying her flirts.

 

Midnight had to get his mind back on the race. He noticed that the filly from the apple farm was running in the race as well. "So, any special apple juice or anything else that ponies do for preparation? I hear that your farm produces the most Leaves champions," he said with a smile.  Looking back over to Berry, he would nod. "This is my first Running of the Leaves. I'd rather enjoy myself then overexert myself just for a trophy. Though, it would look nice on the mantel," he joked. As Tiger chimed in about the musical number, he had to chuckle. "Better keep it down. With my experiences in Ponyville, we may break into song at any moment. I don't think my lungs could take running and singing at the same time." The bat pony was beginning to enjoy the company of the small pack of ponies that he was running with. As he caught sight of one of Tiger's winks to Berry Punch, he would give him a subtle nod.  He had that mare in the red leotard to worry about...or maybe not. Time would tell if she ever caught up to their little group...

[StrongCopper]

Strong Copper

 

For a moment, Strong Copper considered not answering the mare. After all, this was a race and breathing was important but... she had shown the courtesy of talking first and at the moment his plan was simply to put pressure on her so that she couldn't relax and the chances of her making a mistake he could seize advantage of grew higher and higher. He had time. "Strong Copper. Yourself?" He barked back, curious about her but clearly keeping at least one eye on the prize that was the race they were both running. Just because the two of them had taken an early lead and were trying to strengthen said lead by putting as much distance between themselves and the rest of the herd as possible, didn't mean either of them could afford to be complacent.

 

That said, he wasn't looking back so he didn't actually know how far away the herd was currently.

[Blueblood]

Berry Punch

 

Oh-ho-ho, so the handsome Earth Pony was a Platinum Guard member from 'down under'?  That would explain his exotic flair, despite being an earth pony.  Perhaps it was a bit tribalist, but there was nothing to Berry that less implied the exotic than earth ponies, the symbol of the homebody pony.  But then again, that might just be because she was one herself.  "Well, handsome, if you want to keep the fun going after we finish up today, drop by my shop and bar this evening!  I'll prepare something refreshing."

 

Ah, this was good.  Between the exercise and flirtation, she was feeling years younger!  The other handsome stallion by her seemed to have his attention split, as there had been another, very attractive unicorn mare beside him at the starting line.  Berry didn't blame him in the least; she had as much a taste for mares as for stallions, and that Jade was fine!  Pity she didn't seem to be keeping up at the moment.  "Offer stands for you too, Midnight.  Don't want you drying out after your first Run, after all."

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                                        


Apple Bloom was certain to be one of the best pure ponies in terms of stamina in this race but she'd admit readily to being outclassed in actual athleticism. Guardponies and combat mares alike were throwing their lot in this time and she wasn't arrogant enough to believe that her own muscles contained more juice than they. All she could rely on was a hope that they didn't know her well enough to know she wasn't the best damn Apple to run this race! Well, this year at least. And when you considered the winning pedigree of that claim she had all the faith in the world in her abilities to outrun and outlast the whole field.  Ha!

 

Then she saw the pedigree got mixed when her nephew was in the running. She almost tripped over a non-existent rock which would have meant she would plant on her all-too-real face in front of this all-too-real competition, but pardon her for double-taking. She didn't know they allowed small ponies to run in this race! She was always told they weren't allowed. Did Applejack lie? Nah, that couldn't be. Did the rules change? Nopony told her they had! In any case, her trot slowed. She couldn't see the changing pupils of one competitor or the flirtatious banter of another because her aunt-y instincts took over and she had to make sure that he was safe. And sane. Mostly safe though, since sanity was reserved for those with the sense to know better than to be as bold as Zap Apple was.

 

"Zap!" She said as she sidled up next to him. It was easy enough to match his stride, but her worried heart leaked in a little bit through her face, even as she tried to remain upbeat. "Y'all know this race is real tough, right? Ah don't want you to get hurt or nothin'," Apple Bloom said as she weighed the risks of trying to hug while running and deciding it was pretty stupid to try. 
For now. 

[Ciraxis]

Far behind everypony, a booming sound could be heard - like a bomb going off. Numerous birds took flight - partially started by the noise....and partially by what it heralded.

 

They didn't had to wait long, soon enough they got cough up by a cloud of dust and then......

 

With a mother of all power-slides, 'Jade' emerged from the behind the corner - kicking up a wave of dirt reaching treetops themselves! Luckily, now that she got the group into her sight, she opted to shift into less staining movement. The unicorn moved less like an equine and more like a gazelle, gaining distance with a long leaps, only skimming the dirt the dirt with tips of her hooves. Was this the most effective way to catch up? Heck no! She clearly did it for nothing more then giggles...something more emphasized by the fact, that she didn't even appeared to be short of breath!

As she neared the the Berry Punch and two stallions, 'Beaker' couldn't help but muse.

"Ahhh the thrill of the chase! Hadn't a fun like this in ages!" she giggled, before shifting her attention toward Midnight.

"And you handsome....I will chase you allll the way to the hotel room...if that's what you want❤. After a good drink or two from this nice. Maybe bring her along too? I don't mind sharing." 

'Jade' was laying it down thick, as her leaps became shorter and shorter, shifting steadily into proper pace.