A Just Reward + Story (Patreon)

Maverick was in unfamiliar territory. He was at the 3rd annual Ponyville open, bringing in the best bowlers that the land had to offer, including the famous Ninja Strike, the top-rated bowler in the land. He was said to be impossible to defeat, winning the first championship by 78 pins, and the second by 134. It was if he had no competition.

And here Maverick was, bowling him in the final.

Maverick had beaten his first opponent Spare Sniper by 21 pins, his second opponent Turkey Hunter by 12 pins, and his last opponent Ringing Ten (As he was the 10th stallion bowler in his family.) By 5 pins. And now, he had his chance with the previous champion Ninja Strike. He had never felt so excited and nervous at the same time. His adrenaline was making his body shake. This was it for him. The final 2 frames for Ninja Strike, and one frame for Maverick.

Ninja Strike was up on his lane. Unlike Maverick, he threw the ball quite hard, putting lots and lots of revolutions on the ball, Compared to Maverick who threw straight, hitting his mark. Maverick knew that Ninja Strike would be coming for him, defending his crown. He spent his entire life bowling, vs Maverick who only spent a few years bowling. But Maverick had practice from when he was once human and came into the land.

But that did not seem to matter as Ninja Strike threw the ball down the lane. He got it quite wide, but it came screaming back into the pocket, knocking all 10 pins down at once. The alley erupted.

“YES!” He yelled, excited. “Come on! Three in a row!”

Three strikes? Or three-time champion?

Maverick did not have time to think as he saw Ninja Strike throw another perfect strike. More roars and applause. He was dialed in. So popular. He got lined up for his 3rd shot. A more direct line, but he had hit his mark. A late pin hitting another marked his 3rd strike in a row. A turkey.

“YYYEEAAHH!!” Ninja Strike yelled out. “Another strike of the ninja!!”

He had confidence, but he could back it up. That was apparent on his last shot, a straight and hard shot off his hooves, a perfect strike, no doubt about it. The alley went insane. Perhaps it was his time again. Perhaps there was a reason that he was the best bowler in the land.

“YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!” He now screamed out. “Four strikes from the ninja!!” The crowd continued to applaud him as he was all smiles, leaving Maverick sitting in his chair, deep in thought. Before he made his way to the lane, however, he looked back at his biggest supporter; Ocean Soul. His wife.

“Just throw the ball down the lane. Don’t overthink it.” She told him with a smile.

“I need 3 perfect throws.” Maverick said, looking at the scores. 197-256. “I just… feel so nervous.”

“Don’t be, my love.” Ocean said, smiling, smooching him. “You got this. Be strong, relax and finish hard.” Maverick then smiled gently, making his way back to his lane. The crowd snickered and giggled at what they saw, but Maverick remembered to keep a level head. As he made his way to the approach. He saw his opponent decked out in his gear with the best bowling ball bits could buy. Money was no object for him. He gave a smug grin towards Maverick, almost as if he were mocking him.

Arrogance and confidence. But like before, he could back it up. Maverick looked at his slick-back jet-black mane and goatee. All he was missing was a gold tooth to look like a gangster or a hitman. Much different than Maverick’s tied-back blue mane and tall frame. He was tall enough to be mistaken for a Saddle Arabian. He approached the approach, placing his right hoof over the air compressor to dry off his hoof. He then grabbed his fuchsia bowling ball, staring down at the lanes.

“Three strikes in a row.” He said to himself, taking aim with his bowling ball. He rolled it off his hoof a bit late as the ball struggled to get up the lane. When it looked like the ball would not hit its mark, it made a smooth turn towards the pocked, hitting all 10 pins down.

Strike one.

The alley applauded loudly as Maverick turned back towards the ball return, trying to keep his emotions in check. Ocean Soul applauded loudly, as did some of his closest friends, including Gentle Star, Atin, Katyusha, Shadow Dweller, and his friends.

“Way to go Mavie!!!” Ocean shouted.

“Two more to go!!” Gentle Star and Shadow Dweller yelled back.

“You got this, brother!!” Atin added.

“Come on, Maverick!!” Katyusha screamed.

His own cheering section. It was just like 5 years ago when he was at a race he saw between Rainbow Dash and Steel Mustang. The first time he saw Ocean Soul.

Ocean Soul…

Maverick once again placed his hoof over the air compressor, then grabbed his bowling ball lining up his shot. His thoughts went to Ocean Soul.

“Be strong. Relax.” Her voice went through his head once. And then… nothing. A blank mind. A clean slate. Maverick went to the approach, grasping the bowling ball a bit above the ground and released it. He knew that it would strike right away as the ball broke in the right place, hooking and turning towards the pocket.

CRACK!!!!!

Strike two.

The alley became more and more animated as Maverick made his way back on the approach, breathing heavily, keeping his emotions in check.

“YOU GOT YHIS MAVIE!!!” Ocean screamed at him.

“ONE MORE STRIKE!!” Atin and Katy shouted back.

“FINISH STRONG!!” Shadow Dweller and Gentle Star exclaimed.

Adrenaline pumped through every part of his veins. He was sweating, Shaking. He had never been in this position before. However, he made the mistake of looking at his opponent Ninja Strike. Even he seemed surprised. This only exacerbated the emotions he was feeling. One simple pull and it was over. One gutter ball, and it was all over. Even 8 pins down would make him lose by 1 pin. 9 for a one frame rolloff.

But a strike, and he would be a champion. His first championship ever. As he placed his hoof over the compressor, he thought about Ocean Soul calming him down, singing him to sleep, smooching him and loving him. How she made him relax.

“Relax, Mavie…” he said to himself as he grasped the bowling ball. Standing on the same area he normally would. Just one hit was all he needed. One hit, and he would win his first championship. He never thought he would have come this far, but he did. After lining up, he approached the lanes, releasing the bowling ball in the spot that he thought would strike. The ball skidded. And skidded.

“HOOK!!! HOOK!!!” Maverick shouted as he himself could not hear anything over the roar of the crowd.

Perhaps it was the screaming. Perhaps it was the slower ball speed. Nopony knew what it was, but the bowling ball began to hook where it needed to go. It had hit the target where it was supposed to, and all but one pin fell down for a split second. Everything seemed to move in slow motion for the one second as a pin that was knocked down tapped the lone standing pin causing it to wobble for a second before it fall to the ground.

Strike three! Maverick had won the tournament! A new champion had been crowned!

Maverick immediately let out a squeal of joy as he ran up towards Ocean Soul and his friends, giggling and laughing as adrenaline had once again taken over his body. He embraced all of his supports as a mare who was carrying a crystal bowling pin trophy was making her way over to him. Before he could claim his prize however, Ninja Strike walked up to Maverick, looking at him for a moment before smiling.

“Congratulations.” He said, bumping hooves with him. “You really earned that one.”

“Thank you!” Maverick squeaked happily, now embracing him. “Good luck in your next tournament.”

“You have potential, young one.” Ninja Strike said. “Perhaps you can join the league I’m in someday.”

“Maybe someday. We will be in touch!” Maverick smiled at him before Ninja Strike left the alley, leaving Maverick alone with his first ever bowling trophy.

“Very well bowled!” The mare said with a smile. “You are the new champion of the Ponyville Open!”

“Thank you, thank you!!” Maverick squeaked in delight as Ocean Soul flew up to Maverick, smooching him deeply on the cheek as Maverick held on to his trophy tightly, a huge smile etched across his face. He was over the moon. Ocean Soul continued to embrace him tightly as his other friends came out, all celebrating with him as he kept his bowling trophy close to him. The first-time champion of bowling, and now it seemed he had a just reward. That night, he knew he would be celebrating with his friends and family until the night would give way into morning light… (c) Andrew Faehling (Strike-Of-The-Ninja User Profile | DeviantArt)