A Clone Gargoyle's Equestrian Tale

First Lessons: Fall Weather Friends

S1 E13 Fall Weather Friends! Suited For Success is up next
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It was a nice sunny fall day in Sweet Apple Acres. Malibu himself was enjoying the fresh air and eating an apple. He wished every day could be like this one, happy he didn't have to turn to stone. It made Malibu realize what the other gargoyles were missing in their lives.

He had breathed a happy sigh, lying against a tree when suddenly he heard a horseshoe and a mare's cheer. It sounded like Rainbow Dash. Curious Malibu got up and trotted over to see what the cheering was about.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were at a horseshoe toss game, and Rainbow had made a close call nearly hitting the steak. AJ grinned at her. "Hoo-wee! Not bad for a pony who works with her head in the clouds!" Rainbow smirked. "Oh yeah? You think you can do better cow girl?"

The orange mare chuckled. "Ah know I can!" Malibu watched her pick up a horseshoe and toss it, but it hardly touched the steak. It made Rainbow laugh. "Looks like this pegasus can pitch better than the work horse!" She teased. Malibu cleared his throat, drawing the two's attention to him.

"Uh, hey, but what's happening here?" He questioned. Rainbow smiled. "On time, Mal! Me and AJ are competing for who is best at horseshoe toss! And the object of the game is to get the closest to the steak!" She explained, brushing Applejack's hat. AJ smirked. "Oh, alright. Ya got another throw there pony girl!"

Malibu sat down to watch his friend do her turn. Rainbow picked up her horseshoe and threw it, landing too far away from the steak. He couldn't help but give out a little chuckle along with Applejack, making her glare. "Wow, Rainbow! Ya couldn't hit a barn door with that kind of throw!" It made Rainbow roll her eyes. "Yeah yeah. I still have the closest throw, Applesmack. Just try and beat it!"

AJ picked her last one up. She focused on the steak, Malibu and Rainbow watching closely. She threw it, and to the other's surprise, it landed perfectly on it! His mouth dropped open, as did Rainbow's.

"Yee haw! It's a ringer! Now that's how we do it down here on the farm!" Malibu noted Rainbow's despondent face. "I lost," she said. Malibu smiled. "You know it is only for fun, right?" He asked. Rainbow though kicked the dirt. "I hate losing." Applejack smirked. "Yer a mighty good athlete. Ahm just better," she countered.

Malibu had a feeling where this was going as Rainbow glared. "Alright, Applejack. You think you're the top athlete here in Ponyville?" Applejack shrugged. "Well I was gonna say in all of Equestria but that may be guildin' a little."

Rainbow flicked her tail. "And I think I'm the top athlete. So let's prove it!"

"Prove what?"

"Yeah, what?" Malibu added in. Rainbow had an excited look in her eyes. "I challenge Applejack to an Iron Pony competition. A series of athletic contests to prove who is the best once and for all!"

The former gargoyle was somewhat surprised by this dare but seemed interested. Could be fun as long as it didn't turn to war. "Ya know what, Rainbow? Yer on!" Applejack accepted. The two spat into each other's hooves, making Malibu cringe and wonder why it was still a thing, and knocked hooves together in a shake. The game was on.

....

On the day of the contest Malibu had joined up with Twilight while the others worked on the field to talk to her about what Rainbow and AJ did. As he expected she was shocked.

They made it to where Malibu saw his friends warming up. "So you two are doing what now?" Twilight asked. "An Iron-" AJ started but Rainbow beat her. "-Iron Pony competition!" Applejack raised her brow but continued. "Ya see we set up a bunch of contests to see who is the..." "-most athletic pony ever!" Rainbow interrupted again still doing pushups.