The Equestrian Games

Cherrycloud trotted awkwardly down the dirt road. She would occasionally bump into a pony or two, but she didn't mind, they didn't either, not on a day like this. She kept her wings clamped firmly against her sides, and hoped that the feathers covered her bare flank. She had the beautiful home-made saddlebags stuffed to the brim with strawberries, breads, and many other delicacies. She could hear other ponies saying hi to her, and commenting on her load, while hoping to get some. But all she ever greeted them with was a nod, or a small smile. Others always said she was lucky to be who she was, and she was grateful, but it made her feel guilty. She felt especially awful when reaping day came, when innocents were sent to their deaths, and the rich celebrated with an enormous feast while watching them on TV a few days later.

Cherry's light green hooves kept on moving, moving through the crowd. The farther she went, the bigger the houses became, and the fancier the ponies looked. Eventually, when everypony she saw was wearing some sort of fancy clothing, she turned down a path, a path to a large, deep purple house. Upon arriving at the silver door, she reached into one of the lavender saddlebags and pulled out a key. She pushed it into the lock, and turned. The door swung open gracefully, and cherry trotted in, shutting it behind her. "Mom! I'm home!" She called out.

"One second dear!" Was the muffled reply. Cherrycloud walked down the hall into what looked like a kitchen. She took her saddlebags and placed them onto the counter. Hoof steps then sounded from the hallway Cherry was just in.

"Hi Cherry!" Squeaked the little filly. "Mum sent me to see if you got everything on the list, she's bust finishing up the hats she made for us!" Cherry smiled and leaned down to ruffle the fillies smooth, golden mane.

"Well, tell Mom that I got everything except for raspberries, they were sold out of them." The filly straitened out her mane with some annoyance, then nodded and rushed down the hall. Cherrycloud giggled and began putting the foods into the cabinets. She had just put the last of the bread in a cupboard, when she saw something at the bottom of her saddlebags that gleamed from the lamp next to it. With a tiny smile, she pulled out the item. It was a sun. It was painted golden, and was made of a cheap silver. It seemed awkward and dumb, but to ponies that had never seen the sun before, it was a lost treasure. She again heard hoof steps down the hall and stuffed the sun into her saddlebags. If she were caught with anything that rebelled against Nightmare Moon in any way, she would have to be turned in. It was the law.

A mare with a golden coat entered the room. She wore a lavender silk dress, with turquoise lining the edges. Her sky blue mane was tied back in an intricate bun, topped off with a pink tulip. She flipped the small bit of hanging hair not tied back. "When you live in district 8 there is no limits on what ponies will wear." Cherry joked, then received a joking punch in the shoulder.

"Well sweetie, you sure are cheery for a day like this." The mare said, while Cherry shrugged.

"Well the odds may or may not be in my favor, so if this is my unlucky day then I'll make it as fun as I can." Cherry said with a wink.

"Well then dear, I finished your outfit for the reaping." Her horn lit up a bright blue and a hat and cloak drifted out from the hall, surrounded in the same mist that cloaked her horn. The hat was simple. It was a pale purple, with a deep magenta rim. Sky blue and turquoise feathers fell out from the back, matching her mane. The dress was a mint green. Tiny pearls fell in a pattern around the bottom. There was another layer on top, that was a deep blue. White strips of fabric drifted down and flowed in the gentle breeze.

"Oh my god! Mom! This is amazing." The mare blushed.

"As you said before, we are in district 8, we must be well dressed." She stuck her nose in the air as a joke, then saw the clock hanging on the wall. "We still have time before you go, how about a snack, hm?" Cherry nodded gratefully.

"We could use some of the fresh lettuce and apples I got at the store." Cherry trotted over to the fridge and picked out two granny smith apples, and a bag of fresh lettuce.

"We eat!" Cherrycloud said happily.

Cherrycloud had gotten used to the routine of the reaping. Sign in, get your hoof pricked, yadda yadda. It was just getting real annoying by now. She was now standing in a line with other fillies and mares. There was a dark red mare with a slick back silver mane standing on stage, speaking about how their wonderful leader had come to power, and how the equestrian games were formed. She was also obviously trying to make Celestia sound as evil as possible, while everypony knew Nightmare Moon was the real enemy. "And now! We pick the two lucky ponies that get to participate in the Equestrian Games!" She stuffed her hoof in a jar, "Ladies first!" She shuffled her hoof around, and plucked out a slip of paper. She brought it up and read the tiny print through squinted eyes. "Aaaannd, the lucky pony is..." She paused for suspense, which was the part Cherrycloud hated the most.

"Miss. Cherrycloud!"