site event 🍃The Running of the Leaves (2025) Race Event!

[Moonlight Wane]

5 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

"Careful, Moonlight-san. I don't know why, but I have a deep suspicion that something dangerous is waiting for us somewhere in this fog. And my hardened battle senses have never let me down before. Please, allow me to proceed first. Let me be the shield that protects everypony else." Samurai offers, more than willing to be a protective guardian.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Samurai-san. Lead the way. I will be behind you, scanning the shadows for dangers or lost participants."

[Samurai Equine]

2 hours ago, PrincessPriscillaPT said:

Yeah, sure, why not? Too bad that I don't have my jacket on because I would be just fine until this section here.

 

Samurai nods and gives Priscilla hug. "There you go, my friend. I hope this keeps you warm until the next leg of the race."
After that, he turns to Moonlight...

 

14 minutes ago, Moonlight Wane said:

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Samurai-san. Lead the way. I will be behind you, scanning the shadows for dangers or lost participants."

 

Samurai nods and takes lead, but makes sure @Nitobit Moonlight, @PrincessPriscillaPT Priscilla, @Dusk Haven Dusk and @Shiny Silvermoon Shiny can all keep up.
"You know, I realize this is just a race, but it feels like we're part of a vanguard now." Samurai says with a smirk.

[Shiny Silvermoon]

On 2025-09-24 at 9:46 PM, Dusk Haven said:

Dusk chuckled. "No, I have never felt the need for a crown or to rule. In all of my 2,000 years, I've managed to avoid it. The closest I have come is 'Princess Consort', and even that's not an actual Princess. You get it through marrying a Royal. You may call me Dusk Haven, or Dusk for short.

 

Dusk lit her horn, casting violet light over the map. “Hmm. I see your point… but this path feels wrong, almost forced.” She traced a hoof over several spots where markers should have been. “We should have all noticed these signs. Either they were tampered with—or something darker is at work.”

Lifting her gaze, she studied their surroundings. The sun barely pierced the canopy here, leaving the forest hushed and heavy. The silence pressed on the ears; no birdsong, no rustle of small creatures. A shiver crawled along her spine. “Listen. There’s hardly any life at all.”

Above them, slender branches sagged under new ice, the rainwater hardening to crystal before their eyes. Dusk’s expression tightened before she turned back to @Shiny Silvermoon

“I think we should let the others gather and weigh in before we act. For now, stay close—and keep warm. We don't want to cause alarm just yet. Does that seem fair to you?"

"

*Shiny glanced around, her eyes roaming over each of her companions, before turning back to @Dusk Haven.*

"Yes, gathering everyone and keeping them warm is the best thing to do, for now. Anyway, we could hardly go anywhere without risk, because of the darkness and the cold." *She responded to the alicorn.*

[Shiny Silvermoon]

On 2025-09-25 at 2:45 AM, Samurai Equine said:

 

Moushley looks at Socrate confused. She waves her paw in front of his face to make sure he is still paying attention. She even does a little spin dance for some reason. Then she remembers the race. She points to it starts squeaking, becoming a race commentator once more. She points at the lights in fog, the racers she can barely see, and the random cloud in the sky that looks like a wedge of cheese.

 

 

Samurai looks back for only a moment, glad that his light has inspired others. However, he gets a strange feeling...

Which is interrupted when he sees @Shiny Silvermoon Shiny Silvermoon. "...Eh?! Naze da?! Shiny-chan? When did you get here? And how did you catch up to me so fast?" This is their first time reuniting in this entire race.

 

 

When Samurai notices @Dusk Haven Dusk and @Nitobit Moonlight catching up, he slows down a little so they can all be closer. Since @Shiny Silvermoon Shiny is here too, he gets an idea. "Forgive me if this sounds random, I don't mean to invade anypony's personal space, but would any of you care for a hug?" Samurai asks. But considering how big the roaring flame is on his horn, it's not just for friendliness alone. He's offering so they can all warm up in this cold fog.

But even as they run though this path half blinded, Samurai still cannot shake the feeling he is getting. A feeling that is keeping him on edge.

*Socrate eventually break free from his romantic trance, by shaking his head. Witnessing the eerie lights in the distance, the little fruit bat's curiosity was caught so he flew toward them, leaving Moushley behind with @Dynamo Pad.*

*Meanwhile, Shiny heard @Samurai Equine's proposition for a group hug, to which she immediately answered. Before he could react, the unicorn launched herself onto him, embracing him tightly. As she did, the icy blue glow and the warmth of her horn seemed to intensify.*

*Suddenly, her pet interrupted the hug by flying around the group.*

"Socrate? Socrate! You need to warn Dyny that we took the wrong path and that we're currently trying to survive to the cold!" *The mare explained to Socrate. The fruit bat's face then shifted to express some concerns for her.*

"We'll be fine, don't worry. Now go! Fly! Fly, you fool!" *Shiny dramatically commanded her pet, to which he submitted without further ado.*

*Socrate made his way back to Gaming Unicorn and Moushley's location, to deliver his message to him. To do so, he took out his notepad and his pencil to start writting. He then showed to him the message, with an hint of hurry, as he was pushing the note against his snout.*

[Shiny Silvermoon]

7 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

 

Samurai nods and gives Priscilla hug. "There you go, my friend. I hope this keeps you warm until the next leg of the race."
After that, he turns to Moonlight...

 

 

Samurai nods and takes lead, but makes sure @Nitobit Moonlight, @PrincessPriscillaPT Priscilla, @Dusk Haven Dusk and @Shiny Silvermoon Shiny can all keep up.
"You know, I realize this is just a race, but it feels like we're part of a vanguard now." Samurai says with a smirk.

"Let's lead those ponies to somewhere safe! I'm following you, @Samurai Equine! I will add the glimmer of my own horn to yours! It will keep us warm and enlightened!" *Shiny Silvermoon declared, as she began to leap at a surprisingly fast pace, which reminds of the precious Running or the Leaves.*

[Dusk Haven]

7 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

Samurai nods and takes lead, but makes sure @Nitobit Moonlight, @PrincessPriscillaPT Priscilla, @Dusk Haven Dusk and @Shiny Silvermoon Shiny can all keep up.
"You know, I realize this is just a race, but it feels like we're part of a vanguard now." Samurai says with a smirk.

"Agreed. It started as a race, and I'm sure it will return to that, but for now, making sure we get through safely is the most important thing. We have an amazing, as you say, Vanguard to do so."

[Dusk Haven]

9 hours ago, Shiny Silvermoon said:

"Yes, gathering everyone and keeping them warm is the best thing to do, for now. Anyway, we could hardly go anywhere without risk, because of the darkness and the cold." *She responded to the alicorn.*

Dusk was about to speak when word reached her that ponies had already ventured deeper into the forest. She let out a quiet breath. “Well, I suppose staying put is no longer an option—at least for some of us. I think a small group should go after them and bring them back to shelter. Others need to see where this darkness and frost end.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, shutting out the rustle of nervous chatter. Beneath the voices and the wind, she reached for the rhythm she knew—the quiet pulse of the land itself.

“There’s somepony out there,” she said at last, opening her eyes, “either shaping this cold or knowing who is. That’s the one we need to find. The forest doesn’t agree with what’s being done to it.”

[Iridescent Edge]

*The cold air starts to catch up to Iridescent. He ceases his tree-bucking as he feels tremble uncontrollably. He stands there in the cold for a moment before he sees a warm glow in the distance. He pushes himself through the cold, his pants coming out as a thin mist, as he trots in the direction of the light. Upon finally reaching the source, Iridescent Edge is met with the other contestants huddling around the unicorn's heat spells. Iridescent tetatively walks into the circle.* "H-H-Hi..."

[Samurai Equine 56,550]

16 hours ago, Shiny Silvermoon said:

*Socrate eventually break free from his romantic trance, by shaking his head. Witnessing the eerie lights in the distance, the little fruit bat's curiosity was caught so he flew toward them, leaving Moushley behind with @Dynamo Pad.*

*Meanwhile, Shiny heard @Samurai Equine's proposition for a group hug, to which she immediately answered. Before he could react, the unicorn launched herself onto him, embracing him tightly. As she did, the icy blue glow and the warmth of her horn seemed to intensify.*

*Suddenly, her pet interrupted the hug by flying around the group.*

"Socrate? Socrate! You need to warn Dyny that we took the wrong path and that we're currently trying to survive to the cold!" *The mare explained to Socrate. The fruit bat's face then shifted to express some concerns for her.*

"We'll be fine, don't worry. Now go! Fly! Fly, you fool!" *Shiny dramatically commanded her pet, to which he submitted without further ado.*

*Socrate made his way back to Gaming Unicorn and Moushley's location, to deliver his message to him. To do so, he took out his notepad and his pencil to start writting. He then showed to him the message, with an hint of hurry, as he was pushing the note against his snout.*

 

Moushley looks deep into the fog, trying to make out any images she can. Eventually, she sees something that makes her squeak. She hugs herself and points at the fog, clearly confused. She even looks to Dynamo, Pinkie Pie, or Starlight for confirmation. But when she sees Socrate writing on a notepad, she adds a pawprint in the corner, and gives a silly smile.

Meanwhile, Samurai is taken by surprise when Shiny hugs him, but he gladly hugs back, giving her lots of warmth. "Heh. I always have a free hug for whoever needs it!"

 

6 hours ago, Dusk Haven said:

Dusk was about to speak when word reached her that ponies had already ventured deeper into the forest. She let out a quiet breath. “Well, I suppose staying put is no longer an option—at least for some of us. I think a small group should go after them and bring them back to shelter. Others need to see where this darkness and frost end.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, shutting out the rustle of nervous chatter. Beneath the voices and the wind, she reached for the rhythm she knew—the quiet pulse of the land itself.

“There’s somepony out there,” she said at last, opening her eyes, “either shaping this cold or knowing who is. That’s the one we need to find. The forest doesn’t agree with what’s being done to it.”

 

Samurai is rather surprised. "You can detect that, Dusk? That's amazing! If you want to help other ponies lost in the fog, you have my best wishes. I would join you, but if there is a dangerous enemy waiting for us up ahead, then it should be me who faces them. It would not be the first time I've stood my ground against dangerous foes." Samurai says. He puts a hoof on her shoulder, encouragingly. "Stay safe. And let's hang out more when this race is over."

 

4 hours ago, Iridescent Edge said:

*The cold air starts to catch up to Iridescent. He ceases his tree-bucking as he feels tremble uncontrollably. He stands there in the cold for a moment before he sees a warm glow in the distance. He pushes himself through the cold, his pants coming out as a thin mist, as he trots in the direction of the light. Upon finally reaching the source, Iridescent Edge is met with the other contestants huddling around the unicorn's heat spells. Iridescent tetatively walks into the circle.* "H-H-Hi..."

 

Samurai notices Iridescent and does his best to get closer. "Greetings, fellow racer. You are looking a little cold. Would you care for a warm hug?" Samurai asks. The large magical fire on his horn is still lit. Hugging Samurai would easily give Iridescent the boost of warmth he needs.

[PrincessPriscillaPT 493]

*Priscilla decided to look back at the racers* "How's everypony doing back here?"

[Dusk Haven 236]

51 minutes ago, Samurai Equine said:

Samurai is rather surprised. "You can detect that, Dusk? That's amazing! If you want to help other ponies lost in the fog, you have my best wishes. I would join you, but if there is a dangerous enemy waiting for us up ahead, then it should be me who faces them. It would not be the first time I've stood my ground against dangerous foes." Samurai says. He puts a hoof on her shoulder, encouragingly. "Stay safe. And let's hang out more when this race is over."

 

Dusk chuckled, the sound low but carrying. “For centuries, I kept to the roads, far from the cities. I walked from village to village, settling disputes, tending the sick and the grieving, lending a hoof wherever it was needed. The roads were long… and often desperately lonely. When you travel in silence that long, you learn to listen to everything—the wind, the earth, even the hush between hoofsteps.”

Her voice softened, touched by something unspoken. “It wasn’t until about twenty years before…” She stopped herself, a shadow crossing her eyes, then steadied. “I didn’t truly set hoof in the great cities until about a thousand years ago.”

She met @Samurai Equine encouraging gesture with a faint, warm smile. “I’d like that,” she said, her tone carrying both gratitude and resolve.

Then she turned to face the ponies gathering in the cold and the fog, her stance firm and wings giving a single, deliberate sweep. Her voice rose, clear and steady.
“We can’t wait any longer. Some have already gone deeper into the forest. We need a small, capable group to go after them—lead them out of this unnatural cold and darkness. Who will stand with me and continue this race on the other side?!"

[Starlight Glimmer 151]

On 2025-09-25 at 6:23 PM, Pinkie Pie said:

Pinkie’s tail twitched like crazy when Starlight mentioned Discord. Her jaw practically dropped as all the pieces clicked together- the wild uncontrollable weather and that tricky draconequus!

”Discord’s behind this shenanigans?! Ooooh that totally makes a whole lotta sense Starlight!!” She beamed, her voice bouncing with excitement.

Oops! Pinkie quickly clamped her hooves over her mouth hoping the participates didn’t hear her outburst. 
 

She knew just how much Discord loves causing trouble and chaos. And while Pinkie usually loved making the race fun and zippy, this weather? That’s a whole different kind of challenge, definitely not fun. 
 

“If you’re right Starlight,  I hope Discord have a good reason for it.” Pinkie said, puffing out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout.

 

”On the bright side, the runners are totally allowed to use their magic, not to help themselves around the super tough forest but to lead  a hoof to the ones without magic! And that’s really something! And hey, speaking from an earth pony’s perspective—you’ve gotta give credit to the ones without magic for all their hard work too! Like Moonlight here—he really gave it his all trying to get that fire started! The sparks twins? Oh-ho, their hot chocolate hospitality is keeping everyone warm and happy! @Iridescent Edge finally got his strength back from Shiny Slivermoon’s medicine! And don’t forget , Dusk Haven using her magic to guide the group safely this terrifying forest!”

Starlight flinched slightly upon hearing Pinkie's exclamation. Starlight was about to respond, before she suddenly saw Pinkie clamp her hooves over her mouth. Breathing a soft sigh in relief, she looked around the balloon to see if any of the competitors had heard them. "It looks like nobody heard anything, but let's hope that it's not Discord." She looked towards the super duper party pony with an expression of concern. "That's the thing, though. I was thinking that it was Discord, at first. However, didn't you notice something off? Usually we'd be seeing chocolate milk rain with cotton candy clouds, or something that would change the tide of the race by a landslide. Yet, despite all of that, it feels as if this is more controlled. Almost as if the exact opposite or something else got in the way. This feels way too planned for my liking. I know that we all had this planned out with Dynamo, but this doesn't feel like our master of chaos draconequus to me. The only question is...who could it be?" She pondered with a hoof underneath her chin. Her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to think of potential answers, but nothing seemed to come to mind.

"I really hope so too. Even if it was Discord, you'd think that he would have asked, or caused some chaos, then ask, then try to join in on the fun." Starlight says, trying to get into the draconequus' head on what would have been done. 

Holding the binoculars in her magical grasp, Starlight squinted her eyes as she tried to see through the dense, thick fog. She could make out a few individuals, but they looked like shadowy silhouettes. "I'm still surprised to see Shiny again! I don't think she signed up for the race, but it's always great to have a familiar face." Starlight smiled as she commentated. "Even though it looks like everyone is separated and forming groups to keep warm, it's nice to see the warm camaraderie. Between the hugs and the hot chocolate, it's keeping everypony's spirits warm and bright." Starlight says, taking notice a number of shadow figures moving in a group. "It looks like one group is leading the charge to catch up to the others. Hopefully, they'll be able to light their way to catch up, so nopony gets left behind." 

Even as the group was moving on ahead, Starlight watched as it looked like the group stopped. Almost as if contemplating on separating to try and find the others. "Hey, Pinkie? I think we might need to help out in getting everypony back together. This dark forest and the cold is becoming a bit too much for the participants. If anypony ends up getting lost, then their safety might be in jeopardy. Is there anything we can do to help?" She turned to Pinkie with a whisper in hopes that the pink party mare had something up her sleeves.

[Shiny Silvermoon]

7 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

 

Moushley looks deep into the fog, trying to make out any images she can. Eventually, she sees something that makes her squeak. She hugs herself and points at the fog, clearly confused. She even looks to Dynamo, Pinkie Pie, or Starlight for confirmation. But when she sees Socrate writing on a notepad, she adds a pawprint in the corner, and gives a silly smile.

Meanwhile, Samurai is taken by surprise when Shiny hugs him, but he gladly hugs back, giving her lots of warmth. "Heh. I always have a free hug for whoever needs it!"

 

 

Samurai is rather surprised. "You can detect that, Dusk? That's amazing! If you want to help other ponies lost in the fog, you have my best wishes. I would join you, but if there is a dangerous enemy waiting for us up ahead, then it should be me who faces them. It would not be the first time I've stood my ground against dangerous foes." Samurai says. He puts a hoof on her shoulder, encouragingly. "Stay safe. And let's hang out more when this race is over."

 

 

Samurai notices Iridescent and does his best to get closer. "Greetings, fellow racer. You are looking a little cold. Would you care for a warm hug?" Samurai asks. The large magical fire on his horn is still lit. Hugging Samurai would easily give Iridescent the boost of warmth he needs.

"I'm coming with you, Samurai! I, myself, had to face dangerous foes in the past! This includes a red-skinned giant centaur with big horns! So I'm not to afraid of whoever is behind all this!" *Shiny said to @Samurai Equine, while pretending to crack her fingers, although she doesn't have any.*

12 hours ago, Iridescent Edge said:

*The cold air starts to catch up to Iridescent. He ceases his tree-bucking as he feels tremble uncontrollably. He stands there in the cold for a moment before he sees a warm glow in the distance. He pushes himself through the cold, his pants coming out as a thin mist, as he trots in the direction of the light. Upon finally reaching the source, Iridescent Edge is met with the other contestants huddling around the unicorn's heat spells. Iridescent tetatively walks into the circle.* "H-H-Hi..."

"Oh! Iridescent! You look frozen! You should stay here with Dusk, while we search for the participants lost in the woods! Please, have yourself an hot chocolate!" *The unicorn said to @Iridescent Edge, concerned about his condition. She then gave him one of the hot chocolates provided by @Silverspark184 Silverspark and Brightspark.*

[Pinkie Pie 685]

7 hours ago, Starlight Glimmer said:

Starlight flinched slightly upon hearing Pinkie's exclamation. Starlight was about to respond, before she suddenly saw Pinkie clamp her hooves over her mouth. Breathing a soft sigh in relief, she looked around the balloon to see if any of the competitors had heard them. "It looks like nobody heard anything, but let's hope that it's not Discord." She looked towards the super duper party pony with an expression of concern. "That's the thing, though. I was thinking that it was Discord, at first. However, didn't you notice something off? Usually we'd be seeing chocolate milk rain with cotton candy clouds, or something that would change the tide of the race by a landslide. Yet, despite all of that, it feels as if this is more controlled. Almost as if the exact opposite or something else got in the way. This feels way too planned for my liking. I know that we all had this planned out with Dynamo, but this doesn't feel like our master of chaos draconequus to me. The only question is...who could it be?" She pondered with a hoof underneath her chin. Her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to think of potential answers, but nothing seemed to come to mind.

"I really hope so too. Even if it was Discord, you'd think that he would have asked, or caused some chaos, then ask, then try to join in on the fun." Starlight says, trying to get into the draconequus' head on what would have been done. 

Holding the binoculars in her magical grasp, Starlight squinted her eyes as she tried to see through the dense, thick fog. She could make out a few individuals, but they looked like shadowy silhouettes. "I'm still surprised to see Shiny again! I don't think she signed up for the race, but it's always great to have a familiar face." Starlight smiled as she commentated. "Even though it looks like everyone is separated and forming groups to keep warm, it's nice to see the warm camaraderie. Between the hugs and the hot chocolate, it's keeping everypony's spirits warm and bright." Starlight says, taking notice a number of shadow figures moving in a group. "It looks like one group is leading the charge to catch up to the others. Hopefully, they'll be able to light their way to catch up, so nopony gets left behind." 

Even as the group was moving on ahead, Starlight watched as it looked like the group stopped. Almost as if contemplating on separating to try and find the others. "Hey, Pinkie? I think we might need to help out in getting everypony back together. This dark forest and the cold is becoming a bit too much for the participants. If anypony ends up getting lost, then their safety might be in jeopardy. Is there anything we can do to help?" She turned to Pinkie with a whisper in hopes that the pink party mare had something up her sleeves.

Pinkie tilted her head, finally seeing what starlight meant. She noticed how Dusk’s group was trotting ahead, while some ponies lagged behind. For a moment, she tapped her chin in thought. Then her face lit up with a big, bright smile.

With a dramatic fwip, pinkie pie pulled a cupcake cannon straight out of her mane!

 

”oooh, I’ve got just the thing to bring everypony back together!”

She grabbed her mic as she makes an important announcement.

 

”Alright everypony!!!” She hollered, before blasting a colorful trail of cupcakes through the trees.

 

”Follow the cupcakes, runners! And don’t forget to grab a snack along the way!” Pinkie cheered, giggling as her sweet trail guides everyone closer together through the spooky forest!

[Starlight Glimmer 151]

1 hour ago, Pinkie Pie said:

Pinkie tilted her head, finally seeing what starlight meant. She noticed how Dusk’s group was trotting ahead, while some ponies lagged behind. For a moment, she tapped her chin in thought. Then her face lit up with a big, bright smile.

With a dramatic fwip, pinkie pie pulled a cupcake cannon straight out of her mane!

 

”oooh, I’ve got just the thing to bring everypony back together!”

She grabbed her mic as she makes an important announcement.

 

”Alright everypony!!!” She hollered, before blasting a colorful trail of cupcakes through the trees.

 

”Follow the cupcakes, runners! And don’t forget to grab a snack along the way!” Pinkie cheered, giggling as her sweet trail guides everyone closer together and out of the spooky forest!

While Starlight tried to keep track of the racer's, she didn't see Pinkie, who was busily tapping her chin as she was deep in thought. The moment that the super duper party pony's voice rang into Starlight's ears, the unicorn blinked as she looked back into the hot air balloon basket. Only to see Pinkie, who was holding what looked like a cannon from out of nowhere. Normally, she'd question where that even came from. Only for Starlight to remember that this was Pinkie Pie and the number one rule was to never question Pinkie Pie.

"Pinkie? What kind of invention is that? Is that some sort of new party cannon? It looks like it's some sort of cupcake-inator." Starlight stared in both surprise and awe of the new cannon in the party mare's hooves. Moving over to allow Pinkie to stand next to her, before she watched Pinkie take the stage to launch the cupcakes into the dense fog. "How about that folks!? It looks like Pinkie couldn't sit idly by and decided to take matters into her own hooves! Now we have a trail back to the course! Along with a way for our racer's to, as well as for everypony to find each other and have potential snacks on the way!" Starlight commentated, smiling proudly as the scene played before her. 

[Pinkie Pie 685]

4 hours ago, Starlight Glimmer said:

While Starlight tried to keep track of the racer's, she didn't see Pinkie, who was busily tapping her chin as she was deep in thought. The moment that the super duper party pony's voice rang into Starlight's ears, the unicorn blinked as she looked back into the hot air balloon basket. Only to see Pinkie, who was holding what looked like a cannon from out of nowhere. Normally, she'd question where that even came from. Only for Starlight to remember that this was Pinkie Pie and the number one rule was to never question Pinkie Pie.

"Pinkie? What kind of invention is that? Is that some sort of new party cannon? It looks like it's some sort of cupcake-inator." Starlight stared in both surprise and awe of the new cannon in the party mare's hooves. Moving over to allow Pinkie to stand next to her, before she watched Pinkie take the stage to launch the cupcakes into the dense fog. "How about that folks!? It looks like Pinkie couldn't sit idly by and decided to take matters into her own hooves! Now we have a trail back to the course! Along with a way for our racer's to, as well as for everypony to find each other and have potential snacks on the way!" Starlight commentated, smiling proudly as the scene played before her.

“Why yes indeed, Starlight! Behold the one and only, the totally best thing ever-Cupcake-inator 3000!” She announced like a salemare, her voice booming through the mic. “Guaranteed to fire the frosted goodness at high speeds, create a scrumptious breadcrumbs, I mean, cupcake trails, AND keeps our runners fueled for maximum pooooower!!!”

 

She gave the cannons a proud pat before aiming it at the foggy forest. One cupcake after another, BOOM! BOOM! A frosted trail formed, turning the scary path more like a candy land lane!

“Step right up folks! Don’t be shy follow the cupcake highway back to the race course!”

Pinkie leaned closer to the mic whispering like a conspirator to Starlight. “Starlight, it even has a sprinkle launcher attachment!”
 

Pinkie let out a small giggles, before popping back upright, voice loud and bouncy again.

”Cupcakes and directions! Two for one special everypony! Only from your friendly neighborhood, Pinkie and Starlight!” 

[PrincessPriscillaPT 493]

"I could not even tell where we at because of the frickin' trees covering our view from above!" *Priscilla looks up and saw nothing but darkness while following the guide light from @Samurai Equine Samurai.*

[Dusk Haven 236]

39 minutes ago, Pinkie Pie said:

“Why yes indeed, Starlight! Behold the one and only, the totally best thing ever-Cupcake-inator 3000!” She announced like a salemare, her voice booming through the mic. “Guaranteed to fire the frosted goodness at high speeds, create a scrumptious breadcrumbs, I mean, cupcake trails, AND keeps our runners fueled for maximum pooooower!!!”

 

She gave the cannons a proud pat before aiming it at the foggy forest. One cupcake after another, BOOM! BOOM! A frosted trail formed, turning the scary path more like a candy land lane!

“Step right up folks! Don’t be shy follow the cupcake highway back to the race course!”

Pinkie leaned closer to the mic whispering like a conspirator to Starlight. “Starlight, it even has a sprinkle launcher attachment!”
 

Pinkie let out a small giggles, before popping back upright, voice loud and bouncy again.

”Cupcakes and directions! Two for one special everypony! Only from your friendly neighborhood, Pinkie and Starlight!” 

Dusk blinked as cupcakes began to rain from the sky, tumbling down in a trail that seemed to point east. She prodded one cautiously with the tip of her hoof; she wasn’t the sort to trust sweets that fell from nowhere.

Still, she moved forward, calling out to the scattered ponies and guiding them toward the odd confectionery path. Many were quick to snatch up the cupcakes and eat them, but she abstained—at least for now.

Her horn glowed with a steady violet light as the first fingers of sunlight pierced the treeline, landing in soft pools right where the cupcake trail continued. She didn’t look back to see if any of the original group had followed her. She had hoped they would, but she understood. A stranger is often kept at arm’s length—sometimes for good reason.

She sighed inwardly and pressed on. Perhaps, by the end of this strange and trying race, that would change. For now, she did what she had always done: she helped where she could. She led when others faltered. She guided.

That, for the moment, was enough.

She bucked a few trees as the vast cold and darkness receded as they followed the newly rediscovered path. She rustled her wings, a warm grin forming as she looked at the single ingio feather close to her primaries. She wondered what else lay ahead.

[Iridescent Edge 829]

11 hours ago, Shiny Silvermoon said:

"Oh! Iridescent! You look frozen! You should stay here with Dusk, while we search for the participants lost in the woods! Please, have yourself an hot chocolate!" *The unicorn said to @Iridescent Edge, concerned about his condition. She then gave him one of the hot chocolates provided by @Silverspark184 Silverspark and Brightspark.*

"Th-Thanks..." *Iridescent takes the mug of hot chocolate in his levitation aura and takes several sips. He feels a wave of heat flowing through his body at the expense of some of his taste buds.*

19 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

Samurai notices Iridescent and does his best to get closer. "Greetings, fellow racer. You are looking a little cold. Would you care for a warm hug?" Samurai asks. The large magical fire on his horn is still lit. Hugging Samurai would easily give Iridescent the boost of warmth he needs.

"Uhhhhhh..." Iridescent stares at Samurai (@Samurai Equine) blankly. His gaze momentarily moves to the ground--still staring at it blankly--before looking back up at him.* "...I'm good, thanks."

[Moonlight Wane]

A solitary cupcake bounces off Moonlight's head, before a path of sweet treats emerges among the trees. "Oh. That makes things easier." He says as he starts following it, keeping close to the group.

[Samurai Equine]

5 hours ago, Iridescent Edge said:

"Th-Thanks..." *Iridescent takes the mug of hot chocolate in his levitation aura and takes several sips. He feels a wave of heat flowing through his body at the expense of some of his taste buds.*

"Uhhhhhh..." Iridescent stares at Samurai (@Samurai Equine) blankly. His gaze momentarily moves to the ground--still staring at it blankly--before looking back up at him.* "...I'm good, thanks."

 

"If you say so. But no shame if you change your mind." Samurai nods and continues to race.

 

On 2025-09-27 at 2:57 AM, Dusk Haven said:

Dusk chuckled, the sound low but carrying. “For centuries, I kept to the roads, far from the cities. I walked from village to village, settling disputes, tending the sick and the grieving, lending a hoof wherever it was needed. The roads were long… and often desperately lonely. When you travel in silence that long, you learn to listen to everything—the wind, the earth, even the hush between hoofsteps.”

Her voice softened, touched by something unspoken. “It wasn’t until about twenty years before…” She stopped herself, a shadow crossing her eyes, then steadied. “I didn’t truly set hoof in the great cities until about a thousand years ago.”

She met @Samurai Equine encouraging gesture with a faint, warm smile. “I’d like that,” she said, her tone carrying both gratitude and resolve.

Then she turned to face the ponies gathering in the cold and the fog, her stance firm and wings giving a single, deliberate sweep. Her voice rose, clear and steady.
“We can’t wait any longer. Some have already gone deeper into the forest. We need a small, capable group to go after them—lead them out of this unnatural cold and darkness. Who will stand with me and continue this race on the other side?!"

 

Samurai happily nods at Dusk's words, but then turns his attention forward. But as he takes the lead once more...

 

17 hours ago, Shiny Silvermoon said:

"I'm coming with you, Samurai! I, myself, had to face dangerous foes in the past! This includes a red-skinned giant centaur with big horns! So I'm not to afraid of whoever is behind all this!" *Shiny said to @Samurai Equine, while pretending to crack her fingers, although she doesn't have any.*

"Oh! Iridescent! You look frozen! You should stay here with Dusk, while we search for the participants lost in the woods! Please, have yourself an hot chocolate!" *The unicorn said to @Iridescent Edge, concerned about his condition. She then gave him one of the hot chocolates provided by @Silverspark184 Silverspark and Brightspark.*

 

Samurai is a little surprised, but smiles. "You are full of surprises, Shiny! But I've seen you in action, so I know how amazing you are. Glad to have you along." Samurai faces forward and runs as fast as he can.

 

14 hours ago, Pinkie Pie said:

Pinkie tilted her head, finally seeing what starlight meant. She noticed how Dusk’s group was trotting ahead, while some ponies lagged behind. For a moment, she tapped her chin in thought. Then her face lit up with a big, bright smile.

With a dramatic fwip, pinkie pie pulled a cupcake cannon straight out of her mane!

 

”oooh, I’ve got just the thing to bring everypony back together!”

She grabbed her mic as she makes an important announcement.

 

”Alright everypony!!!” She hollered, before blasting a colorful trail of cupcakes through the trees.

 

”Follow the cupcakes, runners! And don’t forget to grab a snack along the way!” Pinkie cheered, giggling as her sweet trail guides everyone closer together through the spooky forest!

 

But Samurai's attempt to get to the lead of the race is interrupted when something bounces off his head. He grabs the cupcake that landed on him. "...Cupcake?" Samurai looks around to see the falling confectionaries. He then hears the voice of Pinkie Pie and listens close to her explanation.

 

7 hours ago, Pinkie Pie said:

“Why yes indeed, Starlight! Behold the one and only, the totally best thing ever-Cupcake-inator 3000!” She announced like a salemare, her voice booming through the mic. “Guaranteed to fire the frosted goodness at high speeds, create a scrumptious breadcrumbs, I mean, cupcake trails, AND keeps our runners fueled for maximum pooooower!!!”

 

She gave the cannons a proud pat before aiming it at the foggy forest. One cupcake after another, BOOM! BOOM! A frosted trail formed, turning the scary path more like a candy land lane!

“Step right up folks! Don’t be shy follow the cupcake highway back to the race course!”

Pinkie leaned closer to the mic whispering like a conspirator to Starlight. “Starlight, it even has a sprinkle launcher attachment!”
 

Pinkie let out a small giggles, before popping back upright, voice loud and bouncy again.

”Cupcakes and directions! Two for one special everypony! Only from your friendly neighborhood, Pinkie and Starlight!” 

 

"...The Cupckae-inator? If I hade a nickle for every time I've heard of an invention with that name, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't much, but it's strange that it happened twice." Samurai admits, then shakes his head. "I am not sure how cupcakes will work in this fog, but if it helps guide the way, then I'm all for it!"

[PrincessPriscillaPT 493]

"Huh? Why are cupcakes unexpectedly falling? Normally, you cannot see how far you go from above, and there's no source of light other than @Samurai Equine Samurai's horn. Hello?" *Priscilla gets confused about why cupcakes are unexpectedly falling from the dense trees. It looks like it forms a path.*

[Shiny Silvermoon]

16 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

Samurai is a little surprised, but smiles. "You are full of surprises, Shiny! But I've seen you in action, so I know how amazing you are. Glad to have you along." Samurai faces forward and runs as fast as he can.

*Shiny Silvermoon's cheeks took on a pink color from hearing @Samurai Equine's praising words.* "I'm honored to be considered amazing by a heroic warrior such as yourself…" *She responded to him with a lilt of shyness, while they were running.*

*All of a sudden, she was hit by something going at high speed which fell from the sky. The mare was then propelled into the Japonese's hooves by the force of the impact. Her entire body felt weak and her vision blurred, as the cold was taking over. A red liquid was covering the point of impact, on her head.*

"I think this is it, colonel… It's a lethal blow at the head, nopony can get away with this…" *Shiny's eyes were half-lidded and her breaths were growing louder by the seconds.*

"War… War never changes. Colonel, promise me that you'll get those brave soldiers to safety…" *The unicorn weakly begged Samurai Equine, before being interrupted by a cough. She then took out, from her mane, a picture of a polar bear holding a croissant-shaped puppet in it's paw.* "Good bye, Bearpolar. Good bye, Croissanto."

Spoiler

The picture :

"I… I can see the light… I see the liiiiight… Wait… This is just the blinding glow of your horn, Samurai!" *She ran a hoof onto the point of impact and gathered some cake batter into it.* "This is just cake with a cherry filling! Well, shiver me timber! I ain't going to disalive!"

*The mare immediately bounced away from the Japonese's arms and began to leap again with a huge smile, as if nothing happened.*

Edited Monday at 12:49 AM by Shiny Silvermoon

[Shiny Silvermoon]

23 hours ago, Dusk Haven said:

Dusk blinked as cupcakes began to rain from the sky, tumbling down in a trail that seemed to point east. She prodded one cautiously with the tip of her hoof; she wasn’t the sort to trust sweets that fell from nowhere.

Still, she moved forward, calling out to the scattered ponies and guiding them toward the odd confectionery path. Many were quick to snatch up the cupcakes and eat them, but she abstained—at least for now.

Her horn glowed with a steady violet light as the first fingers of sunlight pierced the treeline, landing in soft pools right where the cupcake trail continued. She didn’t look back to see if any of the original group had followed her. She had hoped they would, but she understood. A stranger is often kept at arm’s length—sometimes for good reason.

She sighed inwardly and pressed on. Perhaps, by the end of this strange and trying race, that would change. For now, she did what she had always done: she helped where she could. She led when others faltered. She guided.

That, for the moment, was enough.

She bucked a few trees as the vast cold and darkness receded as they followed the newly rediscovered path. She rustled her wings, a warm grin forming as she looked at the single ingio feather close to her primaries. She wondered what else lay ahead.

*While @Dusk Haven was plunged in her deep reflections, a gleeful mare caught to her and was now leaping next to her.* "Howdy, again! It seems like we don't have to worry anymore about getting ourselves lost, with the help of Pinkie Pie!" *Shiny exclaimed to the alicorn, while a trail of cupcakes, that she had caught in mid hair, followed them, engulfed by the unicorn's magic.*

"I couldn't help but notice that you were talking to yourself! I often do that too, when nopony is watching! But sometimes it's because I'm having a chat with the Moon!" *She explained to Dusk with a silly smile.*

"Anyway! Would you mind for a cupcake? I bet you could use a sweet treat baked with love! It would be a shame, if all those went to waste! I mean, baking so many cupcakes must not have been… a piece of cake." *The mare winked to her, as she offered a cupcake.*

Edited Monday at 01:16 AM by Shiny Silvermoon

[Roswell]

Roswell continues running as fast as he can after he exits the river and passes through the forks in the road and he stops when he reaches the forest, he looks at it and says to himself 'let's do it' and runs into the forest as he feels the temperature dropping and the chill from the fact that he was still wet from the river but Roswell kept running to make his temperature go higher which kept him warm as he ran.

He powers his way through the thick until he sees some ponies up ahead but he can't tell who they are because of the darkness and the fog, so he yelled out which was out of character for him to yell unless it was need 'HELLO!!!!!', he approached slowly and waited for an answer from any of the ponies up ahead but since he stopped running that meant his temperature was going down, so he chose not worry about the race for now and would rather see who these ponies were.