Hello again everypony, It’s so good to see… speak to you again. We haven’t had some alone time to chat since the evening prior to the interviews. Well if you haven’t heard (which I assume most of you have) the games start today. They begin their briefing momentarily from that useless sack of skin Brutus. 100 bits says one of the contestants blows his head off.

The donations have been finalized and excitement is high here at the corporate headquarters, ponies all over the office have been placing bets on who they think is going to win, including myself. I've encountered all of them first hoof so I know them better than anypony. I had to put my bits on Applejack, for three reasons specifically. One, she is very strong, two, she has stockpiled quite a few donations and finally because of her motives. I believe that she has the most to fight for with her daughter cheering her on back home. Actually she will be cheering her on from the foal protection services but that still doesn't change any of the motivational principles.

Anything can happen out there honestly. Strange alliances will form and some might even be broken in the process. Ooh I’m just too giddy, can’t wait to start this, which is weird because I was completely mortified with this idea in the beginning but seeing as most of these ponies deserve to die a slow and painful death; I've grown to accept the fact and play along. Unfortunately there is some bad news with every good announcement. This will be the last time I speak to you until the conclusion of the game. For now I bid you farewell, GK signing off.

All twenty contestants stood attentively more or less on a runway waiting for somepony to specify the rules. Eventually that moment arrived as several stocky ponies outfitted in military grade armor escorted Brutus onto the runway. Everypony was cuffed and restrained to prevent a premature elimination.

“Alright you filthy scum suckers, here is what’s going to go down. You will board this here cargo ship momentarily and we will fly you out to the island.”

“Where exactly is this cargo plane of which you speak?” Trixie spoke up from the line up.

“If you’d shut your mouth for more than two seconds then you would find out.” Brutus rebuked harshly

Their attention was drawn towards the end of the tar runway as a massive C-17 Globemaster pulled into view. The vast hunk of metal ever so slowly drove down the runway and screeched to a halt just a few yards from their position.

“This here is your transport.” Brutus continued “Proper departure from the aircraft is crucial to know or else you will die painfully after plunging a few thousand yards onto the island. Once we are over the island we will unwillingly give you a single parachute and a back pack with your gifts inside them. After distribution of supplies is finished then the hatch will open and you will wait for the countdown to jump. Hopefully you are all intelligent enough to deploy a parachute, if you are that mentally deficient to execute this simple task then you might as well say your goodbyes on the way down.”

“What if there is a malfunction with the parachute?” Babs pitched in.

“Then you better hope that you land on a fluffy cushion that we won’t provide. Now moving on, once all of you hit the ground regardless if you survive the landing or not, there will be a one hour grace period where all killing of other contestants is prohibited. If you would, look at your right foreleg. You will see that there is a metallic hoof band wrapped around it. From now on this band is now your best friend and only source of information while you are out there. This device also helps us monitor your motions and activities at all times. Another important thing to keep in mind; Magic is strictly prohibited at all times. This rule also applies to flying. Nopony will get an unfair advantage. If you use magic, that wristband A.K.A your best friend will explode and take you with it. If you fly, you will explode. If you kill anyone in the allotted grace time frame, you will explode. On that band you will also see a very small red tag. If that tag is pulled at any point in time you will have ten seconds to say your final goodbyes… and then you will explode. Is everyone clear on that? Great, now then, that band will also be a helpful resource in the wild. After the grace period concludes, it will inform you by buzzing five times letting you know that the killing may commence. The bracelet will also let you know if a fellow competitor has been eliminated by vibrating. At predetermined increments of 15, 10, 5, and 2. The bracelet will vibrate and an audio file will activate and tell you that so and so amount of competitors remain. That will conclude your briefing for now. Any questions about what I just said?”

“Yes, what’s stopping me from just swimming away from the island?” Applejack inquired

“You can certainly try but you’ll just die tired. It also doesn't help that we may have populated the surrounding waters with carnivorous sea monsters that have the capability and size to swallow this here aircraft within a moments notice. Any more unintelligent questions?”

Twilight Sparkle was about to express her concerns before Brutus cut her off.

“Get on board and wait in the cargo hold for further instructions.”

Everypony sat in silence looking over one another, eyeing their competition knowing all too well of the events that were to transpire in the next few days. Only one of them is to survive and the other nineteen will be dead.

Trixie stared; eyes overflowing with lust, at the oblivious and twitching Twilight Sparkle. Babs sat anxiously tapping her hoof on the floor as her eyes wandered throughout the hold, deliberately avoiding eye contact with the other competitors. Vinyl and Octavia cuddled each other closely for they knew that there time together was inevitably going to end. Soarin and Spitfire were locked in a heated stare with that of Lightning Dust who had been seated directly across from them. Rarity looked over at Applejack who sat next to her with her head hung low as she uttered a short prayer. They were all minutes away from being thrown out of a plane onto an island where they would soon find themselves with crimson staining their hooves.

“Hey Tavi, wouldn't it be funny if after all of this, the winner gets charged with nineteen cases of murder and then gets executed anyway?”

“Um no Vinyl, no it wouldn't.” Their conversation never continued because Brutus and his escort just entered the hold.

“We are just about ready to heave you out of this plane so let’s go over some last minute checks. No magic, flying, or killing in the grace period or you will explode. Remember that the red tag is not to be pulled and when the buzzer goes off you may start. Now underneath your seats you will find a parachute. We highly recommend putting that on right now. On to the donation distribution. If I call your name, please come up and claim your designated gifts. Twilight Sparkle, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy or Butchershy preferably the former. Applejack, Spike the dragon, former commander Shining Armor…

“Watch your tongue or I’ll rip it out of your mouth.” Shining Armor retorted.

“Watch what you do or the corporation won’t hesitate to blow you sky high, and don’t forget about your wife, she wouldn't want you to do something that would lead to less than necessary repercussions.” Brutus responded arrogantly.

“What did you say about my wife, you filthy rat!?” Shining Armor was just on the verge of beating Brutus right then and there if not for the security guards.

“Oh nothing, I was just wondering how much special attention she is receiving in prison.” Brutus pushed Shining Armor too far this time. Shining Armor leaped towards Brutus only to be stopped by a Taser to the throat. He fell to the floor with a thud.

“Nice try moron!” Scootaloo remarked from her seat.

“Shut up chicken wing!” Shining armor was now able to stand back up and was immediately put into a set of hoof-cuffs.

“Anypony else want to try something like that?” Brutus continued.

Shining Armor spat in the direction of Brutus landing inches from his hooves. “I hope you burn slowly in the depths of Tartaurus.”

“Send my regards to your dead daughter when you get there first.” Brutus cockily responded with an egotistical grin on his face.

Shining Armor attempted to charge again but was stopped this time, not by a Taser, but by a pair of hooves wrapped around his waist pulling him backwards.

“Please Shining Armor, Don’t go and do somethin that’s gon git you inta more trouble then ya already are. That vermin ain’t worth the trouble, just let it go.” Shining Armor whipped around to find that it had been Applejack who had stopped his attempted assault.

The large white stallion turned his back to Brutus and let out a frustrated huff. He and Applejack took their seats.

“Now that that is out of the way, we can continue. Remember, if I call your name please come up and claim your items. Mrs. Octavia Scratch, Soarin, and Spitfire. For those of you whos names I did not call that means that no one likes you and that you are unimportant to the rest of society. Now for you Octavia it seems as though one of your donations was too large to fit inside of your bag so you will just have to figure out how to get it to the ground undamaged.“ Another stallion entered the holding deck carrying a cello case with the instrument presumably inside on a dolly.

“Hmm, Vinyl can you please take this with you on the way down?”

“Sure thing babe.” Vinyl grabbed the cello off of the dolly and removed it from the case. She held the cello close to her body; unsure of how to get it all the way to the island intact.

After the gifts had finished being distributed, the security guards lined everyone up shoulder to shoulder facing the rear of the plane. The hatch in front of them began to lower revealing the mid-afternoon sky. It was barren of any clouds and the sun was beating down wave after wave of humid heat.

A loud speaker behind them crackled to life as the voice of Discord began their countdown.

5… Everypony set their sights upon the horizon.

4… There was a mixture of fear and anticipation lingering in the air.

3… Everyone collected themselves with a deep breath.

2… No turning back now.

1! Every contestant charged forward and leaped out of the plane except for one. Shining Armor remained stationary. Brutus walked up behind him trying to urge the stubborn stallion out.

“Hey Mr. Mcspits-a-lot, are you jumping out or am I gonna have to push you out myself!?”

“I've had enough of you for one day!” Shining Armor lashed out at brutus and wrapped his cuffs around Brutus’s throat then fell out of the hold with the smug officiator in tow.

“I have half a mind to pull your tag right now!” Brutus yelled as the two stallions plummeted towards the ground.

“Go ahead; don’t forget that you’ll be blown to smithereens if you do!” Shining Armor continued to increase the pressure of the cuffs around the writhing stallion’s throat. All Brutus could hope for was that he’d be able to escape from Shining Armor, survive the landing, and wait for a rescue team to arrive.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

“Um Discord sir, it appears as though Brutus was abducted by the contestant Shining Armor. Would you like me to send out a rescue patrol?” A worker nervously asked from his seat at the digital observation deck

“No, don’t bother. This is the perfect opportunity to tie up some… loose ends.”

“If you say so sir.” The worker turned back to his monitor

SOME RANDOM PUB THAT DOES NOT MATTER ENOUGH TO BE NAMED.

“Yo GK!” A short and stocky stallion called from across the bar.

“What!?” The announcer hollered back.

“Didn't you have a bet with someone that one of the contestants would kill Brutus?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Then you might wanna come on over and see this!” GK made his way to where his friend sat and fixed his eyes on the television screen. They watched as what looked like Shining Armor choked out Brutus in the plane then jumped with the smaller stallion still in his grasp.

“Wow, now Blaze and my wife both owe me a hundred bits.”

FREE-FALLING THROUGH THE SKY

By now everypony had deployed their parachutes and were now more or less gracefully falling towards the beach on the island.

Vinyl had managed to keep the cello from falling during free-fall by clasping the body of the cello between her hind legs.

“How is Octy even going to use this big ol’ thing?” Vinyl thought to herself. As Vinyl continued her descent, an idea came to her. They were all still considerably far from the island, Vinyl approximated about a hundred yards or so.

“Just got to get a little closer.” She muttered to herself not knowing if her better half could hear her. Vinyl waited until they were about fifty yards away then released her grip on the instrument letting it sail downwards.

“Vinyl what the bloody heck do you think your doing with my cello!?” Octavia shouted angrily when she saw what her spouse had just done.

“Trust me Tavi. I've got an idea and it’s gonna work. I promise!” Octavia still remained doubtful as she witnessed the cellos’ final moments before crashing into the ground and shattering. Bits and pieces of wood debris covered the sandy beach.

“Okay, I trust that you pull through with this!”

After several more seconds of gliding all of the contestants landed on the beach without serious injury. All except for Shining Armor and his involuntary passenger who were still being lowered by their parachute. A stray gust of wind took them inland instead of onto the beach where everyone else had already scattered.

Vinyl and Octavia remained on the beach to examine Vinyl’s unexpressed idea.

“So what exactly was your genius plan here darling?”

“I was thinking that maybe we could use this as fire wood.” Octavia just stared at her wife with an expressionless face.

“Vinyl?”

“Yes?”

“You can’t burn varnished wood! It’s poisonous you retard!” Octavia was bewildered by Vinyl’s feeble-mindedness.

“Oh, did not know that.” Vinyl now felt a large build up of guilt.

“Well, it’s not like we could’ve used it anyway. Lets just try to get some shelter as secluded from everyone as possible.” Octavia suggested.

“Alright.” Vinyl followed her wife into the forest. Before she was completely engulfed by the undergrowth she glanced back at the splintered wood that littered the beach and felt a hint of disappointment before finally pushing forward into the unknown.

Granted the minor setback, Shining Armor and Brutus successfully landed, but just not exactly where they hoped to. Instead of a cushioned fall onto a sandy beach, they ended up with their parachute tangled in a tree. Shining Armor detached himself from the chute but still remained perched on a branch high up on the tree. Below him Brutus carefully struggled to pull himself up onto a cracked branch. He knew if he were to let go it wouldn't end pleasantly, but if he attempted to pull up any further the branch would snap ending with the same results. All he could do now was hang. Shining Armor took notice of the predicament and was ready to take advantage. He lowered himself carefully onto the branch while still gripping his perch for safety. Brutus looked up at the former soldier with desperation in his eyes.

“Please Shining, help me out here. I’m sorry for what I said about your family.” The branch was started to dislocate itself from the tree even more. “Can’t we let bygones be bygones and help one another? I can help you win this thing so you can see your wife again!” Brutus pleaded. He continued to rationalize with Shining Armor but he knew he wasn't getting through to the livid stallion.

“You had your chance to apologize but now it’s too late for you.” Shining stamped his hooves onto the branch causing it to crack even further.

“Please don’t let me fall, I have a family at home too you know.”

“Yeah, is that so? Well I guess you can be with them in spirit.” Shining Armor stamped his hooves once more on the branch beneath him causing it to snap off the tree completely. Brutus relinquished his grasp from the fallen tree limb as he dropped to the forest floor beneath him. He landed on his hind legs, unfortunately for him he rolled his leg on a root protruding from underneath the soil around the base of the tree. He could feel his leg shatter from the impact. His tibia snapped in half and busted through his skin. The sight of his leg outside of his leg almost made him regurgitate but instead he let out a guttural scream of pain that alerted some nearby birds who fluttered off into the distance. He just laid there on the ground knowing that he was now immobilized and at the will of Shining Armor who had made his way down to the ground after descending from other lower branches. Brutus made an attempt to crawl away from the advancing assaulter but it was to no avail. Shining Armor planted a hoof firmly on Brutus’ chest easily pinning him down. He proceeded to remove his back pack.

“Now let’s see what my gift is.” He unzipped the pack to find a sheathed blade. He pulled the knife out of the holster and held it in front of the squirming stallions’ face. The blade was the length of his chin to his brow; a very formidable weapon in the hooves of a trained professional.

“Now for the business at hoof. You said some things up there that I didn't take to kindly to and now I think that a proper punishment is in order.” He lowered the knife to where it just lightly poked the skin above his right pectoral muscle.

“This one is for me.” He pressed forward on the knife and penetrated his chest. A small amount of blood trickled from the wound. He let the knife sit there for several agonizing seconds before slashing diagonally across his upper body leaving a large and deep gash.

“AHHH!” Brutus screamed as his skin ripped exposing the muscle beneath it.

“This one is for my wife.” He did the same thing only this time the knife was positioned precariously over his heart. He pressed the knife in again and dragged the blade across his chest.

“Wait, Wait, Wait! Before you deliver the final blow just remember that if you kill me then you explode.” Brutus clamored for an excuse to stall.

“Actually Mr. Rule-book I won’t. Grace period only applies to the other contestants; at no point did you specify that an unregistered unit is immune from killing within the time frame. So this is perfectly legal. For my daughter!” Shining Armor sliced the blade across Brutus’ throat. A river of blood flowed from his body and onto the soil. Instead of screaming he let out a choking gurgle when death overtook him. Shining Armor felt satisfied with his revenge. He placed the now crimson stained knife back into its sheath then placed it back into his pack. He had absolutely no idea where he was going now. He left his fate in the hooves of Mother Nature for now.

Lightning Dust slowed her pace to a brisk trot once she was certain that nopony was following her. Lightning turned her head to face the immense expanse of water that surrounded the island. There were no other land masses that could be seen. She felt solace in knowing that she was immune from Soarin and Spitfire. She kept telling herself that she’d be fine but there was always a smidgen of doubt in the back of her mind. She was scared, there was absolutely no way she could defend herself against two ponies that both had donations. She was left with nothing but her wits and will.

Her attention was drawn away from the ocean to the undergrowth behind her. She heard a rustling noise coming from within the bushes. Lightning continued to stare but no other motion was apparent.

“Come on out. I know that somepony is in there. No use hiding anymore.” She was greeted with the stillness of the air.

Lightning was stirred from her concentration a second time. This time she could see a pair of amber eyes peering through the bushes. They were staring at her directly. Lightning hesitantly approached the pair of beady eyes but they disappeared before she could get a good glimpse.

“Just come out you coward, you can’t kill me anyways so show yourself or are you just so scared of confrontation that you want to hide your putrid face.” She stood there for a few moments expecting somepony to emerge but again she was greeted with the same eerie silence as before.

“Yeah, just what I thought. You are just a little coward. Should have known you’d be too scared to face me Spitfire. You always were an ignorant little Bi...” Lightning was abruptly cut off as a large pony exploded from within the dense undergrowth and bowled over her. The larger pony easily pinned her to the ground. During the scuffle she was able to identify her assailant as Soarin. She was disgusted by his cocky grin and his menacing emerald eyes. Wait, emerald eyes? The eyes she saw earlier in the bushes were amber. Before she could finish her thought, Spitfire emerged from the bushes; holding a small dagger. She assumed that must have been one of their donations.

“What the hay are you doing, you can’t kill me in the grace period.” Lightning stammered. Spitfire just chuckled menacingly while shaking her head from side to side.

“Of course we won’t kill you… yet. Who do you think we are morons? No killing you comes later.” Spitfire explained.

“Then what exactly do you plan on doing for the next hour?”

“Oh we are just going to have a bit of fun with you first. The rules state that we can’t kill you but they never said anything about severely injuring you. Soarin, heads up!” She tossed her dagger to her partner who caught it with the hoof not being used to secure Lightning Dust. “You know what to do.” She added. With the grin still plastered to his face, Soarin raised the blade into the air.

“I've been waiting so long to do this.” With a wink, Soarin brought the knife down with excessive force easily plunging into Lightning’s shoulder. Lightning Dust screamed as the pain shot through her body like electricity. Blood began to seep from the wound around the knife. Soarin pulled the blade very slowly, allowing Lightning to relish in the pain for as long as possible. Tears began well up in her eyes but she never let Spitfire see her weakness. She mustered up enough energy to speak through the agony.

“You coward! Leaving a filthy stallion to do your dirty work! What kind of mare are you!?”

“You caused as much damage to him as you did me; I’m just letting him get his anger out before we rid this planet of you for good.” Soarin prepared for another assault with the knife, this time he held the knife above her uninjured shoulder. Lightning was not about to give up just yet. She worked up a bit of saliva in her mouth and spit it out at Soarin. The expectoration nailed the stallion in the face. Soarin lowered the knife and wiped the substance off of his face. He threw the knife to the side and slapped the Pegasus across her cheek. Though it stung her face, it gave her the perfect opportunity to slip away. Lightning moved her hind leg from underneath Soarin’s knee. She bunched the muscles in her thigh and swiftly closed the distance between her hoof and Soarin’s nether regions. The burly Pegasus toppled over and allowed Lightning to scramble to her hooves and sprint towards the nearest form of cover which happened to be the bushes where Soarin and Spitfire had previously been hiding. Soarin was about to pounce in pursuit but was held back by Spitfire.

“Just Leave her be for now. She can’t hide forever.” Soarin let out a grunt of disappointment.

Lightning was in the clear now but she didn't know that. She blindly ran through the jungle hoping to put as much distance between herself and her attackers. Her shoulder and lungs were on fire but she refused to stop… until it was too late that is. Lightning tripped over a tree stump and began to tumble downhill. The drop was steep and unforgiving as she rolled aimlessly down the slope. She seized her rolling and lay there, defenseless on what appeared to be a ridge of limestone. Fearing that she had broken her neck, Lightning remained motionless. After about a minute of contemplation, Lightning staggered to her hooves. Fortunately for her nothing appeared to be broken or out of place, just bruises and cuts. Though they stung her body she never allowed the pain to take control. She shook the water from her fur and mane before she set off again but she never got the chance to do the latter. The ridge was worn from the water beneath it causing the ground to collapse. Lightning’s hooves gave way and she plummeted into the muddy heap below.

“Urgh…” She just couldn't catch a break. “I’m done with this game, Kill me already!” She screamed out in defeat. “Just let it be quick please.” She pleaded to the sky. Tears fell from her face like rain. “At least I get to be with my family soon.” Lightning gave a somewhat content sigh as she waited for her fate. She continued to cry out but she did so with a smile across her face. She knew she was going to die but she felt a wave of relief surge through her. She heard a faint whisper in the distance. It didn't sound like anypony she knew but the tone was warm and soothing. She could tell that the voice belonged to that of a stallion but she could never see him.

“Hush my child, I am here.” The voice spoke.

“Why can’t I see you?” Lightning questioned.

“You will see me soon my child, close your eyes and rest, for your journey is not yet over. Your sins are many but you can still be forgiven.”

“Who are you!? Why must you torment me like this!?” Lightning knew in her mind that this was just her imagination but something about it just felt so real. “Show yourself!”

“Sleep my child; I will be waiting for your arrival when the time comes.” The voice disappeared, leaving Lightning Dust alone again. Her eyes grew heavy and her body refused to stand so she obeyed the voice and slept.

Author's Note

It's about time I got around to updating this. depending on how "creative" I get with the deaths, I might have to change the rating. For now it will remain teen. Thank you for your patience. Hopefully the next chapter won't take so long.