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

[Roswell]

Roswell watched all of the other ponies and gave a little smile which he rarely does but after getting to know these ponies better, he felt happy to have them as his friends.

 

He noticed the photographers moving towards him which made his brain kick into motion as he did that crazy backflip he did while bucking the trees but he did it while the fireworks went off.

 

He gave a confident smirk as photographers took many photos of him but he pointed at the other ponies and said ‘I’m not the only star of this race, there’s a whole bunch of stars over there’.

[Dusk Haven 321]

1 hour ago, Moonlight Wane said:

While the photographers are busy photographing Dusk Haven's stunning display, Moonlight notices fireworks hidden in a barrel behind the podium. "I hope I can borrow some." He carefully chooses a couple that would give the best effect, and approaches the finish line, just as Dusk finishes her show. He gives photographers some time to aim at him, before standing on his hind legs and opening his arms and wings. The fireworks drop on the ground and activate, flying and exploding around Moonlight as he holds the pose long enough to let them get some good shots.

boom—crackle—flare!

Violet and gold arcs spiraled upward, bursting into shapes that mirrored the season itself: maple leaves, stars, and one rather impressive likeness of a crescent moon.

Dusk turned just in time to see @Nitobit Moonlight Wane, standing proud and still amid the smoke, wings flared wide as the last sparks danced around him.

For a heartbeat, she simply stared—then laughed, bright and genuine. “You certainly know how to steal an ending,” she called, voice carrying over the cheering crowd.

She trotted closer, the light of the fireworks catching on her eyes. “That was beautiful, Moonlight. Unexpected… but beautiful.” Her tone softened into that familiar half-smile she wore when truly pleased. “Though I imagine we’ll both be explaining this to the organizers before long.”

A pause, then—just enough mischief in her voice to earn a grin from anypony nearby:
“Still—worth it.”

59 minutes ago, Roswell said:

He noticed the photographers moving towards him which made his brain kick into motion as he did that crazy backflip he did while bucking the trees but he did it while the fireworks went off.

 

He gave a confident smirk as photographers took many photos of him but he pointed at the other ponies and said ‘I’m not the only star of this race, there’s a whole bunch of stars over there’.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Roswell’s hooves struck the ground with a perfect landing, the last shimmer of fireworks reflecting off his coat. Dusk couldn’t help but laugh, the sound light and genuine.

“Well said, Roswell,” she called, her voice carrying easily through the crisp autumn air. “A true star doesn’t shine alone.”

[PrincessPriscillaPT 608]

*Priscilla notices @Samurai Equine Samurai came to a sudden stop before the finish line* "Hey! Why'd you stop? Are you gonna let us cross the finish line?"

[Starlight Glimmer 175]

As Starlight watched alongside her cohost and fellow commentator, Pinkie Pie, the unicorn had noticed that the racer's had finally made their way out of the dark forest. Taking in the view from underneath the hot air balloon, Starlight gasped softly as she knew where they were. "Pinkie! Do you see what I'm seeing right now? With our contestants making their way out of the forest, the finish line is within reach!" Starlight exclaimed, watching at everyone was getting closer and closer to the finish. "It's been a long and exhilarating race, but this will no doubt go down as our most amazing race yet! I still can't tell for sure who changed up the obstacles or why, but it still didn't stop our competitors from giving it their all!" As she turned her attention over towards the finish line, Starlight's eyebrows raised in alarm and concern as the finish line tape was nowhere to be seen. The only thing that could be seen were Dynamo, Rainbow, photographers, two burnt poles and a space between where the finish line tape was supposed to be. 

Putting two and two together, Starlight turned her attention back towards the race. "It seems there might have been a change in plans. Something must have happened to the tape in preparation for the home stretch. Without the tape, it seems our racer's might have to improvise in their approach to the end goal." Not long after she had said that did her question become answered due to Dusk Haven, who used her magic and wings to bring the leaves with her in her gallop. "Oh, wow! Now that's arriving in style! Dusk just used her magic to cause the leaves to form as a colorful ribbon! Not only that, but the leaves bursted outwards in a rain of fire and frost! Now that's how you show your Fall spirit!"

[Pinkie Pie 712]

Upon hearing that the race was nearing it's conclusion, Pinkie gave a cheer as she launched her party cannon full of confetti sky high into the air. "Woohoo!!!! Talk about a stunning conclusion for an over the top, cupcake filled, amazing, super duper race every~!" Pinkie exclaimed, giggling as she looked over to the finish line alongside Starlight. Only to find that the finish line seems incomplete without the use of a finish line tape. "I wonder if that random shivering I felt earlier was somehow that sort of doozy I was worried about." Pinkie pondered, uncertain with all of the doozies that were transpiring throughout the race. Looking down towards the rest of the racer's, the pink party mare had watched as some of the participants were improvising on their entrance to the finish line. "Priscilla is racing alongside Samurai and Roswell, while Shiny Silvermoon is making a hop, step and a jump to the finish. Hearing her give a yippee makes me want to yell a yippee, too! In fact, YIPPEE!!!!" Pinkie exclaimed with a grin and a squee as she continued to monitor the race alongside Starlight.

"In a stunning turn of events, it looks like Samurai stopped just short of the finish line and is letting Priscilla, Roswell and Moonlight to cross before him. I think that really shows good sportsmanship and a form of unity with all of the obstacles that they all made their way through this race together! Not only that, but this lets Moonlight appear in with some style! Using some of the fireworks to use as a sort of backdrop to further add onto his pose and entrance! I was wondering where I put those fireworks as I felt that was a great way to end the race." She smiled, happy to know where the missing fireworks had been and that they had gone to a great plan.

[Starlight Glimmer 175]

With each contestant continuing to put on a marvelous display of crossing the finish line, Starlight looked down to Moushley. With the tiny mouse commentating, Starlight looked to where Moushley had been pointing to. Looking down to see Rainbow Dash with her cloud, Starlight smiled and nodded in agreement. "You can say that again, Moushley. There's a reason that Rainbow is a part of the Wonderbolts. She always knows how to appear and help save the day when there might be some form of trouble." Starlight says, turning her attention over towards the rest of the competitors with a smile. "It seems that Moonlight isn't the only one using the fireworks to further enhance his stunning entrance! It looks like Roswell wanted to follow him up, while also using that incredible backflip from earlier to make his entrance!" She exclaimed as more and more racer's were crossing the finish line. Seeing that the race was reaching the end, Starlight used her magic on the lever to help bring the hot air balloon slowly down towards the ground.

[Dusk Haven 321]

On 2025-10-28 at 8:24 PM, Samurai Equine said:

Samurai smirks and runs up ahead as fast as he can, however...
He ultimately stops just shy of the finish line.
Instead, he lets @TheRockARockster Roswell, @PrincessPriscillaPT Priscilla, and @Nitobit Moonlight (in any particular order) cross first before following after them. "It's better this way. Besides, #5 is totally my kind of number."

Dusk had just finished speaking with Moonlight @Nitobit, her breath visible in the crisp autumn air. The energy of the crowd buzzed like the last flicker of magic still clinging to her wings. She’d barely caught her breath when she noticed it — @Samurai Equine Samurai’s stride breaking, his hooves stilling just shy of the line.

For a moment, she simply watched. There was no grand gesture, no need for words. Just quiet understanding. When he crossed after the others, she smiled — small, sincere, and full joy.

As he approached, Dusk called over softly, “You know, there’s a rare kind of strength in letting somepony else have the moment.” Her tone was light but genuine. “I saw what you did. It was graceful — in the best way.”

She glanced toward the gathered runners, laughter and autumn leaves swirling around them. “I think the forest might’ve just approved.”

[Samurai Equine 57,099]

Moushley gives some kind of commentary while watching all this. Hard to make out what she is saying, but based on her tone and the way she is bowing, it is clear that Moushley is signing-out as a commentator. She gives @Starlight Glimmer's hoof a hug. She runs up to @Pinkie Pie's head and gives her snoot a friendly boop.

And as she heads to the ledge of the basket, she calls out to @Shiny Silvermoon Socrate for a lift back down to the ground. Maybe they can return to @Dynamo Pad for the time being.

 

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17 hours ago, PrincessPriscillaPT said:

*Priscilla notices @Samurai Equine Samurai came to a sudden stop before the finish line* "Hey! Why'd you stop? Are you gonna let us cross the finish line?"

 

"That's the idea." Samurai says happily as he guides Priscilla to the finish line, letting her cross first before crossing it himself.

 

2 hours ago, Dusk Haven said:

Dusk had just finished speaking with Moonlight @Nitobit, her breath visible in the crisp autumn air. The energy of the crowd buzzed like the last flicker of magic still clinging to her wings. She’d barely caught her breath when she noticed it — @Samurai Equine Samurai’s stride breaking, his hooves stilling just shy of the line.

For a moment, she simply watched. There was no grand gesture, no need for words. Just quiet understanding. When he crossed after the others, she smiled — small, sincere, and full joy.

As he approached, Dusk called over softly, “You know, there’s a rare kind of strength in letting somepony else have the moment.” Her tone was light but genuine. “I saw what you did. It was graceful — in the best way.”

She glanced toward the gathered runners, laughter and autumn leaves swirling around them. “I think the forest might’ve just approved.”

 

After crossing the finish line in 5th place, Samurai strikes a victorious pose. "Aki Matsuri Racing kanryou!" His pose finishes with a flash of magical fire for flare.

But then, he sees Dusk approaches and walks over to her as well. "What can I say? I don't need to win the race. The real prize for me is friendship... Friendship and adventure!" Samurai says, his shining resolve absolute. Upon her words, he looks at the forest and smiles calmly. "I am so very thankful... Earlier, I thought I had sensed danger; perhaps an enemy about to invade this race course. I have stood against malicious forces. I didn't want such things to happen here as well. Thankfully, that did not happen. All's well that ends well, and now we can enjoy the peace that abounds."

Samurai closes his eyes and holds his hooves together like a prayer. "Ikken rakuchaku." And with a clap, as if closing a book, Samurai opens his eyes again and is ready to join the rest of the racers for the after-party.

[Moonlight Wane]

19 hours ago, Dusk Haven said:

boom—crackle—flare!

Violet and gold arcs spiraled upward, bursting into shapes that mirrored the season itself: maple leaves, stars, and one rather impressive likeness of a crescent moon.

Dusk turned just in time to see @Nitobit Moonlight Wane, standing proud and still amid the smoke, wings flared wide as the last sparks danced around him.

For a heartbeat, she simply stared—then laughed, bright and genuine. “You certainly know how to steal an ending,” she called, voice carrying over the cheering crowd.

She trotted closer, the light of the fireworks catching on her eyes. “That was beautiful, Moonlight. Unexpected… but beautiful.” Her tone softened into that familiar half-smile she wore when truly pleased. “Though I imagine we’ll both be explaining this to the organizers before long.”

A pause, then—just enough mischief in her voice to earn a grin from anypony nearby:
“Still—worth it.”

"Haha, thanks Dusk! Yours was also a pleasure to witness." Just then Moonlight realises how tired he is. He makes his way to the benches, where other tired runners come to sit and rest. "Phew. That was a good run. Everypony did a great job! Can't wait to hear who knocked down the most leaves."

[Shiny Silvermoon]

*Without any warning, Shiny Silvermoon tackled Samurai ( @Samurai Equine ) to the ground in a tight embrace. After delivering the hug to her friend, she stood up and began to gleefully bounce in cercles around his proned figure.*

"SAMURAI!!! You've done it! You brought everypony to the finish line, or what's left of it, safe and sound!" *The unicorn praised him with her frantic motions.*

*Meanwhile, Socrate was flying in cercles high above the forest and the racers, like a vulture. With his big developed ears, the fruit bat heard the squeaking call of Moushley. Right away, she dived back into the balloon to pick up the mouse. Then, he carefully brought her to the ground.*