It would have been a good day had it not been for the Canterlot regals parading in the streets. It would have been a good day if there hadn't been any District 3 foals being consoled by their parents or siblings. It would have been a good day. It could have been a good day.
Applejack knew this from the moment she stepped foot in town square. From the moment she woke up that morning.
She gave Applebloom one last squeeze before leaving her and Granny Smith. She had to sign in. To stand amongst every other young mare and stallion as they waited to hear who would be called up to the stage.
Big Mac followed his younger sister. Along the edges of the town square, large screens had been set up, displaying all that happened.
"Welcome, welcome, mares, and gentlecolts, and of course, our tributes," Cadence, the mare that came to the reaping every year announced. Her voice was laced with a Canterlot accent. "As for every year, I will pick a mare and stallion from each race, Earth pony, Pegasi, and Unicorn." She paused as six large glass bowls were rolled onstage. "Mare's first."
She picked a card from the Pegasus Mare bowl. "Blossomforth." The white pegasus with pink and green hair stepped up to the stage. Cadence picked a card from the Pegasus Stallion bowl. "Cloudchaser." A card from the Unicorn Mare bowl. "Twilight Sparkle." Unicorn Stallion. "Snails." Earth Pony Mare. "Applebloom."
