The Equestrian Hunger Games - Act I: Reigning Darkness

After all the time that they’ve spent, the day had finally arrived. The day that no one had ever wished to appear.

Sitting in a bus designed for ponies, six Tributes were confused as to how they should be acting. This was, after all, the Canterlot Elites’ request. In the past years, each Tribute was sent individually to the departure area where they would be sent off to their doom. This year, thanks to a certain Unicorn duo, they had to cut back cost on sending the Tributes by sending multiple at once.

All of the Tributes are separated into four groups of six; all of them would be riding on four different buses along with somepony from their team. It was a very bold move indeed by the Gamemakers. In the first three buses, the pent-up tension in the air was lingering in the air, making it extremely uncomfortable for the Tributes. After all, why were they on the same bus with the pony they were supposed to kill? Sparkler knew that the Canterlot Elites were just dying to see what was happening.

This, however, seemed to completely backfire with the fourth bus.

“LINK START!” a mint green Unicorn shouted at the top of her lungs as she stood up happily, a hoof raised in a victory pose

“Lyra, you do know we’re about to die, right?” a timid and terrified Caramel spoke

“Yeah, but for some reason, I’m excited” answered Lyra honestly, scratching her head “It’s just like a zombie invasion. No matter how much you’re terrified of one starting, you would still be excited when it really DOES happen”

“True” agreed Sparkler, best friend of Lyra

Five of the six ponies were sitting around, lounging and laughing together as they were on their way to the Death Game. It was a very awkward indeed, mostly because they seemed to be talking as if they were on a trip to the chocolate factory. Even their escorts, all of which were either their stylists or escorts, felt unsure as to how they should act.

“Hey, Fancy Pants” Sparkler continued on saying, looking at the white stallion with a shine in her eyes “Thanks for getting this bus for us. I know it must’ve been hard on you”

“No, no, Miss Star. I know how much you need in each other, especially in a time like this” Fancy Pants said with a warm smile “Though, it was quite difficult. They originally wanted to put you in the same bus as the Elite Team”

“Well, son of a bitch” Sparkler grumbled but laughed

To be honest, Fancy Pants wasn’t Sparkler’s first choice as her partner during the start of the Games. She wanted Berry Punch to be there for her. If it wasn’t for her to tell her about the Games, then it was to comfort her. After all, it was Berry Punch who managed to snap Sparkler back into reality when she lost hope of fighting in the Games. Sadly, Berry overslept, so Fancy Pants had to take her place instead.

“So, Mjolna” Lyra said enthusiastically to the pony on her right “Are you happy with this? You know, being on the same bus?”

“I have no complaints” the pale brown Earth Pony aid with a commanding tone, though her face showed a sincere smile “I guess it’s better to be happy than to already send empty death threats”

“Waa~ Mjolna’s acting so Kuudere right now~ Kawaii!!” Lyra squealed which made everypony else giggle

“Ah hope we won’t have ta kill ya’ll” Apple Bloom muttered with a sad smile “Ah want us ta be friends till we die, and all”

Sparkler, who already considered herself as Apple Bloom’s sister, placed a loving hoof around the growing filly’s shoulders. Her brother wasn’t able to get on the same bus as her. Apparently, Fancy Pants didn’t manage to get the Gamemakers to allow Big Macintosh to join their little group. To make up for this, Fancy Pants and Fleur stayed up all night looking for a Tribute that could replace Big Mac, preferably someone as kind as the five ponies currently gathered.

“We’ll protect each other”” Sparkler said melancholically “Because that’s what friends do, right?”

“Yeah, we won’t let you die that easily” Mjolna, the other sisterly figure to Apple Bloom said as an electrifying shock could be seen in her eyes

“But what if we’re the last ponies standing?” Caramel asked with a sad tone. He wasn’t that close to the ponies of different Districts, and wasn’t sure how to act

“We’ll get there when the time comes” answered Mjolna with a weak smile as she too thought of that situation

Currently at the front of the bus, the five friends sat together along with Fancy Pants. The other ponies who were supposed to be in the bus sat at the back silently, not wishing to partake in the conversation. They didn’t mind. As long as they could have fun. Although by now, Fancy Pants was getting rather tired of the conversation.

“So, you ready, Sparks?” Lyra said with a smile that could melt anypony’s heart “Got your battle strategy ready?”

“You got that right, Lyra” answered the amethyst Unicorn “But I still don’t know if I should go melee or ranged…”

“If I were you, I’d go for ranged” Mjolna said silently

“Ya’ll could shoot them buggers up no problem!” Apple Bloom continued “Ah ain’t that good with all them bows and all, but I’ve got a plan alright”

“So you wanna go Sinon instead of Kirito?” Lyra confirmed “The sharpshooter… Well, if they’ve got the weapon, I’m sure you’ll make it. After all, Berry Punch DOES call you Hawkeye”

Caramel sighed as he heard the conversation turning this point again. On some nights, Lyra and Sparkler would invite either Mjolna or Apple Bloom to watch those cartoons they called anime together. They weren’t borderline obsessed like Lyra, but at least they could understand those random inside jokes. Caramel wondered why he was never invited.

The conversation was at full swing, but Fancy Pants said that he was rather tired and went to the back to meet up with his lover, Fleur de Lis, who was accompanying Caramel. Trixie, who could also accompany the stallion, was unable to do so because of her weak state. She seemed to have used up a lot of her magical reserves, and was on the way to using up her own life force.

As he trotted along, Fancy Pants stopped by the idle of the bus, noticing a Pegasus that was probably sixteen years old, the final year of the Tribute list, sitting silently as she gazed at the outside world through the glass. The mare seemed to be lost in thought until she realised that there was somepony behind her, so she turned around to look at the stallion.

“Why don’t you go and talk to them? I’m sure they could easily accept you as they have accepted themselves” Fancy Pants said with a kind smile

“No thanks, I’m just wondering why my name had to come up this time…” the mare sighed “Ugh, after all this time, I’m still chosen”

“It seemed that the odds were not at your favour” Fancy Pants said silently “Don’t hurt yourself, child”

“I’m not a kid, sir!” the mare suddenly shouted, but quickly covered her mouth and blushed, smiling awkwardly in the process “Oops, sorry. I didn't mean it like that”

“Never mind, I am fine with your thoughts” Fancy Pants said as he patted the mare’s mane and turned around “I hope you would survive until the end, Thespian”

The mare, Thespian, nodded as she fixed her gaze back out the window. She felt awkward being here, since she was such a different pony back in District Seven. She was a cheery and happy mare, with lots of friends and a beautiful smile that other ponies said was angel-like. She knew that she had to live life to its fullest, especially since she had that illness…

“What’s so bad about a harem?!” Sparkler’s loud voice broke the silence that Thespian was hoping to build

‘Maybe these ponies aren't so bad after all’ though Thespian as she gazed out the window, though a smile was forming on her lips

“I’m just saying that it’s unconventional and illogical” Caramel shrugged “Honestly, how could one guy get, like, five girlfriends”

“But that’s the joy of it!” Lyra agreed with Sparkler “You’re in a bus surrounded by four, no, FIVE beautiful mares, and you’re saying that you’re not planning on hitting on any of us?!”

“Well, most of us are gonna die, anyway… so-” Caramel continued, but was cut off by Sparkler

“Dude, just how idiotic could you be? Just go with the flow, or is the pony you have a crush on a stallion-”

“NO, SHE’S NOT!”

“Ah’m just surprised ya could just ignore a bunch of mares without gettin’ any of them dirty thoughts” Apple Bloom joked

“Are you sure you’re straight?” Mjolna decided to join in on the fun

Caramel shouted loudly as he couldn’t stand being ridiculed. Of course he was straight! Why else would he have a crush on Wind- never mind. He crossed his fore hooves and pouted, making the mares laugh. Right now, he looked really childish.

“We’ve mostly got the whole harem, anyway” Sparkler joked “I’m the Tsundere, Lyra’s the Yandere, Mjolna’s the Kuudere and Apple Bloom’s the cute little Loli that everyone just wants to hug”

She then proceeded to hug Apple Bloom, making her squirm and shout.

“Hold on, isn’t Yandere the term used for those happy-go-lucky ones that are actually mentally unstable and could get extremely dangerous in a cute way?” Mjolna asked, making Caramel sigh at the nonsense they were spouting

“Yeah!” both Sparkler and Lyra said, earning some strained laughter from Mjolna

The joy and laughter carried on until they reached the departure area. Here, the five friends plus one all waved good bye to each other and promised to look out for each other, a statement which made Thespian ask if they were delusional. Sparkler laughed and said that the mare wasn’t as bad as most of the Tributes, and hoped that they could be friends.

As the team separated to go to their respective areas, Fancy Pants smiled at his accomplice which made her feel rather uneasy. She asked if there was anything wrong, to which Fancy Pants continued to smile and stifle a laugh.

“You have changed drastically since the first day I’ve met you” Fancy Pants stated without hesitation “To think that you were the one that offered to become Thespian’s friend this time around. In the past, you would have made some snarky comment and didn’t give two bits on anypony else”

“I guess Lyra must be rubbing off on me” Sparkler joked lightly “But I still feel the same way inside. I still hate Nightmare Moon, and I want to protect my family no matter what. I guess I’m not as cynical as I used to be, but I’m still an awesome fighter!”

“As you say, Miss Star”

When they reached the room Sparkler was supposed to spend her last moments of peace, Sparkler thought back to her last night at the training centre. It felt like a long time ago she was apologising to Caramel for being so distant the past few days, but she knew that it only happened a couple of nights ago. She had spoken with Berry and Trixie as well, but the latter seemed to be extremely weak. Maybe it was because of the stress, or something else, Sparkler didn’t know. What she did know was that she was terribly injured both mentally and physically.

She then spoke to Octavia, whom she had not spoken to in a long while. This time, she didn’t care about the consequences. Why? She managed to persuade Lyra and Apple Bloom to help her hack into the system’s hidden cameras. At that time, the cameras would only record Sparkler sleeping soundly on bed.

“Please make it back alive” Octavia said with a tinge of sadness “You were the first pony in a long time to actually consider me as a friend. I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t see you again”

“I’ll work hard, Octavia!” Sparkler promised at that time

And she intended to keep that promise, the same one she told Dinky not too long ago.

“Miss Star” Fancy Pants called out politely

Sparkler turned around, noticing that Fancy Pants had something in his hooves. Of course, all Tributes are given some form of clothing on the day that they are sent into the arena. In Fancy Pants’ hooves, Sparkler noted that it was a green jacket with white linings and a scarf. She also saw something she never thought she would see again, since she had forgotten to bring it with her when they got into the bus.

“The Phoenix Pin! Arigatou!”

“Yes, I thought you were going to need this” Fancy Pants replied with a fatherly smile

He helped Sparkler into the green jacket and fixed the white scarf around Sparkler’s neck. He then carefully pinned the Phoenix themed pin onto her jacket. When he was done, Sparkler looked into a full body mirror and suddenly laughed, which made Fancy Pants ask whether she was fine.

“No, I just look a whole lot like Sinon!” Sparkler continued laughing “Maybe I really should become a long-ranged user later on”

“If you suppose that is for the best, then I will be supporting you” Fancy Pants agreed

An announcement was made, stating that all the Tributes had to enter the cylindrical object that would teleport them to the arena. Sparkler muttered a goodbye to Fancy Pants and hurriedly trotted over to the device. She was only halfway there when the doors suddenly slammed open, revealing five guards in dark purple armour. Three of them rushed in and pinned Fancy Pants to the wall, instantly immobilizing him.

“Nani?!” Sparkler shouted, only to get knocked down by another guard before she had the time to respond

The sound of Fancy Pants screaming Sparkler’s name could be heard, but Sparkler was too weak to answer him. When she managed to regain her bearings, she felt a powerful hoof lock on her back. She managed to turn her head slowly, only to see the face of an armoured Unicorn guard levitating a syringe above Sparkler.

“I apologise, but this is Nightmare Moon’s orders” the guard said quickly before inserting the pin of the syringe into Sparkler’s fore hoof and injected the strange liquid into her body

A loud shout came out of Sparkler’s mouth, screaming and wailing in agony as her body seemed to burn up tremendously. Her muscles ached, her throat felt dry and a stinging sensation quickly immobilised the mare. Sparkler still felt her whole body aching and burning in pain when the guard unceremoniously threw Sparkler into the teleporter.

A light blue light suddenly surrounded Sparkler, and when she came to she noted that she was no longer in the room. Her screaming had stopped, but she was lying sprawled on a silver plate-like object. She groggily stood up, ignoring the burning sensation, and looked around her. All the other tributes were there, though none seemed to have seen her in pain. They were all looking at a bunch of packs sprawled in the middle of the circle the twenty four of them made.

The mare noticed that she was the only one with the scarf, but didn’t really care. She tried to fix it by using her magic, but realised that nothing happened. Quickly fixing the scarf with her hooves, Sparkler tried to use any form of magic on herself.

Nothing happened.

A wave of panic suddenly engulfed the mare as she felt ultimately exposed, weak even. She dared not cry out, she knew that most of the ponies here were aware of her abilities. The fact that they didn’t know that she couldn’t control anymore was enough for Sparkler. Just as she thought nothing else could go wrong, a timer counting down from sixty suddenly appeared above the pile of supplies and weapons.

“Let the twenty-ninth Equestrian Hunger Games…” the voice of the commentator, Minuette, echoed through the area as the number reached single digits “BEGIN!”

“FUCK!!”