Applejack lay on the cold stone ground, fading in and out of consciousness. She was motionless except for the occasional slight movement of her eyes. She remained like this until sunset as the fiery glow melted behind the horizon. As the sun sank, hues of red and orange gave way to the darkness of the night.
Finally regaining control of her legs, she shifted her hoofs into a standing position and with one hard push she was able to once more regain an upright position. She stepped forwards a bit, stumbling a little before regaining her balance and continuing on. Her steps got easier and easier as she continued at a slow pace back towards her backpack. Opening it up, she spilled the contents on the ground: an empty water bottle, some slightly smashed food and some rope greeted her. Taking the rope, she knotted it in the most elaborate of ways, creating a highly complex snare that would trap anypony who touched it inside. Walking towards the cave's mouth, she hung the trap over the top, so that if anypony tried to enter they would instantly be ensnared.
Just as Applejack was admiring her own handiwork, the anthem blared as the symbol of the Pony Games was displayed high in the sky, changing to display the faces of the fallen tributes so far.
First was a small colt. He was probably the youngest in the games. The name 'COBALT WIND' was written out underneath his picture.
Second was an evil-looking stallion. His greasy hair was matted on his body, as he seemed to be staring into space, yet maintaining a dangerous look. The name 'COLDBLOOD' was underneath it.
The next pony turned Applejack's blood to ice. A white pony with curled, purple hair was shown in the sky. Her blue eyes looked sadly down into the arena. It couldn't be. The name 'RARITY' appeared underneath it as Applejack stood and stared. She felt like all her breath had been sucked out of her. She was unable to move, unable to think except one thought.
Rarity, one of her best friends, was dead.
The symbol appeared again, the anthem stopped, and then it disappeared altogether.
Tears rushed down Applejack's cheeks, creating a puddle of water in front of her. She didn't know how long she cried, but she cried until she had no tears left to give.
She spotted something out the corner of her eye. Snapped out of her misery she concentrated on what she saw. It was flying, but it was far too small to be a griffin. It was definitely a pegasus. The pegasus hovered in the same spot for a while, scanning the mountainside and all the caves. Applejack crouched low, so that the pony didn't spot her. Despite her efforts, the pegasus locked onto her and flew towards the cave with a burst of speed.
The trap went into action, and the pony was caught. Applejack walked forward to see who it was, and who she saw was not at all what she expected.
"Rainbow Dash!?"
Her annoyed magenta eyes glared back at Applejack.
"Yes, it's me, duh. Now will you get me out of this thing, possibly?" She said, struggling against the net.
"Oh! Sorry, Rainbow. Sure, I'll let ya out."
As Applejack untied the net, Rainbow Dash fell to the ground with a thud.
"Why in the hay are you here?" asked Applejack.
"Um... Well... You know that Rarity didn’t make it, right?" Rainbow Dash said sadly.
Applejack sniffed. "Yes, ah saw her during the anthem."
"Well, I can't let that happen to you, or to Pinkie! We need to be allies so no one else dies. I couldn't bear it if another one of us died and there was nopony else to help."
"So you're saying... That you, me and Pinkie should team up?"
"Exactly. I don’t know if we can make it on our own."
"What happened to Ember Blaze? Wasn't she your ally?"
"She flew off with Dumb-Bell and Hoops, the career team. I saw them leaving after I got back from where Rarity went down."
"Okay, then. Where's Pinkie?"
"She's on her way up. I'll go check on her to see if she's alright."
Rainbow Dash flew down to Pinkie swiftly, but it wasn't long before the two of them returned to the cave together as Pinkie had bounced her way up the mountain
"Hi, Applejack!" Said Pinkie, leaping at her and giving a big hug.
"Hi Pinkie. Glad to see your alright." Said Applejack.
"Me too! I'm soooo glad you're okay!" Pinkie said happily. She kept chatting on and on, shooting off words like they were bullets from a gun. Half the time, it was so fast that you couldn't make out what she was saying. Applejack smiled. She was so glad to see her happy friend with her once more.
But everything stopped when a stallion walked into the cave.
"I-I'm Chicken Elephant," Said the stallion, shyly, "Can I be allies with you guys too?" He said, mostly speaking to Rainbow Dash.
Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash had a hushed talk about it. Eventually they made a decision.
"Sure, why not!" Said Rainbow Dash, beaming.
So Chicken Elephant sat next to Rainbow Dash while Pinkie carried on chatting. It went on like this for a while, but eventually fatigue took over them and they drifted off to sleep.