Twilight was entranced by Pinkie's effortless form as she tossed Fluttershy and Rarity into Sugarcube Corner. They curved beautifully, landing on their hooves. Twilight had only seen pony-throwing that graceful once before, on a Crystal Empire balcony.

Throughout the conversation about friendship necklaces, one thought occupied her mind.

---

"And that's why we're are having a pony toss-off!"

Shining Armor scratched his neck, looking from Pinkie to Twilight. "Maybe you should rephrase that..."

Twilight put a hoof on his shoulder. "Come on, BBBFF. It'll be fun and I'll get some research done! Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Cadance are all wearing safety gear."

Shining's frown deepened. "I'm not sure I'm okay with somepony else throwing my wife..."

"It's fine, Shiny," Cadance cooed, nuzzling him. "You know how Twilight gets about research."

Shining nodded, sweating. "Let's do this."

"Great!" Twilight clopped her hooves. "Here's how it'll go.

"The event is three rounds, three bouts each. Magic and wings are banned, for both throwers and throwees. In an emergency, I'll teleport the thrown pony to the safety zone."

She indicated a cardboard box, "Safety Zone" written on its side, construction paper pennants waving in the breeze. Inside, Fluttershy waved a matching pennant.

"Hooray, safety."

"Points will be awarded for style and distance." Twilight indicated a table covered with a fancy tablecloth. "Rarity's judging."

"Count on me to have only the keenest eye!" Rarity flipped her mane.

Twilight grinned. "Are the rules clear?"

Shining and Pinkie nodded.

"Let the throwing begin!" Twilight flared her wings. "First, underhoof throwing with Applejack!"

Applejack stepped forward, her grin fading as she looked between the two contestants. "Uhh, which one o' y'all's goin' first?"

Pinkie opened her mouth, but Shining cut her off, bowing.

"Ladies first."

"Ooooooooohh!" Pinkie's eyes widened. "I'm a lady now!"

Twilight sighed. "Pinkie, would you please?"

"Oh. Okay!" She bounced off toward Applejack, who, despite her bicycle helmet and padding, got a bad feeling.

The first event nevertheless went off as planned. Shining wasn't as adept at underhoof throwing, but vowed to make up lost points in the overhoof throw with Rainbow Dash. He narrowly avoided a black eye after insinuating Applejack's weight might be the source of his issues.

Shining Armor, as runner-up, took the first throw in the second round. Dash sailed like a dart, far outstripping his earlier performance. By the end, he even had a slight lead.

"It's still anypony's game," Twilight announced. "Last is the freestyle round! Contestants can throw however they wish, and style points count double!"

Cadance stepped up to Pinkie, who hesitated, biting her lip

"You won't banish me from the Crystal Empire or anything if I mess up, will you?"

"No." Cadance laughed. "I promise I won't give Shiny an unfair advantage, either."

Shrugging, Pinkie lifted her, groaning. At Cadance's frown, Pinkie quickly said, "It's okay! I know alicorns are just a teensy bit bigger than regular ponies. I pick Twilight up all the time!"

"Wait, no you d—" Twilight was cut off by Pinkie's underhoof throw. Cadance flew a respectable distance.

Shining stepped up and, true to form, threw overhoofed. Cadance sailed most of the length of the playing field.

Applejack scoffed. "And he was complainin' about my weight."

"Are you sure you haven't been practicing?" Pinkie asked, eyes narrowed.

Sweating, Shining answered, "Well, it's not like we haven't done this before..."

"Time to kick it up a notch!" Pinkie shouted.

Her next throw involved a somersault, impressing the judge. Shining Armor responded with a behind-the-back throw. Pinkie's final toss was a hammer-throw. Each time, Cadance flew farther and farther, surpassing the field's length.

As Shining stepped up for his final throw, everypony quieted. He grabbed Cadance's rear hooves and spun, lifting her into the air. When her cheeks flapped, he released.

She flew like a rocket over the trees, farther than one might imagine a pony could be thrown. Twilight gaped, then grinned at him.

"Shiny, I think you just won!"

"Don't be too hasty, Twilight." Rarity pointed to a pink twinkle disappearing over the mountains. "Is there a contingency for ponies tossed outside the playing field?"

Twilight started hyperventilating. The others clamored as they watched Cadance vanish. Pinkie jumped onto Shining Armor's back, squealing, "Ooh, do me next!"

"It's okay," Twilight said. " Cadance can break the enchantment and teleport back. There's no need to pan—"

There was a distant boom, and a screech.

"...ic?" Twilight's pupils shrank to pinpoints.

Shining Armor facehoofed.

"She's gonna kill me."