//------------------------------//
// Choosing Ceremony: Salene Darkeye's POV 
// Story: Equestria: The Hunger Games 
// by Shukawarioserfi 
//------------------------------//

	I'm getting progressively anxious at the coming choosing ceremony. I can't get my head straight with the thought of being chosen for the games. I let frustration boil inside me, before bursting in tears.

"Sweetie." Said my mother, reassuring. "It's going to be alright." I don't believe her, not even a little. I've had premonitions that this would happen, that I would be chosen. They've been all to real for me to dismiss.

"It's not going to be alright." I snap. "You couldn't possibly think anything could be alright- with what the peacekeepers did to you." My mother Lumina was shot by the peacekeepers, leaving her sightless.

"My eyes were expendable, but my life essence is still here. The only thing I regret is not being able to see you anymore." Lumina adds, with a tear in her eye. "Even though you've grown." When my mother had her sight, she often made comments on how beautiful my mane was. My mane was the color of deoxygenated blood, my eyes were a shining purple. The black and white stripes on my coat often make me mistaken for a zebra, even though Zebras are uncommon in District 12.

"Mom." I smile just a little. "You're life is important to me as well, and with how easily people get killed around here. I'm worried for my own safety." I'm not really worried. I believe I can survive, I believe I have the will to survive. The problem is that the ultimate fate of death is not always in your hands. I don't trust anyone else outside of my own family. I used to be nice to everyone, but for now I have to have my guard up at all times. Nopony is safe around me. You cross me in the games and you'll be sorry.

"Okay, dear. Go now, you don't want to have to be forced out later." My mother says, before kissing me on my forehead. It was a warm and loving gesture, maybe if more ponies were loved then things wouldn't have to be this way. I nod and walk out of our makeshift "home" shivering. It's not home, nowhere is home. Nowhere is home under Marshall Law. There are only dwellings. I dimly walk towards the crowd, as I have no choice. You walk against the crowd and you get shot. So I have no choice but to be culled. 

I fight the feeling in my stomach telling me to vomit. I can't possibly vomit now, vomiting after not eating for two days would only do nothing but harm. I stare blankly at the marble pillars of the large buildings around where the crowd stands. My eyes shift to the rubble and debris lining the streets as I cough from all the coal dust in the air.

"Welcome, citizens of District 12." I freeze. The tributes are about to be announced, I wouldn't have been as scared if the voice wasn't exactly as I remember in my premonitions. The unicorn pony continues her ramblings, being surrounded by peacekeepers. All of us are at gunpoint. The announcer looks timid, a white coat dawned with capitol clothing. Violet eyes and a flowing mane. I have a nagging feeling that she doesn't belong in this position. 

"The tributes are..." I close my eyes, as if that will help. "Anvil Strike." I breathe a sigh of relief, before again realizing that I could still get called. The colt walks up to the stands in decent shape. If he was nervous I wouldn't believe him, his charcoal mane is not standing on end and his bright green eyes have the look of determination. If I have to fight more ponies like this, I'm screwed. I stare again at the announcer, and wait for what seems like an eternity before the next name gets called.

"Selune Darkeye." I mumble before three peacekeepers quickly urge me forward. I try and look as dignified as the stallion, but to no avail. I give him a quizzical look as I get taken to the stands, as if to say "Cut the act." I assume he's acting, and he's much more scared than I am. Or at least, I hope.

"Now, these are our tributes for District 12. Let your days be filled with peace and harmony." Says the timid white mare. I almost lunge at her. Thankfully my instincts tell me that's a bad idea. The mare's cutie mark is the sun, but all I see is darkness. Although I am sure that she does want peace and harmony, unfortunately Equestria is a long way from that. I space out for a moment, and a few minutes later I am in a dimly lit room.

I see my dad. I squeal in delight before coughing to regain my sanity. "Dad?" I haven't seen my dad Azure Melody all day since he's been working. But I am incredibly glad I get to see him before I go, possibly for good. 

"Don't be causing mischief." He smiles. "Be good for the peacekeepers, okay?" I turn to my mom and quickly run up to hug her.

"Mom. I don't want to leave." I'm fighting tears at this point, but they refuse to yield.

"You'll be back okay, I believe in you." She says, keeping me in the warm embrace of your hooves. "I just wish I could see you go." The peacekeepers break up our hug, I growl. 

"What do you think you're doing?" I bark. None of them respond as they carry me away. I can't run away now, if I run they'll shoot. I must participate. I must win.