//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: How much do you want to win? // Story: The Harmony Games // by Antares //------------------------------// How much do you want to win? "Well, this is going to be fun, isn't it dear," Rarity commented. Almost everyone else had apparently disappeared that morning, whether willingly or unwillingly, leaving her to walk alone with Pinkie Pie. "You bechya. I wonder what sort of contest the Princess made for us. Will it be a sack race? Or an egg and spoon race? Ohoh, or maybe an eating contest!!" Pinkie Pie's mouth began salivating at the thought, much to Rarity's disgust. "I hardly think the crowd would approve of something so vulgar." "Although that would certainly be an unexpected twist," she thought. Not for the first time she touched her own surprise for the fight. She was fairly sure everyone else had shown their hands in the previous round. Well...except Pinkie Pie. No one knew what she was going to do. "Aww, but you agree it would be cool, right?" Rarity had to physically stop herself from showing sarcasm. "Yes Pinkie, an eating contest would be amazing." Rarity studied Pinkie for a few seconds, searching for some trace of nerves in the girls gait but finding none. "You...don't seem stressed at all dear." "Why should I be?" Pinkie asked, sounding honestly confused. "Well, aren't you at least a bit anxious about what you'll be doing today. You have a chance to win or lose your wish." Pinkie simply shrugged this off. "If I'm worried about something like that, how would I possibly be able to enjoy what I'm doing? I don't want to miss a second of today, especially if its an eating contest. That would just be silly!" "Yes, I suppose it would be." How much do you want to win? "Dash, what is it?" Fluttershy had been dragged away from the others rather roughly, led by her multicoloured friend into one of the deserted alcoves. "Flutts, I want you to promise me something," Rainbow Dash said. Her voice was deathly serious, which both seemed unusual for the carefree Dash and for the situation. "Wh...what is it, Dashie? Did i..." "Promise me you will try your best out there today." Fluttershy stared quietly at Rainbow Dash's intent, uncompromising face for as long as she could, but couldn't help giggling. "Oh Dash, don't be silly! Of course I'm going to..." "Not just go in there and not run away; you have to give it everything you've got." She gave a meaningful nod at Fluttershy's well covered arms. "Everything. I don't want to win this if I don't think you've given it your all!" Fluttershy bit her lip, trying to come up with a response, before sighing in defeat. "Fine Rainbow. I'll try my best. Just for you." At once, Rainbow's characteristic grin returned, and she gave Fluttershy a quick hug. "Thanks Flutts. Now let's go knock these poser's socks off!" This time, Fluttershy's giggle was genuine. How much do you want to win? "Come on sis," Applebloom said, glowering at her sombre looking sister. "Lighten up already. This is gonna be fun, ain't it?" "Yeah," Applejack murmured, checking her boots, rope and hat for what seemed to be the millionth time. She been looking gloomy ever since she'd woken up, and had avoided the other like the plague. Applebloom had only just managed to catch up with her before she entered the arena. "Real fun." "What's wrong sis?" "Ahm just...ya wouldn't understand sugarcube. You're too..." "I you say ahm too young to understand, I'll hide your hat in a cider barrel next year, and y'all won't know which one." Applejack chuckled darkly at that comment, barely fazed by the threat against her beloved hat's wellbeing. "Ain't gonna be that many placed ta hide it if ah don't win today," she said. "That's what this is about?" Applebloom said. "Y'all are scared of losin'?" "It's not just mah pride on the line this time sis. If ah lose, we could lose the farm, our house, everything!" "And ya think being sad about it is gonna make any difference. Ya go out and try ta fight like that, ya gonna get trounced. Mah sister is strong and determined. She ain't never gonna let some group of city slickers get the better of her. Especially before she's even stepped into the ring!" Applebloom finished her speech completely out of breath, making its end much less refined and inspiring than the beginning. Applejack listened dutifully through it, and as her little sister went on she felt an uncontrollable grin stretch across her lips and the sudden urge to hug her sister. She wasted no effort on resisting either of these impulses, scooping the smaller Apple up in a tremendous bear hug. "Thanks sis. What would ah ever do without ya sis?" she said as Applebloom tried to squirm out of the embrace. "Probably mope around like ah sour apple all day. Now go out there an win like a...a..." "Ah winner?" "Yeah! Like ah winner!" Applejack shook her head, before tilting her hat down in a mock salute and walking out into the arena. How much do you want to win? Twilight stared out over the rapidly filling stands. She'd chosen to just wear her normal clothes today, and over her shoulder she'd slung a sachel full to the brim with books and charts. Inside her mind, debate raged. She could win this. She had to win this. She wanted to win this.... ...right? At this point it didn't matter what she wanted, or if she might end up hurting her new...friends dreams. This was a matter of life and death for the whole nation. Even if she still didn't fully understand it. She had to convicne the Princess. That weighed above her own feelings. "Twilight!" Spike called up from the stands, sitting warily next to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "They're about to start!" "OK!" Twilight forced her doubts to the back of her mind. It was time for action now. How much do you want to win? "Well Celestia? What are you willing to sacrifice for this world order? Your life? Their lives? Really, it's all just so much hassle, so much work. You've already lost so much. You've lost her. Was it worth it?" ... ... ... "It will be!" "Wecome my dears," Princess Celestia called out across the stadium. "To the final day of competition!"She reveled in the roaring response from the crowd. In front of her stood the six finalists, each looking nervous yet ecstatic. All except Twilight, who looked as cold and determined. Celestia decided she'd need to talk to her pupil once the contest was over; she'd apparently still failed to learn her lesson. But now was not the time for that. She had a crowd to entertain "Up until now we have seen impressive displays of gladiatorial combat. We have seen these girls achieve the impossible, and displayed tremendous talent. And we hope to see more today. The crowd responded again, cheering with the names of their favoured contenders. "Good luck y'all." "May the best lady win." "I plan to!" "Rainbow Dash!" "I wonder what we're going to be doing?" "Please be an eating contest. Please be an eating contest!" "There ain no chance it'll be...hey, the Princess stopped talkin'." "That's an awful mean glare she's shooting at someone." "It's kinda scary really. Gee, I'm glad she isn't mad at us!" "Umm, I don't think she likes us talking while she is." "Oh...right..." Princess Celestia continued her glare for a good few more seconds, just to make them squirm under it. She opened her mouth, then saw Pinkie do the same, and just sighed instead. "Freeforalllastonestandingwinsgo!" "What?" FLASH