Post by Derpy on Jun 3, 2012 22:35:38 GMT -5
Finally!!! Is log from first day of rodeo!!! Featuring: Tug of War!!
Team Grass: Orion, Bluestreak, Gunstar, Berry Punch, Black Forest.
Team Hay: Big Mac, Applejack, Pumpkin Seed, Apple Bloom, Caramel.
#=#=#=#=#=# PONYVILLE SQUARE #=#=#=#=#=#
It's clear that something's going down in town square today! The normally bucolic heart of Ponyville is a lot dustier than normal, for one thing. Did they import dust from Appleoosa? There's a big arena taking up most of the formerly grassy space between the Town Hall and the surrounding buildings. It's walled off with wooden plank fences, with big corner posts and ropes adding magnitude and various waving banners and pennants adding decoration. Rows of bleachers six levels high surround the arena.
Meanwhile, vendors nopony in town remembers ever seeing before have taken up the circuit in the marketplace and all the way to the stream. The atmosphere is more rollicking than usual by far, and there seem to be an inordinate number of big, broad-rimmed hats and immaculate white vests, not to mention the occasional lapel flower. And the arena itself is scattered with crates, barrels, coiled ropes, metal trappings, reins, signboards, and other dusty miscellany.
Do you know what this is? The Equestria Rodeo Competition is being held in Ponyville this year--that's what it is! Are -you- on the roster?
[ Players: Midnight_Glimmer(#699PB), NightRaven(#317PB), ]
[ Black_Forest(#869PBC), Applejack(#206PBC), ]
[ Plain_Sight(#867PB), ProgrammerPony(#16PWBCM3), ]
[ Marble_Memory(#688PBC), Scope(#265PBC), Pumpkin_Seed(#272PBC),]
[ Swan_Song(#865PBC), Big_Mac(#852PBC), Fluttershy(#208PBC), ]
[ Skyheart(#795PBC)
Swan_Song does her best not to laugh at the way Fluttershy puts just how unathletic Marble and Skyheart are, and she manages, with only a small grin showing on her face. "Well, I guess this should be interesting at least I guess..." She says as she moves to stand next to Fluttershy. "Mind if I join you in watching?"
Nimble_Hooves has arrived.
Chance has arrived.
An assemblage of serious-looking earth ponies emerges from a low nearby tent, fringed with myriad fringy things. Chief among them is Mayor Mare, who stands at the edge of the arena and sizes up the roster. She mumbles something to a companion.
Firefly has arrived.
Black_Forest trots into the town square, having spent most of his day looking around Ponyville at the towns' sights, and trying to secure supplies for his bakery back in Canterlot. Of course, there's one pony in particular he's been eager to talk to, but he respects hard workers and knows that trying to track down somepony and interrupting their work is the height of rudeness. Thus, the unicorn male decided to return to the town square and pass the time idly in peace, choosing to take a break and enjoy a mini-vacation of sorts. However, arriving in the square...the stallion is quick to realize that a peaceful day may not be in the cards for him, "Meine Celestia, vat is vith all zis ruckus?"
Firefly arrives in less than her usual flair. A black chariot pulled by two black stallions with bat wings. It lands out of the way and Firefly carefully steps out, then nods to the team as they lift off and U-turn back towards Everfree. She then slowly makes her way toward the crowd and finds a place to watch safely.
Scope has left.
NightRaven has been out of the hospital for a few hours now, the doctors figure she was well enough to leave it seems. Her left wing is still bandaged up while the rest of the bandages are off at least. Though her one black fur has a rather interesting silvery blue highlights in certain areas it would seems. The talk of the rodeo of course brought her to the area and she walks along peering this way and that at everything that can be seen, a faint ohs escapes her in the process now and then.
Firefly waves her good hoof to Nightraven from where she sat up out of the way, in a shaded spot. "C'mon up here, safer and cooler, plus, a good view of things." then grins. "What is this, cripple the pegasus week?" teasing lightly.
Orion has disconnected.
The mayor, flanked by a passel of Appleoosan-looking ponies, steps to a raised platform in front of a big silver cage. The cage seems to be bumping and shifting erratically about. She dips into a bag of tricks and pulls out a bullhorn. "~C$IT*IZ...ooh." She adjusts the horn and tries again. "CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! WELCOME ONE AND ALL...TO THE SIX HUNDRED FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL EQUESTRIA RODEO COMPETITION!!!" Behind her, a slight cream-yellow earth pony tosses a mouthful of curly ribbons and sparkles over her, and the mayor twitches.
Chance spots NightRaven and Firefly, and trots on over. He was inspecting some of the obstacles for Applejack. "Evening NightRaven, Firefly. Glad to see you both out tonight." he tells them, offering a smile.
Starfire has arrived.
Big_Mac leans himself casually on the fence, having helped set up the rodeo stands and competition arena. The big draft stallion's coat is a bit glossy from the work, but doesn't seem much worse for the wear. Afterall, he's more here for the fun of pushing himself than worrying too much about ribbons like his sister AppleJack is. When the mayor comes out and up onto the stage, his attention turns and is drawn to the opening festivities, his muscles flexing and twitching a little as he stand there, almost itching to put himself to the test.
Standing next to Big Macintosh is Pumpkin Seed who is wearing a pair of goggles and a sweat band around his neck. He is trotting in place, limbering his legs up as he snorts loudly. "You ready bro? You ready for this?" He says as he bumps his flank up against his best friend's. "This year it's going to be blue ribbons all over the place. You and me. We got this one in the bag! When we do the tug of war challenge, you, me, AJ.. we /got this/. You pumped up? I'm pumped up! I'm PUMPED UP WOO!" He cheers out.
Berry Punch lingers in the front row of ponies, thin violet barding running from her shoulders to her hips and fastened beneath her belly. "Oh yeah! It's on now!" She glares at Big Mac slyly. "You're gonna pay for uprooting my house, big guy." She glares at Pumpkin Seed beyond him.
Eep! It's rodeo time! Fluttershy whirls around when the Mayor makes her announcement, 'ooh'ing and 'aah'ing as each contestant is introduced. But Fluttershy just can't help herself: she rears up and calls out, "Go Applejack! Woo!" from the back of the crowd. It's a toss-up whether anypony heard her.
Nimble_Hooves cicrles over the area, looking for a spot to land. He lies up and glides in, away from other ponies, landing at a canter. Satisfied with his landing, he noses under each win g and then shugs his shoulders. His wings fold away with a soft clicking *whirr* and lock back against his sides. He settles amongst other ponies, nervously, glad he hasn't missed much.
Derpy heard her! Derpy's eyes roll in an episode of deja vu.
Fluttershy flits over and pats Derpy on the head. There, there.
NightRaven glances up hearing Firefly's voice and smiles a moment. "Yes well... Perhaps?" Is questioned as she works her way up to where the other pegasus is. Once sitting down she does indeed relax, her left wing hanging down a bit low. At the closer inspection she has lost a good amount of feathering on that wing but it seems there already starting to grow back in. "How are you feeling Friefly?" She looks to Chance and offers him a smile and nods. "Hello Chance, how are you?" Her attention turns over towards the talk from the mayor and she listens.
Big_Mac chuckles to Pumpkin Seed and nods "Eeyup" he says grinning, seeming to have done little to his usual attire save for a pair of goggles himself, as well as his usual pulling collar. The weight of which has really become second nature to him anyway. His rump shifts to flankbump back with his best friend, his smile widening as his friend pumps himself up more than just physically "We'll do al'right m'm sure." he remarks conservatively.
Okay, there's one last participant in the rodeo. Almost a last-minute entry into the rodeo: Apple Bloom. She hadn't gotten around to telling Applejack and Big Macintosh about this. The filly had been working on a plan for telling them she entered. In fact, she's still working on the plan. Maybe she should just wave and say it...
Orion is there for some of the rodeo as well. The large earth pony wanders on towrds where others can be found for the competition A faint glance offered around an he offers a friendly smile and nod now an then in the process.
The mayor waits for applause and then turns to the cage. From her bag she draws a large pair of scissors. "Ponyville may be a small, semi-agrarian town near the capitol, but believe me, we've got ponies with skills! Those settlers on the frontier may have salt--but we possess our -own- kind of flair! RIGHT!?!"
Swan_Song certainly heard Fluttershy, as she's still standing fairly close to the volume challenged pegasus. She smiles and nods quietly at her, looking around at everyone there. "You know, I think I will enter some event, just for fun. Just have to figure out what to enter, and quick. I guess I should go talk to someone about that. See you around Fluttershy." She says with a wave before walking away, heading toward the other contestants.
"Hey Berry Punch, nice to see you sober!" Pumpkin Seed calls over to the pink and purple pony before giving her a wide grin, followed by a wink. " .. err, kidding! Really. Um.. still gonna beatcha." He calls out as he glances over to Big Mac with a sheepish grin upon his face. Rocking himself back and forth on his ankles, he pops a few more joints, then gives a flex of his draft. What's better than one draft pony? Two! The Apple and Pumpkin Family, together at last, for one glorious battle!
Skyheart hears Swan's comment and looks to her. "Just be careful. This looks like the kind of thing where ponies could get injured if they didn't know what they were doing." He mentions. "But, if you really want, I can't stop you." He's really not one to talk given his little competition with Marble. Speaking of where is he? He looks around for his opponent.
Berry winces a little at the accusation. Then she looks sheepish. She flips her tail back and forth a few times for emphasis. "I could do this thing with three pints of wine cooler in me, believe you me! But yeah, I'm sober today 'cause I'm a clean girl." She bides her time, leaning forward for the cutting of the ribbon...
Big_Mac chuckles and shakes his head as Seed continues to show off in the guise of flexing and getting himself pumped. The big red draft stallion had more than his share of warming up with the setup of the Rodeo, Sometimes it helps to be on of the go-to stallions when a strong back is needed. With a roll of his eyes, he chuckles to Seed's comments to Berry Punch "Ah thought 'yeh were engaged already?" he teases, hinting at Seed's 'flirting' as it were.
Chance says "I'm doing well. Just doing some last minute checking for Applejack. Looks like we've got quite the crowd tonight." he tells NightRaven, then glances over at the mayor at the announcement. "Wow.. they've been doing this for quite a while now, haven't they?" He tilts his head back to NightRaven. "You're looking a good sight better tonight."
Plain_Sight wanders into the town square. She was told there was this rodeo thing coming this weekend. The ponies that were - practicing she believes it was - were looking somwhat intense. But as she comes in she is almost overwhelmed. "My oh my. All the ponies." She gazes around and finds a place to get a view of just what this thing is about.
Black_Forest blinks lightly as the announcement is heard. Distracted, he doesn't even notice that he's been unintentionally herded into the same place as the competitors...well, partly to blame is his own unfamiliarity with Ponyville, and partly because he couldn't find a decent spot to stand; indeed, his attention is going in so many directions at once that he even fails to note his direction of movement through the crowd...thus, the poor out-of-towner fails to even notice the predicament he's inadvertently been put into. Thus, without the knowledge of just what he's gotten into, he simply remains silent and simply watches and listens, enjoying the idea of seeing a local tradition first hand despite himself.
NightRaven ohs while looking over the area and then glances back to Chance and nods. "Well that's very nice of you." She smiles. "Yes I'm feeling better then I was that's for sure. Stil sore and my wing bothers me but given after everything that happened I'm not too surprized."
"Oh! Um, okay. Good luck, Swan Song!" Fluttershy waves to her newest friend and flutters up a foot or two, gawking at all the competitors lining up. "So many ponies...!"
Pumpkin_Seed glances over to Big Mac and winks. ".. she's as clean as Sky Blue's hooves." He mutters under his breath. "And hay, I ain't flirti'n with her. Unless you think it may help." He pauses, then glances back over to Berry, giving her a wink, followed by a handsome grin along his boxy muzzle. "Anyways, which event is first by the way?" He says as he lets out a heavy breath. Whoo! In. Out. In. Out. Get those lungs working.
Midnight_Glimmer has disconnected.
A stallion's voice booms out from somewhere outside the arena. "Hold yer horses. The real star ain't arrived yet." The other competitors can practically hear it sneering at them already. A pair of ponies gallops into the square, Stetsons on their heads, and stomps the ground. Another pair follows - a pair of mares - and then another, and in their collective rearing and stomping, they kick up a huge cloud of dust. A shadow appears in the dust cloud, and when it clears, there he is - Gunstar, smug as ever, and wearing the biggest hat of all.
Starfire lands over with Chance and Nightraven, folding her wings up. "Wow, big crowd."
On cue with Fluttershy's miniscule but heartwarming cheer, Applejack arrives from making a few last-minute preparations. She looks well rested for a recent change, dressed fresh in an (only slightly-more-sparkly than she would have liked) vest, and has a spark in her eye as she canters out around the perimeter of the main arena just in time for the mayor's announcement. She breaks into a gallop when she spots her family, letting out an excited, "YEEEEEYAW!" to announce herself and to kick up some more excitement. A moment later she skids to a stop beside them, throwing a big ol' cloud of yellow dust into the air. "Time to rope an' wrangle!" She hollers, taking off her hat and swinging it wildly to everypony that's gathered. She then flunks said hat onto AppleBloom's head with a grin and a wink. "Hang onto that for me, would ya, partner? Can't have it gettin' roughed up none."
Orion pauses near Pumpkin Seed, Big Mac and the others a nod offered to the other earth work ponies. "Afternoon!" There is a pause, ears flicking while he glances towards the voices of the new ponies coming into the area. "Looks like more are coming in for the events too. Might nice turn out for it I have to say."
The mayor overhears Applejack's declaration...as many others do as well! But she gives her head an amused shake. "Not yet! Because the first event is meant to get as many ponies involved as quickly as possible...the TUG-OF-WAR!!" She gestures to a large part of the arena where a broad trough divides two fields...and at her gesture, Snips the colt snips a rope with a pair of scissors, and a giant barrel of mud empties into the trough, creating a little lake of sticky brown mud--the reward for the losing team. "Are you ready to STRUT YOUR STUFF, Ponyville?" She uses her own scissors to cut a ribbon barring the exit from the silver cage, and a bulky white pegasus with absurd numbers of muscles and equally absurdly petite wings rushes out, looks around in an apparent rage, and bellows: "YYYEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!"
Swan_Song catches Gunstar's entrance as she heads over to join the other contestants, and simply shakes her head at his overyly showy and boastful entrance before turning to see Applejack making her way around the arena, and she smiles softly as she moves to join the others.
Big_Mac chuckles and shrugs to Pumpkin Seed "can't hurt ah s'ppose." he laughs to the thought of Seed flirting to inprove their odds. "though ah doubt your bride will be quite so understanin.'" he adds as he drops down his forehooves from the fence, letthing himself stretch out a bit from the slightly unusual position. Afterall, he's born to be on the four tree trunk legs of his. As Orion passes his ears flit, craning to the other stallions greeting, prompting the draft to turn and nod a greeting back respectfully, followed by a lifed hoof in a casual wave. "H'lo there... g'luck to 'yeh!"
Skyheart watches on, hoping things won't get too messy. He was honestly curious to see how Gunstar would act as a team player. He doubted it, though. He continues to scan the crowd for Marble. THeir little competition would be sometime and he wanted to make sure he didn't chicken out.
Pumpkin_Seed pages, "Yeah, and we can dump him in the mud!" to Applejack, Big_Mac and you.
Bluestreak hovers nearby and seems mostly disinterested until the Tug-of-War is mentioned as an event, a sudden grin spreading over his lips as the big pegasus drops down to get a closer look at the event, nodding to himself a few times before taking a look at some of the contestants as well. Hrm..
Well, Apple Bloom supposes she can hold her sister's hat, try to keep it safe while she's competing. "Um.... ah kin try wah'll ah'm runnin' ah s'pose." BApple Bloom carefullly lifts he head so the hat is on her back. "Okay. Tawm t'show ever'pony what ah'm made of."
MapleWing has arrived.
Black_Forest blinks again as an orange pony makes a rather loud, showy entrance; then he squints at her lightly, examining her from tail to snout, craning his head around the other ponies in front of and around him. Finally he catches sight of the three apple cutie mark and smiles happily,"Aha! Zat is Applejack! Or at least a pony zat matches her description...I must talk vith her," he mutters to himself, looking around for a way past the ponies around him quickly, only to frown when he finds none,"...or maybe I vill vait until after zis rodeo..."
Chance nods gently to NightRaven. "I don't doubt that." He looks over as Starfire lands, and smiles to her. "Evening Starfire. Yeah, we're getting crowded here. This is going to be loud, and fun." He glances around and spots Applejack's entrance. "GO APPLEJACK!" he yells.
Grinning over to Orion, Pumpkin Seed says, "Hey there pardner." He says as he lifts his ears upwards. Anything else he was going to say goes out the door as Apple Jack barrels her way over to them. Turning towards his other best friend, he leans in to give her a firm headbutting. "Hey you! Was starting to think you weren't going to make it. You ready?! I'm ready! We've been training for this event all year long. Remember, Big Mac in the back for weight. I'm in the front, AJ you're in the middle. Lock our knees and tug!"
The mayor gets out of the maniacal pegasus-athlete's way. She dances around a bit involuntarily, and then draws forth a roster, which she sticks onto a reading stand. Pity the poor non-unicorns! "The Tug-of-War is a tournament event! All participants have been assigned to a team! After each round, the winning team will be divided in two and will compete against itself!!" She then reads off the full list of names of those who have signed up--a process that took place right up to the start of the rodeo. And of course, she announces which team they signed up for--Team Grass or Team Hay.
NightRaven glances to Starfire and offers her a smile. "Hello Starfire." She looks back towards the approach of more ponies. "I don't think I've ever been to anything like this." She offers to the two ponies near her.
Gunstar takes his place with the other competitiors - his place is front and center, of course. He tilts his hat just so and grins at the crowd, especially the ladies. And the judges. "Howdy, y'all. Ah'm lookin' forward to struttin' m'stuff just as much as AJ is...ah'm sure y'all'll do fine in the showpony competition," he adds to Applejack over his shoulder.
Orion keeps his smile and nods to the two. "To you as well." He offers back to Big Mac along with a nod to Pumpkin Seed. Hearing the mayor go about saying who is on what team an so forth he slips quiet for a moment. A faint glance is sent towards Gunstar and he shakes his head slightly. "You know that only gives her more reason to beat you in everything now don't cha?" An amused look is seen across the large earth ponies face and he just grins.
Big_Mac gives his Sister a hug around the shoulders before Seed greets her in kind, the big draft stallion lowering his goggles as he flexes a little, beginning to get himself limbered up a little in preperation and nodding to Seeds battleplan. "Eeyup!" he agrees and gives his hooves a hefty stomping, causing the ground to vibrate a little, even despite all the other ponies making noise and trotting about around the area, showing just how much weight he has to offer in a less than precice method, but intimidating never the less! He offers a wave of a hoof to Orion as he moves off to take his place as the Mayor announces teams.
Glancing up to Gunstar, Pumpkin Seed makes a motion along his throat, like a pirate would! Glancing back to his two Apple companions, he says, "That's the jerk that's been strutting around town, talking 'bout how he was gonna rub your nose in the mud this year AJ. Man, I can't wait to watch that guy eat mud." With another flex of his body, followed by another popping of joints in his ankles, knees, and legs, he flares his nostrils as he settles his gaze upon Gunstar. "Man.. it's gonna feel good to whoop 'em."
Swooping down from the skies above, Bluesy glides over the mudpuddle and lands by the rope opposite of the Apple & Pumpkin farmers, flaring out his wings with a quick roll of his thick shoulders and going into a quick stretch to get himself a little loosened up and throwing a quiet grin across the way at the earth ponies. This should prove interesting.
As the ponies begin to divide up into teams and assume their positions on the rope, Black Forest finds himself being swept along...and this time, he realizes his peril. Panicking a bit, he tries to get out of the way and remove himself from the event...but it's too late. He finds himself at the rope, in line with the team he's suddenly found himself with. Again, he quickly looks around for an easy exit, but now he's in amongst the teams and the crowd is watching...and, unfortunately, his stubborn Neigh-Ulm pride will now no longer allow him to back down. Thus, he leans down and takes the rope into his mouth, the green of team grass.
Applejack does her best to ignore Gunstar's snide remarks, along with the stomach butterflies that have arrived as soon as she noticed his presence. She tries to focus on her family and friends instead, those there to support and cheer her on, and her teammates. She grins and bumps flanks with Pumpkin Seed and Big Mac. "You better b'lieve ah'm ready!" She scuffs her forehooves playfully, gearing herself up, while she tilts an ear to Apple Bloom. "Ah'm sure you'll do great in the junior competition, Apple Bloom -- though ah'll kindly take mah hat back b'fore ya go runnin' just anywhere. Kinda the whole point of mah givin' it to ya for safekeepin'!" She winks and pats her hat down over AB's eyes again, then trots off into the arena with it's lake of mud, either oblivious to her sister's intentions, or... maybe just in denial.
Orion got lucky or perhaps unlucky enough to get on Gunstar's team and his standing beind him. The large draft smirks slightly. "So.. your the one that's been calling out Applejack aye?" He questions with a curious tone. No way he is going to be in the front of this line! His large hooves spread out, form giving a great shake and his shoulders tense and relax. "All I gotta say that wasn't no smart idea bud." He may be on this ponies team but that doesn't mean he has to like it!
Gunstar fires another of his endless chunks of Prickly Pear into her everpresent spitoon and sneers back at Orion, AJ, and Pumpkin Seed. "Then y'all'd best step up yer game." And with that, he turns and puts his public face back on, waving to the crowd again as he takes his place on Team Grass.
Swan_Song decides to sit this event out and stands back while the others move into position, tossing out a cheer as she makes her way up to the side of the arena to watch. "Go Applejack!"
As the teams develop, the mayor gestures to a little announcer's box on top of a storage shed. What's it doing up there? "Excellent! Keep taking your places--the arena master will blow the whistle shortly! Now, for color commentary, we turn to..." She turns to a salmon-colored companion. "Wait." She mumbles, and her words can barely be heard. "...we couldn't get Spike? ... ...we couldn't get Whooves? Not even Granny Smith?" They mumble for a few minutes. "...Fine. But someone's paying for this." Again she picks up the bullhorn. "We turn to your color commentator, Derpy Hooves!" And with that, Derpy's amazed, delighted face pops up from the announcing box, and with wonder she takes in the crowd.
Pumpkin_Seed sneers back to Gunstar. "I hope you got a good dentist on hoof for yah' buddy because we're gonna kick yah' teeth in!" Stepping up to the front of the team, he settles his gaze right into Gun's, giving him a slow and steady stare. Reaching out with his teeth, he grabs the rope in his mouth, sinking his jaws in and gives a few testing tugs to feel the weight. With a snort of stream through his nostrils, his rust colored body grows rigid, tense, ready.
Big_Mac chuckles and gives Seed a firm nudge in the side at his boasting, if not borderline threatening of the other team. "Yeh just dun' know when to quit do 'yeh." he chuckles right up until the snyde remark to his sister as he trots heavily up to the rope, intentionally thumping his hooves heavily on the ground, letting those weighty hooves dig in with what appears little effort. His brow furrows at the remark about his sister and he peers sternly at Gunstar, partly going back against his comment to seed as his hooves raise to lower his own goggles over his big green eyes. "EEeyup." he says slowly and deliberately, there's more behind it than what he says, naturally. The flankbump from his sister snaps him back to reality and brings him back to his lighthearted nature, and gives a curt and ready nod to his sister.
Plain_Sight is walking through the almost throngs of ponies. The small mare had tought there were not nearly this many here in Ponyville. She walks around, listening to the converstaions, trying to make her way to someplace she can see past the other ponies.
Denial is right. Apple Bloom is *right* behind her sister, once again throwing back the hat onto her back to be sure she can see. and soon she's taken an actual power position by the rope, and she appears to be actually... preparing for the tug of war? "This is gonna be so sweet. And maybe ah'll get a cutie mark."
Fluttershy pops up at the back of the crowd again, pumping her wings as fast as they can go! "Go Derpy Hooves! You rock!'
Orion smirks as he eyes Gunstar slightly. Not like he cares about winning or losing, though he doesn't really care for this pony in the least. He grips hold of the rope, a wink is sent towards Pumpkin Seed, amusement clearly still seen! Most likely not a good thing for mister Gunstar that this now Ponyville pony is on his team today..
After conferring with Berry Punch and swearing there's a hint of whiskey on her breath, Bluestreak turns his attention Gunstar and Orion as they come close. Well.. this should be most interesting, so he takes the spot as the anchor for Team Grass, giving another roll of his shoulders as his hooves dig little grooves into the ground to keep him steady when the action starts. .. He's gotta wonder though, is he the only pegasus that's going to be in this particular event? .. Or is that Roid Rage fella going to hop in?
Berry Punch skitters up next to Gunstar on Team Grass and grabs a strand of rope with admirable speed! "We got this," she says. "Hey look--they've got a filly on their team! What's up with that?"
As he takes tight hold of the rope, Gunstar reaches up and clamps his hat tightly over his head. "Don't y'all worry," he says to his team. "Think it's safe to say ah've got this one covered."
Big_Mac trots in place a little, letting him thump his hooves some more before reaching down to pick up and grip the rope in his teeth, flinging the remainder behind him so it drapes over his back near one of his heavy hooves. The large draft shifts his stance and plants himself heavily, taking up his role as weight of the group. "Ah got mah back in'tuh it, no problem!" he declares to his team mates, ready for the whistle to sound.
Black_Forest rolls his eyes from the anchor position at Gunstar's comment, and mumbles something not only foreign, but obscured by the rope. He does, however, grip the rope more tightly with his teeth.
"It's Applebloom, nothing wrong with her being over there." Orion offers while his large hooves are pushed into ground, teeth having a tight hold on the rope bit he has as he waits for the whistle to blow. A ear twitches as he hears Gunstar. Sure they have it!
Pumpkin_Seed gives a wry grin to himself as he catches Orion's wink, then grips the rope even more tighter in his mouth. Digging his hooves into the ground, he shifts slightly into his practiced stance. His eyes are like iron as he stares down Gunstar just a few feet across from him.
Derpy waves excitedly to the crowd. She looks at the master of the arena, who happens to be Ace, the tennis player. He's got a whistle on and is ready to blow. "Ready to Blow!!" relays Derpy, speaking into a microphone. She waves to strengthedn the message.
"It's not the little one I'm worried about.", murmurs Bluestreak to the rest of his team, motioning over to the other side of the puddle. "It's their anchor. S'not often you see that kind of power.". Regardless, the big pegasus snags the rope with his teeth and gets himself ready with wings tucked in tightly against his sides.
PUB >> Black_Forest says, "I took three hundred levels in princess-glomping, specialized in Princess Luna."
Gunstar clamps down his hat, narrows his eyes, and digs in...he's just going to assume that whatever Forest said meant 'yes'.
PUB >> Outside your little circle of candlelight, Luna says, "...so thou are a support caster, is what thee are saying."
Applejack gets into position beside her teammates, sharing a fiery, determined smile with them, before turning that look on her competitors. It's not until Berry Punch's pronouncement that AJ notices that her little sister has followed her, and still double-takes. "Apple Bloom! Now, ah don't want ya t'get hurt." Her ears swivel a bit, but she doesn't have the heart to stop her from joining. "You just... stay close t'Big Mac and me, ok?" Well, if AB does lose a few teeth, maybe she'll listen next time. ;> No more time for arguin', anyway. AJ grabs her rope, gripping tightly.
Ace blows the whistle, and the contest is on! "HAS BEGIN!!" shouts Derpy, jumping around her little booth and banging her head on the roof. "TUG ROPE!!"
Orion keeps a tight hold upon the rope, a slight shrug seen.. He is sorta close to the back now so its not like they don't have muscle on there end as well! "Just have ta see wat happns!" Is offered to BlueStreak. The large draft shifts, ruddy colored fur tensing and his hooves shift a bit in the dirt while he turns his head to the side. An once the whistle blows he pulls back hard!
And boy does Apple Bloom pull. She pulls as hard as she can on her part of the rope. She's so big and strooong!
Big_Mac flexes his legs a little and shifts backward a few half paces, tauting up the rope and leaning into it just a /slight bit/ as he gives a wink to his teammates, waiting for the event to begin, he hufs deeply, massive chest heaving and nostrils flaring with an ticipation. Despite being stuck in the back, he can still see around and over his teammates and does his best to stare down the other team through a lock of that orange mane of his. When the whistle blows, he immediately lunges backward, arching his body at a harsh angle as he digs his hooves in, teeth gritting hard as he grips the rope and that large back hoof stoms down on the rope on the other side of him as drapes across his back, allowing him to get a LOT of leverage on it once his hoof is planted on the tail end, literally using his back to reel the rope toward him as well as acting as the anchor of the hay team!
Soon as that whistle blows, Pumpkin Seed is backtracking with his powerful legs as he jerks his head to one side, growling around the burn in his mouth. He digs his hooves in deep and looks to take the first step backwards as he braces for the jerk from the other side. Every muscle in his draft frame tenses as a violent quiver rips through his frame. "Ngggrrrrgh!"
Derpy peers out the window overlooking the event, her neck stretched so she can see better. "Strong start from Seedling! Team Hay with big jerk! Who is Biggest Jerk??"
When it comes to anchors it's Red Vs. Blue, and while Bluesy's about the same height as the draft stallion across the way he's a lot leaner, but that isn't saying that Bluestreak doesn't have any power. Once the whistle blows his wings suddenly flick out and go taut as the rest of his powerful body as he begins to pull, using what bulk he has to pull with the rest of his team though through his eyes there's no chance.. he's not giving up though, but he readies an escape plan.
Black_Forest had been preserving himself for the moment the whistle was blown. His hooves immediately dig into the ground and he hauls back with all his might, bracing himself in a calculated manner to stop his team from being pulled forward easily. His ears twitch and his nostrils flare widely, adrenaline coursing through he veins, his steel grey eyes narrowed with effort...however, he holds back the bulk of his strength, ready to apply it as needed...a pony must pace themselves, after all. At least that was the plan; a split second later he feels the sheer -strength- of the big pony on the other end, his opposite, and digs in at his full not-inconsiderable strength; growing up, he'd been responsible to help his father out in the woods for logging, and he -did- keep himself in shape...however, he knows just from the power of the tug, that if it came down to just him and the big guy on the other end he'd lose in straight-up strength.
Pity those poor saps who wound up on Gunstar's team, 'cause today there's only glory enough for ONE! He's far in the back and dug in tight, pulling as hard as he can - now's the time to prove all his bulk ain't just for show (although what's a rodeo without the show?). His legs begins to shake from the strain just like Pumpkin Seed's, and he starts to slide forward, but Gunstar pulls back. He'll show 'em who's the biggest jerk!
Caramel is on the Hay Team, too. He's near the back, and giving it a good effort, but his all isn't in it yet. He doesn't seem entirely comfortable here for some reason.
Orion keeps his hold on the rock, form shifting slightly backwards a mere inch to set his stance a bit different. He knows very well that Big Mac and Pumpkin Seed are over there after all! Seeing how he was behind Gunstar this could be interesting! He shifts on his hooves, head pulled upwards, muscles clearly seen across his form with a few snorts escaping him in the process. He has to make sure to keep his thoughts about him, can't use all of one's strength at the start of this match after all!
Derpy flaps her wings madly. "Blueshriek is Only Pegasus! Is wing out! Judges?" She glances at the judges' box. "Is clear. So long as no support? Good wingly form." She stretches her own wings out taut and leans back and forth like an airplane, not that she would know what that is.
Big_Mac lets out a long low groan as he strains to pull on teh rope, it didn't take long before he had to ramp up and put his all into it, though given the opposite team, he's not terribly surprised. Afterall they're all pretty pwoerful too and he knew it wouldn't be a cakewalk. HE slowly tries to draw himself back, bending his legs and pushing, almost in a squats- style manuvre to generate slack long enough for him and his team mates to reel it up and pull it back. While he's not so much doing a lot of the slack making he's definitely making it harder for the other team to drag his side of the rope toward them, putting the traction on all four hooves, backing up as he really needs to. HIs head lashses from side to side, causing the other end of hte rope to jerk, adn hopefully make it harder for the opposing team to keep a steady grip.
Derpy points at Orion, fluttering out from her box into the air. "O'Ryan! Is Clydesdale! In history? Always tug wars. Will special strategy??" She flies from the Grass Team to the Hay Team. "Is Applejack! Last year? Won no blue. Became Cherryjack in shame." She lets her head sag in sadness, and promptly loses her bearings and goes spinning off out of control in the background.
O'course, Applejack gives her share of pull! She digs her hooves in with the rest, and through clenched teeth yells, "HEAVE!" There's a little shifting of the amazingly-taut rope, but the teams are pretty evenly matched, hanging in a stalemate for a good long while. AJ narrows her eyes and grits her teeth around the rope as she tugs for all she's worth, but without much headway. Lordy, this is going to be tougher than she thought!
Aw, tarnation! That big one is a powerhouse! And the rest ain't no slouches, neither. Gunstar loses a few more inches as his legs begin to slip and cycle, and a few more yet when he has to reach up and clamp his hat down again. With a mighty 'hnnnn-NGH!' the showboater pulls back...and suddenly shows a surprising steadiness, hardly budging at all.
Berry Punch is giving it a good effort, but she's starting to slide. Her hooves are caking with soil. "MmMMph!" she exhorts. Her rounded tail flicks back and forth spastically.
Apple Bloom is heaving as hard as she can. Might be making a difference? Might not. She certainly has been growing!
Bluestreak earflicks when he hears Derpy's voice through the loudspeaker and inwardly curses as there went ONE of his ideas. His eyes spot a sharp movement across the way from that juggernaut as their anchor and then blink as the rope wobbles just as sharply on his end. Oh he wants to play THAT game, huh? Alrighty then! Letting out a snort through his nostrils the singular pegasus snaps his head from left to right, along with another one up and down just for good measure. But it may be too little too late as the mare infront of him starts to lose it, Bluesy finding himself doing everything he can to take up her slack.
Black_Forest frowns as he feels the whipping motion being made from the other team; he counters by pulling the rope more taut, eliminating a good chunk of the motion, although it does give him considerable strain to do so. Snorting with effort, he continues to pull backwards, actually managing to take a step.
Orion keeps his steady grip, through the head lashes by Big Mac, his played this game plenty of time with his brothers on the different farms they managed to wander through for work. He shifts backwards a half steps and his head lowers and he gives the rope an all might HEAVE back towards him with a faint muffled nicker escaping him. As Gunstar starts to slip forward he puts on more pulling power and actually starts to drag the showboater in front of him backwards a few steps!
Screenplay has left.
Way in the back seats, Fluttershy is biting her hooves, eyes slamming back and forth between one team and the other. The sunny yellow pegasus looks like she's about to hyperventilate!
Swaying his head in time with Big Mac's motions with the rope, Pumpkin Seed jerks his head upwards, then pulls it straight down to give the rope a bit of a whip crack motion as it dips up and down in a serpentine manner. As the guy in the front, it's up to him to not slip and falter forward. As he finds himself sliding forward a few inches, his eyes widen and he digs harder into the rope, feeling his lips start to chap and bleed into the tightly coiled rope. With another jerk of his head backwards, he takes a step back, putting his heart into it as he snarls viscously.
Caramel digs in and takes one slow step back, followed by another with the opposite pair of hooves. They're winning! Team Hay is winning! Look at the slack disappearing between--well that's odd. That showboat Gunstar bloke just stopped sliding, and the rope is going taut before him.
Skyheart glances to Fluttershy, noting her condition. He drapes a comforting wing around her. "Hey... relax. It's just a game right? They'll all be fine." he goes back to watching the tense 'battle' in the ring.
Derpy appears again from a new angle. She has grass stains on her back. "Now rope is bob! Bobbity bob." She bobs in mid-air. "Thiiis wwaaaayyy...that waaayyyy..." She giggles, the amplified sound reminiscent of a staggered chorus of serpents eating Tic-Tacs. "ALL way bob!!" she cries.
Apple Bloom doesn't let go of the rope, she's pulling as hard as she can, and shouts out around her mouthful. "Dnnnn lmmmm mmmmm wmmmmm!"
Big_Mac's headjerking is quickly minimized by the other teams doubled efforts, to taut up the rope, making the efforts to do so much harder and he reserves himself to holding down the fort, his hooves planting hard as he feels himself beginning to slip a little. He's been traction all the while so far, but somewhere, like everypony else, his footings beginning to give. THrough the odd backpedal and jerking with his legs and head, he reserves himself to being as hard to pull forward of his hooves as he can. He can feel the other team giving up slack as well as them losing slack from time to time, being at the back it's hard to tell who's winning and who's not. One thing he knows, he's going to be the last one standing on his team, even if it kills him to do so! there's no end to the big draft stallions determination and has steeled himself to be pulled in even if hes the only one remaining against the entire other team! He repeats this in his head, trying to psyche himself to giving it all.
Bluestreak's thick neck bulges with muscle as his eyes clench shut, beginning to tire out slowly but steadily.. He's built for long distance flying and would probably be the difference maker if he were allowed to use his massive wings but he's no cheater, though they're still extended out from his body as he straaaaaains.. but soon his footing starts to give, Grass Team's anchor starting to slide just a little.
Derpy flutters over the Grass Team, excited. "Too many anchors! Can work out? Or collapse!!?"
"Owwr mm dd BRDY!" Gunstar shouts back. Orion's support is a huge help - not that teamwork really crosses his mind. His rope is stained with cactus fruit juice as he clamps down even tighter, jerking his head back and forth to try and imitate Big Mac's slack technique. Gunstar's no draft stallion, but darned if he won't put on a good show. He does it for the fans, so they can do it for him. He jerks back, trying to save his anchors.
Orion pulls and tugs, his teeth grinding against the rope with a faint few snort escaping him. His not going to give up /just/ yet! He pulls on the rope and works on trying to walk backwards to get his team moving away from the bath of mud that waits for the losers!
Black_Forest feels the side-to-side motion peter off, and also reduces his efforts to prevent said motion, concentrating more on simply holding the line. He begins to sweat earnestly as his hooves sometimes slide forward, or as he pulls the rope back with his team...lost in the adrenaline and the fun, he forgets momentarily that he's really not supposed to be in this; it's been awhile since he's gotten to really cut loose and test his mettle. Stubborn determination and pride flows through his veins; he will be the last to fall, if his team shall...he won't give in without a fight! Virtually snarling around the rope, his eyes filled with competitive glee, he begins to truly give it his all.
With each step forward he takes, Pumpkin Seed tries to ensure he gets one more step back. He won't let them win! He can't! Not with his family (And AJ"s) honor at stake. Growling around the rope, he yells, "PULL!" Jerking his head backwards, he pulls with all his might as he finds himself starting to gain ground. One step. Two Step. "PULL. PULL. PULL."
"OMMMM CMMMT FFFF THHHHHE, PLLL", growls the pegasus to his team, closing his eyes and gathering up enough strength as he can. "OMMMM.. TWWWWW... THEEEEEEE.... PLLL!", and with a sudden jerk of his head the big pegasus digs in and heeeeeeaves back with his teeth clenched tightly around the rope and hoping his teammates do the same.
Berry Punch is slipping further now. Well, tug-of-war really isn't her forte. She's not built for it. But her eyes are shining wild as she tries to avoid sliding any further...whoa. Suddenly, her rope is completely taut against Gunstar. She lets go for a moment in shock, and then in further shock grabs on again, trying to make a difference.
Orion's ears flick to the pegasus and he goes about pulling back as it is said! His tail flicks about and he takes a few more steps backwards in the process, slowly dragging Gunstar in the process. His hindlegs doing pretty much all the work while his front hooves make sure he doesn't get yanked forward during this moment of movement!
Applejack is starting to break a sweat, here! She snorts, fighting the strain that's building up in her legs from keeping them locked for so long. "HEAVE!" She shouts again, joining in with Pumpkin's rallying call. But heck if they ain't stuck faster than Twilight is to books! Gradually, bit by bit, her footing starts to give. Her knees tremble, brow furrowed with effort, as she tries to reverse it, head lowered with effort and concentration. Dangit!
"No more skiprope," points out Derpy. She flies above the mud patch, confused. "Now is straight. Long fight! Hay Team was winning--now Grass Team winning! So change."
Caramel is disappointed. What happened to their edge? His nerves are sending him mixed signals as he finds himself stumbling. Gone are the careful backward steps...now the Grass Team seems to have found a second wind.
Apple Bloom is starting to slip, her hooves starting to slide as she can't seem to make a dent in the progress. She works harder to get a grip, but perhaps she isn't making a difference after all.
No more skiprope and no more kid gloves. Gunstar's in full bore, lending his uncanny steadfastness to his team's anchors. There's a reason he won the blue last round, and he's gonna win it again. And maybe Applejack's hat'll look good on his trophy stand, too, he reckons.
Big_Mac's hooves pedal in a slow but steady motion now, no longer completely planted, but has the power on at a steady pace, though it's clear he's losing his once steadfast hoofing, which is somewhat apparent by the near ditch he's practically dug beneath him. As his teammates call out to heave, he bucks his legs down when his teammates pull, using the slack to regain some of his footing and jerk back hard, almost in a double-tap heave so to speak. Despite getting his hooves under him again, he can't help but feel himself slide, even though all four hooves are planted as steadfast as he can, the heavy draft beginning to shift forward with all foor legs locked and planted, not giving up a single step but sliding never the less as he puts his all into it.
"Heave! Pull! Gah!" Pumpkin Seed calls out as he finds himself suddenly tugged forward, his anchored hooves sliding through the dirt until he starts to teeter on the edge of the mudpool. His eyes widen and he jerks his head back again, his eyes meeting AJ's, almost pleadingly. Please, please don't let me fall in this mud! His muscles are tense, his legs sore, and his jaws ache.
Berry Punch is jubilant! She isn't able to get much leverage on the rope, since it's gone taut above her comfort zone, but the big guys on her team seem to have it taken care of! She finds a rock in the field and uses its extra height to give her the leverage she needs to feel helpful. MMMMMP!
"THEEEEEEE!" *PULL* "THEEEEEEEE!" *PULL*, comes the command from the big pegasus, hoping the rest of his team pulls on his order and grinning wide as he feels the resistance loosening up from the other team "KEEP GNNNNG! THEEEEE!" *PULL*, he feels his hooves start to move and gain some ground, now REEEALLY putting his hips and shoulders into the timed motions.
Orion shifts slowly, hooves getting slowly pulled forward from a goo hard jerks from the other team.. Oh dear.. He tugs and yanks hard a few times with his head pulling one way and then another before the rope is starting to slide through his teeth a moment..
Derpy's eyes are focused, as if Pumpkin Seed were two converging blobs in a lava lamp. "Hayseed almost Fall!!" she announces, hovering with her hind legs dangling. "Has try So hard, but So fail!! Grass Team victories?"
Black_Forest snorts furiously as he pulls in time with his team; sweat trickles down into his eyes, stinging and causing him to blink. His pure white mane is plastered to his near-black coat, his muscles are sore from the strain...but he doesn't care! However, despite his stubborn pride it has been a while since he's done a full day of heavy work, and he can feel his stamina starting wane a bit, feel his legs start to tremble...with a surprising mental fortitude he -wills- the trembling to stop, although he can feel himself slide forward a few scant inches while momentarily distracted.
Caramel, tries to dig in, but the ground beneath his hind hooves gives up its integrity and breaks apart. He struggles to find solid footing. His wide eyes are fixed on the frontstallion of their team, Pumpkin Seed, as he teeters on the edge...
Aww, too bad, Bumpkin Seed! That's what Gunstar would say if he weren't chewing on a mouthful of rope. He'll keep that one in mind for later. He'd never admit it, but Gunstar's following Bluestreak's lead, pulling along in time with the rest of his team. "THEEEEE! THEEEEE!"
Big_Mac's backpedaling begins to pick up at a furious pace once it's clear his planted hooves aren't cutting it anymore, he can feel his whole team sliding forward as though the other team has gained a few extra stallions to their side, leaving him with a strange sense of being overpowered, which is almost disturbing to the strong and sturdy draft stallion. As his hooves fly and meetthe ground an earth thundering -thud-thud thud-thud-thud -thud-thud- can be heard with each slipping hoofstep he makes as he puts all remaining power into the remarkably strong rope. At this point, there's not much he can do but hold on and dig his hooves in without a little slack from his teammates in order to get some purchase, for now the stallion can only do his best and hold on for the ride, as it were as he feels his team beginning to lose ground to the other team's apparent second wind.
Applejack is feeling about as sore and strained as Pumpkin-- and worse, it seems. "No... no!" She protests determinedly through her rope, fighting with all her might. She holds on for a good while, seeming to regain her footing, grooves dug in behind her. Ears pin back as AJ makes one final great pull of effort, but it actually proves to be her undoing. All it takes is a wayward puddle of mud to slip on, and she's jerked forward suddenly -- right into Pumpkin Seed, of course! "OOOOF!" And where else for them to go from there? ... *KER SPLAT* Well, at least they don't have to pay an expensive spa fee for this mud bath!
Orion's teeth slide and the rope is yanked from his teeth and the large draft erks as he stumbles forward and hits right into Gunstar perhaps shoving the other pony forward in the process.. Oh dear..
Derpy flies up high and lands on top of her announcer's booth. "Is fallen blood! I mean first mud is drawn! Apple and pumpkin soup?! Now Team Hay almost sure to lose!"
Derpy gasps! But now Grass also has droprope!!
As AJ tumbles into his backside, Pumpkin Seed finds himself squawking out as he stumbles forward face first into the mud as his strong frame falls into the pit. His cowboy hat is tilted to one side, hanging off his head as he lets out a bubbling sigh. Coughing and sputtering, he glances upwards to Gunstar, then looks over his shoulder to AJ. Spitting out a mouthful of mud, he practically seethes. ".. you alright?"
Of course, where Big Mac might start rapidly lose footing and AJ just lose her balance, Apple Bloom, the littlest Apple, is slingshotted into the air, flailing about wildly as she sails for the other team.
Berry Punch barely manages to dodge Orion as he slips forward. She keeps hold of the rope, but takes a few moments to get it tight again. What just happened? And...is that the filly from the other team %coming straight for her??%
Black_Forest feels the sudden loss of power on the other side, and it feels significant...right up until Orion loses his grip on the rope and stumbles into Gunstar. The sudden loss of support causes the rope to tighten painfully in his mouth, burning his lips slightly. His eyes, however, alight upon the filly flying forward from the other side. Acting quickly, and thus causing himself to slide forward about a foot, he reaches out with his magic and catches her, enveloping her in a chocolate brown glow...and safely lowers her to the ground away from the mud pit. He then resumes pulling as hard as he can, determined to make up for losing ground.
Bluestreak's eyes go wide as Orion & Gunstar bite it infront of him, but thankfully Berry's still th-- .. No wait, Berry's about to get pulverized by a flying filly. With paniced eyes the pegasus throws a quick glance over his shoulder at Black Forest before he feels himself begin to slide as well. Ohhhh no, Hay Team's lost two of their members and they've lost two of theirs and he's not about to let up now, especially with that Big Red Machine over on the other end. Regaining his footing he pulls as hard as he possibly can along with their anchor, hoping to get that yellow pony with the rather well-groomed mane to go in before working on the mountain.
Ace blows his whistle at Black Forest's display. "Is unicorn glow!" shouts Derpy. She flies down near the judges. "Judgges??" The judges confer and speak to Derpy. "Is allow. For safety of foal who fly without wing. But for any other reason? Magic disquantify!"
Caramel is more than a bit distracted by all this nonsense...but after a moment of gaping, he just keeps pulling. Maybe there's hope left after all?
Big_Mac quickly finds himself amongst dwindeling numbers as AppleJack and Pumpkin Seed take a dive into the thick mud before them, and he too finds the pit drawing up on him uncomfortably quick on him until he finds himself on the edge. The thump-thump-thumping more than likely disrupting the consoling between AppleJack and Pumpkin Seed the closer he gets, making it known that the big draft is soon to join them in the rich icky drink that seperates the two teams. Behind him, lay a long trail of ruts from where his lare hooves have been dragged forward. True to his conviction's he holds fast right until the bitter end. His hooves are a faint blur beneath him as he redoubles his efforts, making a last ditch effort to regain some footing and /maybe/ salvage a win despite how unlikely the whole mess seems, but he's an apple, and there's NO way he's throwing in the towel until he's joined the other members of his team in the mud.
Black_Forest, despite his fitness and past experience with hard labor, is no Earth pony. And after using that bit of magic? He finds himself tiring rapidly, losing more and more strength by the minute...he digs his hooves in again and fights valiantly against the other teams' pull, eyes narrowed once more in stubborn defiance...but he feels himself sliding forward, upright mind, but sliding forward nonetheless. Even so, a rush of excitement flows through his body; win or lose, it's been a -lot- of fun.
"Oof! Hey, WWTCH IT!" Gunstar loosens his grip. Orion almost made Gunstar lose his hat! Lucky for him he's had it clamped down to his scalp. He may have just lost a few more inches and he's uncomfortably close to the mud, but the other team is already down by several. Gunstar narrows his eyes, face-to-face with Big Macintosh...
Caramel slips, slides, and teeters..."Whoa!" As the mare in front of him collapses into the mud, he realizes that the Hay Team is down to just him and Big Macintosh! The blacksmith steels his grip, closes his eyes, and tugs, but he doesn't like these odds...
Orion grumbles while he slowly shifts and stands himself up, giving himself a good shake in the process. He shifts out of line seeing how he lost grip of the rope! He watches curiously now to see which team wins.
Derpy flies higher in the sky. "This is sixth year in which magical rope! Magical Shrinking Rope, by True Braid Rope and Cord Company, is guaranteed to shrink partway through!" She beats her wings happily. "Is better tug-of-war! BOTH teams near to fall in!!"
Applejack surfaces from the mud lake, wiping mud from her eyes, and spitting some out. "Puh. Ah'm alright. Y'all alright? Big Mac? Apple Bloom?" She looks up to see that the match is still going on -- and Apple Bloom is airborn? But the match is still going on! Her mouth now rope-free, she cheers, "GIVE 'EM HECK, BIG MACINTOSH!"
The big blue pegasus is nearing the end of his rope in more than one way now, especially with Black Forest almost completely out of it so now it's basically him, Punch & Gunstar against Caramel and Big Mac. "WWW GT MMM, PULLL!", he tries to go that route again, directing his team to use the same tactic that knocked out three of Hay Team's competitors by pushing hard against the ground and yanking angrily on the shrinking rope.
Berry Punch is more excited than angry, but she pulls happily in time to the beat. She angles her legs just like the guys on her team are doing. "MMpH! RRrrF! MmMM!" There's a bright smile in her teeth behind that fiber. She's making ground!
Team Grass: Orion, Bluestreak, Gunstar, Berry Punch, Black Forest.
Team Hay: Big Mac, Applejack, Pumpkin Seed, Apple Bloom, Caramel.
#=#=#=#=#=# PONYVILLE SQUARE #=#=#=#=#=#
It's clear that something's going down in town square today! The normally bucolic heart of Ponyville is a lot dustier than normal, for one thing. Did they import dust from Appleoosa? There's a big arena taking up most of the formerly grassy space between the Town Hall and the surrounding buildings. It's walled off with wooden plank fences, with big corner posts and ropes adding magnitude and various waving banners and pennants adding decoration. Rows of bleachers six levels high surround the arena.
Meanwhile, vendors nopony in town remembers ever seeing before have taken up the circuit in the marketplace and all the way to the stream. The atmosphere is more rollicking than usual by far, and there seem to be an inordinate number of big, broad-rimmed hats and immaculate white vests, not to mention the occasional lapel flower. And the arena itself is scattered with crates, barrels, coiled ropes, metal trappings, reins, signboards, and other dusty miscellany.
Do you know what this is? The Equestria Rodeo Competition is being held in Ponyville this year--that's what it is! Are -you- on the roster?
[ Players: Midnight_Glimmer(#699PB), NightRaven(#317PB), ]
[ Black_Forest(#869PBC), Applejack(#206PBC), ]
[ Plain_Sight(#867PB), ProgrammerPony(#16PWBCM3), ]
[ Marble_Memory(#688PBC), Scope(#265PBC), Pumpkin_Seed(#272PBC),]
[ Swan_Song(#865PBC), Big_Mac(#852PBC), Fluttershy(#208PBC), ]
[ Skyheart(#795PBC)
Swan_Song does her best not to laugh at the way Fluttershy puts just how unathletic Marble and Skyheart are, and she manages, with only a small grin showing on her face. "Well, I guess this should be interesting at least I guess..." She says as she moves to stand next to Fluttershy. "Mind if I join you in watching?"
Nimble_Hooves has arrived.
Chance has arrived.
An assemblage of serious-looking earth ponies emerges from a low nearby tent, fringed with myriad fringy things. Chief among them is Mayor Mare, who stands at the edge of the arena and sizes up the roster. She mumbles something to a companion.
Firefly has arrived.
Black_Forest trots into the town square, having spent most of his day looking around Ponyville at the towns' sights, and trying to secure supplies for his bakery back in Canterlot. Of course, there's one pony in particular he's been eager to talk to, but he respects hard workers and knows that trying to track down somepony and interrupting their work is the height of rudeness. Thus, the unicorn male decided to return to the town square and pass the time idly in peace, choosing to take a break and enjoy a mini-vacation of sorts. However, arriving in the square...the stallion is quick to realize that a peaceful day may not be in the cards for him, "Meine Celestia, vat is vith all zis ruckus?"
Firefly arrives in less than her usual flair. A black chariot pulled by two black stallions with bat wings. It lands out of the way and Firefly carefully steps out, then nods to the team as they lift off and U-turn back towards Everfree. She then slowly makes her way toward the crowd and finds a place to watch safely.
Scope has left.
NightRaven has been out of the hospital for a few hours now, the doctors figure she was well enough to leave it seems. Her left wing is still bandaged up while the rest of the bandages are off at least. Though her one black fur has a rather interesting silvery blue highlights in certain areas it would seems. The talk of the rodeo of course brought her to the area and she walks along peering this way and that at everything that can be seen, a faint ohs escapes her in the process now and then.
Firefly waves her good hoof to Nightraven from where she sat up out of the way, in a shaded spot. "C'mon up here, safer and cooler, plus, a good view of things." then grins. "What is this, cripple the pegasus week?" teasing lightly.
Orion has disconnected.
The mayor, flanked by a passel of Appleoosan-looking ponies, steps to a raised platform in front of a big silver cage. The cage seems to be bumping and shifting erratically about. She dips into a bag of tricks and pulls out a bullhorn. "~C$IT*IZ...ooh." She adjusts the horn and tries again. "CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! WELCOME ONE AND ALL...TO THE SIX HUNDRED FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL EQUESTRIA RODEO COMPETITION!!!" Behind her, a slight cream-yellow earth pony tosses a mouthful of curly ribbons and sparkles over her, and the mayor twitches.
Chance spots NightRaven and Firefly, and trots on over. He was inspecting some of the obstacles for Applejack. "Evening NightRaven, Firefly. Glad to see you both out tonight." he tells them, offering a smile.
Starfire has arrived.
Big_Mac leans himself casually on the fence, having helped set up the rodeo stands and competition arena. The big draft stallion's coat is a bit glossy from the work, but doesn't seem much worse for the wear. Afterall, he's more here for the fun of pushing himself than worrying too much about ribbons like his sister AppleJack is. When the mayor comes out and up onto the stage, his attention turns and is drawn to the opening festivities, his muscles flexing and twitching a little as he stand there, almost itching to put himself to the test.
Standing next to Big Macintosh is Pumpkin Seed who is wearing a pair of goggles and a sweat band around his neck. He is trotting in place, limbering his legs up as he snorts loudly. "You ready bro? You ready for this?" He says as he bumps his flank up against his best friend's. "This year it's going to be blue ribbons all over the place. You and me. We got this one in the bag! When we do the tug of war challenge, you, me, AJ.. we /got this/. You pumped up? I'm pumped up! I'm PUMPED UP WOO!" He cheers out.
Berry Punch lingers in the front row of ponies, thin violet barding running from her shoulders to her hips and fastened beneath her belly. "Oh yeah! It's on now!" She glares at Big Mac slyly. "You're gonna pay for uprooting my house, big guy." She glares at Pumpkin Seed beyond him.
Eep! It's rodeo time! Fluttershy whirls around when the Mayor makes her announcement, 'ooh'ing and 'aah'ing as each contestant is introduced. But Fluttershy just can't help herself: she rears up and calls out, "Go Applejack! Woo!" from the back of the crowd. It's a toss-up whether anypony heard her.
Nimble_Hooves cicrles over the area, looking for a spot to land. He lies up and glides in, away from other ponies, landing at a canter. Satisfied with his landing, he noses under each win g and then shugs his shoulders. His wings fold away with a soft clicking *whirr* and lock back against his sides. He settles amongst other ponies, nervously, glad he hasn't missed much.
Derpy heard her! Derpy's eyes roll in an episode of deja vu.
Fluttershy flits over and pats Derpy on the head. There, there.
NightRaven glances up hearing Firefly's voice and smiles a moment. "Yes well... Perhaps?" Is questioned as she works her way up to where the other pegasus is. Once sitting down she does indeed relax, her left wing hanging down a bit low. At the closer inspection she has lost a good amount of feathering on that wing but it seems there already starting to grow back in. "How are you feeling Friefly?" She looks to Chance and offers him a smile and nods. "Hello Chance, how are you?" Her attention turns over towards the talk from the mayor and she listens.
Big_Mac chuckles to Pumpkin Seed and nods "Eeyup" he says grinning, seeming to have done little to his usual attire save for a pair of goggles himself, as well as his usual pulling collar. The weight of which has really become second nature to him anyway. His rump shifts to flankbump back with his best friend, his smile widening as his friend pumps himself up more than just physically "We'll do al'right m'm sure." he remarks conservatively.
Okay, there's one last participant in the rodeo. Almost a last-minute entry into the rodeo: Apple Bloom. She hadn't gotten around to telling Applejack and Big Macintosh about this. The filly had been working on a plan for telling them she entered. In fact, she's still working on the plan. Maybe she should just wave and say it...
Orion is there for some of the rodeo as well. The large earth pony wanders on towrds where others can be found for the competition A faint glance offered around an he offers a friendly smile and nod now an then in the process.
The mayor waits for applause and then turns to the cage. From her bag she draws a large pair of scissors. "Ponyville may be a small, semi-agrarian town near the capitol, but believe me, we've got ponies with skills! Those settlers on the frontier may have salt--but we possess our -own- kind of flair! RIGHT!?!"
Swan_Song certainly heard Fluttershy, as she's still standing fairly close to the volume challenged pegasus. She smiles and nods quietly at her, looking around at everyone there. "You know, I think I will enter some event, just for fun. Just have to figure out what to enter, and quick. I guess I should go talk to someone about that. See you around Fluttershy." She says with a wave before walking away, heading toward the other contestants.
"Hey Berry Punch, nice to see you sober!" Pumpkin Seed calls over to the pink and purple pony before giving her a wide grin, followed by a wink. " .. err, kidding! Really. Um.. still gonna beatcha." He calls out as he glances over to Big Mac with a sheepish grin upon his face. Rocking himself back and forth on his ankles, he pops a few more joints, then gives a flex of his draft. What's better than one draft pony? Two! The Apple and Pumpkin Family, together at last, for one glorious battle!
Skyheart hears Swan's comment and looks to her. "Just be careful. This looks like the kind of thing where ponies could get injured if they didn't know what they were doing." He mentions. "But, if you really want, I can't stop you." He's really not one to talk given his little competition with Marble. Speaking of where is he? He looks around for his opponent.
Berry winces a little at the accusation. Then she looks sheepish. She flips her tail back and forth a few times for emphasis. "I could do this thing with three pints of wine cooler in me, believe you me! But yeah, I'm sober today 'cause I'm a clean girl." She bides her time, leaning forward for the cutting of the ribbon...
Big_Mac chuckles and shakes his head as Seed continues to show off in the guise of flexing and getting himself pumped. The big red draft stallion had more than his share of warming up with the setup of the Rodeo, Sometimes it helps to be on of the go-to stallions when a strong back is needed. With a roll of his eyes, he chuckles to Seed's comments to Berry Punch "Ah thought 'yeh were engaged already?" he teases, hinting at Seed's 'flirting' as it were.
Chance says "I'm doing well. Just doing some last minute checking for Applejack. Looks like we've got quite the crowd tonight." he tells NightRaven, then glances over at the mayor at the announcement. "Wow.. they've been doing this for quite a while now, haven't they?" He tilts his head back to NightRaven. "You're looking a good sight better tonight."
Plain_Sight wanders into the town square. She was told there was this rodeo thing coming this weekend. The ponies that were - practicing she believes it was - were looking somwhat intense. But as she comes in she is almost overwhelmed. "My oh my. All the ponies." She gazes around and finds a place to get a view of just what this thing is about.
Black_Forest blinks lightly as the announcement is heard. Distracted, he doesn't even notice that he's been unintentionally herded into the same place as the competitors...well, partly to blame is his own unfamiliarity with Ponyville, and partly because he couldn't find a decent spot to stand; indeed, his attention is going in so many directions at once that he even fails to note his direction of movement through the crowd...thus, the poor out-of-towner fails to even notice the predicament he's inadvertently been put into. Thus, without the knowledge of just what he's gotten into, he simply remains silent and simply watches and listens, enjoying the idea of seeing a local tradition first hand despite himself.
NightRaven ohs while looking over the area and then glances back to Chance and nods. "Well that's very nice of you." She smiles. "Yes I'm feeling better then I was that's for sure. Stil sore and my wing bothers me but given after everything that happened I'm not too surprized."
"Oh! Um, okay. Good luck, Swan Song!" Fluttershy waves to her newest friend and flutters up a foot or two, gawking at all the competitors lining up. "So many ponies...!"
Pumpkin_Seed glances over to Big Mac and winks. ".. she's as clean as Sky Blue's hooves." He mutters under his breath. "And hay, I ain't flirti'n with her. Unless you think it may help." He pauses, then glances back over to Berry, giving her a wink, followed by a handsome grin along his boxy muzzle. "Anyways, which event is first by the way?" He says as he lets out a heavy breath. Whoo! In. Out. In. Out. Get those lungs working.
Midnight_Glimmer has disconnected.
A stallion's voice booms out from somewhere outside the arena. "Hold yer horses. The real star ain't arrived yet." The other competitors can practically hear it sneering at them already. A pair of ponies gallops into the square, Stetsons on their heads, and stomps the ground. Another pair follows - a pair of mares - and then another, and in their collective rearing and stomping, they kick up a huge cloud of dust. A shadow appears in the dust cloud, and when it clears, there he is - Gunstar, smug as ever, and wearing the biggest hat of all.
Starfire lands over with Chance and Nightraven, folding her wings up. "Wow, big crowd."
On cue with Fluttershy's miniscule but heartwarming cheer, Applejack arrives from making a few last-minute preparations. She looks well rested for a recent change, dressed fresh in an (only slightly-more-sparkly than she would have liked) vest, and has a spark in her eye as she canters out around the perimeter of the main arena just in time for the mayor's announcement. She breaks into a gallop when she spots her family, letting out an excited, "YEEEEEYAW!" to announce herself and to kick up some more excitement. A moment later she skids to a stop beside them, throwing a big ol' cloud of yellow dust into the air. "Time to rope an' wrangle!" She hollers, taking off her hat and swinging it wildly to everypony that's gathered. She then flunks said hat onto AppleBloom's head with a grin and a wink. "Hang onto that for me, would ya, partner? Can't have it gettin' roughed up none."
Orion pauses near Pumpkin Seed, Big Mac and the others a nod offered to the other earth work ponies. "Afternoon!" There is a pause, ears flicking while he glances towards the voices of the new ponies coming into the area. "Looks like more are coming in for the events too. Might nice turn out for it I have to say."
The mayor overhears Applejack's declaration...as many others do as well! But she gives her head an amused shake. "Not yet! Because the first event is meant to get as many ponies involved as quickly as possible...the TUG-OF-WAR!!" She gestures to a large part of the arena where a broad trough divides two fields...and at her gesture, Snips the colt snips a rope with a pair of scissors, and a giant barrel of mud empties into the trough, creating a little lake of sticky brown mud--the reward for the losing team. "Are you ready to STRUT YOUR STUFF, Ponyville?" She uses her own scissors to cut a ribbon barring the exit from the silver cage, and a bulky white pegasus with absurd numbers of muscles and equally absurdly petite wings rushes out, looks around in an apparent rage, and bellows: "YYYEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!"
Swan_Song catches Gunstar's entrance as she heads over to join the other contestants, and simply shakes her head at his overyly showy and boastful entrance before turning to see Applejack making her way around the arena, and she smiles softly as she moves to join the others.
Big_Mac chuckles and shrugs to Pumpkin Seed "can't hurt ah s'ppose." he laughs to the thought of Seed flirting to inprove their odds. "though ah doubt your bride will be quite so understanin.'" he adds as he drops down his forehooves from the fence, letthing himself stretch out a bit from the slightly unusual position. Afterall, he's born to be on the four tree trunk legs of his. As Orion passes his ears flit, craning to the other stallions greeting, prompting the draft to turn and nod a greeting back respectfully, followed by a lifed hoof in a casual wave. "H'lo there... g'luck to 'yeh!"
Skyheart watches on, hoping things won't get too messy. He was honestly curious to see how Gunstar would act as a team player. He doubted it, though. He continues to scan the crowd for Marble. THeir little competition would be sometime and he wanted to make sure he didn't chicken out.
Pumpkin_Seed pages, "Yeah, and we can dump him in the mud!" to Applejack, Big_Mac and you.
Bluestreak hovers nearby and seems mostly disinterested until the Tug-of-War is mentioned as an event, a sudden grin spreading over his lips as the big pegasus drops down to get a closer look at the event, nodding to himself a few times before taking a look at some of the contestants as well. Hrm..
Well, Apple Bloom supposes she can hold her sister's hat, try to keep it safe while she's competing. "Um.... ah kin try wah'll ah'm runnin' ah s'pose." BApple Bloom carefullly lifts he head so the hat is on her back. "Okay. Tawm t'show ever'pony what ah'm made of."
MapleWing has arrived.
Black_Forest blinks again as an orange pony makes a rather loud, showy entrance; then he squints at her lightly, examining her from tail to snout, craning his head around the other ponies in front of and around him. Finally he catches sight of the three apple cutie mark and smiles happily,"Aha! Zat is Applejack! Or at least a pony zat matches her description...I must talk vith her," he mutters to himself, looking around for a way past the ponies around him quickly, only to frown when he finds none,"...or maybe I vill vait until after zis rodeo..."
Chance nods gently to NightRaven. "I don't doubt that." He looks over as Starfire lands, and smiles to her. "Evening Starfire. Yeah, we're getting crowded here. This is going to be loud, and fun." He glances around and spots Applejack's entrance. "GO APPLEJACK!" he yells.
Grinning over to Orion, Pumpkin Seed says, "Hey there pardner." He says as he lifts his ears upwards. Anything else he was going to say goes out the door as Apple Jack barrels her way over to them. Turning towards his other best friend, he leans in to give her a firm headbutting. "Hey you! Was starting to think you weren't going to make it. You ready?! I'm ready! We've been training for this event all year long. Remember, Big Mac in the back for weight. I'm in the front, AJ you're in the middle. Lock our knees and tug!"
The mayor gets out of the maniacal pegasus-athlete's way. She dances around a bit involuntarily, and then draws forth a roster, which she sticks onto a reading stand. Pity the poor non-unicorns! "The Tug-of-War is a tournament event! All participants have been assigned to a team! After each round, the winning team will be divided in two and will compete against itself!!" She then reads off the full list of names of those who have signed up--a process that took place right up to the start of the rodeo. And of course, she announces which team they signed up for--Team Grass or Team Hay.
NightRaven glances to Starfire and offers her a smile. "Hello Starfire." She looks back towards the approach of more ponies. "I don't think I've ever been to anything like this." She offers to the two ponies near her.
Gunstar takes his place with the other competitiors - his place is front and center, of course. He tilts his hat just so and grins at the crowd, especially the ladies. And the judges. "Howdy, y'all. Ah'm lookin' forward to struttin' m'stuff just as much as AJ is...ah'm sure y'all'll do fine in the showpony competition," he adds to Applejack over his shoulder.
Orion keeps his smile and nods to the two. "To you as well." He offers back to Big Mac along with a nod to Pumpkin Seed. Hearing the mayor go about saying who is on what team an so forth he slips quiet for a moment. A faint glance is sent towards Gunstar and he shakes his head slightly. "You know that only gives her more reason to beat you in everything now don't cha?" An amused look is seen across the large earth ponies face and he just grins.
Big_Mac gives his Sister a hug around the shoulders before Seed greets her in kind, the big draft stallion lowering his goggles as he flexes a little, beginning to get himself limbered up a little in preperation and nodding to Seeds battleplan. "Eeyup!" he agrees and gives his hooves a hefty stomping, causing the ground to vibrate a little, even despite all the other ponies making noise and trotting about around the area, showing just how much weight he has to offer in a less than precice method, but intimidating never the less! He offers a wave of a hoof to Orion as he moves off to take his place as the Mayor announces teams.
Glancing up to Gunstar, Pumpkin Seed makes a motion along his throat, like a pirate would! Glancing back to his two Apple companions, he says, "That's the jerk that's been strutting around town, talking 'bout how he was gonna rub your nose in the mud this year AJ. Man, I can't wait to watch that guy eat mud." With another flex of his body, followed by another popping of joints in his ankles, knees, and legs, he flares his nostrils as he settles his gaze upon Gunstar. "Man.. it's gonna feel good to whoop 'em."
Swooping down from the skies above, Bluesy glides over the mudpuddle and lands by the rope opposite of the Apple & Pumpkin farmers, flaring out his wings with a quick roll of his thick shoulders and going into a quick stretch to get himself a little loosened up and throwing a quiet grin across the way at the earth ponies. This should prove interesting.
As the ponies begin to divide up into teams and assume their positions on the rope, Black Forest finds himself being swept along...and this time, he realizes his peril. Panicking a bit, he tries to get out of the way and remove himself from the event...but it's too late. He finds himself at the rope, in line with the team he's suddenly found himself with. Again, he quickly looks around for an easy exit, but now he's in amongst the teams and the crowd is watching...and, unfortunately, his stubborn Neigh-Ulm pride will now no longer allow him to back down. Thus, he leans down and takes the rope into his mouth, the green of team grass.
Applejack does her best to ignore Gunstar's snide remarks, along with the stomach butterflies that have arrived as soon as she noticed his presence. She tries to focus on her family and friends instead, those there to support and cheer her on, and her teammates. She grins and bumps flanks with Pumpkin Seed and Big Mac. "You better b'lieve ah'm ready!" She scuffs her forehooves playfully, gearing herself up, while she tilts an ear to Apple Bloom. "Ah'm sure you'll do great in the junior competition, Apple Bloom -- though ah'll kindly take mah hat back b'fore ya go runnin' just anywhere. Kinda the whole point of mah givin' it to ya for safekeepin'!" She winks and pats her hat down over AB's eyes again, then trots off into the arena with it's lake of mud, either oblivious to her sister's intentions, or... maybe just in denial.
Orion got lucky or perhaps unlucky enough to get on Gunstar's team and his standing beind him. The large draft smirks slightly. "So.. your the one that's been calling out Applejack aye?" He questions with a curious tone. No way he is going to be in the front of this line! His large hooves spread out, form giving a great shake and his shoulders tense and relax. "All I gotta say that wasn't no smart idea bud." He may be on this ponies team but that doesn't mean he has to like it!
Gunstar fires another of his endless chunks of Prickly Pear into her everpresent spitoon and sneers back at Orion, AJ, and Pumpkin Seed. "Then y'all'd best step up yer game." And with that, he turns and puts his public face back on, waving to the crowd again as he takes his place on Team Grass.
Swan_Song decides to sit this event out and stands back while the others move into position, tossing out a cheer as she makes her way up to the side of the arena to watch. "Go Applejack!"
As the teams develop, the mayor gestures to a little announcer's box on top of a storage shed. What's it doing up there? "Excellent! Keep taking your places--the arena master will blow the whistle shortly! Now, for color commentary, we turn to..." She turns to a salmon-colored companion. "Wait." She mumbles, and her words can barely be heard. "...we couldn't get Spike? ... ...we couldn't get Whooves? Not even Granny Smith?" They mumble for a few minutes. "...Fine. But someone's paying for this." Again she picks up the bullhorn. "We turn to your color commentator, Derpy Hooves!" And with that, Derpy's amazed, delighted face pops up from the announcing box, and with wonder she takes in the crowd.
Pumpkin_Seed sneers back to Gunstar. "I hope you got a good dentist on hoof for yah' buddy because we're gonna kick yah' teeth in!" Stepping up to the front of the team, he settles his gaze right into Gun's, giving him a slow and steady stare. Reaching out with his teeth, he grabs the rope in his mouth, sinking his jaws in and gives a few testing tugs to feel the weight. With a snort of stream through his nostrils, his rust colored body grows rigid, tense, ready.
Big_Mac chuckles and gives Seed a firm nudge in the side at his boasting, if not borderline threatening of the other team. "Yeh just dun' know when to quit do 'yeh." he chuckles right up until the snyde remark to his sister as he trots heavily up to the rope, intentionally thumping his hooves heavily on the ground, letting those weighty hooves dig in with what appears little effort. His brow furrows at the remark about his sister and he peers sternly at Gunstar, partly going back against his comment to seed as his hooves raise to lower his own goggles over his big green eyes. "EEeyup." he says slowly and deliberately, there's more behind it than what he says, naturally. The flankbump from his sister snaps him back to reality and brings him back to his lighthearted nature, and gives a curt and ready nod to his sister.
Plain_Sight is walking through the almost throngs of ponies. The small mare had tought there were not nearly this many here in Ponyville. She walks around, listening to the converstaions, trying to make her way to someplace she can see past the other ponies.
Denial is right. Apple Bloom is *right* behind her sister, once again throwing back the hat onto her back to be sure she can see. and soon she's taken an actual power position by the rope, and she appears to be actually... preparing for the tug of war? "This is gonna be so sweet. And maybe ah'll get a cutie mark."
Fluttershy pops up at the back of the crowd again, pumping her wings as fast as they can go! "Go Derpy Hooves! You rock!'
Orion smirks as he eyes Gunstar slightly. Not like he cares about winning or losing, though he doesn't really care for this pony in the least. He grips hold of the rope, a wink is sent towards Pumpkin Seed, amusement clearly still seen! Most likely not a good thing for mister Gunstar that this now Ponyville pony is on his team today..
After conferring with Berry Punch and swearing there's a hint of whiskey on her breath, Bluestreak turns his attention Gunstar and Orion as they come close. Well.. this should be most interesting, so he takes the spot as the anchor for Team Grass, giving another roll of his shoulders as his hooves dig little grooves into the ground to keep him steady when the action starts. .. He's gotta wonder though, is he the only pegasus that's going to be in this particular event? .. Or is that Roid Rage fella going to hop in?
Berry Punch skitters up next to Gunstar on Team Grass and grabs a strand of rope with admirable speed! "We got this," she says. "Hey look--they've got a filly on their team! What's up with that?"
As he takes tight hold of the rope, Gunstar reaches up and clamps his hat tightly over his head. "Don't y'all worry," he says to his team. "Think it's safe to say ah've got this one covered."
Big_Mac trots in place a little, letting him thump his hooves some more before reaching down to pick up and grip the rope in his teeth, flinging the remainder behind him so it drapes over his back near one of his heavy hooves. The large draft shifts his stance and plants himself heavily, taking up his role as weight of the group. "Ah got mah back in'tuh it, no problem!" he declares to his team mates, ready for the whistle to sound.
Black_Forest rolls his eyes from the anchor position at Gunstar's comment, and mumbles something not only foreign, but obscured by the rope. He does, however, grip the rope more tightly with his teeth.
"It's Applebloom, nothing wrong with her being over there." Orion offers while his large hooves are pushed into ground, teeth having a tight hold on the rope bit he has as he waits for the whistle to blow. A ear twitches as he hears Gunstar. Sure they have it!
Pumpkin_Seed gives a wry grin to himself as he catches Orion's wink, then grips the rope even more tighter in his mouth. Digging his hooves into the ground, he shifts slightly into his practiced stance. His eyes are like iron as he stares down Gunstar just a few feet across from him.
Derpy waves excitedly to the crowd. She looks at the master of the arena, who happens to be Ace, the tennis player. He's got a whistle on and is ready to blow. "Ready to Blow!!" relays Derpy, speaking into a microphone. She waves to strengthedn the message.
"It's not the little one I'm worried about.", murmurs Bluestreak to the rest of his team, motioning over to the other side of the puddle. "It's their anchor. S'not often you see that kind of power.". Regardless, the big pegasus snags the rope with his teeth and gets himself ready with wings tucked in tightly against his sides.
PUB >> Black_Forest says, "I took three hundred levels in princess-glomping, specialized in Princess Luna."
Gunstar clamps down his hat, narrows his eyes, and digs in...he's just going to assume that whatever Forest said meant 'yes'.
PUB >> Outside your little circle of candlelight, Luna says, "...so thou are a support caster, is what thee are saying."
Applejack gets into position beside her teammates, sharing a fiery, determined smile with them, before turning that look on her competitors. It's not until Berry Punch's pronouncement that AJ notices that her little sister has followed her, and still double-takes. "Apple Bloom! Now, ah don't want ya t'get hurt." Her ears swivel a bit, but she doesn't have the heart to stop her from joining. "You just... stay close t'Big Mac and me, ok?" Well, if AB does lose a few teeth, maybe she'll listen next time. ;> No more time for arguin', anyway. AJ grabs her rope, gripping tightly.
Ace blows the whistle, and the contest is on! "HAS BEGIN!!" shouts Derpy, jumping around her little booth and banging her head on the roof. "TUG ROPE!!"
Orion keeps a tight hold upon the rope, a slight shrug seen.. He is sorta close to the back now so its not like they don't have muscle on there end as well! "Just have ta see wat happns!" Is offered to BlueStreak. The large draft shifts, ruddy colored fur tensing and his hooves shift a bit in the dirt while he turns his head to the side. An once the whistle blows he pulls back hard!
And boy does Apple Bloom pull. She pulls as hard as she can on her part of the rope. She's so big and strooong!
Big_Mac flexes his legs a little and shifts backward a few half paces, tauting up the rope and leaning into it just a /slight bit/ as he gives a wink to his teammates, waiting for the event to begin, he hufs deeply, massive chest heaving and nostrils flaring with an ticipation. Despite being stuck in the back, he can still see around and over his teammates and does his best to stare down the other team through a lock of that orange mane of his. When the whistle blows, he immediately lunges backward, arching his body at a harsh angle as he digs his hooves in, teeth gritting hard as he grips the rope and that large back hoof stoms down on the rope on the other side of him as drapes across his back, allowing him to get a LOT of leverage on it once his hoof is planted on the tail end, literally using his back to reel the rope toward him as well as acting as the anchor of the hay team!
Soon as that whistle blows, Pumpkin Seed is backtracking with his powerful legs as he jerks his head to one side, growling around the burn in his mouth. He digs his hooves in deep and looks to take the first step backwards as he braces for the jerk from the other side. Every muscle in his draft frame tenses as a violent quiver rips through his frame. "Ngggrrrrgh!"
Derpy peers out the window overlooking the event, her neck stretched so she can see better. "Strong start from Seedling! Team Hay with big jerk! Who is Biggest Jerk??"
When it comes to anchors it's Red Vs. Blue, and while Bluesy's about the same height as the draft stallion across the way he's a lot leaner, but that isn't saying that Bluestreak doesn't have any power. Once the whistle blows his wings suddenly flick out and go taut as the rest of his powerful body as he begins to pull, using what bulk he has to pull with the rest of his team though through his eyes there's no chance.. he's not giving up though, but he readies an escape plan.
Black_Forest had been preserving himself for the moment the whistle was blown. His hooves immediately dig into the ground and he hauls back with all his might, bracing himself in a calculated manner to stop his team from being pulled forward easily. His ears twitch and his nostrils flare widely, adrenaline coursing through he veins, his steel grey eyes narrowed with effort...however, he holds back the bulk of his strength, ready to apply it as needed...a pony must pace themselves, after all. At least that was the plan; a split second later he feels the sheer -strength- of the big pony on the other end, his opposite, and digs in at his full not-inconsiderable strength; growing up, he'd been responsible to help his father out in the woods for logging, and he -did- keep himself in shape...however, he knows just from the power of the tug, that if it came down to just him and the big guy on the other end he'd lose in straight-up strength.
Pity those poor saps who wound up on Gunstar's team, 'cause today there's only glory enough for ONE! He's far in the back and dug in tight, pulling as hard as he can - now's the time to prove all his bulk ain't just for show (although what's a rodeo without the show?). His legs begins to shake from the strain just like Pumpkin Seed's, and he starts to slide forward, but Gunstar pulls back. He'll show 'em who's the biggest jerk!
Caramel is on the Hay Team, too. He's near the back, and giving it a good effort, but his all isn't in it yet. He doesn't seem entirely comfortable here for some reason.
Orion keeps his hold on the rock, form shifting slightly backwards a mere inch to set his stance a bit different. He knows very well that Big Mac and Pumpkin Seed are over there after all! Seeing how he was behind Gunstar this could be interesting! He shifts on his hooves, head pulled upwards, muscles clearly seen across his form with a few snorts escaping him in the process. He has to make sure to keep his thoughts about him, can't use all of one's strength at the start of this match after all!
Derpy flaps her wings madly. "Blueshriek is Only Pegasus! Is wing out! Judges?" She glances at the judges' box. "Is clear. So long as no support? Good wingly form." She stretches her own wings out taut and leans back and forth like an airplane, not that she would know what that is.
Big_Mac lets out a long low groan as he strains to pull on teh rope, it didn't take long before he had to ramp up and put his all into it, though given the opposite team, he's not terribly surprised. Afterall they're all pretty pwoerful too and he knew it wouldn't be a cakewalk. HE slowly tries to draw himself back, bending his legs and pushing, almost in a squats- style manuvre to generate slack long enough for him and his team mates to reel it up and pull it back. While he's not so much doing a lot of the slack making he's definitely making it harder for the other team to drag his side of the rope toward them, putting the traction on all four hooves, backing up as he really needs to. HIs head lashses from side to side, causing the other end of hte rope to jerk, adn hopefully make it harder for the opposing team to keep a steady grip.
Derpy points at Orion, fluttering out from her box into the air. "O'Ryan! Is Clydesdale! In history? Always tug wars. Will special strategy??" She flies from the Grass Team to the Hay Team. "Is Applejack! Last year? Won no blue. Became Cherryjack in shame." She lets her head sag in sadness, and promptly loses her bearings and goes spinning off out of control in the background.
O'course, Applejack gives her share of pull! She digs her hooves in with the rest, and through clenched teeth yells, "HEAVE!" There's a little shifting of the amazingly-taut rope, but the teams are pretty evenly matched, hanging in a stalemate for a good long while. AJ narrows her eyes and grits her teeth around the rope as she tugs for all she's worth, but without much headway. Lordy, this is going to be tougher than she thought!
Aw, tarnation! That big one is a powerhouse! And the rest ain't no slouches, neither. Gunstar loses a few more inches as his legs begin to slip and cycle, and a few more yet when he has to reach up and clamp his hat down again. With a mighty 'hnnnn-NGH!' the showboater pulls back...and suddenly shows a surprising steadiness, hardly budging at all.
Berry Punch is giving it a good effort, but she's starting to slide. Her hooves are caking with soil. "MmMMph!" she exhorts. Her rounded tail flicks back and forth spastically.
Apple Bloom is heaving as hard as she can. Might be making a difference? Might not. She certainly has been growing!
Bluestreak earflicks when he hears Derpy's voice through the loudspeaker and inwardly curses as there went ONE of his ideas. His eyes spot a sharp movement across the way from that juggernaut as their anchor and then blink as the rope wobbles just as sharply on his end. Oh he wants to play THAT game, huh? Alrighty then! Letting out a snort through his nostrils the singular pegasus snaps his head from left to right, along with another one up and down just for good measure. But it may be too little too late as the mare infront of him starts to lose it, Bluesy finding himself doing everything he can to take up her slack.
Black_Forest frowns as he feels the whipping motion being made from the other team; he counters by pulling the rope more taut, eliminating a good chunk of the motion, although it does give him considerable strain to do so. Snorting with effort, he continues to pull backwards, actually managing to take a step.
Orion keeps his steady grip, through the head lashes by Big Mac, his played this game plenty of time with his brothers on the different farms they managed to wander through for work. He shifts backwards a half steps and his head lowers and he gives the rope an all might HEAVE back towards him with a faint muffled nicker escaping him. As Gunstar starts to slip forward he puts on more pulling power and actually starts to drag the showboater in front of him backwards a few steps!
Screenplay has left.
Way in the back seats, Fluttershy is biting her hooves, eyes slamming back and forth between one team and the other. The sunny yellow pegasus looks like she's about to hyperventilate!
Swaying his head in time with Big Mac's motions with the rope, Pumpkin Seed jerks his head upwards, then pulls it straight down to give the rope a bit of a whip crack motion as it dips up and down in a serpentine manner. As the guy in the front, it's up to him to not slip and falter forward. As he finds himself sliding forward a few inches, his eyes widen and he digs harder into the rope, feeling his lips start to chap and bleed into the tightly coiled rope. With another jerk of his head backwards, he takes a step back, putting his heart into it as he snarls viscously.
Caramel digs in and takes one slow step back, followed by another with the opposite pair of hooves. They're winning! Team Hay is winning! Look at the slack disappearing between--well that's odd. That showboat Gunstar bloke just stopped sliding, and the rope is going taut before him.
Skyheart glances to Fluttershy, noting her condition. He drapes a comforting wing around her. "Hey... relax. It's just a game right? They'll all be fine." he goes back to watching the tense 'battle' in the ring.
Derpy appears again from a new angle. She has grass stains on her back. "Now rope is bob! Bobbity bob." She bobs in mid-air. "Thiiis wwaaaayyy...that waaayyyy..." She giggles, the amplified sound reminiscent of a staggered chorus of serpents eating Tic-Tacs. "ALL way bob!!" she cries.
Apple Bloom doesn't let go of the rope, she's pulling as hard as she can, and shouts out around her mouthful. "Dnnnn lmmmm mmmmm wmmmmm!"
Big_Mac's headjerking is quickly minimized by the other teams doubled efforts, to taut up the rope, making the efforts to do so much harder and he reserves himself to holding down the fort, his hooves planting hard as he feels himself beginning to slip a little. He's been traction all the while so far, but somewhere, like everypony else, his footings beginning to give. THrough the odd backpedal and jerking with his legs and head, he reserves himself to being as hard to pull forward of his hooves as he can. He can feel the other team giving up slack as well as them losing slack from time to time, being at the back it's hard to tell who's winning and who's not. One thing he knows, he's going to be the last one standing on his team, even if it kills him to do so! there's no end to the big draft stallions determination and has steeled himself to be pulled in even if hes the only one remaining against the entire other team! He repeats this in his head, trying to psyche himself to giving it all.
Bluestreak's thick neck bulges with muscle as his eyes clench shut, beginning to tire out slowly but steadily.. He's built for long distance flying and would probably be the difference maker if he were allowed to use his massive wings but he's no cheater, though they're still extended out from his body as he straaaaaains.. but soon his footing starts to give, Grass Team's anchor starting to slide just a little.
Derpy flutters over the Grass Team, excited. "Too many anchors! Can work out? Or collapse!!?"
"Owwr mm dd BRDY!" Gunstar shouts back. Orion's support is a huge help - not that teamwork really crosses his mind. His rope is stained with cactus fruit juice as he clamps down even tighter, jerking his head back and forth to try and imitate Big Mac's slack technique. Gunstar's no draft stallion, but darned if he won't put on a good show. He does it for the fans, so they can do it for him. He jerks back, trying to save his anchors.
Orion pulls and tugs, his teeth grinding against the rope with a faint few snort escaping him. His not going to give up /just/ yet! He pulls on the rope and works on trying to walk backwards to get his team moving away from the bath of mud that waits for the losers!
Black_Forest feels the side-to-side motion peter off, and also reduces his efforts to prevent said motion, concentrating more on simply holding the line. He begins to sweat earnestly as his hooves sometimes slide forward, or as he pulls the rope back with his team...lost in the adrenaline and the fun, he forgets momentarily that he's really not supposed to be in this; it's been awhile since he's gotten to really cut loose and test his mettle. Stubborn determination and pride flows through his veins; he will be the last to fall, if his team shall...he won't give in without a fight! Virtually snarling around the rope, his eyes filled with competitive glee, he begins to truly give it his all.
With each step forward he takes, Pumpkin Seed tries to ensure he gets one more step back. He won't let them win! He can't! Not with his family (And AJ"s) honor at stake. Growling around the rope, he yells, "PULL!" Jerking his head backwards, he pulls with all his might as he finds himself starting to gain ground. One step. Two Step. "PULL. PULL. PULL."
"OMMMM CMMMT FFFF THHHHHE, PLLL", growls the pegasus to his team, closing his eyes and gathering up enough strength as he can. "OMMMM.. TWWWWW... THEEEEEEE.... PLLL!", and with a sudden jerk of his head the big pegasus digs in and heeeeeeaves back with his teeth clenched tightly around the rope and hoping his teammates do the same.
Berry Punch is slipping further now. Well, tug-of-war really isn't her forte. She's not built for it. But her eyes are shining wild as she tries to avoid sliding any further...whoa. Suddenly, her rope is completely taut against Gunstar. She lets go for a moment in shock, and then in further shock grabs on again, trying to make a difference.
Orion's ears flick to the pegasus and he goes about pulling back as it is said! His tail flicks about and he takes a few more steps backwards in the process, slowly dragging Gunstar in the process. His hindlegs doing pretty much all the work while his front hooves make sure he doesn't get yanked forward during this moment of movement!
Applejack is starting to break a sweat, here! She snorts, fighting the strain that's building up in her legs from keeping them locked for so long. "HEAVE!" She shouts again, joining in with Pumpkin's rallying call. But heck if they ain't stuck faster than Twilight is to books! Gradually, bit by bit, her footing starts to give. Her knees tremble, brow furrowed with effort, as she tries to reverse it, head lowered with effort and concentration. Dangit!
"No more skiprope," points out Derpy. She flies above the mud patch, confused. "Now is straight. Long fight! Hay Team was winning--now Grass Team winning! So change."
Caramel is disappointed. What happened to their edge? His nerves are sending him mixed signals as he finds himself stumbling. Gone are the careful backward steps...now the Grass Team seems to have found a second wind.
Apple Bloom is starting to slip, her hooves starting to slide as she can't seem to make a dent in the progress. She works harder to get a grip, but perhaps she isn't making a difference after all.
No more skiprope and no more kid gloves. Gunstar's in full bore, lending his uncanny steadfastness to his team's anchors. There's a reason he won the blue last round, and he's gonna win it again. And maybe Applejack's hat'll look good on his trophy stand, too, he reckons.
Big_Mac's hooves pedal in a slow but steady motion now, no longer completely planted, but has the power on at a steady pace, though it's clear he's losing his once steadfast hoofing, which is somewhat apparent by the near ditch he's practically dug beneath him. As his teammates call out to heave, he bucks his legs down when his teammates pull, using the slack to regain some of his footing and jerk back hard, almost in a double-tap heave so to speak. Despite getting his hooves under him again, he can't help but feel himself slide, even though all four hooves are planted as steadfast as he can, the heavy draft beginning to shift forward with all foor legs locked and planted, not giving up a single step but sliding never the less as he puts his all into it.
"Heave! Pull! Gah!" Pumpkin Seed calls out as he finds himself suddenly tugged forward, his anchored hooves sliding through the dirt until he starts to teeter on the edge of the mudpool. His eyes widen and he jerks his head back again, his eyes meeting AJ's, almost pleadingly. Please, please don't let me fall in this mud! His muscles are tense, his legs sore, and his jaws ache.
Berry Punch is jubilant! She isn't able to get much leverage on the rope, since it's gone taut above her comfort zone, but the big guys on her team seem to have it taken care of! She finds a rock in the field and uses its extra height to give her the leverage she needs to feel helpful. MMMMMP!
"THEEEEEEE!" *PULL* "THEEEEEEEE!" *PULL*, comes the command from the big pegasus, hoping the rest of his team pulls on his order and grinning wide as he feels the resistance loosening up from the other team "KEEP GNNNNG! THEEEEE!" *PULL*, he feels his hooves start to move and gain some ground, now REEEALLY putting his hips and shoulders into the timed motions.
Orion shifts slowly, hooves getting slowly pulled forward from a goo hard jerks from the other team.. Oh dear.. He tugs and yanks hard a few times with his head pulling one way and then another before the rope is starting to slide through his teeth a moment..
Derpy's eyes are focused, as if Pumpkin Seed were two converging blobs in a lava lamp. "Hayseed almost Fall!!" she announces, hovering with her hind legs dangling. "Has try So hard, but So fail!! Grass Team victories?"
Black_Forest snorts furiously as he pulls in time with his team; sweat trickles down into his eyes, stinging and causing him to blink. His pure white mane is plastered to his near-black coat, his muscles are sore from the strain...but he doesn't care! However, despite his stubborn pride it has been a while since he's done a full day of heavy work, and he can feel his stamina starting wane a bit, feel his legs start to tremble...with a surprising mental fortitude he -wills- the trembling to stop, although he can feel himself slide forward a few scant inches while momentarily distracted.
Caramel, tries to dig in, but the ground beneath his hind hooves gives up its integrity and breaks apart. He struggles to find solid footing. His wide eyes are fixed on the frontstallion of their team, Pumpkin Seed, as he teeters on the edge...
Aww, too bad, Bumpkin Seed! That's what Gunstar would say if he weren't chewing on a mouthful of rope. He'll keep that one in mind for later. He'd never admit it, but Gunstar's following Bluestreak's lead, pulling along in time with the rest of his team. "THEEEEE! THEEEEE!"
Big_Mac's backpedaling begins to pick up at a furious pace once it's clear his planted hooves aren't cutting it anymore, he can feel his whole team sliding forward as though the other team has gained a few extra stallions to their side, leaving him with a strange sense of being overpowered, which is almost disturbing to the strong and sturdy draft stallion. As his hooves fly and meetthe ground an earth thundering -thud-thud thud-thud-thud -thud-thud- can be heard with each slipping hoofstep he makes as he puts all remaining power into the remarkably strong rope. At this point, there's not much he can do but hold on and dig his hooves in without a little slack from his teammates in order to get some purchase, for now the stallion can only do his best and hold on for the ride, as it were as he feels his team beginning to lose ground to the other team's apparent second wind.
Applejack is feeling about as sore and strained as Pumpkin-- and worse, it seems. "No... no!" She protests determinedly through her rope, fighting with all her might. She holds on for a good while, seeming to regain her footing, grooves dug in behind her. Ears pin back as AJ makes one final great pull of effort, but it actually proves to be her undoing. All it takes is a wayward puddle of mud to slip on, and she's jerked forward suddenly -- right into Pumpkin Seed, of course! "OOOOF!" And where else for them to go from there? ... *KER SPLAT* Well, at least they don't have to pay an expensive spa fee for this mud bath!
Orion's teeth slide and the rope is yanked from his teeth and the large draft erks as he stumbles forward and hits right into Gunstar perhaps shoving the other pony forward in the process.. Oh dear..
Derpy flies up high and lands on top of her announcer's booth. "Is fallen blood! I mean first mud is drawn! Apple and pumpkin soup?! Now Team Hay almost sure to lose!"
Derpy gasps! But now Grass also has droprope!!
As AJ tumbles into his backside, Pumpkin Seed finds himself squawking out as he stumbles forward face first into the mud as his strong frame falls into the pit. His cowboy hat is tilted to one side, hanging off his head as he lets out a bubbling sigh. Coughing and sputtering, he glances upwards to Gunstar, then looks over his shoulder to AJ. Spitting out a mouthful of mud, he practically seethes. ".. you alright?"
Of course, where Big Mac might start rapidly lose footing and AJ just lose her balance, Apple Bloom, the littlest Apple, is slingshotted into the air, flailing about wildly as she sails for the other team.
Berry Punch barely manages to dodge Orion as he slips forward. She keeps hold of the rope, but takes a few moments to get it tight again. What just happened? And...is that the filly from the other team %coming straight for her??%
Black_Forest feels the sudden loss of power on the other side, and it feels significant...right up until Orion loses his grip on the rope and stumbles into Gunstar. The sudden loss of support causes the rope to tighten painfully in his mouth, burning his lips slightly. His eyes, however, alight upon the filly flying forward from the other side. Acting quickly, and thus causing himself to slide forward about a foot, he reaches out with his magic and catches her, enveloping her in a chocolate brown glow...and safely lowers her to the ground away from the mud pit. He then resumes pulling as hard as he can, determined to make up for losing ground.
Bluestreak's eyes go wide as Orion & Gunstar bite it infront of him, but thankfully Berry's still th-- .. No wait, Berry's about to get pulverized by a flying filly. With paniced eyes the pegasus throws a quick glance over his shoulder at Black Forest before he feels himself begin to slide as well. Ohhhh no, Hay Team's lost two of their members and they've lost two of theirs and he's not about to let up now, especially with that Big Red Machine over on the other end. Regaining his footing he pulls as hard as he possibly can along with their anchor, hoping to get that yellow pony with the rather well-groomed mane to go in before working on the mountain.
Ace blows his whistle at Black Forest's display. "Is unicorn glow!" shouts Derpy. She flies down near the judges. "Judgges??" The judges confer and speak to Derpy. "Is allow. For safety of foal who fly without wing. But for any other reason? Magic disquantify!"
Caramel is more than a bit distracted by all this nonsense...but after a moment of gaping, he just keeps pulling. Maybe there's hope left after all?
Big_Mac quickly finds himself amongst dwindeling numbers as AppleJack and Pumpkin Seed take a dive into the thick mud before them, and he too finds the pit drawing up on him uncomfortably quick on him until he finds himself on the edge. The thump-thump-thumping more than likely disrupting the consoling between AppleJack and Pumpkin Seed the closer he gets, making it known that the big draft is soon to join them in the rich icky drink that seperates the two teams. Behind him, lay a long trail of ruts from where his lare hooves have been dragged forward. True to his conviction's he holds fast right until the bitter end. His hooves are a faint blur beneath him as he redoubles his efforts, making a last ditch effort to regain some footing and /maybe/ salvage a win despite how unlikely the whole mess seems, but he's an apple, and there's NO way he's throwing in the towel until he's joined the other members of his team in the mud.
Black_Forest, despite his fitness and past experience with hard labor, is no Earth pony. And after using that bit of magic? He finds himself tiring rapidly, losing more and more strength by the minute...he digs his hooves in again and fights valiantly against the other teams' pull, eyes narrowed once more in stubborn defiance...but he feels himself sliding forward, upright mind, but sliding forward nonetheless. Even so, a rush of excitement flows through his body; win or lose, it's been a -lot- of fun.
"Oof! Hey, WWTCH IT!" Gunstar loosens his grip. Orion almost made Gunstar lose his hat! Lucky for him he's had it clamped down to his scalp. He may have just lost a few more inches and he's uncomfortably close to the mud, but the other team is already down by several. Gunstar narrows his eyes, face-to-face with Big Macintosh...
Caramel slips, slides, and teeters..."Whoa!" As the mare in front of him collapses into the mud, he realizes that the Hay Team is down to just him and Big Macintosh! The blacksmith steels his grip, closes his eyes, and tugs, but he doesn't like these odds...
Orion grumbles while he slowly shifts and stands himself up, giving himself a good shake in the process. He shifts out of line seeing how he lost grip of the rope! He watches curiously now to see which team wins.
Derpy flies higher in the sky. "This is sixth year in which magical rope! Magical Shrinking Rope, by True Braid Rope and Cord Company, is guaranteed to shrink partway through!" She beats her wings happily. "Is better tug-of-war! BOTH teams near to fall in!!"
Applejack surfaces from the mud lake, wiping mud from her eyes, and spitting some out. "Puh. Ah'm alright. Y'all alright? Big Mac? Apple Bloom?" She looks up to see that the match is still going on -- and Apple Bloom is airborn? But the match is still going on! Her mouth now rope-free, she cheers, "GIVE 'EM HECK, BIG MACINTOSH!"
The big blue pegasus is nearing the end of his rope in more than one way now, especially with Black Forest almost completely out of it so now it's basically him, Punch & Gunstar against Caramel and Big Mac. "WWW GT MMM, PULLL!", he tries to go that route again, directing his team to use the same tactic that knocked out three of Hay Team's competitors by pushing hard against the ground and yanking angrily on the shrinking rope.
Berry Punch is more excited than angry, but she pulls happily in time to the beat. She angles her legs just like the guys on her team are doing. "MMpH! RRrrF! MmMM!" There's a bright smile in her teeth behind that fiber. She's making ground!