The Hoof Games

Chapters

CAST
The Reaping
Memories and Visits
The Capitol
The Night of the Tributes
The Interviews

CAST

Twilight Sparkle- Katniss Everdeen
Spike Dracon- Peeta Mellark
Scootaloo Sparkle (?)- Primrose Everdeen
Pinkie Pie- Effie Trinket
Big Macintosh- Haymitch Abernathy
Rarity- Cinna
Photo Finish- Portia
Stratus- Cato
Rainbow Dash- Clove
Applebloom- Rue
Fluttershy- Madge
Nightmare Moon- President Snow (In this case, President Moon.)
Soarin'- ...Gale IDEK don't ask PFFFF-
Mayor- Mayor Undersee
Discord- Seneca Crane

(Don't judge my characters, it's just how I see it. Either go with it or read another story. Don't be naggy. AND ENJOY!)

THE HOOF GAMES
Written by Akemi-san
Originally written by Suzanne Collins
Inspired by The_Party_Cannon

TO EVERYPONY WHO LOVES THE HUNGER GAMES!
-A

The Reaping

If I make any mistakes (spelling errors, naming the characters wrong, saying the Hunger Games and such), please tell me!
Thanks, Akemi-chan <3

************************

I squirm around in bed, waking up to the sunlight striking me in the face. I finally wake up, yawning and stretching.

I sit up, looking around the room. There's my 12 year old sister, Scootaloo, or as I call her, Scoot. And my mom. They're cuddling against each other while sleeping. I find it cute, so I smile. Then I scowl at the sound of a screech. Opalescence, Scoot's cat. She's hungry, again. So I go to the cupboard and look through the little items that we have. "How about a little piece of bread, since you sound really hungry." I throw Opal the tiny bread, and she immediately eats it.

Scoot found Opal on the street, really messy fur, dirty, unsanitary. She took her in, and claimed her ours. I was going to reply with a no, until I noticed how much she wanted the cat. So I said yes. I wanted to change my mind when Opal almost scratched my eyes out when we were trying to get her to take a bath. But I let her stay, because she looked weak and defenseless. Also, because she sort of liked me, just because I gave her food.

Scoot woke up, and came over to me. I sat down, and she sat on my lap. "Twilight," she started. "Am I gonna be picked in the Reaping tomorrow?"

The thought of her being picked hits me hard. I would never let my family be in The Hoof Games, let alone my only sister. "Scoot, don't think about that. That scares me. I wouldn't want you to be killed in the Arena." I reply, holding her close. "I don't want to die. I would miss you, a lot. I still have a long way to go." Scoot said, shaking slightly. I felt her shaking, and tried calming her.

We talked for a little bit, then she got up to go to school. We said goodbye, and she left. I quickly got ready to meet my friend, Soarin'. I tied my boots on my hooves, put on my jeans, t-shirt, and jacket. Before I left, I kissed my sleeping mother's forehead. Then I tip-toed out of the door, and ran to the woods.

************************

Where I live, in County Six (there will be six counties and six only.), our part is nicknamed the Seam. My county provides coal. I live on the edge of the Seam, near a black market, the Hob. Me and Soarin' go there when we catch animals, and trade them in for food. Greasy Hooves is one of the merchants there. She's my favorite. "Either this price, or none!" she would say, bargaining prices high and low, depending on what item we trade and trade for.

I climb under the fence that separates County Six from the grassland. I approach the woods, running still, meeting Soarin' at our special rock. "What took ya so long, Ryewheat?" Of course, my name isn't Ryewheat. It's Twilight. I whispered my name to him, and he heard wrong. So now, my nickname is Ryewheat.

"I was talking with Scoot about The Hoof Games. She's thinking that she would be picked." I explain to him. "Oh." he said.

Soarin' has two little brothers and a sister. They're like our kids, including Scoot. Not literally, but you know what I mean. He has a mother, and no father. We can both relate- my father died in a coal mining accident. I could describe it, but it's to painful to talk about. Soarin's mother is always cooking or cleaning or being busy, so Soarin' is the "dad" of the house. His family depends on him for food and money. He doesn't work anywhere, but he hunts for money and food, like me. We work together trying to put food on the table for our families.

"We could do it." Soarin' says out of the blue.

"Do what?" I ask. He turns to me, his green eyes staring into mine. "We could run off." I scoff, and suddenly, Soarin' looks offended. "Don't take it like that, but...we wouldn't make it far. We'll have gone five miles, and BOOM, they catch us." Soarin' turns away, and leans on the rock. "You've wanted to run away, and now you don't? Make up your mind, Twilight." I roll my eyes, standing up. "Are we going to hunt or not?" He smiles, standing up.

He looks handsome in the sun. Tall, buff. The picture of health. The mares at school would talk about him. "Ooh, he's so handsome." "He has amazing abs!" "I want to cuddle with him!" Not that it makes me jealous or anything.

We head off back into the woods, me with my bow and arrow, and Soarin' with a snare. He's actually pretty good with those. I've tried making one, but I'd need his help with it. He stops me, and runs over to a place on the ground, putting the snare in place. He runs back over to me, and we hide behind a bush.

************************

Silence is all we hear, except for the occasional Harmony. A Harmony is a type of bird that poops out different sorts of gems, and has a beautiful whistling sound. It's known for the gem-poop. I've seen one only once. And that was it.

My thoughts were interrupted when a squirrel landed on the trap. Soarin' gets up, and shouts, "GO TWILIGHT, GO!" I shot up from behind the bush, the bow ready, and I shot. The squirrel made a squeaking sound, then died.The trap pulled it up. Soarin' smiled, and ran over to the snare, untying it from the tree, holding the dead squirrel in a net. His attention was caught by something. Then he bent down, and came back up with a strawberry. He grinned, stuffing many in his pockets, coming over to me, and handing me strawberries to put in my pockets. I smiled, putting the berries in. Then a loud noise appeared.

We looked up at the sky, the source of the sound. A hovercraft was coming, and a scream was heard. We ran away, because we weren't supposed to be outside of our district. They would turn us into an Avox if we were found here. An Avox is a pony who disobeyed the rules, so they had their tongue cut off.

The hovercraft lowers a claw down somewhere in the woods, then coming back up with a stallion, a spear driven through him. Another scream. The claw lowers again, this time, retrieving what I think was the screaming mare. She had a pretty red mane. And that's all I could see, for her mane was long and flowing in the wind. Her body wasn't visible through it. Then the hovercraft took off.

Me and Soarin' were still running, until we got to the fence. We were panting, sweat glistening off of us. We each climbed under the fence, walking to the Seam. We stopped by the Mayor's home, to drop off half of the strawberries, because the Mayor loves them. My friend Fluttershy lives there, too. She's the Mayor's daughter. She's not exactly my friend, but she's close enough. We knock on the door, and are greeted by her. Her pink mane is pulled back with a white ribbon, and she's wearing an expensive white dress. "Hi Twilight, Soarin'!"

We wave, and we talk about The Hoof Games. "So why are you wearing fancy clothes?" I ask. "Oh, these? They're just Reaping clothes. I'm trying them on to see if they fit. They do!" Fluttershy slowly twirls around. "It's pretty," Soarin' compliments. "I want to look good if I'm picked as tribute!" she giggles softly. Then I glance at something on her dress. A pin, with real gems from a harmony. I decide not to mention it. But Fluttershy knows. "Are you looking at my pin? Oh, it's nothing. I got it from my mom, as a birthday present." It was a nice birthday present. I got her a dead bird. She didn't like it.

I take out the berries from my pocket, handing them to Fluttershy. She smiles, taking the berries. We continue talking about the Games, until we have to leave. "Before you leave, Twilight," she says, placing something cold in my hoof. Fluttershy takes back her hoof, and there's the money for the berries. "Good luck at the Reaping." "You too." I say.

We leave, walking to the Hob, to trade our squirrel for food. Soarin' and I go to Greasy Hooves' stall, where we trade the squirrel for a chicken. We split it in half, taking one half with us home, as we say goodbye.

************************

When I arrived, my mother was in the kitchen, cooking in her apron. I'm greeted with a jumpy Scoot. "Hi sis!" I smile as she hugs me tightly. When she lets go, I go over to my mother. "Had fun out with Soarin'?" She asks, as I hand her the chicken. She's making chicken soup tonight. "Yep..." I say, deciding not to tell her about the hovercraft and the red headed girl.

We ate supper, then climbing into bed for the night. I sleep soundly. Until I'm awakened by Scoot's scream.

I look beside me, and Scoot is sobbing, and my mother is trying to soothe her. "I'll go warm the bread for you." she says, looking at me with her "find-out-what's-wrong" face, as she walks out of the room. I sit up, patting Scoot awkwardly. "What's wrong?" I ask, trying to sound as friendly as possible. She stops crying for a second, sitting up and leaning her head on my chest. "I...dreamed that I was picked...in The Hoof Games.." she buries her face on my shirt, and I stroke her mane. "Scoot, I already told you. Your name's been in there once. You aren't going to be picked." I assure her, knowing that it still could be possible. Mares and stallions can compete, but their age must be twelve through eighteen. Eighteen is the age when you stop participating in the Games. Scoot sniffs, biting her lips. "Okay...if you say so." I get her a tissue, hug her tightly, then fall asleep when my mother comes in with the bread.

************************

The Reaping day. The most hated day of my life. I dress in my mother's old blue dress, even though it looks brand new. I braid my mane back, like it always is. My mother gets Scoot ready, then herself. After that, we head to the Town Square, to see who will be the "lucky" tributes.

Everypony in County Six is there. My mother leaves us to go sit in the non-participant seats. The arrangement is set up by ages. Twelve year olds over there, eighteen year olds over here. I'm in the sixteen year old group, and Soarin' is in the eighteen year old group. Scoot is in the twelve year old group.

Now it's time.

The Mayor arrives, and walks up to the podium. "Welcome all," she begins. "to the 74th annual Hoof Games reaping!" There is no applause, and she just shrugs it off. "Now for your announcer, Pinkie Pie!" She leaves to sit down, then Pinkie Pie comes. Her pink hair is poofy, as always, and she's wearing one of her Capitol outfits again. The Capitol is what it is. The ruler city of Flank, our country that we all live in, or at least, the remains.

Flank is the remains of a nation, the United States. A nuclear accident happened, which wiped out most of the land and population here in Flank. The remaining land and ponies were divided into five counties, to block out tension. Mares and stallions were divided into the different counties, according to what we were best at. We also have a Capitol. Each county has a certain occupation. County Six is coal mining. County One is fashion, County Two is jewelery , County Three is gadgets. County Four is transportation, and County Five is cattle and food.

"Welcome, welcome. Time to choose our mare and stallion tributes. May the odds be ever in your hooves." Pinkie Pie smiles her smile, then walking over to the mare's bowl. "Mares first," she says, reaching her hoof in the bowl. She hesitates, then plucking out a name.

I'm so stunned that I can't even breathe. I hyperventilate, but then stop, not wanting to faint. My heart races, and I try calming down. But it's no use. I can't stop this moment now.

"Scootaloo Sparkle!" Pinkie reads.

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Memories and Visits

***************************

I scream at the top of my lungs, not gasping for air. Everyone is looking at me like I'm a freak. But I don't care.

"I VOLUNTEER!" I cry, walking to the stage, grabbing Scoot. "I volunteer to take my sister's place!"

Pinkie Pie looked baffled. Then she smiled. "That's great! Why, this has never happened in the history of Hoof Games! Come on, come on up..." she hesitates, as Soarin' carries a screaming and crying Scoot away. "Twilight. Sparkle." I say, keeping my voice low.

"Oh-kay! Our new mare tribute, Whyright Sparkle!" Pinkie calls out. "Twilight!" I correct her. She looks to me, smiling. "I'm sorry, dear," she turns to the mic. "Twilight Sparkle!" I stand in front of County Six, feeling stupid. But I had to. I don't want Scoot to die out there. Not like this.

"And lastly, stallions!" Pinkie says, moving to the left of the stage, where the stallion's names are kept. Her pink hoof, again, hovers over the sea of names for a while, then snatching up a card. She struts to the podium, unfolding the card.

"Spike Dracon! Come on up! You are the 74th annual Hoof Games stallion tribute!" Pinkie says, looking around for the stallion. She sees a figure moving, but then she frowns. "Um...you..aren't a stallion, are you?"

I can't believe it. Spike Dracon. He's a dragon. A small one.

He scowls at Pinkie, returning to his solemn state. Spike walks to the right of Pinkie, keeping his head down. Pinkie is silent. Then she blurts out, "Our tributes for The Hoof Games, Spike Dracon, and Twilight Sparkle!" There is a small applause from the crowd. I don't care one bit. I take a look at Spike. He has a small tuft of blond hair, and sparkling green eyes. Something to remind me about Soarin', I thought. Then I look at him again. And I remember.

I pant as I ran away from the Hob, a merchant yelling at me. His voice faded out as I ran farther. I had a tiny piece of bread in my hands. I stop by a pig shed and a tree, opening my hand. The bread was covered in sweat. I sighed, and threw it to the pigs. They crowded around it, trying to eat it. Then they went back to their pig-manner.

Spike came out of a house in front of the pig shed, and I realized that I was at the bakery. I crawled behind the tree, and Spike had noticed me. I grunt softly. He goes back inside. I crawled out from behind the tree. I heard yelling and a thwack. Then Spike came outside with bread, his mother following him. He threw me the bread, and his mother looked at me, and screamed, "Why are you giving our bread to this person? She's a mess! When we get back inside, you are in trouble, you hear?!" I covered my ears, and I was scared. Spike had such a hollow look in his eyes. After his mom dragged him inside, as soon as I took the first bite, I felt thankful.

I was going to go inside and thank Spike, but I thought about his mother's words, and I didn't want to make her angry again. So I went home with bread to last for four days. All because of Spike.

I'm in a room, my things packed, ready to move to the Arena. The room I'm in is a sort of "goodbye dear tribute" room. Friends and family can visit you for a short amount of time, and that's it. That's all the time you get before you're possibly murdered in the Games.

The first person to come in is Fluttershy. I jump up out of my seat and hug her tightly. "Easy, Twilight...I'm fragile.." she says, smiling and patting my back. I let go, tears flooding my eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just that...I might not be able to see you again," I say, sitting back down. Fluttershy frowns, and sits across from me. "Don't worry. I've seen you use a bow and arrow, and run. You're sure to win." she assures, winking. I smile. "Before I go, I want you to have this." Fluttershy pushes her hair out of the way, and her harmony pin is there. She unpins it, putting it into my hooves. "Your pin..." I say, baffled. "Keep it," she says. "for good luck." The tears come out, and I look like a mess in less than 3 seconds. Fluttershy hugs me, trying to hold in her tears. She helps me pin it on my shirt. A guard opens the door. "Your time is up." he says, and Fluttershy turns to me. "Be strong." she says. I wipe the tears away, waving.

I hold it together when Soarin' comes in. But I can't. I hug him, like I did with Fluttershy.

"Soarin'...whatever you do, please...take care of my family." I say, burying my face into his shoulder. He strokes my mane. "I'll do whatever I can to help them while you're gone. The good thing is, I don't have to be in the Games anymore."

I punch the smile off of his face. "Sorry!" he exclaims. "Gosh, Twilight. It was a joke." I smile, showing him the pin that Fluttershy gave me. "So she gave it to you. For luck?" he says. "Yep." I reply. I hold it on my chest, lowering my head.

Soarin' gives me a kiss on the forehead. I quickly pick my head up, my face is red. He chuckles. "That was for luck, too." I smile. It seems that whenever I'm around Soarin', I smile. He says that a lot. I also smile when I hunt. The guard comes in once again, and for a second, I want to punch him, but I know that he would call other guards. It was useless.

Me and Soarin' hug again, and he leaves. Then more people come to hug and visit me. And it's over. Now my only "friend" is Spike. I'm not too happy about that.

***************************

So let me explain The Hoof Games.

It's basically a annual event, and it's televisioned over all of Flank. The Reaping already happened, so I'm not going to explain it. The two tributes ride on a airplane to the Training Arena, which is basically the practice Arena. There are lots of stations and small spaces that change to a different ecosystem each time you pull a lever. You choose a station, and choose a place to practice in. Lots of obstacles are in the ecosystems. The stations as I remember, are magic for unicorns, like me, flying for pegasi, bow and arrow, knife throwing, making a fire using things that could be found around you, snare making, which I will definitely go to, running practice, camouflage, and finding plants/berries that you can and can't eat.

Why The Hoof Games were made, I know, but don't exactly like it- Flank got into many rebellious fights and such, so for payback, the Capitol made a punishment- The Hoof Games. Reminding us that if we ever rebel again, worse things can happen than what happens in the Arena. Harsh, but cooperative. At least, for the people who don't get picked.

Anyway, after training, you show the Hoofmakers, or the people who make The Hoof Games, what you got. You're showing them what you know, and what you learned. Then after that, they judge you, and show what you did on television. After they show us, we get a score, ranging from one to ten, one being low, and ten being high.

Then comes the chariot rides. Your personal stylist stays with you before The Hoof Games, and after them, but not during. They come up with a costume for the two tributes to wear on the Night of the Tributes. You get the costume, and stand on top of the chariot, looking all pretty and such. They playback pretty much almost everything that happens to you while you're a tribute.

Doctor Whooves is glammed up for a interview with the tributes a day after the Night of the Tributes. Before this, you meet your personal make-up group, who makes you look like someone else for the interview. Gotta look pretty before you get killed.

It's finally time for the Games to start. They send you up in a elevator, and the Arena is specialized every year, so you can get a new Arena, or one that's already been used. So if it's been used, you're likely to see remains of the past tributes who died. It's a type of enviroment, like what I said about the Training Arena. It could be a desert, a beach, a island, a rainforest, anything you can think of. Booby traps are set up everywhere, and the Hoofmakers are always trying to eliminate players anyway they can. A gong rings when someone dies, and every night, the Arena's dome-shaped sky-thing plays the anthem on a giant screen, where everyone who's still alive can see it. It then shows the county they were from, and a picture of the deceased. The anthem plays again, and turns off. We sleep or stay awake.

There's this sacred place in the center of the whole thing, called the Golden Horn. The middle is a giant horn, filled with things that can help you during the Games, or food. So it's where the Fancies stay a lot. Before I move on, the Fancies are the tributes from County One and Two. These counties are better looking than all of the others, because it's inhabited by fancy people, who are also very beautiful. That's why those tributes are called Fancies.

Okay, back to the Horn. There are staircases on both sides of the Horn. It's really large, and it's hard to climb up on, so that's why it wont be my starting point. You would get killed by the time you grabbed a backpack, which is filled with nessecities. And even though there are only 12 tributes, one of them is probably going to aim at you.

There's also nessecities around the Arena, so you don't have to climb up the Horn. After all of this is done, the last person standing wins. And that's The Hoof Games.

***************************

The Capitol

***************************

We board the train, cameras everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE. I looked up somewhere, and saw a screen, my face on it. I shook my head, walking on the steps. As soon as they closed the door, I leaned against it, trying to block out the noise from outside.

Then I saw the inside of the cart. It was luxurious, made for the tributes selected. I almost thought that we were in the wrong cart for a second. The furniture was Capitol-style, no wonder. Velvet was everywhere, and it was fancier than County Six itself.

Pinkie Pie sprang out of nowhere, and I banged my head on the door. "Ow.." I muttered, standing up.

"Hello Twilight! Just wanted to let you know that your fellow tribute is this way~!" she trilled, trotting away to a hallway. I took notice of the trotting, and snickered, because her pointy high heels have toilet paper on the bottom. It's funny because she notices, but keeps her smile and rips the paper off.

We enter a beautiful cart with a dining room, a table topped with food that doesn't even look like food, and a waiting Spike. "Hello, Twilight." he says, keeping his still expression. I just walk over to a seat, and sit down. "So..." I begin, "where's our mentor?" Pinkie brushes the seat cushion, as if there would be dust on it, which is impossible in this type of train. She sits down, fluffing her pink mane.

A mentor is somepony who has won a previous Hoof Games that still lives from the county you are pulled from. Our mentor is supposed to be "Big" Macintosh Applenathy, but apparently, he isn't here right now. I wouldn't be surprised- he's probably in the bar cart. Ever since he won the Quarter Quench, he's turned to drinking as his only friend.

The cart door opens suddenly, and there he is. Macintosh.

He staggers to a seat, dropping himself into it. Pinkie Pie purses her painted lips together, trying to straighten Macintosh up. He swats at her, yelling, "Get yer filthy Capitol hands off o' me..." in a slurred voice. Yep, he's been drinking. Pinkie shrugs it off, turning to me and Spike. "So," she starts. "what are your special skills?" Spike clears his throat. "Twilight is great with a bow and arrow." I turn to him, giving him a 'shut up' stare. He raises an eyebrow at me. "Spike can carry over 150 pounds." I blurt out, and Pinkie looks at Spike interestingly. "Oh really?" she asks. Spike slides down in his seat. "Yes..." he mumbles. "Honey, sit up straight! We obviously need some practice with manners!" Pinkie shouts at Spike, and he jolts up. Macintosh stands up from his seat, his legs wobbling, as he vomits and falls over into it. After a while, he strains to get up, his face covered in the puke. "W-what happened? I smell like vodkaaa..." he says, falling back into his vomit.

Pinkie stands, walking around Macintosh, and exiting the cart. Spike stands as well, and helps the drunken stallion on the floor up onto his feet. He doesn't respond. "Um...do you need help?" I ask, standing. Spike just shakes his head, dragging away a unconscious Macintosh.

So that's our motivational mentor. I wonder if he'll be teaching us how to talk our way out of things we don't want to do while drunk.

***************************

Finally, we arrive to the Capitol. And I can't believe it. The cameras mess up the brightness of what I stand before.

We all got off the train, and are greeted by ponies who look really crazy with what they're wearing. Puffed skirts, frilly hair and shirts, a blue dog somewhere. Some stallions wear eyeliner, which I assume that those ones could be gay. Then I realize...it's not some stallions- it's ALL of them. I snickered at them, but they looked at me like I didn't know fashion.

Let me just explain the Capitol- it's a large city, the leaders of Flank. The buildings, they're very shiny and tall. They tower over everything here. Since it's the leader county, it has fancier things than pretty much every other one. Fancier people, transportation, houses, food, EVERYTHING imaginable. I honestly hate the Capitol. They make me feel...different, and being different in my opinion isn't a good thing. It means that I could be jealous. Being jealous of the Capitol- I would never.

Pinkie Pie guides us to the place where we meet our stylists. I'm expecting a preppy woman who makes complaints at every single flaw on my hooves. That's just the Capitol in a nutshell.

I turn to Spike as we walk down a glossy hallway that seems freshly cleaned, because even though Macintosh stopped drinking for a bit, he's still slipping on the damp floor. Pinkie smacks him on the forearm every single time, which makes me and Spike laugh. He has his solemn look on still, so I try and change that by elbowing him on the arm. He turns to me, looking aggrivated. "What's your problem?" he mutters. I narrow my eyes at him. "What's your problem, Cupcake Boy?"

That made him even madder, but he just sped ahead to catch up with Macintosh. The reason I called him Cupcake Boy is because he and his family work at a bakery near the Seam, and he frosts and makes cupcakes. I should know, 'cause when I pass by the bakery window to go trade at the Hob, he's always there, kneading bread. It's a good nickname, right?

We finally arrive to the meeting room. I sit down on a chair, staring at the sliding doors that will open any second, revealing our bratty stylists. But when they open, I'm in for a shock.

My stylist is a woman- but she seems very...simple looking. My eyes bulge, because she doesn't look anything like everyone in the Capitol. She has a simple purple shirt with a black vest and a skirt. The only thing that makes her Capitol-like is her purple eyeliner. Spike's stylist comes in, and he's definitely Capitol worthy. I shake hands with my stylist, staring at her. "Why stare?" she smiles. "I'm Rarity. What's your name, dahling?" I try not to laugh at her ridiculous accent, but it'll do. "Twilight. Sparkle." I say, releasing my hand. I'm still not sure about her preppyness just yet. I need some time with her to find out. her personality.

"Now, if you'll come with me, I'll get you prepped up. Come on now, dahling." Rarity says as she guides me into yet another shiny room. But this one is filled with beds and stuff that could be medical equipment. But when I get undressed and dress in a simple blue robe, I realize that they aren't instruments- they're waxing paper, tweezers, and rags with perfume spilled all over them.

Rarity lays me on a bed, with some other mares and stallions with frizzy hair. They tear the hair from my legs and arms. It hurts so much, but I guess pain needs to happen for you to be beautiful. A mare with pink curls everywhere comes to my side. "Honeybuns, this'll hurt just a bit." she says sweetly. But with that voice, I know for sure that it'll hurt like a bee stinging you in the arm many times. She quickly plucks hair from my eyebrows, and I flinch every so and often. I never do this, because we have nothing to pluck with. So I don't know what it feels like. They did a bunch of other stuff to make me smell good, and look good.

Then there's the mist spray. It made my body shiny. When I stood up to look in the mirror, I was...actually beautiful. My coat glowed, my hair was smooth as silk, and I looked completely unrecognizable. My stylists were so good that I looked like a chihuahua. I turned to Rarity, who gazed at her work. "You look beautiful." she compliments, smiling. For some reason, I smile back. I suddenly feel like the only person I like right now is Rarity. There's a strange aura that makes me think that I'm safe around her. I hug her, and I know she surprised, because she staggers a bit. But she returns it, stroking my mane.

"I'm glad I asked for County 6," she says. I pull back, still smiling. Rarity is now a new friend.

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The Night of the Tributes

*******************

I lay in my new bed, staring at the ceiling. I can't believe that it's been only a day since I left home.

Home. Scootaloo. Soarin'. Hunting. I miss it all. My only wish is to go back home, to everyone I love, to a warm welcome, to...no. That all can't happen, unless I win The Hoof Games. I sit up in bed to the door opening.

There stands a mare in a white vest, her red mane flowing. I silently gasp.

Could it be? That girl who was in the forest? I stand up, slowly walking over to her as she bent down to retrieve my clothes. When she straightens up, her eyes widen in fear at the side of me. I'm confused for a second, but then I realize that I'm too close to her. I step back a few, and she calms down. Obviously, she's an Avox, because I know that she would've yelped.

I examine her for a second, then look back to her face. It's beautiful, really. She's a pale pink color, perfectly matching her hair. "Thanks," I say. The mare only nods, walking outside my door. A few seconds later, Pinkie Pie stops by my door.

"Hello!" she greets in her peppy manner. "I stopped by to say that you need to get ready for The Night of the Tributes! Rarity's downstairs with your outift, and with the prep team to make you shine! It's a happy happy day!" She giggles, prancing down the hall.

I wonder if she takes extra sugar in the morning. Probably so.

*******************

I arrive downstairs where Rarity waits with a costume in her hooves. I gasp at the sight of it. It's not that type of outfit that tributes from County 6 would usually wear. We supply coal, and they always wear a outfit with a miner's hat. But Rarity is obviously has a talent with making clothes, because my outfit is glorious.

It's a tight black suit, with a small cape on the back of the neck. The suit is covered in small shards of coal. I sit with Rarity, talking for a little bit about it. Apparently, the shards of coal are set to light up, like a fire. I thought that was cool.

Me and Rarity walk to the changing room, and after I change into the suit, the stylists pull my mane back into a braid across my head, and the back is a simple ponytail. They also do my makeup, which turns me into a completely different pony. My eyes pop out, and they made my face look slimmer. We're set in a room, waiting to go to the dead center of the Capitol. Spike's dressed in the same outfit as me, which I hate, because I don't want the ponies watching us to think that we're all cutesy together, matching. It would make us look weak, and we would be the Fancies' first target. And they get time before they're actually picked to compete to train. It's against the rules, but they do it anyway, just because they're the Capitol's favorites.

*******************

We arrive at the center of the Capitol, where many, many, many mares and stallions have come to check out the tributes. I find it hard to see someone grieving us kids being killed in a arena with 23 others. Just seeing the other tributes is painful, because there's one little filly, with a yellow coat and a mare the color the mix of red and pink, probably 12, that looked so innocent. I couldn't possibly kill her, she seemed so weak. I shrugged it off. I had to ignore her, so I wouldn't get the thought of her death in the arena.

Rarity gets my attention, by saying, "It's time- you and Spike need to get on the carriage." I nod, climbing slowly to the top. There's two stallions, pegasi, who're guiding the carriage. Spike climbs atop, and we exchange looks of worry.

It's almost time for the tributes to be released in order of counties. I turn to Rarity, whose hands are locked together, raising an eyebrow at us. I give her a wince, turning to Spike. I'm about to say Rarity's instructions, but he already knows, and takes my hoof into his claw. I look to our joined hands, feeling a light blush on my face. My eyes widen. No, I can't like him now. If I did, I'd have to kill him, and then I'd be heartbroken. I can't let that happen.

For the Night of the Tributes, a pair of tributes at a time go out. County Six is last, so we have to wait a bit before we exit the gate. County One's tributes are wearing a flashy dress and tuxedo, embedded with silk and ribbons. They're wearing a really silly headdress. I snicker.

Then goes County Two. Diamonds, rings, earrings, necklaces, lots of jewelery on them. County Three's tributes wear goggles and suits with '010101010' all over them. The County Four tributes are wearing plain white t-shirts and jeans, which I don't think will get them sponsors. If I haven't already explained, sponsors are what they are. They look over the tributes, and give them supplies like food, medicine, all kinds of stuff.

Right before us is County Five- where that little filly's from. She and a pale yellow stallion with a orange colored mane wear black-spotted jackets and pants with a cowbell and meat on their shirts. Cattle and food. How unique.

Finally, it's our turn. We lock hooves and claws, ready. The gate in front of us opens, and the pegasi start flying out. There is a hush amongst the audience, then they all cheer wildly. I guess our suits are on, flashing what looks like fire, but isn't.

Then I realize something- they didn't cheer as loudly for the other tributes. I smiled, knowing that now, we have the whole Capitol in our hands. They're sure to sponsor for us.

The carriage stops, leaving us in front of a tall post, where the Hoofmakers sit. Our leader, President Moon, walks up to a podium, her dark indigo mane swirling around. "Welcome tributes," she says in her booming Capitol voice, "to the Night of the Tributes. I know that this is hard on you, but it's your fault that you rebelled."

For some reason, the people of the Capitol laugh. I don't get why, though.

Moon starts again. "Remember- you must stay focused in that arena. No matter what," she nods her head, "keep an eye out for others. And as always," she stops. "May the odds be ever in your favor. Good luck to you all, and happy Hoof Games!" The Capitol bursts into applause. I clap slowly, but stop. Up on the post, I notice something about the way President Moon's face has changed. It was smiling at first. But now...

She was scowling. At me.

*******************

The Interviews

****************************

Climbing from the chariot, I still process the scowl that President Moon gave me. Maybe...she was looking at somebody else. Yeah, that's right. I ignore the thought, looking over to Spike. He has a smile on his face. He must've liked when everyone payed attention to him.

"Do you think we're getting lots of sponsors?" he asks. I nod. If that crowd cheered that loudly, we're bound to get some.

Rarity walks up to us, smiling. "Dahlings, that was astounding! The crowd loved you." I smile back. She's so nice.

She nods her head forward, her horn glowing. My eyes widen. She gasps, stopping. "Oh...I'm...so sorry. I almost forgot..." I can't believe she didn't remember the rule. I mean, it's a big one.

You see, us unicorns and pegasi aren't allowed to use magic or wings anymore. Only the special pegasi pulling the chariots, the ponies in the Capitol, the Hoofmakers and the Harmonykeepers are allowed. In Rarity's case, she can't use magic outside of the room where she makes our clothes. We can't use wings or magic anymore because President Moon thinks that we would go into rebellion again, using our abilities. Harmonykeepers are placed in every single county, just to keep an eye on you.

I snap back to reality when Spike tugs on my arm. "Rarity needs us to get out of these suits and get ready for dinner." I nod, following Rarity and the small dragon. We walk down another one of those bright hallways, blinding my eyes.

Rarity leads us into a changing room, where we take off the suits. I slowly slip the tight clothes off, folding them neatly. I poke my head out of the curtained room, looking for my stylist. An Avox comes up and takes the suit and its accessories from me. "Did Rarity send you?" I ask. The male Avox nods, walking off.

I turn to the room next to me. Spike walks out of it, turning to me. "Ah. Hi, Twilight. Say, are you ready for the interview?"

Me? Ready for an interview? Please. I shrug in reply to his question. "Do you know where Rarity is?"

Just then, she walks in. She smiles at both of us. "You two need to rest. Tomorrow's the interviews. Come on." Rarity says, nodding her head towards our rooms. We make some conversation, but it isn't much. We're mostly quiet.

The three of us arrive at me and Spike's rooms. I wave to Rarity, opening the door.

My room is fairly big, with a view, a bed, a small kitchen area, and a bathroom. I walk over to the view of the Capitol, staring at the small figures cheering, watching us tributes, again, on a large screen. I scowl. Why are they so happy? Kids are killed in the Hoof Games, yet these people keep making bets. I can't believe them. I can't believe all of them. I decide to go find Macintosh and see if he's up for a few drinks. Maybe that'll help calm me down.

****************************

"Did you see the -hic- look on President Moon's face after she wished us luck? She scowled at me, for sure!" I mumble, slamming my glass on the table. My head's spinning, and in front of me, instead of the stallion that he is, Macintosh is in the form of Spike. I take a second look, and still see Spike. Haha, I thought, I'm talking with Spike right now. I then narrow my eyes and stand up. The drink in my hoof falls to the ground, splattering everywhere.

"Spike! You...you are small! And not a stallion...obviously! I mean, look at yourself! A -hic- dragon! Ha! You're hilarious. So...hilarious." I sit back down, close my eyes for a couple of seconds, and open them. There's Macintosh, staring at me, with bloodshot eyes.

"Twilight," he begins, "I think you're crazy." He points a hoof at me. "Anyway, I have a -hic- question." Macintosh leans in. As he talks, his breath reeks of beer and alcohol. "Do you...like Spike? As in a lovey-dovey way?" His face takes on a grin. I think for a second, then burst out laughing. "Seriously? You think that I love that kid?" After saying this, I randomly bang my head on the table. "HA! You're something...Macintosh...haha..." I chuckle a few more times.

Suddenly, Rarity comes along to our table. "Oh...I didn't disrupt your little...party, did I?" She gave us concerning looks.
Macintosh shakes his head, and shakily stands up from his seat. "Nope. We were just about to be -hic- finished." His eyelids droop. "Now, excuse me, Ms. Rarityyyy-" Down goes the large pony, sprawled out in front of Rarity.

I squint my eyes. "He's funny, isn't he?" Rarity looks up to me, and makes a smile that looks more like a wince.

****************************

The next morning, I wake up with a excruciating headache. Sunlight pours through the window, filling my room with the warm glow. Someone knocks at the door. "Come in." I say.

Pinkie Pie walks in, carrying a tray with food I've never seen before. "Twilight! Here, eat this food and report to Rarity. Your interview starts in a hour!" she trills, leaving the food with me. I take a look at it. It smells heavenly, and sweet. But I'm suspicious, because it's from the Capitol. There's this weird piece of bread shaped in a circle with a sticky substance on top of it. I take a bite. Oh, wow, I thought. This is amazing. There's more food on the plate in front of me, so I try the eggs beside the bread circles. Capitol eggs taste a lot more different than County Six's fresh eggs.

After finishing up my breakfast, I head over to Rarity at the dressing rooms. She's sitting down, fixing up what I assume could be my dress for the interview. I tip toe over to where she's sitting, and glance over her shoulder. I can only make out red sparkles until Rarity turns around, almost flinging me to the other side of the room.

"No! You can't look yet! In two minutes you can!" she shouts, then turning back around. The minutes pass by, and Rarity jumps up from her seat.

"Okay. Go into the dressing room, and don't look at it until you've put it on completely. Oh, dahling, I hope you like it." She smiles as she hands me the dress. Walking to the dressing room, I think about what amazing design she could've thought of this time. I think of all the possibilities as I slip the dress on.

Closing my eyes, so I don't see the dress, I step out of the curtains. I hear Rarity gasp, and I open my eyes.

The dress. It's so beautiful. It's a bright shade of red, with small streaks of orange and yellow at the very bottom. On my shoulder is a strap with more streaks of orange and yellow, with some sparkles here and there.

"Rarity, it's...it's..." I take a moment to find the right word to describe this dress."It's...marvelous." It's not the best word, but it's the first one that came to my mind. Rarity smiles, and hugs me. She steps back. "If you get nervous, just act like you're talking to me. Good luck." I smile back at her.

Rarity and I walk over to meet Pinkie Pie and Spike at the entrance to where the interviews are held. We step inside to find bright lights, ponies all over the place, and the smell of hairspray and desperation. Rarity takes me to a chair in front of a mirror and quickly does my hair up in a bun. She and Photo Finish, Spike's stylist, walk me and Spike to where the tributes line up. Before she leaves, she takes me by the shoulders and whispers, "Remember, if you get nervous, look for me and pretend you're speaking to me." I nod, and she gives me a quick kiss on the forehead. She smiles, and walks off to find a seat in the crowd of ponies.

The interviews are hosted by Doctor Whooves, a witty stallion who wears blue lipstick and woos the audience over with his sense of humor. Everypony loves him.

Each tribute gets three minutes to talk with Whooves. First up is the stallion from County One. He looks very weak, but he's probably strong, if he comes from County One. The time passes, as well as the tribute line backstage. It gets shorter and shorter as more ponies leave to interview. But one tribute catches my eye.

A little mare, probably 12, steps up and takes the seat beside Doctor Whooves. She's from County Five. I catch her name- Applebloom. She's tiny, and fragile. This is exactly why I hate the Hoof Games. Kids who don't even know how to battle are forced to do it. I can't believe that no one volunteered for her. Applebloom takes the audience's breath away, no doubt.

After Applebloom, there's the stallion from Five. He's very muscular, most likely because he carries cattle in County Five. I wouldn't want to end up in a fight with him. It's obvious as to who would win.

Then it's Spike's turn. He looks dashing in a black tuxedo with red cuffs that also have little flickers of "fire." Once he steps up onto the stage, the crowd goes wild. He's smiling, and waving to them. I'm still suspicious about Spike. He's doing something, but I don't know what yet. He finally sits down beside Doctor Whooves. I listen to every single word that the both of them say.

Whooves starts the interview up by asking Spike some questions.

"Welcome to the Capitol, Spike. Let me ask you something- is there anything different here from County Six?"

Spike puts a claw under his chin, looking off into the distance, as if he's thinking about what Whooves just asked him. "Everything." That one word drives the audience into a fit of laughter. I mock them in my head.

Doctor Whooves and Spike make the crowd go wild. It's like they're having a regular conversation. Then Whooves asked a question that made Spike shiver. "So, Spike. Is there a special lady back home?" Spike squirms around in his seat. "Well, y'know, since I'm a dragon, and everyone else in Six is a pony, I don't think anyone would want to have a serious relationship with me." The crowd whispers. Some of them go "Awww."

"Oh, there has to be somepony out there that you have your eye on. Come on. Tell us." Whooves says as he gives off a smile. Spike stares at the floor for a few seconds, then clears his throat.

"I guess that there's this one girl that I have a crush on." he answers. Spike's blushing, it's obvious. Doctor Whooves lightly elbows the dragon. "Who's that one girl?" he says as he raises an eyebrow.

The audience holds their breath as they wait for Spike to answer this question. He's quiet for a long time, then he finally replies.

"The one girl I have a crush on...came with me to the Capitol."