I fade into realization as I understand what I have rested upon myself.

The announcer begins to laugh it off, "Okay, okay, but you need to wait until I ask for a volunteer!" I dash to the stage and stand in place as I wait for the woman to announce any pony's name. "Now time for the colts," she smiles as she announces. She reaches back into the bowl and holds onto another slip of paper. She unfolds it and reads the name out.

"Eata Mallarky!"

I look over to the colt section and see a colt my age look around and begin to cry. I notice him.

Back when my mother was in her depressed stage, I went out to sell some rotting meat that I found. I wasn't old enough to sign up for grain so it was either I go to the community barn, or I stick it out for the winter. At the time, I was dying for food. I finally got to the baker's home and I ran through their slop looking for food.

"Get out of their you pig!" I hear a the baker's wife yell at me from the back entrance. I turn to her and slowly trot away to a nearby tree. I squat down on the edge and begin to sob. Either I die here, or the Civil Keepers arrive and take me away, I think to myself.

I hear the opening of a door from the shop and her the woman yelling at her young pony as he runs out to the the slop can.

"Throw the burnt pieces away!" I hear the "witch" yell at her young colt. I regonised the pony from class. He doesn't even glance at me, but he tosses a piece of bread over my way. I didn't know weither to take it or let him pick it up. He trots back inside of his house. The spark of hope lights inside of me as I trot over to pick up the bread with my snout. I take it to my home and feed it to my family. It should be able to last us until I can sign up for grain! We eat the bread over a long period and then I become old enough to sign up for it.

I glance over to my right flank to see him crying at his side. I hold off of crying to show how strong I am. The announcer announces some information and Civil Keepers head us to a room for goodbyes. Only two ponies have ever won over the course of 74 years. Only one is still alive. Haymich Strawlyer.

That pony was always drunk with apple cider. So, the goodbyes were the only time to see our loved ones for the last time. I sit down inside of an empty room with a table and two chairs. I hop up onto a chair and wait. It takes 15 minutes until my herd trots into the room. My mother bursts into tears as Rose starts to hug me.

I begin to yell at my mom, "You have to stay strong!". She nods. "I don't mean fade away like when father died!"

"I was hurt, Poniss!" she exclaims back.

"It doesn't matter!" I continue, "you can't let Rose starve." She nods and Civil Keepers stroll into the room and carry them off.

"Promise me you will try your best!" Rose yells at me as she is guided out.

"I promise!" I yell back. They all leave and I wait some more. It isn't long until Tail trots into the room. He sits down at the opposite chair.

I break the silence by asking, " You will take care of Rose, right?" He nods. He stands back onto his four hooves and leaves. I begin to cry at the thought of death. The Civil Keepers enter the room and direct me into a train station. I enter the train to see the pony announcer, Haymic, and Eata all looking at me.

"Hi dear," the announcer starts, "I'm Elkie Trinket!"

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