>Stonewall opened a locker and looked inside, possibly curious to see if someone left anything of value behind.
>When he found nothing, he closed it and sat down on the bench behind him.
>The locker was the only thing that made sound within the room.
>All else was eerily silent.
>You figured this odd silence would be routine throughout the competition.
>Moses continued to sulk in the corner because of his loss.
>You wondered if he was really that much of a sore loser, or maybe that he was upset over something else...
>He sighed.
"Hey," you signal to the brown diamond dog.
>His sad eyes meet yours.
>"What do you want? I'm busy."
"You okay over there?"
>He's taken aback by your question.
>His ears only droop and his eyes move downwards.
>"I'll be fine. I don't need your pity."
>"Fine? I've never heard a bigger lie in my life," Miracle Crop butts in.
>"And you would know how? Just leave me alone."
>Moses turns around on the bench, his back facing the rest of the contestants.
>This only makes Crop and you more ornery.
>The pink stallion shifts his gaze to you, as if indicating that you two should gauge the dog a bit more.
>Or maybe something else.
>You aren't a mind reader.
>"You know, from my experience in talking to ponies, when they're hunched over and angry looking, they aren't fine."
>Moses stays silent.
"You know Moses," you begin, standing from your seat, "I can understand that losing hurts, but staying mad about it won't help you feel better. Maybe it'd be best to get whatever's on your mind out?"
>He turns his head and leers at you.
>"You'll all just mock me for my loss if I tell you."
>"Why would we do that?" Star Gazer interjects.
>Moses huffs, his gaze turning to Star Gazer.
>"Because you'll know what a failure I am now," he spat, his tone laced with venom.
>To the surprise of everyone, Stonewall came into the conversation, walking towards the downed canine.
>"Dog, listen to me. You may have failed in your match, but you are dishonoring yourself further by letting this failure get the better of you. If you face your failures and vow to right them, you redeem yourself."
>Stonewall puts his hand on Moses' shoulder, and looks down at him.
>"Now, will you save your honor by admitting your mistakes, or will you deny their existence like a coward?"
>Moses stares at Stonewall, then takes a deep breath.
>"When I signed up for this competition, I promised my pack I would return with the most beautiful gems they'd laid eyes on. Whether I could ask for the bits to be replaced with gems, or buy gems with them, I said I'd get everything they wanted."
>He sadly laughed to himself.
>"I even have a list of gems in my vest that each pack member asked for. From quartz to diamonds, it's all there. But now...now I'll come home empty-pawed. As if my low position of grunt wasn't bad enough, they'll berate me harshly for my loss once I return. I can't imagine what kind of pain that will be."
>"But I thought diamond dogs lived in caverns full of gems?" Polo asks.
>"That's what I was getting to. The caves I live in have been completely dry of gems for years now. We've tried moving out, but our attempts are always stopped by rival packs, leaving us in the dust. I haven't seen a gem for quite some time."
>Miracle Crop nods.
>"I've got a similar weight on my shoulders," he begins, his hoof circling the ground. "I entered for fame and fortune obviously, but that isn't the only part. I'm also here so I can get my ma and pop's farm recognized. We've been a struggling family of avocado farmers since I was a little colt. We always get beaten out by the nearby olive farmers."
>His circling hoof suddenly clashed against the ground.
>"I SWEAR those dirty olive eaters are badmouthing our avocados!"
>Lark scoffs.
>"So why not badmouth them back?"
>Crop smacks the griffon upside the head.
>"That is resorting to dirty tricks, child! We don't cheat in my family!"
>Lark rubs his head and glares at the stallion, mumbling to himself as the stallion continues.
>"My daddy hurt his back awhile ago, and now he can barely walk, which didn't really help our situation. My ma's tried her best to take care of him, which left only me and our farmhand to tend to the crops."
>Crop sighs.
>"I can't imagine how hard big ol' Planter's working without me there."
>"Um..."
>All heads in the room turn to the source of the noise, which happens to be Star Gazer.
>He gasps at the sudden amount of attention directed at him.
>"I-I-uh...I-I mean, my family's counting on me too..."
>He looks away, trying to divert attention away from him.
>It doesn't work.
>"What else, kid?" Miracle Crop asks. "There's more to it. I think we're all just gonna talk at one point. You volunteered yourself."
>Star Gazer swallows nervously, and faces his audience.
>"W-well, my brother...he's really sick. We've been to doctors all over, and he's come down with a terminal disease. The problem is, we're not that rich, so each time we try to get him treated, we aren't able to pay for it. I'm here for the prize money so I can get my brother taken care of...and also get a kiss from Luna..."
>The last part he quietly mumbled.
>Lark waves his claw in the air.
>"Sorry to hear that guys, really, I am. But I'm here to win, and that's what I intend to do."
"Yeah," you say, irritated by Lark's arrogance, "but what exactly are you here for? What do you want to achieve?"
>Lark's smug grin grows as he raises his eyebrow.
>"Really, man? It's simple: I'm here for fame and fortune. I'm hoping this little contest will get my name spread far and wide, and then I'll be recognized everywhere I go. 1,000 bits might not be much, but I'll be coveted by all the big wigs to make appearances at their parties as "The griffon who kissed the princesses", and they'll have to pay a bit of a fee if they want me to grace them with my presence."
>The griffon's smile is wide, and you can see the stars in his eyes.
>"I got it allll planned out. It'll be great!"
>Stonewall lets out a humph.
>"Arrogance if I'd ever heard it."
>Lark hops onto his legs in anger.
>"What was that?"
>"Arrogance. You've much to learn about honor, bird. I'm here to defend it and my title, and I will do it with dignity. Selling yourself out is disgusting. I've lost respect for you, bird."
>"I'll knock that honor right out of you if-!"
>Lark is interrupted by the arrival of Cerulean and Gravel, along with the assistant to take them to the arena.
>The two competitors sit on the benches while the assistant pony looks at a clipboard.
>"Star Gazer and Miracle Crop. You guys are up next."
>Miracle Crop hops out of his seat with glee.
>"FINALLY, I've been so bored back here!"
>Star Gazer slowly slumps off the bench and walks over to Crop and the assistant.
>"I hope I don't mess up with all those ponies watching my every movement..."
>He gulps.
>The three of them leave, letting the silence return to the locker room.
>Until Lark speaks.
>"So, who won?"
>Cerulean stays silent as he goes back to his leaning wall, looking muddy.
>Gravel, who is drenched in mud as well, points to the dragon begrudgingly.
>"It was a good match. He's a formidable opponent."
>Polo, having listened to all the other competitor's reasons for entering, decided to ask Gravel and Cerulean.
>"So, was there anything special you two entered for?"
>Gravel only looks at him stoically.
>"Just the money, nothing else."
>"...really?" Polo's tone suggests he wants another epic tale of woe.
>"Yes."
>Unfortunate for him.
>"Money doesn't matter to me."
>Polo's eyes go wide as he realizes Cerulean has spoken.
>"What I'm here for are those kisses. I told the other dragons I'd be able to get the pony princesses to kiss me, and I'm gonna do it."
>"Hm, money doesn't matter? And here I thought all dragons were greedy," Stonewall ponders aloud.
>Cerulean opts not to answer and closes his eyes again, as if in some form of meditation.
 
>The next contest has the competitors dodging as many apples as they can, the apples having been so graciously donated by Ponyville's own Apple family.
>The total number of apples that are dodged are added up after three rounds, with each round having them tossed faster, the number of apples dodged being the competitor's score.
>Mircale Crop believes he's at an advantage, dealing with crops.
>Star Gazer is only terrified by the large crowd around him, his eyes shifting back and forth.
>Until his eyes met Luna's, who curtly nodded at him.
>This eased his nerves, and he prepared himself for the coming barrage of apples.
>"Let the third match BEGIN!"