The day of the Reaping is eventually here . All ponies between the age of 12 to 18 have there names in the ballet and are grouped behind red ropes . If your twelve you name is placed in once , thirteen its placed twice and so on until seven at the age of eighteen . This is multiplied by the amount of family members in your house hold . Fortunately for me animals don't count ; not so lucky for AppleJack though four family members and she's sixteen that would make 20 I think. Wait... Pinkie has more members in her household doesn't she?
As usual the Mayor struts to the podium as bubbly as ever this time of year . The Capitol holds the pony games as to show we mercy to them after the rebellion seventy-four years ago. Truthfully I believe they enjoy watching us tributes kill each other, I guess they earn any spare one from sponsors , I mean I kind of understand but that doesn't mean they need to take it out on 24 of us each year . Beginning the reaping is done by telling us all the story of the panem , and then the speech of what the rebellion caused e.g floods starvation .
"There is only one rule , you kill or be killed " Exclaimed the Mayor " and may the odds be ever in your favour ."
Calling of the tributes has begun , from district twelve
"mares and fillies first" . My heart was thumping against my rib cage , I was breathing heavily waiting for the first name to be called .
"And the tribute from district twelve is .." Something threw me for a loop , it wasn't my name nor appleJacks nor any of my friends .
It was ButterCup-
Once I had been laying on a cloud waiting for game to go by , I must of dosed of and rolled over . I fell 6 feet down onto my back . I was completely winded unable to breathe . That's how im feeling now , unable to move , talk or breathe as I contemplate ButterCup as she , as stiff as a rock , clambers up the hoof trodden steps . She was pale and frozen not her usual rose pinkish color. "Buttercup . " I finally burst out
"ButterCup" , I hadn't any need to push through the crowds as they parted a pathway to the stage . Bounding into the stage I push Butter behind me " I volunteer !" I unusually loudly shout " I volunteer as tribute " ButterCup was grasping around my hoof
"No , FlutterShy you cant go " I tried not to cry even though I felt like it and explained in a harsh voice " Get of " Luckily for me
Applejack arrived on the stage pulling her away from my hoof
"Go get em' tiger " She nods to me dragging B.C. down the stage steps .The crowds were awe struck there had never been a volunteer for years , well except for in the wealthier districts were winning is so great it would last me 5 lifetimes . It was a rule that any colt , if a colts name has been called , or filly if a fillies name has been called can step up and take there place but it never usually happens when It comes down to district twelve .
"Lets give a round of applause to this brave Pegasus " To my surprise no one in the crowd applauded . Not a single hoof banged against the ground . Everypony including me stood silent just staring toward another pony somewhere in the crowd .
Breaking the silence the Mayor decides to call out the male tribute from our district .
ButtonMash
I've heard his name and seen his face but never actually made any conversation with him . Except , one time he kind of saved my life but most of my memories are blurry , i'm obviously still worried . But now ore than ever because im actually I the games . Button was the last tribute to be called and so we were all taken over to separate rooms , it was the most royal place I had ever seen -other than the Capitol - velvet carpets with slick silk couches covered in pale patterns going this way and that . This is the room where we say goodbye to those we care about just in case we don't return...
I had a few visits in my little velvet covered room . One was from my Parents who had travelled from cloudsdale to arrive at the reaping wishing me the best of luck and persuading me into believing I can do this but I never really bought it . Then there were the visits from my friends all giving me stuff to remember them by but I explained I could never forget them . The visit fro my sister was something to really think about though .
She ran into the room and pounced me her arms swung round my neck and she begins sobbing . I rub her back gently bristling her feathery wings . She looks up to me her tears falling from her eyes , wiping them away she speaks to me
" Why did you do it " I stay silent wanting to look away but unable to . She stares longingly into my eyes
" okay " I say " I couldn't take the though of whatching you ...whatching you Die " Beginning to sob again she allows her head to fall onto my chest . I hug her tightly as if I could never let go .
"FlutterShy promise me something " I look at her as I speak
" Anything " B.C. continues
" Promise me you'll come home "
"I don't think ... " I was about to tell her I don't think that will happen but seeing the sadness in her eyes as she knows what im about to "I'll try my best " She asks me if I promise , of course I promise , I wouldn't be saying it if I didn't would I . Yet just to make sure she believed me I speak " Yes I promise , and until I do return remember , I love you
more than everything"...
I will keep my promise to try as hard as I can , I do love her and my friends , I want to return to them , saying that I don't want to leave them , but if I didn't leave them , then it would be ButterCup's life that was in danger and id never be able to cope with her , so small , so sweet and innocent , putting her vulnerable life on the edge when it could be me instead .
