Chapters It seemed like a normal day in the District of Ponyville, but really, even the warm sun could not hide the gloomy day. For this day was another reaping for the Pony Games. This was the 62nd annual reaping for the 62nd annual Pony Games. No pony wants to get picked in Ponyville, because it surely means death. There will be six ponies, three stallions and three mares, picked from four Districts of Equestria. There's Cloudsdale, Appleloosa, Manehatten and Ponyville. President Celestia was the leader of Equestria and organized these brutal murder games for all unicorn, pegasi and earth ponies to watch, or be watched.
One certain purple unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, was a part of the District of Ponyville, and for years she escaped the brutal death match. All hope is lost if you are reaped from Ponyville. No pony seems to win from the small and boring town. This year, Twilight was scared though, she was becoming older and that meant one more ticket was in the bowl. She also hoped that no pony she knew got in, no matter the age.
"Twilight. Don't you think you should get up?" Spike, her fellow dragon, asked cautiously. Spike was lucky to not be a pony or gryffin, because he is able to not go in the games. Twilight always says that to him every year, but he counters that he's not because he has to watch the unlucky pony folk who are picked die. It seems all of Ponyville gave up on victor houses, there's about ten now, and only one is filled with the male mentor Filthy Rich. Although he was one of the only victors, everypony knows he's basically a useless drunk who drinks like it's his job. Really, no pony blames him though because he has seen death of young pony folk being murdered for just a game!
No pony can change it, though. Celestia has designed the Peace Makers to keep peace in the districts while the reaping and the games go on. Really, it was a murderous peace, if any pony would rebel, they would get shot. If a pony defied or protected somepony else from getting killed, they get beaten in public. The society has grown scared of the murderous group and there was nothing ponies could do, but follow President Celestia.
It was almost time, and Twilight went over to her library mirror to fix up her mane. Twilight was Ponyville's well-known librarian who gets money by selling or renting books. Not many ponies come into her library at the time of the Reaping, so she can get lonely, but one pony always comes. Her friend, Fluttershy, who was known as the pegasus that takes care of street animals to sell them. Today, though, Fluttershy was not seen, and Twilight had to canter on down to the Reaping alone. Passing homes and cottages full of parents and their fillies sadly walking to the Reaping, hoping that their child would not get picked.
Twilight sighed, as she finally made her way to the center of Ponyville to find the Mayor at the stage smiling to the fillies coming to the center. Everypony in Ponyville knew she did not like the reaping either, but there was nothing she could do. If she spoke up, she would definitely get killed. "Next." Twilight heard, stepping closer to the table. She was standing in the line for teen ponies. She finally was at the table, and she handed her hoof to the Peacemaker who, by the way it looked, was a mare probably a few years older than her. The peacemaker poked the violet hoof and pushed it down on the paper next to her name.
This was her last reaping, if she didn't get picked, she would be free for a while until she had fillies of her own. Just the thought of freedom overwhelmed her. She sighed as she thought of the free paradise of not going through the reaping ever again, and she went over to her age group of the mares. There was Fluttershy, looking all around for probably her. She smiled slightly as she went over to her. "Hey Fluttershy." she said mild-toned.
"Oh, hey there Twilight. Last year, isn't it great?" Fluttershy asked, trying to bring up the mood of the melodramatic scene. All chat died down as clicking was heard from the stage. The mayor silenced the group and welcomed them to the 62nd annual welcoming. She turned to the television that was behind her to play the same old video for the reason why the Pony Games were to come. Then, Filthy Rich stepped up to the stage and again welcomed the pony folk. "May the odds ever be in everypony's favor." he said as he walked over to the mares.
"First mare...."
Author's Note
Hey everypony! I thank you for reading and I hope you liked the first chapter!! It would be nice if you could comment to tell me how I am doing! Your comments help me get better, and I'm very grateful for my readers. I, again, hope you enjoyed it and the next chapter should be out hopefully soon! Also, sorry for not having a name up, it's just I decided to have the tributes in the next chapter! ^_^ Thanks for reading!
All was silent at the center, the only sound was breathing and a paper being lifted out of a fish bowl.
"First mare..." Filthy Rich stated, opening the piece of paper, "is Pinkie Pie." Gasps were heard all around as the pink mare calmly got out of the crowd. Even though she had a weak smile, her mane was a little flatter than normal, showing she was traumatized about it. Pinkie Pie was known for hosting private parties for marriages and birthdays, and she was good at watching her spendings.
Twilight sighed; even though she would miss Pinkie's small parties, this meant she was closer to not being picked. Fluttershy also looked the same, traumatized, but happy it was not her. These games had a trick to having all the ponies feel safe until their name was called, and it was cruel. Words struck as saying first stallion, and the two sighed, letting their thoughts travel. The stallion called up was Big Mac, the trusty strong red stallion who was a part of the farm.
"Fine, fine good chap, please stand over here then." Filthy Rich pointed him to the guy tribute side of the stage. "Now, next mare." he stated, picking another paper and unfolding it. Both Fluttershy and Twilight tensed, hoping it was not them. "Our next mare tribute is, Scootaloo."
More gasps came from the audience, as how could the young scooter pegasus be picked? She was too young, it seemed, but then again, the games liked to throw colts into the mix. The small orange pegasus confidentially went up to the stage. Twilight knew that confidentiality well; she was going to try to win. She was at a lot of disadvantages; she couldn't fly and she was really young.
"Very good, please stand over there. Now, onto the stallions again." Filthy Rich took another paper out and opened it. All again grew silent as he looked up and read the name, "Flash Sentry!" some small gasps were heard again, for he was known for making leather.
"Yes, yes. Now to the final mare!" Both Twilight and Fluttershy gulped down and huddled close together. Will they be off the hook to live in the poor district of Ponyville? They shouldn't have put their hopes up. "Fluttershy!" Gasps were heard once again, but Twilight felt her friend freeze. There was no way this timid mare was going to win. No, it was wrong.
Fluttershy huffed out a sad 'huh' like she should've known and smiled towards Twilight to then go towards the stage. Twilight panicked and yelled, "Wait!" All grew silent. She pushed herself to the aisle and pointed her hoof up. "I volunteer as tribute!" Everypony grew even more silent while looking to her like she was crazy. Fluttershy looked towards her and shook her head to tell her not to, but it was too late.
"Well then! What a surprise! Our first tribute! Come to the stage my darling." Twilight nodded then went towards the stage. As she passed Fluttershy, she saw betrayal in her eyes. She wanted Twilight to live happily, not die in her place. "I'm sorry." Twilight whispered and then went up on stage. "What is your name, darling?" he asked, bringing her to center stage.
Twilight looked to the crowd of Ponyville, "I am Twilight Sparkle."
After what seemed like hours, the train that Twilight and the other tributes were on haulted. Confused, she left her room to the dining cart where everypony else was.
"What's going on?" she asked, trotting to the group.
"Seems like we hit our destination of Canterlot." Pinkie Pie answered, looking out of the window. The doors then opened and we all were escorted to a huge building that had five floor levels.
"Ponyville tributes!" Filthy Rich got our attention. "This is Miss Zecora. Along beside me, she will be your mentor."
"Ah what do I see, all tributes under me." she stated. "Please there is no reason to fear, for our destination is near." We followed the rhyming zebra inside the building. We all entered the huge elevator that took us to the fifth floor.
"Don't get too comfortable. After the parade, we will be moving to another building. This is just for you all to get prepped for the big reveal." Filthy Rich stated, sitting at the table. "Mares on the right, stallions on the left."
After getting her room, Twilight heard a nock at her door. She opened it to see Zecora.
"Ah, tribute Twilight; hello! We have a place to go." She took me to another room.
A white unicorn with purple mane steps out of the back office door. "Ah, hello! Why darling, you have a wonderful mane."
"Um...thanks?" Twilight responded, puzzled at who this pony was.
"Oh, my. How silly of me to not introduce myself. I am Rarity. Ponyville's fashion designer." Oh, so this was Rarity. Rarity was about Twilight's age, but a year older. So, this is where she was? She used to own the boutique at the end of the corner, but she disappeared. No pony really bought anything from there anyways. They didn't have the money!
"Oh." was all Twilight said as Rarity started to take her measurements. "So, what's the plan this year?"
Every year the Pony Games happened, each of the districts had a sort of theme. Cloudsdale had some sort of sky theme to it usually while Appolosa usually had a country theme. Ponyville was lucky enough to have a variety of themes, but never seemed to go too well.
"The theme of friendship. Ponyville is well known for the town's friendship and I want to try to get that theme out there. Whatever type of pony you are, you can always be friends."
"You do realize that we all have to kill eachother...right?" Twilight bluntly asked.
Rarity sighed in depression, "Yes darling...I know." She wrote down numbers and then looked to Twilight, "Don't tell any pony, but I want to try to show teamwork and friendship to try and stop these dastardly killing games."
Twilight nodded, "Trust me, I won't tell any pony." Rarity nodded to this and then told Twilight she could leave. So, Twilight went back to her room and looked to the mirror. There, she started to think. Was these games made up to remember the wars, or was it just for the fun and games? Or, even was it a way to control the population? Twilight was unsure, but dwelling over it was no help.
Sighing once again, she laid on her bed and then decided a nice nap would help. No use in wasting her energy. A few moments later, the tributes were once again called to a meeting. Filthy Rich and Zecora went over what the parade was like and how we were all supposed to act.
Every tribute then got into their respected uniform. The unicorns had some sort of magic theme to them, the pegasi had a cloud theme and the earth ponies had a earthy theme. Three different themes to try and show friendship? Was it because of our differences, we are still teammates? The citizens of Ponyville are all races, while in Cloudsdale ponies are pegasi and Appleloosa has mostly earth ponies.
You would think that having a wide variety of race would help Ponyville win these games, right? Well, in fact it put them in a disadvantage. Usually the tributes were either fillies, unexperienced pegasi, or just did not have common sense in a survival situation. All the Ponyville tributes then got in their place. As the District whom have lost the games the most, they were presented last. Stepping into the take off area, Twilight could see the other three Districts. Same old themes.
Cloudsdale was the first to step out. Being pegasi, they had the sky advantage, letting them take most of the victories. Going out, they had a routine of the tributes confidently doing flips in the air. Come to think of it, Ponyville didn't have any type of routine.
"Cloudsdale already won. They have a routine." the young filli, Scootaloo pouted.
"Have no fear, for a routine is near." Zecora answered. In her rhyming ways, she explained what us tributes could do to top Cloudsdale's performance. We all nodded at the end and then turned to see Appleloosa's tributes go out. They just had a ground routine, so it wasn't as impressive as the Cloudsdale tributes.
With the other District just walking down the walkway, it was finally Ponyville's turn. The tributes marched out and then Flash picked up Scootaloo and started flying around the group in circles. Then, Twilight and the stallion unicorn teleported on top of Pinkie Pie and Big Mac (Twilight was on Pinkie while the stallion was on Big Mac). When there, they connected their front hoof and raised it up. All smiling for the crowds to look in wonder.
We made it to the next building which again had five floors. Why have five floors if there was only four districts? Everypony sighed and got down.
"Very good show, I'd like to let you know." Zecora then said, who was somehow there before them. She then took us up the elevator to the fifth floor and we all went to our assigned bedrooms to then fall right asleep.
Author's Note
Yeah... Zecora's in the story! I'm so dead. I decided to add Zecora because she was a mentor of Twilight in the MLP universe so..yeah. I apologize for my bad rhyming. Also, surprise! Rarity is the fashion designer. Who would've thought? Also, just to make things clear, Ponyville has two pegasi, two unicorns and two earth ponies. I'm not sure if I specified that in the last chapter. Sorry!
ATTENTION: I've seemed to forget that Flash was a Pegasus. Therefore, I updated this. I'm thinking the unicorn could maybe be a background pony. Any one have any background ponies they want me to put in?
As always, I love reading your comments! Thank you so much for the likes, favorites and comments! You guys are all awesome!
Author's Note
Hey guys! Quick shout out to everyone who's been reading this. This fanfic has been so much fun to actually write! Thanks for all the comments! I hope I won't let you all down!
Anyways, this chapter will start with the gore! It's not too much in this chapter, but I will put a huge notice like: Warning: Blood or something like that if there's going to be gore ahead. Just so if you don't want to read it type deal, you can skip it with the end notice: Blood Warning Gone or something along the lines. Make sense? Ok? Good! Now, enjoy the chapter!
Viewing of Magic
A few days passed since the tributes went on the runway for the parade and in these days, Filthy Rich and Zecora has been telling us about the Viewings. The Viewings is when the Game Creators view special talents that all the tributes have. They grade you on a 1 to 10 score, but no pony ever gets a 10. Usually pegasi get around 8's while some unicorns get 7's. Earth ponies depend if they use their strength or not, usually get between a 5 to a7.
So, the Ponyville tributes get to go to the training area where ponies may train for the viewing. Each district gets one day, so Ponyville was the last to go. It showed as well. Paint supplies were low, and everywhere on the floor near by, various broken manikins were piled in the corner, and targets had many holes from knives or guns.
Zecora taught the ponies about making food with various supplies, how to tell which plants are good or not, and how to camouflage yourself into a various of different areas. Then everypony got a shot at target practice. Ponyville's tributes this year seemed to be a variety of strength.
Big Mac was the strongest, by throwing a spear that went straight through the target and then to the weakest, which was Scootaloo. With Scootaloo being just a filly, she was pretty weak compared to the mares and stallions. Not to mention, she doesn't know how to fly. Twilight was in the middle, but she had her magic which covered up her weakness. The tributes practiced a lot more, to strengthen where needed, and then was finally shooed out of the area at night. Then, when back to their floor, they ate and were instructed to go to bed.
Twilight, however could not go to sleep. She was a bit anxious for tomorrow. She needed fresh air, so she went outside, which was the lucky thing about being on the top floor. When out there, she saw Scootaloo looking out to the city. Scootaloo jumped when she heard the door close.
"Oh, it's only you Twilight." she said, relaxing a bit, and then sitting down again.
"Hey Scootaloo." Twilight said softly, joining her in the beautiful view; that is if you like the view of millions of buildings lit up.
Scootaloo sighed, "Twilight...I'm scared." she then stated.
"Scared of what? The viewing?" Twilight asked, a little confused at what the filly was getting at.
"Not that, the games. Seeing Big Mac today, I noticed something."
"What's that?"
"That there's many other ponies out there who are as strong as him...and he has a big advantage over me when we cross paths."
"Scootaloo, you're a very fast filly. Everypony has their advantages and their disadvantages." Twilight stated, trying to help the filly get her confidence.
She sighed to this, "Twilight, I'm a Pegasus who can't fly, a filly who's weak and not to mention -"
"A pony who can be really fast on a scooter?" Twilight cut her off. "Look, I'm not good with this confidence either. I'm scared as well. I volunteered because I couldn't help see Fluttershy be killed in these brutal games. Now that I'm looking at it, I can't help but feel a little stupid."
"Why's that? I think you were pretty brave." Scootaloo looked to Twilight.
It was Twilight's turn to sigh, "I'm an average unicorn, while she's a Pegasus. No madder how you look at things, pegasi have air advantage. I'm sure Fluttershy would've even tamed the wild animals to fight for her."
"But you have magic. You can teleport, levitate objects."
"Yes, but not all unicorns have enough power to levitate objects that can kill. I'm a simple librarian and you're a simple scooter pony."
"So, what your saying is, that its ok to be scared?" Scootaloo randomly asks.
At first, Twilight was not sure what she, herself was talking about. This was supposed to help Scootaloo be more confident...not share Twilight's life. But, she then agreed to the Pegasus and then told her to try to get some sleep. It will help conserve energy for tomorrow.
- (Time Skip To Tomorrow! Warning! This scene will contain some blood, but it's not really bad or anything!) - -
The tributes were all in a room, dressed in a grey suit that had their district's letter on. C for Cloudsdale, M for Manehatten, A for Appleloosa and finally, P for Ponyville. The suits were pretty tight, but flexible. One by one, the tributes were called in. Cloudsdale's tributes were first, and the pony who was called first in the Cloudsdale reaping was first to be called in.
"Cloudsdale: Rainbow Dash" the intercom said. A blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail stepped into the room. Names then just kept going; Soarin, Spitfire, and others that didn't seem too important for Twilight to remember their names. Next, was Appleloosa.
"Appleloosa: Applejack" was the first tribute for Appleloosa. This pony was an orange earth pony with yellow mane and tail. Others that were noticeable was a young filly, Applebloom, and many other earth ponies. Following Appleloosa was a few other ponies.
Manehatten followed Appleloosa. Some that caught Twilight's eye was Sweetie Belle, a unicorn filly, and Trixie, a blue unicorn. Trixie looked really confident in what she was going to do, so Twilight decided to make note to stay clear from the unicorn.
Finally, it was Ponyville's turn. Twilight was one of the last of the bunch, so she wished the other tributes luck; Pinkie Pie, Big Mac, Scootaloo, and Flash Sentry.
"Ponyville: Twilight" Twilight sighed and went into the room confidently strolling in. She looked up to the Game Creators to see them eating, and one looked down to her. "You may begin." he stated.
She nodded her head, and turned around; taking a glance at what she wanted to do first. First, she decided to show some of her magic; well, in fact, she made that her whole show. She levitated various objects, throwing them at targets. She threw spears and small knives. Next, she showed them that she could also use a bow and arrow with her magic. When she hit all targets on point, she turned around to see the creators not even looking at her performance.
This made her angry, and she levitated a spear to then throw it at the food they were eating. Her aim was a bit off, and it nicked one of the pony's ears, making blood dribble down the pony's neck. The pony wasn't very pleased, but the others were very surprised. Twilight looked sternfully to them, "You're supposed to be viewing me! Not your food." she stated, "Thank you." she bowed and stormed out of the building. Nothing madders, the score or anything. Twilight was going to show them in the games, that she was going to be some pony they can't forget!
All the Ponyville tributes sat down at the lobby watching the television, waiting for the results. Twilight sighs as she levitates an apple to eat.
"I am sure the numbers will show soon." Filthy Rich spoke hoarsely as if to wake up from one long night of drinking. As a response, the tributes all slouched and sighed.
"All this propaganda. I wanna know how well we did!" Scootaloo announced. As if to hear her, the television showed up an announcer pony known as Photo Finish. The pony is known for her fashion sense in Equestria; so much that the ponies chose her to announce all the Pony Games.
"Hello and welcome to ze Pony Games! I am Photo Finish here to tell you the game creators have tallied up zeir votes! The highest a tribute gets, ze better chances in winning in ze games! Let us start with ze raining champions Cloudsdale!"
Each tribute was shown with their names being announced. Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, and a lot of the Wonderbolts. The ponies of Equestria dubbed the Cloudsdale tributes that because they always seem to win! According to rumors, the reason is because they train all their ponies in order for them to have a better chance in winning. All the Cloudsdale Wonderbolts got 7s to 9s.
Next they showed all the Appleloosa tributes. Applejack, Braeburn, Applebloom, and a lot more. All these ponies seemed to be related somehow. What a tough tribute section for them. All the tributes got either 4s or 5s.
The district before Ponyville was Manehatten. Like Ponyville, they had a variety of ponies, but most of them were unicorns. Some names came up as usual with their scores. Sweetie Belle, Coco Pummel, and Trixie. It was sad to see Rarity's young sister be in the tributes, but Twilight did not know that Sweetie Belle moved with Rarity's boutique to Manehatten. They got around a 5 or 6, but Trixie got a 7. This was a warning that she was good.
Last but not least was Ponyville. Pinkie Pie got a 5, Big Mac got an 8, Scootaloo got a 4, and Flash Sentry got a 6. Then they showed Twilight, and gave her a score. Twilight gasped in utter destraut. They gave her a 4! What were they thinking? Was it because she attacked one of them? Was her power off? Finally they showed Ponyville's last unicorn tribute, Trenderhoof got a 5.
Zecora shut the television off and the lobby was silent. "Well, Big Mac gave quiet a wack!"
Filthy Rich nodded, "Let's just forget the scores and just focus on the interviews!" All the tributes agreed in silence as they moved to their rooms. Twilight had to impress Equestria or she wasn't going to get a package in the games. She shouldn't have lost her temper.
Author's Note
Hey guys! Didn't think there was going to be another chapter, right? Well, surprise! I've decided to try to finish this story since I fell in love with writing it! Thank you for all the comments, they mean a lot to me!
Anyways, I've decided to have the other tribute Trenderhoof since he was the only male unicorn I could think of. That's all, hope you again, enjoyed!
It was a brisk afternoon, and all was silent. Currently, Twilight Sparkle was alone in a room waiting to be transported to the Capital. Half of her was regretting her decision, yet the other half was determined to make it out alive. Well, ok more so 75% was regretting the decision, but she had to stay positive.
The doors opened to enter her friend, Fluttershy, "Twilight, why did you do it?" she ran towards Twilight, pulling her into a sorrowful hug.
"I just couldn't sit by watching you in that arena. You're a wonderful friend and I did it because that's what friends do."
"Then let me take my place back. Twilight, I don't want you to go." she cried out, tears hitting Twilight's shoulders.
"How about I promise to try and win. I'm really good with magic anyways. Maybe it'll give me an advantage."
"Yeah, that is true." Fluttershy backed away from the embrace, wiping her tears away from her eyes. "I believe in you, Twilight."
With this, Fluttershy pulled out a pin in the shape of the mockingpony. She put it on Twilight's small saddle bag she was carrying with her for the journey there. "Thank you Fluttershy." Twilight smiled, pulling her best friend into a long hug. The peacekeepers came in to take Twilight to the train. "Fluttershy, please watch over my library for me!" she called, leaving with the peacekeepers, saddlebag on her back. She took one final look back at Fluttershy and the town before entering the train, to have the view be cut off by the train doors sliding closed.
No more town, she was going on the train towards the Capital....Towards death.
Author's Note
Hello everpony! Hope you enjoyed Ch. 3!! It took me a while to get this story out and I'm surprised with the outcome! Glad that you all came by to read my silly fanfic and I hope you continue to follow the story.
