You live in a place called Ponyem. Each year, the ponies of Ponyem host a battle to the death, known as the Hunger Games. A reaping calls a stallion and a mare to the stands, and unless they have a volunteer, they go fight in an arena. District Two reaping Intrude woke with a start. It was still dark outside. Getting out of bed, she combed her mane. With a start, she remembered. Today was the reaping. Her dark eyes flashed, and she went to her youngest brother. "Get. Up." she muttered through clenched teeth. Bolt was up in two seconds. "Come on. We're going out." she said sharply. "Yes, Intrude." Bolt whispered. She grabbed her cloak and walked into the darkness, with Bolt trailing behind her. She sat on the fountain bench, with Bolt shivering on the ground. She watched the sun rise, and eventually, said "Come up here Bolt" Crawling, Bolt sat on the bench. Intrude looked at him and gave him her cloak. "Stay warm. I'll be right back."
Julion woke just before sunrise, his body used to waking at these time thanks to his Peacekeeper training. He's been training since the age of ten, and he was set to go on to become to highest rank recruit in the Peacekeeper's history, that is, if he could survive this year's Hunger Games. Julion looked outside, he knew he would probably have the best chance statistically for winning, he's been training before even the usual 'Careers'. And part of Peacekeeper training was wilderness survival. But he knew that all it would take was one shot from an arrow or a lucky swing from a sword and he would be one of the 23 lifeless bodies that go back home early. He also knew that he would participate in this year's Games because, sadly, he was being forced to. As the most prepared of any of the last-yearers, he would be forced to volunteer, no matter what name was drawn. "Some holiday this is." he muttered as he threw on his heavy coat to fight the cool mountain air before walking out to explore his District one last time before the Reaping.
Bolt sat shivering on the bench. Even though she could be a bit of a tyrant, Bolt adored Intrude. Warm tears slipped down his cheeks. "Come back!" he thought silently.
As Julion walked about District 2, he suddenly realized just how boring it was! He spent so much time with the Peacekeepers that he never realized it! Other than the Nut, District 2 was flat-out BORING! He suddenly found himself looking forward to the reaping, and suddenly began to pick up his hooves a bit more, No wonder most are so willing to volunteer! he thought. Because otherwise, it was just a mining district just like 12! If it wasn't for the Nut and 2's success at the Games, it would likely be JUST LIKE 12! This realization put Julion in the first good mood he's had in years.
Geanna took a deep breath, sitting on the ground in district 12, staring at the high fence. Today is the reaping... Geanna sighed. Her name was in the drawing so many times. She stood up and slowly walked towards her shamble of a house. She was terrified. If she was called in the reaping, she wouldn't live past the first day....
The District 2 reapings were occurring much earlier in the day (Why, no clue) than the other districts. As the tribute overseer, Pink Pushie, walked up to the mic in front of the large crowd that had gathered in the square, Julion got into the spot he would easiest be able to leave once the stallion's name was called. "Welcome one and all to the annual Hunger Games Reaping! I am Pink Pushie as you all know, and as always, I would like to start with the kind mares of District 2. Just after this video from the Capitol!" all eyes turned to the screens as the video played every year rolled by, basically telling the district why it was wrong to have rebelled, why Capitol rule is great, etc. Stuff that Julion really didn't care for, dispite his position as a Peacekeeper-in-training. He knew it was all hogwash, but he honestly did not care, not in the slightest sense. As long as the Capitol didn't try to kill him, he was fine. Sure you could argue about the Games, but honestly, he didn't care about that either other than getting out of the grind that is District 2.
Intrude came cantering back to Bolt. "Go home, Bolt. I'll see you at the reaping." she patted him on the head. - - Auto Merge - - - - ZOOM FORWARD!- - The crowd gathered. Intrude shivered and looked for Bolt. He was sitting there, terrified. SHe almost went out to him, hugged him. But she stayed put. The crazy Pink pony, dubbed Pink Pushie hopped up to the podium. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be EVER in your favour" she squealed. The Ponyem speech came then. Pony Poop. Intrude rolled her eyes and continued watching Bolt. She saw other ponies looking distracted, or terrified. The speech quickly came to an end. "Ladies first!" exclaimed Pink. She dipped her hoof into the bowl, and picked one at random. Intrude continued to watch Bolt. He was looking around frantically, for her, for Intrude. "Intrude Cranium!" called out Pink. Intrude stopped. Her heart froze. No. No. NO. NO. She started to walk towards the podium. She climbed up, and waited. She peered out to the crowd and saw Bolt, with shock on his face. Suddenly, he started wailing. "INTRUDE!" he sobbed. He tried to stumble towards her, but a peacekeeper held him back, and took him away. With tears in her eyes, Intrude turned away. She could not cry.
Julion watched slightly as the mare chosen walked up to the podium. Pink smiled as she ascended the steps, "Now for the stallions!" she said walking over to the stallion's bowl, then magically drew out a name, "Julion Trupa!" she called. Hm, no messy volunteer business then. I feel sorry for that mare, me or some Career will likely kill her first. Hm, maybe I can make use of this situation? Julion thought, already coniving as he walked up to the podium, no pony would dare volunteer for him.
"Shake hands!" shrieked Pink. Intrude turned to Juilion. Her eyes flashed, and something about her made her look dangerous. You did not want to fight this mare.
Julion simply smirked as he saw her eyes flash as he extending his hooves, "Nice eyes, wait til you see mine." he said lowly, his eyes turned literally red for just a second, "They can do more than you will ever think." He said with a wink before turning to the crowd, flipping on a long dead switch inside him, if he was to survive, he would have to sway the crowd to his favor in anyway he could. He bowed to the crowd before turning back to Intrude, "I will speak to you later." he said brightly before letting two Peacekeepers lead him inside the Justice Building, both of whom he knew, "How are you Reds?" he asked one. "Not bad Trupa. We'll have you know that the all the Peacekeepers here will be rootin for ya." he replied.
Intrude was furious. As soon as she got into the rooms, she knew it would be a while before she could see Bolt. Pacing, she let the tears fall. She saw a delicate white vase, and she screamed, throwing against the wall. Her eyes turned black and she became as still as a statue. She had to think.
Julion calmly waited in the room, he knew no pony would come see him, he didn't have a family that he was close to. Other than some friends in the Peacekeepers, he had nothing else. So instead he calmly just waited for them to come by again and load him onto the train, there he could speak with this 'Intrude'.
Due to Geanna living in the 12th district, her reaping would be late in the day, maybe tomorrow, if the others lasted longer. They wouldn't though, at least, they hadn't ever before. Geanna walked into her home, immediately heading to her small washroom to clean off a bit of the dirt that covers everything in district twelve.
When Bolt came, Intrude held him the entire time. She whispered endearments to him. When he left, she curled up again and waited. Peacekeepers summoned her fast enough. Soon, she was on the train, staring out the window.
Julion walked up next to Intrude on the train, "Hey, Intrude right? Listen, despite the whole 'only one comes out alive' thing, I think we could benefit from working together. Now, I know we had our altercation on the platform but there is use for this. We can't survive without sponsors, and how do we get sponsors? By giving the public, or more specifically, the Capitol public, what they want. If we convince them that at first we are enemies, but in the arena come together in the face of massive odds, they will be literally drooling at our hooves. Just think about. Now, let's go see if we can find our mentor."
Intrude looked up at Julion, with deep pain in her eyes. "She's over there." Getting up, she walked over to an older pony with clear eyes, and blonde mane.
Julion sat down across from the mentor, "So, any tips on survival right now?" he asked, getting right to the point. He looked over to see pain in Intrude's eyes, he made sure that she had eye contact with him before his eyes flashed red, sending a thought message over to her. Don't show emotion, it will only make you look weak. Keep it inside, like I do.
Intrude blinked, and her horn glowed slightly. She suddenly wore a dazed expression. "Hello." said the mentor. She stepped back a few paces. "You see, there is no skill in the hunger games except one. Drama. You need to love the crowd,so they will love you."
"Hello, now can you please tell us about the arena, how to survive, all that!" Julion said, slightly put off by his being ignored. He say that Intrude looked dazed, and so he decided to send another message over to explain. My special talent is mind-hacking. That means I can take complete control of one's mind with relative ease, or I can put it to useful purposes, such as these mental messages. Now I know you can't respond to this, but you better get used to these.
The mentor looked at Julion. "To survive, you must kill or be killed. No mercy is allowed. Someone may help you, but the next day, they will stab you in the back. Do I make myself clear?" Intrude looked at Julion. Suddenly, he nodded. It was like his mind hurt. Ow. (We have really similar skills!)
