[ GAME 2 - TUG O’ WAR ]
With the crowd settled once more, the megaphone was put in front of Gavin’s Mouth so that he could explain the next game “Neu gamsie cawd ‘Tuggie Waw’, Fwuffies am put in teamsies an puww wope wiff teef o hoovsies. Fiwst teamsie tu puww odda fwuffies ova wine win!” Gavin chirps, keeping the same chipper tone as always which sounded more mocking than friendly at this point. Soon the fluffies were separated into two teams and given a chance to take hold of the rope however they wanted before a second red rope was thrown onto the ground to act as the median. With everything set up, Maxwell shouted ‘GO’ and the game officially went underway.
Now knowing what the penalty for loss was, the two teams pulled with all their might and dug their hooves deep into the soil to prevent them from giving any ground to the other side. The struggling earthies grunted and puffed as their teeth dug into the braided strands, small sparks flew off the horns of unicorns, and the tiny pathetic wings of pegisi flapped furiously in an attempt to gain more ground over the other side.
However, not everyone was giving it their all as with the way teams were divided, several fluffies were pitted against those that they loved; a sky blue stallion with a darker blue mane forced into competition with his Special Friend whom was still nursing their young, a small lime green stallion who was just mature enough to participate pulling against his father whom helped raise him even before his eyes were open, and a pregnant white unicorn competing with her daughter to secure the lives of those whom were not yet even born.
For the longest time, it seemed like the two were dead even until a soft crack and a ‘SCREE’ rang out, for the front teeth of a brown earthie had finally given out with them hanging loosely from their gums. The earthie sobbed, trying to push its teeth back in only for it to cause it more pain whilst the other team had finally gotten a leg-up on the competition and capitalized with a forceful tug.
The other team lurched forward in response, ankles being broken and rope burn causing more and more to let go. Whilst some still had the will to keep holding on despite their loss of numbers, they were only really delaying the inevitable as the leading tugger of the opposite team was finally dragged over the red rope.
The loss for the losing team was devastating, knowing full well that they would not only lose their chance at the prize, but more importantly their lives as the guards grabbed the crippled and mangled fluffies by their manes without a single one managing to slip away thanks to their injuries. Once again, the losers were brought up to the stage with the guards creating what was basically a wall of shame consisting of fluffies sobbing loudly, suckling on their hooves with their tail between their legs, or begging for their life whilst promising that they’ll do better next time.
“Congratulations to the winning team! You have fought hard and valiantly to have made it thus far unlike those that came before you and you should feel proud of yourselves for that. As a small treat for making it to the half-way point, a hearty helping of ‘sketties’ is waiting for you in your feeding trough! Take this time to bask in your glory and let it be a reminder that should you win you will feast like this every single day for the rest of your life. As for me, my men and I will make some preparations for your next game so enjoy the downtime while you can!”
And with that, he and the others took their leave for the time being, exiting through the temporarily powered down gate whilst those that attempted to make a break for it during downtime were punted away across the field, though Max did warn them not to kill any of them before the next game.
For those smart enough not to try anything, they ran over to the feeding trough, attempting to drown the pain of loss with food with some even fighting others so that they could get more. However, not everyone was in the mood for eating as many simply went into their homes to grieve in peace. Just that morning everything seemed peaceful, it felt like after so much strife and hardship on the streets or in abusive homes they finally got some retribution for this mistreatment only for their entire worldview to come crashing down as they watched their loved ones either be crushed under the uncaring heel of a human or taken away for some unknown purpose. They couldn’t understand, none of them could since they were never programmed to, all they could do was sit down and wallow in their sadness whilst the lucky ones who still had their foals that were too young to play come and comfort them.
Game Day (GAME 1 - TAG) [ By Paincil ]
Game Day (GAME 3 - SISYPHUS’S RACE) [ By Paincil ]