A Most Noble Sport (Back-dated to July 25th)

[ponymeisters]

[Who's this handsome little dragon? He's grinning a grin to put Celestia's brightest day to shame, and he's holding a rather large book that he hefts up to show the scroll viewer. The title reads A Complete History of the Equestrian Games.]

Hey, everypony! So, I think you all must have seen the news about the Equestrian Games coming up next week and as Princess Twilight Sparkle's assistant- [he takes a moment to lower the book and raise his chin in pride] -I've been given the privilege of telling all of the new ponies about them! [Spike opens the book and puffs up his chest as he starts to read.]

Ehehehe-hem! [All official readings should, of course, begin with the official throat-clearing.]

"Long ago, there was conflict between two ancient cities of ponies, Balios and Xanthos, that threatened to erupt into war. One day, the ponies of Xanthos prepared a surprise attack on Balios. The general of the Baliosan army got wind of it, though. He could move his armies in time to stop the enemy, but it would be almost impossible to warn the city itself before the inevitable war came right to their doorstep.

“Knowing time was of the essence, the Baliosan general summoned the swiftest soldier he had to try and speed to the city in order to warn everypony within. However, on the way, the Baliosan soldier was gravely injured and couldn’t go further, just as a Xanthosan soldier, bearing a message to Balios demanding surrender, happened upon him. The Xanthosan soldier, the same age as the Baliosan and just as fast, could see that her opponent would not make it, and that it would be all too easy to pass him and allow for the attack to happen.

“Rather than leaving him behind to his fate, however, the Xanthosan pony, upon finding him, threw aside her message and carried his body the rest of the way to Balios. They got there in time to warn the city, and to ask for both sides to stop fighting, before they, too, collapsed in front of the approaching armies. The ponies of Xanthos and Balios, seeing this, were so shocked and moved by the sacrifice of the two ponies that they threw down their weapons, ended their conflict and became friends and allies for as long as the cities existed.

“From that day onward, to celebrate their friendship, the sister cities held games to commemorate those two ponies. They have since evolved into the Equestrian Games, an event all ponies and allies near and far join to celebrate the power of teamwork and friendship."

[He closes the book and holds his poise for a moment before all but squeaking with glee.]

All the sports are, like, totally cool and it's all held in the Crystal Empire this year, so there are crystal berry pies and our Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, and crystal rock candy and a giant faire outside the stadium for two whole weeks, and Billy Wonka's sponsoring it this year so there'll be all the best chocolate!

[The little dragon's claws are up in the air by the time he's finished, and he seems to realize he's being unprofessional. He coughs and regains his serious demeanor.]

Because of all the help the new ponies have given to Equestria, anypony who would like to travel to the Games will be given free passage by balloon, dragon, or train. Whichever you'd prefer! We've also opened up a few of the individual events, though the spaces on those are limited. You can stop by the Ponyville Library to sign up with me! The following events are open:

The Hammer Toss - 6 Spots;
Ice Archery - 6 Spots;
Equestrian Dressage - 6 Spots;
Equestrian Jumping - 6 Spots;
Canoe Sprint - 6 Spots; and
Ping Pong - 8 Spots.

If we get a lot of new ponies signing up for one thing, we'll do a lottery for who gets to join in. Feel free to ask questions about any of the events. This is my first time seeing the Games, but I've heard and read all about them. They're totally cool. Uh, I mean... they're the most noble of Equestrian sport.

[[OOC: OOC Sign-ups are located here.]]

Comments

[magicalrealist]

You sure sound excited, Spike. You probably have a front row seat to it, don't you?

[ponymeisters]

[Can you tell, Twilight? Of course he's excited.]

Oh, man! I really hope so! You're going to get front seats, aren't you Twi? I'm sure Shining Armor and Cadence can get you them!

[magicalrealist]

(Her smile dampens slightly.)

I'm sure they would, but...I won't be able to attend, unfortunately. You can have my front row seat, if you don't have one.

[ponymeisters]

Wha...?

[His eyes go wide.]

Why not? Wait... are you still looking into that poem they found in Stalliongrad?

[magicalrealist]

(Twilight nods.)

We found some very important information and a possible lead, but I still have questions that I need answered and the search will probably span through the Equestria Games.

[neighfeni]

..Did ya say competin' an' chocolate?

[We can see where her mind went.]

[ponymeisters]

[Spike's features are very solemn.]

Free chocolate available to competitors after every event.

[neighfeni]

...Really?

[...]

...Yeah, Ah'm signin' up.

[ponymeisters]

Right on! Come down to the Library and I'll get you on the list.

[neighfeni]

Well, Ah gotta make sure things'll be taken care of while Ah'm away, but the moment Ah do, Ah'll come on down. Thanks for lettin' us know, Sir Spike!

[ponycure_dream]

...!

Okay! Everyone's going to sign up and we're going to win big for our homes! It's decided!

[ponymeisters]

That's the spirit! The Equestrian Games are all about pulling for your home team. Ponyville is sending out some awesome teams for some of the other events. I know we'll bring home some medals this year!

[frozenmemories]

[It's quiet..but something caught her eye.]

What's archery? I know ice but...that other word I don't know.

[ponymeisters]

[Blink, blink.]

Well, it's... have you ever seen a bow and arrows?

[frozenmemories]

Um...Once I think. It's been a long time though.

[And it was a glimpse before she had to run off.]

[ponymeisters]

Okay, so, you've got this bow- [Spike motions to make a D sort of shape with his claws] -and you take an arrow, nock it, that means putting it on the string part of the bow, pull the string back, aim at a target, and shoot! That's archery, trying to hit the target. With ice archery, the arrows have specially enchanted tips that will cause ice to spread over the target when it hits. Whoever has the most ice coverage after three rounds of shooting wins!

[frozenmemories]

Oh, I think I get it now. It sounds like a lot of fun..and really cool to watch.

Especially for people who like ice.

[wastelandkindness]

WATCHER?!

(No. No, this was not. Too YOUNG, for one. Goddamn it, Velvet hated time travel.)

I mean. Spike, isn't it. I've - hmn.

(Velvet shakes her head, then tries to get on track.)

No soccer events? P-pity. That I'm not so bad at. I guess I'll just watch the games this year?

[ponymeisters]

[Blink. Blink. Well, he supposes he's technically going to be watching, but this pony seems pretty worked up about it.]

Yeah, Spike! Sorry, I don't think we've met. And there is soccer, it's just not one of the events Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are opening up to all the new ponies. If you want to watch it, I think the first match-ups are on the 3rd day of the Games with Cloudsdale vs. Hollow Shades and Ponyville vs. Las Pegasus.

You can totally join in on the other events, though! Do you like dancing? Or maybe ping pong?

[wastelandkindness]

I haven't met you in this world, let's say. Celestia Above.

Table tennis. There's that. Hmn.

[ponymeisters]

Woah... you know another me? [Sparkling eyes are set upon you, Velvet, and the Equestrian Games are forgotten for a moment.] What am I like? Am I like me? Or... am I like some who's not me? Oh, man! What's my favorite gem? Is it still rubies? Or emeralds! Do you know another Twilight, too? We've got three Twilights here. But, uh... well... one of them is sort of Twilight, but her name's Lucia and she's a human usually. Her cutie mark's different, too.

[It's kind of weird, if he's being honest.]

[misplacedxsheath]

Several of these seem self-explanatory, but what do you mean by Canoe Sprint?

[ponymeisters]

[Spike scratches his chin, brow furrowing.]

Well, it's a race in a canoe. It's pretty short, though. I think that's why it's called a sprint! They're hosting it on the Great Glass Lake this year. I hope I can get a spot in one of the watcher balloons for that!

It's got all kinds of awesome crystal creatures living in it. Have you ever seen a crystal jellyfish? It's like a glass swimming around with all these tiny little legs.

[misplacedxsheath]

*Okay, that does sound impressive. He might have to see that.*

Not particularly the sort of thing I'm interested in...I might consider trying my hoof at the archery, but I find the element unpleasant.

[ponymeisters]

You mean ice? [Spike's just been arguing with Cirno about this, so he's right there with you Margulis.] Yeah. I mean, fire arrows would be way better, but it's tradition now.

[And the Princesses had all agreed that fire shouldn't be flying around hundreds of ponies. Details.]