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 617]

*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 341]

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 341]

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.