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

[Samurai Equine]

9 hours ago, Starlight Glimmer said:

With the balloon touching ground once more, Starlight exited, while using her magic to tie down the balloon. Making sure that it was secure so it wouldn't fly away in the process. With Pinkie exiting alongside her, she and the pink party pony had made their way over towards the group. "I'm really relieved that everypony is okay and made it across the finish line. Does anypony see anything suspicious while they were racing through the course?" She asks, knowing that the whole course itself didn't seem right from the original course they had planned up. Turning towards @Dynamo Pad and @Dusk Haven, who had mentioned about seeing more from above the ground. "I remember Pinkie had said there her Pinkie Sense had been going off numerous times. She couldn't exactly pinpoint the source, but we thought that it might have been whatever was happening during the race. Unless it was somepony trying to change up the race or stop the Running of the Leaves, I'm just as lost as you all are. I was even trying to think of who could have been responsible. At first, I thought it was Discord, who had taken part in the race with his magic. However, we decided against that possibility as he would have made his appearance known. As far as I can tell, whoever did this was possibly far away or well hidden. Let's just hope that we can prepare for them if they ever try to come back."

 

Samurai nods as he listens to Pinkie. "Strange. As I mentioned before, my battle-forged senses detected someone with malicious intent. Yet after making it all the way to the end, I saw no one. And while I am glad there are no dangerous enemies to face, it's strange for my senses to be wrong. But if I'm not the only one to detect something was wrong, then maybe we are in the midst... of a mystery." Samurai surmises.

 

8 hours ago, Dynamo Pad said:

"In third place with 292 leaves, we have @Nitobit Moonlight! In second place by just a few leaves ahead of third. We have @Samurai Equine Samurai with 298 leaves! Which means that your winner of The Running of The leaves with 326 leaves knocked down, it's @Dusk Haven!" Dynamo exclaimed, stomping his hooves as he and everyone in the crowd gave not only the top three, but everypony that participated a round of applause. As he stopped in his applause, the gaming unicorn extended a hoof over towards the steps that lead to the stage. "If you all will please step onto the stage, then you shall receive your prize!" Dynamo grinned, lowering his hoof as he brought the microphone with him in a levitation spell. All the while, pointing towards the medals on the table as he made his way to meet up with the top three participants. 

 

Samurai takes off his CarRanger jacket. While it's not in mint condition anymore, he still gives it to Dynamo moments before making that announcement, giving it to him as a gift.

But then, much to Samurai's surprise, he hears the results. Still, he hesitates. He takes a moment to count, using his hoof to make sure his calculations are correct. "Dynamo-san, I hate to disagree with the panel, but I think your judges need to double check their math. Because @TheRockARockster Roswell definitely took down more leaves than me. He deserves 2nd place, not me." Samurai explains, shaking his head. He waves over Roswell and allows him to take the 2nd place spot.

 

3 hours ago, Dusk Haven said:

“So, with respect to the @Dynamo Pad panel and their maticulous leave counters, I’d like to offer first place to @Samurai Equine. He earned it and I happily yield.

Dusk stepped back, head bowed in quiet sincerity — pastry crumbs and all.

 

Samurai nearly double takes. "Is everypony trying to honor me today?" Samurai say to himself while rubbing the back of his head, a nervous smile on his his face.
He shakes it off. "Iiya. This time, I actually agree with the judges. May the best pony win, as they say in competition; and I can't think of a better winner than you, Dusk-chan. You've been so humble and so helpful. Just meeting you was more than enough for me. But if you really wish to honor me, then meet with me again; either here or in my homeland Japone. I would love to learn more about the Old Code you mentioned. From what little of you I've learned, I can tell there is a story to be told. Maybe some day, we can explore it together, or we can at least share a proper matsuri."

Samurai bows politely then offers Dusk a hug.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone for a grand race. To be a winner? There's always next year. I am happy to attend an after-party, but I think I'll go on patrol, just in cased I missed a malicious mastermind after all." Samurai begins to make his exit, only looking back in case Dynamo or someone insists that his presence is still needed.

[PrincessPriscillaPT 623]

*As Priscilla crosses to the finish line, she'll get to meet the racers again* "Hello, @Samurai Equine Samurai! Hello, everyone! *waves*"

[Roswell]

That was quite a race, congratulations to the winners and I regret nothing, looking forward to next year.

[Dusk Haven 366]

1 hour ago, Samurai Equine said:

Samurai nearly double takes. "Is everypony trying to honor me today?" Samurai say to himself while rubbing the back of his head, a nervous smile on his his face.
He shakes it off. "Iiya. This time, I actually agree with the judges. May the best pony win, as they say in competition; and I can't think of a better winner than you, Dusk-chan. You've been so humble and so helpful. Just meeting you was more than enough for me. But if you really wish to honor me, then meet with me again; either here or in my homeland Japone. I would love to learn more about the Old Code you mentioned. From what little of you I've learned, I can tell there is a story to be told. Maybe some day, we can explore it together, or we can at least share a proper matsuri."

Samurai bows politely then offers Dusk a hug.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone for a grand race. To be a winner? There's always next year. I am happy to attend an after-party, but I think I'll go on patrol, just in cased I missed a malicious mastermind after all." Samurai begins to make his exit, only looking back in case Dynamo or someone insists that his presence is still needed.

Dusk blinked in surprise, then smiled — soft and sincere. She bowed her head in return.

“Then I’ll trust your judgment as you trusted mine,” she said gently. “But know this — your honor did not go unnoticed. You ran with grace, and that matters more than any medal.”

His invitation clearly touched her; it showed in the way her ears softened, the tension easing from her posture.

“I would like that,” she said. “Whether it’s a quiet walk here in Ponyville… or a lantern-lit festival in Japone. The Old Code isn’t something I speak of lightly — but for you, I think… yes. I’d share it.”

She stepped forward and accepted the offered hug — brief, warm, dignified.

“Travel safely, @Samurai Equine Samurai. And if there is a mastermind lurking out there… I know no better blade to meet them.”

A small smirk. “But do come back for scones before you go. Twilight will be devastated if you miss them.”

[Moonlight Wane]

13 hours ago, Dynamo Pad said:

"Fillies and Gentlecolts! I want to thank you all so much for joining us in this year's Running of the Leaves! With this, our competition has come to a close, but awards are still to be handed out. So much has happened and while it didn't go as the race was originally planned, everything had managed to work out somehow! I want to give a big thank you, as well, to @Starlight Glimmer, @Pinkie Pie, Moushley and Socrate for their lovely commentary throughout the competition!" Dynamo started, hearing a round of applause from the audience as he waited patiently for the applause to cease, before continuing. "As I had mentioned before that we have some medals to hand out to our top racer's! While The Running of the Leaves is still a race, the theme of this race wasn't to finish in first place! That's right, everypony! The goal was to knock down as many leaves as you possibly could! Which means that even if you arrived in second, third, fourth or finished last, you could still win based on the number of leaves you managed to knock down! After going through the number and double checking, we finally have our top three participants!" Dynamo announced, trying to build up the suspense as he started to make the announcement. 

"In third place with 292 leaves, we have @Nitobit Moonlight! In second place by just a few leaves ahead of third. We have @Samurai Equine Samurai with 298 leaves! Which means that your winner of The Running of The leaves with 326 leaves knocked down, it's @Dusk Haven!" Dynamo exclaimed, stomping his hooves as he and everyone in the crowd gave not only the top three, but everypony that participated a round of applause. As he stopped in his applause, the gaming unicorn extended a hoof over towards the steps that lead to the stage. "If you all will please step onto the stage, then you shall receive your prize!" Dynamo grinned, lowering his hoof as he brought the microphone with him in a levitation spell. All the while, pointing towards the medals on the table as he made his way to meet up with the top three participants. 

Moonlight wakes up as he hears Dynamo's voice through the microphone. "Oops, I must've dozed off, hehe." He hops off the bench and makes his way to the stage, standing behind Dusk Haven and Samurai. Third place is enough for somepony who doesn't like to be in the center of attention.

"Congrats, Dusk and Samurai. I love a good competition. Hope to see you two again this spring for The Hanging of the Leaves." Wink.

[Dusk Haven 366]

4 hours ago, Moonlight Wane said:

Moonlight wakes up as he hears Dynamo's voice through the microphone. "Oops, I must've dozed off, hehe." He hops off the bench and makes his way to the stage, standing behind Dusk Haven and Samurai. Third place is enough for somepony who doesn't like to be in the center of attention.

"Congrats, Dusk and Samurai. I love a good competition. Hope to see you two again this spring for The Hanging of the Leaves." Wink.

Dusk glanced between Samurai and Moonlight, realization and delight flickering across her face. The applause was still fading when she suddenly brightened.

“Wait!” she said, turning toward the nearest photographer, eyes wide with almost foal-like excitement. “Before anypony leaves, could we get a picture? All three of us? Please?”

She looked to @Nitobit Moonlight, then @Samurai Equine Samurai, grinning in a way that was completely ffoal-like and completely real. “We stood on this stage together. I… I’d like to remember it properly. All of us. Mud, leaves, pastries, and all.”

[Moonlight Wane]

4 hours ago, Dusk Haven said:

Dusk glanced between Samurai and Moonlight, realization and delight flickering across her face. The applause was still fading when she suddenly brightened.

“Wait!” she said, turning toward the nearest photographer, eyes wide with almost foal-like excitement. “Before anypony leaves, could we get a picture? All three of us? Please?”

She looked to @Nitobit Moonlight, then @Samurai Equine Samurai, grinning in a way that was completely ffoal-like and completely real. “We stood on this stage together. I… I’d like to remember it properly. All of us. Mud, leaves, pastries, and all.”

"Ooh, good idea! Come on, Samurai!" Moonlight stands next to Dusk and smiles to the nearest camera.

[Samurai Equine 57,183]

Samurai hears the request from @Dusk Haven Haven, then smiles and heads back. "A photo? I would like that. But only if we can get everypony in the photo. I want @PrincessPriscillaPT Priscilla, @Shiny Silvermoon Shiny, and @TheRockARockster Roswell to join us too. Including @Dynamo Pad Dynamo, if he wants to join us. As many participants as possible! Even @Pinkie Pie, @Starlight Glimmer. and @Rainbow Dash, if they want. They helped in this race too." Samurai says, suggesting the biggest group photo possible.

Moushley tilts her head.
"...Can I join the photo too?" She asks.
...

...

!!

Samurai, and possibly others, turn and look at her, completely shocked. "You can talk?!" Samurai asks.

"Well yeah! I never I said I couldn't." Moushley explains with a squeaky giggle.

[Shiny Silvermoon]

*Even Socrate was flabbergasted to hear Moushley speak. He thought that she was alike him, requiring a notepad to write what he wanted to say. For the first time since the fruit bat met the mouse, he ceased to stare at her with lovestruck eyes from the shock. However, the shift in his expression was short-lived and he soon returned to be in awe at her.*

*Meanwhile, Shiny had bursted into tears from watching her friends on the podium. To witness them give away their ranks in the race, due to their friendships, caused her to shoot powerful streams of salty water from her eyes, in a cartoonish way.*

Spoiler

"F-Friendship is so beautiful! I… I want to invite Dusk ( @Dusk Haven ) to eat croissants with me, as well!" *She managed to articulate through her whimpers, before loudly blowing her snout.*

*When Samurai ( @Samurai Equine ) called the unicorn to join them on the stage, she tried hard to stop crying and brushed the tears off. Then, the mare hesitantly made her way to the trio of winners with a forced smile to cover her urge to cry again.*

"Y-You want me in the group picture? B-But I wasn't even a participant! All I did was… was to offer Dusk a cupcake at some point to cheer her up and get struck by you at full speed." *Shiny stuttered to her Japone friend.*

[Dusk Haven 366]

6 hours ago, Shiny Silvermoon said:

"F-Friendship is so beautiful! I… I want to invite Dusk ( @Dusk Haven ) to eat croissants with me, as well!" *She managed to articulate through her whimpers, before loudly blowing her snout.*

*When Samurai ( @Samurai Equine ) called the unicorn to join them on the stage, she tried hard to stop crying and brushed the tears off. Then, the mare hesitantly made her way to the trio of winners with a forced smile to cover her urge to cry again.*

"Y-You want me in the group picture? B-But I wasn't even a participant! All I did was… was to offer Dusk a cupcake at some point to cheer her up and get struck by you at full speed." *Shiny stuttered to her Japone friend.*

Dusk fished a few bits from her saddle bag on the ground and placed them onto the vendor’s cart before claiming the umbrella she’d just purchased. She popped it open with a soft fwip—just in time to shield herself from the fountain of tears @Shiny Silvermoon Shiny was now producing.

Once the worst of the dramatic weeping had passed, Dusk lowered the umbrella and offered Shiny a neatly folded tissue. “Croissants sound perfect. Truly. And I’m never far—so say when.”

She smiled warmly. “And yes, that cupcake? That was generosity and kindness—two of the very roots Harmony is built on. You shared it with a near-stranger. Of course you belong in the picture.”

When everypony had gathered—mud, leaves, medals, and all—Dusk stepped forward, eyes bright. Her horn glowed softly, and a gentle wind stirred around them. Fallen leaves from across the square rose into the air—damp, battered, but still beautiful. With a touch of heat, she dried them mid-flight, then released them. They drifted downward like autumn snow.

A shimmer followed—starlit motes catching in manes and feathers, not overpowering, just enough.

“Alright—on three,” she called, voice light with barely-contained joy.
“One… two… three!”

FLASH.

In that moment, the Running of the Leaves, Autumn of 2025, was captured in Equestrian history.

Dusk looked around at the ponies beside her. Some were friends. Some were strangers who no longer felt like it. Some, just a few, felt like something she didn’t even have a name for yet.

Her chest warmed. So this is what I was missing, she thought.

She allowed herself a small, private chuckle and sent a quiet thank-you skyward.

[Roswell]

I’m fine with a photo.

[PrincessPriscillaPT 623]

Yeah sure. Why the frick not?

[Dynamo Pad 11,906]

With each participant making their way onto the stage, Dynamo smiled as one by one, he levitated a medal for the top three. Once he presented the winners with their medals, Dynamo allowed for each of them to take the microphone if there was something that they wanted to say to the crowd. As Dusk began her speech, the gaming unicorn was in awe as she spoke. Learning about those she had helped, to wishing to participate, Dynamo was happy that new participants got to join in on the fun. Hearing the mention of giving the medal away, the blue unicorn was caught by surprise. While it wasn't against the rules of choosing to give the medal away, it was a decision that caused him to smile softly. As he turned towards Samurai, he grabbed hold of the jackets that was handed to him. Holding onto it to keep it safe, as well as return it to his friend once his speech was complete.

What he didn't expect was for Samurai to say the same thing, but to also wanting to give his medal away, as well. Seeing the level of sportsmanship and compassion between the racer's warmed Dynamo's heart. When helping to set up the race with Starlight, Pinkie and many others, he had hoped that everyone had fun. At the same time, to join their fellow race competitors in the spirit of teamwork. Seeing this really showed how much the race truly meant to everyone. Once Moonlight received his medal, Dynamo's ears perked at the mention of the Hanging of the Leaves. "I might consider that in the future. If leaves are to be knocked down, then the leaves need to be placed up again to be knocked down in next year's Running of the Leaves." Dynamo chuckled as he thought Hanging of the Leaves was a creative and lovely idea to consider for the future. With the photographers making their way onto the stage. From onto the stage, to the sides of the stage to get different photo angles, Dynamo was about to step away to let the winners' picture be taken. At the mention of everyone that took part, as well as he, himself, be added into the photo. The gaming unicorn pondered on the idea of being added, before giving a nod and smile. "You know what? Why not? With a successful race, one must try and join in on the fun." He says, looking towards Pinkie, Starlight and Rainbow if they wish to join in on the photo. 

As the group made their way together and faced the camera, Dynamo smiled as the camera snapped the group picture. Moving away for the moment to look towards the crowd, Dynamo took a deep breath, before speaking. "And with that, our Running of the Leaves has come to a close! Thank you all so much for coming and be sure to be back next time for another annual Running of the Leaves!" He announced, turning towards the group to continue conversing and offering his congratulations. While the race hadn't gone the way he had planned or expected, the gaming unicorn was still happy and thankful that everything worked out. Along with friendships being made and forged, as well as fun being had once more.

On the outskirts of town on the same hill stood the Mysterious Figure. With the dark clouds slowly dissipating and celebrations taking place, the figure huffed as the turned their back from Ponyville. "It looks like my plans had gone astray in this year's competition. Though, I must commend everypony on their teamwork, quick thinking, tenacity and effort on this race. My plans weren't enough to stop them from finishing the race, but only time will tell for next time." The figure spoke, before disappearing once more without a trace.

Please give yourselves a big round of applause, everyone! You all made it through the race and you all did incredibly!

Thank you all so much to everyone that took part in this event! It's always so much fun getting to knock down leaves and to celebrate the season of Fall! I want to thank everyone involved with both taking part and planning for the event!

It seems that the Mysterious Figure's involvement was not enough to stop everyone from finishing the race. Who may this mysterious figure be? They may return once again as we may have this event happen again in the future!

Please continue to roleplay as your character, making new friends, conversing with everyone, development or to continue the story line.

Thank you again so much, everyone!  

[Iridescent Edge]

Well, I didn't finish the race.