Twenty-four foals are chosen for the annual Pony Games, a fight to the death that all if Equestria is watching. Only one will survive.
Long ago, Princess Celestia defeated her sister in a battle between good and evil. She believed that the rebels drove her sister to that point. As revenge, she forced their children to fight to the death, and the whole country would be watching.
Which one pony will win? We'll see.
***
This is a kind of story that let's you decide what will happen. You can give suggestions on what should fly in for the tributes, and help decide which ones should die. Also, no sponsoring your own tributes, and please do not pamper any OCs with picture perfect things.
Happy Pony Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
Her sister, Princess Luna, had turned into Nightmare Moon, and was trying to lead a rebellion against the newly found Equestria, which was crueler than their former land. Nightmare had even blown up District 13! Now, she and Celestia were in a fight between good and evil, and Nightmare had just cornered her sister.
Celestia panted. "Luna, don't do this! This Equestria could be better than you could ever imagine!"
Nightmare stomped her hoof. "Lies! They're all lies! Equestria is horrible! And it'll stay that way with you as Queen!"
Celestia just sighed, and a tear trickled down her cheek. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, Luna," She used her powerful Alicorn magic to burst Luna to the moon. Then for good measure, she shot a beam towards where Luna now was. She would be dead within 24 hours.
"I love you, Lulu," She then flew back to her castle.
***
Celestia looked out the window at the moon, thinking about her beloved sister. She was gone. Then she thought. The more she did, the angrier she got. "Those rebels! They will pay!" And she knew exactly how.
Smirking to herself, she went to bed, knowing that after she made her announcement, the Pony Games reapings would begin.
Celestia looked outside the window, where the citizens of Canterlot were celebrating. Of course they were. Tomorrow would be the reapings for each district to see which ponies would be competing in the 74th Annual Pony Games.
Ever since Celestia defeated her sister and blamed the rebels for Luna turning into Nightmare Moon, she created the Pony Games, where foals between the ages of 12 and 18 fought to the death on live television. Only one would win, then be crowned victor.
Canterlot was celebrating because they were huge fans of the Games, and their children didn't have to suffer.
Celestia began to bet. "Well, last year, that Rough Rocks from District 6 won, so maybe a tribute from there will win. They have a great mentor. Or Two. Their tributes are always amazing. Well, Eleven did surprisingly well in the 65th, 12th, and 54th Pony Games. Oh, hayfeathers! I'll just let the Gamemakers decide." She went downstairs to prepare for the Reapings Eve Party that she always held.
***
DISTRICT 1 REAPING:
Excited colts and fillies buzzed into the square, ready for the reaping. They were one of the Career Districts, one out of three districts that were filthy rich and were highly favored by Canterlot. The Careers took it as pure bliss and blessings if they were chosen to be in the Pony Games. The other two Career Districts were Two and Four.
The female escort for District 1, Golden Glimmer, was eager as well. "Well, hello! As I can tell, you are all very excited for this year's Pony Games!" she chirped.
The ponies cheered.
"Well, as much as us at Canterlot would just love to scoop you all up and let you fight, there can only be one filly and colt that can be in the Games. So, we will see who the lucky ones are! As this rule applies for all the districts, we will begin with the mares."
All the girls hoped that it was them. "Please be me, please be me!" Some desperate ones called out to the escort.
Golden ignored them, then pulled out a slip of paper using her Unicorn magic. "The filly that will be in the 74th Pony Games will be..." She paused for effect. "Jynx!"
Jynx was a 13-year-old Unicorn filly with a dark black coat, and a purple mane that faded into black. Whispers went around, especially from other foals her age. Jynx wasn't very liked. Ponies teased her for being crazy, and for not liking the Pony Games. So it was no doubt that everypony began to laugh as she broke down in tears as she walked to the stage.
Golden patted Jynx's shoulder sympathetically. "Don't worry, hon. You'll get all the glory. Unless someone steps forth to volunteer for you, which I'm sure they will. Are there any volunteers?"
Nopony. Nopony started shouting like they always did year after year.
"Please!" Jynx hollered in desperation. Her eyes fell to Darkling Sky, a filly that always teased her. "Darkling! You said you always wanted to be in the Games. Now's your chance!"
Darkling didn't hear her, or pretended she didn't hear her. Either way, she didn't answer.
Jynx cried some more.
The escort shrugged. "Well, she'll see how much of a lucky duck she is once she gets there. Now, it's time for the colts."
She used her magic to pull a slip of paper out from the boys' pool. "The colt that will participate in this year's Pony Games is..." Another dramatic pause. "Shadow Wing!"
An 18-year-old Bat Pony with a gray spiky mane boldly went to the stage. Everypony knew him. He was that nice pony that always thought fast when encountering problems, the guy that was always kind and helpful.
Shouts of volunteers went around. Shadow shook his head. This was a fight only he would do.
"Great bravery. Let's give a big round of applause to this young stallion!" Golden stomped her hooves.
Nopony did.
An awkward-feeling Golden quickly said, "Well, congratulations to our tributes, and we wish you the best of luck,"
She made Jynx and Shadow shake hooves, and then they were led to the Justice Building for their friends and family to say good-bye.
***
DISTRICT 2 REAPING:
Many ponies were celebrating before they went in the square. Many colts were flexing their muscles, and fillies were doing some extra exercises while going in, such as running in place.
District 2, being one of the Career Districts, was allowed to train for the Pony Games. It made everypony want to show their stuff on live TV.
An athletic looking stallion named Best Beast came to the stage. He would be the escort. "YEAH! That's what I'm talking about! Are you ready for the Games?!"
"Yes, sir!" The children saluted.
"Are you ready for fame and fortune?!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Are you ready for..." The mayor of District 2 cut him off, and started to whisper in Beast's ear.
"What do you mean, 'get on with the reaping'?!" Beast looked offended. The mayor continued to whisper.
"Oh, all right! Anyway, ladies first!"
Since he was an Earth Pony, he dug his hoof in the girls' bucket. "Hmm, let's see... Cutie Pie!"
"WOO-HOO!" A 14-year-old Unicorn with a deep red coat and yellow mane with lime-green streaks cheered. She used her Unicorn magic to transport herself to the stage.
"I volunteer! I volunteer!" all the girls shouted.
"Stop!" the mayor yelled. He trotted to Cutie Pie. "Go get 'em, Tomboy!"
Cutie Pie smirked at the audience, then gave the mayor an angelic smile. "I will, Dad!"
Her father smiled warmly, then walked back to his podium.
"So, your father is the mayor. That will get you a lot of sponsors. Let's see who your partner will be!" Beast put his hoof in the boys' pool and, pulled out a slip of paper, and then read the name. "Mr. Gold Digger!"
A 17-year-old Unicorn with a yellow coat and black mane reluctantly trotted to the stage. He was one of those ponies who didn't believe that the Games should exist.
Before everypony started to shout, a 15-year-old Alicorn with a green coat and blue and red mane hollered, "I volunteer!"
Gold Digger gave a sigh of relief and ran back down to where he was standing. Everypony else grumbled and glared at the Alicorn.
During the Dark Days, when Nightmare Moon came, one of his ancestors were in the army Celestia sent to destroy her. An accident turned him into an Alicorn, and genetics made the tribute one too. It happened to many others too.
Beast smiled in approval. "Look at this spunky one! Tell us all your name!"
"Kaiber Crystal," the Alicorn said.
"Great! We have Cutie Pie and Kaiber Crystal, one a pony who is guaranteed a lot of sponsors because of her background, the other brave and spunky when he volunteered. I like it! Shake hooves!"
The two tributes threw their hooves in front of the other, and they shook them.
***
DISTRICT 3 REAPING:
Colts and fillies that were eligible for the Pony Games filed into the square, some nervous, some willing to go in order to get it over with.
They were an average district. At least they got slightly better treatment than the ones in Ten, Eleven, and Twelve.
The escort was a simple looking mare, Darling Chunk. "Welcome to the reaping of the 74th Annual Pony Games," She obviously didn't want to be there. "The rules of the Games are simple: kill or be killed. The rules of the reaping: I draw two names, and whoever I call will participate, unless somepony volunteers. Sound fun?" Nopony responded. "Okay, well, let's get on with it."
She put her hoof inside the girls' bowl and pulled out a name. "Bleu Celeste,"
An absent-minded 18-year-old Pegasus wandered to the stage. She had a light gray coat and a mane the same color as her namesake. Doctors ran up to her from all angles.
"No! You can't let her participate in the Games!" one doctor screamed. "She's too naive, and she has had amnesia! She could end up scarred for life!
"Sorry, sir, but unless anypony volunteers for her, I'm afraid she'll have to participate. And you are too old." Darling explained. "Are there any volunteers for this simply wonderful Bleu Celeste?" No fillies volunteered. "Alright, then!" Darling turned to the doctors. "I'm sorry, but by the rules of the Reaping, Bleu Celeste will have to take part in the Pony Games."
The ditzy Pegasus trotted to the stage and waved excitedly. She wasn't really aware of what happened in the Games. The last 18 years in her life, when it was time to watch the Games, she just absently stared out the window.
"Alright! Now we will draw the name of the lucky colt that will fight for this district's honor!" Everypony rolled their eyes at the escort's fake enthusiasm. She stuck her hoof in the boys' pool and read the name from the slip she grabbed. "Knucklehead!"
A 17-year-old Earth Pony colt with a white coat and dark orange hair went up to the stage timidly. He was very tall, almost as tall as Princess Celestia herself. Knucklehead was also very muscular. When he got to the stage, he turned to his audience, his eyes pleading somepony, anypony, to volunteer for him. Unfortunately, nopony did.
"Well, we now end our Reaping for the 74th Annual Pony Games." She turned to her tributes. "Shake hooves, you two."
Bleu thrust her hoof out, an eager smile on her face. Knucklehead reluctantly shook hooves with his district partner. His sweet, innocent, naive district partner.
That he was destined to kill.
***
DISTRICT 4 REAPING:
A Pegasus mare named Coral Reef trotted happily onto the stage in the square of District 4. It was a Career District, which was lucky for her. Last year, when she was an escort, she got District 10, one of the run-down districts that nopony wanted. But this year, Princess Celestia gave her a promotion to District 4. Ah, yes, happiness and glee were all Coral could feel at the moment.
When the square filled with excited, young, and eager foals, Coral said, "Hello, colts and fillies! I'm Coral Reef, and I'll be the escort for whoever is chosen to be in this year's Pony Games!" Everypony cheered at Coral's excitement.
"First, we will reap the fillies," Coral dug into the bowl for a name, and then pulled out a slip. "Libra E. Cantatum!"
A 15-year-old Unicorn with a periwinkle coat and a magenta mane with a blonde streak in it boldly walked to the stage. Before so, a white Earth Pony with a yellow mane and a pink streak in it looked up at Libra. "Libby! No!"
"I have to, Florian," Libra hugged Florian and continued her walk to Coral Reef.
Coral beamed. "Brave young girl! Who was the filly trying to hold you back?"
Libra eyed Florian longingly. "My best friend, Florian,"
"Well, you go into the Games and win for her!"
Libra nodded and winked at her friend. Florian winked back.
"Now, for the colts! Hopefully, he'll be as courageous and tough as Libra Cantatum here!" The escort looked in the bowl for the boys and pulled out a name. "Solar Eclipse!"
A 17-year-old Unicorn colt with a red coat and black markings on it made his way to his escort. He had a black mane with blue streaks in it. He'd be the type of stallion a mare would instantly fall in love with if it weren't for his cruel personality. Everypony knew him for his coldness, so nopony volunteered. Of course, nopony would miss him if he died in the Games.
"You two are so bold! I like it! Shake hooves!" Coral urged.
Libra nervously gave her hoof to her district partner, who shook it, even though he glared at her menacingly.
This meant war.
***
DISTRICT 5 REAPING:
Butterfly Dream, a Unicorn, trotted nonchalantly to the stage in the square of District 5. It was an average district - Butterfly was lucky she hadn't gotten 10, 11 or 12. Ugh, she felt so bad for the escorts of those districts. Poor Coral Reef had broken down into tears. Thankfully, she was with District 4 now - her name perfectly went with the district.
Butterfly waited until the place was full to start delivering her speech. "Hello, District 5. As you all know, I am the escort of District 5 for this year's Pony Games. Now, since you all know what happens during the Reaping, I'll go on and choose the filly for this year." Butterfly used her magic to pull out a name. She flattened it out and read the name. "Shimmering Dream."
Shimmering Dream was a 17-year-old Unicorn mare, who had a blue coat and a long green mane. She also had a somewhat creepy smile on her face. Everypony knew her. She was wild and crazy, and loves chaos. She sometimes teased and bullied her peers. Nopony volunteered for her.
Butterfly smiled, and then used her magic to choose a boy's name. There really was no need for her to interact with Shimmering. She read the name from the slip she chose. "Mercennarius Veterani,"
An 18-year-old Pegasus stumbled to the stage. He had a brown coat and black mane, and his breath reeked with alcohol. He had a solemn look on his face, and then, he spread his arms out wide and gave Shimmering a hug. The mare's smile did not waver.
Butterfly gave a fake smile. These two tributes seemed like psychopaths to her. "Well, here are the tributes from District 5. Let's all give them a big round of applause." She began to stomp her hooves triumphantly, but nopony joined her. Embarrassed, Butterfly stopped. "Okay! We wish our tributes the best of luck!" She began to hurriedly whisk her tributes away.
***
DISTRICT 6 REAPING:
Artiste Aura grinned at her audience. She was the escort of District 6, and she didn't mind. She just needed a good job, and a job involving the Pony Games was the best job you could ever have in Canterlot. She began to speak. "Hello! I'm Artiste Aura, and I'm pleased to announce that I'll be your escort for District 6 in the upcoming Pony Games! We are going to reap a boy and a girl to participate in said Games. Ladies shall go first!" She used her magic to pull out a name. "Silver Shadow!"
A 12-year-old Unicorn with a gray coat and an electric mane that gradually went to dark blue at the ends that was in a pixie cut. A look of shock was on Silver's face. She nervously made her way towards Aura.
"Hello, Silver. I'll be your escort." Artiste Aura said, trying to reassure the filly. It didn't work. Silver Shadow had started to pant heavily.
Aura patted Silver's back. "Calm down, sweetheart. You'll see how lucky you are soon. Anyway, are there any volunteers?" She got no response. "Okay, now it's time to reap a colt!" Aura used her magic again, but went into the boy's pool instead. She read the name she chose. "Free Writer!"
The male tribute was 18-years-old, and a Unicorn like Silver. He had a light brown coat and his mane was a darker brown, with a few black streaks. He looked surprised, but slowly approached his district partner and escort.
"Hello, Free Writer! I'm Artiste Aura, and this is Silver Shadow, who will be fighting with you for your district's honor." Aura beamed, clearly clueless. Free Writer just nodded, and shook hooves with the younger Unicorn. It made her brighten up a bit. Free Writer seemed okay - for now.
***
DISTRICT 7 REAPING:
The fillies and colts of District 7 went into the square for the Reaping of the Pony Games. Some of them were daring and ready to go, and some were nervous and hoped that they wouldn't get picked. Unfortunately, they still had to see who would be chosen. And if that wasn't enough, they had to watch their peers get killed.
Piranha Prowl was the escort of the district. He and Best Beast were the only male escorts this year, but he didn't mind. Honestly, he just wanted a good show. He really didn't care about the two he would have to escort here and there.
"Hello, I'm Piranha Prowl, the escort for your district. Anyway, we all know the rules of the Reaping, so, I will choose a filly who will be in the games." Since he was an Earth Pony, Piranha stuffed his hoof in the girls' bin, and chose a name. "Skye Mist."
Skye walked to the stage with no hesitation. She was a 12-year-old Alicorn with an ocean-blue coat, but her muzzle and hooves were cranberry purple. Her mane is sky blue, with streaks the same color as her coat. Her eyes were like a dragon's.
Piranha looked at her uncertainly. She was quite the... unique foal. Hopefully, that wouldn't make the Games unfair. But he had to admit, the way she carried herself was stunning. "Well, look at this one! She certainly knows what she's doing!" He cleared his throat for the next announcement. "Now, for the colts!" He dug around the bowl for a name, and then chose one. "Orions Hammer."
Orions was 16, and he was a Pegasus. His coat was dark purple, and his mane was blue and orange. He paused, sinking in the fact that he was chosen for the Games. After processing this, he made his way to the stage, past all the staring faces who were wondering why he was taking so long.
Piranha thought they were both a bit unusual. But maybe, just maybe, they could be crucial in these Games. "Wow! Great tributes this year! We all wish you the best of luck." This show was going to be good.
***
DISTRICT 8 REAPING:
Mostly everypony was nervous in District 8. The Reaping was about to happen, where the Capitol chose one colt and one filly to fight in the Pony Games. Very few ponies wanted to go into the Games, but most of them were frightened that they would be the tributes of the 74th Pony Games.
Twila Bee was the escort for this district. She really didn't want to do this job - a life of excitement and traveling wasn't her style. She would rather go home and read a good mystery novel, while watching the previous Pony Games. But her friend, who worked as a servant for Princess Celestia, recommended her for the job, and Celestia agreed. Oh well. At least it paid well.
She smiled perkily at the children of District 8. "Welcome, welcome! Today, we will choose who will go into this year's Pony Games! First, we will pick a filly!" Twila went into the bowl for the fillies and picked the first slip of paper she saw. "Gallent Rage!"
A 14-year-old Alicorn with a green coat smiled a tad bit and flew gracefully to Twila. Her red mane flew just as pleasingly as she did, looking fiery in the distance.
Twila smiled genuinely at Gallent. "You seem excited to be in the Games. I think you'll be satisfied." She looked at the colts' side of the audience. "Now, we will reap a colt!" Again, she picked the first piece of paper she saw. "Hot Coffee!"
Hot Coffee is 15, and he had a dark blue coat. His mane was white, but his tail was a differing color, black. He had surprise written all over his face, then he calmly went towards the stage. But, that was what he looked like on the surface. Inside, he was screaming hysterically, begging and pleading somepony to volunteer for him. Nopony did, no matter how much he begged inside.
Twila was shocked. Before, she had seen shock, fear, tears, and some joy. But she had never seen anypony be so calm about this. This was a first.
"Hmm, you certainly are a cool, calm, and collected pony!" Twila said. "Anyway, Hot Coffee and Gallent Rage, congrats! Everypony wishes that one of you will return as the victor of the 74th Pony Games."
***
DISTRICT 9 REAPING:
Applelene looked at all the faces in front of her. She looked at the fillies, then the colts. Two of them would be the ones she would have to escort to the Pony Games. She thought this was unfortunate, as she really was just going to meet them, then have them die in the Games. Really, it was pointless. Still, she had to do her job.
"Hello, District 9! Welcome to the Reaping of this year's Pony Games! Now, we'll reap one filly and one colt." Applelene used her hoof to go into the girls' pool. "The filly for this year is... Sky Cloud Blue,"
Sky sighed, as if she had been in the Games for years. Really, she hadn't, because she was only 12. She just preferred grace and elegance over, but competitive competitions - like the Pony Games - intrigued her. She didn't mind being in the Games. So, she carefully flew to Applelene. She had a sky blue coat, and her mane was cerulean and white.
Applelene smiled. Sky Cloud Blue seemed like a calm and casual pony. The perfect kind of pony to work with. "Great!" the escort exclaimed. "Now, we will choose a colt." She went into the boys' bin for a name. "The colt for this year is... Dawn Forge,"
"What?!" one of the colts in the crowd yelled. "Isn't 'Dawn' a girl's name? You're doing two girls this year! That's unfair!" The colt kept jeering until two Peacekeepers escorted him out. "The Games are already unfair! But you crap from the Capitol decide to bring two fillies!" Those were his last words until the Peacekeepers had him behind closed doors.
Dawn Forge (who indeed was a colt) rolled his eyes and blushed in embarrassment. He carefully and mournfully went to Applelene and Sky Cloud Blue. Eve was a 16-year-old hybrid of a Unicorn and a dragon (a Draconian), and he had a tan-yellow coat. His mane was bright amber, and it was spiky and long. His tail was like a dragon's, and it was yellow with pink tips. His hooves also had divisions where they could turn into claws when wanted. Dawn was pretty... unusual.
Applelene smiled, even though she was a bit frightened by the male tribute. She gave a grin to Sky too, and gestured for them to shake hooves. They did, and the escort took them away.
***
DISTRICT 10 REAPING:
It was time. It was time for the Reaping, the most dreaded day for Districts 10, 11, and 12. Barely anypony from those three districts wanted to be in the Pony Games. But it had to be done, or else they would be blown to bits like District 13.
The escort was Chippy Cookie, who was upset that she had been demoted to District 10. The one who had District 10 before her, Coral Reef, was promoted to District 4, the district Chippy used to have. Now, she had a low-class district. She would have to work harder to get a better district for next year.
When all the children were in the square, Chippy explained the rules of the Reaping, and what she was about to do. Then, she trotted to the girls' pool, and used her hoof to dig through it for a name. She read it aloud after unfolding it. "Selune Darkeye!"
Everypony looked to the front where the ponies who were 18 stood. Selune, who was usually happy and bright, was surprised and depressed now. Everypony knew Selune. She was the kind of pony that could brighten up your day right when you look at her. She was always up for a prank or two, also.
Selune was a Unicorn, and she had a dark gray coat with white markings on it, and a maroon mane. She walked to the stage sadly and stood with Chippy, who asked if anypony was willing to volunteer for her. Even though Selune was liked by everypony, nopony would ever volunteer for somepony if they were reaped for the Games. It would be like committing suicide.
Selune sighed, and accepted her fate.
Chippy smiled perkily (and falsely) at the female tribute. "Well, sweetheart, the Games will be just fine, don't you worry," She went over to the bowl with all the colts' names in them. "Next, we will randomly choose one colt to participate in the Pony Games." She pulled out a name. "Cotton Hill!"
All the mares glared at the 18-year-old Earth Pony as he went up to Chippy and Selune, and felt very sorry for them both. Cotton was often a sexist, and mistreated some mares. No colts volunteered for him, not just because nopony would ever go into the Games willingly, but because he was a rude pony in general.
He had a military green coat, and his mane was white.
Chippy beamed. "Wonderful! Shake hooves, you two."
They did, and Selune looked down. She couldn't bear to look at that sexist. But Cotton looked at her cold and hard.
She will be my first target, he thought.
***
DISTRICT 11 REAPING:
Berry Kiss smirked at her audience, the teenagers of District 11. She watched them look at the her, then the bowls with their names in them Celestia knows how many times. Watching them cower in fear like that... it gave her pleasure. To Princess Celestia, she always said she wanted the poor districts because she believed that helping the poor was good. But really, being on that stage towering over them while they fought back tears was good.
Berry began to speak, and explained the rules of the Reapings, watching them shiver like little cowards while she just kept her smug look on her face, feeling gleeful during the whole moment.
Then, the moment came where she could finally see them up close and personal. Berry went to the fillies' pool, and waved her hoof around in there for a long time, to tease them. Then, she finally grabbed one. "The female tribute will be..." She paused for dramatic effect. "Moonlight Dancer!"
A 16-year-old Pegasus with a pure white coat and wavy black mane gasped. Could it be? Was it really her that was chosen? Out of all the fillies standing around her right now, it just had to be her?
She steadily walked to the escort.
Berry Kiss pretended she didn't noticed. "Moonlight Dancer, where are you? Come on, up, up, up onto the stage!"
Moonlight did, nervously, fearfully.
Berry grinned her fake little smile at Moonlight, and then went to the colts' pool. She did the same thing she did to the girls', waving her hoof around, as if she picked the wrong one, they would all just explode. She then finally chose one. "The male tribute will be..." She again paused for an effect. "Zef!"
Zef was just a year younger than Moonlight Dancer, 15. He had a dark tan coat, and a black mane. He was also an Alicorn. He cautiously and carefully approached Berry. Berry was clearer than filtered water. He saw her true colors.
Berry just kept a smug look on her face. She would do a fine job as an escort.
***
DISTRICT 12 REAPING:
District 12. The poorest district. The district that always had to apply for tesserae. They were afraid - no, more than afraid. Terrified. Yes, that was a good word. They all got ready, and hugged their family and friends, as it may be their last hug.
Their escort this year was Glossy Bliss. She was new that year, like most of the escorts were year after year. They always begged for a different district besides, and most of the time got what they wanted. Glossy waited until all the children were staring up at her to begin explaining the events that would occur, and then stuck her hoof into the girls' bin, and pulled out a name. "Apple Bee," the escort read.
A small 12-year-old filly with a light sandy brown coat and a dark apple red mane in pigtails peeked out from the back. She looked scared and nervous. Nopony ever wanted to be reaped for the Games. Nopony. Apple Bee trotted towards the stage, her head down sorrowfully.
Glossy just smiled at the poor filly and patted her back. "Oh, little gem! Don't worry! Your experience will be very enjoyable, just you wait. Apple Bee was still very nervous.
She left the tribute standing there and went to the boys' pool to pull out a name. When she found one, she read it aloud like she had done to the fillies. "Lightning Strike,"
Fourteen-year-old Lightning looked surprised. He didn't expect to to be chosen for the Games. He looked horrible. But he wanted to know what it was like to be in the Games, so the Alicorn flew on up to the stage. He had a white coat and his mane was black with red streaks.
Glossy, Apple Bee, and everypony else watching was shocked. Somepony from District 12 was actually happy to be in the Games? Wow!
Glossy stopped gaping, cleared her throat, and led Lightning Strike and Apple Bee away.