The Pony Games

"Tia?" a voice whispered softly. "Auntie Tia, you can't do this. You can't just disinherit us from our birthrights. It's not your decision!"

"Silence, Cadence," Celestia said forcefully. "I have untold powers. I am immortal. You cannot stop me!"

"I am immortal as well, Tia," Cadence argued. "My powers show me that you have lost all of your love for your subjects. What happened, Tia?"

A cold laugh rang through the corridor, and a little purple princess flattened herself further against the wall as a fierce shiver ran through her body.

"Nothing, Cadence," Celestia replied coldly. "I simply allowed the many magical barriers I placed around myself to fall. I called you here first, Cadence, because you will be the first to go."

A shriek of immense pain filled the hallways, and the hidden princess tried to cover her ears while keeping the tears from falling for her old foalsitter. With a blast of light and a bang, the cries were cut off.

"Where has she gone, Princess?" the rough voice of a Royal Guard asked.

"In the castle dungeons. Her wings and powers have been stripped, and I will deal with her soon enough," Celestia said coldly. "I will have to wait for Luna to return to the castle, but I will settle for dealing with Twilight Sparkle next. Find her."

Twilight ran for her life, the cold marble of the castle flying beneath her feet. It was not enough for the princess, who stumbled and fell forward, right into the waiting grasp of the royal guards.

***

"You called for me, sister?" the night princess asked, trotting forward.

"Luna, what do you see here?" Celestia asked, pointing a hoof out of the window closest to herself. The younger sister stepped forward, looking outward.

"We see only the magical forests of Equestria, sister," Luna responded, quizzical. "Is there something thou wishes to reveal to us?"

Celestia said nothing, instead guiding Luna to the opposite window.

"Look now, sister," Celestia demanded.

Luna gazed out the window and skittered back, horrified at the sight before her. Below, on the ground, a gallows had been constructed, and the dead body of Princess Cadence hung from the noose, wingless, mournfully staring blankly at the pathway before her.

"Tia," Luna said, her voice high. "Why in Faust's good name would thou execute our beloved niece!"

"To show an example," Celestia answered curtly. "I bring you here today, Luna, because I am giving you a choice. Equestria has transformed into Celestial Equestria, but I have set aside a portion of the land for you to govern over. You may choose to fulfill this role, or you may join Cadence in front of my palace."

"Twilight," Luna managed to say. "What has thou done with thy student, Twilight Sparkle?"

Celestia chuckled. "In due time, Luna. You shall see in due time."

With that, the guards blocked Luna from sight and guided her out of the room.

***

"The Lunar Republic has fallen. I repeat myself, friends; The Lunar Republic has fallen."

"What will this mean for the rebellion, Atticus?"

Rest easy, Spell Tome. The citizens of Canterlot have no need to fear. The rebellion has died with the Republic. Celestial Equestria is safe from the uprising."

"What about the other districts?"

"We shall see what our magnificent and just leader decides, Atticus. What do you think Celestial Equestria deserves?"

"They need to be shown an example."

"Like the execution of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?"

"No, Spell Tome. Something much worse. Something that will remind them, time and time again, that they are at the mercy of our Queen."