A New Life 2: Return of a Hero
Chapter 3- The Running of the Leaves

I woke up in my new house, once I got up, I looked around a little bit, since it was late last night I really didn't get a good look at the house, but now that it was day, it kinda reminded me of my old house from Earth.

I then looked out the window; the sun was just now rising.

"Wow, Déjà vu" I said in my head.

I then closed my eyes and let the memory play in my mind.

Flashback

It was Tyler's 9th birthday, and he could barely sleep, so he stayed up all night, eventually sleep started to settle in, but before his eyes closed, he looked out the window and saw his dad sitting on a stump; the sleep subsided, and was replaced with curiosity, so Tyler got out of bed and ran outside to his father.

"Daddy, why are you out here all by yourself" he said.

His father looked down and smiled.

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"I'm not alone, I'm with my best friend" he said.

"Really, where is he" Tyler asked looking around.

"Well, he's no longer with us, but he's in the heart of all of those who cared about him" he said.

"Really, what happened" Tyler asked.

"Well, while you were being born, his house got robbed, and well when he came home, they were there, and the bad guys killed him" Tyler's dad said.

"Oh, I'm sorry" Tyler said.

"It's okay, because I know he's watching over me, and watching over you too" he said.

"Why me, I didn't know him" Tyler said.

"I'll explain when you're older" he said.

Just then the sun started to rise, shining a bright orange, causing Tyler to fall asleep in his dad's arms.

End Flashback

I laughed, that was 7 years ago, and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

I then heard a knock on my door, once I opened it, Rarity was standing there.

"Hey Rarity, what's up" I said.

"Your hair" she said.

"Huh" I said.

"I'm cutting it, today" she said

"Oh, fine" I said.

"Follow me please" she said.

I followed her to her house or, Carousel Boutique.

We walked through the door and into the lobby.

"Just sit here while I get my things" Rarity said.

I sat on this sofa that was pretty soft, but my eyes caught sight of this box with a bow on it and a card, I was about to pick it up when Rarity walked in with her supplies.

"Hey Rarity, what's that box for" I asked.

She quickly teleported it away.

"Uh, nothing" she said.

I looked her with an, "Yeah, right" expression.

"If it was nothing, then why are you hiding it" I said.

She then started to sweat bullets.

"Okay, whatever's in that box has to be important" I thought.

"Look, it's yours, but you can't have it just yet" she said.

"Why not" I said.

"The time isn't right" she said.

A confused look appeared on my face.

"Who are you, Princess Celestia" I said.

She chuckled.

"Okay you know what, I can wait" I said.

"Good, now" Rarity said.

She then grew this creepy expression on her face.

"Uh, Rarity, why are you looking at me like that" I said backing away.

"SAY GOODBYE TO THAT HAIR!" She said charging at me.

Rainbow Dash's POV

Me and Applejack were playing another game of horseshoe.

"Y'know, the annual "Running of the Leaves" is tomorrow" Applejack said out of the blue.

"Oh yeah, what, you wanna run against me again" I said.

"I don't know, I mean we kinda got into a fight because of it" she said.

"Yeah, you got a point there" I said.

Just then an idea popped in my head.

"Hey, what about if we get somepony else to race with us, that way, we can still race, and we're getting the leaves down, it's perfect" I said.

"That'll work, but who are we gonna get to race us" she asked.

I then gave her a sly grin.

"I'll give you a hint, his name starts with T and ends with R" I said.

"Tyler? And why would ya want him ta race us" she asked.

"Think about it, this way, we can see how much Tyler's physical ability has grown" I said.

"But aren't ya two supposed ta be going against each other in a wrestling match or somethin" she said.

"Yeah, but I can't wait for that, besides I thought you would be okay with him running beside you" I teased.

A blush appeared on her face.

"Alright, let's go get him" she said.

We then ran off to find Tyler.

Tyler's POV

"Okay, you may stand up now" Rarity said.

"Finally, and you didn't have to tackle you know" I said.

I got up and walked up to a mirror and was shocked.

Rarity not only cut it, but was able to get it back to its old spiky self again.

"Wow Rarity, this is awesome, how did you get it to spike again" I said.

"Magic, duh" she said.

"Of course" I said in his head.

"Well, thanks for the haircut, but now that it's over I think I'm gonna head out" I said.

I then ran out the door, ponies didn't really take much notice to my new hair, but I like it like that; it was kinda nice not being the center of attention like I usually am.

I stopped at tree and jumped up to a branch and laid there, closing my eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

Tyler's Dream

I was standing in some town, or of what used to a town, all that was around him was fire and ashes.

"Where am I? This place looks like it's the battlefield for World War 3" I said in his head.

I looked up at the sky, it was blood red, but then an blast of red energy came out of the ground right in front of me, causing me to jump, once the light dimmed, standing there was a human, he wore a torn red shirt, a pair a worn out jeans, and some scratched up shoes, but was stuck out the most, was the fact that you can clearly see his veins.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I'm surprised you don't know take a good look" he said.

I looked closely and noticed something, he looked just like me.

"Whoa, you're me" I said taking a step back.

"Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner, actually you're half right, I am you, but far more superior" he said.

"Oh really, and how are you superior" I asked.

"Just take a look around you" he said.

"Wait, you caused this" I said.

"Yes, see this is just a small percentage of my true power" he said.

"But if you caused this, then how are you me, I would never do something like this" I replied.

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He then sighed.

"That's exactly why I'm superior, you think about your actions, you always choose the hardest thing to do, just because it's the right thing to do, always choose the decision that doesn't benefit the one who matter the most, yourself, see I found out that choosing what makes me happy, makes me stronger, I opened myself to the darkness, I finally realized who I really am, the one that you try so hard to destroy, truth is the Beast doesn't exist" he said.

"He doesn't" I said.

"Because I AM THE BEAST!" he said.

"You…..then that means" I began.

"That's right, so are you, we are one, the beast sleeps within you, waiting for you to finally release it, so I took it upon myself to help you, help you unleash the beast" he said.

I stood there, frozen, my brain lurched, unable to accept that the beast and I were the same person, that after all the training I did with Xara, only to find out that I was training to fight myself, that the beast somehow found a way to get into me while I was sleeping, then it hit me, the beast wanted to mold me into the monster that he wanted to be, but couldn't, he wanted me strong, ruthless, so that he could take over my body and rule over everything.

I finally spoke.

"No…"

"What was that" the beast said.

"No, I'm not gonna be your little puppet of destruction, I am, and always will be, a hero, I don't care if your me, I'm not gonna let you destroy Ponyville" I said.

"Shame, I guess I'll just have to kill you" he said.

"Just you try" I said.

"Y'know, why don't I show that I do have a little bit of goodness in me, I'll give you a few months, then you, and all you're little pony friends can experience what true fear is" he said.

"YOU LAY ONE FINGER ON THEM AND I SWEAR!" I said.

He then raised his hand and I was engulfed in fire, he was waking me up, but before I did, I caught a glimpse of his true form, he just look like a man of volcanic rock, with glowing eyes.

My eyes then jolted open, my heart was racing, sweat was pouring down.

"Hey Tyler" Rainbow Dash's voice said.

I jumped, and fell, hitting every branch on the way down.

"Ow….what" I said.

"Sorry, we wanted to ask you something" Rainbow Dash said.

I then got off the ground.

"Okay, what is it" I asked.

"First off, have you heard of the Running of the Leaves" she said.

"Yeah, I think I remember hearing something about it while I was learning about Equestria, it's this thing where ponies run on this path, and the running causes the leaves to fall, right" I said.

"Bingo, well last year, me and Applejack here got into a race" she said.

"Uh huh" I said.

"And we were planning on having another one" she said.

"Where are you going with this?" I asked.

"We were wonderin if ya wanted to join in" Applejack finished

"Why me, I mean it's a race between you two, why add me" I asked.

"Well, Rainbow here wanted ta see how much ya improved on yer physical power instead of ya super power" Applejack said.

"Yeah, I can't wait for our rematch, so whattaya say" Rainbow Dash said.

In this current situation, a normal person, or pony, say no and start thinking of a way to get ready for the beast, knowing that he's coming in a few months, but Tyler wasn't a normal person, and her especially wasn't a pony.

"Maybe I can spend a few days to relax, I mean I did all that training with Xara, and I do have a few months" I thought

"Alright, I'm in, so when is it" I asked.

"Awesome, it's tomorrow" Rainbow Dash said.

"Perfect" I said.

"Don't think just because I love ya, I'm gonna let ya win" Applejack said.

I just smiled.

"Good, it wouldn't be as much fun" I said.

We then walked away.

The rest of the day just passed by, and just like that is was tomorrow.

Normal POV

Everypony was at the starting line, Spike and Pinkie Pie were up in there hot air balloon commentating like last time.

"Welcome everypony, to the annual Running of the Leaves" Pinkie Pie said.

"Once again, Rainbow Dash and Applejack will have a race, but this time things will go a little different" Spike added.

"That's right Spike, this time Tyler will be racing, by request of Rainbow Dash and Applejack" Pinkie Pie said.

"See that confuses me Pinkie, Tyler has powers, he can just teleport to the finish line, or something, point is that Tyler has the advantage" Spike said.

"There's where you're wrong, see before the event started I talked to Tyler, and he said that he will not be using his powers in the event" Pinkie Pie said.

"Well, never mind then" Spike said.

Tyler was stretching at the starting line, then Applejack walked up next to him.

"Well, ya sure got ya work cut out fer ya" she said.

"Huh" Tyler said.

"Just yesterday ya came home, now yer in the Running of the Leaves" she said.

"Well hey, I'm not one to turn down a challenge" Tyler said.

"And that's what I love about ya" she said.

"Don't forget, we're still racing against each other" he said.

"Oh I won't" she said.

Rainbow Dash then walked up.

"Well, looks like we're all here" she said.

"Yeah, and no matter what, we're all friends here, before and after" Tyler said.

"Oh course" Applejack said.

"No doubt" Rainbow Dash added.

"And remember, ya can't fly or use powers" Applejack said.

"Fine" Rainbow Dash said

"I already said I wouldn't" Tyler said

"Then looks like we're all set" Applejack said.

"Everypony, get in position" Pinkie Pie said.

Everypony crouched down and got ready.

"On your marks…get set…GO!" Pinkie Pie said

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Just like that all that could be heard was the sound of thousands of hooves pounding against the ground, Everypony was running like their lives depended on it, Rainbow Dash was the first to make to the lead.

"Oh yeah, this is gonna be too easy" Rainbow Dash said.

"Think again!" a voice said.

Just like that, Tyler broke from the crowd and ran beside Rainbow Dash.

"Your pretty fast, but not at fast as me" Rainbow Dash said.

"Oh really, then maybe this will come as a show to you" Tyler said.

Tyler then gained a burst of speed, giving him the lead, also leaving Rainbow Dash stunned, soon enough Applejack caught up to Rainbow Dash.

"Did you see that, Tyler just bought himself the lead with that speed gain" Pinkie Pie said.

"Hold on their Pinkie, Applejack just passed Rainbow Dash and she's quickly catching up to Tyler" Spike said.

Tyler turned to see Applejack right behind him, Applejack tried to pass him, but Tyler just followed Applejack's movements, cutting her off.

"Smart, but this ain't gonna stop me" Applejack said.

Applejack then did a quick hop, leading to a big jump, soaring over Tyler and giving her the lead.

"Hey, that's cheating!" Pinkie Pie said.

"Uh, no it's not, they said not to fly, all Applejack did was jump" Spike corrected.

"Oh, never mind" Pinkie Pie said.

Rainbow Dash still stayed ahead of the other ponies, but was still behind Tyler.

"I need to think of a way to catch up" Rainbow Dash said in her head.

She then remembered something, she was the fastest flyer in Equestria, and it's time she proved that she's also the fastest thing on land.

Rainbow Dash then gained a burst of speed, gaining the ability to pass Tyler.

"See ya at the finish line" Rainbow Dash taunted as she passed Tyler.

"Look at that, Rainbow Dash has just passed Tyler" Spike said.

"Wow, I thought she was done, but I guess she has a little bit more in her" Pinkie Pie said.

Rainbow Dash then worked her way to Applejack.

"Miss me AJ" Rainbow Dash said as the appeared behind Applejack.

"Not really, but your welcome to try and pass me" Applejack replied.

Rainbow Dash then ran beside Applejack.

"Wow, this is amazing, it seems that all three of our racers are evenly matched in speed, this can be anyone's race" Spike said.

"Yeah, one minute it's Rainbow Dash, then it's Tyler, then it's Applejack, then it's Rainbow Dash again, then it's Tyler again, then it's-

"I think they get it Pinkie" Spike interrupted.

"Man they sure are fast, but I think it's time I showed them what I can really do" Tyler said in his head.

Just like that, Tyler's speed increased incredibly, allowing him to catch up to both Applejack and Rainbow Dash, the three of them stood side by side.

"Did you see that, Tyler just caught up once again" Pinkie Pie said.

"This is like something out of movie" Spike added.

"Well, who da thought this would happen" Tyler said.

"I'll say, I can't believe you're this fast" Rainbow Dash said.

"Same here, but I'm still not letting neither of ya two pass me" Applejack said.

"I figured, but that's not gonna stop me" Tyler replied.

Another burst of speed exploded out of Tyler, he then passed both Rainbow Dash and Applejack, leaving them in the dust, creating a good distance between them and himself.

"What the hay?" Applejack said.

"Amazing, Tyler has gained the lead once again, how in Equestria is Tyler gaining all this speed" Pinkie Pie said.

"Well we can't forget that Tyler has been through some pretty hard training, or at least that's what he told me, point is that not only has Tyler's powers increased, but so has his physical power" Spike explained.

Tyler then took a quick glance back to see how much distance he had created between him and the Applejack and Rainbow Dash, but once he looked forward, a branch appeared and knocked Tyler on his back, he was going so fast he couldn't avoid it, soon enough the other ponies passed him, Tyler had gone from the lead, all the way the back.

"Ooh, that's gotta hurt" Pinkie Pie said.

"Yeah, not only did Tyler get a whole face of tree branch, but now he's at the very back of the group" Spike said.

"Lucky break I guess" Applejack said.

"Lucky or not, I'll take it" Rainbow Dash said.

Rainbow Dash then did as Tyler did, gaining a burst of speed, giving her the lead.

"But while Tyler, lies in last place, Rainbow Dash goes up to first" Pinkie said.

Tyler's POV

I slowly got back up to my feet, and didn't waste any time catching up to the others.

"Where in the world did that tree come from, oh well, what matters now is getting back to first place" I said to myself.

Just then an image of the beast appeared in my head.

"You're pathetic" he said.

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Just then, something triggered in me, rage, motivation, whatever is was, caused me to speed up big time, just like that, I passed everypony behind Applejack and Rainbow Dash, but I didn't slow down one bit, I kept my speed and passed Applejack.

"Unbelievable, Tyler shocks us all by going from last all the way to second" Spike said.

"I'll say, the only thing that would make it more amazing is if he get back in first" Pinkie Pie said.

"How in the world" Applejack said.

"Hey I'm full of surprises" I said back.

I then caught up to Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, how did you get up here so fast" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I'm just that fast" I replied back.

Applejack then caught back up to Rainbow Dash and Tyler.

"This is incredible, Applejack has just now caught back up with Tyler and Rainbow Dash, and are all neck and neck, and neck" Pinkie Pie said.

"This is giving me Goosebumps, this has to be one of the most exciting things I have ever seen" Spike said.

"Welcome back Applejack" Rainbow Dash said

"Good to be back Rainbow" Applejack replied.

Applejack then turned her head to me.

"That was some stunt ya just pulled, going from last ta first like that" Applejack said.

"Well hey, it wouldn't be as fun if I was done like that" I said.

"True, but I think it's time I showed you why my name is, Rainbow Dash" Rainbow Dash said.

Rainbow Dash gained a lot of speed, passing both me and Applejack, kinda like how I did before.

"Wow, seeing that from this point of view, it doesn't feel that good" I said.

"Well I bet Rainbow is lovin this right now" Applejack said.

"Then I guess it's up to us to wipe that smirk off her face" I said.

Rainbow Dash's POV

After creating some pretty good distance between me and the others, I then started to slow down a bit.

"I got this race in the bag, no way they can catch up with me now" I said in my head.

I then heard the noise of hooves hitting the ground; I then turned and saw Tyler and Applejack catching up.

"How the" I said.

I then got my speed back up, but a few seconds after I got my speed back, I tripped, giving Tyler and Applejack the lead.

"Can't these ponies look where there going, Rainbow Dash lost the lead by tripping on a stump" Pinkie Pie said.

"That costed Rainbow Dash the lead last time, but can she correct her mistake like last time too" Spike said.

All of a sudden, all the other ponies passed me, leaving me in Tyler's old position.

"Darn it, I can't believe I fell for the same thing again" I said to myself.

I got up and dusted myself off and started running as fast as I can.

"How did Tyler got so fast is beyond me, but I know one thing, I hate losing, and I'm not about to let Tyler beat me again" I said in my head.

An idea then popped in my head.

"I wonder if, I can do a Sonic Rainboom on the ground"

I then started to pick up speed; I knew if I was going to do one, I got to have a lot of speed.

"Time to win this thing" I said in my head.

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At last I gained enough speed; just like that I was going at the speed sound, leaving a rainbow behind me.

"Holy Moly, did you see that, for the first time ever, Rainbow Dash has done a Sonic Rainboom on her hooves" Pinkie Pie said.

"Correction, this IS the most amazing thing I have ever seen" Spike said.

Since it was the first time I've ever done a Sonic Rainboom on the ground, it only lasted for a while, but at least I was able to make it back up to Tyler and Applejack.

"Wow RD, I'm impressed, when did you learn to do a Sonic Rainboom on the ground" Tyler asked.

"Just now" I said with confidence.

"Cool, but it's gonna take a lot more if you wanna beat me" Tyler said.

"Hey, I hope y'all haven't forgotten about me, let me show ya how strong these pony legs are" Applejack said.

Applejack gained a little speed, but I guess she wasn't looking forward because she tripped over a tree root sticking out of the ground.

"Looks like it's her turn" Tyler said.

"Eeyup" she said.

Applejack's POV

"Wow, now all three of the racers have fallen flat on their faces and ended up in last place" Pinkie Pie said.

"That just proves how evenly matched these guys are" Spike said.

Speakin of which, I gotten off my face and began ta chase down Rainbow and Tyler.

"Woo, I never thought it would be this hard ta win, but I guess that's what makes this so much fun" I said ta myself.

I then realized what I just said and laughed.

"That sounds like somethin Tyler would say" I said.

I started ta pick up the pace.

"Boyfriend or not, I'm still not about ta lose ta him" I said.

I felt myself going faster.

"And I'm sure as heck I'm not going ta let Rainbow win, if she does I'll never hear the end of it" I said.

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Just the idea of her winning caused me ta put everything I got inta my legs and run faster than before.

"I don't believe it, Applejack is catching up" Spike said.

"I do" Pinkie Pie said.

"How" Spike asked.

"Well Tyler and Rainbow Dash did the exact same thing, so I'm not that surprised that Applejack would too" Pinkie Pie said.

"Oh yeah" Spike said.

Eventually I made it back ta Tyler and Rainbow.

"Well, who didn't see that coming" Rainbow Dash said.

"Well I'm not about ta let ya win" I said.

"Well, looks like we're reaching the final stretch" Tyler said.

We all looked ahead and realized we had just exited the Whitetail Woods.

"Let's finish this" Tyler said.

We all nodded and ran as fast as we our legs could carry us.

Normal POV

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Like three speeding bullets, they dashed for the finish line, all with a motive to win.

"Wow Pinkie, this race is almost over, and the three are all neck and neck" Spike said.

"You got that right, look now Tyler's in the lead, no now Applejack, no now Rainbow Dash, now Applejack again, oh wait now Tyler" Pinkie Pie started.

"Hold on, didn't I already stop you from this before" Spike said.

"Oh yeah, sorry I forgot" Pinkie Pie said.

"Never mind, let's just focus back on the race" Spike said.

The finish line was getting closer and closer, and nopony was slowing down one bit, it was almost over, once the finish line was just inches away, all three of the racers took a leap of faith to the finish line.

Once the three hit the ground, dust enveloped them, once the dust cleared, all three of them were on the finish line.

"It's….it's a tie" Spike said.

"Oh man, I was really expecting a winner" Pinkie Pie said.

"Wait so, it's just like last time" Rainbow Dash said.

"Just this time, we tied fer first" Applejack said.

"Wait, what happened last time" Tyler asked.

Rainbow Dash began to scratch the back of her head.

"We kind….tied…for last" Rainbow Dash said.

"How…..in the world….can you tie for last" Tyler said.

"We kinda got inta a little argument and ended up behind everypony" Applejack said.

"Oh, what were you fighting about" Tyler asked.

"About who was better than the other" Rainbow Dash said.

"That's nothing to fight about, but if you think about it, us tying kinda solves that question" Tyler said.

"Huh?" Rainbow Dash said.

"When we all tied, that says that all three of us are equally matched, nopony's greater than the other" Tyler said

Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at each other, and then smiled.

"Wait, do you know what this means" Rainbow Dash said.

"What" Applejack said.

"That means I'm just as powerful as you Tyler" Rainbow Dash said.

"What?" Tyler said.

"That means once I get stronger…" Rainbow Dash began.

Both Tyler and Applejack leaned in.

"Then I will be stronger than Tyler!" Rainbow Dash finished.

"WHAT!" Tyler exclaimed.

"You heard me, better hold on to that pride while you can, because once I get stronger, it will be mine, then there's no way I can't be a Wonderbolt" Rainbow Dash said.

Rainbow Dash then flied off.

"It's like I didn't even say anything" Tyler said.

Applejack then chuckled.

"Well I fer once am proud ta be on the same level as ya" Applejack said.

Tyler smiled and got off the ground, then extended his hand to Applejack.

"Wanna head home" Tyler suggested.

"I'd love that" Applejack said giving her hoof to him.

"Well, there you have it folks, the race between Tyler, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, has ended in a tie" Spike said.

"Just like last time" Pinkie Pie said.

"Except this time, they tied for first" Spike said.

"True, well I also have to admit this has been an amazing race, certainty one for the ages" Pinkie Pie said.

Tyler's POV

I entered my house and collapsed on my bed.

"Whew, that was some race, the last time I was this tired was after I beat Discord" I said in my head.

I then rolled over on my back.

"Who knew that Rainbow Dash was so fast, I mean I knew she was quick, but not that quick" I said in my head.

I then chuckled.

"Life, you are one crazy thing" I said out loud.

Just like that I was asleep.