Hunger Pony Games: Heart Brings Hope

Chapter 2: Reap What You Sow

Twilight Sparkle was on the train with her friends, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Apple Jack. They were worried about why Princess Celestia wanted them in Canterlot immediately.

“I hope everything is alright...” Apple Jack said. She looked over to Fluttershy, who was shaking in nervousness. “For all of our sakes.”

“I'm sure everything is fine.” the new alicorn princess, Twilight Sparkle said. “But I don't understand the urgency in her letter.”

“Maybe it is a surprise party!” Pinkie Pie said. she is always happy go lucky, always smiling, always cheering everyone up, always befriending each other.

The conductor entered the car. He made a announcement to the “Mane Six”. “We're coming on Canterlot now, but there is a problem.”

“What kind of problem?” Twilight asked.

“I've been told by a Canterlot Royal Guard that it is being invaded. A pegasus guard if you must know.”

Now all six were worried. Fluttershy's shaking went from being nervous to out right terror. There was something wrong and now they know why they were requested at the Royal Palace.

Back in Canterlot, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, watched the battle unfold outside their palace. The civilians were being evacuated to a special underground mine for safety. As guards fended off the invasion force of ponies wearing white cloaks and white riot helmets. These ponies were all earth, pegasus and unicorn ponies. They fought with weapons held in their mouths, with range weapons that were being aimed with magic or a special device attached to their helmets, and even advanced ballistae that can channel a unicorn's magic to fire a powerful and deadly beam of energy. Thus the Canterlot guards were in a uphill battle against the forces of Prancem.

“I assume they're still fighting in the Crystal Empire?” Luna asked.

Celestia nodded. “Last I checked they were. The last message was sent by Discord. He had just arrived and began using his chaos magic against the forces of Prancem. However Shining Armor was injured upon his arrival.”

“It is a very dire situation sister.” Luna said. “I wasn't around for the rebellion of Prancem. But I am curious as how they created such advanced technology for their invasion.”

“I don't know either. But I know that it is dangerous to use such weapons of mass destruction. The magical energies being channeled could cause the machines to overload and explode. The explosion would be catastrophic.” Celestia said.

“Hopefully Twilight and her friends will be here soon. Only the Elements of Harmony can help us defend Canterlot, and repel Prancem.” Luna said.

“I shouldn't have separated Prancem from our nation...” Celestia said. :But if I could only harness the Elements of Harmony at that time, I could've ended Ice-blood's reign.”

“Don't blame yourself sister.” Luna tries to comfort her. “You wouldn't have been able to defeat such powerful dark magic with only five elements anyway. You did the right thing, even if it was to split the nation form ours.”

Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had to carry the other three as the train to Canterlot had to stop. The three winged ponies flew into the city limits of Canterlot and landed. They decided to hurry to the castle as fast as they could through the battlefield. However a surveillance device caught them running past. It transmitted the images to President Ice-blood directly, who saw the Mane Six.

“Those six mares look like good candidates for the Games.” he said to himself. His mind was set. The Mane Six will be the tributes chosen from Equestria. He used his own dragon to send a message to one of his lieutenants, a pony named Romulus Thread.

“Send it Caligula...” he said to a full grown golden dragon. Who engulfed it into a red flame and it was sent. “Good boy... Now let the fun begin! It's time for the Reaping. We're almost ready for the Games. Just need to find a location in Equestria for an impromptu arena...”

It was morning in Stable 12, the coal mining Stable. Workers would be heading to the mines for the work day, where they earned less than minimum wage in Equestria, but today is the Reaing for the Games. So no work today. Today the families of Stable 12 were gathered inside their houses, spending time with each other as it may be the last time they will ever be together. However one such unicorn pony was up at the crack of dawn. This pony's fur was a vermillion in color. Her mane and tail were colored yellow, to make her look more on fire as possible. Her Cutie Mark was blue Phoenix with fiery red wing and tail feathers, and eyes. This mare's name is Sagittaria Evergreen, a fire magic unicorn. Who can use her magic to create weapons made entirely of fire. Such magic couldn't be done without studying and training oneself. However such magic lessons were only taught to the unicorns of Capitol City. It was forbidden to teach unicorns in the twelve Stables such magic. If anybody was caught learning such magic, they could be punished with lashings or worse, executed.

Sagittaria trots out to the electric fence that separates the Stable from the wilderness or as the Capitol City calls it, No Pony Land. It is also property of the Capitol City for reasons unknown. The belief is that the ponies of the Capitol City owns the land to ensure that no pony wanders out of their assigned Stable. Travel amongst the Stables was allowed but haven't been since the end of the rebellion.

Sagittaria uses her magic to split the fence apart and exit into No Pony Land. she walks over a hollowed out stumped and removes her saddle bag that she has wrapped in a sheet of plastic. Unwrapping the plastic she puts the bag in her back with her magic. Humming to herself as she trots off into the forests. Where she finds a meadow for her to sit down and unpack her bag. Inside were a bunch of books on magic. She has learned how to use her magic in the element of fire when she was a little filly, and was taught by her father. Who passed away years ago...

As Sagittaria opened one book and started to read. She was disturbed by a piece of raisin nut bread landed in front of her. It startled Sagittaria and made her look up at the earth pony that tossed it at her. It was a male stallion with dark grey fur, pitch black mane and tail, with Cutie Mark showing several arrows embedded into a archery target.

“Squall! You almost scared me to death!” she said.

Squall Hawkeye is Sagittaria's gathering buddy. Whenever Sagittaria is not studying magic at least. They go around the small area around the meadow to gather fruits to give to the people of Stable 12 in exchange for food. Sometimes for their own families to eat. Since the Stable is one of the most poorest Stable in Prancem.

Squall laughs at what he did, then he laid beside Sagittaria. “You won't believe how I got it.”

“You got it from Mr. Doughnut by giving him some fruit from No Pony Land.” Sagittaria said with a huff.

“Am I THAT easy to read.” Squall replied. “Yes I did, a bunch of apples and a bag full of blackberries.”

“Well we have time before...” Sagittaria saw a shadow appear over Squall and her, realizing it is a airship from the Capitol City. “Damn...”

“We have to get out of here Sagittaria! Before they catch us!” Squall said, as Sagittaria placed her book back into the bag and ran off. She put the bag back into the stump and just only had time to cover it with the plastic. Then Sagittaria used her magic to get both of them back into the Stable.

The airship though wasn't around to ensure that no pony entered No Pony Land. It was in fact to bring the Capitol City, a unicorn named Bubblegum Trinket. Whose fur was pink and her hair is a lighter shade of pink. Bubblegum was an earth pony and very fascinated with fashion. In fact her love for fashion can probably beat Rarity's love for fashion any day. Bubblegum is wearing a gown with pink gem stones. Her cutie Mark is a gold lucky charm bracelet with pink bubble charms. She walks happily to the Town Hall where the Reaping will take place outside.

XXX

Back in Canterlot, Celestia knew things weren't looking good for her nation. Already the Prancem forces were advancing to her palace. She wondered where the mane six were, and what was taking them so long. she got increasingly worried when they didn't show up, but it all changed when only Spike ran inside the throne room, being chased by some guards.

“Your Highness, we found this baby dragon running into the palace. What should we do with him?”

“Let him go and get back to your battle stations. You must repel the invaders at all cost!”

“Yes Your Majesty!” The guards allowed Spike to speak to Celestia and ran out of the room. Celestia looked down at Spike.

“Where is Twilight and the others?”

“I'm sorry Your Majesty... But as we were making our way through the battlefield, we got ambushed by this one unicorn pony carrying a whip. He lashed out at us and then we were surrounded. Next thing I knew Twilight and the others were forced to follow this pony peacefully. I had to get here to tell you as fast as possible.”

Celestia was visibly shaken now. Her former student and her friends, the Elements of Harmony, have been captured. But for what evil purpose Ice-blood is thinking of right this very moment? She thanked Spike and returned to the window she was looking out of a minute ago. She was disturbed into sheer terror. Whatever Ice-blood was planning was not good, In fact some of her answers may be answered as a large screen was lowered into Canterlot. It wasn't the only one though. They appeared all over Equestria. Going as far as Ponyville and Manehatten. Now she would know what is Ice-blood's plan for his invasion. Soon she will know the diabolical deeds that Ice-blood has commited of the years. Soon Equestria will regret trying to fight back against Prancem...

XXX

Sagittaria and Squall returned home to get dressed for the Reaping. All fillies, mares, colts and stallions had to dress formally. As if they had to go their own funeral. Actually it is like they were going to their own funeral. A funeral for one male and one female. Both knew that nobody in Stable 12 ever won the Games, since Mitch Haystack won the previous Quarter Quell.

Bubblegum exited out of Town Hall with Mayor Underseed, and Mitch himself a shell of his former self due to the apple cider he drank constantly. Which happens to a lot of Victors from the Games. Mitch had to stand with the other ponies awaiting for their chance to be reaped this year. A chance for what Bubblegum says is the chance of a lifetime to fight to honor Prancem, but the poorer Stables usually consider this as a death trap. Because they know they can never win the Games with the Career Stables of 1, 2, and 4 winning them every year. But with the only Victor, Stable 12 has, it looks like another Career Stable will win the Games. As Mitch couldn't save himself in the drunken state he's always in. Another year of suffering and starvation. With no pony willing rescue them from their current situation. No pony to save them. Until...

Six mare ponies are escorted up into view of many cameras, in a airship. One was a purple alicorn, one was a white unicorn, one was an orange earth pony, two were pegasi ponies with one blue and the other pastel yellow, and finally a pink earth pony whose fluffy hair was now laying down on her head.

Bubblegum looked at these six ponies, before turning back to the ponies standing in front of the stage.

“Well loos like our glorious and benevolent ruler President Ice-blood has chosen his ponies to represent Equestria! So now I bid you welcome to the 75th Hunger Pony Games!”

“Just so you recall, President Ice-blood has read the stipulations for the third Quarter Quell. He said that even Victors are not immune to return to the arena! That means it's everyponies game today! First we start with the fillies/mares.”

Bubblegum lifts one slip of paper using her magic, out of a pink bowl. She opens it and reads the name aloud.

“Rose Evergreen!” she announced. It hit Sagittaria and her sister like a ton of bricks. The small unicorn filly with her fresh Cutie Mark of potions behind a Rose flower, was stunned that she was picked. The Peacekeepers ushered her up to the stage. However Sagittaria was already ten steps ahead. She got out of line and ran up to the stage shouting her name.

“NOOOOO!” Sagittaria is then stopped by Peacekeepers from advancing any further. “I VOLUNTEER!”

Sagittaria stood firm and proud as she repeated what she said. “I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!”

Bubblegum nodded to the Peacekeepers to let her through and to return Rose back to her place in her age group. Sagittaria galloped on stage and Bubblegum asked for her name.

“What is your name dear...?” Bubblegum said.

“Sagittaria Evergreen... My name is Sagittaria Evergreen.”

“Then you're volunteering for your sister. How brave you are to do that.”

“I just don't want to watch my sister die...”

“Oh I'm sure you don't. but we don't have time to talk more. We have the colts/stallions to get to...”

Bubblegum chose a random name out of the blue bowl. She opens and reads it outloud.

“Mitch Haystack!”

“OH HORSE APPLES!”

“I VOLUNTEER IN HIS PLACE!” came the voice of a earth pony. His fur was a whitish color and his mane was blond. His Cutie Mark is a plate wof doughnuts. Sagittaria recognized him as the oldest son of the Doughnut. Cake Doughnut. Cake takes to the stage and stands next to Sagittaria. Bubblegum asked for his name before continuing on.

“Well we have two volunteers today. This is so exciting! Could we actually have a Victor from Stable 12 in twenty-five years? There is only one way to find out! But before the tributes go into town hall for visitors, the mayor must read the Treaty of Treason.”

Mayor Underseed took the podium and cleared his throat to speak. “Woe to the thirteen Stables that have sided with Princess Celestia and Equestria. For they have lost Stable 13, and the Princess has forsaken us to our almighty ruler's reign. But our President has granted us mercy. Instead of destroying us outright. We had to prove our worth to Capitol City. For the past seventy-five years we had to send one mare and one stallion between the time they receive their cutie mark, till they reach adulthood at the age of eighteen. Now our tributes will fight to the death inside an arena of the President's choice. Where only one shall remain standing. That victor will receive honor and glory, their Stable will be given enough food for a year until a new victor is crowned. That is the treaty of treason, a treaty signed by the Stable mayors of the past. So the nation of Prancem that the sacrifice of pony blood is for to offer unto the President. That he continue to show us mercy.”

Twilight was silent, not just for what she just heard about her former mentor abandoning Prancem, but for the Hunger Pony Games in general. How can one pony get away with such actions against innocent ponies who just want to live in harmony? Before the tributes were sent into town hall, Twilight and her friends were introduced. Rainbow Dash introduced herself with attitude, which sounds like Rainbow dash alright. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were so scared of this new land they were in, that they could barely be heard. Then it was time for them to be excused from the cameras recording them, and parading them around on these television screens. In Stable 12 Sagittaria and Cake were taken inside the Town Hall for their visitors.

“Where are you taking us?” Rainbow Dash said. “You can't do this to us!”

“Keep moving!” the Peacekeeper said. The six were escorted to another room in the large airship. The room was dark without any lights on, but the six friends were escorted inside the room.

“I wonder what will happen to us.” Fluttershy said.

“You'll find out soon enough.” the guard said as he ushered the timid pegasus mare into the room. Once the door was closed, all of the fear the six had increased ten fold. That was until a large screen turned on to light up the room. Showing the face of Ice-blood.

“Ah welcome my dear ponies.” he said. “Welcome to my grand nation. I hope you do enjoy yourselves. Oh where are my manners. I am the President of this fair nation. President Coriolanus Ice-blood. The benevolent leader of this nation.”

“Benevolent?” Twilight asked. “You send young fillies and colts to their death for your own entertainment!”

“Ah but there was a reason for that.” Ice-blood replied. “You see my people hundred years ago chose to rebel against Capitol City. Their guardians and providers. Because they were thinking they were slaves. Even your dear sweet Princess Celestia entered the war on their side. Defeat was only inevitable, as Celestia was unable to harness the Elements of Harmony. However if I hadn't a master control to the Elements, called the Element of Heart. She could've succeeded in defeating me. But as you can see I like to do my homework. I found Star Swirl the Bearded's secret journal. Which was just full of information on how to find it in my own nation and hide it so she won't be able to find it.”

“A seventh element?” Apple Jack asked. “How come we never heard of it?”

“Maybe because Star Swirl never wanted it to be used until a dire emergency.” Ice-blood replied. “I know you have more questions for me. But I am so busy getting the Games ready.”

“One more question!” Twilight said. “You never told us why the Games are necessary.”

“Oh right I didn't, did I?” Well I'll answer this last question before you arrive at Capitol City, where you'll be entered into the Games yourself.” Ice-blood said. “Hope... You see it would've been so easy to just pick twenty-four ponies and have them publicly executed. But to show how benevolent I am, I give them a fighting chance. This is the reason for the Hunger Pony Games. To give the Stables a bit of hope. Not too much or there will be a second rebellion. That will make me take away any hope the Stables have left. Oh and before you get it inside your head young Princess. I will not tolerate giving anymore hope than what my nation already has. This small amount of hope creates a balance. I don't order the deaths of thousands of ponies, and they have hope in a Victor who has survived everything thrown against him or her. Don't upset the balance ever!”

The six where escorted out of the room, and taken back to their dorm room living quarters. Despite Ice-blood being a evil insane dictator. But at least he knows how treat guests to his nation, despite being abducted from their own homeland. As the luxurious quarters are something Rarity finds attractive. However her mood soured when she learned she will be in the Games, fighting to survive an entire arena.

“I can't believe I have to enter some arena and fight for survival!” she said. “Not only that but it will be so dirty.”