An Unusual Enocounter

"How did it come to this," cried Rainbow in a distressed inquiring tone, the azure mare was walking a tightrope with her wings bound together with magic so tightly she couldn't so much as twitch them reflexively over a large pot of boiling vegetable soup with a long wooden pole to act as her balance in her hands.

"Now, now, now," said the indigo and pink anthropomorphic calico cat in a dark red, and very erotic, female magician/game host outfit, complete with a matching and overly shiny top hat. "My chamber, my rules. And since you removed my lovely assistant from the show before the game could start one of you had to be put in the Punishment Zone while the rest of you participate in the show. After all, this is a Lost Dungeon of Punishment. For every failure on the part of your compatriots, our participant in the Punishment Zone gets additional punishments, some more enjoyable than others. Don't worry; you won't be in the punishment zone for too long."

The cat's admittedly fabulous F-Cup bosom was mostly flowing out of her attire. She had introduced herself as "the Gamemaster and Show Master," and given how the group's newest addition reacted to her, this was not someone to be messed with. Rainbow didn't like how their "host" had basically decided how everyone came into the room, especially since she was in a predicament Rainbow really didn't want any part of under any circumstances.

"I don't think I like what this implies," said Rarity in an apprehensive voice.

"Alright, now that you know the name of the game," said the cat creature, "it's time for you to learn the rules and everyone to give introductions. This game has five portions, all of which have some surprises waiting for anyone who violates the rules or gets something wrong. But before we explain all that I have to explain the rules a bit more. All the players will be in teams of two, you can call in someone to substitute for you that is within the dungeon as long as they are not part of another team in the game we are playing here; Those that choose to opt-out of the game are permitted to say so but in doing so forfeit all rights to participate in the game; all players are awarded points for their actions in the game, regardless of what they actually did. Players earn points for carrying out the challenge assigned to them, the one who carries out the challenge most effectively earns the most points. At the end of each portion, the points of all the players are counted, then the points of each team are added together to determine which group is the winning team. **** outside the combat portions of the show is strictly prohibited."

"Alright, and what are these five challenges," inquired Twilight, "and what are the rules for them? And while we're at it, just what is the name of our 'host'?"

"First of all, thank you for inquiring the name the one officiating the challenges, and your choice of terminology is also greatly appreciated," said the cat creature in a dignified manner. "I am Jeu Ace, the master of the games for this show. You'll learn the challenges as the show progresses, the rules for each game will be stated for everyone before the official start of the games. The games are designed to test the knowledge and skill of all those involved in the competition, any found in violation of the rules of the challenge or show itself will be punished, the greater the violation, the harsher the punishment."

"Okay," called out Rainbow Dash, "but why did I end up on the log, and rolling it, the moment I entered the room?"

"Had to get, and keep, your group's attention somehow," said Jeu, with a snap of her fingers Rainbow was now standing next to Rarity. "Now that I have everyone's attention, and the general rules have been established, it's time for the players of the first round to be decided," she turns to the figure that is technically a door, "I'm sorry to say, due to your...condition, you will not be permitted to participate."

The party looked about confused, and maybe a little apprehensive. "So," said Twilight, "maybe telling us what the first challenge is, and its rules, might help us decide."

"Well, that does sound like an excellent idea," said Jae, "the first challenge is simple...an eating contest." All of a sudden a buffet-sized table appeared on the large stage before everyone, "before the challenge begins, you will be split into random teams, after that each team will choose someone to eat as many of our' special carrots' as possible," she then held up a thirteen-inch long carrot that was six or seven inches wide at it its midpoint, "the one who consumes the most wins the challenge. Also, you get bonus points and prizes for completing the challenges in a record-setting or breaking way or manner."